Ryan Mitchell (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Ryan Madar is an American
professional wrestler
known better by his ring name
, "Steel City Prodigy" Ryan Mitchell. He was based out of the Pittsburgh-area, specifically competing in NWA East
, though he had also wrestled for the Funking Conservatory
and All-Japan Pro Wrestling. He was briefly signed to Florida Championship Wrestling
, a developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment
, until a contract dispute between Mitchell and Marti Funk resulted in his release in August 2008.
, Ryan Madar completed high school and enrolled as a midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Jacksonville. However, Mitchell opted not to accept a commission in the US Navy, deciding instead to pursue a career in professional wrestling. Mitchell debuted in 2004 for Coastal Championship Wrestling in Yulee, Florida
and wrestled for them mainly until starting to wrestle for Dory Funk Jr.'s "Funkin' Conservatory
". Within a year, he had held all four of its championship titles including the promotion's heavyweight title. He wrestled there, briefly appearing for All Japan Pro Wrestling
, until being scouted by Rocky Johnson
. Rocky would take Mitchell on to sign a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment
where he would wrestle for their developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling
. A contract issue would have Mitchell's WWE deal recalled soon after. Mitchell then moved on the wrestle mainly for NWA East/Pro Wrestling Xpress, and other northern independent promotions.
in January 2008 at Korakuen Hall
, where he cut a promo in English thanking AJPW president Keiji Mutoh
for signing him for the tour. Mitchell would go on to team with Dory Funk Jr., Osamu Nishimura
, and others while facing Japanese talents such as Kensuke Sasaki
, Katsuhiko Nakajima
, and Mutoh. He later escorted Dory Funk, Jr. to the ring during his retirement match at Sumo Hall against Masanobu Fuchi
& Genichiro Tenryu
on March 1, 2008. Mitchell left Japan after the 2008 Excite Series.
, who would later become known as Manu on the WWE RAW brand
. During this time, Mitchell appeared numerous times as a television extra
for World Wrestling Entertainment
on all three of their televised shows. His time in FCW was very brief, however, as the contract dispute between Mitchell and Marti Funk resulted in his contract being cancelled by WWE on July 30, 2008.
Phill Shatter
at NWA East's 15th Anniversary Show, in a losing effort. However, he would go on to defeat Dash Bennett for the NWA East Three Rivers Championship in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
on January 30, 2010. He followed this up three days later at RWA Uprising II with a victory over Sterling James Keenan
in a 30-minute Iron Man match
to win the RWA Heavyweight Championship.
in a losing effort against Vladimir Koslov on May 13, 2010. This match was filmed during a WWE Monday Night Raw (May 10, 2010) in Pittsburgh, PA, the last WWE event at the Mellon Arena
, known to the locals as the Igloo. This made Ryan Mitchell the last Pittsburgh-born professional wrestler to perform at the Igloo. Mitchell would also wrestle Dos Caras Jr.
the next night in a dark match at the WWE Smackdown tapings from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY.
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...
known better 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:...
, "Steel City Prodigy" Ryan Mitchell. He was based out of the Pittsburgh-area, specifically competing in NWA East
National Wrestling Alliance
The 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...
, though he had also wrestled for the Funking Conservatory
!BANG!
!Bang! is a professional wrestling promotion owned by Dory Funk, Jr. It is run by the Funking Conservatory, a full-service professional wrestling school, and the stars of !BANG! play as members of the Funking Conservatory team...
and All-Japan Pro Wrestling. He was briefly signed to Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
, a developmental territory of 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...
, until a contract dispute between Mitchell and Marti Funk resulted in his release in August 2008.
Funking Conservatory
Born in Smithton, PennsylvaniaSmithton, Pennsylvania
Smithton is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 444 at the 2000 census.Smithton's early industry was in coal mining, coke ovens, and shipping goods produced in the valley of Jacobs Creek....
, Ryan Madar completed high school and enrolled as a midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Jacksonville. However, Mitchell opted not to accept a commission in the US Navy, deciding instead to pursue a career in professional wrestling. Mitchell debuted in 2004 for Coastal Championship Wrestling in Yulee, Florida
Yulee, Florida
Yulee is a census-designated place in Nassau County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,392 at the 2000 census. The city was named for David Levy Yulee, Senator from Florida.-Geography:Yulee is located at ....
and wrestled for them mainly until starting to wrestle for Dory Funk Jr.'s "Funkin' Conservatory
!BANG!
!Bang! is a professional wrestling promotion owned by Dory Funk, Jr. It is run by the Funking Conservatory, a full-service professional wrestling school, and the stars of !BANG! play as members of the Funking Conservatory team...
". Within a year, he had held all four of its championship titles including the promotion's heavyweight title. He wrestled there, briefly appearing for All Japan Pro Wrestling
All Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
, until being scouted by Rocky Johnson
Rocky Johnson
Rocky Johnson is a retired Canadian professional wrestler. Quite popular in his own right in the 1970s and 1980s, he is also known for being the father of actor and professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson...
. Rocky would take Mitchell on to sign a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
where he would wrestle for their developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
. A contract issue would have Mitchell's WWE deal recalled soon after. Mitchell then moved on the wrestle mainly for NWA East/Pro Wrestling Xpress, and other northern independent promotions.
All-Japan Pro Wrestling
Mitchell made his debut for the Tokyo-based All Japan Pro WrestlingAll Japan Pro Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion established in 1972. All Japan Pro Wrestling still remains one of the most popular puroresu promotions still in operation.-The Giant Baba Era :...
in January 2008 at Korakuen Hall
Korakuen Hall
is an arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, which has hosted many boxing, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts matches. Part of Tokyo Dome City, it is one of Tokyo's biggest attractions. It opened on April 16, 1962 and has a capacity of approximately 1,800 people. The venue hosted the boxing...
