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Richard Holliday
Birth nameJoe Zimbardi
Born (1992-11-08) November 8, 1992 (age 32)
New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Richard Holliday
Billed height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[1]
Billed weight237 lb (108 kg)[1]
Billed fromWestport, Connecticut[1]
Trained byPaul Roma
Mario Mancini
Paradise Alley Professional Wrestling School
DebutDecember 12, 2015

Joe Zimbardi (born November 8, 1992) is an American professional wrestler best known for his tenure in Major League Wrestling, where he performed under the ring name Richard Holliday and was a former one-time MLW World Tag Team Champion. Holliday also makes appearances on the independent circuit.[2] He is a former one-time IWA World Heavyweight Champion and one-time IWA Caribbean Heavyweight Champion.

Professional wrestling career

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Independent circuit (2015– present)

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After undergoing training under former WCW World Tag Team Champion Paul Roma and the Paradise Alley Professional Wrestling School, Holliday made his professional wrestling debut for Northeast Wrestling at Christmas in Tavenville event on December 12, 2015, in a losing effort against Jym Anderson.[3] Holliday wrestled for various independent promotions and made frequent appearances for New England Championship Wrestling, where he challenged for the NECW Television Championship on many occasions. Holliday's first major achievement in his professional wrestling career came when he participated in East Coast Wrestling Association's (ECWA) 2018 Super 8 Tournament on April 21, 2018.[4] Holliday won the tournament by defeating Bolt Brady in the quarter-final, Anthony Greene in the semi-final and Chase Owens in the final.[5][6]

On September 21, 2019, Holliday defeated Brute VanSlyke to win the Immortal Championship Wrestling (ICW) Heavyweight Championship at Immortal 08 event.[7] The following month, at Halloween Havok, Holliday successfully defended the title against Carlito before dropping the title to Sean Carr in an immediate title defense.[8]

Major League Wrestling (2018-2024)

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Main article: The Dynasty

Holliday signed a contract with Major League Wrestling (MLW) in 2018, making his debut for the promotion at the inaugural Battle Riot event on July 27, entering at #17. He was eliminated by Barrington Hughes.[9][10] Holliday's first singles match in MLW took place on the September 7 episode of Fusion, which he lost to Fred Yehi.[11]

On the February 16, 2019 episode of Fusion, Holliday formed an alliance with Maxwell Jacob Friedman by attacking Teddy Hart during a post-match interview backstage after Hart had retained the World Middleweight Championship against MJF.[12] Their alliance was dubbed The Dynasty and they began a lengthy feud with Hart's faction The Hart Foundation,[13][14] setting up a World Tag Team Championship match between the two teams on the March 16 episode of Fusion, which MJF and Holliday lost via disqualification after Alexander Hammerstone interfered in the match by attacking Hart and Smith, therefore Hammerstone joined the Dynasty, making it a trio.[15] On April 5, Holliday participated in the Battle Riot match as the #40 entrant. He was eliminated by Davey Boy Smith, Jr.[16] On the April 27 episode of Fusion, Dynasty defeated Hart Foundation in a six-man tables match to hand Hart Foundation, their first loss as a team in MLW.[17][18] On the July 13 episode of Fusion, MJF and Holliday defeated Brian Pillman Jr. and Teddy Hart in a ladder match to capture the World Tag Team Championship.[19] They successfully defended the titles against Hart Foundation in a two out of three falls match on the September 21 episode of Fusion[20] and the Los Parks (LA Park and El Hijo de LA Park) on the October 12 episode of Fusion,[21] before losing the titles to The Von Erichs (Ross and Marshall) in a Texas Tornado match at the Saturday Night SuperFight pay-per-view on November 2.[22][23] On November 21, it was announced that Holliday would enter the inaugural Opera Cup tournament against Timothy Thatcher.[24] The match took place on the December 14 episode of Fusion, which Holliday lost.[25]

