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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:
Rest in Peace Joe Franciosi. I love you brother, see you on the other side...
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) May 15, 2015Very sad to hear of passing of WWE Creative team member JOE FRANCIOSI. Was a straight forward no nonsense talented guy. RIP.
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) May 15, 2015Man. Ugh... Lost another good brother WAY to early. RIP Joe Franciosi. Thanks for the more than 15 years of friendship.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) May 15, 2015Horribly sad news on the passing of Joe Franciosi. Thoughts are with his wife and kids.
— David Lagana (@Lagana) May 15, 2015SPEECHLESS! With all my love @SchmosEyeball I will never forget you #RIP
— David Marquez (@CWFHMarquez) May 15, 2015He was brutally honest in a business full of liars and thieves. Some faulted him for it. I admired it. RIP to a good friend, @SchmosEyeball.
— Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) May 15, 2015@SchmosEyeball RIP. My heart aches. You were always one of the most fun people I've met in the crazy carnival of wrestling.
— Jay Bradley (@JayBradleyPW) May 15, 2015RIP to my friend and someone who has been invaluable to my Experience in wrestling. I loved @SchmosEyeball and I will miss his charisma.
— Christian Cole (@XtianCole) May 15, 2015Please keep your thoughts with with Mrs Franciosi and @SchmosEyeball children. unbelievable
— YUMA (@yumabooma) May 15, 2015“@SamoaJoe: Rest in Peace Joe Franciosi. I love you brother, see you on the other side...†😞 Joe Schmo - my eternal respect. -K
— Masked Republic (@maskedrepublic) May 15, 2015Wow..RIP @SchmosEyeball...I can't say anything that hasn't already been said by others. 😞
— Thunderkitty (@Thunderkitty82) May 15, 2015I met @SchmosEyeball early on in my career and I think he saw something in me. I will miss him more than I can say. RIP
— Hobo (@TrueHobo) May 15, 2015Never had anything but the nicest things to say to and about me. I liked him a lot @SchmosEyeball rip
— Dan Joseph (@Yes_that_dan) May 15, 2015Thoughts & prayers to the family and friends of @SchmosEyeball A close friend & my first commentary partner. You will be missed my brother.
— Todd Keneley (@ToddKeneley) May 15, 2015If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
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