Wrestleview reports the death of former WCW and WWE wrestler Jumbo Baretta, also known as Julio Barrera, at the age of 59.
Cauliflower Alley Club announced his passing on social media; no cause of death was disclosed.
Rest in Peace, My Friend Jumbo Beretta.
This one truly hurts. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Jumbo, a good friend whom I was honored and privileged to know for nearly 40 years. I send my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace old friend. https://t.co/3gJyxfZnyN
— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) October 25, 2026
Trained by Boris Malenko, Baretta debuted in 1986 and competed in several Florida promotions such as Suncoast Pro Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. He captured the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship with Dennis Knight after defeating The Nasty Boys in 1989, but the duo lost the titles to Lou Perez and Mark Starr a month later.
Between 1989 and 1990, Baretta competed in WCW, facing notable opponents such as Sting, Tommy Rich, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, and the Road Warriors. In 1989 he also appeared in Japan for the UWF promotion under the name Johnny Barrett. He later returned to the WWE in 1995 for a brief stint.
In 2010, Baretta triumphed in the inaugural Malenko Cup Battle Royal in Riverview, Florida, before retiring from wrestling in 2013.
Wrestleview extends its deepest condolences to Julio Barrera’s family, friends, and fans.