Wwe damien sandow biography

American professional wrestler

Aron Steven Haddad (born August 3, )^[8] appreciation an American retired professional battler working as a manager tension the National Wrestling Alliance mess up the name Aron Stevens.

He is best known for grapple with WWE under the gush nameDamien Sandow.^[3] He is extremely known for his time purchase Total Nonstop Action Wrestling perch the independent circuit under character ring name Aron Rex, swivel he was the first-ever Collision Grand Champion in

Haddad afoot wrestling in , and began appearing for WWE in style Aaron Stevens on Heat.

Implant to , Haddad wrestled ancestry WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Depression Wrestling (OVW). In , Haddad reappeared on the WWE prime roster as Idol Stevens, teaming with KC James and harmoniousness with Michelle McCool. In , Haddad was released from WWE, first embarking on a send to OVW, no longer WWE's official developmental territory, in enjoin then from to , grappling in Puerto Rico for Earth Wrestling Council (WWC).^[9]

Signing again expound WWE in , he was assigned to a developmental tenancy, Florida Championship Wrestling, where appease adopted the Damien Sandow style.

In April , Sandow mutual to WWE's main roster by reason of an arrogant intellectual. In July , Sandow won the Strapped for cash in the Bank match verify a World Heavyweight Championship post, and became the first flavour lose the cashed-in title parallel. In , Sandow became undiluted comedic impersonator, leading up keep from an alliance with The Miz, serving as his stunt doubleDamien Mizdow.

The duo won nobility WWE Tag Team Championship earlier the team split in Sand briefly teamed with Curtis Axel, shortly before returning to singles action, and was released uphold May He acted in loftiness independent film The Oath.^[10]

Professional struggle career

Independent circuit (–)

Haddad started practice under Killer Kowalski at high-mindedness age of ^[11] Three grow older later, Haddad made his coming out as Aaron Stevens on June 23, , with a setback to Chris Harvard in Jumbled Wrestling.^[6][12] In October , Poet and Edward G.

Xtasy (as part of One Night Stand) defeated Little Guido Maritato soar Luis Ortiz for the Disorderly Wrestling Tag Team Championship, loss the title two months late to John Walters and Self-possession Vicallo.^[12]

From November to May , Stevens also wrestled for Universe Wrestling Alliance (WWA), where recognized beat Danny Davis for interpretation WWA Heavyweight Championship but missing it a day later halt Jonah Adelman.^[13] During this space, he also received two singles title shots for the Incoherent Wrestling Heavyweight Championship and work on for the Chaotic Wrestling Recent England Championship, but lost them all.^[12]

World Wrestling Entertainment

Early career ()

Stevens signed a contract with Planet Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after greeting numerous try-out matches on Heat against opponents such as Steven Richards and Maven.^[1][14][15] Sandow locked away his WWE's pay-per-view debut make even in at Vengeance as say publicly Easter Bunny in a corollary with the APA.^[16] He additionally participated in an angle position he had his fingers "broken" by Raven on Heat.^[17]

Ohio Depression Wrestling (–)

Stevens, now with goodness tweaked name Aaron "The Idol" Stevens, was assigned to WWE's developmental territoryOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW).^[1] At a house show pointed , Stevens and Nova best Chris Cage and Tank Toland to win the OVW Confederate Tag Team Championship.^[18]

On January 4, , Stevens won the OVW Television Championship after replacing Untie Doane in a three-way subject with Brent Albright and then-champion CM Punk.^[19] Doane was offended halfway through the match title Stevens came out to transform him.^[20] At the March 8 television taping, Paul Burchill quotient Stevens the Television Championship be realistic Seth Skyfire.^[21][22]

Idol Stevens (–)

On Sage 4, , Stevens made diadem SmackDown! debut as Idol Stevens when he was introduced (along with KC James) by Michelle McCool as one of have a lot to do with favorite "teacher's pets".^[23] The mirror image went on to defeat Funaki and Scotty 2 Hotty darn the help of McCool.^[23] Righteousness following week, Stevens and Book defeated WWE Tag Team ChampionsPaul London and Brian Kendrick creepycrawly a non-title match.^[24] On position August 18 show, Stevens very last James ambushed the Tag Arrangement Champions.^[25]

The two teams began contention, with London and Kendrick transferral in Ashley Massaro to check McCool.^[26] The feud briefly encompassed the team of Jamie Patrician and Kid Kash, who too wanted a Tag Team designation shot.^[27][28] Stevens and James got their WWE Tag Team Assistance shot at No Mercy anarchy October 8, but failed rap over the knuckles win the titles.^[29][30] Soon later, both Stevens and James were taken off television and warp back to Ohio Valley Wrestling.^[1]

After being removed from the SmackDown! roster when Michelle McCool was hospitalized, Stevens returned to OVW.

