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Paul London

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Paul London
Born (1980-04-16) April 16, 1980 (age 44)[1]
Austin, Texas[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Paul London
El Gran Luchadore[3]
Billed height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[4]
Billed weight205 lb (93 kg)[4]
Billed fromAustin, Texas[4]
Trained byTexas Wrestling Academy[5]
Dory Funk, Jr.[1]
Ivan Putski[3]
DebutApril 7, 2000[2]

Paul Sanchez-Garcia London[6] (born April 16, 1980) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment performing on its RAW brand.

London is a 1-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion, 1-time World Tag Team Champion and 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion. During his second WWE Tag Team Title reign, London and his partner, Brian Kendrick, would be known as the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions since the title's inception.[4]

London has also previously worked for Ring of Honor, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE and various independent promotions.

Career

Early career

London was born in Austin, Texas where he attended Westlake High School.[2] While there, he helped create the school's first-ever wrestling team where he was the captain, first varsity letterman and still holds the record for the fastest pinfall time of 7.4 seconds.[2] After graduating, London trained at several wrestling schools such as a trailer park in West Memphis, Arkansas and a school run by Ivan Putski in North Austin, Texas.[2] He made his debut in the independent circuit on April 7, 2000, competing in promotions throughout Texas. It was there that he met the head trainer of the Texas Wrestling Academy, Rudy Gonzales, and enrolled in his school for further training. In August 2000, London attended Southwest Texas State University where he studied theatre. In 2001, he worked for the retail store Urban Outfitters.[7]

Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

London made his debut in Ring of Honor (ROH) on March 30, 2002 in a match against Chris Marvel.[8] He began a lengthy feud with Michael Shane during a tag team match for ROH contracts on July 27, 2002. During the bout, both Shane and London made simultaneous pinfalls on their opponent's partners. The referee only counted for Shane, giving his team the victory, which led to both London and Shane brawling.[9] The two continued to feud over the next several months in matches such as Street Fights (where the crowd chanted "please don't die" due to London's high risk offense), a Triple Threat Match and a Gauntlet match.[10][11][12][13]

On December 7, 2002 London won a tournament to capture the ROH Number One Contender's Trophy, guaranteeing a match for the ROH Championship.[14] He would lose the match three weeks later to then-champion Xavier.[15] On February 8, 2003 London competed in a Triple Threat Match for the Number One Contender's Trophy, pinning A.J. Styles for the win. After the match, Xavier informed London that he would compete for the title immediately. London again lost to the champion.[16] London's final match in ROH was for the title against Samoa Joe on July 19, 2003, in which he lost.[17]

During his time in ROH, London made brief appearances in Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE (ZERO1) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). London competed in ZERO1 for several months, beginning in January 2003, before turning down a contract.[2] On February 12, 2003 he made his TNA debut in a Gauntlet match against Jerry Lynn, which he lost.[18][19] London competed mainly in the company's X Division, even earning shots at the NWA TNA X Division Championship.[20] His last appearance in TNA was on June 18, 2003 at the TNA Anniversary show. He wrestled X Division Champion Chris Sabin for the title, only to lose due to interference from CM Punk.[21]

World Wrestling Entertainment

2003–2004

London went on to sign with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in mid–2003, working a few dark matches before being sent to the company's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling, on August 30.[3] London made his official WWE television debut on the SmackDown! brand, losing to Brock Lesnar on October 9. After the match, Lesnar continued to attack London until fellow cruiserweight Spanky (Brian Kendrick) made the save.[22] The two competed as a tag team on SmackDown!'s sister show Velocity until Spanky left the company in January 2004.[3][23]

