William C. Welch
(born December 18, 1977) is an American
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...
, better known by his
ring name
A ring name is a type of stage name used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons, or projecting ...
The Messiah.
Professional wrestling career
Welch's professional career began on November 11, 1996, after being trained at the Slam U. Wrestling Gym in
Sun Valley, Los Angeles, California
Sun Valley is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley region. The neighborhood is known for its overall youthful population and moderate racial diversity. There are three recreation centers in Sun Valley, one of whi ...
. He worked for the school's parent company, the Slammers Wrestling Federation for a time, losing his first professional match there to El Sprito. In the Slammers Wrestling Federation, he worked under the name Iron Mike Ehrhardt.
Xtreme Pro Wrestling (1999–2001)
On November 20, 1999, Welch made his
Xtreme Pro Wrestling
Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion owned by Rob Zicari.
Zicari originally ran the promotion out of Los Angeles from 1999 to 2003. He appeared on shows as the on-camera owner under the name Ro ...
debut under a
mask
A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment and often they have been employed for rituals and rights. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practic ...
as The Blunatic, where he lost to
Nicole Bass
Nicole Fuchs (''née'' Bass; August 10, 1964 – February 17, 2017) was an American bodybuilder, actress, professional wrestler, and professional wrestling valet. She worked for companies such as Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling F ...
.
The following week, The Blunatic teamed with Felony to face Bass in a
handicap match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...
, but was again defeated.
[ On December 17, Welch debuted his new ring name The Messiah, a ]holy man
''Holy Man'' is a 1998 American television satirical comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Herek, written by Tom Schulman, and starring Eddie Murphy, Jeff Goldblum, Kelly Preston, Robert Loggia, Jon Cryer, and Eric McCormack. The film was a ...
gimmick, where he defeated Johnny Webb.[ The Messiah soon rose up the card and eventually became a main eventer while wrestling against ]Extreme Championship Wrestling
HHG Corporation, doing business as Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), was a professional wrestling promotion and media company that was based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The promotion was founded in 1992 by Tod Gordon as National Wrest ...
alumni such as Sabu, Chris Candido
Christopher Barrett Candito (March 21, 1972 – April 28, 2005) was an American professional wrestler. Candito is best remembered for his tenures with promotions such as World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, New Japan Pro-W ...
and New Jack
Jerome Young (January 3, 1963 – May 14, 2021) was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name New Jack. He was best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he became notorious for his willingnes ...
. The Messiah cemented his spot as one of XPW's main stars when he won both the World Heavyweight and the King of the Deathmatch Championships to become the company's first and only double champion.[
]
Combat Zone Wrestling (2002–2006, 2007, 2010)
After leaving XPW due to both personal issues and an uneasy feeling over the promotion's pornographic
Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults, ties, Welch made his debut in Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling sh ...
on January 12, 2002 under his Messiah ring name and gimmick, where he accepted then-World Heavyweight Champion
At boxing's beginning, the heavyweight division had no weight limit, and historically the weight class has gone with vague or no definition. During the 19th century many heavyweights were 170 pounds (12 st 2 lb, 77 kg) or less, tho ...
Justice Pain
Christopher Wilson (May 16, 1978 – January 24, 2020) was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Justice Pain. Pain was best known for his time in Combat Zone Wrestling, as well as Xtreme Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestlin ...
's open challenge. At the first Tournament of Death on August 31, Messiah competed in the tournament despite not being an official entrant. Though he managed to defeat Adam Flash
Douglas Adam Becker (born on October 22, 1971) is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Adam Flash. Over his career, he has worked for various independent promotions, including Maryland Championship Wrestling, Independ ...
in the first round, Messiah lost to Nick Mondo
Matthew Timothy Burns (born March 28, 1980), better known by his ring name "Sick" Nick Mondo, is a retired American professional wrestler. Since his in-ring retirement in 2003, he has become a filmmaker, actor and stuntman and, at one point, worke ...
in the semi-finals.[ Despite the loss, Messiah defeated Flash to win the Iron Man Championship on October 12 before later defeating Justice Pain for the World Heavyweight Championship on December 14.][ After losing the Iron Man Title to ]Nick Mondo
Matthew Timothy Burns (born March 28, 1980), better known by his ring name "Sick" Nick Mondo, is a retired American professional wrestler. Since his in-ring retirement in 2003, he has become a filmmaker, actor and stuntman and, at one point, worke ...
on February 8, 2003, Messiah later lost the World Heavyweight Title to Zandig
John Corson (born April 4, 1971), better known by the ring name John Zandig, is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and Professional wrestling promotion, promoter. He is the Entrepreneurship, founder and former owner of the p ...
on October 25.[ Messiah would go on to win the World Heavyweight Title two more times before leaving the company in December 2006.]
