Brian Mailhot
Encyclopedia
Brian Mailhot is an American
professional wrestler
and mixed martial arts
fighter, better known for his short stint in World Wrestling Entertainment
's SmackDown! brand under the ring name
of Palmer Canon.
, losing to Larry Huntley in a match in Portland, Maine. After his first match Mailhot elected to take more time to focus on his in ring training and worked for the Eastern Wrestling Alliance in a character role as their commissioner. As commissioner he feuded with Alexander Worthington III, often countering Worthington's devious exploits with his power as commissioner although he did not wrestle a match again until early 2002 when his dealings with Worthington finally escalated to an in ring encounter.
in Massachusetts
as "Big League" Brian Black. He formed a tag team
with The Mighty Mini, and the partners won the CW Tag Team Championships on two occasions, in 2003 defeating Atrition and 2004, defeating Peter Mulloy and Brian Buffet. Mailhot won his first singles championship, the vacant New England Championship
, on April 30, 2004, in a twenty-eight man royal rumble
. He won the Heavyweight Championship
on March 18, 2005, defeating Maverick Wild
, but vacated the title on April 1 after signing a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment
in March 2005.
. He first debuted as Brian Black on February 21, 2004 in a loss to Adam Booker, which led to a short feud between the two. Following that he captured the AWA Tag Team Championship on May 15, 2004 in Claremont, New Hampshire
with The Mighty Mini, his tag partner from Chaotic Wrestling
. This turned into a phantom switch, though, when Mailhot changed to a new persona the next show. Since the switch took place outside of their typical venue in Nashua it was simply ignored and the titles were returned to The Swerve. On May 22, 2004 he debuted a German character of his own creation, Otto Von Schwartz. Taking full advantage of his German heritage and ability to speak German, he worked as a heel, feuding primarily with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
. He captured the AWA Heavyweight Championship from Valentine on September 25, 2004, but dropped it on April 9, 2005. He then departed to the WWE developmental Deep South Wrestling.
". This gimmick reflected what WWE perceived as increasing interference by UPN
regarding the content of SmackDown!, most notably UPN's demand that WWE remove Mark Copani's controversial Muhammad Hassan character from television. His character and booking of matches that the fans disliked led to mainly heel
reactions, though he played face
at times such as during Survivor Series
, where he helped SmackDown! general manager Theodore Long
defeat Raw
general manager Eric Bischoff
. The gimmick was reminiscent of both Right to Censor
, a stable created to parody the Parents Television Council
, and The Network
, an ECW
stable led by Cyrus
which claimed to represent TNN
. The name Palmer Canon might have been a play with the initials "P.C."
. This connection between his name and political correctness was made more evident when commentator Tazz
called him P.C. when Canon came to do ringside commentary. His character also consisted of booking matches behind the back of Theodore Long (e.g. he made Eddie Guerrero
the number one contender, despite Long's wishes to have that right go to Rey Mysterio). He also introduced Marty Wright
as "The Boogeyman" as a decision by the network for ratings, added "The Juniors", a midget wrestling division and the tag team "The Dicks" (John Toland
and Chad Wicks
), though all were later released. Wright's release only lasted 2 weeks, however.
On the February 3, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, William Regal
and Paul Burchill
told Palmer Canon that they no longer wanted to be a tag team so they could go their separate ways. During this discussion Burchill informed Canon that his family heritage traces back to pirates, and that he wanted to do a pirate gimmick on Friday Night SmackDown! Later, on the April 21, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, Canon remarked that The Miz
was acting inappropriately, and had him escorted from the arena by security.
On April 20, 2006, Mailhot abruptly flew himself home from a WWE tour in Italy
and gave his notice to WWE officials, citing harassment from Chris Benoit
, John "Bradshaw" Layfield
and his "Wrestler's Court" as the reason for his resignation. He was granted his release on April 27, 2006. This forced the postponement of the Miz's planned wrestling debut, as the Palmer Canon/Miz feud
had to be canceled. During his run on SmackDown!, Mailhot never wrestled a match there despite being a trained wrestler.