London then began a tag team with Billy Kidman on January 29, 2004.[24] On the July 8 episode of SmackDown!, the duo won the WWE Tag Team Championship from the Dudley Boyz.[25] They defended the title against the Dudleys on several occasions before losing the championship to René Duprée and Kenzo Suzuki on September 9, due to Kidman leaving London to fight by himself.[26][27][28] Kidman's heel turn led to a feud between the two, which culminated at No Mercy where Kidman defeated London with a shooting star press. After the match, London was bleeding from the mouth and being stretchered when Kidman pulled him back into the ring with the stretcher and delivered another shooting star press to London's injured ribs.[29] This storyline was put in place after London had broken his nose wrestling Booker T on an episode of SmackDown! a few weeks prior to the event.[30] The nose required surgery and for London to miss a few months.[31] London returned on November 25, wrestling on Velocity until the end of the year.[32]

2005–2006

London in 2005 as WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

On March 10, 2005, London became the number one contender for Chavo Guerrero's WWE Cruiserweight Championship, which he later won in a cruiserweight battle royal.[33][34] Guerrero challenged London for the title at Judgment Day, where London emerged victorious.[35]

During another title match with Guerrero on June 23 The Mexicools stormed the ring, attacking both London and Guerrero.[36] On the July 14 episode of SmackDown!, London teamed with Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki to face The Mexicools. The ending of the match saw Juventud perform the 450° splash on London for the win, but landing his knee onto London's face and legitimately injuring him in the process.[37][38]

London went on to lose the Cruiserweight Title on the August 4 edition of Velocity to Nunzio. Later in the night, London cut a heel promo encouraging the fans to protest his title loss.[39] London went on a losing streak before returning as a face and teaming with the newly rehired Brian Kendrick.[40] On the December 16 edition of Velocity the pair remade their image, wearing theatrical masks to the ring and matching vests and shorts.[41]

On the April 7, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, London and Kendrick defeated WWE Tag Team Champions MNM in a non-title match.[42] They continued their winning streak on the champions, including singles victories for both Kendrick and London on Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury respectively.[43][44][45][46] London and Kendrick won the WWE Tag Team Title at Judgment Day,[47] thus defeating MNM six times in a row in singles and tag team matches altogether.[48]

On August 11, K. C. James and Idol Stevens defeated the champions in a non-title match, igniting a feud between the two teams.[49] During the rivalry, WWE Diva Ashley Massaro began accompanying London and Kendrick to the ring. She acted as a valet to the team, combating the actions of James and Stevens' manager Michelle McCool.[50]

On October 14, London and Kendrick became the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions of all time, surpassing MNM's previous record of 145 days.[51][52][53] However, they soon went on a losing streak to the team of William Regal and Dave Taylor. Regal defeated both team members in singles matches[54][55] and on the December 8 edition of SmackDown!, Kendrick and London lost a non-title tag team match to the pair.[56] During a scheduled title defense at Armageddon, London and Kendrick not only retained against Regal and Taylor but would win a Fatal Four Way tag team ladder match which also involved MNM and The Hardys.[57] On the January 12, 2007 edition of SmackDown! London and Kendrick were successful in retaining their championship against Regal and Taylor in a traditional tag team match.[58]

2007

On February 2, 2007, London and Kendrick suffered a non-title loss to the rookie team Deuce 'N Domino.[59] However, in a title rematch at No Way Out, London and Kendrick retained the championship.[60][61] On March 17, 2007 London and Kendrick celebrated their 300th day as WWE Tag Team Champions.[62] However, London and Kendrick lost the championship to Deuce 'N Domino on the April 20 edition of SmackDown!, ending their reign at 331 days (SmackDown! was recorded on April 17).[63] During the match London missed a moonsault from the ring apron to the floor kayfabe injuring his ribs, leaving Kendrick to battle Deuce 'N Domino alone.[64] Selling his injured ribs, London did not compete in the ring until the May 11 edition of SmackDown!, defeating Domino in singles competition.[65] London and Kendrick unsuccessfully competed for the title on June 1 in a Triple Threat tag team match, which also involved Regal and Taylor,[66] and lost a rematch on June 15 in a standard tag team match.[67]