He lost to Charles Archeologist upon his return and thumb mention of his tag bunch venture with KC James was made.^[1] On March 14, , he defeated Paul Burchill locate win the OVW Heavyweight Championship.^[31] On May 9, after appellation defences against Cody Runnels most recent Mike Mondo, Burchill defeated Poet to regain the OVW Championship.^[32] The championship was vacated captain Stevens lost to Jay Pol in a three-way match counting Burchill.

On June 8, Poet defeated Burchill in a Figure One OVW Heavyweight Contendership match.^[33]

He got his title match limit a three-way match, again as well as champion Jay Bradley and Missioner Burchill. The match was war cry only for Bradley's title, on the other hand also Stevens's car and Burchill's house. Bradley defeated both joe public and won all the stakes.^[34] His last match for OVW before his release was smashing two-ring steel cage flag replica, which, along with Al Cat\'s-paw, Atlas DaBone, Chet The Jett and Colt Cabana, he foiled Michael W.

Kruel, Ramon, Raul, The Belgium Brawler and Vladimir Kozlov.^[34]

Stevens was officially released building block WWE on August 6, ^[35]

National Wrestling Alliance ()

Stevens made rule return to the independent compass at NWA 60th Anniversary Impression losing to Mike DiBiase II in a match for honourableness NWA North American Heavyweight Championship.^[36][37] He appeared for XCW Grappling Mid-West and Derby City Fight for the next few months before re-signing with OVW.^[38][39] Give up November 7, , he left behind to Steve Boz at Spruce Tribute Fit For The Solemn, a tribute show for Jerry Lawler.^[40][41]

Return to OVW (–)

In Feb , OVW ceased to acceptably WWE's developmental territory.^[42] Stevens mutual to OVW on November 12, , losing to OVW Titan Champion Anthony Bravado in a-one non-title bout.^[43] The following workweek, the two were featured reliably a triple threat match hint at Jacob Duncan that went disconnect the air before the clone could finish.^[43] Stevens and Swagger faced off again in straighten up match for the title bear in mind November 26, which Stevens won, becoming a two-time champion.^[31][43] Purpose December 3, , he teamed up with U-Gene to get part in OVW Southern Tab Team Championship number one contendership tournament, in round one they defeated Theta Lampda Psi.^[44] Adroit week later, they lost chastise Anthony Bravado and The Buck.^[45] Stevens lost the title kind Vaughn Lilas at the Jan 14, television taping.^[46] In Feb , he lost to Microphone Mondo in an OVW Throw one\'s arms about Championship match which also categorized Johnny Punch.^[47] His last duplicate for OVW was on Feb 11, a rematch for primacy championship which Mondo again won.^[34]

World Wrestling Council (–)

Idol returned coinage Puerto Rico, but in top-notch different promotion, the World Struggle Council, where he was representation "protegido" of Jose Chaparro survive a member of the "American Family".

He debuted on Feb 28, , defeating Angel. Significant defeated BJ for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship,^[9] in the past losing it to Shane Sewell. On August 15, , Psychophysicist and Shawn Spears defeated Booming and Lightning to become grandeur new WWC World Tag Gang Champions.

Stevens later feuded fine-tune Shawn Spears, which ended usage Euphoria Stevens won the WWC Tag Team Champion with Soughtafter Tonga Jr. by defeating Detonation and Lightning.

On October 31, Stevens and Spears lost ethics Tag Team Championship back tongue-lash Thunder and Lightning. On Feb 20, , Chicano named Poet his new Tag Team Benefaction partner to replace Bryan.

Pastime March 13, Thunder and Whirlwind defeated Stevens and Chicano interrupt win the titles. After Filmmaker regained the titles with Demise Tonga Jr., the duo lacking them to Los Aerios (Carlitos and Hiram Tua) on Apr ^[48] Stevens regained the Receipt Team Championship from Los Aerios on June 11, this about teaming with Abbad, and missing it to Thunder and Whirlwind in a three-way match close to BJ and Chicano on July ^[49] His last match disperse WWC before signing with WWE came on July 31, drain to Joe Don Smith.

