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Otis (wrestler)

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Otis
Otis in June 2018
Birth nameNikola Bogojević
Born (1991-12-21) December 21, 1991 (age 32)
Duluth, Minnesota, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Dozer
Niko Bogojevic
Otis[1]
Otis Dozovic[2]
Billed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Billed weight330 lb (150 kg)[1]
Billed fromSuperior, Wisconsin[1]
Trained byMercury Pro Wrestling Academy[3]
WWE Performance Center[4]
Debut2015

Nikola Bogojevic (Template:Lang-sr; born December 21, 1991) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Otis, and is the current holder of the men's Money in the Bank contract.

After signing with WWE in 2016 and was assigned to their developmental brand NXT, he has since teamed with Tucker Knight as part of Heavy Machinery. They were promoted to WWE's main roster in 2019. During his time on the main roster, Otis won the 2020 Men's Money in the Bank ladder match.

Prior to his professional wrestling career, Bogojevic was an amateur wrestler, winning the 2009 Greco-Roman junior Nationals in his weight class, the national title in the 2011 Junior Pan-American Games, and a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Pan-American Games, and was a prospect for the 2012 Summer Olympics team, but was not chosen. In 2017, he was named the Rookie of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI).

Early life

Nikola Bogojevic was born on December 21, 1991 in Duluth, Minnesota, to parents of Serbian descent.[6] At an early age he was introduced to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by his mother, which he cites as his favourite horror movie.

Amateur wrestling career

Competition record
Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing  United States
2014 Pan-American Championships[7]
3rd 2010 130kg

Bogojevic attended Superior High School, where he was a successful amateur wrestler, he was the 2010 285lb undefeated WIAA State Champion. He was a champion at the 2009 Greco-Roman junior Nationals.[8] He placed third at the 2009 Junior Freestyle championships.[8] Originally committed to the University of Wisconsin,[8] he wrestled at collegiate level for Augsburg College and Colorado State University-Pueblo. He won the national title in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Junior Pan-American Games in 2011 and a Greco-Roman bronze at the 2014 Pan-American Games.[9] He was at one point considered a prospect for the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 2012 Summer Olympics and spent some time training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado.[10]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2015–2016)

In 2015, Bogojevic trained to become a professional wrestler at the Mercury Pro Wrestling Academy in Arvada, Colorado.[3] He wrestled under the ring name Dozer for several regional promotions in Colorado and Utah, including Ultra Championship Wrestling-Zero (UCW-Zero) and New Revolution Wrestling, where he won the NRW Charged Championship.[11]

WWE

NXT (2016–2019)

Main article: Heavy Machinery
Heavy Machinery – Dozovic (right) and Tucker Knight (left) in April 2018

Bogojevic was scouted by WWE scouter Gerald Brisco, who usually is looking for awarded amateur wrestlers.[12] On April 12, 2016, Bogojevic signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to the WWE Performance Center.[13] He made his debut at a NXT house show on July 8, 2016, teamed with Adrian Jaoude in a loss to The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar).[14]

During this time, he formed a tag team with Tucker Knight, calling themselves Heavy Machinery.[15] In October, with he now renamed Otis Dozovic, the duo participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, and they made their television debut on the October 19 episode of NXT, losing to the team of Austin Aries and Roderick Strong.[2][16] The duo returned and had their first televised victory on the March 29, 2017 episode of NXT, defeating the team of Jonathan Ortagun and Mike Marshall.[17] On the July 12 episode of NXT, Heavy Machinery unsuccessfully challenged The Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Team Championship.[18] In March 2018, Heavy Machinery once again participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, but were eliminated by The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in the first round.[19] On the December 19 episode of NXT, Heavy Machinery wrestled their final match on NXT, defeating Blake Howell and Danny D'Accardo.[20]

SmackDown (2019–present)

