Unveiling Johnny Rodz's Hidden Struggle Behind WWE's Spotlight!

Pro Wrestling Stories

John Rodriguez, known to wrestling fans as "The Unpredictable" Johnny Rodz during his time in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and later the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) from 1965 to 1985, evolved from an underdog into a wrestling icon.

This WWE Hall of Famer had a hidden life beyond the ring, a story largely unknown to many today. It's the remarkable tale of a man who has recently encountered his toughest adversary yet.

Born on May 16, 1941, "in the hills of Puerto Rico" (in Mr. Rodz's own words), John Rodriguez and his family relocated to the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City when he was 11 years old.

Johnny’s first exposure to the squared circle resulted from his mother, a huge wrestling fan. “Wrestling was number one for my mother. She hated those heels!"

Breaking Into The Business

Growing up close to the World Wide Wrestling Federation hub, John Rodriguez had an athletic edge and a mother whose passion inevitably steered him from fan to professional wrestler.

The Ever-Dependable "Unpredictable One"

For nearly two decades, wrestling enthusiasts throughout the Northeast had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable grappling abilities of the 239-pound brawler from the (kayfabe) Bronx, New York. Johnny Rodz rarely ventured away from the region.

But, unfortunately, his biggest adversary was not in the ring. "I should have died."

SWIPE UP TO READ THE  FULL POST