The O.C. (professional wrestling) explained
Article Name: | The O.C. |
Names: | The Club The O.C. |
Billed: | Tokyo, Japan |
Type: | S |
Debut: | May 9, 2016 |
Years Active: | 2016 2019–2020 2022–present |
Leaders: | AJ Styles |
The O.C. also known as The Club, is an American professional wrestling stable now signed to WWE. The group performs on both the SmackDown and NXT brands. The group is composed of leader AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Michin. Their team name is derived from a previous catchphrase: "the official, the original, the only club that matters" due to the three original members of the Bullet Club.
Previously working in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as members of Bullet Club, the trio of Styles, Gallows & Anderson reunited in WWE in May 2016 as The Club, before splitting 2 months later. They would officially reunite in July 2019, having adopted The O.C. as their new name. The team split again in April 2020 when Gallows and Anderson were released from WWE but reformed upon their return to the company in October 2022 with Michin joining the group the next month.
Background
See also: Bullet Club. From 2014 to 2016, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows (under the name Doc Gallows), and Karl Anderson were members of Bullet Club, primarily appearing in the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In NJPW, Styles was a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, and Gallows and Anderson were three-time IWGP Tag Team Champions.[1] [2] Styles departed from the promotion in January 2016, followed by Gallows and Anderson in February. After their departures, there were weeks of speculation and teasing from WWE themselves about the trio signing with WWE.[3] [4] [5] [6]
History
Initial run as The Club (2016–2018)
thumb|250px|Male Members of The O.C. (left to right) Karl Anderson, AJ Styles (leader), and Luke Gallows At the 2016 Royal Rumble, AJ Styles debuted for WWE in the Royal Rumble match.[7] A few months later on the April 11, 2016, episode of Raw, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson then made their WWE debut as a team, attacking The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), establishing themselves as heels in the process and with the duo's NJPW background being acknowledged by WWE announcers.[8] On the following week's Raw, WWE began teasing an alliance between Gallows and Anderson and their former Bullet Club stablemate Styles when, after meeting Styles in a backstage interview, Gallows and Anderson attacked his Payback opponent Roman Reigns in the ring; Styles, however, did not seem pleased with the attack.[9] Over the next few weeks, Gallows and Anderson continued teasing an uneasy alliance with Styles, while having several face offs with The Usos and Roman Reigns, including at Payback, where the two failed in their attempt to help Styles capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Reigns.[10] On the May 9 episode of Raw, the trio of Styles, Gallows, and Anderson was dubbed "The Club" (a reference to their former NJPW stable, Bullet Club).[11] The Club disbanded two weeks later on Raw, when Styles stated that he wanted an amicable separation from Gallows and Anderson, blaming them and The Usos for his failure to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the previous day's Extreme Rules.[12] Though Styles stated that the three could remain "brothers", Gallows and Anderson refused and ended the friendship altogether.[13] On the May 30 episode of Raw, Gallows and Anderson entered the WWE Tag Team Championship picture by attacking reigning champions The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods), while later in the show, Styles turned on the returning John Cena and reunited with Gallows and Anderson.[14] This set up a match between Styles and Cena at Money in the Bank on June 19, which Styles won after interference from The Club.[15] On July 19, The Club was split up in the WWE draft, with Gallows and Anderson being drafted to the Raw brand and Styles to SmackDown,[16] which resulted in them wrestling their last match together as a trio on July 24 at Battleground in a loss against Cena, Enzo Amore, and Big Cass.[17]
Gallows and Anderson were both drafted to SmackDown in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up, where they made a one-off reunion with Styles on the April 24, 2018, episode of SmackDown Live as faces, in a losing effort to Shinsuke Nakamura, Aiden English, and Rusev.[18] After an unsuccessful stint on the SmackDown brand, Gallows and Anderson returned to the Raw brand on April 29, 2019, losing to The Usos.[19] At that point, they had not won a match on television since they defeated The Usos in May 2018.[20] Throughout the following weeks, Styles frustratingly encouraged Gallows and Anderson to be the successful duo they once were.
