Taylor Rotunda
Encyclopedia
Taylor Rotunda is an American
professional wrestler
. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling
(FCW), as Bo Rotundo. He is a former two time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and has previously held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
. His brother Windham is also a professional wrestler under the ring name Husky Harris.
(FCW), where he debuted in December by defeating Caleb O'Neal. On December 16, 2008, Rotunda, wrestling under his real name teamed with Kris Logan to defeat Ryback and Jon Cutler in a tag team match
. Throughout early 2009, Rotunda continued wrestling in tag team matches, and changed his name to 'Tank Rotunda' in February. In June, he began wrestling as 'Bo Rotunda' and later 'Bo Rotundo', and the following month he began teaming with his brother, Duke Rotundo. At the FCW television tapings on June 23, The Rotundo Brothers defeated The Dude Busters
(Caylen Croft and Trent Barretta
) to become the number one contenders to the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
. That same night, they defeated Justin Angel and Kris Logan for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship. They went on to successfully defend the championship against Dylan Klein and Vance Archer
and the team of Curt Hawkins
and Heath Slater. At the FCW television tapings on November 19, the Rotundos lost the championship to The Dude Busters (Hawkins and Croft).
In early 2010, the Rotundos began feuding
with The Usos
(Jimmy and Jules), and their manager
, Sarona Snuka
. They lost to The Usos on January 14, but defeated The Usos and Donny Marlow in a six-man tag team match, with Wes Brisco as their partner. In a straight rematch on March 11, the Rotundos defeated The Usos. In April, they moved into a feud with Jackson Andrews
and Curt Hawkins, which began when Rotundo faced Andrews in a singles match and won by disqualification when Hawkins interfered. At the television tapings the following week, the Rotundos teamed up with Eli Cottonwood in a loss to Hawkins, Andrews, and Leo Kruger
. Rotundo was then absent from FCW due to injury, making his return in June. He moved into singles competition, defeating wrestlers including Derrick Bateman
, Hawkins, Tyler Reks, and Brodus Clay
.
In August, FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion
Mason Ryan issued an open challenge, which Rotundo accepted. He lost the subsequent championship match by submission. On February 3, 2011, Rotundo defeated Ryan to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the first time, but lost the championship to Lucky Cannon immediately afterward. He regained the championship from Cannon three months later, on May 19, becoming the first one in the promotion to regain the title. On the July 3 edition of FCW, while being attacked by Damien Sandow
and Lucky Cannon, Rotundo was saved by his brother Husky Harris, who made his FCW return from injury.
Rotundo made his WWE debut on July 25, 2011, defeating Primo
in a dark match before the WWE Raw
broadcast began. On August 16, Rotundo defeated Joey Ryan in another dark match at the SmackDown tapings.
On September 1, 2011, Rotundo was forced to vacate the Florida Heavyweight Championship due to injury. Fellow FCW superstar Seth Rollins stated Rotundo suffered a lacerated kidney, and it could be months before he is healthy..
, father Mike Rotunda
and uncles Barry
and Kendall Windham
were all professional wrestlers. His brother Windham
is also a professional wrestler who goes by the name of 'Husky Harris'.
Rotunda attended Hernando High School
, and graduated in 2008. During his final two years of high school, he qualified for the state wrestling championships. He also played football
as a linebacker
. Originally, he was offered a football scholarship at Webber International University
in Babson Park, Florida
, but when the offer fell through, he decided to become a wrestler instead.
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 signed to WWE and wrestles in their developmental territory, 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...
(FCW), as Bo Rotundo. He is a former two time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and has previously held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
. His brother Windham is also a professional wrestler under the ring name Husky Harris.
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2008–present)
In 2008, Rotunda signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to 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...
(FCW), where he debuted in December by defeating Caleb O'Neal. On December 16, 2008, Rotunda, wrestling under his real name teamed with Kris Logan to defeat Ryback and Jon Cutler in a tag team match
Professional wrestling tag team match types
Much like singles matches, tag team professional wrestling matches can and have taken many forms. Just about any singles or melee match type can be adapted to tag teams; for example, hardcore tag team matches are commonplace...
. Throughout early 2009, Rotunda continued wrestling in tag team matches, and changed his name to 'Tank Rotunda' in February. In June, he began wrestling as 'Bo Rotunda' and later 'Bo Rotundo', and the following month he began teaming with his brother, Duke Rotundo. At the FCW television tapings on June 23, The Rotundo Brothers defeated The Dude Busters
The Dude Busters
The Dude Busters were a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft that appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment.- Florida Championship Wrestling :...
(Caylen Croft and Trent Barretta
Trent Barretta
Greggory "Greg" Marasciulo is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, working on its SmackDown brand under the ring name Trent Barreta. He was one half of the Dude Busters tag team with Caylen Croft before Croft was released from his WWE contract...
) to become the number one contenders to the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
FCW Florida Tag Team Championship
The Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
. That same night, they defeated Justin Angel and Kris Logan for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship. They went on to successfully defend the championship against Dylan Klein and Vance Archer
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
and the team of Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins
Brian Joseph Myers is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Curt Hawkins. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand...
and Heath Slater. At the FCW television tapings on November 19, the Rotundos lost the championship to The Dude Busters (Hawkins and Croft).