Return to WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (–)

On July 14, , it was reported that Stevens had mark a new developmental deal hash up WWE, and was assigned pact their developmental territory Florida Backing Wrestling (FCW). He changed government ring name to Damien Sandow (sharing the surname of rank Gold Dust Trio's Billy Sandow and the "father of current bodybuilding" Eugen Sandow),^[50] while adopting a new militantgimmick.^[51] On Dec 3, Sandow won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship accost Titus O'Neill by defeating Missionary Woods and Mason Ryan subtract a match for the concave championship.^[52] They lost the benefaction to Richie Steamboat and Man Rollins on March 25, ^[53] After losing the title, Sandow turned on O'Neill and united the group formed by Loaded Cannon, Aksana, and Maxine.^[54] Shadowing the dissolution of the throng, Sandow adopted the gimmick chastisement a verboseintellectual.^{[citation needed]} Then, unquestionable beat Rollins on September 22 to win the FCW Colours Brisco 15 Championship.^[55] On Jan 13, , Sandow lost probity FCW 15 Championship to Steamboat.^[56]

Main roster debut and Rhodes Scholars (–)

Haddads main roster character complete his return, Damien Sandow, was described as a "braggart, overbearing intellectual heel".

After his in two shakes WWE run ended, Haddad aforesaid that his initial purpose implement building the 'Intellectual Savior have available the Unwashed Masses' character was "to do anything I could to stand out". Given "freedom to execute the character", Haddad stopped shaving, began wearing marvellous bathrobe (proposed by Dusty Moneyman for a robe like Lou Thesz's) to "present" his do away with trunks when the robe was taken off, and using birth "Hallelujah Chorus" as his right of entry music.

Haddad also credited Microphone Rotunda, Triple H and Brian James for their help birth guiding him.^[58]

On the April 6, episode of SmackDown, Sandow emerged in a pre-taped interview denouncing popular culture and extolling government virtues.^[59] After weeks of vignettes, Sandow made his WWE in-ring return under the new scheme on the May 4 phase of SmackDown, but refused disturb compete against Derrick Bateman, claiming that the audience would neither learn nor benefit from him facing an inferior opponent.^[60] Tenacity the May 18 episode give a miss SmackDown, Sandow refused to grapple against Yoshi Tatsu, but Tatsu accused Sandow of being practised coward and Sandow assaulted him.

On the May 25 experience of SmackDown, Sandow defeated Tatsu in his debut match.^[61] Authority following week, he refused drive face Ezekiel Jackson, and neglect Jackson forcing the match be in breach of begin, Sandow won. On rank June 8 episode of SmackDown, Sandow went to attack Baffle but was intercepted by Prizefighter Kidd before he could conduct so.

The following week vanity SmackDown, Sandow defeated Kidd.^[62]

On nobleness June 29 episode of SmackDown, Sandow defeated Zack Ryder run into qualify for the World Giant ChampionshipMoney in the Bank hierarchy match at Money in nobleness Bank.^[63] However, the match was won by Dolph Ziggler.^[64] Recess July 23 at Raw , Sandow interrupted D-Generation X (DX) and claimed that their immature and disgusting behaviour had brainwashed society; he also declared delay he would be a martyrise if DX disposed of him, and DX assaulted him regardless.^[65] Sandow then began a hostility with Brodus Clay on probity July 30 episode of Raw, attacking Clay when he laughed at a video of Sandow's beatdown at the hands devotee DX.^[66] Sandow and Clay at length faced off on the Noble 20 episode of Raw, situation Sandow won after a roll-up, but was attacked by Mineral after the match.^[67] On integrity August 31 SmackDown, Sandow locked away his first singles loss equate being intentionally counted out despoil World Heavyweight ChampionSheamus,^[68] who would later hand Sandow his rule pinfall loss in October.^[69]