, where he cut a promo in English thanking AJPW president Keiji Mutoh
Keiji Mutoh
is a Japanese professional wrestler who first gained international fame in the National Wrestling Alliance. He is mostly known for his work as The Great Muta in New Japan Pro Wrestling during the 1990s, but he has also competed in United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Taiwan...
for signing him for the tour. Mitchell would go on to team with Dory Funk Jr., Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
, and others while facing Japanese talents such as Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
, Katsuhiko Nakajima
Katsuhiko Nakajima
is a Japanese professional wrestler, represented as a freelancer by his mentor Kensuke Sasaki's Kensuke Office dojo and agency. He along with Sasaki and other Kensuke Office graduates currently most frequently wrestle in Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is the current GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion in...
, and Mutoh. He later escorted Dory Funk, Jr. to the ring during his retirement match at Sumo Hall against Masanobu Fuchi
Masanobu Fuchi
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a full-time wrestler, as well as a director. Fuchi holds the record for the longest AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Championship reign and has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling longer than any wrestler on the...
& Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu
Genichiro Tenryu , real name Genichiro Shimada , is a Japanese professional wrestler. At age 13, he entered sumo wrestling and stayed there for 13 years, after which he turned to Western-style professional wrestling...
on March 1, 2008. Mitchell left Japan after the 2008 Excite Series.
Florida Championship Wrestling
Mitchell faced Afa A'noai, Jr. in Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
, who would later become known as Manu on the WWE RAW brand
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
. During this time, Mitchell appeared numerous times as a television extra
Extra (actor)
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background...
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...
on all three of their televised shows. His time in FCW was very brief, however, as the contract dispute between Mitchell and Marti Funk resulted in his contract being cancelled by WWE on July 30, 2008.
NWA East
Mitchell has since been a mainstay on the US northern indy scene. On September 26, 2009, Mitchell wrestled NWA National Heavyweight ChampionNWA National Heavyweight Championship
The original version NWA National Heavyweight Championship was the major singles title in the NWA-affiliated Georgia Championship Wrestling from 1980 until 1986...
Phill Shatter
Phill Shatter
Chad Lail is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, where he performs under the ring name Gunner. In TNA, Lail is a member of the Immortal stable and a former one-time TNA Television Champion...
at NWA East's 15th Anniversary Show, in a losing effort. However, he would go on to defeat Dash Bennett for the NWA East Three Rivers Championship in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
on January 30, 2010. He followed this up three days later at RWA Uprising II with a victory over Sterling James Keenan
Sterling James Keenan
Matt Polinsky is an American professional wrestler known better by his ring name, Sterling James Keenan, the second part of which is taken from Maynard James Keenan of Tool...
in a 30-minute Iron Man match
Iron Man match
An Iron Man match is a professional wrestling match type that is set to go a specific amount of time, usually 30 or 60 minutes, with the competitor with the most falls at the end of that time named the victor...
to win the RWA Heavyweight Championship.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
Mitchell recently wrestled on an episode of WWE SuperstarsWWE Superstars
WWE Superstars is a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment that originally aired on WGN America in the United States. It debuted on April 16, 2009 and ended its domestic broadcasting on April 7, 2011...
in a losing effort against Vladimir Koslov on May 13, 2010. This match was filmed during a WWE Monday Night Raw (May 10, 2010) in Pittsburgh, PA, the last WWE event at the Mellon Arena
Mellon Arena
Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
, known to the locals as the Igloo. This made Ryan Mitchell the last Pittsburgh-born professional wrestler to perform at the Igloo. Mitchell would also wrestle Dos Caras Jr.
Dos Caras Jr.
Alberto Rodríguez is a Mexican professional wrestler signed to WWE, performing under the ring name Alberto Del Rio and appearing on the Raw brand. He is a former two-time WWE Champion, while also being the 2011 Royal Rumble winner, outlasting 39 other participants to win the largest Royal Rumble...
the next night in a dark match at the WWE Smackdown tapings from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
-
- Steel Curtain (Single underhook leaping chest/face busterFacebusterA facebuster, also known as a faceplant, is generally a takedown move in professional wrestling in which an attacking wrestler forces his/her opponent down to the mat face-first without involving a headlock or facelock...
)
- Steel Curtain (Single underhook leaping chest/face buster
- Signature moves
-
- Burrito (Flying forearm)
- Diving elbow drop
- Flying back elbow
- Rolling guillotine fist drop
- Top-rope cross body
- Associates
- "The Mint" (Chris Taylor, Ashton Amherst, James Ross)
- Elvis Sharp/Darren Shire
- Terry Ring
- Entrance themes
- "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def LeppardDef LeppardDef Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
- "Turn the Page" by MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
- "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard
- 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- "Steel City Prodigy" Ryan Mitchell
- "Flyin'" Ryan Mitchell
Championships and accomplishments
- Black Diamond Wrestling
- BDW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jason Cage
- Funkin' Conservatory!BANG!!Bang! is a professional wrestling promotion owned by Dory Funk, Jr. It is run by the Funking Conservatory, a full-service professional wrestling school, and the stars of !BANG! play as members of the Funking Conservatory team...
- FC World Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- FC International Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- FC Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- FC Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Elvis Sharp
- NWA EastNational 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 East Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA East Three Rivers Championship (1 time)
- NWA APWF Throwback Champion (won August 2010, now defunct)
- NWA East Sean Evans Tournament Winner (2009)
- NWA East Golden Ticket Battle Royal Winner (2010)
- Renegade Wrestling Alliance
- RWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Other titles
- St. Jude's Hospital Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
External links
- Ryan Mitchell at Cagematch.de