Thaddeus Bullard

Thaddeus Michael Bullard Sr. (born April 29, 1977) is an American professional wrestler and former arena football player. He is the Global Ambassador of WWE and also performs for the promotion as a wrestler under the ring name Titus O'Neil. Described by the company as "one of the most philanthropic Superstars in WWE history," Bullard is the recipient of the WWE Hall of Fame 2020 Warrior Award.

Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter played in the Arena Football League (AFL). His career as a professional wrestler began in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), before being moved to ''NXT'' where he was part of the second season and fifth season, ''NXT Redemption''. In WWE, he is a former one-time WWE Tag Team Champion as part of The Prime Time Players with Darren Young and a one-time WWE 24/7 Champion, being the inaugural holder of the latter title. In 2021, Bullard was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a recipient of the Warrior Award, honoring his charitable work – especially in his hometown of Tampa, Florida. In the summer of 2021 a public school in Tampa was also named after Bullard honoring his charitable work and contributions to and for the Hillsborough County public school system.

Early life

Bullard was born in Boynton Beach, Florida to Daria Bullard when she was 11 years old. His mother was molested and raped by her mother's boyfriend at 10 years old, and as a result she became pregnant with Bullard. He grew up in Live Oak, Florida, where he attended Suwannee High School. He was a standout player for the Suwannee Bulldogs high school football, and was recognized by ''USA Today'' and ''Parade'' magazine as a high school All-American as a senior in 1995.

Football career

Bullard accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and played for coach Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators football team from 1997 to 2000.
2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide
'', University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 179 (2011). Retrieved August 27, 2011. He redshirted during the Gators' 1996 national championship season. Bullard lettered the next four seasons, playing in 44 regular season games with three starts. He was elected student body vice president in April 2000, and graduated in August 2000. While he was an undergraduate, he was initiated as a brother of Omega Psi Phi. After college, Bullard played in the Arena Football League from 2003 to 2007 with the Utah Blaze, Tampa Bay Storm, Las Vegas Gladiators, and Carolina Cobras.

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2010)

Bullard signed a developmental deal with WWE in mid-2009 and began training with their development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. He made his television debut on the January 16, 2010, episode of FCW's show on Bright House Sports Network as Titus O'Neil in a tag team match with Skip Sheffield, losing to the team of Vance Archer and Alex Riley. On December 3, O'Neil teamed with Damien Sandow to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship after defeating Xavier Woods and Mason Ryan in a match for the vacant championship. The pair lost the championship to Seth Rollins and Richie Steamboat on March 25, 2011.

NXT (2010–2012)

O'Neil competed in the second season of ''WWE NXT'', with Zack Ryder as his mentor. He debuted on June 8, teaming with Ryder to lose to John Morrison and Eli Cottonwood. During and after the bout the two argued. The following week the two made up. Two weeks later, O'Neil was the first person eliminated from the second season of ''NXT'', and gave a farewell speech before leaving the arena. O'Neil returned for the season finale on August 31, joining the other eliminated rookies in attacking the winner, Kaval.

In March 2011, O'Neil was selected as one of the six former ''NXT'' contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, ''NXT Redemption'', being mentored by Hornswoggle. In the season premiere, O'Neil defeated Lucky Cannon in the main event. The two also feuded with Darren Young and his pro, Hornswoggle's old nemesis, Chavo Guerrerro. Following Lucky Cannon's elimination on the May 14, 2011, episode of ''NXT Redemption'', O'Neil lead the fans in a rendition of ''Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye'', as a tribute to the recently retired Edge. On the June 21 episode of ''NXT Redemption'', O'Neil's pro from season two, Zack Ryder, returned for one night only to face and defeat O'Neil. On the July 12, 2011, episode of ''NXT'', he faced off against Darren Young and Derrick Bateman in a triple threat elimination match, which saw him lose to Bateman. 8 days later, O'Neil teamed up with NXT host Matt Striker in a winning effort against Darren Young and Derrick Bateman after Young was pinned by O'Neil.

On the September 8 episode of ''WWE Superstars'', O'Neil teamed with Percy Watson in a losing effort against Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks. O'Neil and Watson defeated Derrick Bateman and Tyson Kidd, as well as Bateman and JTG, but lost to Darren Young and JTG.

On the November 16, 2011, episode of ''NXT'', O'Neil was assaulted by a returning Darren Young. Young was then able to get the better of O'Neil twice in tag team matches. The conclusion to O'Neil's feud with Young came when O'Neil defeated Young in a no disqualifications match on the January 18 episode of ''NXT''. O'Neil then turned heel after the match, verbally ripping on the audience, his former pro Hornswoggle, and NXT itself.