Reformation as The O.C. (2019–2020)
On the July 1, 2019, episode of Raw, Gallows and Anderson encouraged Styles to be the guy he once was in NJPW. After Styles lost a United States Championship match to Ricochet, Gallows and Anderson helped Styles to beat up Ricochet, and reuniting The Club as heels.[21] [22] Two weeks later at Extreme Rules, Styles, accompanied by The Club, won his third United States Championship by defeating Ricochet.[23] On the July 22 episode of Raw, The Club was renamed "The O.C." and repeatedly claimed that they were the "official, original, and only club that matters".[24] [25] The following week, Gallows and Anderson won their second Raw Tag Team Championship, making all members of The O.C. champions,[26] but they lost the titles on the August 19 episode of Raw to Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman, ending their reign at 21 days.[27] At Crown Jewel on October 31, Gallows and Anderson won the nine-team tag team turmoil match to win the WWE Tag Team World Cup and be called "the best tag team in the world". Styles also retained his U.S. title against Humberto Carrillo at the event.[28]
The O.C. would have unfortunate luck at Survivor Series; during the Kickoff pre-show, Gallows and Anderson were eliminated from the interbrand tag team battle royal, and on the main show, Styles lost the interbrand triple threat match, in which he faced SmackDown's Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura and NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong, where Strong stole the victory from Styles after Styles had performed a Phenomenal Forearm on Nakamura and Strong threw Styles out of the ring and pinned Nakamura.[29] The O.C. would again have bad luck on the following night's Raw as during Styles' championship match against Rey Mysterio, Gallows and Anderson were ejected from ringside and Styles ultimately lost his U.S. title to Mysterio thanks to help from Randy Orton.[30] All members of The O.C. would enter the 2020 Royal Rumble, with Styles entering at 18, Anderson at 20, and Gallows at 24, but they were all eliminated.[31] At Super ShowDown in February, Gallows and Anderson took out Mysterio in an attempt to help Styles win the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy Gauntlet match, but The Undertaker in turn took out Gallows and Anderson, and then took Mysterio's spot in the gauntlet match and defeated Styles to win the trophy, thus beginning a feud with Undertaker.[32] Styles then faced Aleister Black at Elimination Chamber in a no disqualification match, but would lose after The Undertaker came out and took out Gallows and Anderson and chokeslammed Styles, allowing Black to hit Black Mass and win the match.[33] Styles would then face The Undertaker in the main event of the first night of WrestleMania 36 in a Boneyard match, but would lose despite interference from Gallows and Anderson.[34]
On April 15, 2020, the stable was dissolved when Gallows and Anderson were released from their WWE contracts as part of budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, while Styles formed a tag team with Omos a short time later.[35] [36] [37]
Reunion (2022–present)
After a two year absence, Gallows and Anderson returned to WWE on the October 10, 2022, episode of Raw, reuniting The O.C. with Styles as faces. They attacked former Bullet Club leader Finn Bálor and his stable, The Judgment Day (including Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio), as Bálor had issued Styles an ultimatum to join his group, whereby Styles refused and brought in Gallows and Anderson as his backup.[38] The following week, a six-man tag team match between the stables was scheduled for Crown Jewel on November 5.[39] At the event, The O.C. lost to The Judgment Day after interference from Rhea Ripley.[40] On the November 7, episode of Raw, Mia Yim, returning to WWE herself that night, aligned with The O.C. to counter Ripley.[41] At Survivor Series WarGames on November 26, Styles defeated Bálor while Yim's team defeated Ripley's team in a WarGames match. On the following episode of Raw, The O.C. was defeated by The Judgment Day in an eight-person mixed tag team match to end their feud.[42] As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, The O.C. (with "Michin" Mia Yim) were drafted to the SmackDown brand,[43] [44] [45] with Styles and Michin subsequently feuding briefly with Karrion Kross and Scarlett, with Styles and Kross trading victories in singles matches and the two sides facing off in tag team matches. The feud concluded on the August 11 episode of SmackDown, when Styles defeated Kross.[46]