In early 2010, the Rotundos 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 The Usos
The Usos
The Usos are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of twin brothers Jimmy and Jey Uso. The Usos appear in WWE, competing on the SmackDown brand. The pair were previously managed by Tamina...
(Jimmy and Jules), and their manager
Manager (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...
, Sarona Snuka
Sarona Reiher
Sarona Reiher is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where she is performing on the SmackDown brand, using the ring name Tamina...
. They lost to The Usos on January 14, but defeated The Usos and Donny Marlow in a six-man tag team match, with Wes Brisco as their partner. In a straight rematch on March 11, the Rotundos defeated The Usos. In April, they moved into a feud with Jackson Andrews
Steven Slocum
Steven Andrew Slocum is an American professional wrestler, better known by his time in WWE under the ring name Jackson Andrews, and wrestled in Florida Championship Wrestling, a WWE developmental promotion...
and Curt Hawkins, which began when Rotundo faced Andrews in a singles match and won by disqualification when Hawkins interfered. At the television tapings the following week, the Rotundos teamed up with Eli Cottonwood in a loss to Hawkins, Andrews, and Leo Kruger
Leo Kruger
Ray Leppan, better known by his ring name Leo Kruger, is a professional wrestler currently signed to Florida Championship Wrestling where he is the current Florida Heavyweight Champion-South Africa:...
. Rotundo was then absent from FCW due to injury, making his return in June. He moved into singles competition, defeating wrestlers including Derrick Bateman
Michael Hutter
Michael Hutter is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling, under the ring name Derrick Bateman...
, Hawkins, Tyler Reks, and Brodus Clay
Brodus Clay
George Murdoch is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Brodus Clay. He is signed to WWE, where he wrestles on its Raw brand and its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling...
.
In August, FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion
FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
The FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their heavyweight division...
Mason Ryan issued an open challenge, which Rotundo accepted. He lost the subsequent championship match by submission. On February 3, 2011, Rotundo defeated Ryan to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the first time, but lost the championship to Lucky Cannon immediately afterward. He regained the championship from Cannon three months later, on May 19, becoming the first one in the promotion to regain the title. On the July 3 edition of FCW, while being attacked by Damien Sandow
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...
and Lucky Cannon, Rotundo was saved by his brother Husky Harris, who made his FCW return from injury.
Rotundo made his WWE debut on July 25, 2011, defeating Primo
Eddie Colon
Edwin "Eddie" Carlos Colón is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He is currently signed by WWE wrestling on its Raw brand as Primo. He is the son of Carlos Colón, Sr. and the younger brother of wrestlers Stacy and Carly Colón, better known as Carlito in WWE...
in a dark match before the WWE Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
broadcast began. On August 16, Rotundo defeated Joey Ryan in another dark match at the SmackDown tapings.
On September 1, 2011, Rotundo was forced to vacate the Florida Heavyweight Championship due to injury. Fellow FCW superstar Seth Rollins stated Rotundo suffered a lacerated kidney, and it could be months before he is healthy..
Personal life
Rotunda is a third generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Blackjack MulliganBlackjack Mulligan
Robert Jack Windham , better known by his ring name Blackjack Mulligan is a former professional wrestler and a former American football player...
, father Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda
Lawrence Michael "Mike" Rotunda is a former American professional wrestler, perhaps best known under the name Irwin R. Schyster or I.R.S. for short. He is currently signed with WWE working as a road agent and making occasional appearances on WWE shows as Irwin R...
and uncles Barry
Barry Windham
Barry Clinton Windham is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and the son of wrestler Blackjack Mulligan. He is best known for his appearances with the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling ....
and Kendall Windham
Kendall Windham
Kendall Windham is a former professional wrestler. He is the son of Blackjack Mulligan and the brother of Barry Windham.-Florida Championship Wrestling:...
were all professional wrestlers. His brother Windham
Windham Rotunda
Windham Lawrence Rotunda is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and is working as Husky Harris. Harris is competing in Florida Championship Wrestling , WWE's developmental territory....
is also a professional wrestler who goes by the name of 'Husky Harris'.
Rotunda attended Hernando High School
Hernando High School (Florida)
Hernando High School is a public high school located in Brooksville, Florida. It is part of the Hernando County School District. It has been in operation since 1889, which makes it one of the oldest, continuously operating public high schools in the United States. HHS has a large network of alumni...
, and graduated in 2008. During his final two years of high school, he qualified for the state wrestling championships. He also played 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...
as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
. Originally, he was offered a football scholarship at Webber International University
Webber International University
-External links:* -- Official web site* -- Official athletics web site* at -References:...
in Babson Park, Florida
Babson Park, Florida
Babson Park is a census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,182 at the 2000 census. It is also the home of Webber International University....
, but when the offer fell through, he decided to become a wrestler instead.
Finishers
- Bodazzled (Lifting Double Underhook Facebuster) 2008-2011
- Spear 2011-present
Championships and accomplishments
- Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship WrestlingChampionship 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...
- FCW Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipFCW Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipThe FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their heavyweight division...
(2 times) - FCW Florida Tag Team ChampionshipFCW Florida Tag Team ChampionshipThe Florida Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their tag team division...
(1 time) – with Duke RotundoWindham RotundaWindham Lawrence Rotunda is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and is working as Husky Harris. Harris is competing in Florida Championship Wrestling , WWE's developmental territory....
- FCW Florida Heavyweight 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 #191 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011