Christopher Rombola
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" Rombola (born June 28, 1983) is an American professional wrestler
who, in January 2006, was the first to be selected in the nationwide tryouts held by the World Wrestling Entertainment
. Signing a developmental contract with the WWE, Rombola spent the next two years in its developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling
where he was allied with High Dosage (Jon Bolen
and Ryan Reeves
) in ther feud with Bad Company (Eddie Craven and Shawn Osborne). He was also involved in a 2-on-1 feud with Gothic Mayhem (Pat Buck
and Johnny Punch
).
Although one of the few developmental wrestlers not to be officially released from their contracts, Rombola became inactive prior to WWE ending its relationship with Ohio Valley Wrestling in February 2008.
, Christopher Rombola began watching wrestling as a teenager during the World Wrestling Federation
's the Attitude Era
. Suffering from clinical depression
since age 15, he started working out and weighed 250 lbs. by the time he started college. He was a fan of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
and later Chris Benoit
and Kenta Kobashi
.
In September 2005, he attended Harley Race
's Pro Wrestling Camp prior to applying for tryouts with World Wrestling Entertainment being held in the United States and the Great Britain. He was one of those selected out of the thousands of applicants and invited by John Laurinaitis
, Vice President of WWE Talent Relations, to participate in a training session by Bill DeMott
. Training consisted of regular drills and exercises including about 650 squats followed by running up the 100 level section of the DSW arena. On December 29, he was invited to WWE tryouts in Buffalo with Patrick Buckridge, Reza Celik, Jason Breeze, Ronnie Arniell
, Shantelle Malawski and Brian Jennings
.
The first wrestler selected by the WWE with Shawn Spears
, Rombola was sent to its developmental territory Deep South Wrestling where he trained with Bill DeMott and Al Snow
during early-2006. On July 6, he made his debut teaming with Bradley Jay
in a dark match against The Major Brothers
(Brian and Brett Majors). He and Jay also lost to High Impact (Tony Salantri
and Mike Taylor) and Ebony and Ivory (Ray Geezy
and Damian Steele) before being sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling
at the end of the month.
Two months later, he made his OVW television debut losing to Paul Birchall on September 20. Teaming with Devin Driscoll
and Jason
against Mike Kruel
, Eddie Craven and Shawn Osbourne on October 25, he also scored victories over Kevin McCulloch and Johnny Punch. On November 28, at an interpromotional event between OVW and Heartland Wrestling Association
, he defeated Mike Kruel in a singles match. He was attacked by Bad Company following the match, but was saved by High Dosage (Jon Bolen
and Ryan Reeves
). Four days later, he challenged Jacob Duncan for the OVW Heavyweight Championship
, but failed to defeat him. Rombola had also fought and defeated Johnny Punch earlier that night. On November 15, he teamed with High Dosage to defeat Mike Kruel, Eddie Craven and Shawn Osbourne. On November 22, he lost to Jacob Duncan in a rematch for the OVW Heavyweight title. Losing to Paul Birchall a week later, he did pick up a victory over Pat Buck on December 13, 2006.
On January 3, 2007, Rombola defeated Los Locos Ramon at an OVW television taping. That same week, he also defeated Johnny Punch but lost to OVW Heavyweight Champion Paul Birchill on January 10. He also lost to Boris Alexiev and, in a tag team match with Jake Hager, to Gothic Mayhem (Pat Buck
and Johnny Punch
) at the end of the month. On February 14, Rombola faced Gothic Mayhem in a "Battle of the Bands" handicap match. At the end of the match, Pat Buck smashed his guitar over Chris Rombola's head.
Feuding with Gothic Mayhem, Rombola lost to Pat Buck in a "Rock 'n' Roll Weapons No Disqualification" match at the Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky
on March 21. The same month, Rombola defeated Kassidy James
and Lennox Lightfoot, but lost to Tony Braddock on April 11, 2007.
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...
who, in January 2006, was the first to be selected in the nationwide tryouts held by the 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...
