John Stagikas
Encyclopedia
John Stagikas is an American
professional wrestler
, better known by his ring name
, "Hurricane" John Walters and in Lucha Libre USA
as RJ Brewer, the kayfabe son of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
. He is the current Lucha Libre USA Champion.
, where he was a wide receiver on the football
team and graduated in 1997. He also played volleyball and basketball in high school. He then attended Assumption College
in Worcester
, where he played football for a further two years as a wide receiver until his career was ended by an operation to remove a cyst
from his neck in his junior year. Stagikas graduated in 2001 with a degree
in Communications
.
forced an end to his football career, Stagikas sent applications to several wrestling schools, but the only trainer to reply to him was Killer Kowalski
, the trainer of wrestlers such as Triple H
and Chyna. Stagikas joined the school run by Kowalski in Malden
on January 27, 2001, and trained under Kowalski for five months.
After debuting in mid-2001, with his singles debut coming in August 2001, Stagikas began wrestling on the Bostonian independent circuit
, adopting the name "John Walters" five months later as a tribute to Kowalski (whose real first name translates to "Walter" in English
). He later prefixed his name with "Hurricane" at the suggestion of a college roommate. Wrestling for promotions
such as the World Wrestling Alliance for the meagre sum of $
25, Stagikas supplemented his income by working as a waiter
and bartender
at an Applebee's
restaurant
in Hudson. Stagikas worked for promotions throughout New England
, most prominently Chaotic Wrestling.
, based in his home state of Massachusetts, soon after debuting, and received supplementary training from Mike Hollow, a former trainer under Kowalski who had become the head trainer of the Chaotic Training Center. On September 7, 2001 in Lawrence
, Walters defeated Slyk Wagner Brown
in a match for the CW Television Championship. He lost the title to CW Light Heavyweight Champion Dukes Dalton
in Lowell
on February 16, 2002 in a title unification match.
In the course of his Television Championship reign, Walters formed a tag team
known as 12 Pack with "Good Time" Vince Vicallo. The tag team partners were the epitome of a personality clash, as Walters had the wrestling gimmick of being a straight-laced, well-conditioned athlete, while Vicallo was known as a beer
-drinking "party animal". On December 14, 2001 in Lawrence, 12 Pack defeated Edward G. Xtasy and Aaron Stevens
for the CW Tag Team Championship. They lost the title to Adam Booker and Frankie Armadillo on July 13, 2002 in Lawrence after Vicallo began drinking during the match - "prematurely celebrating" - and an incensed Walters hit him with a beer can
, causing him to bleed
and costing 12 Pack the match. The former teammates then feuded
for several months.
With two title reigns to his name, Walters challenged for the CW Championship at "Summer Chaos" on August 16, 2002 in Methuen
and defeated Aaron Stevens for the title, thus becoming the second ever Chaotic Wrestling Triple Crown winner. Following a successful ladder match
title defence against Vicallo, he began a lengthy feud with the first ever Triple Crown winner, "The Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz. Walters lost the belt to Ortiz on April 5, 2003 in Methuen
, but regained it from Billy Kryptonite
on January 16, 2004 in a "loser leaves Chaotic Wrestling" match. His second reign ended on March 13 of that year when he lost to Arch Kincaid.
Walters was a regular performer in Chaotic Wrestling until leaving the promotion in January 2006. Walters later returned to Chaotic Wrestling for one night in 2008 to wrestle Bryan Logan for the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Logan won the contest but it was very even paced and was said to be an amazing match.
Walters was inducted into the Chaotic Wrestling Hall of Fame in February 2009. The same night, he defeated current champion Chase Del Monte. Walters always receives an amazing reaction from the fans when he competes for Chaotic Wrestling.
-based Eastern Wrestling Alliance
in both Maine and Massachusetts, and on December 20, 2002 in Southbridge, Massachusetts
he defeated Adam Hastey for the EWA New England Heavyweight Championship. In the course of his reign, Walters received a shot at the EWA Heavyweight Championship on January 31, 2003 in Southbridge, MA. where he defeated Adam Booker for the title. Walters' dual title reign lasted until February 22, 2003, when he was stripped of both titles for no-showing the event.
for three months in order to work for larger promotions, such as the East Coast Wrestling Association
in Delaware
.
