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As noted earlier today Mark "Rollerball" Rocco, a groundbreaking Junior Heavyweight performer who was the original Black Tiger for New Japan Pro Wrestling and was an incredible in-ring performer across Europe during his career, passed away this morning. A number of professional wrestling personalities took to social media to pay tribute to Rocco:
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
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.
— Flash Morgan Webster (@Flash_Morgan) July 31, 2020
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.
Whether you know him as the original Black Tiger, “Rollerball” or simply by his name, Mark Rocco left an indelible imprint on our industry.
— Chris Hero (Is Back) (@ChrisHero) July 31, 2020
Whether it’s versus Sayama, Fujinami, Dynamite, Marty Jones- do yourself a favor & watch a match of his today. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/lt7LSqgzSn
Whether you know him as the original Black Tiger, “Rollerball” or simply by his name, Mark Rocco left an indelible imprint on our industry.
— Chris Hero (Is Back) (@ChrisHero) July 31, 2020
Whether it’s versus Sayama, Fujinami, Dynamite, Marty Jones- do yourself a favor & watch a match of his today. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/lt7LSqgzSn
In my opinion. None of us would wrestle the way we do if it wasn't for people like Mark Rocco.
— 'Capt. Wristlock'Matt Fox ???????? (@FoxyMattFox) July 31, 2020
Thankyou for everything RIP pic.twitter.com/C0cHXP3zUJ
Rest in peace to "Rollerball", "The Mean Machine" Mark Rocco. What an inspiration inside then ring! I still learn from him every day.
— Drew Gulak (@DrewGulak) July 31, 2020
Positive the first conversation we ever had you asked me if I liked Mark Rocco. The original Black Tiger my favorite masked NJPW character given to only the best foreigners. Anytime I see or hear Rocco’s name I always think about you. Opened my eyes to that entire style. RIP! https://t.co/vmAuqyL3jK
— Chris Dickinson (@DirtyDickinson) July 31, 2020
Gutted to hear about "Rollerball" Mark Rocco. He was a big influence on me and still one of my favourites to this day. They say "never meet your heroes" but Rocco was an exception to that rule and genuinely one of the nicest chaps. RIP pic.twitter.com/8QeW8N3kkO
— Mark Haskins (@ThisIsHaskins) July 31, 2020
RIP Mark Rocco
— Roy Knight (@RealRoyKnight) July 31, 2020
One of the best if not the best to ever come out of this country
Absolute Legend ??? pic.twitter.com/aXVUOYTDBS
We often give the credit to Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask, but Mark Rocco (particularly as Black Tiger) played a big part in laying the foundation modern junior heavyweight wrestling is built on to this day. Hugely innovative and influential. #RIPMarkRocco
— Gran Akuma (@__AKUMA) July 31, 2020
@RealKingRegal @RidgeWWE @Johnny_Moss @JohnnySaintWWE & The ??????world GUTTED SADDENED SPEACHLESS ????????IF ALI WAS THE GREATEST IN THE BOXING WORLD THIS GUY IMO WAS THE GREATEST IN THE WRESTLING ??????WORLD IMOP
— Marty Jones (@martyleglockno1) July 31, 2020
REST IN PEACE. MARK ROCCO pic.twitter.com/RMqg6LmzAe
“The definition of art has to shift whenever an innovator appears”
— DRAKE MAVERICK (@WWEMaverick) July 31, 2020
RIP “Rollerball” Mark Rocco pic.twitter.com/PdGYBOVmK2
Awful news to hear of the passing of Mark Rocco.
— MA92 (@MandrewsJunior) July 31, 2020
The modern style of wrestling wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for him.
One of the best ever. RIP Rollerballhttps://t.co/HDPaV2iF4b
RIP TO “ROLLERBALL” Mark Rocco
— Ace Steel (@acesofsteel) July 31, 2020
A giant influence on the shaping of Junior Heavyweight wrestling and the 1st Black Tiger
Watch some Rocco vs Marty Joneshttps://t.co/XMPreUsjPv pic.twitter.com/S9PgGaq5FN
We just lost one of our absolute best. Mark Rollerball Rocco was a true pioneer and so ahead of his time. I was so privileged to get to spend some time with him in 2012, hear his advice and amazing stories. One of the nicest men I've ever met. Truly a game changer. #ripmarkrocco pic.twitter.com/xAterCLOx4
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) July 31, 2020
https://t.co/QFlVg0QOpF
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) July 31, 2020
Rollerball Rocco vs Tony St Clair #RIPMarkRocco
https://t.co/5NUnZ31hfg
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) July 31, 2020
Highlights of Black Tiger vs The Cobra from MSG. #RIPMarkRocco
It seems the sad news keeps coming these days. Very sad to see the passing of Rollerball Rocco; one of the innovators of the Jnr. Heavyweight style of wrestling that we love so dear. It was wonderful to have him as guest of honour at our first ever York Hall show. pic.twitter.com/WE2YbiLldW
— Andy Quildan (@AQuildan) July 31, 2020
Been watching a lot of old WOS recently. There are no better Villains to study than Rollerball Rocco and Zoltan Boscik.
— Eddie Dennis (@EddieDennis1986) July 31, 2020
Both the incredibly inspiring performers who’s body of work will endure.
RIP
Rollerball Rocco is one of my absolute favorites to watch. From World of Sport in England to his time as Black Tiger in Japan, Rocco pioneered the fast paced style that so many of us emulate today.
— YUTA (@WheelerYuta) July 31, 2020
Do yourself a favor and watch a Mark Rocco match today. May he Rest In Peace
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