The O.C. would begin a feud with The Bloodline, with Styles losing to Solo Sikoa on the September 1 episode of SmackDown after interference from Jimmy Uso. John Cena would come to Styles' aid, setting up a tag team match between Cena and Styles against Uso and Sikoa for Fastlane. However, Styles was taken out by Sikoa backstage, removing him from the match; he was replaced by LA Knight. After a two-month hiatus, Styles returned on the December 15 episode of SmackDown and assisted Knight and Randy Orton in fending off The Bloodline. Styles took out Knight after The Bloodline was cleared from the ring.[47] In the following week, Michin pinned WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky in an eight-women tag team holiday street fight match against Damage CTRL, granting her a title shot at SmackDown: New Year's Revolution. Later that night, The O.C. greeted Styles, but he blew them off for not coming to his aid when he was attacked by The Bloodline, thus leaving the group.[48] At SmackDown: New Year's Revolution on January 5, 2024, Michin failed to win the title from Sky.[49]
On the February 20, 2024 episode of NXT, Gallows and Anderson attacked Axiom and Nathan Frazer and Chase University (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) after the two teams faced each other, marking Gallows and Anderson's return to NXT.[50] On the February 27 episode of NXT, Gallows and Anderson defeated Edris Enofe and Malik Blade in their first match back in NXT.[51] Gallows and Anderson entered a tournament for an NXT Tag Team Championship match at Stand and Deliver, which was won by Axiom and Nathan Frazer. Michin would also return to NXT on April 30. On the May 28 episode of NXT, Michin defeated Tatum Paxley to qualify for the ladder match to crown the inaugural NXT Women's North American Championship at Battleground. Later that night, NXT General Manager Ava announced Gallows and Anderson will face Axiom and Frazer for the titles at the event.
On the May 31 episode of SmackDown, Styles seemingly delivered a retirement speech, which was revealed to be a ruse after he attacked Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes as Gallows and Anderson stopped security from intervening, rejoining the group.[52]
Members
| Founding member(s) |
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L | Leader | |
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Championships and accomplishments
Notes and References
- Web site: The New Beginning in Osaka. February 11, 2015. New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Japanese. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150213111320/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=934. February 13, 2015.
- Web site: Heavy tag weight class . April 14, 2016 . . Japanese.
- Web site: NJPW stars Nakamura, AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to WWE . Rose . Bryan . January 4, 2016 . April 14, 2016 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- Web site: PWTorch Report – Four big names leaving New Japan, heading to WWE . https://web.archive.org/web/20160105055406/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/01/04/pwtorch-report-four-big-names-leaving-new-japan-heading-to-wwe/ . Caldwell . James . January 5, 2016 . January 4, 2016 . April 14, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: Are AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows coming to WWE?. Clapp, John. wwe.com. WWE. January 5, 2016. June 20, 2016.
- Web site: Former New Japan star Matt Bloom addresses Bullet Club rumors. Wallace, Dustin. wwe.com. WWE. January 12, 2016. June 20, 2016.
- Web site: Caldwell. James. 1/24 WWE Royal Rumble PPV Results – CALDWELL's Complete Live PPV Report. Pro Wrestling Torch. 24 January 2016.
- Web site: 4/11 WWE Raw News – Big Developments from Los Angeles . Caldwell . James . April 11, 2016 . April 14, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: 4/18 Raw News & Notes – Bullet Club Week 2 teaser & Reigns addresses "club" status, Wyatts M.I.A., Ambrose-Jericho, tourney, Bret Hart, Natalya, Miz TV . Caldwell . James . April 18, 2016 . April 19, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: 5/1 WWE Payback Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report . Caldwell . James . May 1, 2016 . May 6, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: 5/9 WWE Raw Results – Caldwell's Complete Live TV Report . Caldwell . James . May 9, 2016 . May 9, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: Caldwell. James. 5/22 WWE Extreme Rules PPV Results – Caldwell's Ongoing Live Report. May 22, 2016. Pro Wrestling Torch. July 12, 2016.