After winning a six man qualifying bout on February 28, 2003, Walters took part in the eighth annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament
on April 3, 2003. He defeated Nicho El Millonario in the first round of the tournament, but lost to Austin Aries
in the semi-finals. On May 1, 2004 in Wilmington, Delaware
, Walters challenged "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
, who had won the ECWA Heavyweight Championship in the Super 8 Tournament semi-finals. Walters won a four way match which also included Aries and Mike Kruel to become the new ECWA Heavyweight Champion. His reign lasted nine months, before he lost the title to Scotty Charisma
in a five way match on February 12, 2005 in Newark, Delaware
.
Walters returned several years later to face Aden Chambers in a steel cage match for the ECWA title. Chambers retained when Prince Nana cost Walters the match.
in early 2002, Stagikas sent a videotape
of his work to the owners of ROH, but did not hear from them. After he met ROH ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta
at a Chaotic Wrestling show, Stagikas sent his résumé
to ROH once more, and was contacted by booker Gabe Sapolsky in May 2003. John Walters debuted in ROH on May 31, 2003 as a face
, wrestling against Andy Anderson at Do Or Die. Walters entered the 2003 Field of Honor event, but was eliminated by Matt Stryker
. He then began feuding
with Xavier
, facing him for the first time on September 20 at Glory By Honor II, and defeating him decisively on December 27 at Final Battle 2003 in a hardcore
"fight without honor".
On February 14, 2004 Walters entered a one-night tournament for the ROH Pure Championship
, but was eliminated by CM Punk
in the opening round. In mid-2004, he began a feud with Generation Next
, a stable of young wrestlers with no respect for tradition. At Generation Next on May 22, 2004, Walters teamed with Jimmy Rave
and the Briscoe Brothers
to face Generation Next in an eight man tag match. Generation Next won the forty minute bout after stable leader Alex Shelley
forced Walters to submit with the Border City Stretch. Walters won the ROH Pure Championship from Doug Williams
on August 28, and turned heel
on December 26 of that year by siding with Prince Nana
's Embassy stable at Final Battle 2004 after Nana offered him a large bribe
. After losing the Pure Championship to Jay Lethal
on March 5, 2005, Walters left ROH in order to heal from several nagging injuries. Walters returned to Ring of Honor for one match on November 3, 2006 in Braintree, Massachusetts
, competing in a losing effort to Nigel McGuinness
.
held a training seminar at Chaotic Wrestling in 2003, Stagikas began working sporadically for World Wrestling Entertainment
as a jobber, facing Ohio Valley Wrestling
mainstay Aaron Stevens in his first match for the company in April 2003. Stagikas was heavily rumored to be signed to a WWE contract but it never happened. During his time working for WWE, he wrestled such names as Hardcore Holly, Hurricane Helms, Rosey, Team Angle, Chris Masters, Mortis, The FBI, as well as participating in a number of backstage skits. Stagikas wrestled numerous dark matches for WWE, with his most prominent appearance being a loss to The Big Show
on the episode of SmackDown! preceding WrestleMania XX
. At the event itself, on March 14, 2004 at Madison Square Garden
, he accompanied The Undertaker to the ring while dressed as a black-clad druid
and wielding a flaming torch
In a recent interview, Stagikas said he developed a friendship with Chris Benoit and was very saddened by the tragic events that took place. Benoit approached Walters after one of his dark matches and told him how impressed he was with his work. Stagikas said Benoit was always very helpful and eager to help the new wrestlers, but was saddened and frustrated at the tragic events in the double murder suicide. Stagikas, who has been anti-steroid his whole career, has admitted there is a huge steroid problem in pro wrestling. "Steroids are all over the place, wrestling, pro sports, movies, night clubs, even members of law enforcement break the law when it comes to this stuff."
and Jon Rekon
. Brewer as said to have improved drastically in his promo skills and many are calling him the best heel of 2011. At the live events, he has started near riots with his anti immigration promos and he has also been quoted in interviews that the best is yet to come. At the tapings of the season finale on June 18, 2011, Brewer defeated Lizmark, Jr.
and Marco Corleone
in a three-way match, with help from the newest member of The Right, Stevie Richards
, to win the Lucha Libre USA Championship.
