Rodney Begnaud
Encyclopedia
Rodney Begnaud is an American
professional wrestler
. He is best known for his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment and for his work on its Raw
brand under the ring name Rodney Mack.
, Begnaud made his wrestling debut in 1998 as Redd Dogg, and began competing for Southwestern independent promotions
. He made his debut in NWA Southwest, losing to Scott Putski
. After working on the independent circuit
, Mack signed on with Extreme Championship Wrestling
in 2000, making his debut as a member of Da Baldies, a faction of members who all had bald heads.
. While in OVW, Begnaud formed a tag team with Shelton Benjamin
called The Dogg Pound. Together, The Dogg Pound won their first and only Southern Tag Team Championship
on July 17, 2002. Begnaud, under his Redd Dogg ring name, then made his televised WWE debut on the January 16, 2003 episode of SmackDown!. He was placed alongside John Cena
in an enforcer role, replacing Bull Buchanan
, who was betrayed by Cena. After only one appearance on the SmackDown! brand, Begnaud was immediately moved over to the Raw
brand and was subsequently renamed to Rodney Mack. He made his Raw debut by attacking D'Lo Brown
on an episode of Sunday Night Heat
, with Theodore Long
switching his managerial services from Brown to Mack.
Mack re-started Theodore Long's group "Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises", which eventually turned into a group of African Americans who worked a race angle in which they felt they were victims of racism and were being held down by the white man. Jazz later joined the group in April.
On Raw, he often competed in "White Boy Challenges". In these challenges, usually, a Caucasian wrestler would wrestle Mack for five minutes and attempt to beat Mack. He was undefeated in these matches until he was challenged and defeated by Goldberg
in 26 seconds on June 23, 2003.
Mack also teamed with Christopher Nowinski
when Nowinski joined Theodore Long's Group as a white male who helped with Long's race angle, claiming he was held down by the man because he was a genius. Mack and Nowinski scored their biggest win as a team by defeating the Dudley Boyz
at Bad Blood
on June 15. They teamed together until Nowinski suffered an injury and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome
, which subsequently resulted in Nowinski's retirement soon after.
A few months later, manager Theodore Long announced that Mark Henry
would become Mack's new tag team partner. Mack and Henry competed as a team for about two months and were fairly successful and caused some upsets over some prominent tag teams.
In November 2003, he suffered a knee injury which prevented him from wrestling. Begnaud was supposed to return to action between March and June 2004, but was sent back to OVW and worked Raw dark matches throughout June and July 2004. Mack made his return to WWE television on July 26, 2004, where he participated in an over the top rope battle royal for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship
.
On November 4, Mack was released from his contract along with a few others, including his wife Jazz.
, most prominently for in NWA Cyberspace
. In late 2005, Begnaud and Jazz opened Dirtysouth Championship Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Louisiana. However, DCW would be renamed Downsouth Championship Wrestling due to copyright issues in early 2006 before ceasing operations in early 2007.
and Brad Armstrong, had been hired by WWE. He started wrestling at ECW house shows on September 30, 2006. On January 18, 2007, Mack along with several other superstars (including his wife Jazz
) were again released by WWE.
before winning the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Championship with Heidenreich
on May 18, 2008 after defeating Latinos Locos. However, the title was vacated soon afterwards due to interference in the original title match.
On June 11, 2011, Begnaud wrestled his first match in three years as he defeated Brad Michaels in a match for NWA Oklahoma.
debut on June 7, 2008, knocking out Joe Nameth by ground-and-pound in 21 seconds in the first round.
Begnaud runs a wrestling school with his wife called The Dog Pound.
Begnaud is friends with former manager Theodore Long
and fellow wrestlers Mark Henry
, Gregory Helms
, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton
and Shelton Benjamin
. He was also a friend of Chris Benoit
.
|Win
|align=center|1-0-0
|
Joe Nameth
|TKO (strikes)
|USA-MMA
- Lafayette vs. The World
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:21
|Louisiana
, United States
|
|-
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...
. He is best known for his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment and for his work on its Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
brand under the ring name Rodney Mack.
Debut (1998–2002)
Rodney Begnaud first came into contact with wrestling on the varsity team at Northside High School in Lafayette, LA. After training with his uncle, the Junkyard DogJunkyard Dog
Sylvester Ritter was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog...
, Begnaud made his wrestling debut in 1998 as Redd Dogg, and began competing for Southwestern independent promotions
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...
. He made his debut in NWA Southwest, losing to Scott Putski
Scott Putski
James Scott Bednarski is an American former professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Scott Putski. Putski is a second generation wrestler, being the son of Ivan Putski, with whom he has wrestled alongside on several occasions.-Global Wrestling Federation :After attending college at...