Brian made his amateur MMA debut on August 23, 2008 at Untamed 22 as Brian "Hacksaw" Mailhot. It was promoted by Full Force Fighting Championships, at the Plymouth Memorial Hall. He defeated Tony Rea via KO by slam in 1:01 of the second round.
He has wrestled for All Out Mayhem in southern and eastern Maine since his departure from WWE in 2006. He won the AOM Heavyweight Championship from Captain Freedom in South Portland, Maine on November 20, 2010 only to lose it later in the night to Larry Zbyszko
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
and mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
fighter, better known for his short stint in World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
's SmackDown! brand under the ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
of Palmer Canon.
Early career
Mailhot debuted in 1999 for the Eastern Wrestling AllianceEastern Wrestling Alliance
The Eastern Wrestling Alliance is an American professional wrestling promotion currently based in Massachusetts and founded in 1998 by James St. Jean and Bob Staples. The EWA has been a prominent professional wrestling company in the New England area since the early 2000s beginning most notably in...
, losing to Larry Huntley in a match in Portland, Maine. After his first match Mailhot elected to take more time to focus on his in ring training and worked for the Eastern Wrestling Alliance in a character role as their commissioner. As commissioner he feuded with Alexander Worthington III, often countering Worthington's devious exploits with his power as commissioner although he did not wrestle a match again until early 2002 when his dealings with Worthington finally escalated to an in ring encounter.
Chaotic Wrestling
In 2002 he began working for Chaotic WrestlingChaotic Wrestling
Chaotic Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in North Andover, Massachusetts owned by Jamie Jamitowski and formerly Killer Kowalski prior to his death in August 2008. In addition to the promotion is the Chaotic Training Center, a professional wrestling school where...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
as "Big League" Brian Black. He formed a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
with The Mighty Mini, and the partners won the CW Tag Team Championships on two occasions, in 2003 defeating Atrition and 2004, defeating Peter Mulloy and Brian Buffet. Mailhot won his first singles championship, the vacant New England Championship
Chaotic Wrestling New England Championship
The Chaotic Wrestling New England Championship is a professional wrestling title in American independent promotion Chaotic Wrestling. The title was first won by "Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz in Revere, Massachusetts on February 23, 2001. There have been a total of 22 recognized individual champions, who...
, on April 30, 2004, in a twenty-eight man royal rumble
Battle royal (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a battle royal is a multi-competitor match type in which wrestlers are eliminated until one is left and declared winner...
. He won the Heavyweight Championship
Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship
The Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship in Chaotic Wrestling. It is the primary championship in the promotion.The current champion is Handsome Johnny, who is in his third reign as champion...
on March 18, 2005, defeating Maverick Wild
Scott C. Despres
Scott Cameron Despres is an American professional wrestler, trainer and promoter. Known by the ring name Maverick Wild, he was one of the top stars of the New England independent circuit during the 1990s and early 2000s as a mainstay for International World Class Championship Wrestling, the...
, but vacated the title on April 1 after signing a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
in March 2005.
All-Star Wrestling Association
During this time Mailhot was also wrestling for the now sold and renamed All-Star Wrestling Association based in Nashua, New HampshireNashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
. He first debuted as Brian Black on February 21, 2004 in a loss to Adam Booker, which led to a short feud between the two. Following that he captured the AWA Tag Team Championship on May 15, 2004 in Claremont, New Hampshire
Claremont, New Hampshire
There were 5,685 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had...
with The Mighty Mini, his tag partner from Chaotic Wrestling
Chaotic Wrestling
Chaotic Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in North Andover, Massachusetts owned by Jamie Jamitowski and formerly Killer Kowalski prior to his death in August 2008. In addition to the promotion is the Chaotic Training Center, a professional wrestling school where...
