REPORT: Former GWF Owner Joe Pedicino Passes Away at 70

Former Global Wrestling Federation owner and promoter Joe Pedicino has passed away at the age of 70. Former GWF North American Champion “The Patriot” Del Wilkes announced this today via Facebook. Along with being a former WWE superstar and WCW Tag Team Champion, The Patriot was one of the most popular stars ever to step foot in the GWF.

Wilkes announced, “I just found out that Joe Pedicino passed on 4-12-20. Shocked and saddened by this news. Without Joe and Boni Blackstone, The Patriot as I knew it would have never existed. Forever grateful!”

https://www.facebook.com/del.wilkes.5/posts/2607562409563900

Although GWF lasted only from 1991 to 1994, the promotion was the launching pad for many well-known stars of today. In fact, names such as The Soultaker (The Godfather, Papa Shango), John Hawk (JBL), Booker T, Stevie Ray, and The Lightning Kid (Sean Waltman) became household names while in GWF, and are now WWE Hall of Famers. In addition to Del Wilkes, GWF was also instrumental in popularizing the careers of names such as Jerry Lynn, The Handsome Stranger (Marcus Bagwell), Moadib (Ahmed Johnson), Alex Porteau (The Pug).

In addition to helping create WWE Hall of Famers and popularizing superstars, several other future WWE Hall of Famers made stops in the promotion, such as Jake Roberts, Koko B. Ware, Michael Hayes, Buddy Roberts, Terry Gordy, Cactus Jack, Kerry Von Erich, and Kevin Von Erich.

While only lasting for three years, GWF is certainly one of the most memorable promotions of the 90s. Mainstays such as Black Bart, Rod Price, “Hollywood” John Tatum, “Iceman” King Parsons, “Maniac” Mike Davis, and Scott Putski all had a chance to show their talent while competing in the company, and GWF helped carve their pro wrestling careers.

On an episode of Pancakes and Powerslams, Rod Price stated, “if you remember back and think backed how loaded with talent GWF was. I mean, Cactus [Jack] was there, you had Syxx-Pac. I mean, you had a ton of talent that was on that roster.” Wilkes stated during one of my interviews with him, “[GWF] had tremendous name recognition… I thought it was a great concept.” Black Bart stated during one of our discussions regarding his time in pro wrestling and GWF, “it was always good to me… the good overrides the bad every time.” John Tatum stated during my discussion with him, “I went out and always tried to entertain the people, and I think all of us did that in GWF.”

Follow Chris Featherstone on Twitter @chrisprolific, and the Pancakes and Powerslams Show @cravewrestling. Subscribe to the Pancakes and Powerslams Show via the Crave Wrestling Facebook page.