Josh Woods (wrestler)
{{Short description|American professional wrestler (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Badsources|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Josh Woods
|image =
|caption =Josh Woods in December 2017
|birth_name = Joshua Aaron Woods
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|03|20}}
|birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
|residence =
|alma_mater = University of Central Florida
|children =
|spouse =
|names = Josh Woods
Preston Cunningham Jr.{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/josh-woods-11445.html|title=Joshua Woods: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)|publisher=profightdb}}
|height = {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=17750|title=Joshua Woods Profile |publisher=Cagematch}}
|weight = {{convert|233|lb|kg|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=17750|title=Joshua Woods Profile |publisher=Cagematch}}
|billed =
|trainer = Silas Young
WWE Performance Center
Ring of Honor
{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/05/two-nxt-roster-members-cut-including-tough-enougher-z-z/|title=Update on cut NXT roster member Josh Woods |publisher=PWTorch}}
|debut = August 25, 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/tough-enough-finalists-join-new-recruits-performance-center-27992953|title=Tough Enough competitors join new class of recruits at the WWE Performance Center|website=WWE|date=October 28, 2015|accessdate=January 31, 2016}}
|retired =
}}
Joshua Aaron Woods (born March 20, 1988) is an American professional wrestler, where he performs under his real name (stylized as Josh Woods). He is signed to Ring of Honor (ROH) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Premier Athletes.
Amateur wrestling career
Woods was a collegiate amateur wrestler at the University of Central Florida, where, in 2011, he won the NCWA National Championship. He was also a two time NCWA All American and National Runner-up. He also runs camps for Ultimate Fighting Championship athletes such as Alex Nicholson, Seth Petruzelli, Mike Perry and Tom Lawlor.{{cite web|url=https://www.earnthenecklace.com/nia-jax-boyfriend-josh-woods-age-facts/|title=Nia Jax's Boyfriend, Josh Woods: 5 Facts You Need to Know|publisher=Earn the necklace}}
Professional wrestling career
= WWE =
==NXT (2014–2016)==
Woods signed a contract with WWE at the end of 2014 and started to train at the WWE Performance Center.{{cite web|url=http://wrestling-edge.com/backstage-news-wwe-signed-new-talents-news-wwe-scouting-indie-wrestlers/|title=Backstage News on Why WWE Signed New Talents, News on WWE Scouting Indie Wrestlers |publisher=Wrestling Edge}} His first match with NXT was on April 25, where he competed in a battle royal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=127129|title=WWE NXT Live « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net}} On July 30 and September 26, he competed in two more battle royals to determine the number one contender to the NXT Championship, which were won by Tyler Breeze and Baron Corbin, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=134019|title=WWE NXT Live « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=137616|title=WWE NXT Live « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net}} His first win was at Venice, Florida during a house show on January 30, 2016, against Gzim Selmani.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=145216|title=WWE NXT Live « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net}} On June 9, he competed against No Way Jose in a losing effort.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2016-06-22/article/no-way-jose-def-josh-woods|title=No Way Jose defeats Josh Woods|publisher=WWE}} His final match in NXT was at a house show on July 23, where he lost to Mojo Rawley.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=158409|title=WWE NXT Live « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net}} WWE released him days later.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/zz-two-others-released-wwe-developmental-217476|title=ZZ, Twho Others Released from WWE Developmental|publisher=Figure 4 Online}}
= Ring of Honor (2016–present) =
Woods' debut in Ring of Honor was in a dark match on October 22, 2016, in a six-man tag team match alongside Brandon Groom and Kennedy Kendrick, defeating Chuckles, Joey Osbourne and Victor Andrews. He entered the 2017 ROH Top Prospect Tournament, defeating Chris LeRusso, Brian Milonas, and John Skyler to win the tournament. He formed a tag team with Silas Young called Two Guys & One Tag. On March 26, 2021, on ROH 19th Anniversary Show, Young turned on Woods splitting up the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/ring-honor/roh-tv-taping-results-bullet-club-jay-lethal-top-prospect-tourney-kickoff-229991|title=ROH TV Taping Results: Bullet Club, Jay Lethal, Top Prospect Tourney Kickoff|publisher=Figure 4 Online}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-news.net/roh-manhattan-mayhem-vi-results/89350/|title=ROH Results: Manhattan Mayhem VI – New York City, NY (3/4)|publisher=Wrestling News}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pwponderings.com/2017/04/08/roh-television-tapings-482017-spoilers/|title=ROH "Charm City Excellence" 04/08/17 TV Tapings *Spoilers*|publisher=PWPonderings}} At Death Before Dishonor XVIII, Woods defeated ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham to win the title.
