A.J. Morales

""The Revolution" A.J. Morales (born February 7th, 1992) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to the Xtreme Wrestling Alliance.

Morales first made his name in the San Francisco Bay Area independent scene as a tag team wrestler, but arrived on the national scene in the XWA as a singles competitor. He quickly aligned himself against the Survivors, in particular Diamond Jack Sabbath, and is currently part of the Stars of Tomorrow alliance against them.

Early life
Morales was born and raised in a working-class, primarily Latino neighborhood of San Francisco to a Mexican mother and a white father. As a child, he had trouble fitting in with his peers due to his mixed heritage.

By high school, however, Morales was an outsider in practically the entire city, thanks to waves of gentrification that drove up rent prices dramatically and forced his family to move from neighborhood to neighborhood. Finally, Morales grew fed up with this process and struck out on his own, bouncing around the Bay Area and doing odd jobs to support himself. Once he reconnected with his childhood love of lucha libre, however, he found the direction he needed to take back control of his path.

Training & early career
Morales began his training by studying various forms of striking martial arts, including Muay Thai and taekwondo, since the local wrestling school he wanted to apply to, Zapatista Lucha Academy, didn't allow applicants under the age of 21. Once he met that age requirement, he applied and was accepted, shifting his focus towards lucha libre.

After graduating from the academy, Morales adopted his ring name and joined the ranks of Zapatista Lucha Libre, based in San Jose. He became one-third of a trios team known as Los Monterrockers, adopting a biker-influenced rockstar persona in the process, and over their years together, the team rose in popularity and eventually went on a reign as the ZLL Trios Champions. However, the team's run was cut short when one of the members was severely injured in a bus crash and forced to retire.

Arrival and first matches (February 2017 - April 2017)
With his tag team finished, Morales sought to break out on his own, signing with the XWA in February 2017 and adopting the nickname "The Revolution." He made his XWA singles debut in Sao Paulo, Brazil on the eighth episode of XWA Massacre, defeating Jayden Crosse by pinfall. Morales and Crosse would meet again at the pay-per-view event XWA If You Want Blood, this time in a triple threat match also involving Alex Reyn. Morales once again emerged victorious, pinning Crosse while Reyn was unconscious outside the ring.

Feud with the Survivors (May 2017 - present)
After previously making harsh comments towards the Survivors, Morales cut a promo on Massacre during the XWA's Xtreme Cruiselines trip through the Pacific Ocean. In his speech, Morales described the gentrification that took place in his childhood, saying that it had cost him his hometown, and that he wouldn't let the Survivors do the same to the XWA.

In response, during Morales's match against Cortez Columbus on the next episode of Massacre, Diamond Jack Sabbath sent Raine and Serena Maxwell of War Enforcement to interfere. Raine distracted the referee long enough for Maxwell to hit Morales with a kendo stick, allowing Columbus to get the pin. Afterwards, the duo beat down both competitors, including throwing Columbus off the boat for his ingratitude.

Knowing he needed allies to watch his back, Morales promptly signed with Amy Taylor Management, which he announced at XWA On a Boat. In doing so, he, Austin Carter, Emery Layton, and Adam Fenric formed the Stars of Tomorrow, and the four assembled in the ring for the first time after Layton & Fenric's successful defense of their XWA Tag Team Championship.

In June, Morales entered in the Lord of the Ring tournament, where he was placed in Group Three and scheduled to face Nirvana in the first round.

Wrestling persona
Morales identifies with the tecnico philosophy of lucha libre, as reflected in his high-flying offense and friendliness to crowds no matter where he goes. His gimmick throughout his career has been that of a rockstar, with strong influences from biker fashion, and in line with that, he's known to flirt with women in the audience and occasionally refer to himself as a "sexy luchador."

Upon joining the XWA, A.J. added a self-described "insurgent" flavor to his persona, taking the nickname "The Revolution" and adding Zapatista-influenced iconography to his look to pay tribute to his original home promotion. This also extended to his actions in the company, styling himself as a rebel leader in opposition to the Survivors.

During the Xtreme Cruiselines portion of the XWA's Global Domination world tour, Morales, along with Emery Layton, adopted elements of a pirate gimmick, referring to himself as "Captain Blondstreak" and wearing a full pirate costume to the ring for his match with Cortez Columbus. He downplayed these aspects once the Japan portion began, but added a cassette and crossbones to his entrance attire.

Personal life
Morales identifies as Chicano, speaks fluent English and Spanish, and takes pride in his Mexican ancestry. His maternal family seems to have come from Monterrey, Mexico, given his identification with that city in particular.

Morales is an avid sports fan, particularly of the San Francisco 49ers. He also supports the Oakland Athletics, the Golden State Warriors, C.F. Monterrey, and Mexico's national soccer team.

Morales is politically outspoken, particularly on the issue of gentrification, and is vocal in his opposition to right-wing authoritarian politicians, particularly in the United States and Latin America.

Morales is a fan of DC Comics, particularly Green Lantern comics and the movie Suicide Squad, and identifies strongly with Kyle Rayner and El Diablo.

Morales is currently in a relationship with Emery Layton, and he has repeatedly referred to her, Austin Carter, and Adam Fenric as part of his "squad" of close associates.

In wrestling
Finishing moves Signature moves Nicknames Entrance themes
 * Kliq Kliq Boom (Top rope spinning heel kick)
 * Liberator (Superman punch)
 * 94 Blitz (Striking spear)
 * Golden Goal (Enziguri)
 * Leaping clothesline
 * Superkick
 * "The Revolution"
 * "The Monterrockstar"
 * "Captain Blondstreak"
 * "Rolling Stone" by Falling in Reverse (March 2017 - May 2017)
 * "Faint" by Linkin Park (June 2017 - )

Championships and accomplishments
Zapatista Lucha Libre
 * ZLL Trios Champion (1 time) (with Los Monterrockers)