Moose (wrestler)

Moose
Moose in January 2016
Birth name Quinn Ojinnaka[1]
Born (1984-04-23) April 23, 1984
Seabrook, Maryland,
United States[2]
Alma mater Syracuse University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Moose[1]
Moose Ojinnaka[1][2]
Billed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]
Billed weight 295 lb (134 kg)[1]
Billed from Atlanta, Georgia[1]
Washington, D.C.
Trained by Curtis Hughes[3]
ROH Wrestling Academy[2]
Debut 2012[2]

Quinn Ojinnaka (born April 23, 1984) is an American professional wrestler and former American football player, known by the ring name Moose.[4] He is currently signed to Impact Wrestling, and is a former two-time Impact Grand Champion. In addition, he is the GWF Heavyweight Champion.[5] He has also worked for Ring of Honor, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Evolve Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah. As an offensive lineman, he played college football at Syracuse and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to play for the New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, and Indianapolis Colts.

Early life

Ojinnaka was born in Seabrook, Maryland. He attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he earned All-Prince George County offensive lineman honors as a senior when his team had an 11–0 season that included the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship.

College career

Ojinnaka attended Syracuse, where he played in 44 games with 23 starts in four years. In 2005, he started 2 games as a junior. He was part of an offensive line that blocked for the first Syracuse duo to each run for 800 yards (Damien Rhodes and Walter Reyes) since 1979. The team allowed only 199 sacks, the second-most in the Big East Conference. In 2006, Ojinnaka played in the 2006 Las Vegas All-American Classic for the East squad after starting all 11 games as a senior.

Professional football career

Quinn Ojinnaka
refer to caption
Quinn Ojinnaka (center) with Jason Snelling and Ovie Mughelli in 2009
No. 76, 69
Position: Offensive tackle / guard
Personal information
Born: (1984-04-23) April 23, 1984
Seabrook, Maryland
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 309 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school: DeMatha Catholic
(Hyattsville, Maryland)
College: Syracuse
NFL Draft: 2006 / Round: 5 / Pick: 139
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 62
Games started: 20
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Atlanta Falcons

Ojinnaka was selected in the fifth round (139th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. As a rookie in 2006, he played in 11 games. He saw playing time on special teams in Weeks 1–4 and 8–13. He played on the offensive line for the first time in his professional career when he replaced Wayne Gandy who had been injured against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In 2007, Ojinnaka played in 11 games, and had seven starts at left tackle. His first career NFL start at left tackle was against the San Francisco 49ers. He played in eight games in 2008. In 2009, he played in nine games, and started the final five games at right guard in place of an injured Harvey Dahl.

New England Patriots

On August 23, 2010, Ojinnaka was traded to the New England Patriots for a seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. After serving his one-game suspension in Week 1, Ojinnaka was inactive for the team's next two games. He was released on September 30, 2010. The Patriots re-signed Ojinnaka on October 7, 2010. In total, he was active for eight games in 2010, all as a reserve.

St. Louis Rams

Ojinnaka signed with the St. Louis Rams on August 6, 2011. He was released on September 3.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts signed Ojinnaka on October 5, 2011.

Second stint with Rams

Ojinnaka signed with the St. Louis Rams on March 22, 2012. He was waived on September 2, 2012.[6]

He was re-signed on September 12, 2012 when Scott Wells injured his foot and Robert Turner moved from left guard to center. However, he was released again on October 22, 2012.[7]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2012–2014)

Ojinnaka started his professional wrestling training in 2012 under Mr. Hughes at WWA4, and has attended WWE training camps.[8] On February 22, 2014, he made his debut for Dragon Gate USA, working alongside The Bravado Brothers in a bodyguard role.[8] On May 6, 2015, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Ojinnaka as part of their roster.[9] Due to signing a new Ring of Honor (ROH) contract, Ojinnaka was only scheduled to work GFW's house shows and not television tapings.[10]

Ring of Honor (2014–2016)

After Willbourne appeared at ROH's Best in the World 2014 event on June 22, 2014, and the promotion announced two days later that it had signed him to a contract.[11] Ojinnaka then adopted the ring name Moose and formed a partnership with R.D. Evans and Veda Scott.[12] On December 7, 2014, at Final Battle 2014, Moose, accompanied by Prince Nana and Stokely Hathaway, defeated R.D. Evans. On March 1, 2015, at the ROH 13th Anniversary Show, Moose defeated Mark Briscoe in a singles match, marking his first major win within Ring of Honor.[13] Moose beforehand "squashed" wrestlers, such as Colby Corino. Moose's undefeated streak ended on May 16 at Global Wars '15, when he was defeated by Cedric Alexander.[14] On June 19 at Best in the World 2015, Moose's manager Veda Scott turned on him and formed a new partnership with Alexander. At the PPV, Moose lost a three-way match against Roderick Strong.[15] At Final Battle (2015) he lost against Michael Elgin. At Best in the World '16, Moose teamed with War Machine but lost against Bullet Club. Ojinnaka left ROH on July 8, 2016, with reports linking him to both WWE and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[16][17]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling

Impact Grand Champion (2016–2018)

Moose made his TNA debut on the July 12, 2016, Destination X edition of Impact Wrestling, interrupting the main event match between TNA World Heavyweight Champion Lashley and TNA X Division Champion Eddie Edwards, aligning himself with Mike Bennett and Maria, establishing himself as a heel.[18] Ojinnaka reportedly had signed a two-year exclusive deal with the promotion.[19] On the July 28 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose made his in-ring debut, defeating indy wrestler David Starr.[20] On the August 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose and Mike Bennett defeated Eddie Edwards and Ethan Carter III. On the August 19 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose defeated Eddie Edwards.

On the August 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose participated in a Battle Royal to determine the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship but was eliminated by Mike Bennett. On the September 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose refused to help Mike Bennett during his World Heavyweight Championship match against Lashley and attacked him after the match, dissolving their partnership and turning face in the process. Moose defeated Bennett at Bound for Glory on October 2, 2016. On the October 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, he defeated Ethan Carter III for having a match against Lashley to determine the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. However, on the October 20 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was defeated by Lashley. On the November 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was defeated by Mike Bennett by count-out, thus not qualified him for the four-way match the following week to determine another new contender number one for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

On December 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose answered the Open Challenge of Aron Rex and defeated him for the Impact Grand Championship.[21] Moose successfully retained his title against Aron Rex in a rematch the following week. After the match, he had a confrontation against the returning Drew Galloway. On the January 5 episode of Impact Wrestling, he successfully retained his title against Mike Bennett by decision. After the match, Moose was challenged by Bennett for a No Disqualification match at One Night Only: Live!, which he won once again. On January 19, 2017 Moose lost the Impact Grand Championship to Drew Galloway. At Genesis, Moose was defeated by Drew Galloway in a rematch and failed to regain the title. On the February 9 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose saved Cody's wife Brandi Rhodes from an attack of Rosemary and Decay. The following week, Moose and Brandi defeated Abyss and Crazzy Steve. On the March 23 episode of Impact Wrestling, Cody thanked Moose for helping Brandi Rhodes while he was away. However, after learning Brandi had Moose's phone number, Cody attacked Moose.[22] On the March 2 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was attacked by Cody and brawled with him, which resulted by Cody run away from Moose. The same night, Moose defeated Drew Galloway and regain the Impact Grand Championship. On the March 30 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose retain his title against Cody.

After successfully defended his title against Randy Reign at Border City Wrestling, Moose was attacked by Chris Adonis. At Turning Point, Moose challenged Lashley for the Impact World Heavyweight, but was defeated. On the April 27 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose defended his title against Davey Richards but the match ended in a no-contest. After the match, DeAngelo Williams and Gary Barnidge, who were on Moose's side during the match, attacked Richard. On the May 30 episode of Impact Wrestling at Mumbai, India, Moose challenged once again Lashley for the Impact World Heavyweight Championship, but was ultimately defeated. On June 1st episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose retained his title against Eli Drake. After being challenged for a tag-team match at Slammiversary by Adonis and Drake, Moose revealed his tag-team partner on the June 22 episode od Impact Wrestling, who was DeAngelo Williams. At Slammiversary, Moode and Williams defeated Adonis and Drake. On the July 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose retained his title against Naomichi Marufuji when the match ended in a no-contest, after an attack of Ethan Carter III. On the August 3 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose lost his title against Ethan Carter III. On the August 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was involved in the 20-man gauntlet match for the vacated GFW Global Championship which was won by Eli Drake.

On the September 14 episode of Impact Wrestling, Lashley called Moose during his last Impact Wrestling night and the two brawled against each other on the Impact Zone. However, Moose was attacked by Lashley's MMA team, the American Top Team, with the help of Dan Lambert. On the October 12 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose reveals that his partner against Lashley and the American Top Team will be Stephan Bonnar. Then, the duo vandalized the ATT Dojo and stealed many Dan Lambert's belts and trophies. Two weeks later, Moose defeated Lashley by disqualification after being attacked by Lambert. At Bound for Glory, Moose and Stephan Bonnar were defeated by Lashley and King Mo in a Six Sides of Steel match. On the November 16 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was saved by James Storm during a beatdown of the American Top Team. Then, on the December 7 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose and James Storm were defeated by Lashley and Dan Lambert. The following month, Moose, teaming with Eddie Edwards, was defeated by Lashley and KM. However, during the Impact special episode Genesis, Moose defeated Lashley. After the match, Lashley turned face and both of him and Moose attacked Dan Lambert and an American Top Team member. After the beatdown, Moose and Lashey shake their hands, ending the rivalry.