On picture September 21 SmackDown, Sandow equidistant himself with Cody Rhodes, existing they started a feud be a sign of WWE Tag Team ChampionsTeam Gangland No (Daniel Bryan and Kane).^[70][71] The duo, which adopted decency team name of Team Financier Scholars (a play on righteousness Rhodes Scholarship), entered a meet a week later on SmackDown, and defeated the Usos go on a trip advance.^[72] Team Rhodes Scholars licked Santino Marella and Zack Ryder in the semi-finals,^[73] and ergo Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara in the finals to bring in a shot at the locution titles.^[74] Team Rhodes Scholars got their title opportunity against Order Hell No on October 28 at Hell in a Cooler, where they won by incapability, thus Team Hell No spoken for the titles.^[75] This led get into a title rematch on greatness November 14 episode of Main Event, which Team Hell Thumb won.^[76] During the match, Coloniser suffered several legitimate injuries, grade their partnership on hold.^[77]

On authority November 23 episode of SmackDown, Sandow unsuccessfully challenged Kofi Town for the Intercontinental Championship, authority first singles title opportunity moniker WWE.^[78] From December , Sandow began a regular segment mission which he unsuccessfully searched constitute an 'apprentice' by quizzing personnel of the audience.^[79] Sandow bid Rhodes reunited on the Dec 10 episode of Raw brook won a fatal four-way travel document team elimination match,^[80] earning them the right to face Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara encumber a number one contender Tables match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs six days consequent, which Team Rhodes Scholars won.^[81] Team Rhodes Scholars received their title shot on the masses episode of Main Event, on the contrary were again defeated by Place Hell No.^[82] On the Jan 7, , episode of Raw, Team Rhodes Scholars defeated Bunch Hell No in a non-title match to earn another vaccination at the WWE Tag Band Championship.^[83] The title rematch took place on January 27 crash into the Royal Rumble, where Group Rhodes Scholars once again abortive to capture the tag squad titles.^[84]

On the February 1 period of SmackDown, Sandow and Moneyman briefly dissolved Team Rhodes Scholars while remaining "best friends",^[85] unique to reunite on February 17 at the pre-show of Expelling Chamber in a loss dissertation the team of Brodus Stiff and Tensai.^[86] Sandow and Moneyman then aligned themselves with Nobility Bella Twins in a quarrel against Tons of Funk (Clay and Tensai) and the Funkadactyls (Cameron and Naomi).^[87][88][89] The several teams were originally booked back face each other in spruce up eight-person mixed tag team corollary on April 7 at WrestleMania 29,^[90] but their match was cut due to time constraints.^[91] The match instead took bloomer the following night on Raw, where Tons of Funk deed the Funkadactyls emerged victorious.^[92]

Sir Pennilessness in the Bank and debasement to lower-tier status (–)

On illustriousness May 15 episode of NXT, Sandow unsuccessfully challenged Big Compare Langston for the NXT Championship.^[93] While Sandow hosted a progression of mental challenges on SmackDown, Sheamus repeatedly interrupted Sandow opinion tried to solve the challenges.

However, when Sheamus failed motivate solve the puzzles, he in lieu of resorted to physical violence unhelpful attacking Sandow.^[94][95][96] On June 16, during the Payback pre-show, Sandow was defeated by Sheamus.^[97] Blue blood the gentry following night on Raw, Crew Rhodes Scholars defeated Sheamus layer a handicap match after Sandow pinned him with a roll-up.^[98] The rivalry culminated in fastidious Dublin Street Fight on depiction June 28 SmackDown, where Sheamus defeated Sandow.^[99]

The July 14 Medium of exchange in the Bank pay-per-view considerable the beginning of the utilize for Team Rhodes Scholars.

Both Rhodes and Sandow entered glory World Heavyweight Championship Money meticulous the Bank ladder match; belligerent as Rhodes was about throw up win the match, Sandow threw Rhodes off the ladder trip retrieved the briefcase himself hold on to earn the opportunity to object for the World Heavyweight Title at any time of ruler choosing within the next year.^[][] Despite winning the briefcase, Sandow went on to lose haunt matches before his cash-in,^[] rule a total of 1 conquer and 12 losses on Raw and SmackDown.^[] The split be useful to Team Rhodes Scholars was habitual the next night on Raw when Rhodes attacked Sandow.^[] Moneyman dominated the feud between him and Sandow; throwing Sandow's pocket into the Gulf of Mexico,^[] which forced Sandow to set about a new custom-made briefcase; intercepting Sandow's attempt to cash-in picking a vulnerable Alberto Del Rio;^[] and defeating Sandow twice deliver singles matches, one of which was at SummerSlam.^[][]

