| Michael Santiago | |
|---|---|
| |
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Michael Santiago |
| Height | 6 ft. 1 in. |
| Weight | 241 lbs. |
| Born | September 6, 1970 (age 38) Staten Island, New York |
| Resides | Long Island, NY / Malibu, CA |
| Billed from | Staten Island, New York |
| Trained By | OMA(One Man Army) / Mikextreme |
| Debut | 1999 |
| Wins | 1042 |
| Losses | 33 |
| Draws | 8 |
Michael Santiago (born September 6, 1970 in Staten Island, New York) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Fearless Championship Wrestling (FCW).
Michael broke into the business at the age of 26. Since his humble beginnings in ACW all the way to his current status in FCW, Michael has gone from place to place and attempted to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with. Michael usually sticks to his roots as a very tactical wrestler (in his mind) carefully planning out each move he performs, but Michael is also known to himself for thinking he puls out all the stops when needed, he thinks he is an accomplished high flyer, and thinks he can also be viciously strong when needed. Making Michael thinks he is one of the most versatile, dangerous wrestlers in the business.
Career[]
From day one many opponents saw Michael as a pushover, that is until they stepped into the ring with him and realized it. Although he may look like the nicest, most care-free guy you will ever meet, once you are standing across from him inside the ring, he is like a machine. Michael is not afraid to delve his fans into his personal life, and he always backs up the trash he talks. (note: tries to) Michael began his career as a bad guy character, but for the most part of his career has been a fan favorite, but sometimes his bad guy roots show through, not only in his promos, but it becomes very evident in the ring. (note: he has a difficult time living the good guy lifestyle)
American Championship Wrestling[]
Michael Santiago began his wrestling career straight out of college with American Championship Wrestling (ACW) he was taken under the wing of the then heavyweight champion One Man Army. Michael quickly took to his training and within three months he had gained himself the ACW Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Michael made short work of everyone in his division, and it wasn't long before he saw himself being pulled up to the heavyweight division and in a double title match against his mentor. After a hard fought battle Michael stood victorious after pinning One Man Army.
After his loss One Man Army departed, leaving the only major name in the company, to be Michael, who was still a rookie, this didn't sit well and fans quickly shunned the company, causing its imminent demise.
Pro X Wrestling[]
After the closing of ACW, Michael found himself a new home, the tier based PXW/GXW. Michael made quick work of everyone in the developmental federation and was quickly called up to GXW.
Generation X Wrestling[]
After spending only a month in PXW, Michael was brought in to the professional tier of PXW/GXW. Michael defeated many household names, but to that point had still not been given any real opportunities. Michael, being fed up with the nonsense of the current heavyweight champion using his pull with management to never defend his title, upped the stakes a bit by putting his career against the title.
Finally the match was made, and at the largest PPV of the company's fiscal year, Michael took on Joe Blood. Michael proved his worth by dominating most of the match. Finally after forty minutes of non-stop action, Michael hit Blood with his then finisher, "The Lights Out". Michael made the pin but the referee only counted to two, refusing to count any further, Michael made his way to attack the ref before being leveled with a lead pipe to the back of the head by the company's chairmen, Steve Armstrong.
Michael lost the match, after a blatant screwjob, his first of only 33 losses in his eleven year career. Michael stuck to his word and left the company, never to look back, at the corporate hellhole. (note: Santiago's opinion)
World Wrestling Over the Internet (2003-2005)[]
WWOI proved to be the biggest pivot point of Michael's career. He joined WWOI, and quickly hooked up with Mikextreme, a legend of the fed. Mikextreme furthered Michael's training and made him into the technical genius he is today. Mikextreme claimed the heavyweight title in WWOI, as well as the tag team titles with Michael Santiago. The two defended their gold flawlessly for months, until in mid 2004 Mikextreme was injured. Mikextreme was forced to vacate the heavyweight title, and the two were forced to vacate the tag titles. Both titles were placed into tournaments, and Michael found himself a new partner.
Michael trained and teamed with his childhood best friend Shane Knight. The two entered the tag team tournament, as well as Michael entering the heavyweight tournament. At the "Road to Glory" pay-per-view, Michael found himself in the finals of both tournaments, and went on to capture both belts in one night. Michael had finally lived up to the standards that Mikextreme had left for him.
After a few months of defending the titles Mikextreme made his return to WWOI, but with a severely diminished spirit. He announced he was activating his rematch clause for the heavyweight title to take on his protege and former partner, but if he were to lose, he would retire.
The stage was set and at the December pay-per-view, Christmas Karnage, the two had the most memorable match in WWOI history. Ultimately, Michael Santiago won the match, forcing his mentor into retirement. This didn't sit well on the conscious of Michael, and to make matters worse, by February Shane had earned himself the spot as #1 contender for the title.
March 2005 was supposed to be the clash of the tag team champions, but Michael no-showed the match, refusing to face his partner. This caused for his immediate release from WWOI. Shane was fired shortly afterward for defending his friend. Without its three largest stars to back the company, WWOI folded. (note: only one version of the events)
First Hiatus (2005-2006)[]
After his departure from WWOI in March 2005, Michael went into semi-retirement. Originally planning to never wrestle again, Michael was dragged back into the sport after hearing his name be abused in TNA. So in October 2006 Michael made his debut in TNA.
Total Non-Stop Action: First Run (2006)[]
It was a short lived run, by December Michael had shut the mouths of his accusers and once again, went into retirement.
Second Hiatus (2006-2007)[]
From December 2006 to November 2007 Michael stayed out of the lime-light of professional wrestling. During the summer of 2007 Michael had begun to feel the itch of missing the sport, so he began training for a return.
