Sami Callihan

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Sami Callihan
SamiCallihanPromo.jpg
Promo photo taken in 2010
Birth name Sam Johnston[1]
Ring name(s) Sami Callihan
Satanic Roid Freak[2]
Cannonball Sami
Cannonball Callihan
Billed height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Billed weight 200 lb (91 kg)[4]
Born (1987-09-01) September 1, 1987 (age 25)[5]
Bellefontaine, Ohio[4]
Billed from Bellefontaine, Ohio
The Last House On The Left[6]
Trained by Shark Boy[7]
Les Thatcher[8]
Cody Hawk[8]
Debut March 2006[6]

Sam Johnston[1] (born September 1, 1987)[5] is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "The Callihan Death Machine" Sami Callihan. He competes for promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Dragon Gate USA, EVOLVE Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Fight Club: Pro, Pro Wrestling Syndicate, WXW Germany, IPW-UK, Big Japan Pro Wrestling, AAW, and the soon to be released Jeff Katz Wrestling Retribution Project that was taped at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, CA. He is also a one time World Heavyweight Champion having won it in Insanity Pro Wrestling.

Contents

Professional wrestling career [edit]

Heartland Wrestling Association [edit]

Shortly after his debut, Callihan became a member of "The Crew" faction, which also consisted of Jon Moxley, Dick Rick and Pepper Parks.[7] Callihan began regularly competing for the Heartland Wrestling Association, and faced wrestlers including Chad Collyer and Nigel McGuinness.[7]

He competed in Chikara's 2008 Young Lions Tournament.[7] He advanced to the finals of the 2008 Ted Petty Invitational tournament with victories over Chris Hero, Eddie Kingston and 2 Cold Scorpio.[7] On September 28, 2008, he competed for the HWA Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match, also involving Drake Younger, but lost to Jake Crist.[7]

On November 26, 2008, he was eliminated by HWA Heavyweight Champion Jake Crist in the Thanksgiving Eve Eight Man Tag Team Elimination Match.[7] Sami had a rematch on October 1, 2008 but was again defeated by Jake Crist.[7]

In 2011 Callihan returned to the HWA making it to the Finals of the first ever Heartland Cup tournament against Jake Crist.

Insanity Pro Wrestling [edit]

Callihan began wrestling for IPW throughout 2006 as "Cannonball Sami" until late 2006 when he would go as Sami Callihan.[9] In 2007 at 'IPW Reign Of The Insane 6th Anniversary Show' Callihan would gain entry into the IPW 2007 Super Junior Heavyweight tournament beating Dustin Rayz, xOMGx, & Louis Linaris to qualify.[10] Callihan would go on to lose in the first round of the tournament against Diehard.[10] In 2008 at Uprising Callihan began feuding with IPW Junior Heavyweight Champion Billy Roc after a controversial double pin in a four way match also involving Ricochet and Shiima Xion for the Junior Belt.[11] The next month at Legally Insane Callihan and Roc would team up in a losing effort against The Messiahs Of A New Age of Dustin Rayz and Lou Roberts. Callihan and Roc would have their first singles match for the Junior Heavyweight Championship at Heatstroke which ended in a time limit draw.[11] The next month at Crowning Point Callihan & Roc would wrestle in a Pure Rules Match that would end in a No Contest between the two.[11] The feud would end at IPW Reign Of The Insane 7th Anniversary in a ladder match which saw Callihan beat Roc for the IPW Junior Heavyweight Championship.[11] The next month at the IPW Super Junior Heavyweight Tournament Callihan would go in as defending champion defeating Q Skillz in the first round match and defeating CJ Otis and Justin Andrews in a 3 way match to go one to the finals. Callihan would lose the Junior Heavweight Championship in the finals to Aaron Williams.[11] Callihan would not make another appearance for IPW until late 2009 at Reign Of The Insane Stage 2 8th Anniversary. losing to James Avery.[12] On May 18, 2010 would make another appearance in IPW for the JC Bailey benefit show in which Callihan would defeat Toby Klein.[13] Callihan started returning regularly for IPW in 2011. At IPW Showdown In Naptown Callihan would go on to defeat Kyle O' Reilly. Later that night Callihan would make the save for the New IPW World Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Jacobs from a beat down from Dustin Rayz and Sweet Lou Roberts.[14] On May 7, 2011 at Keep The Faith Callihan would wrestle in a four way match also involving Jake Crist, AR Fox, and Zack Sabre Jr with Fox winning the match.[14] On June 18, 2011 at Revelations Callihan would go on to defeat Jake Crist for the Vacant IPW World Heavyweight Championship.[14] On August 20, 2011 Callihan was originally supposed to defend his IPW World Title against Ring Of Honor Champion Davey Richards, However Richards came out with Adam Cole and Kyle O' Reilly after Tony Kozina's match with Tarek The Legend. Richards would go one to brag about Ring Of Honor's TV Deal disrespecting IPW's 10th Anniversary. Callihan came out having a verbal exchange with Richards before being jumped by the ROH Wrestlers. The Irish Airborne and Tarek The Legend would make the save. IPW Owner Mike Williams then announced the main event has been changed into a 8 man tag. Callihan would go one to submit Richards in the match giving his team the win.[14] On November 7, 2011 at "Insane Intentions" Callihan would lose the IPW World Title to Jake Crist in a triple threat match that also involved BJ Whitmer.[14]

