Neil Allen Caricofe (April 6, 1963 – August 23, 1996), better known by the ring name Neil Superior, was an American professional wrestler and trainer. A mainstay on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic independent circuit during the 1990s, Superior was perhaps best known for his tenure in the National Wrestling League. His five year reign as NWL Heavyweight Champion is the longest in the promotion's history. In addition, Superior was the first co-holder of the NWL Tag Team Championship as one half of The Brothers Superior with Doug Superior. Superior also wrestled for International World Class Championship Wrestling and South Atlantic Pro Wrestling, where he was its last heavyweight champion, and as a preliminary wrestler for World Championship Wrestling. He died during an altercation with Ocean City police officers which resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
Early life
Neil Allen Caricofe was born on April 6, 1963, in Hagerstown, Maryland, one of two sons born to Leatrice and Richard A. "Dick" Caricofe. Graduating from North Hagerstown High School in 1981, Caricofe attended American University for two years on a scholarship. He later worked as a correctional officer in nearby Sykesville and served in the United States Army Reserve. Caricofe also did volunteer work as a Big Brother and was a member of the local parks board in his hometown.
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Caricofe was trained by Afa Anoa'i at the Wild Samoan Pro Wrestling School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania and made his debut in 1989.
National Wrestling League
He and his father, Dick Caricofe, founded the All Star Wrestling League (later known as the National Wrestling League) in Hagerstown, Maryland, that same year. Caricofe formed a tag team with fellow Wild Samoan graduate Doug Stahl called The Superior Brothers, "Nasty" Neil and "Desirable" Doug Superior, respectively. They also wrestled as The Satanic Warriors. The team competed throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania as well as feuding with The Fantastics (Bobby and Jackie Fulton) during NWL tours in Hawaii and Guam. In 1989, The Brothers Superior defeated The Cream Team (Dino Casanova and Rip Sawyer) in Moorefield, West Virginia, to become first NWL Tag Team Champions. They remained champions until their breakup the following year.
During his time in NWL, he made an appearance in World Championship Wrestling as Neil Allen teaming with Keith Hart as they lost to the Nasty Boys on WCW TV on November 5, 1990.
After spitting with Stahl, Superior embarked on a singles career. One of his first major opponents was The Honky Tonk Man who he faced in Hagerstown on August 10, 1991. Superior also feuded with Rasta the Voodoo Mon. Later that year, Superior defeated Helmut Hesler to win the NWL Heavyweight Championship. The title had been vacated when John Rambo left the promotion to wrestle for Pacific Northwest Wrestling. Superior would hold the title for five years making him the longest in the promotion's history.
Independent circuit
Superior also wrestled for other independent promotions during the early-1990s including, most notably, International World Class Championship Wrestling, Main Event Wrestling and South Atlantic Pro Wrestling. On April 12, 1992, Superior defeated Helmut Hessler in Hagerstown for the SAPW Heavyweight Championship. He remained champion until the promotion's close four months later.
That fall, Superior traveled to Puerto Rico to wrestle for the Americas Wrestling Federation. On September 25, Superior defeated The Equalizer at the El Coliseo Municipal in Juana Díaz. The following night, he beat Chicky Starr at El Acrópolis in Manatí, Puerto Rico.
That same year, Superior opened his own wrestling school in Hagerstown. It became the main training facility for the National Wrestling League, later nicknamed "The House of Pain", and whose students included Spazman Brian Anthony, Slickyboy, and Professor Egon Ecton. In 1993, Superior and his school were featured in The Washington Post Magazine.