In an interview in 2011, John has made it public that he has begun MMA training. "I am 31 years old, I know guys train their whole lives to be the best at this. I am not trying to become the next UFC star, just looking to gain some knowledge and participate in an industry I really enjoy. My heart will always be with pro wrestling, but I really enjoy MMA and would like to get proficient at it."
A former mortgage loan officer, bartender and dog trainer, John has also been investing in real estate since he was 20 years old. He currently has homes in Massachusetts, Florida and Costa Rica. He is single.
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...
, better known by his 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:...
, "Hurricane" John Walters and in Lucha Libre USA
Lucha Libre USA
Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors was a television program on the MTV2 broadcast channel, chronicling the rise of Mexican-style wrestling, or lucha libre, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011. However, after only four...
as RJ Brewer, the kayfabe son of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
Jan Brewer
Janice Kay "Jan" Brewer is the 22nd and current Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona and a member of the Republican Party. She is the fourth woman, and third consecutive woman, to hold the office...
. He is the current Lucha Libre USA Champion.
Early life
Stagikas attended Framingham High SchoolFramingham High School
Framingham High School, or FHS, is an urban/suburban public high school in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, located approximately 20 miles west of Boston...
, where he was a wide receiver on the football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team and graduated in 1997. He also played volleyball and basketball in high school. He then attended Assumption College
Assumption College
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located on 185 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates...
in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, where he played football for a further two years as a wide receiver until his career was ended by an operation to remove a cyst
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct membrane and division on the nearby tissue. It may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid material. A collection of pus is called an abscess, not a cyst. Once formed, a cyst could go away on its own or may have to be removed through surgery.- Locations :* Acne...
from his neck in his junior year. Stagikas graduated in 2001 with a degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in Communications
Communication studies
Communication Studies is an academic field that deals with processes of communication, commonly defined as the sharing of symbols over distances in space and time. Hence, communication studies encompasses a wide range of topics and contexts ranging from face-to-face conversation to speeches to mass...
.
Career
While in college, Stagikas harbored dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After his neck surgerySurgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
forced an end to his football career, Stagikas sent applications to several wrestling schools, but the only trainer to reply to him was Killer Kowalski
Killer Kowalski
Władek "Killer" Kowalski was a Canadian professional wrestler. Kowalski wrestled for numerous promotions during his career, including the NWA and WWF, and was a known heel wrestler...
, the trainer of wrestlers such as Triple H
Triple H
Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley...
and Chyna. Stagikas joined the school run by Kowalski in Malden
Malden, Massachusetts
Malden is a suburban city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 59,450 at the 2010 census. In 2009 Malden was ranked as the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in Massachusetts by Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine.-History:...
on January 27, 2001, and trained under Kowalski for five months.
After debuting in mid-2001, with his singles debut coming in August 2001, Stagikas began wrestling on the Bostonian 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...
, adopting the name "John Walters" five months later as a tribute to Kowalski (whose real first name translates to "Walter" in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
). He later prefixed his name with "Hurricane" at the suggestion of a college roommate. Wrestling for promotions
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
such as the World Wrestling Alliance for the meagre sum of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
25, Stagikas supplemented his income by working as a waiter
Waiter
Waiting staff, wait staff, or waitstaff are those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers — supplying them with food and drink as requested. Traditionally, a male waiting tables is called a "waiter" and a female a "waitress" with the gender-neutral version being a "server"...
and bartender
Bartender
A bartender is a person who serves beverages behind a counter in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. A bartender, in short, "tends the bar". The term barkeeper may carry a connotation of being the bar's owner...
at an Applebee's
Applebee's
Applebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
in Hudson. Stagikas worked for promotions throughout New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, most prominently Chaotic Wrestling.
