Brian Gamble
Encyclopedia
Brian "The Blade" Gamble (born April 24, 1970) is an American
martial artist and professional wrestler
. He was born in the state of Ohio
, raised in Franklin Square, New York
and now resides in Orlando, Florida
.
expert, having studied the technique for nine years. He is also proficient in amateur wrestling
, Seishin Teki Kyoko, Aikido
, Taekwondo
, Tang Soo Do
(tangsudo) and kickboxing
, and is trained in the usage of a variety of mêlée
and ranged weapon
s. His fighting skills led to him appearing on Mortal Kombat: Conquest
as an extra and taking part in an episode of American Gladiators
in which he set the world record
in the "Wall" contest. In addition, Gamble also served as a bodyguard
for the singer Alice Cooper
and the band Queens of the Stone Age
.
Between 1999 and 2001, Gamble appeared on RollerJam
as a skater
. He competed for the New York Enforcers, the Texas Rustlers and Illinois Riot. Following the cancellation of RollerJam, he returned to his study of martial arts.
. He appeared on the December 22, 2001 episode of WWF Jakked, losing to Perry Saturn
.
In 2003, Gamble began wrestling on the Florida
n independent circuit
, achieving his greatest successes in Southern Championship Wrestling. On July 13, 2003, Gamble defeated David Mercury in the finals of a tournament held to crown the first ever SCW Heavyweight Champion. He held the title until August 16, when he lost to Thump Dupree in Mount Dora
. His next title win came on December 12 of that year, when he defeated Jason Hexx to win the SCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in DeBary
. He lost the title to "Classy" Chris Nelson on February 21, 2004, but regained the title on April 17 in Altamonte Springs
. His second and final reign ended on May 22 when he lost to Hexx.
Gamble has made several televised appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
as a jobber
. On the October 1, 2004, episode of Impact!
, Gamble was defeated by the then-NWA World Heavyweight Champion
Jeff Jarrett
. Two weeks later, Gamble was scheduled to face Abyss
, but Raven
hit him from behind with a chair and took his place in the match. He returned to TNA thirteen months later on the November 3, 2005 episode of Impact!, losing to "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown
in a squash match.
In July 2006, he wrestled Big Tilly
in Coastal Championship Wrestling (CCW), but lost the match. In February 2007, he was defeated by Dantastic in CCW.
from the State University of New York
and a MBA
from Clarkson University
. While attending school in the town of Potsdam, Brian became a member of the Fraternity Phi Chi Epsilon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
martial artist and professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. He was born in the state of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, raised in Franklin Square, New York
Franklin Square, New York
Franklin Square is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 29,320 at the 2010 census...
and now resides in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
.
Television appearances
Gamble is a NinjutsuNinjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
expert, having studied the technique for nine years. He is also proficient in amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games under the supervision of FILA : Greco-Roman and freestyle. Freestyle is possibly derived from the English Lancashire style...
, Seishin Teki Kyoko, Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
, Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
, Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee that has roots in various martial arts, including taekkyeon and Subak.-Etymology:...
(tangsudo) and kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
, and is trained in the usage of a variety of mêlée
Mêlée
Melee , generally refers to disorganized close combat involving a group of fighters. A melee ensues when groups become locked together in combat with no regard to group tactics or fighting as an organized unit; each participant fights as an individual....
and ranged weapon
Ranged weapon
A ranged weapon is any weapon that can harm targets at distances greater than hand-to-hand distance. In contrast, a weapon intended to be used in man-to-man combat is called a melee weapon....
s. His fighting skills led to him appearing on Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Conquest
Mortal Kombat: Konquest is an American martial arts television series that aired for one season from 1998 to 1999, and was based on the popular Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The program was filmed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.-Storyline:"In each of us there burns a soul...
as an extra and taking part in an episode of American Gladiators
American Gladiators
American Gladiators is an American competition television program that aired in syndication from September 1989 to May 1996. The series matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other, as well as against the show's own gladiators, in contests of strength and agility.The concept was created by...
in which he set the world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
in the "Wall" contest. In addition, Gamble also served as a bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
for the singer Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
and the band Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
.