O'Neil later urged his friend Percy Watson to also turn his back on the fans on the January 25, 2012, episode of ''NXT''. When Watson refused, O'Neil shoved him and a match between the two was booked, leading to O'Neil defeating Watson. O'Neil continued to attack Watson after the match, leading to Alex Riley saving Watson. O'Neil then formed an alliance with former enemy Darren Young, and the duo teamed up to defeat Watson and Riley on the February 1 and 29 episodes of ''NXT''. O'Neil also faced and defeated Riley on the February 22 episode of ''NXT''. On the March 7 episode of ''NXT'', O'Neil faced Watson, which would result in a loss for O'Neil. O'Neil and Young then moved on to feud with The Usos.

The Prime Time Players (2012–2014)

On the April 18 episode of ''NXT'', it was announced that O'Neil, along with Darren Young, had been moved to the main roster. The team made their debut on the April 20 episode of ''SmackDown'' with a victory over The Usos. They began a winning streak before their streak was ended on the May 18 episode of ''SmackDown'' by WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth.

At the No Way Out pay-per-view, O'Neil and Young won a fatal-four way tag team match to become #1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship after A.W. turned on his clients Primo & Epico. On the July 16 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil and Young unsuccessfully challenged Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championship. On the August 10 episode of ''SmackDown'', they defeated Primo & Epico in a #1 contenders match by disqualification when A.W. provoked Kingston and R-Truth, who were on commentary, into interfering in the match. That same day, A.W. was released from his contract. Despite losing A.W, the Prime Time Players received a title shot at SummerSlam, but were again defeated by Kingston and R-Truth. On the September 7 episode of ''SmackDown'', The Prime Time Players defeated Primo and Epico and The Usos in a triple threat tag team match to earn another shot at the title. On ''Raw'' three days later, the Prime Time Players lost their title shot to the team of Kane and Daniel Bryan. At Survivor Series, O'Neil took part in a 10-man elimination tag team match, but was eliminated by Tyson Kidd.

At the 2013 Royal Rumble, O'Neil entered the Royal Rumble match at number 7 but was eliminated by Sheamus. On the March 18 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil played a new character called Rufus "Pancake" Patterson, his "uncle", accompanying Darren Young in his match against John Cena, in which Young was defeated.

On the August 19, 2013, episode of ''Raw'', the Prime Time Players turned face in a winning effort against The Real Americans (Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger), a week after O'Neil's tag-team partner Darren Young's ( legitimate) coming out, which received mainstream media coverage. On the Night of Champions pre-show, O'Neil and Young won a tag team turmoil upon entering last, for the opportunity to face The Shield for the WWE Tag Team Championship but lost to Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns on the pay-per-view.
Furthering their face turn, the duo were amongst those who saved Daniel Bryan from being injured by Randy Orton. The Prime Time Players would be forced into a 3 on 1 handicap gauntlet match against The Shield as ordered by the COO, Triple H, the same as Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston and Rob Van Dam.

Slater-Gator (2014–2015)

On the January 31, 2014, episode of ''SmackDown'', O'Neil allowed Curtis Axel to pin Young during a tag-team match. After the match, O'Neil attacked Young to turn heel and disbanded the Prime Time Players. O'Neil defeated Young at Elimination Chamber.

O'Neil lost a rematch to Young on the February 26 episode of ''Main Event''. Following this loss, O'Neil began a losing streak to the likes of Big Show, Sheamus and Dolph Ziggler. From mid-April to mid-June, O'Neil commonly appeared on ''Superstars'', where he suffered many losses to Kofi Kingston and Big E. He was also unsuccessful in winning four battle royals: the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX, a battle royal for the WWE United States Championship in May, a Money in the Bank qualifying battle royal in June and a battle royal for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Battleground.

In July, O'Neil formed a tag team with Heath Slater, later known as Slater-Gator. In July and August, they wrestled on ''Main Event'' and ''Superstars''. Despite wins over the likes of Zack Ryder and Sin Cara and Gold and Stardust, they suffered losses to El Torito and Big E and Kofi Kingston. In September, Slater-Gator lost multiple matches to Adam Rose and to the team of Rose and The Bunny. O'Neil entered the Royal Rumble, being eliminated by Dean Ambrose and eventual winner Roman Reigns in 4 seconds.

The Prime Time Players reunion (2015–2016)

On the February 16 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil turned face by saving his former tag team partner Darren Young from an attack from The Ascension, disbanding Slater-Gator. To acknowledge this breakup, Slater announced on social media that he is going to 'focus on himself'. Then on the February 23 episode of ''Raw'', The Prime Time Players officially reunited to battle The Ascension, with Young picking up the victory. O'Neil participated in the 2nd Annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31, before being eliminated by Ryback. At Elimination Chamber, the Prime Time Players participated in the first ever tag team Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, however they were the last team to be eliminated by the winners and defending champions The New Day ( Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). At Money in the Bank, O'Neil and Young defeated The New Day to win the Tag Team Championship, their first titles in WWE. They later defeated The New Day in a rematch at Battleground. The Prime Time Players dropped the WWE Tag Team Championships back to The New Day at SummerSlam in a fatal–four way match, also involving The Lucha Dragons and Los Matadores. O'Neil and Young would invoke their championship rematch clause for the September 14 episode of ''Raw'', which they ended up losing against New Day.

On the November 9 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil would enter the 16-man tournament to crown the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, losing to Kevin Owens in the first round. On the Survivor Series kick-off show, O'Neil participated in a five-on-five elimination tag team match, teaming with The Dudley Boyz, Neville and Goldust to defeat Stardust, The Ascension, The Miz and Bo Dallas. On the February 8, 2016, episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil had what was described as a "playful, physical" altercation with Vince McMahon as the show was going off the air while the two were on stage during Daniel Bryan's retirement celebration. The following day, O'Neil was suspended for unprofessional conduct relating to the incident, with the suspension reportedly lasting up to 90 days. It was later confirmed that he would be suspended for 60 days.

On the May 2 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil returned from suspension, participating in a battle royal to determine the #1 contender to the WWE United States Championship. On the May 26 episode of ''SmackDown'', O'Neil entered a feud with United States Champion Rusev. This set up a match between O'Neil and Rusev for the United States Championship at Money in the Bank, which he lost. After the match, Rusev taunted and disrespected O'Neil's children. The following night on ''Raw'', a rematch was scheduled but O'Neil attacked Rusev before the match began. On the July 4 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil lost in another title match to Rusev, ending the feud.

Titus Worldwide (2016–2018)

On July 19 at the 2016 WWE draft, O'Neil was drafted to ''Raw''. On the August 1 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil started a slow heel turn when he questioned his former tag team partner Darren Young on his motives on being "great again". Later that night, he defeated Young by pinning him while grabbing Young's tights. Afterwards, O'Neil got into a backstage altercation with Young's manager Bob Backlund, ending in Young coming to Backlund's defense by attacking O'Neil. The week after on ''Raw'', Young defeated O'Neil by pinning him while grabbing O'Neil's tights, mimicking the way O'Neil defeated him. On the August 15 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil and Young reconciled and were placed in a match against The Shining Stars. During the match, O'Neil attacked Young with a Clash of the Titus, cementing O'Neil's heel turn. Starting from September 2016, he began a losing streak whilst debuting a new gimmick known as "The Titus Brand". On the October 31 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil competed in a battle royal to determine who would join Team Raw at the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view against Team SmackDown, but was eliminated by Sami Zayn.

In April 2017, Apollo Crews caught the attention of O'Neil's new "Titus Brand" after being drafted to ''Raw'' and recruited him on the brand. He later recruited cruiserweight Akira Tozawa to his brand, which he renamed to "Titus Worldwide" and turned him face in the process. After Dana Brooke challenged Asuka to a match on the November 27, 2017, episode on ''Raw'', in which she lost, O'Neil recruited Brooke to join the brand. Brooke made her first official appearance with the team on the January 1, 2018, episode of ''Raw'' accompanying Crews along with O'Neil in a match against Bray Wyatt, in which he was defeated and at this point Tozawa quietly left the team. On the January 8, 2018 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil and Crews defeated Cesaro and Sheamus in an upset win. On the January 29 episode of ''Raw'', Crews and O'Neil competed in a match against Cesaro and Sheamus for their Tag Team Championships, in which they were unsuccessful at capturing the titles. On February 25 at Elimination Chamber, they competed in another match for the Raw Tag Team Championships, in a losing effort. On ''Raw'' the next night, Cesaro and Sheamus defeated Titus Worldwide in a 2 out of 3 falls match to retain the title, winning 2-0 to end the feud. O'Neil later participated in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at the WrestleMania 34 kickoff show, but he was unsuccessful in both matches. He was also part of the 50-man Greatest Royal Rumble event in which he was eliminated by Braun Strowman. While running to the ring to participate in this match, he famously tripped and slid underneath the ring, which led to several internet memes and reactions from fellow superstars. A couple of days later on Raw during a match between Baron Corbin and No Way Jose, O'Neil would try to amend for that mistake, but as he entered the ring, he slipped and fell from the apron. On the September 3 episode of ''Raw'', Dana Brooke parted ways with Titus Worldwide after a mid-match coaching backfired, causing Brooke and Ember Moon to lose to Bayley and Sasha Banks. On the October 15 episode of ''Raw'', Crews, without O'Neil, returned as a singles competitor, thus disbanding Titus Worldwide. On the November 2 episode of ''Main Event'', O'Neil returned to singles competition, defeating Mojo Rawley.

