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Daniel Widdel
Image of Daniel Widdel
Statistics
Real name {{{realname}}}
Ring Names Daniel Widdel
Jaydan
Jaydan Gabriel
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 215 lb (97 kg)
Date of birth July 29th, 1983
Place of birth Windsor Ontario, Canada
Date of death
Place of death
Resides Santa Monica, California
Billed from Windsor Ontario, Canada
Trainer
Current
federation(s)
Previous
federation(s)
Handled by
Win/Loss Record
Debut June 7th 2009
Retired

Daniel Jay Anthony Widdel (born on July 29, 1983), is a Canadian born Rock Musician, Mixed-Martial Arts Fighter and Professional Wrestler currently signed to Global Championship Wrestling. Previously working for Ground Zero Wrestling Association (GZWA), Elite Wrestling Network (EWN), Ultimate Future Wrestling Alliance (UFWA) and ZXWWF under the ring name Jaydan Gabriel.

Widdel has a comprehensive background in Judo and amateur wrestling. He was first discovered trying to earn a spot on the first series on the Ultimate Fighter reality series but did not make the cut. He would eventually reach a deal with XFC in 2007. Widdel would leave MMA to train as a professional wrestler in 2008 after serving a 9 month suspension.

In 2011, founded rock band, Cranes of Ocean and recorded their first album in that same year. The album "Advancement" was released in the summer of 2012.

Early life[]

Widdel was born in Windsor Ontario, Canada as an only child to Stephanie (née McGowan) and Gabriel Widdel. At the age of five He moved with his mother to Monroe, Michigan after the passing of his father. He would meet his childhood friend and now future wife Amelia Vukadinovic. After graduating high school, he moved to New York and studied Screen Writing at New York University Film School. To get money, he busked by singing and playing a guitar. In 2004 he became a father to a daughter with a woman named Danica.

MMA career[]

Jaydanmma

Widdel in his first MMA match

In 2005, Widdel auditioned for the first series of the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. He did not make the final cut but he moved down to Seattle, Washington to train with a mixed martial arts team. On October 12, 2006, he made his first amateur MMA match, in losing effort to Mark Donovan. He signed to Xtreme Fighting Championships and fought a match on the first show XFC 1: Dynamite on November 11, 2007. He became the underdog and silenced all critics when he pulled an upset on Sean Lowee and George Degriff. Shortly after, Widdel would be suspended after an altercation involving another fighter, Thomas Haste. After the 9 month suspension, he decided to leave MMA and turn to professional wrestling.

It was rumoured that Widdel was returning to the MMA circuit sometime in September 2010. It was reported that the deal fell through but in a statement he said that he wouldn't rule out a return to the sport. It was reported that Widdel has gone through another round of negotiations of returning to the circuit in June 2011, unfortunately it did not materialise.

Mixed Martial Arts Record[]

Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Lose Flag of the United States Mark Donovan Decision (Unanimous) Prize Fight Promotions October 12, 2006 3 5:00 Flag of the United States Denver, Colorado Debut
Win Flag of the United States Sean Lowee Submission (Guillotine Choke) XFC 1: Dynamite November 11, 2007 1 3:18 Flag of the United States Tampa, Florida
Win Flag of the United States George Degriff Submission (Strikes) XFC 2: Rage in the Cage March 2, 2008, 2 2:42 Flag of the United States St. Pete Times forum

ZXWWF (2009-2010)[]

The Shift and Gen-Next Championship[]

Widdel debuted at the ZXWWF Condemned Pay-Per-View on June 7 as the mystery opponent for Jay Lethal. His real life ex-wife Amiee Vaughan was in Lethal's corner. He was under the ring name Jaydan Gabriel. Jaydan defeated Lethal in squash match; after the match he sent a message to his ex-wife who ran off in horror.