Combat Zone Wrestling [edit]

He made his CZW debut at "Summer School" on June 14, 2008. At the 2008 Chris Ca$h Memorial Show, he won the Chris Ca$h Memorial Battle Royal. He defeated LuFisto to earn a spot in the main event at Cage Of Death X.[15]

At the Decade of Destruction - 10th Anniversary show on February 14, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Callihan defeated Jon Dahmer; originally the match was supposed to be Dahmer versus E.M.O., but as E.M.O. was making his way to the ring, the Arena's video screens showed Callihan arguing with CZW management and demanding a title match. Management denied his request, and instead told him that if he defeated Dahmer he could have a title match whenever he wanted. This led to Callihan attacking E.M.O.and taking his spot in the match against Dahmer, which he then won after a distraction by Jon Moxley. Later that night Callihan went to the ring after CZW Iron Man Champion Brain Damage and his Cult Fiction tag team partner Deranged had lost a match to The H8 Club. He brought a referee with him, and after Callihan threatened him, the referee sanctioned an immediate match, which Callihan won to become the new champion.[16] At the Eye for an Eye event on April 13, Callihan declared that the championship would now be known as the "CZW New Horror Championship".[15][17][18] On June 13, 2009, Callihan lost the championship to Egotistico Fantastico.[17] On April 10, 2010 at Swingin For The Fences Callihan would get a shot at the CZW World Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort against Switchblade Conspiracy partner Jon Moxley. In November 2011, Callihan defeated Adam Cole for the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship. The following April, Callihan won the Best of the Best XI tournament.[19]

Ring of Honor [edit]

On November 11, 2008 Callihan made his Ring of Honor debut at Escalation in a losing effort in a four corner survival match also involving Go Shiozaki, Rhett Titus, and Grizzly Redwood.[20] Callihan appeared on the inaugural episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet, which aired on March 21, losing to Kenny King.[21]

Pro Wrestling Syndicate [edit]

On May 29, 2009, Callihan debuted for Pro Wrestling Syndicate at their Brawl For Paul event in Garfield NJ. Callihan came up short in a 4 Way Match with Xavier, Monsta Mack, and eventual winner Trent Acid. On August 10, 2010 Sami Callihan was part of The PWS Majestic Twelve Title Tournament in Fairfield, CT. In the opening round he teamed with Dan Maff picking up a win over Adam Cole and Bandido Jr. In the second round Callihan defeated Maff via submission with a Stretch Muffler. In the final round Callihan pinned Danny Demanto but was then pinned by Devon Moore. On May 27, 2011, Callihan defeated Dan Maff at PWS in Queens NY and then defeated Devon Moore in a wild match which included run ins by Kevin Matthews, Dan Maff, Danny Demanto, Velvet Sky, and Mick Foley to become the new Pro Wrestling Syndicate Heavyweight Champion. Since winning the title, Callihan has had successful title defenses again Colt Cabana, and is set to do battle with Jay Lethal and The Great Muta.

