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Bobby Lashley

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Bobby Lashley
Born (1976-07-16) July 16, 1976 (age 48)
Junction City, Kansas
Other namesThe Boss
The Dominator
NationalityUnited States
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight252 lb (114 kg)
StyleCollegiate wrestling
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado
TeamAmerican Top Team
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins4
By knockout1
By submission2
Losses0
By submission0
Draws0

Franklin Roberto "Bobby" Lashley [1] (born July 16, 1976)[1] is an undefeated American Mixed martial artist currently signed to Strikeforce, and Professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and former collegiate amateur wrestler. He has also worked for World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one time United States Champion and a two-time world heavyweight champion, having had two reigns as ECW World Champion.

Amateur wrestling

Lashley attended Missouri Valley College, where he won three national amateur wrestling championships between 1996 and 1998 and placed fourth in 1995. In 1997 and 1998, he was the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Wrestling Champion.[2] Lashley later joined the United States Army, where he continued to wrestle.[1][3]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment (2004–2008)

In November 2004, Lashley began working in the professional wrestling area and signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. He was assigned to the development territory Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he was known as Blaster Lashley, and was a member of the Bolin Services stable along with Mike Mondo and Ken Doane. However during that time Bolin services began to crumble with Lashley refusing to help Doane win matches. Resulting in him turning face and going by his Bobby Lashley name.

SmackDown! (2005–2006)

In mid-2005 Lashley appeared at four live events, wrestling in dark matches for both the Raw and SmackDown! brands.[1] On September 23, 2005, Lashley made his televised WWE debut as a fan favorite on SmackDown! using the name Bobby Lashley. Lashley was introduced as a three time National Amateur Wrestling Champion, a four time All–American, a two time Armed Forces Champion, and a 2002 Silver Medalist at the Military World Championship. In his first match, he defeated Simon Dean. In his pay-per-view debut at No Mercy, he defeated Dean once again. Lashley went on to defeat numerous superstars both on SmackDown! and Raw.[1] On the November 11 episode of SmackDown!, Lashley defeated Orlando Jordan in a qualifying match for a place on Team SmackDown! at Survivor Series where he was the first to be eliminated.[4][5]

On January 6 2006, Lashley became the first announced participant from SmackDown! to be entered into that year's Royal Rumble.[6] At the Royal Rumble, Lashley was the eighth wrestler to enter the match. He eliminated Sylvan, but he was then eliminated after the combination of Raw's then World Tag Team Champions The Big Show and Kane.[7] Following the Royal Rumble, Lashley began a feud with JBL leading up to a match at No Way Out. The match was Lashley's first loss in singles competition due to interference from Finlay.[8] During February and March, Lashley was involved in a feud with Finlay, where the two would brawl on many occasions, including a Lumberjack match that Finlay won after using a shillelagh.[9]

Lashley making his entrance during an ECW house show.

On April 2, after winning a Last Chance battle royal by last eliminating MNM,[10] Lashley competed at his first WrestleMania (WrestleMania 22) in the Money in the Bank ladder match. The match was won by Rob Van Dam.[11] Lashley next entered SmackDown!'s King of the Ring tournament. He lasted until the finals, defeating Mark Henry and Finlay in the process.[1] In the final round, held at Judgment Day he was defeated by Booker T with help from Finlay. Later, as Booker was being crowned, Lashley delivered a spear to Booker.[12] These acts developed into a feud with the newly named "King Booker" and the other members of his court (Queen Sharmell, Finlay and William Regal). During this feud, Lashley won his first professional wrestling championship by defeating JBL for the WWE United States Championship, which he lost to Finlay a little less than two months later.[13][14] Lashley later joined forces with Batista against the Court. Not long after losing the United States title, Lashley was declared unable to compete according to a physician who stated that during an annual exam, Lashley was found to have elevated enzymes of the liver; therefore, would not be cleared to wrestle until further evaluation.[15] Lashley returned a couple of weeks later to the SmackDown! roster to continue his feud with the Court and went on to earn his first match for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy against King Booker. This match later became a four way bout that also included Batista and Booker's ally, Finlay. King Booker won that match after pinning Finlay.[16]

ECW (2006–2007)

On November 14, 2006, Lashley moved to the ECW brand. He debuted on the brand by making a surprise appearance to sign a contract for the final spot in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW World Championship at December to Dismember.[17] At December to Dismember, Lashley was the fifth person released into the match. He eliminated both Test and The Big Show by pinfall after a spear to become the new ECW World Champion. This made Lashley the first African American to hold the ECW title.[18]