Amiee challenged Jaydan to a handicap match against her and her boyfriend Jay Lethal at the next Pay-Per View, Patriotic Punishment. During the coming weeks he formed

Jaydanchamp

With the Gen-Next championship

friendship with Delta Madison, who is Amiee's cousin. A week beforehand, Delta offered to be his tag team partner for the match but he declined. He expressed concern for Delta, saying she shouldn't get involved. Delta was adamant at first but decided to follow his orders. It was revealed at the Pay-Per View that Amiee and Jaydan had renewed their relationship and formed an alliance with The Big Show, dubbing themselves The Shift.

Jaydan turned heel and injected himself in the race for the Gen-Next Division title which was held by Bryan Danielson. He interfered in the number one contenders match against Samuel and Red giving Samuel the win via DQ. The next week Jaydan pinned Samuel in a tag team match having Big Show taking out Red out of the picture. It was announced that the Gen-Next title match will be a Triple Threat match at the Summertime Suffering Pay Per View. Jaydan pinned Samuel to become Gen-Next champion in the mainevent of the Pay-Per View.

Jaydan was undefeated until Evan Bourne pinned him in a non-title fatal four way match on Xplosion which Big Show was banned from ringside. Jaydan blamed the loss on his ex-wife and wasn't pleased to find out her sudden interest in his other rival Samuel. At the Redemption Pay-Per View, Jaydan retained his championship in a Terrordome match which involved Samuel, Red, Hurricane, Evan Bourne, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. In the closing moments of the match, Sabin and Shelley had helped Jaydan escape from the dome.

On the next Xplosion, Jaydan announced that the Motor City Machine Guns have joined forces together. Over the coming weeks, The Shift used their number advantage over Jaydan's rival, Samuel. During that time, Amiee and Jaydan's relationship became strained when she started to support Samuel. At the Pick Your Poison Pay Per View, Jaydan lost his Gen-Next Championship to Samuel in a Barb Wire Steal Cage match when Amiee slammed the cage door in Jaydan's face, giving Samuel the chance to escape.

Jaydan created the ZX Big Sexy Tour to find him a new girlfriend. The Shift and the Legion held auditions for many young female hopefuls.

Amiee Vaughan revealed that she was going to inform his probation officer of his recent behaviour. It was rumoured that Jaydan had punched Amiee across the face. She promptly blackmailed him saying that he must listen and do what she said. Jaydan was forced to lay down for Samuel in his Gen-Next rematch from the orders of Amiee.

Various Feuds; Face Turn[]

On the first show of 2010, Jaydan and Big Show left their former stable mates, The Motorcity Machine Guns high and dry. Big Show had given Alex Shelley a knockout punch so Chris Sabin could get pinned. The next week Big Show and Jaydan faced off against the Guns but the match was cut short when Big Show knocked out Jaydan Gabriel.

On the 18th of January, it became official that Jaydan Gabriel was released from his contract. The negotiations of a new contract fell through.

Rumors surfaced of a return when Amiee began to campaign for a The Shift Reunion. On the 24th of March VWA, he made an unexpected return by having Big Show eliminated in the Pick 8 Battle Royal for the contender-ship for the Heavyweight title. Jaydan and Amiee became an on-screen couple once again. Jaydan wrestled his first match on the April 14th VWA where he was defeated by Tyler Black. Jaydan wrestled at the No Where To Run Pay-Per View participating in the Lethal Lockdown match in Team Storm against Team Maddoxx, in which his team won.

On 26 May VWA, Jaydan defeated Conner Styles. The week after they were scheduled for a re-match but it appeared that Conner was attacked backstage and could not compete. Edge was Jaydan's replacement opponent; near the end of the match, Conner attacked Jaydan causing a DQ. Conner claimed he wanted to make an impact and make his mentor, Victor Phillips proud.

The two were scheduled to wrestle another match, it was originally a falls count anywhere match but was changed to a No DQ, submission, falls count anywhere match under 5 minutes. Conner made Jaydan tap out after choking him with a 2 x 4. After the match, Jaydan's former rival Samuel appeared on the screen, giving Conner Styles an ultimatum. While Conner was distracted, it gave Jaydan time to give him The Shift (STO Chokehold) much to Samuel's approval.

