Royce Isaacs
{{Short description|American professional wrestler (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Royce Isaacs
|image = Royce Isaacs 20241214.jpg
|caption = Isaacs in December 2024
|birthname = Isaac Hull
|names = Royce Isaacs
Royce Isaac$
Mr. Burbank
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1989|2|8}}
|birth_place = Denver, Colorado, U.S.
|billed = The Mile High City{{Cite web |last=by |title=PP3 Spotlight: Royce Isaacs – Championship Wrestling from Hollywood |url=https://www.hollywoodwrestling.com/pp3-spotlight-royce-isaacs/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en-US}}
Los Angeles, California{{Citation |title=Almost 2 Hours of Wrestling! Sky & Page, Hardy, Nyla, Rocky Romero & More {{!}} AEW Elevation, 5/24/21 | date=24 May 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOdEgbAM5Y0&list=PLILTWWX_AIJRo4ytGYfhO2Wd2gEMimcxd&index=106 |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en}}
|website = {{URL|https://royceisaacs.wixsite.com/isaacs}}
}}
Isaac Hull (born February 8, 1989) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Royce Isaacs. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and a former member of Team Filthy. From 2019 until 2020, Hull worked with the National Wrestling Alliance where he was a former NWA World Tag Team Champion. He also is known for his work in GCW Bloodsport, DDT Pro-Wrestling, and Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.
Professional wrestling career
= Early career =
Hull received his training at the Butcher Shop in Westminster, Colorado from his trainer, Lonnie Valdez.{{Citation |title=NJPW's Royce Isaacs - Full Interview - Armbars & Sidebars Episode #17 | date=30 July 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnSFoXARZug |access-date=2024-01-16 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Bree |title=Want to Wrestle? Primos Will Show You the Ropes at a Free Training Session |url=https://www.westword.com/arts/want-to-wrestle-primos-will-show-you-the-ropes-at-a-free-training-session-6670870 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Westword |language=en}} He wrestled primarily for independent wrestling promotions in Colorado before expanding his opportunities by wrestling in promotions throughout the US.{{Citation |title=Interview with Royce Isaacs | date=26 December 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCwmRFQ1n3A |access-date=2024-01-16 |language=en}}
= DDT Pro-Wrestling (2016–2017) =
Royce Isaacs debuted with DDT taking part in their DNA Grand Prix 2016 round-robin tournament. In 2017, he did three additional tours with the promotion, usually where he was a tag team partner of Danshoku Dino. At Who's Gonna Top? DDT Dramatic General Election 2017 ~ Last Request Special! Isaacs became the Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion after taking the title off a pair of chopsticks before losing the title in a Gauntlet Battle Royal before the end of the show.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-24 |title=DDT "WHO'S GONNA TOP? ~DDT DRAMATIC GENERAL ELECTION 2017 ~LAST REQUEST SPECIAL!~" Results |url=https://dramaticddt.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/ddt-whos-gonna-top-ddt-dramatic-general-election-2017-last-request-special-results/ |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Dramatic DDT |language=en}}
= Championship Wrestling From Hollywood (2017–2020) =
Royce Isaacs debuted for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood as a participant for their PP3 Memorial Cup tournament in 2017.{{Cite web |last=by |title=PP3 Spotlight: Royce Isaacs – Championship Wrestling from Hollywood |url=https://www.hollywoodwrestling.com/pp3-spotlight-royce-isaacs/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Isaacs 2017 Matches|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=293301 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=Cagematch |language=en}} In 2018 Isaacs aligned with manager, Jamie Iovine to become UWN Television Champion and the Hollywood Heritage Heavyweight Champion simultaneously.{{Citation |title=Royce Isaacs vs Andy Brown | date=25 March 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz-WYxI2gAU |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}} During this time, Isaac entered feuds with Bateman and Andy Brown for these titles causing him to lose the Heritage title to Brown in 2018 and the TV title to Bateman at the 2019 Coastline Clash.{{Citation |title=Championship Wrestling presented by Pro Shingle Episode #11 - COASTLINE CLASH P3 | date=16 June 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPgP3jzr0CE |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}} At the 2019 Red Carpet Rumble, Isaacs would become a 2-time UWN TV Champion after defeating the then champion, Scorpio Sky and Bateman.{{Cite web |last=by |title=Television Championship Bout Announced for RCR – Championship Wrestling from Hollywood |url=https://www.hollywoodwrestling.com/television-championship-bout-announced-for-rcr/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en-US}}{{Citation |title=Championship Wrestling presented by Pro Shingle Episode #25 - RED CARPET RUMBLE P2 | date=21 September 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brgtMaTten0 |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}} Isaac's last match for Championship Wrestling was a loss to Dan Joseph for the UWN TV title.{{Citation |title=Championship Wrestling presented by Pro Shingle Episode #45 | date=8 February 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pfor7Pe3IM |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}}