. Signing a developmental contract with the WWE, Rombola spent the next two years in its developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
where he was allied with High Dosage (Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He currently competes on the independent circuit including Maximum Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Cartel and the National Wrestling Alliance...
and Ryan Reeves
Ryan Reeves
Ryan Reeves is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, but is inactive due to injury. After being one of the eight finalists on WWE Tough Enough 4, he later signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and wrestled in Deep South Wrestling and Florida...
) in ther feud with Bad Company (Eddie Craven and Shawn Osborne). He was also involved in a 2-on-1 feud with Gothic Mayhem (Pat Buck
Pat Buck
Patrick Buckridge is an American professional wrestler, better know by the name Pat Buck. He competes in Midwestern, New England, and Metropolitan independent promotions including Derby City Wrestling, Ohio Championship Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling, formerly a World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Johnny Punch
Johnny Punch
Tom Demers better known by his ring name Johnny Punch, is an American professional wrestler, who competed in North American independent promotions including Derby City Wrestling, New England Championship Wrestling and Top Rope Promotions...
).
Although one of the few developmental wrestlers not to be officially released from their contracts, Rombola became inactive prior to WWE ending its relationship with Ohio Valley Wrestling in February 2008.
Career
Born and raised in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Christopher Rombola began watching wrestling as a teenager during the World Wrestling Federation
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 the Attitude Era
The Attitude Era
The Attitude Era was a period in World Wrestling Federation and professional wrestling history that began as a direct result of the Monday Night Wars, a television ratings conflict between the WWF and longtime rival promotion World Championship Wrestling that lasted from 1995 to 2001...
. Suffering from clinical depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
since age 15, he started working out and weighed 250 lbs. by the time he started college. He was a fan of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
and later Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
and Kenta Kobashi
Kenta Kobashi
Not to be confused with his protégé Kenta Kobayashi is a Japanese professional wrestler currently under contract to Pro Wrestling Noah. He worked for All Japan Pro Wrestling from 1988–2000, where he became one of the promotion's top stars....
.
In September 2005, he attended Harley Race
Harley Race
Harley Leland Race is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter and trainer. During his career as a wrestler, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 7 times...
's Pro Wrestling Camp prior to applying for tryouts with World Wrestling Entertainment being held in the United States and the Great Britain. He was one of those selected out of the thousands of applicants and invited by John Laurinaitis
John Laurinaitis
John Joseph Laurinaitis is the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations for WWE and appears on WWE's Raw Brand as interim General Manager. He was previously a professional wrestler under the ring name Johnny Ace, and wrestled for such promotions as the National Wrestling Alliance and All...
, Vice President of WWE Talent Relations, to participate in a training session by Bill DeMott
Bill DeMott
William Charles "Bill" DeMott II is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment as Hugh Morrus and Bill DeMott respectively and as Crash The Terminator in Extreme Championship Wrestling and Japan...
. Training consisted of regular drills and exercises including about 650 squats followed by running up the 100 level section of the DSW arena. On December 29, he was invited to WWE tryouts in Buffalo with Patrick Buckridge, Reza Celik, Jason Breeze, Ronnie Arniell
Ronnie Arniell
Ronnie William Arneill is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name as Shawn Spears. He is perhaps best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand, where he briefly performed under the ring name Gavin Spears.-Early life:Born and raised in St...
, Shantelle Malawski and Brian Jennings
Brian Jennings
Brian Lewis Jennings is an NFL player. He is a long snapper and a tight end with the San Francisco 49ers. He went to Arizona State University. He was drafted by the 49ers in the 7th round in the 2000 NFL Draft...
.
The first wrestler selected by the WWE with Shawn Spears
Ronnie Arniell
Ronnie William Arneill is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name as Shawn Spears. He is perhaps best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand, where he briefly performed under the ring name Gavin Spears.-Early life:Born and raised in St...
, Rombola was sent to its developmental territory Deep South Wrestling where he trained with Bill DeMott and Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
during early-2006. On July 6, he made his debut teaming with Bradley Jay
Brad Bradley
Brad Bradley is an American professional wrestler, best known for working for World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Ryan Braddock.-Early career:...
in a dark match against The Major Brothers
Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder
Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder were a American professional wrestling tag team who appeared on the independent circuit and WWE under a variety of evolving names....
