Matt Bloom

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Tensai
Born (1972-11-14) November 14, 1972 (age 51)[1]
Peabody, Massachusetts[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Albert
A-Train
Baldo
Giant Bernard
Lord Tensai or Tensai
The Mongolian
Prince Albert
Rusher Road
Train
Billed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)(NJPW)[3]
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) (WWE)[4]
Billed weight360 lb (160 kg)[5][4]
Billed fromJapan
Trained byKiller Kowalski
Dory Funk, Jr.
Debut1997

Matthew Jason "Matt" Bloom (born November 14, 1972) is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand under the ring name Tensai. Between 1997 and 2004, Bloom wrestled for World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment under the ring names Prince Albert, Albert, and A-Train. During his time in the promotion, he became a one time Intercontinental Champion. After leaving WWE, Bloom, adopting the ring name Giant Bernard, began working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he became a two time IWGP Tag Team Champion, holding the record for both the longest reign and the most title defenses alongside Karl Anderson as Bad Intentions. Bernard and Anderson are also one time GHC Tag Team Champions in Pro Wrestling Noah. He holds notable wins over current WWE Champion CM Punk and 12 time World Champion John Cena.

Early life

Bloom attended Peabody High School, where he earned three letters in football and basketball, two in track and field, and one in baseball. He went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he played American football as an offensive tackle and an offensive guard.[6]

Bloom graduated in 1996 with a degree in sign language. After graduating, Bloom briefly played in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers. He then became a schoolteacher, teaching mathematics and English to children with behavioral problems and deaf children at Revere High School[clarification needed]. After rewarding his three aptest students with a trip to a professional wrestling event, Bloom, who had aspired to wrestle professionally as a child, met wrestler and wrestling trainer Killer Kowalski and expressed an interest in learning how to wrestle. Kowalski invited Bloom to attend his school, and Bloom opted to leave teaching and train as a wrestler.[7][2][6]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1997–1999)

Bloom wrestled his first match in 1997, facing Tim McNeany. He briefly wrestled as Baldo, a gimmick given to him by referee Freddy Sparta that saw him wear a fur rug to the ring.[2][6]

After being introduced to talent scout Tom Prichard by George Steele, Bloom was hired by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). After receiving supplementary training from Dory Funk, Jr., Bloom was assigned to the Power Pro Wrestling (PPW) developmental territory in Memphis, Tennessee, where he wrestled as Baldo. While wrestling in PPW, Bloom won both the PPW Young Guns Championship and the PPW Heavyweight Championship, and engaged in a feud with Memphis mainstay Jerry Lawler.[2][6][8]

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (1999–2004)

Bloom debuted on WWF television on the April 11, 1999 episode of Sunday Night Heat, saving Droz from a beating at the hands of Big Bossman. Bloom was dubbed Prince Albert, the personal tattooist of Droz, and together they formed a short-lived trio called "The Pierced Pals" with Key.[5] Droz and Albert continued to team together until Droz was paralyzed in October 1999, at which point Albert became the protege of the Big Bossman. The duo separated following the debut of Bull Buchanan, who formed a tag team with the Big Bossman.[7][6][8]

In March 2000, Bloom, now commonly known as Albert, was recruited by Trish Stratus to form a tag team with Test. The tag team, known as T & A, competed in the tag team division throughout 2000, feuding with rival tag teams such as the Dudley Boyz and the Acolytes. In December 2000, the team separated after Bloom attacked Test under the orders of Stephanie McMahon Helmsley.[2][6]

In April 2001, Albert formed a stable known as X-Factor with Justin Credible and X-Pac.[8] On June 28, 2001 in New York City, New York, Bloom defeated Kane (with help from Diamond Dallas Page) to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship. He lost the WWF Intercontinental Championship to Alliance member Lance Storm on July 23, 2001 in Buffalo, New York after several interferences.[8] In July 2001, Credible left X-Factor and joined The Alliance. Albert and X-Pac continued to team until November 2001, when X-Pac was injured.[7][6][8]

In late 2001, Albert adopted the nickname "The Hip Hop Hippo" and began teaming with Scotty 2 Hotty.[8] Upon the introduction of the Brand Extension, both Bloom and Hotty were assigned to the SmackDown! brand.[8] They disbanded on April 4, 2002 when Albert attacked Scotty after the duo failed to defeat Billy and Chuck for the WWF Tag Team Championship.[8]

