Len Rossi dies at 91

NWA hall of famer Len Rossi, died Friday after battling cancer. He was 91.

Rossi, who was originally from Utica, New York, was a headliner in the National Wrestling Alliance from the 1950s through the 1970s.

After his wrestling career Rossi embarked on a second career as a health foods store owner.

Rossi, who was born Len Rositano, began his pro wrestling career in 1950. He moved his family to Nashville in 1958 and his career quickly took off.

Rossi emerged as one of wrestling’s most famous figures not only in Nashville and Memphis, but across the country and abroad.

He was part of 14 World Tag Team championships and also held the NWA Jr. Heavyweight title and the North American Jr. Heavyweight title.

Rossi also was known for being one of the first wrestlers to integrate the sport when he took on Bearcat Brown, an African-American, as a partner in the 1960s in Birmingham, Alabama. Rossi and Brown remained partners for many years.

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