(Brian and Brett Majors). He and Jay also lost to High Impact (Tony Salantri
Tony Salantri
Anthony "Tony" Salantri is an American Film and television actor and a former American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names Tony Santarelli or Tony Stradlin, who competed in North American independent promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance and...
and Mike Taylor) and Ebony and Ivory (Ray Geezy
Ray Gordy
Terry Ray Gordy, Jr. is an American professional wrestler best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment appearing on its SmackDown brand under the ring names Jesse and Slam Master J...
and Damian Steele) before being sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
at the end of the month.
Two months later, he made his OVW television debut losing to Paul Birchall on September 20. Teaming with Devin Driscoll
Devin Driscoll
Devin Drisoll is an American former professional wrestler, known by his ringname Devon Driscoll. He is best known for his stint in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he is a one time Television Champion.-Professional wrestling career:...
and Jason
Jason Knight
Ronald Jason Knight is an American professional wrestler and manager. He is best known for his stints in Eastern / Extreme Championship Wrestling, where he was a one time World Television Champion.-World Wrestling Federation :...
against Mike Kruel
Mike Kruel
Michael "Mike" Mayo, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Mike Kruel. He began his career in the independent circuit, wrestling in Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, East Coast Wrestling Association and USA Pro Wrestling, while occasionally making...
, Eddie Craven and Shawn Osbourne on October 25, he also scored victories over Kevin McCulloch and Johnny Punch. On November 28, at an interpromotional event between OVW and Heartland Wrestling Association
Heartland Wrestling Association
The Heartland Wrestling Association is a Midwestern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A former developmental territory for both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s, it was listed as one of the top independent...
, he defeated Mike Kruel in a singles match. He was attacked by Bad Company following the match, but was saved by High Dosage (Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He currently competes on the independent circuit including Maximum Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Cartel and the National Wrestling Alliance...
and Ryan Reeves
Ryan Reeves
Ryan Reeves is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, but is inactive due to injury. After being one of the eight finalists on WWE Tough Enough 4, he later signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and wrestled in Deep South Wrestling and Florida...
). Four days later, he challenged Jacob Duncan for the OVW Heavyweight Championship
OVW Heavyweight Championship
The OVW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion. The title was introduced on August 17, 1997 at an OVW live event, then known as the NWA-OVW Heavyweight Championship due to OVW's relationship with the National...
, but failed to defeat him. Rombola had also fought and defeated Johnny Punch earlier that night. On November 15, he teamed with High Dosage to defeat Mike Kruel, Eddie Craven and Shawn Osbourne. On November 22, he lost to Jacob Duncan in a rematch for the OVW Heavyweight title. Losing to Paul Birchall a week later, he did pick up a victory over Pat Buck on December 13, 2006.
On January 3, 2007, Rombola defeated Los Locos Ramon at an OVW television taping. That same week, he also defeated Johnny Punch but lost to OVW Heavyweight Champion Paul Birchill on January 10. He also lost to Boris Alexiev and, in a tag team match with Jake Hager, to Gothic Mayhem (Pat Buck
Pat Buck
Patrick Buckridge is an American professional wrestler, better know by the name Pat Buck. He competes in Midwestern, New England, and Metropolitan independent promotions including Derby City Wrestling, Ohio Championship Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling, formerly a World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Johnny Punch
Johnny Punch
Tom Demers better known by his ring name Johnny Punch, is an American professional wrestler, who competed in North American independent promotions including Derby City Wrestling, New England Championship Wrestling and Top Rope Promotions...
) at the end of the month. On February 14, Rombola faced Gothic Mayhem in a "Battle of the Bands" handicap match. At the end of the match, Pat Buck smashed his guitar over Chris Rombola's head.
Feuding with Gothic Mayhem, Rombola lost to Pat Buck in a "Rock 'n' Roll Weapons No Disqualification" match at the Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
on March 21. The same month, Rombola defeated Kassidy James
Cassidy O'Reilly
Cassidy Riley is an American professional wrestler, also known as Cassidy Reilly and Cassidy O'Riley best known for work with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment....
and Lennox Lightfoot, but lost to Tony Braddock on April 11, 2007.