On the February 8, 2020 episode of Fusion, Holliday defeated Savio Vega and then stole Vega's IWA Caribbean Heavyweight Championship belt, unofficially claiming himself to be the Caribbean Heavyweight Champion.[26][27][28] He successfully defended the title against Chessman in a no disqualification match on the April 25 episode of Fusion.[29] Holliday began campaigning for the title to be officially recognized by MLW.[30] On May 18, Holliday renewed his MLW contract to a multi-year deal.[31] In November, Holliday participated in the 2020 Opera Cup tournament, defeating TJP in the quarter-final,[32] but lost to Low Ki in the semi-final.[33]

On January 27, 2021, Holliday defeated Vega due to the intervention of referee Tim Donaghy, beginning his first official reign after 382 days of illegally possessing the belt.[34] He remained champion until Battle Riot III, where he lost a defense to King Muertes. On July 31, 2021, Holliday made his IWA-PR debut at the La Gran Amenaza event by defeating Mr. Big for the IWA World Heavyweight Championship.

On January 21, 2022 at Blood & Thunder, Holliday and on-screen girlfriend Alicia Atout attacked Hammerstone, thus dissolving The Dynasty and turning heel.[35]

After Alex Kane retained his MLW World Heavyweight Championship against Matt Cardona at One Shot, Holliday made his return to MLW and attacked Kane and in the process, aligned himself with World Titan Federation (WTF). His new manager Mister Saint Laurent then said that at Kings of Colliseum on January 6 2024, Holliday will challenge Kane for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.

Personal life

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Zimbardi played college football at the University of New Haven.[36]