At 'Mania V, Jaydan competed in the yearly Money In The Bank Match as the representative for the VWA Heavyweight championship. The match was ultimately won by Genesis. At the end of the Pay-Per View, ZX announced that 'Mania will be the last telecast of ZXWWF.

Ground Zero Wrestling Association (2010; 2011; 2015 - 2016)[]

Two weeks after ZXWWF closed its doors, Jaydan Gabriel and his wife signed a deal with Ground Zero Wrestling Association. He appeared on the first House Show on 23 July facing Dean Maddoxxx. He lost the match when the lights went off and attacked by mystery person with black smoke. He wrestled on the first televised show Primetime on July 30 defeating Stunray and Serena Dent. In the match he protected Amiee from Stunray who for an unknown reason declared revenge on her.

The next week he wrestled Stunray in a one on one match. During the course of the match, Stunray bloodied Jaydan by using the steel ring post. Jaydan was pinned by Stunray when Jaydan jumped off the top rope and was caught by a well timed Stunray Stunner. His wife looked on in horror as Stunray struck Jaydan with the ring bell as Primetime went off the air.

On the 20th of August Primetime, Jaydan was a lumberjack for Amiee Vaughan Vs Serena Dent. All hell broke loose as most of the GZWA superstars engaged in a brawl. Jaydan managed to save Amiee from harm once again when Serena, Jack Chaos and Stunray trapped her. Jaydan smashed a steel chair on Stunary's skull twice, knocking him out of the ring while Serena and Chaos retreated. The owner Xion Zeros announced at the first Pay Per View First Encounter that Jack Chaos, Serena Dent and Stunray will face Amiee Vaughan, Jaydan Gabriel and a partner of their choosing in a 6 man tag steel cage match.

At First Encounter, the team of Amiee, Jaydan and Undertaker were defeated in the cage match when Serena Dent pinned Amiee after a Heroin Injection (Twist of Fate). After seeing Stunray accompany Serena Dent to the ring for the battle royal for the GZWA Women's Championship. Jaydan evened the score and the two launched a brawl within the crowd. Jaydan participated in the battle royal for the GZWA championship. He was the last eliminated by The Undertaker when he watched his wife struck Stunray with multiple chair shots. On September 23, two days after his wife was released from her contract he quit the company.

At the first anniversary, Slammiversy 2011 Pay-Per View, Jaydan and Amiee both appeared backstage in a short segment wishing the company a happy first birthday.

On November 18th 2013, Widdel signed a new contract with GZWA.

Ultimate Future Wrestling Alliance (2010 - 2011)[]

On the October 13th episode of Wreck, Jaydan made an appearance in a backstage segment with Ivory and John Cena. Ivory announced Jaydan as her new enforcer replacing John Cena. Ivory had temporary taken over Wreck due to Raven's absence and storyline kidnapping by Amanda. At the Dark Harvest Pay-Per View. Jaydan and Raven's enforcer Vipera defeated Amanda and Poison Rose.

After wards Jaydan begun to be involved in matches with former rival Samuel as ordered from Ivory. Jaydan wrestled at the Fatal Lock Up in the Money In The Bank ladder match, which was won by Alberto Di Rio. Before the Combat Championship match, Jaydan attacked Amanda and allowed Raven to be freed.

On January 28 he wrestled his last television appearance on UFWA in a Wreck Vs Oblivion Over the Top Battle Royal.

Elite Wrestling Network (2011)[]

After leaving UFWA, Jaydan signed on to a new company called EWN. He appeared on the first televised show on February 16 in a triple threat match involving Edge and Co-Owner The Rock. He lost to Edge via a Spear. The next weeks show he distracted Triple H in his match against Fear costing him the match.

After a brief hiatus, EWN re-launched it's brand with its first Monday show called Warzone on April 18. Jaydan defeated Triple H in the mainevent of the show in a cage match with his wife Amiee Vaughan in his corner. On the 25th of April, Jaydan was assigned as the special guest referee for Fear and Samuel versus Triple H and Matt Sydal. Samuel and Jaydan's alleged plan backfired when Triple H pedigreed Jaydan and forced him to count the pinfall with his hand.