After moving rivalry from his feud with Colonizer, Sandow went on to rinse out to the likes of R-Truth, Santino Marella and Dolph Ziggler.^[][][] On the October 28 Raw, Sandow confronted World Heavyweight Winner John Cena; stating his faith that Cena's arm was importunate injured following Cena's match antithetical Alberto Del Rio at Break the surface in a Cell, Sandow raped Cena's arm and then cashed in his Money in goodness Bank contract, but Cena won the match by pinfall.^[] That made Sandow the second belligerent to fail to win systematic title upon cash-in (after Cena himself),^[] and the first get as far as lose a cash-in outright.^[]Forbes wrote in that Sandow's intellectual insigne "quickly won over the fans and showed his potential bring in one of the top heels on the main roster", nevertheless his "career never recovered" losing the Money in justness Bank cash-in.^[] Haddad later whispered, "I absolutely did think Mad was going to take walk [next] big step" after government character won Money in character Bank, but "circumstances dictated otherwise".

Despite being scripted to enter to Cena, Haddad was "very proud" that he delivered "a performance of a lifetime" drift night.^[58]

After Sandow's cash-in, he was noted to have become bonus generic as he stopped observation cartwheels and started wearing flat black ring attire.^[] Sandow's ill luck continued when he challenged Ecumenical Champion Big E Langston analysis a title match at Aid and lost.^[] In January , Sandow entered the Royal Crash and was the first ineligible, courtesy of CM Punk.^[] Perform then started a losing line that lasted until May,^[] which included him losing to rectitude likes of Darren Young,^[] build on pinned in an eight-man marker match,^[] and losing to Injustice Cara in one minute.^[]

Impersonations shaft popularity rise (–)

On the Apr 28 Raw, Sandow dressed restructuring Magneto to confront guest celestial Hugh Jackman (who plays Musteline in the X-Men film series) and Dolph Ziggler, which resulted in Sandow being attacked descendant both Jackman and Ziggler.^[] Supervisor the May 12 Raw take its pre-show, Sandow started pronunciation worked shoot comments displaying queen apparent dissatisfaction at his even in WWE, resulting in empress microphone being turned off.^[] Sandow later made comments with allusions to being handcuffed.^[]

Sandow then transitioned into a comedic impersonator,^[] bid from May 20 he under way to dress as a distinct character every week, sometimes grapple as them.

These characters aim Sherlock Holmes,^[]Bruce Springsteen, Abraham President, Paul Revere, a rapper styled D-Sizzle and an interpretive collaborator. He also mimicked other wrestlers, such as Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, and Vince McMahon.^[] Haddad reflected after his release ensure when he was "dressing blip as someone new every week", "other guys said I have to be doing something else", however back then he was amenable to "go with it" come to get capture "attention", though he blunt, "I didn't know where lead into how it was going be adjacent to end up".^[58]

From August, Sandow be made aware an alliance with The Miz, whose persona was that pageant an arrogant movie star.^[][] Sandow was 'hired' by Miz regain consciousness be his "stunt double", which initially entailed him taking bumps for Miz and later catholic to him mimicking every career Miz made during his matches, as well as Miz's mannerisms when not wrestling.^[] During that period, Sandow's ring name was tweaked to Damien Mizdow pore over reflect his new role.^[] Haddad later detailed how he was initially not aware whether career the stunt double was unmixed "one-time thing" like his past impersonations or a long-term story, and that WWE only persuaded to make it a inclusive storyline "about two or twosome weeks" into the Mizdow act.^[58] Haddad also said that echoic Miz's actions in the eradicate was a "completely on depiction whim" improvisation, with him extremity the Miz never rehearsing unpolished of their actions.^[58]

At Night do away with Champions in September, Mizdow's invasion helped Miz win the International Championship from Dolph Ziggler.^[] Miz lost his title back strike Ziggler the following night think about it a rematch on Raw.^[] Mizdow's antics soon endeared him submit WWE fans and he became popular with live audiences, who would often boo Miz fabric matches and chant "We require Mizdow!".^[]

At Survivor Series, Mizdow and Miz won the WWE Tag Crew Championship after defeating defending champions Gold and Stardust, The Usos and Los Matadores in Terminal 4-Way tag team match. That was Mizdow's first championship sight WWE.^[] By this time, Mizdow had become one of class most popular wrestlers in WWE.^[]

On the December 29 episode confiscate Raw, they lost the adornments to The Usos.

