Brian Pillman Jr.
Brian Zachary Pillman (born September 9, 1993),[2] better known by his ring name Brian Pillman Jr., is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW), and alongside Davey Boy Smith Jr., is one half of the New Era Hart Foundation. Pillman is a second generation wrestler, as he is the son of professional wrestler Brian Pillman.[3]
Brian Pillman Jr. | |
---|---|
Pillman in May 2018 | |
Birth name | Brian Zachary Pillman |
Born | Erlanger, Kentucky, U.S. | September 9, 1993
Residence | Covington, Kentucky, U.S. |
Family | Brian Pillman (father) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Brian Pillman Jr. Brian Pillman II |
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1] |
Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg)[1] |
Billed from | Cincinnati, Ohio |
Trained by | Lance Storm |
Debut | December 30, 2017 |
Early life
Pillman attended Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood, Kentucky, where he played football. He graduated in 2011 and furthered his education attending college.[4][5]
Professional wrestling career
In February 2017, Pillman announced he would be following his father's footsteps becoming a professional wrestler. He was trained by Lance Storm at his school, the Storm Wrestling Academy, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.[6][7]
Pillman made his debut match for Combat Zone Wrestling on January 28, 2018 at Dojo Wars 162 against Mike Del for the CZW Medal of Valor Championship.[8] Pillman was defeated in the match by submission. Pillman would have one more match in CZW, in a tag team match, teaming with Teddy Hart and faced Anthony Bennet and Jimmy Lloyd at Super Show V on January 26.[9][10]
In late 2018, Pillman signed a contract with Major League Wrestling (MLW). When he first came in, he was mentored by his father's World Championship Wrestling rival Kevin Sullivan.[11] He then turned on Sullivan and joined forces with Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr., creating the New Era Hart Foundation.[12][13][14][15] This took place in a backstage segment where Pillman attacked Sullivan with a cane, causing Sullivan to bleed.[16]
In May 2019, Pillman was a participant in a battle royal at All Elite Wrestling's inaugural pay-per-view event, Double or Nothing.
On January 18, 2020, Pillman was a surprise 16th entrant in a 16 man Battle Royale at IWC Reloaded 6.0. He did not win the match, but he appeared in the Main Event, helping IWC Champion Jack Pollock win the match. After the match, Pillman revealed he has signed a contract with IWC, and that part of his contract was a shot at the IWC Championship at the promotion's February event. On February 15, Pillman defeated Sam Adonis, Aramis, Lance Archer, Black Taurus, Michael Elgin, Andrew Everett and Alex Zayne in a War of Attrition match to win the vacant Warrior Wrestling Championship. The title was left vacant due to injury to former champion Brian Cage.[17][18]
Championships and accomplishments
- Major League Wrestling
- MLW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Teddy Hart
- Rookie of the Year (2018)
- Supreme Wrestling
- Mid America Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[19]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Rookie of the Year (2019)[20]
- Warrior Wrestling
- World Class Wrestling Outlaws
- WCWO Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
References
- "Brian Pillman Jr". Mlw.com. 31 July 2018.
- Kizer, Drake (December 15, 2019). "Picking up the pieces: Brian Pillman's son chasing dad's legacy in professional wrestling". cincinnati.com.
- Adam Clements (February 20, 2017). "Flyin' Brian Pillman's son hopes to follow in his father's footsteps". WKRC-TV. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018.
- "Dixie football player remembers his father's legacy". Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "Son of Brian Pillman making own legacy". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 2018-08-06.
- "Brian Pillman's Son Might Be Embarking On A Career As A Pro Wrestler". Yahoo.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "BRIAN PILLMAN JR. MAKES PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING DEBUT, BACKSTAGE VISITORS AT SMACKDOWN IN TAMPA". Pwinsider.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "Brian Pillman Jr.: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". Profightdb.com.
- "PWInsiderXTRA.com". Pwinsiderxtra.com. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "PWInsiderXTRA.com". Archive.today. 12 September 2018. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "Respecting the booker man: A look at Brian Pillman Jr's mentor". Mlw.com. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "MLW Battle Riot spoilers: 40-man match, Rich Swann injured". F4wonline.com. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- "Brian Pillman Jr. feels at home with wrestling". Slam.canoe.com.
- "10/12 MLW Fusion preview: Brian Pillman's Jr.'s singles debut, two additional matches - Pro Wrestling Dot Net". Prowrestling.net. 12 October 2018.
- "Q&A: Brian Pillman Jr. makes a name for himself". Si.com.
- Harris, Jeffrey (July 10, 2019). "Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Kevin Sullivan No Holds Barred Match Set for ECCW This Week". 411Mania.com.
- "Warrior Wrestling 8". Cagematch. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- Greer, Jamie (February 16, 2020). "#AndNEW: Brian Pillman Jr. Wins Warrior Championship". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- "Supreme Wrestling - Champions and Title History". www.awasupreme.com. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated [@OfficialPWI] (January 13, 2020). "Feud: @JohnnyGargano vs. @AdamColePro, Match: @CodyRhodes vs. @dustinrhodes, Rookie: @FlyinBrianJr. The @OfficialPWI staff is also proud to announce @steveaustinBSR as the Stanley Weston Award winner for lifetime achievement" (Tweet). Retrieved February 16, 2020 – via Twitter.
External links
- MLW Profile
- Brian Pillman Jr. on Twitter
- Brian Pillman Jr. on Instagram
- Brian Pillman Jr.'s profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database