Chaotic Wrestling (2001–2006)
Walters joined 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...
, based in his home state of Massachusetts, soon after debuting, and received supplementary training from Mike Hollow, a former trainer under Kowalski who had become the head trainer of the Chaotic Training Center. On September 7, 2001 in Lawrence
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
, Walters defeated Slyk Wagner Brown
Wagner Brown
Wagner Brown is a professional wrestler better known by his ring name of Slyck Wagner Brown. He currently wrestles in the independent circuit in the Northeastern United States....
in a match for the CW Television Championship. He lost the title to CW Light Heavyweight Champion Dukes Dalton
Dukes Dalton
James "Jim" McCarthy is an American professional wrestler and trainer, known by his ringname Dukes Dalton, who competes on the independent circuit in the Northeastern United States. He has wrestled for the Century Wrestling Alliance, the National Wrestling Alliance and Chaotic Wrestling where he...
in Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
on February 16, 2002 in a title unification match.
In the course of his Television Championship reign, Walters 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...
known as 12 Pack with "Good Time" Vince Vicallo. The tag team partners were the epitome of a personality clash, as Walters had the wrestling gimmick of being a straight-laced, well-conditioned athlete, while Vicallo was known as a beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
-drinking "party animal". On December 14, 2001 in Lawrence, 12 Pack defeated Edward G. Xtasy and Aaron Stevens
Aaron Stevens (wrestler)
Aaron Haddad is an American professional wrestler. He is contracted to WWE, and appears in Florida Championship Wrestling , a WWE developmental territory, as Damien Sandow. He is the current FCW 15 Champion...
for the CW Tag Team Championship. They lost the title to Adam Booker and Frankie Armadillo on July 13, 2002 in Lawrence after Vicallo began drinking during the match - "prematurely celebrating" - and an incensed Walters hit him with a beer can
Beverage can
A beverage can is a tin can designed to hold a specific portion of a beverage. Beverage cans are made of tin-plated steel or aluminium.- History :...
, causing him to bleed
Blading (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, blading is the practice of intentionally cutting oneself to provoke bleeding. It is also known as juicing, gigging, or drawing color. Similarly, a blade is an object used for blading, and a bladejob is a specific act of blading...
and costing 12 Pack the match. The former teammates then feuded
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...
for several months.
With two title reigns to his name, Walters challenged for the CW Championship at "Summer Chaos" on August 16, 2002 in Methuen
Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 43,789 at the 2000 census.-History:Methuen was first settled in 1642 and was officially incorporated in 1726; it is named for the British diplomat Sir Paul Methuen. Methuen was originally part of Haverhill,...
and defeated Aaron Stevens for the title, thus becoming the second ever Chaotic Wrestling Triple Crown winner. Following a successful ladder match
Ladder match
A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling that is most commonly used to describe a match where an item is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item...
title defence against Vicallo, he began a lengthy feud with the first ever Triple Crown winner, "The Latin Fury" Luis Ortiz. Walters lost the belt to Ortiz on April 5, 2003 in Methuen
Methuen, Massachusetts
Methuen is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 43,789 at the 2000 census.-History:Methuen was first settled in 1642 and was officially incorporated in 1726; it is named for the British diplomat Sir Paul Methuen. Methuen was originally part of Haverhill,...
, but regained it from Billy Kryptonite
Chad Wicks
Charles "Chad" Wicks is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with the World Wrestling Entertainment...
on January 16, 2004 in a "loser leaves Chaotic Wrestling" match. His second reign ended on March 13 of that year when he lost to Arch Kincaid.
Walters was a regular performer in Chaotic Wrestling until leaving the promotion in January 2006. Walters later returned to Chaotic Wrestling for one night in 2008 to wrestle Bryan Logan for the Chaotic Wrestling Heavyweight Title. Logan won the contest but it was very even paced and was said to be an amazing match.
Walters was inducted into the Chaotic Wrestling Hall of Fame in February 2009. The same night, he defeated current champion Chase Del Monte. Walters always receives an amazing reaction from the fans when he competes for Chaotic Wrestling.