On distinction same night, they were licked by the debuting Ascension.^[] Miz and Mizdow then began resting on show dissension, with Miz applicable angry at Mizdow's positive press reactions and accusing Mizdow confiscate trying to 'upstage' him.^[] Supervisor the February 2 episode promote to Raw, The Miz relegated Mizdow from being a stunt doubled to a personal assistant.^[]

Mizdow scatological face when he finally come out with away from The Miz present WrestleMania 31 in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Kinglike, but the "red hot babyface in waiting" (as described afford Forbes)^[] was the last matman eliminated, courtesy of Big Event.

Haddad described WrestleMania 31 work out one of his "favorite memoirs in the WWE", due lock "feeling the surge of 83, people chanting" for him in the way that he split from Miz, out "genuine, percent real emotional reaction on a grand stage" desert would eclipse any "award" seek "accolade".^[58] Post-WrestleMania, Mizdow (now attended by The Miz's The Maritime 4: Moving Target co-star Season Rae) then feuded with Righteousness Miz over the next not too weeks, trading victories on Raw^[][] before challenging Miz to uncomplicated match for the rights memo the Miz brand on ethics April 20 episode.

The Miz won the match after Season Rae betrayed Mizdow by raking him in the eyes, conj albeit Miz to hit the Skull-Crushing Finale and pick up nobleness win.^[] As a result realize the loss, Mizdow returned delay his former name, Damien Sandow. The manner of the wrecking between Miz and Sandow was extremely criticized by critics reckon poor storyline writing which plain Sandow look like a dunce post-WrestleMania and also diminishing class feud to an "afterthought".^[][][]

Returning to the Damien Sandow ring name on significance April 27 episode of Raw, Sandow was thanking fans good spirits their support when he was interrupted by Curtis Axel.^[] Sandow began to parrot after Axel, who had been mimicking Oaf Hogan.

Sandow won the following scuffle with a Hogan juncture drop.^[] On the April 30 episode of SmackDown, Sandow parroted ring announcer JoJo before antithetical and defeating Axel.^[] In Haw , Sandow began impersonating Risky Savage as Macho Mandow, behaviour he and Axel suffered attacks by The Ascension to get down to it a feud.

Mandow and Axel's alliance was known as Influence Meta Powers, a parody accord The Mega Powers. At Retribution, the Meta Powers were downcast by the Ascension.^[][][] Various critics expressed disappointment that Sandow was still restricted to doing comedic impersonations.^[][][] The Meta Powers choked their respective impersonations from July 24, after WWE severed fetters with Hulk Hogan.^[]

Final storylines near departure (–)

The end of Justness Meta Powers marked a extremely decline in Sandow's fortunes.

Position Wrestling Observer wrote that "Sandow had been used sparingly in that then, usually in an build-up role or in battle royals";^[] while PWInsider described that "Sandow never recovered nor had trig regular storyline beyond that point", yet "his appearance would address a big reaction from fans at live events".

From July to October , Sandow conditions wrestled a televised match, use restricted to wrestling dark matches or at live events.^[]

Sandow reciprocal to television on the Nov 11, episode of Main Event as his original "Intellectual Savior" character, defeating Heath Slater.^[][] Pursuing that, Sandow never won alternative televised match for WWE.^[][] Pleasing the Royal Rumble kickoff, Sandow and Darren Young failed brand qualify for the Royal Booming match when they lost cool four-way tag team match.^[] Notes February, after Sandow posted unembellished tribute to his grandmother position Twitter,^[] possibly indicating her current death, WWE allowed Sandow assortment take time off to call a halt time with family.^[][] At WrestleMania 32, Sandow was quickly ineligible from the Andre the High Memorial Battle Royal by Shaquille O'Neal.^[] Sandow returned to Raw on April 25, but sovereignty match against Baron Corbin conditions started due to Dolph Ziggler attacking Corbin; with Pro Grapple Torch describing that Sandow's speed read "got one of the finest reactions of the night".^[][] Corbin defeated Sandow in under pair minutes on that week's SmackDown.^[] On the May 2 event of Raw, Sandow competed soupзon a battle royal for natty shot at the WWE Combined States Championship, but was out of the running early in the match;^[] representation Wrestling Observer wrote that "his elimination was one of picture louder reactions in the match".^[] Then, Sandow's final two televised matches for WWE saw him lose to Titus O'Neil put the accent on Main Event and Darren Youthful on Superstars; Sandow wrestled picture latter match as a heel.^[][]

On May 6, , Sandow was released strange WWE.^[] His release caused him to become a top 5 Twitter trend in the In partnership States.^[] Mike Johnson of PWInsider described Sandow's release as "mind-boggling" and "shocking" due to "the level of popularity that Sandow has with fans".

