Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
🍷 Have you tried my wine yet?: yt.franzesewine.com
💪🏼 Join Franzese Family: michaelfranzese.com/family
I’m ranking what I consider the greatest underbosses in Mafia history – the real number‑twos in Cosa Nostra, not the Hollywood versions.
We go through 20 underbosses and one “bonus” pick, from guys like Gaspipe Casso, Neil Dellacroce, and Sammy Gravano to quiet power players who almost never made the newspapers, plus where my own father, Sonny Franzese, fits on the list. I break down what an underboss actually did, why some deserve “GOAT” status and why a few end up in the “show‑off” category.
Agree, disagree, think I left someone out? Drop your own rankings in the comments and let’s talk about it.
​
Ranking the Most Powerful Underbosses in Mafia History
🤝 Book 1 on 1 Call With Me: michaelfranzese.com/book-1-on-1-call
🔥 Check out my store: store.michaelfranzese.com
🎙️ Michael Franzese Podcast on Spotify: spoti.fi/3Eo39qb
📧 Interested in partnerships? partnerships@michaelfranzese.com
00:00 Cold open – Sonny and Galante
01:02 Intro and why underbosses matter
02:02 Explaining the five Mafia ranks
02:36 What an underboss actually does
04:24 What a consigliere really is
05:00 What a capo is (and Michael’s rank)
06:10 How Michael built the underboss list
07:20 Ranking system: GOAT to show‑off
10:44 Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso – power player
12:46 Vito Genovese – big timer
14:01 Neil Dellacroce – GOAT underboss
15:57 Frank DeCicco – what might’ve been
17:14 Carmine Galante – ruthless power player
20:04 Sammy “The Bull” Gravano – power player
22:04 Tom “Tom Mix” Santoro – big timer
23:20 “Benny Eggs” Mangano – GOAT underboss
24:32 Philip “Rusty” Rastelli – from underboss to boss
25:40 Frank “Frankie Loc” LoCascio – big timer
25:46 Joe “Joe Piney” Armone – quiet power player
26:58 Steven “Stevie” Crea – unions and construction
27:27 Sally Avellino – contender
28:23 Sally “Mush” Musacchio – under‑the‑radar power player
29:03 Carmine Cessa – “show‑off” and informant
31:12 Sally Bugs Briguglio – Hoffa hit contender
31:12 Joey Caridi – modern Lucchese contender
31:55 Jerry “Jerry Lang” Langella – Michael’s underboss
33:38 Joey Gallo (Gambino) – GOAT material
32:21–37:10 John “Sonny” Franzese – Michael’s father, GOAT underboss
37:29 Closing thoughts and viewer comments
38:04 Final safety message and sign‑off
Backbone Media Group
🍷 Have you tried my wine yet?: yt.franzesewine.com
💪🏼 Join Franzese Family: michaelfranzese.com/family
I’m ranking what I consider the greatest underbosses in Mafia history – the real number‑twos in Cosa Nostra, not the Hollywood versions.
We go through 20 underbosses and one “bonus” pick, from guys like Gaspipe Casso, Neil Dellacroce, and Sammy Gravano to quiet power players who almost never made the newspapers, plus where my own father, Sonny Franzese, fits on the list. I break down what an underboss actually did, why some deserve “GOAT” status and why a few end up in the “show‑off” category.
Agree, disagree, think I left someone out? Drop your own rankings in the comments and let’s talk about it.
​
Ranking the Most Powerful Underbosses in Mafia History
🤝 Book 1 on 1 Call With Me: michaelfranzese.com/book-1-on-1-call
🔥 Check out my store: store.michaelfranzese.com
🎙️ Michael Franzese Podcast on Spotify: spoti.fi/3Eo39qb
📧 Interested in partnerships? partnerships@michaelfranzese.com
00:00 Cold open – Sonny and Galante
01:02 Intro and why underbosses matter
02:02 Explaining the five Mafia ranks
02:36 What an underboss actually does
04:24 What a consigliere really is
05:00 What a capo is (and Michael’s rank)
06:10 How Michael built the underboss list
07:20 Ranking system: GOAT to show‑off
10:44 Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso – power player
12:46 Vito Genovese – big timer
14:01 Neil Dellacroce – GOAT underboss
15:57 Frank DeCicco – what might’ve been
17:14 Carmine Galante – ruthless power player
20:04 Sammy “The Bull” Gravano – power player
22:04 Tom “Tom Mix” Santoro – big timer
23:20 “Benny Eggs” Mangano – GOAT underboss
24:32 Philip “Rusty” Rastelli – from underboss to boss
25:40 Frank “Frankie Loc” LoCascio – big timer
25:46 Joe “Joe Piney” Armone – quiet power player
26:58 Steven “Stevie” Crea – unions and construction
27:27 Sally Avellino – contender
28:23 Sally “Mush” Musacchio – under‑the‑radar power player
29:03 Carmine Cessa – “show‑off” and informant
31:12 Sally Bugs Briguglio – Hoffa hit contender
31:12 Joey Caridi – modern Lucchese contender
31:55 Jerry “Jerry Lang” Langella – Michael’s underboss
33:38 Joey Gallo (Gambino) – GOAT material
32:21–37:10 John “Sonny” Franzese – Michael’s father, GOAT underboss
37:29 Closing thoughts and viewer comments
38:04 Final safety message and sign‑off
Backbone Media Group