Evolve [edit]

On May 1, 2010 Callihan debuted for Evolve at Evolve 3: Rise or Fall in a winning effort against Adam Cole.[8] On July 23, 2010 at Evolve 4: Danielson vs Fish, Callihan gained his second victory defeating Arik Cannon via submission.[22] Since then Callihan has quickly become one of the faces of EVOLVE Wrestling. Having top matches with the likes of: Zack Sabre Jr, Brodie Lee, AR Fox, Bobby Fish, and most recently having a match against Dave "Fit" Finlay at EVOLVE 9 in which he lost. Since battling Finlay, Callihan has become on of the biggest stars in all of Indy wrestling. Going on to have a vicious feud with AR Fox, and being the last person to appear in the historic ECW Arena. Attacking Sabu and turing of the lights in one of the most controversial angles in the history of the ECW Arena.

Dragon Gate USA [edit]

On July 24, 2010, Callihan made his debut for Dragon Gate USA, wrestling Jimmy Jacobs in a dark match in a losing effort.[23] After wrestling several matches for the promotion through the rest of the year, Callihan was placed in his first angle on April 3, 2011, at Open the Ultimate Gate, when he and Arik Cannon walked out on a six–way match. Later in the event, Callihan and Cannon announced they would be forming a tag team named the D.U.F. (Dirty Ugly Fucks) and defeated the Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis and Kory Chavis) in their first match together.[24][25] On June 5 at Enter The Dragon 2011, Callihan and Arik Cannon were joined by Pinkie Sanchez, before picking up a major win over the tag team of Open the Dream Gate Champion Masaaki Mochizuki and Susumu Yokosuka.[26]

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla [edit]

Callihan made his debut for the Southern California-based company Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on April 21, 2012. At the sixth annual Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament, he teamed with Roderick Strong to take on 2 Husky Black Guys (El Generico and Willie Mack) in a losing effort in the Opening Round. After the match, Callihan challenged PWG World Champion Kevin Steen to a title match, which took place later that day; Callihan lost the match. In his next appearance on July 21, he was beaten by Michael Elgin at PWG's nine-year anniversary event, Threemendous III. He got his first series of wins at the 2012 Battle of Los Angeles. On September 1, Callihan defeated Willie Mack to advance to the Quarterfinal Round of the tournament. On Night Two, he beat TJ Perkins before losing to Adam Cole, the eventual winner, in the Semifinal Round. On October 2 at Failure to Communicate, Callihan defeated Davey Richards by submission. At Mystery Vortex, which took place on December 1, he was victorious over Drake Younger. After the match, it was announced that Callihan and Younger would participate in a best of three match series to determine a number one contender for the PWG World Championship. At the 2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament, which took place on January 12, 2013, Callihan fought Younger in a non-tournament knockout or submission-only match. Callihan lost the bout when he tapped out, tying the score.

WWE [edit]

On October 23, 2012, Callihan wrestled a tryout dark match for WWE, where he was defeated by Fandango.[27] In April 2013, it was reported that Johnston was undergoing medical tests for the promotion.[28]

In wrestling [edit]

Championships and accomplishments [edit]