Between 1999 and 2001, Gamble appeared on RollerJam
RollerJam
RollerJam was an American television series featuring roller derby that aired on The Nashville Network from 1999 to 2001. It was the first attempt to bring roller derby to TV since RollerGames....
as a skater
Roller skating
Roller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
. He competed for the New York Enforcers, the Texas Rustlers and Illinois Riot. Following the cancellation of RollerJam, he returned to his study of martial arts.
Professional wrestling career
Gamble trained as a wrestler under Dory Funk, Jr.Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Ernest Funk Jr. known professionally as Dory Funk, Jr. is a professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is the son of Dory Funk Sr. and brother of Terry Funk. He is credited with the invention of the Texas cloverleaf submission hold and runs the Funking Conservatory, a professional...
. He appeared on the December 22, 2001 episode of WWF Jakked, losing to Perry Saturn
Perry Satullo
Perry Arthur Satullo is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Perry Saturn. Since debuting in 1990, Saturn wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action .-Early career:Satullo enlisted...
.
In 2003, Gamble began wrestling on the Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
n independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
, achieving his greatest successes in Southern Championship Wrestling. On July 13, 2003, Gamble defeated David Mercury in the finals of a tournament held to crown the first ever SCW Heavyweight Champion. He held the title until August 16, when he lost to Thump Dupree in Mount Dora
Mount Dora, Florida
Mount Dora is a U.S. city in Lake County, Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Mount Dora population at 11,564. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. His next title win came on December 12 of that year, when he defeated Jason Hexx to win the SCW Southern Heavyweight Championship in DeBary
DeBary, Florida
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,559 people, 6,538 households, and 4,720 families residing in the city. The population density was 853.8 inhabitants per square mile . There were 7,001 housing units at an average density of 384.2 per square mile...
. He lost the title to "Classy" Chris Nelson on February 21, 2004, but regained the title on April 17 in Altamonte Springs
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Altamonte Springs is a city in Seminole county in the U.S. state of Florida, which had a population of 41,496 at the 2010 census. Located primarily in Seminole County, the city is in the northern suburbs of the Orlando–Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the United States...
. His second and final reign ended on May 22 when he lost to Hexx.
Gamble has made several televised appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
as a jobber
Job (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling slang, the term job describes a losing performance in a wrestling match. It is derived from the euphemism "doing one's job", which was employed to protect kayfabe. As professional wrestling is scripted, inevitably a wrestler will be required to lose to an opponent.The term...
. On the October 1, 2004, episode of Impact!
TNA iMPACT!
Impact Wrestling is a professional wrestling television program for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that currently airs in the United States and Canada on Spike...
, Gamble was defeated by the then-NWA World Heavyweight Champion
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
. Two weeks later, Gamble was scheduled to face Abyss
Chris Parks
Christopher J. "Chris" Parks , better known by his ring name "The Monster" Abyss, is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, but Raven
Scott Levy
Scott Anthony Levy , better known by his ring name Raven, is an American professional wrestler, wrestling producer, wrestling writer, and occasional author and actor currently working for Juggalo Championship Wrestling , where he is co-holder of the JCW Tag Team Championship, as well as other...
hit him from behind with a chair and took his place in the match. He returned to TNA thirteen months later on the November 3, 2005 episode of Impact!, losing to "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown
Monty Brown
Monty Brown is an American professional wrestler and former National Football League linebacker, also known as Marcus Cor Von. He is best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled on its ECW brand under the ring name Marcus Cor Von...
in a squash match.
In July 2006, he wrestled Big Tilly
Big Tilly
James Tilquist is an American professional wrestler better known by the ring name Big Tilly. He is best known for being a member of the tag team Phi Delta Slam as well as his appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
in Coastal Championship Wrestling (CCW), but lost the match. In February 2007, he was defeated by Dantastic in CCW.
Personal life
Gamble holds a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
and a MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
from Clarkson University
Clarkson University
-The Clarkson School:The Clarkson School, a special division of Clarkson University, was founded in 1978 as a unique educational opportunity. The School offers students an early entrance opportunity into college, replacing the typical senior year of high school with a year of college...
. While attending school in the town of Potsdam, Brian became a member of the Fraternity Phi Chi Epsilon.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Diving double foot stomp
- Signature moves
- JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
chop - Spin kick
- Superkick
- Judo
Championships and accomplishments
- Southern Championship Wrestling
- SCW Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- SCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (2 times)