Ted Arcidi - Professional Wrestling Career

Professional Wrestling Career

Arcidi lifted for several years and eventually was sought by and debuted in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in late 1985. Arcidi faced other "strongmen" such as Tony Atlas and Hercules Hernandez during his stint and made a single appearance at WrestleMania 2 in the WWF/NFL Battle Royal. During his time in the WWF in 1986, Arcidi wrestled veteran Big John Studd at the Boston Garden (during which the heel Studd was cheered by the crowd while the "hometown favorite" Arcidi only received a lukewarm response). During the match, Studd was noticeably wrestling stiff and showing contempt for Arcidi, someone he saw as a weightlifter who had no business in a professional wrestling ring. He was released upon the return of Ken Patera (who incidentally was instrumental in his signing with Titan Sports-WWF) as Vince McMahon did not want to have issues with having two men billed as the "World's Strongest Man". Although his tenure was brief, Arcidi did have an action figure produced by LJN for their Wrestling Superstars toy line, long after Arcidi was gone from the company.

After his WWF run, he went to Calgary and briefly worked for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling. After that, Arcidi moved on the World Class Championship Wrestling in Dallas, Texas, where he was known as "Mr. 705" (referring to his world record bench press). He was managed by Percival Pringle III and was part of a stable of wrestlers including Rick Rude, the Dingo Warrior and Cactus Jack Manson. Arcidi captured that organization's Texas Heavyweight Championship on August 31, 1987 and held it until he lost to Matt Borne on November 10 that same year. Arcidi left the organization in 1990 to pursue other endeavors. He made several appearances in the Caribbean but never came back to national stature.