Subsequently, he spent much of his time on Velocity until December 2002, when he joined forces with Paul Heyman and The Big Show, and was renamed A-Train at Heyman's suggestion. A-Train and Big Show lost to The Undertaker at WrestleMania XIX, after which A-Train would continue his feud with The Undertaker, culminating in a match at SummerSlam. He then wrestled Chris Benoit at No Mercy, and at Survivor Series, he joined Brock Lesnar's team in a ten-man Survivor Series match.[8] He competed in the 2004 Royal Rumble match, but was eliminated by the eventual winner, Benoit. When Benoit decided to compete against Triple H for the World Championship on the Raw brand, General Manager Paul Heyman held a SmackDown! style Royal Rumble where the winner would meet Lesnar for the WWE Championship at No Way Out. He was eliminated by Eddie Guerrero, who went on to win the match. Bloom was traded to the Raw brand on March 22nd, 2004, making his official Raw debut June 7th.[8] Two weeks later, he suffered a torn rotator cuff. Before returning from injury, he was released from his WWE contract on November 1, 2004.[9]

Bloom holds the distinction of wrestling in both the first match on Jakked (against Ken Shamrock) and the last (against Hugh Morrus). While working for the company he was known for having a hair-covered torso, back, and chest, and fans would often chant "Shave Your Back!" at Bloom during his matches.[10]

All Japan Pro Wrestling (2005-2006)

In March 2005, Bloom began wrestling for the Japanese All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) promotion, adopting the ring name Giant Bernard, a reference to fellow gaijin Brute Bernard. He went on to join the Voodoo Murders stable alongside fellow WWE alumni Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli. On October 18, 2005, Bloom unsuccessfully challenged Satoshi Kojima for the Triple Crown Championship.[7][8]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2006–2012)

Various feuds (2006–2009)

In January 2006, Bloom left AJPW and joined the rival New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. In April 2006, he defeated Yuji Nagata in the finals of the 2006 New Japan Cup. As a result of his victory, Bloom received a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. He unsuccessfully challenged IWGP Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar on May 3, 2006 in Tenjin, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka.[7]

In July 2006, following the vacation of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship by Lesnar, Bloom entered a tournament for the title, losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the tournament final. In August 2006, Bloom took part in the 2006 G1 Climax tournament, losing to Hiroyoshi Tenzan in the semi-finals.

On March 11, 2007 in Nagoya, Bloom and Travis Tomko defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Takao Ōmori to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[7] At the February 17, 2008 New Japan show, they lost the IWGP Tag Titles to Togi Makabe and Toru Yano. Following Tomko's departure for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling on a full-time basis, Bernard began teaming with former World Championship Wrestling wrestler Rick Fuller in another powerhouse tag team. On September 5, 2008, Bernard and Fuller betrayed Shinsuke Nakamura and Hirooki Goto to align themselves with Togi Makabe's Great Bash Heel stable.

In addition to wrestling for NJPW, Bloom also wrestled for their affiliate Wrestle Land - as Rusher Road - a member of the Roads stable, until the brand's closure.

Bad Intentions (2009–2012)

In 2009, after betraying Togi Makabe, Bernard and the rest of GBH left the stable to join Shinsuke Nakamura and form the new stable known as CHAOS. Bernard formed the tag team Bad Intentions with CHAOS partner Karl Anderson and together the two of them went on to win the 2009 G1 Climax Tag League, defeating Apollo 55 (Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi) in the finals of the tournament on November 1. They went on to challenge for the IWGP Tag Team Championship, but their match with the defending champions Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) ended in a double countout.[11] In April 2010 both Bernard and Anderson left CHAOS, when the stable turned on them.[12]

Through New Japan's working agreement with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, Bloom did his first tour of Mexico in May 2010 under the ring name Gigante Bernard. He managed to win six successive Two-out-of-Three Falls Tag Team matches in two straight falls, before losing his final match of the tour on June 11 via disqualification.[13] Upon his return to Japan, Bernard and Anderson defeated the teams of Blue Justice Army (Yuji Nagata and Wataru Inoue) and No Limit (Tetsuya Naitō and Yujiro Takahashi) in a three-way elimination match on June 19 to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[14] Bad Intentions made their first successful defense of the IWGP Tag Team Championship on July 19, defeating the Blue Justice Army and No Limit in a three-way "Dogfight".[15] In late October Bad Intentions entered the 2010 G1 Climax Tag League, where, after three wins and two losses, they finished second in their block. This put them in the semi-finals where, on November 7, they were defeated by eventual winners Yuji Nagata and Wataru Inoue.[16][17] On January 4, 2011 at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, Bad Intentions successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship in a three–way match against Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode) and Muscle Orchestra (Manabu Nakanishi and Strong Man).[18][19] On May 3, Bad Intentions defeated No Limit to make their seventh successful IWGP Tag Team Championship defense, tying the record for most defenses, set by Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Masahiro Chono.[20]

