If you were a wrestling fan in the early 2000s, you definitely remember Nunzio. The guy was fearless—or maybe crazy. Either way, he had no problem stepping up to some of WWE’s biggest names, including the Beast himself, Brock Lesnar. Yep, he once slapped Lesnar across the face and then ran for his life, which is a moment that still lives rent-free in the minds of wrestling fans. But aside from that hilarious encounter, Nunzio actually had a solid career in WWE, even if he wasn’t a main-event guy. He brought technical skill, charisma, and that scrappy underdog energy that made him fun to watch. So, what exactly did Nunzio accomplish in WWE? And where is he now? Let’s take a deep dive into the career of the former cruiserweight star.
From ECW to WWE: Nunzio’s Early Days
Before Nunzio made it to WWE, he was tearing it up in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) under the name Little Guido. A member of the Full Blooded Italians (F.B.I.), he was known for his legit wrestling ability, blending technical mat skills with some high-flying moves. The dude could actually wrestle, and he wasn’t just some comedy act.
When WWE bought ECW in 2001, Nunzio eventually found his way to Vince McMahon’s company. He made his official WWE debut in 2002 and was quickly paired with Chuck Palumbo and Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli as part of the new Full Blooded Italians stable. The trio didn’t exactly dominate WWE, but they were an entertaining mid-card act and added some variety to the roster.
The Cruiserweight Champion Era
Nunzio’s real success came when he moved to the cruiserweight division. While guys like Rey Mysterio and Chavo Guerrero were getting most of the spotlight, Nunzio quietly became one of the most consistent performers in the division. His technical wrestling skills made him stand out, and he finally got his moment in the sun in 2004 when he won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship after defeating Chavo Guerrero.
It wasn’t the longest reign, but it was a big moment for him. In an era where cruiserweights weren’t always treated as top stars, Nunzio proved he could hang with the best. He even won the title again in 2005 while competing on the SmackDown brand and WWE’s version of ECW.
SmackDown, ECW Revival, And Tag Team Work
Nunzio was never a main-eventer, but he was a reliable hand for WWE. Whether he was working as a singles competitor, part of the F.B.I., or putting over rising stars, he always delivered solid matches. When WWE brought back ECW in 2006, Nunzio was part of the relaunch, bringing some old-school credibility to the brand.
He even had some notable tag team runs and was involved in plenty of fun rivalries. While he never won a tag title in WWE, his matches were always entertaining, and he played the role of a scrappy underdog perfectly.
That Time He Slapped Brock Lesnar
Alright, let’s talk about the infamous moment that earned Nunzio some legendary status among fans. Back in the Ruthless Aggression Era, Brock Lesnar was an unstoppable monster. He was destroying everybody in his path. But Nunzio? He wasn’t scared or at least he acted like he wasn’t.
In a segment that still makes fans laugh to this day, Nunzio straight-up walked up to Lesnar and slapped him across the face. Now, common sense would tell you that slapping Brock Lesnar is a horrible life decision, but Nunzio? He did it anyway. The moment Lesnar processed what just happened, Nunzio immediately ran like his life depended on it (because, honestly, it did). He didn’t get far, though, because Lesnar eventually caught up to him and absolutely destroyed him.
It was a classic David vs. Goliath moment… except in this case, Goliath won in the most brutal way possible. Still, Nunzio earned some respect for even attempting it.
Life After WWE
Even after leaving WWE in 2008, Nunzio (James Maritato) never really left the wrestling world. He stayed active on the independent circuit, competing for promotions like Jersey All Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and House of Hardcore. He even won the JAPW Tag Team Championship with Tracy Smothers in 2008.
In addition to wrestling, Nunzio became a trainer, helping the next generation of wrestlers while still competing. He also made sporadic returns to major promotions like TNA (now Impact Wrestling), where he wrestled at Hardcore Justice 2010 as part of the EV 2.0 faction. In 2022, he returned to Impact Wrestling for a one-off match against Matt Cardona for the Impact Digital Media Championship.
Nunzio also had a brief stint as a WWE referee between 2010 and 2011, even officiating televised matches. While he left that role, he remained a familiar face at conventions and special WWE appearances. In 2024, Nunzio made a shocking return to WWE, appearing in NXT to challenge Tony D’Angelo for the North American Championship at the historic 2300 Arena—formerly the ECW Arena. Though he didn’t win, his comeback was a nostalgic moment for longtime fans. Now, he continues to be involved in wrestling through independent bookings, meet-and-greets, and occasional in-ring action, proving his passion for the business is still alive.
Conclusion:
While Nunzio was never a WWE Champion or a main-eventer, he left behind a legacy as one of the most entertaining and technically skilled cruiserweights of his era. He had memorable moments, won championships, and entertained fans for years. Plus, let’s be real—anyone who had the guts to slap Brock Lesnar and run deserves a spot in WWE history.
Whether you remember him from his ECW days, his cruiserweight title runs, or that hilarious Lesnar moment, Nunzio is a guy who made his mark in wrestling. And even today, fans still appreciate what he brought to the table.
So, here’s to Nunzio the little guy who took on the giants and gave us some unforgettable moments. Salute!
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