Santana Natoli

**Santana Natoli** (Born May 21st, 1944) is an Italian retired pro wrestler.

### Professional Debut

Unknown (First match footage is believed to be lost, but it is believed he started wrestling sometime around 1966)

## Early life

Santana Natoli was born on May 21st, 1944 in Palermo, Sicily, in the midst of World War II. As a child, he was fascinated by the world of professional wrestling and would often watch matches on television with his family. When he was old enough, he began training to become a wrestler himself, and by the time he was in his early twenties, he was ready to make a name for himself in the world of professional wrestling.

## Journey to Wrestling and Family

Santana began wrestling under the name Lorenzo Santana, and he quickly gained a reputation as a fierce and skilled competitor. He travelled all over Italy and Europe, facing off against some of the toughest wrestlers in the business. However, despite his talent and determination, Santana struggled to make a name for himself in the American professional wrestling scene.

Despite his failure to break into the American market, Santana remained dedicated to his craft and continued to compete in wrestling matches all over Europe. Along the way, he met and fell in love with a woman named Maria, and the two of them had two children together - a son named Giovanni and a daughter named Sophia.

As his children grew up, they expressed a desire to further their education rather than following in their father's footsteps as wrestlers. Santana supported their decision and encouraged them to pursue their dreams. Giovanni went on to become a successful businessman, while Sophia became a doctor.

Santana's children went on to have six grandchildren, three of whom followed in their grandfather's footsteps and became professional wrestlers. One of these grandchildren, Bruno Natoli, became a well-known Italian-American professional wrestler, while the other two - a son named Marco and a daughter named Isabella - also gained some popularity in the wrestling world through European circuits.

## Retirement

Throughout his career, Santana remained connected to his roots in Sicily and often referenced his Italian heritage in his matches. He retired from wrestling in the early 2000s to chase his newfound interest in gardening, but remained an influential figure in the Italian wrestling community and continued to be involved in the sport through his grandchildren's careers.

## Notable Achievements

1. **Seven-time Italian Heavyweight Champion**: Natoli was a dominant force in the Italian wrestling scene, winning the Italian Heavyweight Championship on multiple occasions.
2. **European Heavyweight Champion**: Natoli's skills and charisma earned him a loyal following in Europe, and he became the European Heavyweight Champion after defeating the previous champion in a classic match.
3. **Tag Team Champion**: Natoli formed a successful tag team with his long-time partner, Daniel Rossi, and the two won the Tag Team Championship on several occasions.
4. **Hall of Fame Inductee**: Natoli's contributions to the wrestling industry were recognized when he was inducted into the Italian Wrestling Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

## In Wrestling

**Finishing Moves**

* Lorenzo Lariat (Enzu Lariat)

**Signature Moves**

* Sicilian Scoop Slam (Kneeling Powerslam)