. This turned into a phantom switch, though, when Mailhot changed to a new persona the next show. Since the switch took place outside of their typical venue in Nashua it was simply ignored and the titles were returned to The Swerve. On May 22, 2004 he debuted a German character of his own creation, Otto Von Schwartz. Taking full advantage of his German heritage and ability to speak German, he worked as a heel, feuding primarily with Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
Greg Valentine
John Wisniski, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. He is the son of wrestler Johnny Valentine.-Training:...
. He captured the AWA Heavyweight Championship from Valentine on September 25, 2004, but dropped it on April 9, 2005. He then departed to the WWE developmental Deep South Wrestling.
Deep South Wrestlimg (2005)
Mailhot began training in WWE's auxiliary developmental territory, Deep South Wrestling. On May 2, 2005 he had a dark match against Todd Hansen, with Hansen gaining the victory.SmackDown! (2005-2006)
He made his televised debut with WWE on the August 25, 2005 episode of SmackDown! as an authority figure called Palmer Canon. His character was ostensibly a representative of the oppressive "NetworkTelevision network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
". This gimmick reflected what WWE perceived as increasing interference by UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
regarding the content of SmackDown!, most notably UPN's demand that WWE remove Mark Copani's controversial Muhammad Hassan character from television. His character and booking of matches that the fans disliked led to mainly heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
reactions, though he played face
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
at times such as during Survivor Series
Survivor Series (2005)
Survivor Series was the 19th annual Survivor Series professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
, where he helped SmackDown! general manager Theodore Long
Theodore Long
Theodore R. "Teddy" Long is an American professional wrestling manager and former referee who currently works for WWE on its SmackDown brand as its General Manager.-National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling:...
defeat Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
general manager Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
. The gimmick was reminiscent of both Right to Censor
Right to Censor
The Right to Censor was a professional wrestling faction in the World Wrestling Federation from mid-2000 to early 2001...
, a stable created to parody the Parents Television Council
Parents Television Council
The Parents Television Council is a U.S. based advocacy group founded by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III in 1995 using the National Legion of Decency as a model...
, and The Network
The Network (professional wrestling)
The Network was a professional wrestling stable that was formed in 1999 when ECW began to broadcast nationally on TNN.-ECW incarnation:The Network was a professional wrestling stable that was formed in 1999 when ECW began to broadcast nationally on TNN.TNN did not give ECW much money to produce...
, an ECW
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
stable led by Cyrus
Don Callis
Don Callis is a Canadian former professional wrestler and manager, known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as The Jackyl, and Extreme Championship Wrestling as color commentator Cyrus.-Early life:...
which claimed to represent TNN
Spike TV
Spike is an American cable television channel. It launched on March 7, 1983 as The Nashville Network , a joint venture of WSM, Inc...
. The name Palmer Canon might have been a play with the initials "P.C."
Political correctness
Political correctness is a term which denotes language, ideas, policies, and behavior seen as seeking to minimize social and institutional offense in occupational, gender, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, certain other religions, beliefs or ideologies, disability, and age-related contexts,...
. This connection between his name and political correctness was made more evident when commentator Tazz
Tazz
Peter Senerchia is a retired American professional wrestler and current color commentator best known by his ring name Tazz, originally Tazmaniac and later shortened to simply Taz...
called him P.C. when Canon came to do ringside commentary. His character also consisted of booking matches behind the back of Theodore Long (e.g. he made Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero
Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
the number one contender, despite Long's wishes to have that right go to Rey Mysterio). He also introduced Marty Wright
Marty Wright
Martin "Marty" Wright is an American professional wrestler and actor best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name The Boogeyman.-Tough Enough:...
as "The Boogeyman" as a decision by the network for ratings, added "The Juniors", a midget wrestling division and the tag team "The Dicks" (John Toland
John Toland (wrestler)
John Michael Toland is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in independent promotion Ring of Honor, under the name Tank Toland...
and Chad Wicks
Chad Wicks
Charles "Chad" Wicks is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with the World Wrestling Entertainment...
