Costello began his professional wrestling debut in 1982.[1] Early in his career he worked in Indianapolis and in Minnesota for American Wrestling Association.
Costello's most memorable match during his WWF run was against Andre the Giant, which took place during a March 1988 television taping for WWF Superstars of Wrestling. The match – merely a setup to have Hacksaw Jim Duggan come to the ring, confront Andre and begin their feud – lasted less than 30 seconds, and involved Andre grabbing Costello and headbutting him twice before throwing him from the ring.[8]
In the early-1990s, Costello began appearing for the Indiana-based International Association of Wrestling alongside a number of ex-AWA and WWF wrestlers. On July 24, 1993, Costello teamed with The Iron Sheik to beat IAW Tag Team Champions Paul Roma and Repo Man for the belts in South Bend, Indiana.[9] On November 10, Costello also defeated Roma in Laporte, Indiana to win the IAW Heavyweight Championship.[10] Ten days later, his last match for the WWF took place on November 20, 1993, losing to The Brooklyn Brawler at a house show in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[11] Costello's first title reign ended the following month when he lost to Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in Lima, Ohio on December 6, 1993.[10]
Back in the IAW, Costello teamed with The Iron Sheik to win the IAW Tag Team Championship for a third time.[14] They defeated Paul Roma and Hercules for the belts in Toledo, Ohio on February 3, 1996, and lost them to The Texas Hangmen in Niles, Michigan on June 28, 1996.[9] He also won the IAW Heavyweight title a third time by defeating Hercules in Erie, Pennsylvania on August 24.[10] While IAW Heavyweight Champion, Costello formed a tag team with Greg Valentine and entered a three-way feud with The Texas Hangmen and IAW Tag Team Champions Demolition Ax and Typhoon.[15] Costello's former partner, The Iron Sheik, later turned on Costello and attempted to capture his IAW title.[16] He returned to the WWF for one match losing to The Stalker on October 22, 1996.[17] On February 15, 1997, Costello lost the IAW Heavyweight Championship to Cousin Bubba in Fairmount, Indiana but regained it in Niles, Michigan on August 23, 1997. Costello's fourth title reign lasted for several years and included winning the IAW Tag Team Championship.[14]
Later in his career, he worked in the independents until retiring in 2013. In April 2017, Costello was hired as head of security for the South Bend Cubs.[18]
Championships and accomplishments
Championship International Wrestling
CIW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
CIW Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Cousin Bubba (1) and Nick Lawless (1)
^ abcdefgPWI Staff (2004). "Wrestler Statistics". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2004. Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Co.: 41.
^ abPWI Staff (2004). "International Association of Wrestling". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2004. Guide to Professional Wrestling. London Publishing Co.: 71. ISSN1043-7576. CHAMPIONS: Heavyweight champion: Brian "The Crippler" Costello, Tag team champions: Brian Costello and The Ripper [...] Heavyweight champion Brian Costello recently celebrated his sixth anniversary as champion and says he is closing in on Bruno Sammartino's seven-year WWWF record
^"The PWI 500". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. 1997 [Holiday 1997]. p. 45, 46.
^"The PWI 500". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Fort Washington, Pennsylvania: London Publishing Company. 1997 [Holiday 1997]. p. 57.
^"1996". Thehistoryofwwe.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