= National Wrestling Alliance (2019–2020) =
{{Main|Strictly Business (professional wrestling)|l1=Strictly Business}}
Royce Isaacs took part in the 2019 Crockett Cup with his tag team partner, Thom Latimer. The pair won a qualifying tag team battle royal for an open spot in the tournament for the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championships. They progressed through the first round against the War Kings (Crimson and Jax Dane) and defeated Bandido and Flip Gordon in the semi-finals. Isaac and Latimer fell to Villain Enterprises (Brody King and PCO) in the final.{{Cite web |last=Giri |first=Raj |date=2019-04-27 |title=NWA Crockett Cup (2019) |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/events/2019/444/nwa-crockett-cup-2019/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}} During Global Wars Espectacular on 7 September 2019, Latimer and Isaacs defeated Villain Enterprises in a re-match from the Crocket Cup finals.{{Cite web |title=411MANIA |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/new-nwa-tag-team-champions-crowned-at-roh-global-wars/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=New NWA Tag Team Champions Crowned At ROH Global Wars |language=en-US}} On the December 17 episode of Powerrr, Isaacs and Latimer were revealed to being aligned with the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Nick Aldis and his "insurance policy", Kamille.{{cite web |author1=Jason Powell |title=12/17 NWA Powerrr results: Powell's review of the season two premiere featuring Marty Scurll being interviewed by Stu Bennett, Eli Drake vs. Ken Anderson in a No DQ match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/12/17/12-17-nwa-powerrr-results-powells-review-of-the-season-two-premiere-featuring-marty-scurll-being-interviewed-by-stu-bennett-eli-drake-vs-ken-anderson-in-a-no-dq-match/ |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=December 17, 2019}} Isaac's and Latimer's tag team would be named the Wild Cards and the alliance between them, Aldis, Kamille and, eventually, Isaacs' on-screen girlfriend May Valentine would be named Strickly Business. During the ninth episode of Powerrr, the Wild Cards would lose their tag team titles to the Rock 'n' Roll Express.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=130066 |title=Title Changes At Nwa Taping (Spoiler) |publisher=PWInsider.com |date=2019-10-01 |access-date=2022-05-09}} With the COVID-19 pandemic halting tapings of NWA programing, Isaacs asked for his release in September 2020.{{cite web |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Former NWA World Tag Team Champion Royce Isaacs Confirms His Release From The Company |url=https://theringreport.com/nwa/former-nwa-world-tag-team-champion-royce-isaacs-confirms-his-release-from-the-company-a18322#gs.qhi3x5 |access-date=22 February 2022 |website=The Ring Report}}
= Ring of Honor (2019, 2023) =
Isaacs appeared for Ring of Honor in 2019 with Latimer as part of the Crockett Cup tournament. He returned to the promotion with Jorel Nelson on November 11, 2023, in a four-way tag team match against the WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) defeat the Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) and Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) on Honor Club.
= New Japan Pro Wrestling (2021–present) =
{{Main|Team Filthy|West Coast Wrecking Crew}}
Isaacs made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut on the Collision event for NJPW Strong on May 7, 2021. Known as the West Coast Wrecking Crew, he, and his tag team partner Jorel Nelson, were victorious over Jordan Clearwater and Misterioso.{{Citation |title=Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata clash on STRONG! {{!}}Finish STRONG | date=10 May 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFS3Y0MucTU&list=PL8GWdQ90lNZcCkPHZ8GK7fDmszyRBEtQL&index=12 |access-date=2024-01-17 |language=en}} During the first week of Strong's version of the Summer Struggle event, Isaacs and Nelson were defeated by Danny Limelight and J. R. Kratos of Team Filthy. Despite the West Coast Wrecking Crew's loss, Team Filthy's leader "Filthy" Tom Lawlor liked what he saw out of them. He asked if they wanted to join Team Filthy and Isaacs and Nelson accepted. The West Coast Wrecking crew would prove themselves to be consistent challengers for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships facing challengers like the Motor City Machine Guns, TMDK, Aussie Open, and the Guerrillas of Destiny (Hikuleo, and El Phantasmo). In addition, Isaacs would second Lawlor during the G1 Climax 32 tournament in preliminary tag team matches. With Nelson, Lawlor, and Kratos would appear at the NJPW Independence Day events at Korakuen Hall.