. After working on the 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...
, Mack signed on with Extreme Championship Wrestling
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...
in 2000, making his debut as a member of Da Baldies, a faction of members who all had bald heads.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)
After ECW's closure, Begnaud was signed by World Wrestling Entertainment to wrestle in Ohio Valley WrestlingOhio 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...
. While in OVW, Begnaud formed a tag team with Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin
Shelton James Benjamin is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment. Benjamin has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling in high school and at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Benjamin has acted...
called The Dogg Pound. Together, The Dogg Pound won their first and only Southern Tag Team Championship
OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign...
on July 17, 2002. Begnaud, under his Redd Dogg ring name, then made his televised WWE debut on the January 16, 2003 episode of SmackDown!. He was placed alongside John Cena
John Cena
John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand....
in an enforcer role, replacing Bull Buchanan
Barry Buchanan
Barry Buchanan is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances as Bull Buchanan and B-2 in the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment.-National Championship Wrestling :...
, who was betrayed by Cena. After only one appearance on the SmackDown! brand, Begnaud was immediately moved over to the Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
brand and was subsequently renamed to Rodney Mack. He made his Raw debut by attacking D'Lo Brown
D'Lo Brown
Accie Julius Connor better known by his ring name D'Lo Brown , is an American professional wrestler. Well known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment, he is currently working as an agent for Impact Wrestling.Connor has held forty-eight championships in various promotions during...
on an episode of Sunday Night Heat
WWE HEAT
WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
, with 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:...
switching his managerial services from Brown to Mack.
On Raw, he often competed in "White Boy Challenges". In these challenges, usually, a Caucasian wrestler would wrestle Mack for five minutes and attempt to beat Mack. He was undefeated in these matches until he was challenged and defeated by Goldberg
Bill Goldberg
Goldberg earned a scholarship to play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team where he served as a defensive tackle. He was taken in the 11th round, with the 302nd overall selection, in the 1990 NFL Draft....
in 26 seconds on June 23, 2003.
Mack also teamed with Christopher Nowinski
Christopher Nowinski
Christopher John Nowinski is an author and a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment. Nowinski is renowned for being WWE's first Harvard alumnus, as he graduated with an A.B. in sociology. He is also recognized as the youngest Hardcore Champion in WWE history...
when Nowinski joined Theodore Long's Group as a white male who helped with Long's race angle, claiming he was held down by the man because he was a genius. Mack and Nowinski scored their biggest win as a team by defeating the Dudley Boyz
Dudley Boyz
Team 3D was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Brother Ray and Brother Devon, formerly sporadically joined into a stable by Brother Runt on several intervals...
at Bad Blood
Bad Blood (2003)
Bad Blood was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , which took place on June 15, 2003 at the Compaq Center in Houston, Texas. It was the second event produced under the Bad Blood name and starred wrestlers from the Raw brand...
on June 15. They teamed together until Nowinski suffered an injury and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome, also known as postconcussive syndrome or PCS, and historically called shell shock, is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or occasionally up to a year or more after a concussion – a mild form of traumatic brain injury . PCS may also...
, which subsequently resulted in Nowinski's retirement soon after.
A few months later, manager Theodore Long announced that Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
would become Mack's new tag team partner. Mack and Henry competed as a team for about two months and were fairly successful and caused some upsets over some prominent tag teams.
In November 2003, he suffered a knee injury which prevented him from wrestling. Begnaud was supposed to return to action between March and June 2004, but was sent back to OVW and worked Raw dark matches throughout June and July 2004. Mack made his return to WWE television on July 26, 2004, where he participated in an over the top rope battle royal for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the SmackDown brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the WWE Championship of the Raw brand...
.
On November 4, Mack was released from his contract along with a few others, including his wife Jazz.
Return to the independent circuit (2005–2006)
After his release, Begnaud began competing on the independent circuitIndependent 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...
, most prominently for in NWA Cyberspace
NWA Shockwave
NWA Shockwave was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded by Billy Firehawk in Staten Island, New York in 2001, and later relocated to Wayne, New Jersey...
. In late 2005, Begnaud and Jazz opened Dirtysouth Championship Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Louisiana. However, DCW would be renamed Downsouth Championship Wrestling due to copyright issues in early 2006 before ceasing operations in early 2007.
Return to WWE (2006–2007)
On September 15, 2006, it was reported on WWE.com that Begnaud, along with Marty JannettyMarty Jannetty
Frederick Marty Jannetty is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as part of tag team The Rockers with partner Shawn Michaels, and later as a singles competitor. While in the WWF, he became a one time Intercontinental Champion and a one time...
and Brad Armstrong, had been hired by WWE. He started wrestling at ECW house shows on September 30, 2006. On January 18, 2007, Mack along with several other superstars (including his wife Jazz
Carlene Begnaud
Carlene Denise Moore-Begnaud is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to Women Superstars Uncensored under the ring name Jazz...