), though all were later released. Wright's release only lasted 2 weeks, however.
On the February 3, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, William Regal
Darren Matthews
Darren Kenneth Matthews , is an English professional wrestler, author and color commentator currently signed to WWE and competing on the SmackDown brand under the ring name William Regal. He is also known for his time in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Steven Regal...
and Paul Burchill
Paul Burchill
Paul Birchill , better known by his ring name Paul Burchill, is an English professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment , where he signed after training and debuting for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance in his home country.-Frontier Wrestling Alliance...
told Palmer Canon that they no longer wanted to be a tag team so they could go their separate ways. During this discussion Burchill informed Canon that his family heritage traces back to pirates, and that he wanted to do a pirate gimmick on Friday Night SmackDown! Later, on the April 21, 2006 edition of SmackDown!, Canon remarked that The Miz
Mike Mizanin
Michael "Mike" Gregory Mizanin is an American professional wrestler and reality television personality better known by his nickname and ring name The Miz. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment on its Raw brand...
was acting inappropriately, and had him escorted from the arena by security.
On April 20, 2006, Mailhot abruptly flew himself home from a WWE tour in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and gave his notice to WWE officials, citing harassment from Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
, John "Bradshaw" Layfield
John Layfield
John Charles Layfield is a former American professional wrestler, a former commentator/host for mixed martial arts promotion Vyper Fight League and financial analyst for Fox News...
and his "Wrestler's Court" as the reason for his resignation. He was granted his release on April 27, 2006. This forced the postponement of the Miz's planned wrestling debut, as the Palmer Canon/Miz feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
had to be canceled. During his run on SmackDown!, Mailhot never wrestled a match there despite being a trained wrestler.
Post–WWE
Mailhot has now returned to Portland, Maine, where he works in fundraising for the Maine Muscular Dystrophy Society.Brian made his amateur MMA debut on August 23, 2008 at Untamed 22 as Brian "Hacksaw" Mailhot. It was promoted by Full Force Fighting Championships, at the Plymouth Memorial Hall. He defeated Tony Rea via KO by slam in 1:01 of the second round.
He has wrestled for All Out Mayhem in southern and eastern Maine since his departure from WWE in 2006. He won the AOM Heavyweight Championship from Captain Freedom in South Portland, Maine on November 20, 2010 only to lose it later in the night to Larry Zbyszko
Larry Zbyszko
Lawrence "Larry" Whistler is a professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Larry Zbyszko. Zbyszko is perhaps best known for his feud with his mentor, wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino during the early 1980s....
.
Championships and accomplishments
- All-Star Wrestling Association
- AWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- AWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with The Mighty Mini
- Chaotic WrestlingChaotic WrestlingChaotic Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in North Andover, Massachusetts owned by Jamie Jamitowski and formerly Killer Kowalski prior to his death in August 2008. In addition to the promotion is the Chaotic Training Center, a professional wrestling school where...
- Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight ChampionshipChaotic Wrestling Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling championship in Chaotic Wrestling. It is the primary championship in the promotion.The current champion is Handsome Johnny, who is in his third reign as champion...
(1 time) - Chaotic Wrestling New England ChampionshipChaotic Wrestling New England ChampionshipThe Chaotic Wrestling New England Championship is a professional wrestling title in American independent promotion Chaotic Wrestling. The title was first won by "Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz in Revere, Massachusetts on February 23, 2001. There have been a total of 22 recognized individual champions, who...
(1 time) - Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team ChampionshipChaotic Wrestling Tag Team ChampionshipThe Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team title in American independent promotion Chaotic Wrestling. The title was first won by The Damned defeating Derik Destiny and Kid Krazy in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 17, 2000...
(2 times) – with The Mighty Mini
- Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Championship
- Other Titles
- AOM Heavyweight Championship (1 time)