One year later, Messiah made a one-night return to compete for the World Heavyweight Title against defending champion Ruckus and Nick Gage
Nicholas William Wilson (born September 22, 1980), better known by his ring name Nick Gage, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he is the current GCW World Champion in his record-setting t ...
, the latter of whom won the match and the title.[ On July 10, 2010 at the CZW and Jersey All Pro Wrestling co-event Acid-Fest: A Tribute to Trent Acid, Welch returned to compete as The Messiah in a 28-man ]battle royal
Battle royal (; also royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules. In recent times, the term has been used in a ...
, which was ultimately won by Helter Skelter.[
]
Independent circuit (2007, 2009, 2011)
After leaving CZW in 2006, Messiah wrestled three matches for Pro Wrestling Unplugged in 2007 before taking a hiatus.[ On July 25, 2009, Messiah returned to wrestle a match for the Alternative Wrestling Show, which he lost to Johnny Goodtime.][ On July 10, 2011 at the second Acid-Fest event, Messiah and Adam Flash defeated Devon Moore and Drew Blood in a tag team match.][
]
Return to CZW (2014)
He was set to appear at CZW
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling s ...
Down With The Sickness 2014 event in an 8 Man Tag Team Match. Due to personal issues Messiah did not return.
CZW Hall Of Fame (2019)
On February 9, 2019 at CZW
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling s ...
20th Anniversary show in Voorhees, New Jersey, Welch was inducted into the CZW Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Adam Flash, B Boy, Lufisto, Sonjay Dutt and Trent Acid.
Southern California Death Match Hall Of Fame (2019)
On July 20, 2019 at Santino Brothers Wrestling “Don’t Get Made, Get Even” show in Huntington Park, California, Welch was the second induction into the SoCal Death Match Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Supreme. Both men are credited with pioneering Death Match Wrestling in California with their memorable semi main event Death Match at XPW
Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion owned by Rob Zicari.
Zicari originally ran the promotion out of Los Angeles from 1999 to 2003. He appeared on shows as the on-camera owner under the name R ...
“Go Funk Yourself” event on July 22, 2000 at the L.A. Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Other media
Welch, as The Messiah, is a playable character in the video game '' Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood''.
Personal life
On August 1, 2002, Welch was attacked in his home by two men and had his thumb cut off during the assault.[ The attempted ]hit
Hit means to strike someone or something.
Hit or HIT may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities
* Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super''
* Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...
made national media coverage and was featured on the September 21, 2002 episode of '' America's Most Wanted''.[
Welch married Renell Madison on October 14, 2006.]
He and Renell have two daughters together.
Championships and accomplishments
*Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) is an American independent wrestling promotion. In 1998, John Zandig and five of his students, Ric Blade, T.C.K, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain, along with trainer Jon Dahmer, began to run professional wrestling sh ...
**CZW Iron Man Championship
The CZW Iron Man Championship was a professional wrestling championship owned by the Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) promotion. The championship was created and debuted on February 13, 1999, at CZW's Opening Night event. The title is currently inact ...
( 1 time)
**CZW World Heavyweight Championship
The CZW World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by the professional wrestling promotion Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). It debuted on March 27, 1999 at CZW's The Staple Gun event. ...
( 3 times)[
**]CZW Hall of Fame
The CZW Hall of Fame is an American professional wrestling hall of fame maintained by the Philadelphia-based hardcore-oriented promotion Combat Zone Wrestling. It was established in 2004 (2019)
*Insane Wrestling Federation
**IWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Adam Flash
Douglas Adam Becker (born on October 22, 1971) is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Adam Flash. Over his career, he has worked for various independent promotions, including Maryland Championship Wrestling, Independ ...
[
*Mexican pro Wrestling
**MEXPRO Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
*Millennium Pro Wrestling
**MPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)]
*NWA Florida
Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) 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 ...
**NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship (1 time)
*Pacific Championship Wrestling
**PCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American internationally sold professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publish ...
**PWI ranked him #241 among the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American internationally sold professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publi ...
in 2001
*River City Wrestling
**RCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scott McKenzie
*Xtreme Pro Wrestling
Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion owned by Rob Zicari.
Zicari originally ran the promotion out of Los Angeles from 1999 to 2003. He appeared on shows as the on-camera owner under the name Ro ...
**XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship
The XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship is one of Xtreme Pro Wrestling's championships. Originally, the championship existed as a trophy that was at stake in the first-ever ''Baptized in Blood'' event, which featured a Japanese-style 8-Man Kin ...
( 1 time)
**XPW World Heavyweight Championship
The XPW World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the Xtreme Pro Wrestling promotion. Masada is the current champion in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Brian Cage and Willie Mac ...
( 1 time)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Messiah, The
1977 births
American male professional wrestlers
Male actors from Detroit
Professional wrestlers from Michigan
Living people
CZW World Heavyweight Champions
XPW World Heavyweight Champions
20th-century professional wrestlers
21st-century professional wrestlers
CZW Iron Man Champions