THE ‘UNPREDICTABLE’ JOHNNY RODZ JOINS THE GREATS As Hall of Fame Inductee On October 12, 2025 by Bob Smith

IPWHF News
Aug 24
3 min read

International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame 5th Anniversary Celebration & ...

October 12, 2025, 6:00 – 10:00 PMCrowne Plaza Albany: Desmond Hotel

Ask anyone who has ever laced up a pair of boots about Johnny Rodz. Everyone from fans to his fellow wrestlers say the same thing: It didn’t matter what his win/loss record was – he was as good as anyone who has ever competed in the squared circle. Now, The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame has announced that Rodz will be among the legends as the IPWHF welcomes its 2025 inductees on October 12, 2025 at the Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany, New York. Once again, it will be a momentous occasion for the wrestling community as Rodz joins the Class of 2025 along with Tito Santana, Trish Stratus, Rocky Johnson, and Tony Atlas.

Johnny Rodz: “Unpredictable” - And Amazing

Johnny Rodz accomplished so much both in and out of the ring that it’s a record like no other. Despite some claiming he was a “preliminary wrestler,” this was an amazing athlete who could do anything in the ring, continually drawing praise from peers as an ultra-athletic, speedy powerhouse. Rodz was capable of everything from daring aerial leaps from the top turnbuckle to down-and-dirty brawling – it’s how he gained his moniker of “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz. This superbly conditioned athlete drew oohs and ahhs from fans and fellow wrestlers alike in virtually every match he competed in, from New York City to California to Japan to Puerto Rico. Of course, most fans remember “The Unpredictable” Johnny Rodz from his lengthy stint in the World Wrestling Federation.

Rodz began his career with the WWWF in 1965 and, amazingly, continued to compete in the organization until 1985. Like others in the organization such as Gorilla Monsoon and Tony Garea, Rodz became someone the company could depend on as both a steady hand in the ring and a professional influence in the locker room. Small wonder that after Rodz’s career came to a close, he became one of the sport’s most successful trainers, operating out of the famed Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York. The list of top grapplers he has helped usher into the pros reads like a who’s who, including veterans The Dudley Boys, Tazz, and Tommy Dreamer, as well as today’s stars such as Big Bill, Masha Slamovich, and Marti Belle.

From NYC To Worldwide Fame

By 1971, it was time for a change: Rodz ventured to Pedro Martinez’ Cleveland/Buffalo territory The National Wrestling Federation as Java Ruuk, a turbaned Arabian aggressor. Even in a territory featuring stars such as Johnny Powers and Bulldog Brower, and Rodz as Ruuk came in with both guns blazing, scoring immediate wins upon entering the organization. After returning to the WWWF for a long stretch, Rodz went west: In 1976, his Arabian madman Java Ruuk debuted in NWA California, returning for stints during the next three years.None other than a young but already “Rowdy” Roddy Piper took Ruuk under his wing and managed Rodz on-screen. It was quite a run as Ruuk, described as a “turbaned terror” by announcers, won the prestigious annual Los Angeles battle royal at the legendary Olympic Auditorium. Another famous bout saw Ruuk defeated in a “loser leaves town” match against his then-former friend, Piper, in 1978.

Memories Of A Legend

There were so many highlights to Rodz’ career that we can’t count them all: Wrestling all the WWF world champions from Bruno Sammartino to Hulk Hogan … Forming memorable tag teams with partners such as Baron Mikel Scicluna, Gypsy Rodriguez, and Jose Estrada … Having a steel rod wrapped around his head by Andre The Giant in a failed “test of strength” … competing in virtually all the sport’s meccas such as Madison Square Garden and The Olympic Auditorium... and so much more.The main thing virtually every one of his contemporaries say about Johnny Rodz is that he is among the very best of the very best, as talented and exciting as any wrestler ever. Now, his induction into The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame cements the legacy of one of the finest competitors of all time.

-- Article written by Bob Smith