After winning the ECW World Championship, Lashley then had successful title defenses against The Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Test, Hardcore Holly, Kenny Dykstra, and Mr. Kennedy.[1] On the March 19, 2007, Lashley officially became the first person to break Chris Masters' twenty-three month long Masterlock Challenge.[19]

In early 2007, Lashley was selected by Donald Trump to represent him in a "Battle of the Billionaires" match, so he was, against Vince McMahon's representative, Umaga which also featured Vince's long time adversary Stone Cold Steve Austin as the guest referee. At WrestleMania 23 in a Hair vs. Hair match, Lashley defeated Umaga following a spear and helped Trump shave McMahon's head afterwards in accordance with the match's losing stipulation.[20] After WrestleMania, Lashley feuded with Mr. McMahon. McMahon booked himself, his son Shane McMahon and Umaga in a 3 on 1 handicap match against Lashley at Backlash for the ECW World Championship. After two high impact diving splashes from Umaga, Mr. McMahon tagged himself into the match and pinned Lashley to win the title.[21] Lashley legitimately injured his shoulder during the match and after an examination days later, it was revealed he had a damaged rotator cuff but would not need surgery at the time.[22] At Judgment Day, Lashley defeated Vince, Shane, and Umaga in a 3 on 1 handicap rematch after hitting the Dominator on Shane McMahon. Lashley did not win the ECW World Championship, however, because he did not pin Mr. McMahon. As a result, Mr. McMahon retained the title.[23] On June 3 at One Night Stand 2007, Lashley defeated Vince McMahon in a street fight to win the ECW World Championship for a second reign despite the use of Shane McMahon and Umaga in the match, making Lashley the first man to win the ECW World Championship twice since WWE reactivated the title.[24]

Raw; injury and departure (2007–2008)

On the June 11 edition of Raw, Lashley was drafted from the ECW brand to the Raw brand as part of the 2007 WWE Draft. As a result of the drafting, Lashley had the ECW World Championship taken from him. He took place in a challenge match against Mick Foley, Randy Orton, King Booker and John Cena for the WWE Championship at Vengeance: Night of Champions which was won by Cena, who was able to retain the championship. Lashley became the number one contender for the WWE Championship by winning the "Beat the Clock" challenge on the July 2, 2007 edition of Raw. He, however, was pinned by Cena at the Great American Bash. On July 30, 2007, Bobby Lashley wrestled his last match in WWE against Mr. Kennedy. During the match Lashley was "injured" by Mr. Kennedy after Kennedy kicked Lashley's shoulder into the ring steps, allowing Lashley to have time off for surgery for the legitimate injury he suffered at Backlash.[25][26][27]

In January 2008, on the forum of his official website, Lashley announced that he had left WWE. He clarified his comments by claiming that he did not want to leave WWE, but had to due to circumstances beyond his control. He also stated that he was now training for a career in MMA.[28] WWE announced that Lashley was released from his WWE contract on February 4, 2008.[29]

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (2008)

After leaving WWE, Lashley returned to wrestling by appearing at Asistencia Asesoría y Administración's flagship event Triplemania 16. He, along with Kenzo Suzuki and Electroshock, defeated Chessman, Silver King, and La Parka, Jr.[30]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2009–present)

Lashley made an appearance at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Lockdown pay-per-view event on April 19, 2009 and he also later appeared on that week's episode of TNA Impact!, both times pointing and smiling at The Main Event Mafia, thus appearing as a villain. On July 15, 2009, TNA announced that he had signed an official contract with the company.[31] On July 23, Kurt Angle introduced Lashley as the newest member of the Main Event Mafia. Lashley entered the ring and hugged Angle while the rest of the Mafia held a beaten and battered Mick Foley upright. Angle then told Lashley to finish off Foley but as Lashley prepared to spear Foley, he turned on Angle and cleared the Mafia from the ring, thus making him a turned face.

