The UK scene is saddened to learn of the passing of former British wrestling legend Mark “Rollerball” Rocco on Friday. Rocco gained international recognition during his tenure in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was the first man to wear the mask as Black Tiger. He was 69 years old.
Our dad and wrestling legend mark hussey ( rollerball Rocco ) died peacefully in his sleep this morning he was a fighter till the very end 💯 love you dad always ♥️♥️♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/1SFTM4OunL
— jono rocco (@jonnyrocco1) July 31, 2020
A second-generation wrestler, Mark Rocco was initially forbidden to train to become a wrestler by his father, pro wrestler Jim Hussey, but he secretly trained and eventually made his debut in 1969. It wasn’t long before he became a rising star with Joint Promotions, the UK company that provided the content for the popular Word of Sports wrestling on ITV, and in 1977, he won the British Middle Heavyweight Championship from Bert Royal.
In 1979, he made his Japanese debut with a two-month tour with International Wrestling Enterprise (IWE), and the following year he began to tour North America, including a brief stint with World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), where he competed in a tag team with AWA’s Greg Gagne.
In 1982, he was signed by NJPW to compete against the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama), after the two had had some strong matches in the UK (where Sayama competed as Sammy Lee). Rocco took on the character of Black Tiger, Tiger Mask’s arch-rival, and their feud continued for years in New Japan, with Rocco remaining with the company until 1990.
During the mid-1980s, he would make more appearances for the WWF, this time under the Tiger Mask persona, due to the WWF’s working agreement with NJPW. During his time in New Japan, he would also help train another future star in Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger, whom would be the final feud of his career as Black Tiger. In 1991, he was discovered to have a heart condition after he collapsed following a match, and he was sadly forced to retire from pro wrestling at the age of 40. The Black Tiger character would live on, being portrayed by Eddie Guerrero (Black Tiger II), Silver King (Black Tiger III), Rocky Romero (Black Tiger IV), Tatsuhito Takaiwa (Black Tiger V), Tomohiro Ishii (Black Tiger VI), and Kazushige Nosawa (Black Tiger VII).
Last Word on Pro Wrestling sends our deepest condolences to the Hussey family, as well as Mark’s friends, peers, and colleagues in the pro wrestling and acting community. Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
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…
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 31, 2020
.. 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…..
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 31, 2020
..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….
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 31, 2020
… 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.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) July 31, 2020
Just heard about the passing of Mark Rocco. Rollerball was without a doubt one of the very best to lace up a pair of boots.
He was a pioneer and an innovator and its safe the Junior heavyweight style wouldn’t be what it is today without his contribution.
An absolute legend.
— Flash Morgan Webster (@Flash_Morgan) July 31, 2020
In my opinion. None of us would wrestle the way we do if it wasn't for people like Mark Rocco.
Thankyou for everything RIP pic.twitter.com/C0cHXP3zUJ
— fka Matt Fox (@FoxyMattFox) July 31, 2020
Really sad to hear about the passing of Mark Rocco, an innovator lightyears ahead of his time. Had the privilege of sitting with him & Marty Jones a few years ago & hearing them talk about their old battles, having subtle little digs at each other the entire time. Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/fsMCzazruj
— Sam Gradwell (@sam_gradwell) July 31, 2020
RIP "Rollerball" Mark Rocco a.k.a. The Original Black Tiger. Quite possibly THE most underrated World of Sport wrestler. https://t.co/4Tm5mbig76
— ETHAN HD (ALL CAPS) (@REALEthanHD) July 31, 2020
RIP Mark Rocco
One of the best if not the best to ever come out of this country
Absolute Legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aXVUOYTDBS— Roy Knight (@RealRoyKnight) July 31, 2020