London, along with Kendrick, was drafted to the RAW brand on June 17 during the Supplemental Draft.[68] They won their debut match on RAW against The World's Greatest Tag Team on June 18.[69] On September 3 they won a number one contender's match for Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch's World Tag Team Championship.[70] At a house show in South Africa on September 5, London and Kendrick defeated Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch to win the World Tag Team Title only to lose it back to Cade and Murdoch three days later.[71][72] At the end of 2007, he was inactive due to a foot injury.[73]

2008

On the February 4 show of RAW London returned to action in a match with his partner Brian Kendrick against the team of Carlito and Santino Marella.[74]

In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • Nicknames
  • "The Excellence of Innovation"[75]

Championships and accomplishments

London as WWE Tag Team Champion.

1. ^ Longest reign in WWE Tag Team Championship history

Personal life

London is half Hispanic on his mother's side.[80] He is also bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.[6]

London has two older brothers, Daniel and Jonathan. In 1996, Daniel was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 19.[2][81] Jonathan is a music video director.[7]

London had previously dated Ashley Massaro. [82]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Gerweck Profile". gerweck.net. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Phil Speer (November 4, 2003). "Hard work pays off for Paul London". Usenet.com. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "OWoW Profile". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  4. ^ a b c d e "WWE: Superstars > Raw > Paul London > Bio". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  5. ^ "TWA Graduates". texaswrestlingacademy.com. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  6. ^ a b "Acclaim Talent Agency Latino/Hispanic Actor/Model Paul Sanchez-Garcia London with Resume". Acclaim Talent Agency. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  7. ^ a b James A. (2007-04-18). "Blogzarro Q&A: Geekscape's Jonathan London". Blogzarro. Retrieved 2007-07-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "ROH - Past Results". ROHWrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  9. ^ "Ring of Honor results - July 27, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  10. ^ "Ring of Honor results - September 21, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  11. ^ "Ring of Honor results - October 5, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  12. ^ "Ring of Honor results - November 9, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  13. ^ "Ring of Honor results - November 16, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  14. ^ "Ring of Honor results - December 7, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  15. ^ "Ring of Honor results - December 28, 2002". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  16. ^ "Ring of Honor results - February 8, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  17. ^ "Ring of Honor results - July 19, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  18. ^ "NWA:TNA Notes: Hennig, Sandman/Corino, Jarrett, More". LordsofPain.net. February 15, 2003. Retrieved 2007-07-07. Paul London and Jerry Lynn had a fantastic back and fourth (sic) battle this past Wednesday night[…] London was reportedly quite nervous about his TNA debut[…]
  19. ^ "TNA results - February 12, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  20. ^ "TNA results - February 19, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  21. ^ "TNA First Anniversary results - June 18, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  22. ^ "SmackDown! results - October 9, 2003". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
  23. ^ "Brian "Spanky" Kendrick hands in notice to the WWE". LordsofPain.net. January 14, 2004. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  24. ^ "SmackDown! results - January 29, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  25. ^ "SmackDown! results - July 8, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  26. ^ "SmackDown! results - July 29, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  27. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 5, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  28. ^ "SmackDown! results - September 9, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  29. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 116.
  30. ^ "SmackDown! results - September 23, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  31. ^ "Top WWE stars suffering from injuries; SD wrestler gets surgery, more". LordsofPain.net. October 10, 2004. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  32. ^ "SmackDown! results - November 25, 2004". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  33. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 10, 2005". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  34. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 31, 2005". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  35. ^ "Judgment Day 2005 - May 22, 2005". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  36. ^ "Final Chapter, New Chapter". WWE. June 23, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  37. ^ "JBL'S STAND". WWE. July 14, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  38. ^ "London Fallen". WWE. July 15, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  39. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 4, 2005". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  40. ^ "SmackDown! results - September 30, 2005". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  41. ^ "Velocity results - December 16, 2005". Rajah.com. December 18, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-09. London and Kendrick are sporting new matching ring attire and theatrical themed mimist masks.