Bad Intentions made their record breaking eight successful IWGP Tag Team Championship defense on June 18 against Pro Wrestling Noah's Takuma Sano and Yoshihiro Takayama, and in the process also became the new GHC Tag Team Champions.[21] After the main event of the show, Bernard challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but Tanahashi would only accept the challenge if Bad Intentions could beat him in a match for the IWGP Tag Team Championship, alongside the mean he just defeated - Hirooki Goto.[22] On July 3 Bernard and Anderson successfully defended the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Tanahashi and Goto.[23] By winning, Bernard earned an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match against Tanahashi on July 18, but failed.[24]

On July 23, Bad Intentions made an appearance for Pro Wrestling Noah, making their first successful defense of the GHC Tag Team Championship against the team of Takeshi Morishima and Yutaka Yoshie.[25] On September 9, Bad Intentions became the longest reigning IWGP Tag Team Champions, breaking the previous record of 446 days set by Tenzan and Chono in 2003. Bad Intentions made their second GHC Tag Team Championship defense on October 31, defeating Go Shiozaki and Shuhei Taniguchi at a Pro Wrestling Noah event.[26] During New Japan's 2011 G1 Climax Tag League, Bad Intentions suffered their first tag team loss in a year, when they were defeated by the Complete Players (Masato Tanaka and Yujiro Takahashi),[27] but still managed to win their four other matches and advance to the semifinals of the tournament.[28] On November 6, after defeating the Billion Powers (Hirooki Goto and Hiroshi Tanahashi) in the semifinals, Bad Intentions was defeated in the final of the 2011 G1 Climax by the Suzuki Army (Minoru Suzuki and Lance Archer).[29] On November 12, Bad Intentions made their tenth successful IWGP Tag Team Championship defense against Archer and Suzuki.[30]

On January 4, 2012 at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, Bad Intentions lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Ten-Koji (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima), ending their record-setting reign at 564 days.[31] They followed suit with their other title on January 22, losing the GHC Tag Team Championship to Akitoshi Saito and Jun Akiyama.[32]

Bloom, as Lord Tensai, making his WWE redebut on Raw.

Return to WWE (2012)

On March 17, 2012, it was reported that Bloom had re-signed with WWE.[33] Bloom publicly denied the signing;[34] however, on the March 19 episode of Raw, he appeared in a video promo under the new ring name Lord Tensai.[35][36] On the March 26 episode of Raw, another video of Tensai aired. WWE's official website revealed the translation of one of the sentences to say "Lord Tensai will strike." and another "Lord Tensai approaches. Beware!"[37]

On the April 2, 2012 episode of Raw, Lord Tensai debuted as a heel and defeated Alex Riley as a result of the referee stopping the match. While the match commentary did make reference to him being a returning WWE Superstar, there were no specific references made to any of Bloom's former personas. WWE's website later acknowledged that he had previously appeared as A-Train before leaving to compete in Japan where he embraced the Japanese culture.[38] On the next week's episode of Raw, Tensai defeated Yoshi Tatsu in a similar fashion. During the match, the crowd could be heard chanting "Albert", though the announcers made no reference to his Albert persona specifically; this trend continues. On the following episode of Raw, Tensai was revealed by John Laurinaitis as John Cena's mystery opponent for an Extreme Rules match. Tensai defeated Cena in this match after interference from David Otunga followed by a green mist attack. The next week, he followed up on his victory by defeating R-Truth. On the May 7 episode of Raw, Tensai defeated WWE Champion CM Punk in a handicap match, teaming with Punk's Over the Limit opponent Daniel Bryan.[39] On the May 21 episode of Raw, the "Lord" portion of his ring name, as well as the extravagant garments and skull helmet worn during his entrance (for that episode only), were dropped and he was billed simply as Tensai.

Personal life

Bloom married Farah Louise on September 3, 2005.[40] The couple had a daughter in early 2012. At one point, Bloom had twenty-eight body piercings, the first of which he received at the age of fourteen.[2]

In wrestling

Bloom, as Lord Tensai, making his way to the ring.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Impact Zone Wrestling
    • IZW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[8]
  • Elite Xtreme Wrestling
    • EXW Tag Team Championship (1 time)1[52]
  • Power Pro Wrestling
    • PPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[8]
    • PPW Young Guns Championship (1 time)[8]

1After winning the championship, Bernard held the title by himself.