On the July 30 edition of Impact! Lashley made his in-ring debut for TNA in a tag team match as he and Mick Foley wrestled against World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle and Legends Champion Kevin Nash, where if Angle or Nash was pinned, whoever defeated them would win their respective title. It started out as a handicap match thanks to the Main Event Mafia attacking Lashley before the match, but eventually Lashley entered the match and helped Mick Foley pin Nash to win the match for his team and become the Legends Champion.[32] On the August 27 edition of Impact!, Jeremy Borash interviewed him and TNA President Dixie Carter in which she said their goal was to make him a World Champion in both MMA and TNA. At No Surrender, he defeated Rhino with a knockout punch.[33]

After No Surrender Lashley entered a feud with Samoa Joe. After teaming with Team 3D in a winning effort against Rhino and The British Invasion of Doug Williams and Brutus Magnus on the October 1 edition of Impact!, Joe assaulted Lashley and choked him out with the rear naked choke.[34] The following week Lashley cost Joe the X Division Championship in a match against Amazing Red.[35] At Bound for Glory Lashley defeated Joe in a submission match.[36] The following month at Turning Point Lashley's winning streak came to an end, when Scott Steiner pinned him in a Falls Count Anywhere match following a shot with a steel pipe.[37] On November 26 Lashley defeated Abyss, Desmond Wolfe and Robert Roode to win the TNA Championship Series tournament and earn himself a future World Heavyweight Title shot.[38] At Final Resolution Lashley avenged his prior loss and defeated Steiner in a Last Man Standing match with a pipeshot.[39]

Mixed martial arts

Early MMA Career

Lashley made his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut at the Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA) inaugural event "There Will Be Blood" on December 13, 2008 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. He won via TKO (cut) over Joshua Franklin in 41 seconds of the first round. Lashley's next fight was on March 21, 2009. He was supposed to fight Ken Shamrock, but his opponent was changed to veteran Jason Guida after Shamrock tested positive for steroids. Lashley won the fight after a unanimous decision. Lashley signed with the Maximum Fighting Championship and made his debut on May 15 against Mike Cook, who made his ring entrance wearing a Rey Mysterio mask, which Lashley took as an insult.[40] He went on to defeat Cook with a guillotine choke just 24 seconds into the first round.[40]

On June 27, 2009, Lashley defeated Bob Sapp at the PFP: Ultimate Chaos event in Biloxi, Mississippi.[41] He won the bout via submission (strikes) in the first round, making Lashley's MMA record 4-0.

Strikeforce

Lashley signed a contract with major MMA organization Strikeforce and his first match with them will be on Jan. 30 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla at Strikeforce: Miami. His opponent will be Shane Del Rosario and the fight will appear on the Showtime main card. [42]

Personal life

Lashley graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1999 with a degree in Human Service Agency Management.[3] Lashley has a daughter, Kyra, who was born in 2005.[43][44]

In 2007, Lashley opened up a shop that sells health smoothie drinks.[43]

He is currently dating former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall. The couple had a son named Myles in July 2008.[45][46]

In July 2009, Lashley announced the launch of The Lashley Network. The Lashley Network of websites comprises his official personal website, his official nutrition store, and his social networking website. In a press release for the launch he stated that he is keeping his name out in the television media and on the internet so he can reach his goal of being the top fighter in MMA.[47]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

Lashley during his first ECW World Championship reign.

Amateur wrestling

  • Armed Forces Championship (2 times)
  • CISM World Championship Silver Medalist (2002)
  • Missouri Valley College National Championship (1996–1998)
  • NAIA National Wrestling Championship (1997, 1998)

Professional wrestling

Mixed martial arts Record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches 4 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 2 0
By decision 1 0
Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location
United States Shane Del Rosario Strikeforce: Miami January 30, 2010 United States Sunrise, Florida
Win United States Bob Sapp Submission (Punches) Ultimate Chaos: Lashley vs. Sapp June 27, 2009 1 3:17 United States Biloxi, Mississippi
Win United States Mike Cook Submission (Guillotine Choke) MFC 21: Hard Knocks May 15, 2009 1 0:24 Canada Edmonton, Alberta
Win United States Jason Guida Decision (Unanimous) SRP: March Badness March 21, 2009 3 5:00 United States Pensacola, Florida
Winx United States Joshua Franklin TKO (Cut) MFA: There Will Be Blood December 13, 2008 1 0:41 United States Miami, Florida