WWE Warrior Award and WrestleMania Host (2019–present)

He entered the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match at No. 11, but lasted a mere five seconds before being eliminated by Curt Hawkins. O'Neil then competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35, eliminating Heath Slater before being eliminated by Mustafa Ali moments later. On the May 20 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil became the inaugural holder of the 24/7 Championship. His reign, however, ended in less than a minute when Robert Roode pinned him.

On the May 4, 2020 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil competed in a Last Chance Gauntlet match to earn a spot in the men's Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank; he opened the competition against Bobby Lashley, who ultimately eliminated him. On the October 19 episode of ''Raw'', O'Neil attempted to join The Hurt Business, only to be rejected and assaulted. Three weeks later, he challenged Lashley - a member of The Hurt Business - for the United States Championship; O'Neil lost in just over one minute. He co-hosted WrestleMania 37 alongside Hulk Hogan, and on April 6, 2021, O’Neil was the recipient of the Warrior Award.

Charity work

Bullard is heavily involved in charity work with various nonprofit groups in the Tampa Bay region. He has helped more than 245 student athletes across the Tampa Bay area get into college, lead corporate volunteers in reading books to children in after-school programs, used his story to inspire employees from all types of companies to volunteer, and taken part in United Way's Walking School Bus program in at-risk neighborhoods by escorting children to school on foot to make sure they get there on time and can gain access to a healthy breakfast. Bullard hosts an annual Joy of Giving event, where he hands out toys to more than 1,000 children. He also visits children with cancer in the hospital.

Bullard became the 261st Lightning Community Hero in at a home game in 2012. Through that evening's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation had granted $13.2 million to more than 300 different non-profits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. In 2017, the founders announced that the Community Hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.

In honor of all of his charitable work, Bullard was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020 as a recipient of the Warrior Award. In the Summer of 2021 a school in Tampa was named after him in his honor.

Personal life

Bullard was married and has two sons named Thaddeus Jr. ("TJ") and Titus and a daughter named Leah. He resides in Tampa, Florida, and is a devout Christian. He won the 2015 MEGA Dad Award for "Celebrity Dad of the Year". He is a good friend of Dave Bautista, who defended Bullard during his suspension from WWE in early 2016.

Professional wrestling highlights

* Finishing moves
** ''Crash of the Titus'' ( Sitout spinebuster)
** ''Million Dollar Slam'' ( Pumphandle powerslam) - 2015; used later as a characteristic move
* Signature moves
** Abdominal stretch
** Backbreaker
** Bearhug
** Big boot
** Body avalanche
** Body slam
** Elbow drop
** European uppercut
** Short-arm clothesline
** Shoulder block
** Standing fallaway slam
** Leg drop
** Overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack drop
** Powerslam
* Managers
** AW
** Dana Brooke
** Hornswoggle
* Wrestler manager
** Akira Tozawa
* Nicknames
** "The Big Deal"
** "The Gator"
** ""Real Deal"
* Entrance themes
** "Radio" By Watt White's (WWE; 2010; used with Zack Ryder)
** ""Hes Ma Da" by Jim Johnston] (WWE; 2011-2012; used with Hornswoggle)
** "Move (Get It In)" by Woo Child (WWE; 2012)
** "Making Moves" by Sugar Tongue Slim (WWE; 2012-2014; 2015-present; used as a member of the Prime Time Players and in single competition)
** "Let Me Show You How" by CFO$ (WWE; 2014-2015)
** "Slater-Gator" by Jim Johnston (WWE; 2014-2015; used while teaming with Slater-Gator)

Championships and accomplishments

*Florida Championship Wrestling
**FCW Florida Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Damien Sandow
*''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''
**Ranked No. 82 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2013
*''Rolling Stone''
**Most Deserved Push (2015)
*''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''
** Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award (2021)
** Worst Feud of the Year (2016)
*WWE
**WWE Tag Team Championship ( 1 time) – with Darren Young
**WWE 24/7 Championship ( 1 time, inaugural)
**WWE Year-End Award for Funniest Moment of the Year (2018) –
**WWE Hall of Fame ( Class of 2020 – Warrior Award)

See also

*Florida Gators football, 1990–99
* List of Omega Psi Phi brothers
*List of University of Florida alumni

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:ONeil, Titus
1977 births
Living people
African-American male professional wrestlers
American male professional wrestlers
Charity fundraisers (people)
Florida Gators football players
Utah Blaze players
Tampa Bay Storm players
Las Vegas Gladiators players
Carolina Cobras players
Sportspeople from Boynton Beach, Florida
Philanthropists from Florida
Professional wrestlers from Florida
African-American Christians
WWE 24/7 Champions
WWE Warrior Award recipients
21st-century professional wrestlers
FCW Florida Tag Team Champions