Championship pursuits and heel turn (2018–present)

On the February 1st episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose and Johnny Impact defeated Ethan Carter III and Alberto El Patron. The following week, Moose participated in a four-way match including the three wrestlers to determine the number one contender for the Impact World Championship, which was won by Johnny Impact. On the March 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose participated at the Feast or Fired match, which he grabbed a briefcase. The following week, Moose revealed that his briefcase contained a World Championship contract. However, on the April 5 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was defeated by Eli Drake after and intervention of Ohio Versus Everything in a case (World Championship) vs. case (Tag Team Championshio) and loses his World Championship contract. The following week, Moose defeated Sami Callihan. At Redemption, Moose, Eddie Edwards and Tommy Dreamer were defeated by OVE in a House of Hardcore match. After the PPV, Moose went to a series of victories, defeating Braxton Sutter on the 26 April episode of Impact Wrestling, and Kongo Kong the following month.

On the June 7 episode of Impact Wrestling, Moose was ranked #1 of the Top 5 Impact Wrestling Dummies of Eli Drake. Then, he confronted Drake and challenged him for a match, before being attacked and humiliated. The following week at House of Hardcore 43, Moose defeated Drake and became the number one contender for the Impact World Championship at Slammiversary XVI against Austin Aries. At Slammiversary, Moose lost to Aries. On the August 30th edition of Impact Wrestling, he was found knocked out backstage with a Killer Cross symbol shown across his chest.

On the August 30 edition of Impact, both Edwards and Moose were set up for a tag team match against Aries and Kross. During the match, Edwards tagged in Moose, but Moose instead attacked Edwards with a spear, also revealing he wasn't injured, taking off his head bandage, thus aligning himself with Aries and Kross and turning heel in the process.

Personal life

On May 29, 2009, Ojinnaka was arrested for simple battery at his home in Suwanee, Georgia, after he fought with his wife and spat at her during an argument over a female friend of his on Facebook, according to a police report. He told police that his wife had tried to stab him with a pen, and she said he threw her on some stairs before tossing her out of the house.[23] He was later suspended by the NFL for the first game of the 2010 regular season.[24] Ojinnaka's wife divorced him after he announced his intention to leave the NFL and become a professional wrestler.[25]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ROH profile". Archived from the original on March 24, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cagematch profile".
  3. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (April 14, 2016). "Daily Update: Cauliflower Alley Club 2016; exit the Dragon". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Now a wrestler, Quinn Ojinnaka says NFL was just a job".
  5. 1 2 "GWF Mystery Mayhem 2017 results".
  6. ↑ Thomas, Jim (September 1, 2012). "Rams claim 2; Hoomanawanui, Ojinnaka cut". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  7. ↑ Thomas, Jim (October 22, 2012). "Updated: Rams cut Ojinnaka, sign ex-Bear Williams". St. Louis Post Dispatch. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Gee Schoon Tong, Chris (February 23, 2014). "Radican's results - 2/22 DGUSA "Revolt!" in New York: Gargano defends DGUSA Title, Fox defends Evolve Title, former NFL player introduced, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Mike (May 6, 2015). "Live notes from GFW press conference". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  10. ↑ Johnson, Mike (May 19, 2015). "What Moose signing means for GFW, Taz talks with Lethal and more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  11. ↑ Caldwell, James (June 24, 2014). "ROH news: Ring of Honor officially signs former NFL star". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  12. ↑ Gee Schoon Tong, Chris (August 9, 2014). "ROH TV tapings 8-9 Philadelphia". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ring of Honor 13th Anniversary PPV results".
  14. ↑ Burgess, Mike (May 17, 2015). "5/16 ROH Global Wars Night Two live report (TV taping spoilers)". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  15. ↑ "It's a grudge match at DBD XIII". Ring of Honor. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  16. ↑ Johnson, Mike (July 9, 2016). "Moose says farewell to ROH". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  17. ↑ Currier, Joseph (July 9, 2016). "Moose tweets goodbye to ROH, pulls out of August indie date". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  18. ↑ Currier, Joseph (July 12, 2016). "Interesting name debuts at TNA Impact tapings". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  19. ↑ "PWTorch Report – Details on Moose's new TNA contract". Pro Wrestling Torch. July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  20. ↑ "TNA Impact Results, Live Blog (July 28, 2016): Broken Matt Hardy vs. EC3!". Cageside Seats. July 28, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Csonka's TNA Impact Review 12.01.16". 411 Mania. 411 Maniadate=2016-12-01. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Cody Rhodes Returns To TNA Impact Wrestling". www.wrestlingnewsworld.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  23. ↑ Morris, Mike and Kent A. Miles (May 29, 2009). "Falcons' Ojinnaka arrested over Facebook fracas". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  24. ↑ "OL suspended over fracas with wife". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 3, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  25. ↑ Hale, Andreas (March 30, 2016). "How an ex-NFL player is on the verge of becoming a wrestling superstar". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  26. ↑ "SCW Florida Heavyweight Championship history".
  27. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "IPW:UK World Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  28. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2017". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  29. ↑ "PWX Innovative Television Championship history".
  30. 1 2 "Rhymer Cup Main Event".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.