Eastern Wrestling Alliance (2002–2003)
Walters wrestled for the MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
-based Eastern Wrestling Alliance
Eastern 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...
in both Maine and Massachusetts, and on December 20, 2002 in Southbridge, Massachusetts
Southbridge, Massachusetts
The Town of Southbridge is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,719 at the 2010 census.-History:...
he defeated Adam Hastey for the EWA New England Heavyweight Championship. In the course of his reign, Walters received a shot at the EWA Heavyweight Championship on January 31, 2003 in Southbridge, MA. where he defeated Adam Booker for the title. Walters' dual title reign lasted until February 22, 2003, when he was stripped of both titles for no-showing the event.
East Coast Wrestling Association (2003–2005)
After two years spent working on the New England independent circuit, Walters relocated to New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
for three months in order to work for larger promotions, such as the East Coast Wrestling Association
East Coast Wrestling Association
East Coast Wrestling Association is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded by promoter Jim Kettner in 1967. It is home to the annual Super 8 Tournament, one of the longest-running independent wrestling tournaments in the country...
in Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
.
After winning a six man qualifying bout on February 28, 2003, Walters took part in the eighth annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament
ECWA Super 8 Tournament
The Super 8 Tournament is an annual professional wrestling tournament held by the East Coast Wrestling Association. The tournament is contested by eight wrestlers in a one-night single-elimination format.-History:...
on April 3, 2003. He defeated Nicho El Millonario in the first round of the tournament, but lost to Austin Aries
Austin Aries
Daniel Healy "Dan" Solwold, Jr. better known by his ring name Austin Aries, is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is the current X Division Champion...
in the semi-finals. On May 1, 2004 in Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
, Walters challenged "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
, who had won the ECWA Heavyweight Championship in the Super 8 Tournament semi-finals. Walters won a four way match which also included Aries and Mike Kruel to become the new ECWA Heavyweight Champion. His reign lasted nine months, before he lost the title to Scotty Charisma
Scott Wright (wrestler)
Scott Wright is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder, better known by his ring name Scotty Charisma. He currently performs on the independent circuit under his real name or as Mr. Scott Wright.-Early career:...
in a five way match on February 12, 2005 in Newark, Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
.
Walters returned several years later to face Aden Chambers in a steel cage match for the ECWA title. Chambers retained when Prince Nana cost Walters the match.
Ring of Honor (2003–2005, 2006)
Following the formation of Ring of HonorRing of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
in early 2002, Stagikas sent a videotape
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
of his work to the owners of ROH, but did not hear from them. After he met ROH ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta
Gary Michael Cappetta
Gary Michael Cappetta is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, author, voice over artist, screenwriter and stage performer...
at a Chaotic Wrestling show, Stagikas sent his résumé
Résumé
A résumé is a document used by individuals to present their background and skillsets. Résumés can be used for a variety of reasons but most often to secure new employment. A typical résumé contains a summary of relevant job experience and education...
to ROH once more, and was contacted by booker Gabe Sapolsky in May 2003. John Walters debuted in ROH on May 31, 2003 as a 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...
, wrestling against Andy Anderson at Do Or Die. Walters entered the 2003 Field of Honor event, but was eliminated by Matt Stryker
Brian Woermann
Brian Woermann is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Matt Stryker.-Career:Brian Woermann attended Milford High School, where he played basketball and Diving...
. He then began feuding
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...
with Xavier
John Jirus
John Jirus is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Ring of Honor between 2002 and 2004 as Xavier. He is a former ROH Champion.-Professional wrestling career:Jirus trained under Tony DeVito before debuting in 1997...
, facing him for the first time on September 20 at Glory By Honor II, and defeating him decisively on December 27 at Final Battle 2003 in a hardcore
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
"fight without honor".
On February 14, 2004 Walters entered a one-night tournament for the ROH Pure Championship
ROH Pure Championship
The Ring of Honor Pure Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in the American professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor...
