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FORMER WWE CREATIVE TEAM MEMBER, CURRENT CWH PRODUCER JOE FRANCIOSI PASSES AWAY

By Mike Johnson on 2015-05-15 17:55:49
I am sorry to report that Joe Franciosi, who had been involved with The California professional wrestling scene for decades and had worked for the WWE Creative team in 2010, passed away this morning after a heart attack. He was only 44.

During his stint with WWE Creative, Franciosi was responsible for pitching the William Shatner vignette where Shatner "performed" WWE theme songs. He also appeared in at least one sketch on a Raw guest starring Jon Lovitz where he removed his fake eye while in the ring as Ted DiBiase "wanted to buy it."

Franciosi had been working as a Producer for Championship Wrestling with Hollywood for their TV series and had ties to just about everyone who had roots in the California scene as he worked for Rick Bassman's UPW, the promotion that helped launch the careers of John Cena, Samoa Joe and many others. He also worked with Dave Marquez on The Inoki Dojo and NWA-branded projects during the time period Marquez was one of the NWA's biggest boosters.

On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to Joe's friends and family.

A number of those who worked with Franciosi in the pro wrestling industry reacted to the news:

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