Roadkill (wrestler)
An ECW cult hero who captivated hardcore fans by blending brute strength with the unforgettable gimmick of an Amish farmhand.
Born 1976 (age 50)·American professional wrestler·Birthday: August 10·Generation X
Biography
In the chaotic, rebellious world of Extreme Championship Wrestling, Roadkill was an instant standout. Debuting in the late 1990s, Michael DePoli's character was a masterpiece of contrast: a hulking, powerful man in simple Amish attire, billed from the Pennsylvania Dutch country. He wasn't a technical wizard; his appeal was raw, built on a surprising agility for his size and a willingness to engage in the promotion's signature violent spectacles. His partnership with Danny Doring formed a popular tag team, with Roadkill often serving as the silent, devastating powerhouse. The gimmick walked a fine line, but his genuine physicality and commitment sold it to the ECW faithful. After ECW's closure, he had brief runs in WWE and on the independent circuit, but it was his time in the Philadelphia bingo hall that cemented his place in wrestling lore. Roadkill remains a beloved footnote, a testament to the era when character and atmosphere could turn a unique idea into a lasting memory.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Roadkill was born in 1976, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Roadkill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1976
#1 Movie
Rocky
Best Picture
Rocky
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Roadkill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1976Born
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1981Started school
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1989Became a teenager
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Could drive
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1994Could vote
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Turned 21
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Turned 30
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 40
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 50
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became a popular tag team competitor in ECW, frequently teaming with Danny Doring.
- Won the ECW World Tag Team Championship one time with Doring in 2000.
- Made memorable appearances for WWE following the purchase of ECW assets.
- Cultivated a dedicated fan following through his unique and consistent character portrayal.
Did You Know?
His signature move was called the "Amish Bomb," a running powerslam.
Before wrestling, he worked as a bouncer and a bodyguard.
The Roadkill character was reportedly inspired by seeing Amish men lifting heavy farm equipment.
“I am a simple man who does not fear a fight.”
