William Matthew Sierra (born August 11, 1957), better known by his ring name Bill Alfonso, is an American former professional wrestling referee and manager, currently performing for Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he serves as the manager of Matthew Justice. He achieved his greatest success in Extreme Championship Wrestling in the mid-to-late 1990s. He is well known for the whistle that was almost always hanging around his neck, which he blew constantly during his wrestlers' matches.
Career
Early career, World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation (1979–1995)
thumb|150px|left|Bill Alfonso and [[Barry Windham in 1987]]
Alfonso refereed his first match in Texas at the age of 21. He was the official in a chain match between The Sheik and Terry Funk. Shortly thereafter, he took on a regular role as a referee in Championship Wrestling from Florida. In this role, he performed more than the usual duties, as he actually managed Sabu's finances. Alfonso also led Van Dam to the longest ECW World Television Championship reign in the history of ECW. In September 1997 at As Good as It Gets, Alfonso fought Beulah McGillicutty with this match becoming infamous because Alfonso lost 1/3 of the blood in his body according to Paul Heyman.
Return to WWE (2005–2006)
Alfonso returned to the WWE (the former WWF) and was at the 2005 ECW One-Night Stand managing Sabu and standing in the ring with RVD while RVD delivered a shoot style promo. Alfonso returned at ECW One-Night Stand 2006 after Rob Van Dam won the WWE Championship, as he celebrated with him and the rest of the then-ECW Roster.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010)
On August 8, 2010, Alfonso took part in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's ECW reunion show, Hardcore Justice, managing both Rob Van Dam and Sabu during their match against each other. On the following edition of TNA Impact!, the ECW alumni, known collectively as Extreme, Version 2.0 (EV 2.0), were assaulted by A.J. Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, James Storm, Douglas Williams and Matt Morgan of Ric Flair's stable, who thought they didn't deserve to be in TNA.
Independent promotions (2001–present)
thumb|upright|Bill Alfonso making his entrance at a show in March 2013
Since the closing of ECW, Alfonso has appeared in several independent promotions. He worked one match in Xtreme Pro Wrestling as a referee.
He lost to former ECW foe Tod Gordon at Battleground Championship Wrestling in Philadelphia on December 17, 2022.
On April 5, 2024, Alfonso defeated Joel Gertner at Battleground Championship Wrestling in Philadelphia.
Other media
In October 2002, fellow manager Missy Hyatt sued Alfonso in a case televised on Judge Mathis. She accused Alfonso of damaging her Porsche and was awarded $500. Alfonso also had other run-ins with the law, being arrested for a stolen rental vehicle in Georgia, DUI and possession of cocaine in Tampa, violation of probation and testing positive for heroin. Alfonso served jail time in Tampa for the vop charges. He also found himself in trouble with the Tampa police for other charges throughout the early 2000's contributed from a heroin addiction.
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Manager of the Year (1997)
References
External links
- Bill Alfonso article from SLAM! Wrestling