The Messiah (wrestler)
| William "Messiah" Welch | |
|---|---|
| File:The Messiah.jpg | |
| Born | December 18, 1977 Detroit, Michigan |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Iron Mike Ehrhardt The Blunatic The Messiah |
| Billed height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Trained by | Carlito Montana Slam U Training School |
| Debut | November 11, 1996 |
William Welch (born December 18, 1977 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional wrestler, better known as The Messiah.
Career
Welch's professional career began modestly after being trained at the Slam U Training School in Sun Valley, California. He worked for the school's parent company the Slammers Wrestling Federation for a time, losing his first professional match there to El Sprito, working under the name Iron Mike Erhardt.
Recognition came for Welch after he joined Xtreme Pro Wrestling. Working his way up the card with his new gimmick, Messiah, he eventually became a main eventer who would trade XPW heavyweight title wins and losses with well known former Extreme Championship Wrestling stars like Sabu, Chris Candido and New Jack.
Unfortunately the most famous event of Messiah's career took place outside of a wrestling ring after Messiah had left XPW and jumped to the Philadelphia-based Combat Zone Wrestling. Eight months into his CZW tenure, he was attacked by two unknown assailants in his home, who subsequently cut off his right thumb. Whomever was behind the August 1, 2002 assault of Messiah, they have yet to be arrested. Welch's former promoter, Rob Black was the focus of a piece on America's Most Wanted in reference to the attack.
While XPW folded, Messiah continued to compete in the CZW promotion. Messiah has also competed in IWA Mid-South wrestling, Pro Pain Pro Wrestling(3PW), as well as other promotions. He has competed in Italy twice, as well as been in a world wide video game. (Backyard Wrestling 2 for XBox and PlayStation 2) He has held the CZW heavyweight title three times; having a nearly one-year long run with the belt from March 6, 2004 to February 5, 2005.
Finishing and signature moves
- The Fall From Grace (Reverse death valley driver)
- The Godsmack (Airplane spin into a stunner)
- Cross Factor (Sitout facebuster)
- Super Cross Factor (Top rope sitout facebuster)
- Carlito's Way (Elevated Cutter) named after his trainer Carlito Montana
- Lionsault
- Senton to the outside of the ring
- Sunset flip powerbomb
- Sugar hold
- Figure four leglock
- Armdrag into an Armbar
- Spinning side slam
- Facewash
- Elevated boston crab with knee to back
- Various powerslams
- Belly to belly suplex into the turnbuckle
- Headscissors into a DDT
- Leg Lariat
Championships and accomplishments
-
- Won from Adam Flash on October 12 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lost to Nick Mondo on February 8 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
-
- Won from Justice Pain on December 14 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lost to John Zandig on October 25 2003 in Pistoia, Italy
- CZW World Heavyweight Championship (3)
- Won from John Zandig on March 6 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Lost to Ruckus on February 5 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Insane Wrestling Federation
- 1-time IWF Tag Team Champion (with Adam Flash)
- Millennium Pro Wrestling
- MPW Heavyweight Championship
- Won from Tech IX on March 23 2002 in West Hills, California, USA (final champion)
- NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship
- Defeated Madman Pondo, Prime Evil and Chaos on November 30 2002 in Pinellas Park, Florida, USA (first and final champion)
- Pacific Championship Wrestling
- PCW Heavyweight Championship
- Defeated B-Boy on January 25 2003 in City of Industry, California, USA
- Stripped on March 2 2004 for being unable to defend
-
- Won from Supreme on November 11 2000 in Reseda, California, USA
- Vacated on May 26 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA (won XPW World title)