With the acquisition of Ring of Honor by Tony Khan, it was announced that Woods would defend the Pure Championship against Wheeler Yuta at Supercard of Honor XV on April 1, 2022.{{cite tweet|number=1507442255321309191|user=TonyKhan|title=ROH Supercard of HonorNext Friday April 1, Dallas Metroplex@ringofhonor Pure Wrestling Champion Josh Woods (…|date=25 March 2022}} Woods lost the title to Yuta at the event.
= Independent circuit (2017) =
On July 14, 2017, he entered the MCW Shane Shamrock Memorial XVII tournament, where he fought Anthony Henry to a time limit draw.{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2017/07/15/714-mcw-shane-shamrock-memorial-cup-night-one-joey-mercury-rock-n-roll-express-shaheem-ali-vs-leo-st-giovanni-lio-rush-joey-janela-josh-woods/|title=7/14 MCW Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup Night One: Joey Mercury, Rock-n-Roll Express, Shaheem Ali vs. Leo St Giovanni, Lio Rush, Joey Janela, Josh Woods|publisher=ProWrestling.net}}
=== All Elite Wrestling (2021–present)===
On December 12, 2021, Woods made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on AEW Dark, where he was defeated by Shawn Spears. After racking up some victories on Dark programming, Woods began appearing on Dynamite and Rampage in 2022. In the summer, Woods formed a tag team with Tony Nese, and the duo would acquire the services of Mark Sterling as their manager and on-screen attorney. On the August 5 edition of Rampage, Woods & Nese unsuccessfully challenged Swerve in our Glory (Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland) for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=https://theovertimer.com/2022/08/aew-rampage-results-swerve-in-our-glory-defeat-tony-nese-and-josh-woods-in-street-fight-08-06/|title=AEW Rampage Results: Swerve In Our Glory Defeat Tony Nese and Josh Woods In Street Fight (08/06)|work=The Overtimer|date=2022-08-06|access-date=2022-12-08}} On the October 7 edition of Rampage, Woods & Nese defeated The Varsity Blonds (Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison), and after the match, Sterling revealed he had "trademarked" the term Varsity as it relates to professional wrestling, and that Woods & Nese would be known as The Varsity Athletes going forward.{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/10/08/aew-rampage-notes-death-triangle-retain-nese-woods-renamed-the-varsity-athletes/|title=AEW Rampage Notes: Death Triangle Retain, Nese & Woods Renamed “The Varsity Athletes”|work=POST Wrestling|author=John Kleinchester|date=2022-10-08|access-date=2022-12-08}}
Championships and accomplishments
= Amateur wrestling =
- National Collegiate Wrestling Association
- NCWA National Championship – 235 lb (2011){{cite web|url=https://ncwa.net/news/2011/nine-all-americans-lead-california-baptist-to-ncwa-championship|title=Nine All-Americans lead California Baptist to NCWA Championship|work=NCWA.net|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=February 26, 2024}}
= Professional wrestling =
- Platinum Pro Wrestling
- PPW Silverweight Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=229253|title=PPW Luchamania III: Springtime Melee - Event @ American Legion Post #142 in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=April 20, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3234|title=PPW Silverweight Championship|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=April 20, 2019|access-date=September 13, 2021}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 121 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2021.html|title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021 - the Internet Wrestling Database}}
- Ring of Honor
- ROH Pure Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/09/12/9-12-roh-death-before-dishonor-results-powells-review-of-bandido-vs-brody-king-vs-ec3-vs-demonic-flamita-in-an-elimination-match-for-the-roh-world-championship-jonathan-gresham-vs-josh-wo/|title=9/12 ROH Death Before Dishonor results: Powell's review of Bandido vs. Brody King vs. EC3 vs. Demonic Flamita in an elimination match for the ROH World Championship, Jonathan Gresham vs. Josh Woods for the ROH Pure Title, Miranda Alize vs. Rok-C to become the first ROH Women's World Champion|first=Jason|last=Powell|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=120|title=ROH Pure Championship|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=September 12, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021}}
- ROH Top Prospect Tournament (2017){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=4375&page=2|title=ROH Top Prospect Tournament (2017)|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|date=April 8, 2017|access-date=September 13, 2021}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{roh roster|josh-woods|Josh Woods}}
- {{Professional wrestling profiles|wrestlingdata=29577|iwd=josh-woods-11445}}
- {{Twitter|WoodsIsTheGoods|Josh Woods}}
- {{IMDb name|nm8240263|Josh Woods}}
{{Ring of Honor}}
{{All Elite Wrestling}}
{{ROH Pure Championship}}
{{ROH Top Prospect Tournament}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woods, Josh}}
Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:American male professional wrestlers