Ted Petty was an American professional wrestler best known for his roles as the Cheetah Kid in the 1980s and as Flyboy Rocco Rock in the Public Enemy tag team alongside Johnny Grunge from 1993 until his death in 2002.
Personal and Family Life
Ted Petty was born on September 1, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before becoming a wrestler, he briefly pursued a career in boxing. He trained under Wild Samoan Afa Anoai, which helped him kickstart his wrestling career.
Career Achievements
Petty made his professional wrestling debut in the 1980s, where he became known for his innovative high-flying moves. He gained fame in the 1990s as part of the Public Enemy, a team celebrated for their entertaining and aggressive style, and they held the NWA ECW/ECW World Tag Team Titles five times. He had notable matches in various promotions, including WCW and ECW, leaving a significant mark on the wrestling world.
Death and Legacy
Ted Petty passed away on September 21, 2002, due to a heart attack while heading to a wrestling event in Jersey City, New Jersey. His untimely death shocked the wrestling community, but his contributions and memorable performances are still celebrated by fans and fellow wrestlers alike. Petty’s legacy continues to live on through the impact he had on tag team wrestling and for inspiring future generations of wrestlers.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 | 1996-07-06 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| WCW Bash at the Beach 1999 | 1999-07-11 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| ECW 3-Way Dance | 1995-04-08 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| WWE: Blood Sport ECW – The Most Violent Matches | 2006-02-07 | Rocco Rock |
| ECW Ultra Clash ’93 | 1993-09-18 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| WWE Survivor Series 1995 | 1995-11-19 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| WCW Uncensored 1997 | 1997-03-16 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |
| ECW Fan Cam: February 3, 1995 | 1995-02-03 | “Flyboy” Rocco Rock |