  • Absolute Intense Wrestling
    • AIW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Matt Riot[30]
  • Insanity Pro Wrestling
    • IPW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[32]
    • IPW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[7]
  • International Wrestling Cartel
    • IWC Super Indy Championship (1 time)[33]
    • Super Indy XI (2012)[34]
  • Maryland Championship Wrestling
    • Shamrock Cup (2011)
  • Pro Wrestling Syndicate
    • PWS Heavyweight Champion (1 time)[38]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Katz, Jeff (2011-08-30). "Casting a Wrestling Revolution - Day 7". Wrestling Revolution Project. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
  2. ^ Meltzer, Dave (October 24, 2011). "October 24 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2011 Hall of Fame issue, GSP down, Bound for Glory and Bobby Roode, Hogan vs. Sting, giant issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA): 37. ISSN 10839593. "Jeff Katz’s Wrestling Revolution Project taped its first season in Los Angeles this past week. [...] Sami Callihan & Alex Zikos are a tag team called Satanic & Profitable, or S&P." 
  3. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named http:.2F.2Fwww.czwrestling.com.2Flockerroom.2Fsamicallihan.html (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "'The New Horror' Sami Callihan". Combat Zone Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  5. ^ a b "Sami Callihan". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 21, 2012. 
  6. ^ a b "Sami Callihan". Ring of Honor. Retrieved 2010-08-04. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Sami Callihan bio". Heartland Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  8. ^ a b c d e "Sami Callihan". Evolve. Retrieved 2010-08-04. 
  9. ^ http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2006.html
  10. ^ a b http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2007.html
  11. ^ a b c d e http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2008.html
  12. ^ http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2009.html
  13. ^ http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2010.html
  14. ^ a b c d e http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/2011.html
  15. ^ a b "Results". Combat Zone Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-22. 
  16. ^ "Official CZW 10th Anniversary Results and more News and Notes from CZW "X"!". Combat Zone Wrestling. 2009-02-16. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  17. ^ a b c "CZW Title History - CZW New-Horror Title Champions". Combat Zone Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  18. ^ "CZW Eye for an Eye Quick Results including TOD and BOTB dates!". Combat Zone Wrestling. 2009-04-13. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  19. ^ a b Namako, Jason (2012-04-15). "4/14 CZW Best of the Best XI results in New Jersey". WrestleView. Retrieved 2012-04-15. 
  20. ^ http://www.rohwrestling.com/live/events/past-event
  21. ^ Bishop, Matt (2009-03-21). "ROH: Promotion makes national TV debut". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  22. ^ Risotto, J.D. (2010-07-27). "Evolve report 7-23 Union City, NJ, Danielson vs. Fish". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2010-07-25. 
  23. ^ Boutwell, Josh (2010-07-30). "Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly". WrestleView. Retrieved 2011-04-05. 
  24. ^ Tylwalk, Nick (2011-04-05). "Austin Aries pulls a swerve at Dragon Gate USA's Open the Ultimate Gate 2011". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2011-04-06. 
  25. ^ "News alerts". Dragon Gate USA. Archived from the original on 2011-04-05. Retrieved 2011-04-05. 
  26. ^ Devries, Eric (2011-06-03). "6/5 DGUSA in New York City: Live perspective on Internet PPV event with technical issues - DGUSA Title match, six-man tag, Fray!". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-06-09. 
  27. ^ Martin, Adam (2012-10-24). "Dragon Gate USA wrestler works WWE dark match". WrestleView. Retrieved 2012-10-24. 
  28. ^ Martin, Adam (2013-04-25). "Report: Indy wrestler undergoes medical tests for WWE". WrestleView. Retrieved 2013-04-26. 
  29. ^ a b c d "Current roster". Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Retrieved 2012-10-15. 
  30. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=612
  31. ^ Wojcik, Alan J. (2010-12-05). "12/4 FIP in Florida: Final tournament results and winner of the 2010 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-12-05. 
  32. ^ http://www.insanityprowrestling.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=122
  33. ^ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=73496
  34. ^ http://www.iwcwrestling.com/supercards/superindyxi.html
  35. ^ "JAPW Tag Team Championship history". Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 2010-10-24. 
  36. ^ "NWA Force 1 Results archive". NWA Force One Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 2011-06-01. 
  37. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2012-08-25. 
  38. ^ "PRO WRESTLING SYNDICATE New Heavyweight Champion "The New Horror" Sami Callihan". Pro Wrestling Syndicate. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2011-05-29. 
  39. ^ "wXw World Tag Team Championship history". westside Xtreme wrestling. Retrieved 2010-09-11. 
  40. ^ "16 Carat Gold - Day 3 - Results". westside Xtreme wrestling. Retrieved 2011-03-21. 

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