In December 2022, Zimbardi revealed in an interview with Sports Illustrated that he had been ill since June and his disease was diagnosed as the stage four Hodgkin's lymphoma in September. He was undergoing chemotherapy to treat the cancer.[37][38]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Richard Holliday". Major League Wrestling. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "411MANIA". Richard Holliday Reveals He Had Talks With Other Promotions Before Signing New Contract With MLW. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  3. ^ "NEW Christmas In Tavenville". Cagematch. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Review of all 8 participants in the 22nd Annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament". East Coast Wrestling Association. April 9, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Brian Krieger (April 22, 2018). "2018 ECWA SUPER 8 TOURNAMENT RESULTS". PWInsider. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ Jeremy Thomas (April 22, 2018). "ECWA Super 8 2018 Results: Rich Holiday Wins Tournament". 411Mania. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  7. ^ "Immortal 08". Immortal Wrestling. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  8. ^ "Halloween Havok". Immortal Wrestling. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "BATTLE RIOT TV SPECIAL RECAP". Major League Wrestling. July 27, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  10. ^ Jason Powell (July 31, 2018). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: The 40-man Battle Riot, Joey Ryan vs. Maxwell J Friedman to crown the first MLW Middleweight Championship, and Kotto Brazil vs. Myron Reed". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  11. ^ Jason Powell (September 8, 2018). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix vs. Drago and Rey Horus for the MLW Tag Titles, PCO vs. Homicide, Fred Yehi vs. Richard Holiday". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Jason Powell (February 16, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Teddy Hart vs. Maxwell J. Friedman for the MLW Middleweight Championship, Rich Swann vs. Ace Austin, Alex Hammerstone vs. Ariel Dominguez". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  13. ^ "A NEW DYNASTY IN MLW?". Major League Wrestling. February 18, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "HART FOUNDATION FIGHT MJF & HOLLIDAY IN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASH IN CHICAGO NEXT SATURDAY". Major League Wrestling. February 19, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  15. ^ Jason Powell (March 16, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: The Hart Foundation vs. MJF and Richard Holliday for the MLW Tag Titles, Hijo de LA Park vs. Puma King, a wild Contra Unit segment". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  16. ^ Jason Powell. "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: The 40-man Battle Riot match for a future shot at the MLW Championship, Tom Lawlor vs. Jimmy Havoc in a New York Street Fight, Teddy Hart vs. Ace Austin, Minoru Tanaka vs. Myron Reed". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  17. ^ Emily Pratt (April 30, 2019). "MLW Fusion recap for April 27, 2019: Table manners". Fansided. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  18. ^ Jason Powell (April 28, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Hart Foundation vs. The Dynasty in a six-man tables match, Jordan Oliver vs. Kotto Brazil, Rey Horus vs. Ace Austin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  19. ^ Jason Powell (July 14, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr. vs. MJF and Richard Holliday in a ladder match for the MLW Tag Titles, Ace Austin vs. Air Wolf, Low Ki vs. Ariel Dominguez". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  20. ^ Jason Powell (September 22, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: MJF and Richard Holliday vs. Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. in a best of three falls match for the MLW Tag Titles, Zenshi vs. Jordan Oliver in a middleweight match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Jason Powell (October 13, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: MJF and Richard Holliday vs. LA Park Jr. and Hijo de LA Park for the MLW Tag Titles, MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Hammerstone vs. Crash Heavyweight Champion Rey Horus in a Title vs. Title match, Oraculo vs. Black Danger vs. Ricky Marvin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Josiah McDonald (November 2, 2019). "MLW SATURDAY NIGHT SUPERFIGHT LIVE RESULTS: JACOB FATU VS. LA PARK". F4W Online. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  23. ^ "SUPERFIGHT RECAP: LA Park Faces World Champ Fatu In A Battle Between Monsters". Major League Wrestling. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "TIMOTHY THATCHER ENTERS MLW OPERA CUP; FIGHTS RICHARD HOLLIDAY DEC. 5 IN NYC". Major League Wrestling. November 21, 2019.
  25. ^ Jason Powell (December 15, 2019). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Brian Pillman Jr. vs. TJP and Timothy Thatcher vs. Richard Holliday in Opera Cup tournament matches, ACH and King Mo vs. Kotto Brazil and Jordan Oliver". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  26. ^ Jason Powell (February 9, 2020). "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Jacob Fatu vs. Brian Pillman Jr. for the MLW Heavyweight Title, Savio Vega vs. Richard Holliday, Zenshi vs. Dominic Garrini". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  27. ^ "Savio Vega vows vengeance against The Dynasty this Saturday in Philly". Major League Wrestling. January 30, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "Outrage in Puerto Rico over theft of Caribbean Championship". Major League Wrestling. February 17, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  29. ^ "FUSION RECAP: Hart Foundation Reunite To Compete In Super Series". Major League Wrestling. April 26, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  30. ^ "Holliday demands Caribbean Championship recognized by MLW". Major League Wrestling. April 13, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  31. ^ Joseph Currier (May 18, 2020). "RICHARD HOLLIDAY SIGNS NEW MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH MLW". WON / F4W. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  32. ^ Jason Powell (November 25, 2020). "11/25 MLW Fusion Results: Powell's review of Tom Lawlor vs. Rocky Romero and TJP vs. Richard Holliday in Opera Cup tournament opening round matches, Calvin Tankman debuts, Alexander Hammerstone update". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  33. ^ Jason Powell (December 9, 2020). "12/9 MLW Fusion Results: Powell's review of Ross and Marshall Von Erich vs. Jacob Fatu and Simon Gotch for the MLW Tag Titles, Low Ki vs. Richard Holliday in the semifinals of the Opera Cup tournament, Calvin Tankman vs. Zenshi". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  34. ^ Justin Barasso (January 28, 2021). "Disgraced NBA Official Tim Donaghy Makes Pro Wrestling Debut as Crooked Ref". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  35. ^ Jeremy Lambert (January 23, 2022). "MLW Blood & Thunder Spoilers (1/21)". Fightful. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  36. ^ "Joe Zimbardi". newhavenchargers.com. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  37. ^ Justin Barrasso (December 6, 2022). "After His Cancer Diagnosis, MLW Star Richard Holliday Has One Goal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  38. ^ Zack Heydorn (December 7, 2022). "MLW star announces battle with cancer". PWTorch. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  39. ^ cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=6163
  40. ^ cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1099
  41. ^ "MLW Fusion #119: Caribbean Strap Match | AAA World Cruiserweight Title Match | Tag Team Eliminator". YouTube. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  42. ^ cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=185239
  43. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
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