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Bobby Lashley profile". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  2. ^ "All-American Men's Wrestling Records". Missouri Valley College. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  3. ^ a b "Meet the N.A.I.A.'s-Bobby Lashley". N.A.I.A. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  4. ^ "SmackDown! results - November 11, 2005". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  5. ^ "Survivor Series match result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  6. ^ "SmackDown! results - January 6, 2006". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  7. ^ "Royal Rumble 2006 result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  8. ^ "No Way Out - Lashley/JBL result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  9. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 17, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  10. ^ "SmackDown! results - March 24, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  11. ^ "WrestleMania 22 - Money in the Bank result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  12. ^ "Judgment Day - Bobby Lashley/Booker T result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  13. ^ "SmackDown! results - May 26, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  14. ^ "SmackDown! results - July 14, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  15. ^ "Lashley unable to compete". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  16. ^ "No Mercy - Fatal Fourway result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  17. ^ "ECW results - November 14, 2006". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  18. ^ "December to Dismember - Extreme Elimination Chamber result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  19. ^ "RAW results - March 19, 2007". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  20. ^ "WrestleMania 23: Battle of the Billionaire result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  21. ^ "Backlash 2007: Handicap match result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
  22. ^ "Lashley Suffering from Rotator Cuff Injury". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
  23. ^ "Judgment Day 2007: Handicap match result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-05-22.
  24. ^ "One Night Stand 2007: Lashley/McMahon result". WWE. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
  25. ^ "Lashley to undergo surgery Tuesday". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
  26. ^ "Championship addition by subtraction". WWE. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
  27. ^ "Bobby Lashley injured". hellionsmagazine. Retrieved 2007-10-04.
  28. ^ Bobby Lashley tells WrestlingNewsWorld.com he's finished with WWE
  29. ^ "Bobby Lashley released". WWE. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  30. ^ "Bobby AAA TripleMania results". Bruisermania. 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  31. ^ "Bobby Lashley signs with TNA Wrestling". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. 2009-07-16. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  32. ^ Keller, Wade (2009-08-06). "Keller's TNA Impact report 7/30: results, thoughts, observations, nitpicks, quotebook 10/23: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live Spike TV HD broadcast". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  33. ^ a b Caldwell, James (2009-09-20). "CALDWELL'S TNA NO SURRENDER PPV REPORT 9/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Matt Morgan vs. A.J. Styles". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  34. ^ a b Sokol, Bryan (2009-10-02). "Impact: Elite Mafia meltdown". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-10-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Wilkenfeld, Daniel (2009-10-08). "WILKENFELD'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 10/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
  36. ^ Caldwell, James (2009-10-18). "CALDWELL'S TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV REPORT 10/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the second-half of the show with Styles vs. Sting". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  37. ^ Caldwell, James (2009-11-15). "CALDWELL'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT 11/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
  38. ^ a b c d Wilkenfeld, Daniel (2009-11-26). "WILKENFELD'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 11/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
  39. ^ Caldwell, James (2009-12-20). "CALDWELL'S TNA FINAL RESOLUTION PPV REPORT 12/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Daniels, Angle vs. Wolfe". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  40. ^ a b Cofield, Steve (2009-05-16). "Pro wrestler Lashley destroys Cook in 24 seconds". Yahoo! Canada Sports. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  41. ^ "Pre-event buildup begins for Saturday's "Ultimate Chaos," Lashley vs. Sapp headliner". MMAjunkie.com. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  42. ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Strikeforce-Lands-Lashley-Jan-30-Debut-Booked-21466
  43. ^ a b Chamberlain, Adrian. "Champ keeps his cool at highly uncool question". Times Colonist. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  44. ^ Reed, Bill. "'SmackDown' Superstar, Regular Guy". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2007-06-14.
  45. ^ "Former WWE star Bobby Lashley makes MMA debut". SunSentinel.com. 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2008-12-11.
  46. ^ "Welcome to MyKristalOnline.com". www.mykristalonline.com Kristal Marshall Official Website. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
  47. ^ "Bobby Lashley launches network of websites". AAWebandMarketing.com. 2009-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  48. ^ a b Caldwell, James (2009-11-05). "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 11/5: Complete coverage of Dixie Carter addressing TNA roster, Styles vs. Daniels". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-11-06.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i "OWOW profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  50. ^ a b "Cagematch profile".
  51. ^ "411's TNA Impact Report 10.01.09". 411Mania. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  52. ^ Elliott, Brian (2007-04-29). "No filler makes for a consistent Backlash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  53. ^ "VIDEO, PHOTOS, RESULTS FROM SUNDAY'S "NO SURRENDER" PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT: NEW WORLD CHAMP CROWNED, LASHLEY'S IN-RING RETURN AND MORE!". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  54. ^ Keller, Wade (2009-12-03). "KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 12/3: Dixie Carter interview, Raven & Stevie vs. Angle, Foley obsesses about Hogan, Kristal talks for Bobby". PWTorch. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
  55. ^ "Emergence". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  56. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Rookie of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  57. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Improved Wrestler of the Year". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  58. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2007". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  59. ^ "ECW Championship official title history". WWE. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  60. ^ "Bobby Lashley's first United States Championship reign". WWE. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
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