, but was eliminated by CM Punk
CM Punk
Phillip Jack "Phil" Brooks , better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE and working on its Raw brand currently serving his second title reign as WWE Champion....
in the opening round. In mid-2004, he began a feud with Generation Next
Generation Next
Generation Next was a professional wrestling stable in the Ring of Honor promotion. Formed in Philadelphia, PA at the event Generation Next, on May 22, 2004, by Alex Shelley, the original Generation Next consisted of Shelley, Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Jack Evans...
, a stable of young wrestlers with no respect for tradition. At Generation Next on May 22, 2004, Walters teamed with Jimmy Rave
Jimmy Rave
James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and the Briscoe Brothers
Briscoe Brothers
The Briscoe Brothers are the professional wrestling tag team of Jay and Mark Briscoe. They are currently wrestling for the American promotions Ring of Honor, Full Impact Pro, Combat Zone Wrestling, as well as occasionally for the Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah.Their wrestling careers have...
to face Generation Next in an eight man tag match. Generation Next won the forty minute bout after stable leader Alex Shelley
Alex Shelley
Patrick Martin , is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Alex Shelley. He wrestles for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he currently teams with Chris Sabin as The Motor City Machine Guns. He previously gained fame on the independent circuit, working most notably for...
forced Walters to submit with the Border City Stretch. Walters won the ROH Pure Championship from Doug Williams
Doug Williams (wrestler)
Douglas Clayton Durdle is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Doug Williams. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Douglas Williams...
on August 28, and turned 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...
on December 26 of that year by siding with Prince Nana
Prince Nana
Prince Nana Osei Bandoh is an American professional wrestler of Ghanaian extraction, better known by his ring name, Prince Nana. He has stated that he is an Ashanti prince.-Professional wrestling career:...
's Embassy stable at Final Battle 2004 after Nana offered him a large bribe
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
. After losing the Pure Championship to Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal
Jamar "Jay" Shipman better known by his ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Ring of Honor , where he is the ROH World Television Champion...
on March 5, 2005, Walters left ROH in order to heal from several nagging injuries. Walters returned to Ring of Honor for one match on November 3, 2006 in Braintree, Massachusetts
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
, competing in a losing effort to Nigel McGuinness
Nigel McGuinness
Steven Haworth is an English professional wrestler, better known by the ring names Desmond Wolfe and Nigel McGuinness. As McGuinness he first gained notoriety working for Ring of Honor in the United States and Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan...
.
Big Time Wrestling
Stagikas is a 2 time Big Time Wrestling Heavyweight Champion. He is managed by the father of John Cena, John Cena SR, also known as Johnny Fabulous. He has had many high profile matches while working for Big Time Wrestling. He has wrestled 2 Cold Scorpio, Tatanka, Diamond Dallas Page, Justin Credible, Ric Flair and Spike Dudley. He defeated Jay Lethal for the Title, then lost it to Scorpio. He regained the title from Scorpio in Danbury, CT. In March 2009, Stagikas lost the title to Justin Credible in a match attended by 1100 people at the Webster Town Hall in Webster, MA. Ric Flair was special guest referee for this contest. John had a 20 minute war vs Matt Hardy in the Spring of 2011, but came up short in the contest. This was said to be one of the best matches in BTW history.Overseas Experience
John has wrestled in several countries as well. He had done two tours of Japan, competing for Tatsumi Fujinami's Muga World Pro Wrestling. He has also travelled to England and Germany where he was worked for 4FW, LPW, All Star Wrestling, Premier Promotions and wXw in Germany. Walters hosted two training seminars at the 4FW Wrestling school in Swindon in the UK. He also did a one month tour of the UK and wrestled various stars in the UK scene.World Wrestling Entertainment
During his time at Assumption, John submitted a video resume for a spot in the original season of Tough Enough. The video, produced by good friend Justin Rozzero, earned him a spot in the competition. John made it to the final cut, but did not make the final group as officials felt he had too much experience. He can briefly be seen in the first episode of the Tough Enough season. After then-WWE employee Tom PrichardTom Prichard
Thomas Prichard is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, working in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling as a trainer using his ring name Tom Prichard...
