Tom Brandi Tom Brandi ( July 9 , 1966 ) is an American professional wrestler known for his work in World Wrestling Federation as Salvatore Sincere . He is better known for his current work 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 1980 s . 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 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 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 , 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 job ber 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 . Since leaving the WWF , Brandi has wrestled on the independent circuit under both the Brandi name and the Sincere name . Since 2002 , he also wrestled as " The Patriot " , a gimmick to which he claims to have purchase the rights from their former owner , Del Wilkes . In a recent interview , Del states that Brandi is 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 " .