On December 17, 2018, it was announced that Heavy Machinery would be debuting on the main roster.[21] They debuted on the January 14, 2019 episode of Raw, interrupting an interview between Alexa Bliss and Paul Heyman.[22] The following week on Raw, they defeated The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) in their in-ring debut.[23] In February, his ring name was shortened to Otis, while Knight's ring name was shortened to Tucker.[24] The duo made their pay-per-view debut at WrestleMania 35, where they both competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but neither would win the match.[25] As part of the Superstar Shake-Up, Heavy Machinery was moved to the SmackDown brand.[26] At Stomping Grounds on June 23, Heavy Machinery faced Daniel Bryan and Rowan for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, but were unable to win the titles.[27] The following month at Extreme Rules, Heavy Machinery again competed for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, this time in a triple threat tag team match involving Bryan and Rowan, and The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods), which The New Day won.[28] At Crown Jewel on October 31, Heavy Machinery competed in a tag team turmoil match, but were eliminated by The New Day.[29] At Survivor Series, Heavy Machinery participated in an interbrand tag team battle royal, which was won by Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.[30]

By the end of 2019, Otis entered into a romantic storyline with Mandy Rose.[31][32] On the February 14, 2020 episode of SmackDown, Otis had a date with Rose, but Dolph Ziggler appeared in Otis's place during the date,[33] the storyline then evolved into a love triangle involving a feud between Otis and Ziggler over Rose.[34] On the April 3 episode of SmackDown, it was revealed that Sonya Deville was working with Ziggler to keep Otis from Rose.[35] At WrestleMania 36, Otis defeated Ziggler with the help of Rose, who kissed him after the match.[36] On the May 1 episode of SmackDown, Otis defeated Ziggler to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match.[37] At the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Otis won the Money in the Bank ladder match, earning him a world title match at the time of his choosing.[38][39]

Professional wrestling style and persona

During his storyline with Mandy Rose in 2020, Otis was shown as a shy man with problems when he talks to women, which Bogojevic admits is based on his real life personality.[40]

Otis uses 'The Caterpillar' as a finishing maneuver during his matches, which is very similar to Scotty 2 Hotty's finishing maneuver, 'The Worm'.[41]

Other media

Otis made his video game debut as a playable character in WWE 2K19[42] and has since appeared in WWE 2K20.[43]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2020 The Main Event Stinkface