held a training seminar at Chaotic Wrestling in 2003, Stagikas began working sporadically for 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...
as a jobber, facing 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...
mainstay Aaron Stevens in his first match for the company in April 2003. Stagikas was heavily rumored to be signed to a WWE contract but it never happened. During his time working for WWE, he wrestled such names as Hardcore Holly, Hurricane Helms, Rosey, Team Angle, Chris Masters, Mortis, The FBI, as well as participating in a number of backstage skits. Stagikas wrestled numerous dark matches for WWE, with his most prominent appearance being a loss to The Big Show
Paul Wight
Paul Donald Wight, Jr. , better known by his ring name, Big Show, is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand....
on the episode of SmackDown! preceding WrestleMania XX
WrestleMania XX
WrestleMania XX was the twentieth WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on March 14, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York....
. At the event itself, on March 14, 2004 at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, he accompanied The Undertaker to the ring while dressed as a black-clad druid
Druid
A druid was a member of the priestly class in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul, and possibly other parts of Celtic western Europe, during the Iron Age....
and wielding a flaming torch
Torch
A torch is a fire source, usually a rod-shaped piece of wood with a rag soaked in pitch and/or some other flammable material wrapped around one end. Torches were often supported in sconces by brackets high up on walls, to throw light over corridors in stone structures such as castles or crypts...
In a recent interview, Stagikas said he developed a friendship with Chris Benoit and was very saddened by the tragic events that took place. Benoit approached Walters after one of his dark matches and told him how impressed he was with his work. Stagikas said Benoit was always very helpful and eager to help the new wrestlers, but was saddened and frustrated at the tragic events in the double murder suicide. Stagikas, who has been anti-steroid his whole career, has admitted there is a huge steroid problem in pro wrestling. "Steroids are all over the place, wrestling, pro sports, movies, night clubs, even members of law enforcement break the law when it comes to this stuff."
Lucha Libre USA
In 2010 Brewer began wrestling for the Lucha Libre USA company which were aired on MTV 2 and MTV 3. LLUSA has really given RJ Brewer the ball and he has run with it well. His character development, promos anti immigration rants have been golden. He participated in a number of matches in Season One feuding with Magno. Brewer is in Lucha Libre USA to 'clean it up' and take the Mexican style out of the company. He participated in a four-way match on the Season finale for the Lucha Libre USA title inwhich he was unsuccessful. In season two, Brewer formed an anti-Mexican stable called The Right with Petey WilliamsPetey Williams
Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA...
and Jon Rekon
Jon Andersen
Jon Andersen Reel, normally referred to simply as Jon Andersen is an American bodybuilder, strongman competitor and professional wrestler. Anderson currently splits his time between working for Pro Wrestling Revolution in California and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico...
. Brewer as said to have improved drastically in his promo skills and many are calling him the best heel of 2011. At the live events, he has started near riots with his anti immigration promos and he has also been quoted in interviews that the best is yet to come. At the tapings of the season finale on June 18, 2011, Brewer defeated Lizmark, Jr.
Lizmark, Jr.
Juan Carlos Baños , is a Mexican professional wrestler or "Luchador" known as Lizmark, Jr. or El Hijo del Lizmark . Baños currently works for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and Lucha Libre USA. Lizmark, Jr...
and Marco Corleone
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
in a three-way match, with help from the newest member of The Right, Stevie Richards
Stevie Richards
Michael Manna is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Stevie Richards. Also known by his ring names, Steven Richards and Dr...
, to win the Lucha Libre USA Championship.
Outside the Ring
Recently, John has started to also focus on a career in acting, getting his face into a variety of roles. He has made several appearances on Law and Order, SVU. He has also done some background work on movies. Most recently, he played the Tin Man in Leigh Scott's "The Witches of Oz" in a fight scene against the Nome King, portrayed by fellow wrestler Al Snow. John also recently appeared on The Place to Be Podcast, granting an exclusive interview to the hosts, Scott Criscuolo & Justin Rozzero (www.placetobe.podbean.com). John has also been seen on the Discovery Channel on the program "No Opportunity Wasted." He coached young Michael Hernandez on his quest to become a professional wrestler.In an interview in 2011, John has made it public that he has begun MMA training. "I am 31 years old, I know guys train their whole lives to be the best at this. I am not trying to become the next UFC star, just looking to gain some knowledge and participate in an industry I really enjoy. My heart will always be with pro wrestling, but I really enjoy MMA and would like to get proficient at it."