See also

References

  1. ^ "OWOW profile". Onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Kimble, D. (October 2001). "Matt Career Set To Bloom - wrestler Matt Bloom". Wrestling Digest. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2007.
  3. ^ NJPW profile
  4. ^ a b "WWE Profile". WWE. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b Shields, Brian (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Martin, A. (2005-95-18). "Matt 'A-Train' Carter Interview: Talks about career in WWE, Droz, more". WrestleView.com. Retrieved May 18, 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Giant Bernard". PuroresuFan.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Giant Bernard". Accelerator3359.com. May 3, 2006. Retrieved May 18, 2007.
  9. ^ Clevett, Jason (November 1, 2004). "WWE releases Gunn, Albert & Test". Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 17, 2007.
  10. ^ "the Other Arena". the Other Arena. September 21, 2002. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  11. ^ "NJPW Destruction 2009". Cagematch. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  12. ^ "News & lineups, including 5/3 full card!". Strong Style Spirit. April 5, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  13. ^ Rivera, Manuel (June 12, 2010). "Resultados Arena México (11 junio 2010): ¡Valiente retiene el cinturón nacional welter!" (in Spanish). Superluchas.net. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  14. ^ a b "(Results) New Japan "DOMINION 6.19″, 6/19". Strong Style Spirit. June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  15. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 7/19/10". Strong Style Spirit. July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  16. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/6/10". Strong Style Spirit. November 6, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  17. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/7/10". Strong Style Spirit. November 7, 2010. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  18. ^ "レッスルキングダムⅤ ｉｎ 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  19. ^ Gerweck, Steve (January 4, 2011). "1/4 TNA-NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan". WrestleView. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  20. ^ "レスリングどんたく 2011". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Dominion 6.18". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 18, 2011.
  22. ^ Caldwell, James (June 18, 2011). "NJPW News: Results from Dominion PPV Saturday - MVP's first IWGP IC Title defense, TNA wrestler appears, key title change". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  23. ^ "New Japan Soul 2011". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  24. ^ "New Japan Soul 2011". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved July 18, 2011.
  25. ^ "Bad Intentions bypass Morishima & Yoshie in GHC Tag defense". Strong Style Spirit. July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  26. ^ "NOAHful Halloween Night". Pro Wrestling Noah. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  27. ^ "(Results) New Japan 10/30/11 + 10/29 Camp Zama". Strong Style Spirit. October 30, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  28. ^ "(Results) New Japan, 11/4/11". Strong Style Spirit. November 4, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  29. ^ "G1 Tag League 2011". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  30. ^ a b "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 12, 2011.
  31. ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムⅥ in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  32. ^ "Great Voyage 2012 in Osaka". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  33. ^ Caldwell, James (March 17, 2012). "WWE reportedly re-signs Bernard". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  34. ^ Caldwell, James (March 17, 2012). "Bernard denies signing with WWE". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  35. ^ Caldwell, James (2012-03-19). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 3/19: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Two weeks 'til Mania, Rock-Cena latest, Hunter-HBK-Taker share the ring". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-03-20.
  36. ^ Tedesco, Mike (March 20, 2012). "Spoiler: Identity of new WWE wrestler". WrestleView. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  37. ^ "Message translated". WWE. 26.3.2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Lord Tensai Revealed (WWE)
  39. ^ Tom Herrera (9.4.2012). "Raw Results". WWE. Retrieved 9 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Matt Bloom at Online World of Wrestling".
  41. ^ "411's WWE RAW Report 04.09.12".
  42. ^ a b c d e Steve Carrier (May 17th, 2012). "WWE Superstars Report - May 17th, 2012". WWE Superstars Report - May 17th, 2012 {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ Puroresu Central (October 14, 2007). "Bernard Bomb". Giant Bernard, signature moves
  44. ^ Puroresu Central (October 14, 2007). "Bernard Driver". Giant Bernard, signature moves
  45. ^ Puroresu Central (October 14, 2007). "Corner Slingshot Splash". Giant Bernard, signature moves
  46. ^ a b c d Madison, Armando (2012). American Grappling Review (Written Commentary). Freelance.
  47. ^ a b Puroresu Central (October 14, 2007). "Magic Killer". Giant Bernard, tag-team signature moves
  48. ^ a b "Managers".
  49. ^ "Bruno Lauer's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved August 3, 2009.
  50. ^ Mike Johnson (4.2.2012). "Raw Resutls". PwInsider. Retrieved 18 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ "WWE theme "Shrine"".
  52. ^ "EXW Xtreme Measures 05.29.2011 — Bill DeMott, Giant Bernard, Val Venis".
  53. ^ a b c d "Puroresu Central profile".
  54. ^ "Albert's first Intercontinental Championship reign".
  55. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 30, 2012). "Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, CA. ISSN 1083-9593. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)

External links

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