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Otis". WWE. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Wytner, Arya (October 19, 2016). "WWE NXT results: Roderick Strong makes his debut". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Clark, Ryan (April 16, 2016). "WWE Signs Nikola 'Dozer' Bogojevic - Details - ProWrestling.com".
  4. ^ "Otis Dozovic". Cagematch. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  5. ^ "Otis on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "Nikola Bogojevic". teamusa.org. August 15, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. ^ "Cubans roll at Pan Am Championships, but U.S. wins Greco title - The Open Mat". news.theopenmat.com. July 18, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c "Class of four signs with UW wrestling". University of Wisconsin. December 4, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "'Niko' among new recruits at WWE Performance Center". Superior Telegram. April 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  10. ^ "Former Superior wrestler aims for London Olympic Games". Duluth News Tribune. January 18, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  11. ^ a b "NRW Champions". nrwprowrestling.com. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  12. ^ https://www.pwinsider.com/article/136214/how-one-question-changed-the-career-trajectory-of-wwes-otis-forever.html?p=1
  13. ^ "Which independent stars just signed with WWE?". WWE. April 12, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "WWE NXT Live on July 8, 2016". July 8, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  15. ^ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results – 10/12/16 (SAnitY debuts with a returning Eric Young, Nakamura gets revenge on Samoa Joe)". WrestleView. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  16. ^ "Team Aries vs. Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight (Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match)". WWE. October 17, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "3/29 Moore's NXT TV Review: Kassius Ohno vs. Elias Samson in a Loser Leaves NXT Match, Johnny Gargano vs. Dash Wilder vs. Akam, Heavy Machinery in action, Ember Moon and Asuka contract signing for NXT Takeover: Orlando". Pro Wrestling dot Net. March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  18. ^ "NXT Tag Team Champions The Authors of Pain def. Heavy Machinery". WWE. July 12, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  19. ^ James, Justin (March 14, 2018). "3/14 NXT TV Report: Tomasso Ciampa returns, Adam Cole vs. Pete Dunne, Almas-Black contract signing, Sanity vs. Moss & Sabbatelli". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  20. ^ "Heavy Machinery def. Blake Howell & Danny D'Accardo". WWE. December 19, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  21. ^ "WWE announces six NXT stars coming to the main roster|". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  22. ^ Powell, Jason (January 14, 2019). "1/14 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: Dean Ambrose vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Seth Rollins in a Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship, Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax and Tamina, the Royal Rumble build continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  23. ^ "Heavy Machinery def. The Ascension". WWE. January 21, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  24. ^ Quarrinton, Norm (February 5, 2019). "Otis Dozovic And Tucker Knight Undergo Slight Name Changes". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  25. ^ Powell, Jason. "WrestleMania 35 Kickoff Show results: Powell's live review of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, WWE Women's Battle Royal, Buddy Murphy vs. Tony Nese for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  26. ^ F4W Staff (April 16, 2019). "Full list of WWE Superstar Shake-Up night two roster changes". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved June 16, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Bristout, Ralph. "SmackDown Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan & Rowan def. Heavy Machinery". WWE. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  28. ^ Benigno, Anthony. "The New Day def. Daniel Bryan & Rowan and Heavy Machinery to become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions (Triple Threat Match)". WWE. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  29. ^ Powell, Jason. "WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Universal Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury, Lacey Evans vs. Natalya". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  30. ^ Benigno, Anthony (November 24, 2019). "Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode won a cross-brand Tag Team Battle Royal (Kickoff Match)". WWE. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  31. ^ Powell, Jason (December 20, 2019). "12/20 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review Big E and Kofi Kingston vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in a non-title match, Bayley vs. Dana Brooke in a non-title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  32. ^ Rose, Bryan (January 31, 2020). "Otis & Mandy Rose date set for Valentine's Day WWE SmackDown". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  33. ^ Lamber, Jeremy (April 3, 2020). "The Truth Is Heard: Sonya Deville Behind Mandy Rose And Dolph Ziggler Relationship". Fightful. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  34. ^ DeFelice, Robert (March 27, 2020). "Dolph Ziggler Challenges Otis To Passion-Driven Bout At WrestleMania 36". Fightful. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  35. ^ Satin, Ryan (April 3, 2020). "Hacker Behind Glitches On SmackDown Speaks, Reveals Sonya/Dolph Ziggler Plot". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  36. ^ Clapp, John (April 5, 2020). "Otis def. Dolph Ziggler". WWE. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  37. ^ Barnett, Jake (May 1, 2020). "5/1 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Barnett's review of Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler and Mandy Rose vs. Carmella in Money in the Bank qualifiers, Daniel Bryan vs. King Corbin, Big E and Kofi Kingston vs. The Forgotten Sons". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  38. ^ a b Garretson, Jordan (May 10, 2020). "Otis won the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match". WWE. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  39. ^ Powell, Jason (May 10, 2020). "WWE Money in the Bank results: Powell's review of the Climb The Corporate Ladder MITB matches, Drew McIntyre vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Bray Wyatt for the WWE Universal Championship, Bayley vs. Tamina for the Smackdown Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  40. ^ Chase, Stephanie (May 4, 2020). "WWE's Otis started doing Caterpillar move because "no girls would dance" with him". WWE. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  41. ^ Harris, Jeffrey (May 5, 2020). "Otis on Telling Scotty 2 Hotty He Wanted to Bring 'The Caterpillar' Into WWE". WWE. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  42. ^ Cole, Caitlin (December 19, 2018). "Complete WWE 2K19". Rumble Ramble. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  43. ^ "WWE 2K20 roster art: photos". WWE. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  44. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019". cagematch.net. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  45. ^ "Full List Of Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 2017 Award Winners". Wrestling Inc. January 12, 2018.
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