Mark “Rollerball” Rocco has sadly died aged 69.
The wrestling world has lost another legend after news of the British star, who was a fixture on ITV’s World of Sport and appeared as the original Black Tiger in NJPW.
A number of top WWE and NXT UK superstars have paid tribute to Rocco, who inspired a generation of performers and had an incredible impact on the business as a whole.
The Manchester-born wrestler was a big part of the UK scene in both Joint Promotions and All Star Wrestling, while also making waves in New Japan Pro Wrestling, before his retirement in 1991.
He was last seen in a major TV role when he was part of the judgement panel for TNA’s British Bootcamp in 2012.
WWE star and NXT General Manager William Regal tweeted: ‘I’ve woken to the terrible news that my friend and colleague Mark “ Rollerball” Rocco has passed away
‘Mark was so ahead of his time and wether as himself or the original “Black Tiger” in @njpwglobal, he, along with Marty Jones were the true originators of the fast paced, hard hitting Jr Heavyweight style we see today.
‘In 1978 I saw a match of theirs and it took my Wrestling fandom to a different world. Becoming a friend and getting to Wrestle Mark at 18 a dream come true.
‘Mark had an unbeilable work ethic in and out of the ring and my life was better for knowing him.
‘There aren’t enough words for me to explain how much it means to me to be fortunate enough to have know him, wrestled him and explain how much he meant to the British and World wide wrestling scene and I just wished I could have one more of the hundreds of car rides I had with him “hold court” with his wonderful stories.
‘My deepest condolences to all of Marks family. (sic)’
NXT UK’s Ashton Smith wrote: ‘RIP Mark Rollerball Rocco, true innovator and a legend in wrestling.’
His colleague Mark Andrews added: ‘Awful news to hear of the passing of Mark Rocco.
‘The modern style of wrestling wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for him. One of the best ever. RIP Rollerball.’
NXT superstar Drake Maverick – who worked with him on Bootcamp – also commented, as he said: ‘”The definition of art has to shift whenever an innovator appears” RIP “Rollerball” Mark Rocco’
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