Short Sleeve Sampson
| Short Sleeve Sampson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1973 (age 50–51)[1] Warwick, Rhode Island[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Mini-Angle[2] Mini-Taker[2] Pocket Rocket[2] Short Sleeve Sampson[2] Short Sleeve Simpson[2] |
| Billed height | 4 ft 2 in (1.27 m)[3] |
| Billed weight | 120 lb (54 kg)[4] |
| Trained by | Ali Muhamad[2] Kyle Storm[2] |
| Debut | 1999[3] |
| Retired | August 2013 |
Dan DiLucchio[4] (born 1973)[2] is an American Midget professional wrestler best known by his ring name Short Sleeve Sampson. Sampson works on the independent circuit, mainly for Micro Championship Wrestling, and TNT Pro Wrestling. He has also occasionally made appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Entertainment
DiLucchio appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in promos on two occasions as miniature versions of larger wrestlers. In 2003, he appeared as Mini-Angle, performing a Kurt Angle-style ankle lock on Angle, who was posing as John Cena.[3][1] The following year, he appeared as Mini-Taker and was tombstoned by JBL before then being attacked by the real Undertaker.[3][1]
Outside of the comic promos, DiLucchio competed in SmackDown!'s Juniors Division in 2005, participating in the first ever Juniors match against Pitbull Patterson.[3][5] He also made an appearance on Raw as Pocket Rocket, the one night only tag team partner for The Heart Throbs in a match against Viscera and his mini version partner.[3]Also in the WWE, he appeared as a member of D-Generation X's mini version of the Spirit Squad.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Sampson appeared at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)'s 2006 Bound for Glory pay-per-view, competing in Kevin Nash's X Division Invitational.[6] The following year, he returned to TNA in a segment where he portrayed Chris Sabin.[7]
Micro Championship Wrestling and independent circuit
Sampson also stars on the TruTv original series Hulk Hogan's Micro Championship Wrestling.[1]
Sampson is also employed by the Micro Wrestling Federation, where he has held the MWF Championship one time. In the company, he also appears as a fan favorite. He has previously appeared for National Wrestling Superstars, Ward Family Entertainment, Pro Wrestling Mid Atlantic, and Awesome Wrestling Entertainment.[2]
Retirement
On August 2013, Sampson announced his decision to retire from pro wrestling. He would embark on a 40 stop "It's Midget Time" farewell tour. On night three of the High Impact Wrestling Canada "Christmas Rampage Tour" at King's Challenge IV, Sampson was inducted into the HIW Hall of Fame.
Personal life
DiLucchio is married and has a daughter.[4]
Championships and accomplishments
- Chaotic Wrestling
- CW Midget Championship (1 time)[8]
- CW Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[8]
- High Impact Wrestling Canada
- Hall of Fame (2013)
- Wisconsin Organized Wrestling
- WOW Midget Championship (1 time)
- Micro Championship Wrestling
- MCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
- Micro Wrestling Federation
- MWF Championship (1 time)[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Meet the Writers". Ward-Hebner Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Short Sleeve Sampson". Online World of Wrrestling. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sampson's profile". Shortsleeve Sampson's official website. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ^ a b c d Oliver, Greg (January 16, 2013). "Short Sleeve Sampson a veteran on the Micro circuit". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (October 28, 2005). "Smackdown: A gimmick-filled night". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ Sokol, Chris (October 23, 2006). "Sting new champ after Bound For Glory". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "Short Sleeve Sampson". Micro Championship Wrestling. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Chaotic Wrestling Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ "Shortsleeve Sampson". BodySlamming.com. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
Further reading
- Spice, Linda. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "TAKES FIVE DAN DILUCCHIO". March 9, 2003.