Pretty Boy Smooth Explained

Pretty Boy Smooth
Birthname:Paul Bilbo
Birth Date:15 October 1991
Birth Place:Hempstead, New York, United States
Names:Pretty Boy Smooth
Pretty Boy Smooth
Height:6 ft 9 in
Weight:272 lbs
Trainer:Aaron Draven
Candice LeRae
Johnny Gargano
Pepper Parks
Debut:March 13, 2016
Alma Mater:Mercyhurst University
Website:www.PrettyBoySmooth.com
Ring Names:Pretty Boy Smooth

Paul Bilbo (born October 15, 1991), better known by his ring name Pretty Boy Smooth or P. B. Smooth, is an American professional wrestler and actor. He currently competes on the independent wrestling circuit for promotions that have include Absolute Intense Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, RYSE Wrestling, Enjoy Wrestling, Beyond Wrestling, Expect the Unexpected Wrestling, and Maryland Championship Wrestling. He has also appeared with the national promotion All Elite Wrestling.

Early life and education

Born in Hempstead, New York, Bilbo started at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, New York, where he helped lead the Bayhawk team to a 52–24 record in his last three seasons. Bilbo played Division I basketball at Hofstra University with former future Golden State Warriors 2011 second round draft pick, Charles Jenkins. Bilbo finished his collegiate career at Division II college Mercyhurst University[1] He received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in organizational leadership.[2]

Professional wrestling career

Smooth began training as a professional wrestler for Pro Wrestling Rampage in Erie, PA under head trainer Aaron Draven. When the school closed, he trained under WWE's Johnny Gargano at the Absolute Intense Wrestling School in Cleveland, Ohio, then later with AEW's The Blade at Grapplers Anonymous in Buffalo, NY. Smooth’s official professional wrestling debut was March 13, 2016.

Smooth has become a mainstay at AIW and won several titles on the independent wrestling circuit, including an eight-month AIW tag team title run with Hornswoggle, and a victory over Tracy Williams for the AIW Absolute Championship, a victory over Wardlow of All Elite Wrestling Revenge Heavyweight Championship, and more recently winning the RYSE Grand Championship with a win over 6 competitors in one night, including Colin Delaney. Smooth appeared on AEW Collision on September 16, 2023 tagging with Wes Barkley vs Aussie Open on TBS.[3]

On May 11, 2024, Pretty Boy Smooth, accompanied by Pastor C-Lo, defeated Brandon Day, Cristiano Argento, and Kal Herro in a Fatal Four Way Elimination Match to become the inaugural NWA Exodus Midwest Heavyweight Champion. This championship title is officially sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance.

Professional wrestling style and personas

Smooth wrestles a "powerhouse" style known for delivering powerful blows and slamming opponents from incredible heights. Formerly known under the monikers “Seven Foot Savage” and “Mr. Fresh 2 Death,” Smooth now exclusively uses the nickname, “The Urban Playboy,” as his character development has evolved into a ladies man who fights with the intensity of the Incredible Hulk. His former finishing move was the "Funeral Service", but now uses an inverted Death Valley driver variation he calls “The Player’s Club".

"The ETHER" (stylized all caps) is another character layer created by Smooth. The ETHER is the unhinged ego of Pretty Boy Smooth that’s focus is on violence & destruction making it the most dangerous form of Smooth to date. The latest display of The ETHER in ring was Smooth’s match that took place on July 8, 2023 at RYSE wrestling vs Ron Mathis to end their feud.

Filmography

List of acting appearances in feature films
YearTitleRoleNotesRefs
2022Pact of Vengeance Hightower[4]
2022Shingles the Movie Smasher
2023CarousHELL 3Ben[5]

Personal life

Smooth lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.[2] [6]

In 2020, Smooth founded the PB Provides Scholarship Fund which is awarded yearly to an African American student who is interested in obtaining a communications degree at Mercyhurst University.

Championships and accomplishments

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Man rises through ranks in pursuit of wrestling dream . AP NEWS . 16 February 2019.
  2. News: Mike Copper: Nothing fake about pro wrestler's intentions. . en. 2020-02-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200211194353/https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20200210/mike-copper-nothing-fake-about-pro-wrestlers-intentions . 2020-02-11 . Mike . Copper . February 10, 2020 . dead.
  3. Web site: The Internet Wrestling Database . ProWrestling DB . 4 October 2023.
  4. News: Champion's Mentality:Pretty Boy Smooth. Jim. LaMotta. June 23, 2022. PWMania.
  5. Web site: CarousHELL 3 . IMDB . 4 October 2023.
  6. Web site: 2016-02-12 . Interview with PB Smooth 'Breaking The Wrestling Stereotype' . 2023-10-10 . Stereotype Co I Don't Stop Dreaming I Official Site . en-US.
  7. Web site: Halliwell . Don . Ryse Pro Wrestling 12/11/21 ryse anniversary results. LWOPW . 12 December 2021.
  8. Web site: Greer . Jamie . #AndNEW: PB Smooth Wins AIW Absolute Championship . LWOPW . 24 February 2019.
  9. Web site: AIW Results 12.29.17: Sid Doesn't Appear, EC3 Steps In . 411MANIA.
  10. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021. The Internet Wrestling Database. October 8, 2021.
  11. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020. The Internet Wrestling Database. December 20, 2021.
  12. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019. The Internet Wrestling Database. December 20, 2021.