- Web site: WWE Raw live results: Seth Rollins returns; Extreme Rules fallout . Hamlin . Jeff . May 23, 2016 . May 24, 2016 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
- Web site: 5/30 WWE Raw Results – Caldwell's Complete Live TV Report . Caldwell . James . May 30, 2016 . May 30, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: 6/19 WWE MITB PPV Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report. Caldwell. James. Pro Wrestling Torch. June 19, 2016.
- Web site: 7/19 WWE Smackdown Live – Parks's Complete Coverage of WWE Draft . Parks . Greg . July 19, 2016 . July 19, 2016 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
- Web site: Caldwell. James. 7/24 WWE Battleground Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Report. Pro Wrestling Torch. July 24, 2016. July 24, 2016.
- Web site: Roy . Nemer . WWE SmackDown Results – 4/24/18 (MizTV with Daniel Bryan, Asuka teams with Becky Lynch) . WrestleView . April 24, 2018.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. 4/29 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Alexa Bliss revealing Raw's participants in the Money in the Bank ladder matches, the build to MITB continues. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 29 April 2019 . April 29, 2019.
- Web site: Sean Ross Stats: WWE Raw 4/29/19 & Smackdown Live 4/30/19. Fightful. May 3, 2019. May 3, 2019.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. 7/1 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of the first show with Paul Heyman as executive director, Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley in a falls count anywhere match, Viking Raiders vs. New Day, the build to Extreme Rules continues. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. July 2019 . July 1, 2019.
- Web site: Mezzera. Jon. WWE RAW HITS & MISSES 7/1: Strowman and Lashley big stunt, Street Profits showing up on Raw, Maria & Mike, Styles heel turn, Ricochet on the mic, Miz vs. Elias. Pro Wrestling Torch. July 4, 2019.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Extreme Rules results: Powell's live review of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch vs. Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans in an Extreme Rules match for the WWE Universal Championship and the Raw Women's Championship, Kofi Kingston vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Championship. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 14 July 2019 . July 14, 2019.
- Web site: 7/30 WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: Keller's report on Summerslam developments including Randy Orton addressing Kofi Kingston . Pro Wrestling Torch . 31 July 2019 . They said they are the official, original, and only club that matters..
- Web site: Benigno. Anthony. Seth Rollins def. United States Champion AJ Styles via Disqualification; DX and The Kliq helped Rollins turn The O.C. back after the match. WWE. July 23, 2019. The members of O.C. explain that they are the most dominant faction in WWE, as the original, the official, the only Club that matters.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. 7/29 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of The Revival vs. The Usos vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for the Raw Tag Titles, Ricochet vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn vs. Andrade in a gauntlet match for a U.S. Title match at SummerSlam, Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 29 July 2019 . July 29, 2019.
- Web site: 8/19 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of AJ Styles vs. Braun Strowman for the U.S. Championship, and Cesaro vs. Samoa Joe and Cedric Alexander vs. Sami Zayn in first round King of the Ring tournament matches. August 19, 2019. Powell. Jason. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. August 26, 2019.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury, Lacey Evans vs. Natalya. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. 31 October 2019 . October 31, 2019.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Survivor Series results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Rey Mysterio in a No Holds Barred match for the WWE Championship, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Bayley in a non-title match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. November 24, 2019. November 24, 2019.
- Web site: 11/25 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of the night after Survivor Series edition with AJ Styles vs. a four-way winner for the U.S. Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, Seth Rollins' town hall meeting. November 25, 2019. Powell. Jason. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. November 26, 2019.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Daniel Bryan in a strap match for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. January 26, 2020. January 26, 2020.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Super ShowDown results: Powell's live review of "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet for the WWE Championship, Big E and Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz and John Morrison for the Smackdown Tag Titles. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. February 27, 2020. February 27, 2020.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Shayna Baszler vs. Asuka vs. Ruby Riott vs. Liv Morgan vs. Sarah Logan vs. Natalya in an Elimination Chamber match for a shot at the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 36, Smackdown Tag Title Elimination Chamber match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. March 8, 2020. March 8, 2020.
