Tom Brandi (July 9, 1966) is an American professional wrestler who wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as Salvatore Sincere. He has also wrestled as The Patriot, working for such companies as Pro-Wrestling WORLD-1, National Wrestling Superstars, and other independent promotions on the East Coast.
Career[]
Breaking in[]
Brandi debuted in 1985 after being trained by indy wrestler King Kaluha. His first notoriety came in International World Class Championship Wrestling where he won the IWCCW Television Championship as "Chippendale" Tom Brandi, a gimmick similar to the one used by The Fantastics and The Fabulous Ones in the 1980s.
Eastern Championship Wrestling and independent circuit[]
Brandi later joined Eastern Championship Wrestling and teamed with Tommy Dreamer to capture the ECW World Tag Team Championship. They captured the titles from Johnny Hot Body and Tony Stetson in only nine seconds. Less than a month later, the pair would lose the titles to Tasmaniac (later Tazz) and Kevin Sullivan.
American Wrestling Federation[]
In 1994, he competed for the short lived American Wrestling Federation (AWF) on the TV series Warriors of Wrestling where he used the name Johnny Gunn and renewed his chippendales gimmick where he was a fan favorite. Brandi also teamed with Jim Powers while in the AWF.
World Championship Wrestling and United States Wrestling Federation[]
In World Championship Wrestling (WCW), he went by Johnny Gunn. In WCW, he achieved some of his most notable moments in his career while teaming with Tom Zenk. On pay-per-view, Brandi teamed up with Shane Douglas and Tom Zenk to defeat Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, and Michael Hayes.
In 1995, Brandi won the USWF Championship under the name Johnny Gunn. After losing the championship to his former trainer, King Kaluha, Brandi won the USWF Tag Team Championship from Damage Inc.
World Wrestling Federation[]
He then went to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and became Salvatore Sincere, a stereotypical Italian/Mafioso character who was very vain about his handsome face and well-developed physique. He appeared at the 1996 Survivor Series and In Your House: It's Time, where he wrestled in dark matches. He briefly feuded with Marc Mero over valet Sable. During this storyline, Brandi began wrestling under his given name after Mero called him a jobber and said that he was "Tom Brandi", not Salvatore Sincere. Sincere later would go on to win a match against Mero by countout. After going by his real name, he participated in the 1998 Royal Rumble match, lasting a matter of seconds before being eliminated by Cactus Jack and Terry Funk.
Return to the independent circuit[]
After leaving the WWF, Brandi wrestled on the independent circuit under both the Brandi name and the Sincere name. Starting in 2002, he also wrestled as The Patriot, a gimmick to which he claims to have purchased the rights from the former owner, Del Wilkes. In an interview, Del states that Brandi was simply using the gimmick and trademark without his permission. Wilkes says he has not communicated with Brandi nor has seen him since 1994.
On March 26, 2006, Brandi (under his "Salvatore Sincere" gimmick once again) served as "Creative Control" for Maryland Championship Wrestling, working with Adam Flash and Bruiser. He was (kayfabe) suspended for 30 days for "knocking out" a referee. Since April 2006, Brandi has been competing for National Wrestling Superstars, feuding with Kamala as Salvatore Sincere.
In February 2008, Hamish McCaw challenged Brandi to a match, demanding that he use the gimmick Mr. Italy. The match was briefly billed as "The Infamous Hamish McCaw vs. Mr. Italy: Battle For Aceness". Shortly after the announcement was made, Brandi denied a contract had been signed saying he "can't see how the match would be of any benefit".