A former mortgage loan officer, bartender and dog trainer, John has also been investing in real estate since he was 20 years old. He currently has homes in Massachusetts, Florida and Costa Rica. He is single.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Hurricane DDT (Overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack flipped sideways into an implant DDT)
- Lung Blower (Double knee backbreaker, sometimes while applying a straight jacket)
- SharpshooterSharpshooter (professional wrestling)The Sharpshooter, originally named Sasori-gatame, Scorpion Hold in English, is a professional wrestling submission hold. The move is also known by several other names: cloverleaf leg-lace Boston crab, standing reverse figure-four leglock, and, the most commonly known alternative, Scorpion Deathlock...
- Inverted superbomb – 2009
- Signature moves
- Gory neckbreaker
- Slingshot into a sunset flip powerbomb
- Surfboard
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "Hurricane"
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Prince NanaPrince NanaPrince Nana Osei Bandoh is an American professional wrestler of Ghanaian extraction, better known by his ring name, Prince Nana. He has stated that he is an Ashanti prince.-Professional wrestling career:...
- Johnny Fabulous
- Talia MadisonVelvet SkyJamie Szantyr is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former TNA Women's Knockout Champion and TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion with her former Beautiful People partners Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich...
- Brooke Carter
- Prince Nana
Championships and accomplishments
- Big Time Wrestling (Massachusetts)
- BTW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- 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...
- CW 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...
(2 times) - CW 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...
(1 time) – with Vince Vicallo - CW Television Championship (1 time)
- CW Heavyweight Championship
- East Coast Wrestling AssociationEast Coast Wrestling AssociationEast Coast Wrestling Association is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded by promoter Jim Kettner in 1967. It is home to the annual Super 8 Tournament, one of the longest-running independent wrestling tournaments in the country...
- ECWA Heavyweight ChampionshipECWA Heavyweight ChampionshipECWA Heavyweight Championship is the top title contested in the independent professional wrestling promotion East Coast Wrestling Association.-References:...
(1 time)
- ECWA Heavyweight Championship
- Eastern Wrestling AllianceEastern Wrestling AllianceThe 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...
- EWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- EWA New England Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Lucha Libre USALucha Libre USALucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors was a television program on the MTV2 broadcast channel, chronicling the rise of Mexican-style wrestling, or lucha libre, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011. However, after only four...
- Lucha Libre USA Championship (1 time, current)
- National Wrestling Superstars
- Chris Candido Memorial J-Cup Tournament (2010)
- New England Championship WrestlingNew England Championship WrestlingNew England Championship Wrestling was an independent professional wrestling promotion based in the Northeastern United States and has promoted events since 2000...
- NECW Heavyweight ChampionshipNECW Triple Crown Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NECW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship is the top professional wrestling title in New England Championship Wrestling. It was originally known as the NECW Heavyweight Championship until the title was unified with the PWF Northeast and Mayhem titles...
(1 time)
- NECW Heavyweight Championship
- Ring of HonorRing of HonorRing of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
- ROH Pure ChampionshipROH Pure ChampionshipThe Ring of Honor Pure Championship was a professional wrestling championship contested for in the American professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor...
(1 time)
- ROH Pure Championship
- Squared Circle Wrestling
- 2CW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Luchas de Apuestas record
| Wager | Winner | Loser | Location | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair | Magno Magno Magno is a Mexican professional wrestler best known for his short appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He has also wrestled in the United States independent circuit of Ring of Honor, Chikara, and National Wrestling Alliance.-Professional wrestling career:An independent El Paso/Ciudad... |
RJ Brewer | Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As... |
January 22, 2011 | Hair vs. Mask match. |