- Web site: Mazique. Brian. WWE WrestleMania 36 Results: Undertaker Vs. AJ Styles Twitter Reaction And Analysis. 2021-02-08. Forbes. en.
- Web site: Rusev, Kurt Angle and other Superstars released. WWE. April 15, 2020.
- Web site: WWE talent cuts: Kurt Angle, Rusev among those released in response to coronavirus impact. April 15, 2020. CBS Sports. Brent. Brookhouse. April 15, 2020.
- Web site: Drake Maverick, Curt Hawkins and other Superstars released. WWE.com Staff. WWE. April 15, 2020. April 15, 2020.
- Web site: October 10, 2022. October 10, 2022. Jason. Powell. 10/10 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins for the U.S. Title, Johnny Gargano vs. Austin Theory, The Bloodline appear, DX's 25th Anniversary celebration. Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
- Web site: 10/17 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins vs. Matt Riddle for the U.S. Championship, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. "Alpha Academy" Chad Gable and Otis, Dexter Lumis vs. The Miz, Elias returns. October 17, 2022. Powell. Jason. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. October 17, 2022.
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul and Jake Paul for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match for the Raw Women's Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Omos, Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross in a cage match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. November 5, 2022. November 5, 2022.
- https://411mania.com/wrestling/mia-yim-on-her-decision-to-return-to-wwe-joining-the-oc/ Mia Yim On Her Decision To Return To WWE, Joining The OC - 411 Mania.com
- Web site: Powell. Jason. WWE Survivor Series WarGames results: Powell's review of The Bloodline vs. Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, and The Brawling Brutes in a WarGames match, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Mia Yim vs. Rhea Ripley, Nikki Cross, and Damage CTRL in a WarGames match, Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory for the U.S. Title. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. November 26, 2022. November 27, 2022.
- Web site: Barnett . Jake . April 28, 2023 . 4/28 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of the WWE Draft night one, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Zelina Vega vs. Sonya Deville . April 28, 2023 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
- Web site: WWE SmackDown live results: The WWE Draft begins. April 28, 2023. Bath. Dave. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. April 28, 2023.
- Web site: Powell . Jason . 2023-04-28 . 4/28 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of the WWE Draft night one, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, Zelina Vega vs. Sonya Deville . 2023-04-29 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
- Web site: Middleton. Marc. WWE SmackDown Results 8/11/2023. August 11, 2023. Wrestling Headlines. December 17, 2023.
- Web site: Powell . Jason . December 15, 2023 . WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/15): Barnett's review of the return of Roman Reigns, Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller and Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory in tourney matches for a shot at the U.S. Title . January 6, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
- Web site: Powell . Jason . December 22, 2023 . WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (12/22): Barnett's review of AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa, Carmelo Hayes vs. Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar vs. Bobby Lashley in tournament matches for a shot at the U.S. Title . January 6, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
- Web site: Powell . Jason . January 5, 2024 . WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/5): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns and Logan Paul's appearances, Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles for a shot at the WWE Universal Title at the Royal Rumble . January 6, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
- Web site: Top WWE Tag Team Appears on 2/20 NXT TV Tapings. Bill. Pritchard. Wrestlezone. February 14, 2024. February 15, 2024.
- Web site: Moore. John. NXT TV results (2/27): Moore’s review of Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes meeting, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade, Von Wagner vs. Lexis King, Kiana James vs. Kelani Jordan. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. February 27, 2024. February 28, 2024.
- Web site: WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From May 31 . 2024-06-01 . Bleacher Report . en.
- Web site: WWE United States Championship. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- Web site: WWE Raw Tag Team Championship. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- Web site: WWE Tag Team World Cup (2019). Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. October 31, 2019. January 4, 2021.