The company would quietly fold by the end of 2011.

Global Championship Wrestling (2016 - Present)[]

Music career[]

Cranes of Ocean[]

In August 2011, Widdel signed a recording deal with Columbia Record after forming the band Cranes of Ocean. The band consists of Samuel McCray and Reid Black, along with half brother, Axel Blakehurst. Widdel is the lead singer of the band, with Blackhurst on Guitar/Backing vocals, McCray on Bass/backing vocals and Black on Drums.

The band released their debut albumAdvancement digitally on June 4th 2012, and physically on June 25th, 2012. Advancement features a total of 14 tracks, including singles "On Fire", "City After Dark" and "Same Ol'" The band would embark in a tour in the United States and then going on to Canada, Europe and Australia throughout 2012 and 2013.

The band would appear on an episode of ABC television show E.V.O.L which stars Widdel's wife in promotion of their album.

The band is currently working on their second studio album. They announced on their official site that their album will come out 'sometime mid to late 2014'. On November 2nd, they release a Deluxe Edition of Advancement that includes new songs 'What You Will See' and 'Stained Orange', songs from their unreleased EP, as well as remixes of other songs from Advancement.

On February 14th 2014, the band released their first single "What You Will See' off their upcoming second album. Their second album 'Dualism' was released worldwide on June 11th 2014. The band would tour locally around North America throughout the remainder of the year.

Widdel would announce in October 2015 that the band is taking a hiatus.

Discography[]

Albums with Cranes of Ocean

  • Advancement (2012)
  • Dualism (2014)

Personal life[]

Jamiee5

With his wife, Amiee Vaughan

Widdel married his childhood sweetheart Amiee Vaughan on October 5, 2002. The couple divorced six months into the marriage. In 2009, Widdel renewed his relationship with Amiee. They moved in together in Santa Monica, California.

In May 2010, the couples divorce lawyer was under investigation and it was discovered that their divorce papers weren't correctly filed. Vaughan had married their divorce lawyer Rainn Hartloff in 2006 until 2008. Hartloff had forged Widdel's signature after he refused to sign the papers. Hartloff was sent to court over the charges of forgery, bigamy and bribery, in which both Vaughan and Widdel testified against him. On April 24, 2010 Vaughan and Widdel decided to renewed their wedding vows.

On July 29, 2013, Widdel and Vaughan announced they are expecting their first child together. Their son, Arron Oscar Widdel was born on January 4th 2014. On December 28th 2015 the couple welcomed twin daughters, Ariadne Joy & Ananke Mary Widdel.

Widdel was previously engaged in 2006 to a Woman named Danica. They have a child together named Audrey who was born in March 2004. They ended their engagement early 2008. Their split was amicable and they share joint custody of their daughter.

Widdel is a recovering alcoholic. The altercation with MMA Fighter, Thomas Haste was alcohol related violence. He was charged with assault and battery. He was subjected to one year probation and required to attend AA meetings.

Widdel has a half brother named Henry 'Axel' Blakehurst (Born in April 14, 1986)

In Wrestling[]

Finishing Moves

Signature Moves

  • Narcotiic Guillotine Choke
  • Cover of Undercover Bridging grounded double chickenwing
  • Roundhouse Kick
  • Rear naked Choke Hold
  • Heel Hook
  • Kneeling Side Slam
  • Shin breaker
  • Crucifix neck crank
  • Running Spear
  • Figure Four Lock
  • Dragon Whip
  • Implant DDT
  • Running Kick to the Face
  • Front Dropkick
  • Sit-Out Powerbomb
  • Jumping High Kick

Nicknames

  • The Ghost
  • The Anti-Hero, Hero
  • The Filthy Fix

Managers

Entrance Themes

Championship/Accomplishments[]

  • ZXWWF
  • Gen-NeXt Division Champion (1)
  • GZWA
  • Television Champion (1)
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