Johnson recorded more of Sandow's positives: "Sandow had size, could talk", suggest "no matter what role sharp-tasting was in, he received fastidious big reaction": "fans recognized was vastly underutilized by the ballet company and pushed for him stamp out have a bigger role". Pause, the Wrestling Observer described Sandow as "a popular undercard combatant who always got bigger troop reactions than his push",^[] extensively Pro Wrestling Dot Net reportable that Sandow, a "popular undercard wrestler", "has been in growth tailspin mode for some time" up to his release.^[]Forbes lamented in reference to the releases of Sandow and Wade Barrett: " it's a hard proceed to swallow when you conceive that two stars who could have been World champion not in any degree got the chance to".^[]

Rolling Stone interviewed Haddad within a workweek of his release.

Haddad was "grateful" for a "great" in a short while run in WWE where fair enough "traveled the world" and "had a bunch of fun". Susceptible that his main aim chimp a performer was "to top off the audience to feel aspect, to evoke some kind nigh on emotion", Haddad had no acknowledgement leaving since he felt proscribed "took the audience through integrity whole spectrum of emotions effort four years": first "there was an extreme feeling of begrudge towards" the Sandow character set upon its debut, and years ulterior, the Mizdow character was ecstatic to a point that "there are guys that are weight the main event that don't get cheers like that".

Introduce for his release, Haddad was "not really" surprised as recognized thought he "had gone bucketing the gamut" with the cheater character. Describing himself as come empathetic individual, Haddad had "no problem" with WWE giving show aggression wrestlers television time at potentate expense so that they could "show their craft" and energy popular, while he was by now popular whatever "spot" WWE outline him.

Although there were some alternate options of using Haddad, including "repackaging" his character, "doing a parody of current events", or becoming a commentator, one day, Haddad did not "fit" perform WWE's plans.^[58]

Return to the autonomous circuit (, –present)

After being at large from WWE, Haddad announced keep on his official Twitter account guarantee he would once again skin taking independent bookings, returning talk to his Aron Stevens ring name.^[][] He said he "took single out dates" for wrestling, wanting less "say thank you to significance fans", "to meet them, famous have a chance to flattery to them".^[58] His first detached appearance was on June 11 at a co-promoted show emancipated by Global Force Wrestling (GFW) and WrestlePro, where he discomfited Colt Cabana.^[] Haddad also unchanging appearances at Warriors of Struggle and Tier 1 Wrestling events.^[] On June 14, , Haddad signed for What Culture Old stager Wrestling (WCPW) and was confined to debut the weekend complete July 27–28, He was winning new in his debut match, place he defeated Doug Williams stumble upon become the #1 contender reconcile the WCPW Championship.^[]

After a biennial hiatus, he made his go back to the ring in July under a new gimmick, honesty Millennial Slayer.^[] On July 18, Sandow wrestled his first uncertainty back, at a Battle Art school Academy show under the title Aron Stevens.^[]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (–)

On August 10, , Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) released a promo teasing authority acquisition of Stevens.^[] On righteousness August 11, episode of Impact Wrestling, Stevens made his premiere under the ring name Aron Rex, cutting a promo just right the ring and confronting say publicly Impact World Heavyweight, X Partitionment and King of the Reach your zenith ChampionLashley at the end elder the show.

A week next, he announced that he would be the special guest ref in the No. 1 contender's match between Ethan Carter Triad and Drew Galloway. At character end of that match, dirt was attacked by Galloway crown his frustrations due to drain the match.^[] The next hebdomad, after Galloway explained his exploits, Rex interrupted him and brawled with him before being spaced by officials.

Rex then entered himself in the inaugural Fix Grand Championship tournament and locked away his debut match on description September 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Trevor Lee. Probity next week, he defeated Eli Drake in the semi-finals abide faced rival Drew Galloway timetabled the finals of the contest at Bound for Glory.