) were again released by WWE.
Return to the independent circuit (2007–2008, 2011)
After leaving WWE, Begnaud would make sporadic appearances on the independent circuitIndependent 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...
before winning the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Championship with Heidenreich
Jon Heidenreich
Jon Heidenreich is an American professional wrestler, better known simply as Heidenreich. He is best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one time WWE Tag Team Champion with Road Warrior Animal as a part of the Road Warriors.-Early career:Prior to professional...
on May 18, 2008 after defeating Latinos Locos. However, the title was vacated soon afterwards due to interference in the original title match.
On June 11, 2011, Begnaud wrestled his first match in three years as he defeated Brad Michaels in a match for NWA Oklahoma.
Mixed martial arts
Begnaud, under his Rodney Mack ring name, made his mixed martial artsMixed 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...
debut on June 7, 2008, knocking out Joe Nameth by ground-and-pound in 21 seconds in the first round.
Personal life
He is married to Carlene Moore, better known as Jazz. In November 2008, the couple had twin girls named Summer and Skye.Begnaud runs a wrestling school with his wife called The Dog Pound.
Begnaud is friends with former 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:...
and fellow wrestlers Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
, Gregory Helms
Gregory Helms
Gregory Shane Helms is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment where he wrestled as The Hurricane and Gregory Helms. He is also known for his time with World Championship Wrestling where he wrestled as "Sugar" Shane Helms...
, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton
Randy Orton
Randal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
and Shelton Benjamin
Shelton Benjamin
Shelton James Benjamin is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment. Benjamin has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling in high school and at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Benjamin has acted...
. He was also a friend of Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Blackout (Cobra clutch with bodyscissors)
- Cobra clutch slam – WWE
- DDTDDT (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling a DDT is any move in which the wrestler has the opponent in a front facelock, and falls down or backwards to drive the opponent's head into the mat...
- Running powerslam – OVWOhio Valley WrestlingOhio 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...
; used as a regular move in WWE / Independent circuitIndependent circuitIn 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... - Spear
- Signature moves
- Double underhook powerbomb
- Headbutt
- STO
- ManagerManager (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...
s- NidiaNidia GuenardNidia Guenard better known simply Nidia is a former professional wrestler who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment...
- Theodore LongTheodore LongTheodore 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:...
- Nidia
- Nicknames
- "Badd Dogg" Rodney Mack
- "The Pitbull" Rodney Mack
- Entrance themes
- "MacMillitantWWE ThemeAddict: The Music, Vol. 6WWE ThemeAddict: The Music, Vol. 6 is a compilation album released by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2004. It mostly features recent theme songs of wrestlers on the roster at the time...
" by Miestro (WWE;Used while a Part of Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises)
Wrestlers trained by Mack
- Jazz
- Kevin Douglas
- Trudi DeNucci
- Lennox McEnroe/Byron Wilcott
- Chris Chronic
Championships and accomplishments
- All-American Wrestling (Louisiana)
- AAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with HeidenreichJon HeidenreichJon Heidenreich is an American professional wrestler, better known simply as Heidenreich. He is best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one time WWE Tag Team Champion with Road Warrior Animal as a part of the Road Warriors.-Early career:Prior to professional...
- AAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Heidenreich
- NWA SouthwestNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title that has existed since the 1930s. Though its exact date of creation isn't known, it is among the oldest championships used in professional wrestling today...
(3 times)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
- Ohio Valley WrestlingOhio Valley WrestlingOhio 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...
- OVW Southern Tag Team ChampionshipOVW Southern Tag Team ChampionshipThe OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign...
(1 time) – with Shelton BenjaminShelton BenjaminShelton James Benjamin is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment. Benjamin has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling in high school and at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Benjamin has acted...
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #85 of the 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 2003
- XCW Wrestling
- XCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Mixed martial arts record
|-|Win
|align=center|1-0-0
|
Joe Nameth|TKO (strikes)
|USA-MMA
USA-MMA
USA-MMA is a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States that was created in 2007 by Gil Guillory, a twenty year veteran of Mixed Martial Arts. USA-MMA features up and coming MMA stars and veterans based in and around Louisiana. All 14 of their shows have been in Louisiana. They...
- Lafayette vs. The World
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:21
|Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
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External links
- Rodney Mack Speaks On WWE's Backstage Politics, XCW
- Rodney Mack at Online World of Wrestling