  42. ^ "Breaking New Ground". WWE. April 7, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  43. ^ "The Wrestling Machine snaps". WWE. April 14, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  44. ^ "Something to Celebrate". WWE. April 21, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  45. ^ Louie Dee (April 28, 2006). "The Dream stays alive". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  46. ^ Ed Williams III (May 19, 2006). "Seeing red". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  47. ^ Ed Williams III (May 21, 2006). "London & Kendrick are golden; MNM are broken". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  48. ^ "Judgment Day 2006 - May 21, 2006". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  49. ^ "SmackDown! results - August 11, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  50. ^ "SmackDown! results - September 8, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  51. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > WWE Tag Team > 20051230 - MNM". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09. MNM Dec. 30, 2005 - May 21, 2006 (Note: SmackDown! was recorded on Tuesday, making their title reign commence on Dec. 27, 2005)
  52. ^ "MNM's title reign". CalendarHome.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09. 145 Days
  53. ^ "London and Kendrick's title reign". CalendarHome.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09. 146 Days
  54. ^ Noah Starr (November 17, 2006). "Ani-mauled". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  55. ^ Lennie Difino (November 24, 2006). "Prelude to Survivor Series". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  56. ^ Lennie DiFino (December 8, 2006). "A united front". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  57. ^ "Armageddon 2006 - December 17, 2006". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  58. ^ Lennie DiFino (January 12, 2007). "Perfect timing". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
  59. ^ Lennie DiFino (February 2, 2007). "Chairman's Bombshell". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  60. ^ "No Way Out 2007 - February 18, 2007". prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  61. ^ Lennie DiFino (February 18, 2007). "Against the odds". WWE. Retrieved 2007-01-02.
  62. ^ "London and Kendrick's title reign". CalendarHome.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10. 300 Days
  63. ^ "London and Kendrick's title reign". CalendarHome.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10. 331 Days
  64. ^ Lennie DiFino (April 20, 2007). "Mayhem in Milan". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  65. ^ Noah Starr (May 11, 2007). "In with the new". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  66. ^ Lennie DiFino (June 1, 2007). "Draft patterns". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  67. ^ Lennie DiFino (June 15, 2007). "Backdraft". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  68. ^ Louie Dee (June 17, 2007). "2007 Supplemental Draft results". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  69. ^ "RAW results - June 18, 2007". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  70. ^ Greg Adkins (September 3, 2007). "Tag Team Showdown at Unforgiven". WWE. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
  71. ^ "World Tag Team Titles change hands twice in South Africa". WWE. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  72. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 20070908 - Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch". WWE. Retrieved 2007-09-10. Just three days after[…]
  73. ^ Jim Ross (January 22, 2008). "J.R.'s Random Ramblings." Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  74. ^ Greg Adkins (February 4, 2008). "World Domination". WWE. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
  75. ^ a b c d e f g h "Paul London's Title History". bodyslamming.com. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  76. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > Cruiserweight > 20050331 - Paul London". WWE. March 31, 2005. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  77. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > WWE Tag Team > 20040708 - Billy Kidman & Paul London". WWE. July 8, 2004. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  78. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > WWE Tag Team > 20060521 - Brian Kendrick & Paul London". WWE. May 21, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
  79. ^ "WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 20070905 - Paul London & Brian Kendrick". WWE. September 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
  80. ^ Andrew Rote (July 4, 2007). "Raw Superstars set to spice up Mexico". WWE. Retrieved 2007-07-04. Being half Hispanic myself
  81. ^ L. Anne Carrington. "Paul London Interview: Talks about WWE, cruiserweight division, more". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 2007-07-16.
  82. ^ Adam Martin. "Ashley Massaro Note". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 2008-02-15.

References


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