According to MARK Himself-his First Professional Wrestling Bout was against his Friend and
Mentor-COLIN JOYNSON in Late 1969!-He was 'put in' at the Last Minute as a Sub following
a 'No Show' by Another Wrestler!!-ROCCO further states that despite some previous Training-
he was 'Exhausted' after the First Round!!! + Amusingly 'his' Trunks and Boots didn't fit that
well!!
So his 'Baptism' into The Sport was a Big Reality Check for him!
He began a Proper Training Programme and was Advised that on his Learning Curve he
would be 'Paying his Dues'!-So ROCCO didn't Win Many Matches in 1971-1972-See My
Original Programme for SOUTHAMPTON Below-where he Loses by 2-0 to PETER RANN!!
This was the Case until 1975 and his Appearance as a Stunt Man in the Film ROLLERBALL!
Incorporating the Film's Title into his Ring Name-This was the Year that MARK began to
Move Up the Cards and Win More Bouts!-The Rest-as We say is Wrestling History!
Even having a Father who was a Famous Veteran Wrestler-ROCCO was no Different as
Like Any Other-he had to Start at the Bottom of the Pile!
I was Fortunate Enough to Watch ROCCO Live in the Early to Mid 1970's Many Times-
and I Remember Witnessing his Upward Trajectory and Improvement during This Period!
By 1975 ROCCO's Mastery of Myriads of Moves and Holds was Very Impressive and his
Fitness Levels became Phenominal!
MARK ROLLERBALL MEAN MACHINE ROCCO Evolved into a Fabulous Wrestler and
Arguably-in My View-The Very Best HEAVY-MIDDLEWEIGHT Champion Ever!
Below I Share Some of My Original Posters/Programmes/Flyers for The Early ROCCO
Years-Including a Very Young ROCCO Photo!!
MAIN MASK
The earliest one so far is August 1971. I saw him a month earlier: