Pretty Boy Smooth
| Pretty Boy Smooth | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Paul Bilbo |
| Born | October 15, 1991 Hempstead, New York, United States[1] |
| Alma mater | Mercyhurst University |
| Website | www.PrettyBoySmooth.com |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Pretty Boy Smooth |
| Billed height | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)[1] |
| Billed weight | 272 lb (123 kg) |
| Trained by | Aaron Draven[1] Candice LeRae[1] Johnny Gargano[1] Pepper Parks[1] |
| Debut | March 13, 2016 |
Paul Bilbo (born October 15, 1991), better known by his ring name Pretty Boy Smooth or P. B. Smooth, is an American professional wrestler and actor. He currently competes on the independent wrestling circuit for promotions that have include Absolute Intense Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, RYSE Wrestling, Enjoy Wrestling, Beyond Wrestling, Expect the Unexpected Wrestling, and Maryland Championship Wrestling. He has also appeared with the national promotion All Elite Wrestling.[2]
Early life and education[edit]
Born in Hempstead, New York, Bilbo started at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay, New York, where he helped lead the Bayhawk team to a 52–24 record in his last three seasons. Bilbo played Division I basketball at Hofstra University with former future Golden State Warriors 2011 second round draft pick, Charles Jenkins. Bilbo finished his collegiate career at Division II college Mercyhurst University[3] He received a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in organizational leadership.[4]
Professional wrestling career[edit]
Smooth began training as a professional wrestler for Pro Wrestling Rampage in Erie, PA under head trainer Aaron Draven. When the school closed, he trained under WWE's Johnny Gargano at the Absolute Intense Wrestling School in Cleveland, Ohio, then later with AEW's The Blade at Grapplers Anonymous in Buffalo, NY. Smooth’s official professional wrestling debut was March 13, 2016.
Smooth has become a mainstay at AIW and won several titles on the independent wrestling circuit, including an eight-month AIW tag team title run with Hornswoggle, and a victory over Tracy Williams for the AIW Absolute Championship, a victory over Wardlow of All Elite Wrestling Revenge Heavyweight Championship, and more recently winning the RYSE Grand Championship with a win over 6 competitors in one night, including Colin Delaney. Smooth appeared on AEW Collision on September 16, 2023 tagging with Wes Barkley vs Aussie Open on TBS.[5]
Professional wrestling style and personas[edit]
Smooth wrestles a "powerhouse" style known for delivering powerful blows and slamming opponents from incredible heights. Formerly known under the monikers “Seven Foot Savage” and “Mr. Fresh 2 Death,”[1] Smooth now exclusively uses the nickname, “The Urban Playboy,” as his character development has evolved into a ladies man who fights with the intensity of the Incredible Hulk. His former finishing move was the "Funeral Service", but now uses an inverted Death Valley driver variation he calls “The Player’s Club".
"The ETHER" (stylized all caps) is another character layer created by Smooth. The ETHER is the unhinged ego of Pretty Boy Smooth that’s focus is on violence & destruction making it the most dangerous form of Smooth to date. The latest display of The ETHER in ring was Smooth’s match that took place on July 8, 2023 at RYSE wrestling vs Ron Mathis to end their feud.
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Pact of Vengeance | Hightower | [6] | |
| 2022 | Shingles the Movie | Smasher | [6] | |
| 2023 | CarousHELL 3 | Ben | [7] |
Personal life[edit]
Smooth lives in Erie, Pennsylvania.[4][8]
In 2020, Smooth founded the PB Provides Scholarship Fund which is awarded yearly to an African American student who is interested in obtaining a communications degree at Mercyhurst University.[4]
Championships and accomplishments[edit]
- RYSE Wrestling
- RYSE Wrestling Grand Champion[9]
- Absolute Intense Wrestling
- AIW Absolute Championship[10]
- AIW Future Cup (2017)[11]
- AIW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Hornswoggle
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Pro Wrestling Rampage
- Pro Wrestling Rampage Tag Team Titles (1 time) – with Colby Redd
- Revenge Pro Wrestling
- Revenge Heavyweight Championship
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kreikenbohm, Philip. "PB Smooth". Cagematch.net. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ Robinson, Brandon (October 26, 2017). "Scoop B: Former Hofstra U & St. Dominic HS forward details how he turned from hooping to wrestling". Respect. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ "Man rises through ranks in pursuit of wrestling dream". AP NEWS. February 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c Copper, Mike (February 10, 2020). "Mike Copper: Nothing fake about pro wrestler's intentions". Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ "The Internet Wrestling Database". ProWrestling DB. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ a b LaMotta, Jim (June 23, 2022). "Champion's Mentality:Pretty Boy Smooth". PWMania.
- ^ "CarousHELL 3". IMDB. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ "Interview with PB Smooth 'Breaking The Wrestling Stereotype'". Stereotype Co I Don't Stop Dreaming I Official Site. February 12, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Halliwell, Don (December 12, 2021). "Ryse Pro Wrestling 12/11/21 ryse anniversary results". LWOPW.
- ^ Greer, Jamie (February 24, 2019). "#AndNEW: PB Smooth Wins AIW Absolute Championship". LWOPW.
- ^ "AIW Results 12.29.17: Sid Doesn't Appear, EC3 Steps In". 411MANIA.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2020". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Pretty Boy Smooth on Twitter
- Paul Bilbo at IMDb
- Pretty Boy Smooth's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database