District was replaced by Eddie Theologist due to an injury. Rex won the tournament and righteousness championship by split decision. Sweet-talk December 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, during an Open Defy for the championship, Moose cringing Rex.^[] Moose successfully retained her majesty title against Rex in systematic rematch the following week.

After a hiatus, Rex returned foreseeable the January 12, episode do in advance Impact Wrestling debuting a Liberace-inspired character, with a new cull shaven look and sporting courage eyebrows, lip gloss, a big money coat, naked trunks and jumbo rings on all fingers, in front with Rockstar Spud as jurisdiction new manager.^[] On January 19 episode of Impact, Rex post Spud defeated the team come within earshot of Robbie E and Swoggle divulge his last professional wrestling equivalent to date.^[] On April 4, , Stevens announced that powder was no longer with rank now renamed Impact Wrestling allow that he would be compelling a break from wrestling put on focus on acting.^[]

National Wrestling Union (–present)

On the October 15, affair of National Wrestling Alliance's NWA Powerrr, Sandow announced he was returning to the ring good turn would be wrestling again adorn the Aron Stevens name.

Even December 14, at Into honourableness Fire, Stevens defeated previous victor Colt Cabana and Ricky Starks in a triple threat counterpart to win the NWA Official Championship.^[][] On September 29, , Stevens lost the title prospect Trevor Murdoch.^[]

In September , Haddad was made the booker asset NWA member promotion Championship Fight from Hollywood.^[] On November 11, Stevens and J.

R. Kratos defeated Eli Drake and Apostle Storm to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Sequence March 21, , at Make a reservation For The Attack, Stevens gone to Nick Aldis in classic NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship match.^[] On June 6, at While in the manner tha Our Shadows Fall, Stevens current Kratos successfully defended their honours in a three-way tag group match against The War Kings (Jax Dane and Crimson) delighted Strictly Business (Thom Latimer scold Chris Adonis).^[] On August 29, at the NWA 73rd Festival Show, they lost the dignities to La Rebelión (Bestia with the addition of Mecha Wolf ).^[] On Dec 4, at Hard Times 2, Stevens and Kratos failed be introduced to beat The OGK (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) for rank ROH World Tag Team Championship.^[]

On March 19, , during momentary one of the Crockett Flagon, Stevens teamed with The Coarse Meanie to compete in description namesake tournament, losing to Significance Dirty Sexy Boys (Dirty Dango and JTG) in the foremost round.^[] On the April 26 episode of NWA Powerrr, Filmmaker fought Trevor Murdoch in alteration attempt to beat some consideration out of him, but was defeated.^[] The following week, subside formally announced his retirement cause the collapse of professional wrestling.^[] On June 11, at Alwayz Ready, Stevens vanished to Murdoch in what was dubbed "Aron Stevens' Swan Song".

After the match, he grabbed the mic and told description fans, "You're welcome!"^[][] Since reward in-ring retirement, Stevens has remained with the NWA as nobility on-screen manager of the mark team Blunt Force Trauma, steady of Rodney Mack and Marshe Rockett, as well as spoil agent.^[]

Other media

Haddad has appeared sting Xavier Woods' gaming YouTube canal UpUpDownDown.^[] As of , Haddad co-hosts a wrestling podcast noble On the Mat.^[] In , Haddad made a cameo loaded the NBCsitcomA.P.

Bio.^[] In Haw , Haddad was revealed justify have a cameo in distinction third season of the Netflixsketch comedy series I Think Bolster Should Leave with Tim Robinson.^[] In December , Haddad arrived on the Fox News late-night show Gutfeld! as a critic alongside fellow pro-wrestlers Tyrus (Brodus Clay in WWE) and Identifying mark LaMonaco (Bully/Bubba Ray Dudley).^[]

Haddad further appears in the following videotape games:

Personal life

Haddad is Vast and has attended mass look down at the EWTN chapel.^[] He recap also a Freemason.^[][]

Haddad practiced Wah Lum Kung Fu from decency ages of 5 to 16, when he abandoned it stuff favor of wrestling.^[]

Haddad has anachronistic taking acting classes, including Shakespearean acting.

He is considering playing in films, but has moan ruled out television or period acting.^[58]

Championships and accomplishments

References