= All Elite Wrestling (2021, 2023) =
Isaacs has wrestled for several programs under the All Elite Wrestling umbrella. He debuted as one half of the West Coast Wrecking Crew with Nelson against the Varsity Blondes (Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr.) on the March 10, 2021 edition of AEW Dark.{{Citation |title=15 Matches Including Team Taz, SCU, Dark Order, Penelope Ford, The Gunn Club {{!}} AEW Dark | date=17 March 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yDFOKOGKXw |access-date=2024-01-20 |language=en}} Isaacs would have a singles match with Ren Narita on the May 13, 2021 of AEW Dark: Elevation.{{Citation |title=Almost 2 Hours of Wrestling! Sky & Page, Hardy, Nyla, Rocky Romero & More {{!}} AEW Elevation, 5/24/21 | date=24 May 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOdEgbAM5Y0 |access-date=2024-01-20 |language=en}} Isaacs televised AEW debut happened when Maxwell Jacob Friedman had him and Lawlor attack Adam Cole on the June 23, 2023 edition of AEW Rampage prior to Cole and Lawlor's planned match at that year's Forbidden Door (which couldn't take place due to Cole becoming ill before the event).{{Citation |title=MJF to the rescue (via @AEW) #aew #aewrampage |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6CSd5AAbMeg |access-date=2024-01-20 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kleinchester |first=John |date=2023-06-24 |title=AEW Rampage Results: Tom Lawlor vs. Adam Cole added to PPV |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/06/23/aew-rampage-results-tom-lawlor-adam-cole-added-to-ppv/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=POST Wrestling {{!}} WWE AEW NXT NJPW Podcasts, News, Reviews |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-25 |title=Tom Lawlor Reacts To Match With Adam Cole Being Pulled From AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1322915/tom-lawlor-reacts-match-adam-cole-pulled-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Isaacs is Jewish.{{cite news |last=Gurvis |first=Jacob |date=1 April 2023 |title=LA synagogue hosts 'Mitzvah Mania' with Jewish pro wrestlers |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/la-synagogue-hosts-mitzvah-mania-with-jewish-pro-wrestlers/ |work=Times of Israel |location= |access-date=21 September 2024}} {{cite news |last=Chaz |first=Kangas |date=31 March 2023 |title=Mitzvah Mania brings the first Jewish-focused event to WrestleMania weekend |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-03-31/mitzvah-mania-brings-the-first-jewish-focused-event-to-wrestlemania-weekend |newspaper=LA Times |location= |access-date=21 September 2024}}
Championships and accomplishments
- DDT Pro-Wrestling
- Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)
- DEFY Wrestling
- DEFY Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jorel Nelson
- Epic Pro Wrestling
- Epic Pro Championship (1 time, current)
- Future Stars Of Wrestling
- FSW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jorel Nelson
- Lucha Libre & Laughs
- LLL Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Thom Latimer
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jorel Nelson
- Primo Pro Wrestling
- Primo Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 183 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2024{{cite journal |last1=PWI Staff |title=The 2024 PWI 500 |journal=Pro Wrestling Illustrated |date=December 2024 |volume=45 |issue=9 |page=49}}
- Relentless Wrestling
- Relentless Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
- United Wrestling Network
- CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- UWN Television Championship (2 times)
- Winner's Circle Pro-Wrestling
- WCPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jorel Nelson
- Wrestling's Best of the West
- BOTW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jorel Nelson
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=18273|wrestlingdata=31294|iwd=royce-isaacs-14589|name=Royce Isaacs|type=person}}
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Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:American male professional wrestlers
Category:Ironman Heavymetalweight Champions
Category:Jewish professional wrestlers
Category:NWA World Tag Team Champions
Category:Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions