Long before he became a WWE wrestler, actor and fitness professional, Giovanni Roselli was a kid sitting in front of the television mesmerized by professional wrestling.
“Iw as always a big fan of wrestling as a kid. I loved the characters, the athleticism and the excitement.”
After graduating from college, Roselli decided he wanted to pursue wrestling professionally. Though many people doubted him at the time, it didn’t deter him.
“Some of my biggest influences were the people who told me I couldn’t do it. They said I wasn’t big enough, strong enough or athletic enough. Even my high school baseball coach told me I would never make it as a wrestler.”
How wrong they were.
Roselli became a professional wrestler and performed at Madison Square Garden and in Paris for 70,000 people. He also won the NWE Italian Heavyweight Championship and the WWC Puerto Rican Championship.
His wrestling career also opened doors for him in the acting world. “Show business was a natural extension of wrestling; it gave me confidence to perform in front of audiences and cameras.”
As the son of a mechanic in Westchester, New York, Roselli climbed some pretty steep stairs with determination and grit.
He worked on television shows, movie sets and stage productions, including an off-Broadway Shakespeare performance. He also appeared in The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke and Baby Mama with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. In the TV realm, he was in Gotham, The Deuce, Saturday Night Live, Brain Games, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and more.
“I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had. Everything I accomplished came through hard work and perseverance.”
That work ethic, he says, came from watching his father work tirelessly as a mechanic to support the family. “My father worked with his hands every day. I do also, just in a different way.”
Roselli promised his parents he would go to college before taking to the stage. So, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Sports Management from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
Roselli has worked hard and traveled far in the world, but it is the kind-hearted things he does that people admire and appreciate the most.
Many are involved with the Miracle League of Palm Beach County, an organization serving children and adults with special needs.
On most Saturdays, Roselli can be found on the Miracle League field helping athletes, encouraging players, and creating unforgettable memories.
For many of the athletes, Roselli is more than a volunteer. He is a real-life wrestling hero.
“I realized many of the kids in the Miracle League use wrestling nicknames when they play ball. The kids love wrestling, and I realized I could bring more joy into their lives by using my contacts in the industry.”
He has done just that.
Last month he took 14 Miracle League athletes (and parents) to a televised wrestling event in Palm Beach Gardens. They got backstage passes, had wrestler meet-and-greets and took photos with their heroes.
One of those athletes was Lisa Davis-Killian, a 30-year-old Miracle League player with Down syndrome. She’s also a devoted fan of WWE champion Rhea Ripley.
Lisa’s mother, Sue Davis-Killian, said Roselli went above and beyond to make Lisa’s dream come true.
“Giovanni found out my daughter was a huge fan of Rhea Ripley. He contacted Rhea and asked her to make a special video for Lisa, which she did. Lisa was over the moon.”
Later, Roselli arranged for Lisa to meet Ripley in person backstage at a WWE event.
“In the WWE world, meeting Rhea Ripley is like meeting Taylor Swift. Rhea hugged Lisa, posed for photos with her, took the garter off her leg, and put it on Lisa. I don’t think that garter has come off since,” said Davis-Killian.
Roselli’s kindness continues to impact countless families all over South Florida. According to those who know him, Giovanni gives so much to people because he cares. “We need more Giovanni Roselli’s in this world,” said Davis-Killian.
Gemma Trimarchi (whose son Daniel has autism and plays at the Miracle League field) shared a similar story.
“Three years ago, my son Daniel met Giovanni. He learned Daniel loved WWE and found out who his favorite wrestlers were. He wasn’t boastful or arrogant. He was humble and soft-spoken.”
When Daniel wanted a WWE Championship belt for Christmas, Roselli stepped in again. He arranged for tickets and backstage pass-es so Daniel could meet his heroes. Daniel collected over 15 wrestler signatures on his belt.
“As an autistic child, Daniel has confidence now. It’s like someone turned on the lights and he came to life,” adds Trimarchi.
To Daniel, Roselli is his forever champion. To others, he is a superhero.
He volunteers with Feeding South Florida, the Special Olympics, Delray Little League and Boca Softball.
Roselli also dedicates countless hours to events like the Tim Tebow Foundation’s “Night to Shine” (for the special needs community) at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Though it is a full night of dancing, posing for photos, taking limousine rides, dancing, and red-carpet walks, Roselli is in it for the long haul.
At Boca Ballet Theatre, where his daughter Juliet studies dance, he volunteers backstage during productions, unloads trucks, helps with set breakdowns and even bartended at a recent gala fundraiser.
“Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do.”
At Ascension Catholic Church, Roselli also serves as the director and producer of the church’s annual Christmas Eve pageant. Each year it gets better, he says.
Professionally, Giovanni has built an accomplished second career in fitness and education. He earned a Master’s Degree in Exercise Sci-ence and Health Promotion at FAU in Boca.
He provides wellness education, workshops, and continuing education seminars. He is also a trainer at country clubs and for private clients. Max Weinberg is one of those clients.
The drummer for Bruce Stringsteen’s E Street Band said he has never met anyone like Roselli. “He tailors a program for each client that is way beyond what others do. I have back issues (and am 75) and by working with Giovanni I have built muscle and strength at a deep cellular level. He’s my Mr. Mr. Miyagi.”
Giovanni’s presentations often focus on perseverance and overcoming obstacles. “It’s important for students to understand success isn’t built overnight. There are peaks and valleys.”
Recently, Roselli had to face one of those valleys.
He found out he needed open-heart surgery, an experience that forced him to slow down and reevaluate life. Rather than retreat, the experience deepened his commitment to helping others.
“I want to leave this world a better place than when I came,” he said. “I enjoy helping people and creating environments where others feel joyful and supported.”
That philosophy shapes everything he does.
And he does a lot. But not enough according to this man of conviction and steadiness. “My goal is to open a facility dedicated to the special needs community that brings together fitness, fun, and wish-granting.”
Roselli is a man of goals and promises fulfilled. And he doesn’t take any of it for granted.
“We should all try to make a positive impact on others. I am fortunate to have the resources and connections to give these kids experiences they will never forget.”
In a world often focused on celebrity and attention, Giovanni Roselli has quietly been adding something far more meaningful.
Not just a wrestling champion or a movie star.
But a champion for people, all people, regardless of their station in life or ability to score a home run.
Winston Churchill would tend to agree. “We Make a Living by What We Get, But We Make a Life by What We Give.”