Total Non-stop Action: Second Run (2007-2008)[]
In November 2007 Michael made his return to TNA, and the world of wrestling as a whole. He quickly wiped out any competition that was placed before him. Shane Knight too popped up in TNA.
During their tenure with TNA, Shane and Michael met "The Maverick Elite" and quickly became friends with the "stonefaced" "Business Only" ring genius. By January things began to become sour as corporate politics began to rear their ugly heads.
In February 2008 Michael claimed the World Heavyweight Championship and almost immediately took his leave of TNA. Going out on top.
European Wrestling Federation (2008)[]
In June 2008, European Wrestling Federation brought in Santiago. Santiago found stability after bouncing around from various promotions. EWF gave Santiago something he had not seen in a very long time which was competition. Michael made it a point to bring with him some names from his past that were Shane Knight, The Maverick Elite, Seth Corin and Drake Phoenix who were all inked to contracts as well. Knight, Santiago, Elite and Corin would make up The Perfect Alliance that likely went unrecognized as a stable.
Santiago worked with EWF for the majority of two months and teamed with Knight collective known as The Wave of the Future, earned their opportunity through the competition and started for the EWF Tag Team Championship in what was a tournament, making their way to the final round just before European Wrestling Federation closed and became defunct.
Elite Wrestling Academy (2008)[]
On August 15, Santiago signed with Elite Wrestling Academy due to wrestle Shock Value (Keith Daniels and Brian Adams) on Most Wanted for the EWA Tag Team Championship. Santiago and his partner Shane Knight went on to lose to Adams and Daniels due to outside interference. They remained with the company until its closing in December 2008
Prominent Wrestling Organization (2009)[]
With the new year came new opportunities for Michael. In January 2009 Michael signed with the PWO and participated in their first main event match against his good friend The Maverick Elite. Michael ultimately lost the match, but his bond with Maverick had become stronger than ever. By February Michael had won the PWO United America title, becoming the inaugural UA Champion and the first champ in PWO history. Unfortunately he lost it shortly afterward to Johnny Rotten as well as losing his rematch. Michael didn't look back at this loss though, he instead set his sights higher and at the end of March he and Maverick formed the Alliance. They won the tag division tournament and in April they became the first PWO Tag Team Champions. The following month Michael went on to win the PWO Heavyweight title, achieving the highest honor in PWO (note: he never pinned the champ) . Michael had become the first double champion and the first triple crown champion in PWO history. Shortly after the PWO folded due to financial problems, Michael still holding the Tag team and Heavyweight titles. (note: he never act ually defended either title in title matches)
Santiago's run in PWO was nothing short of controversial. An unpopular figure backstage, he was often accused of political back-stabbing and using his connections to ensure his success. Had PWO not shut it's door, Many believe that his charade would have soon been exposed. Very few people expected him overcome the increasingly friendly trio of challengers in Joey Harris (whom he ducked), Claire Pure (whom he only wrestled while she was injured), and Jerimiah Belmont (whom he never pinned or submitted) as well as the number one contender that was to be determined when Poe and Seifer faced off, it was only enivitable that Michael would lose his PWO Title in the coming months.
Championship Wrestling Council Interfed (2009-Current)[]
Just previous to PWO's downfall Maverick and Michael were invited to represent PWO (A CWC Affiliate) in the CWC's Tag Team Title match. Maverick and Michael quickly defeated the team of Maverick Jones and T-Bone. After PWO closed Michael and Maverick chose to compete in the FCW due to its CWC affiliation.
Prominent Wrestling Organization (2009)[]
After PWO reopened its doors in November, Santiago quickly re-signed with the company. He was chosen to main event in its re-debut show against his former rival Johnny Rotten due to both of them being reigning champions when the PWO shut it's doors in May. Santiago won the match due to interference by his returning tag team partner, Shane Knight. After the match, Santiago and Knight began to brawl with Claire Pure and Johnny Rotten until Dylan Sanders came out to announce the brackets for the PWO World Title Tournament. Santiago faced Pure in the first round of the tournament in a cage match and was on the verge of defeat until Shane Knight again interfered to cost Pure the match. The following week, Santiago watched as Claire retired his tag team partner. He came out to his match against Rotten demoralized and was quickly destroyed by Rotten. Although the circumastances are unclear, it appears as though Santiago has taken a leave from active competition.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing Moves
- The Fault Line (Brainbuster Pin)
- Inferior Design (Psycho Driver)
- Signature Moves
- Chaos Theory (Three Amigos Suplexes)
- Santiago Death Lock (Sharpshooter)
- End Game (Spear)
- Wrestling style
- All-round
- Managers
- Gilligan the Raccoon
- Conrad
- Current alignment
- Brief Character/Gimmick Description
- Michael is a fan favorite, who talks a lot of trash. He is a jokester outside of the ring, but is no-nonsense once inside those ropes. (note: Attempts of his to come off as funny usually come off as making him to look like an asshole.)
- Nicknames
- The Blueprint
- Black Charisma
- The Prodigy
- Warrior of Darkness
- The Calling
- Theme music
- Welcome to the World by Kevin Rudolf (FCW)
- Let the Bodies hit the floor by Drowning Pool (EWF)
- I don't wanna stop by Ozzy Osbourne (TNA, PWO and various others)
- Enter Sandman by Metallica (ACW, WWOI, PXW, GXW)
Championships and accomplishments[]
- American Championship Wrestling
- ACW World Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- ACW Junior Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- ACW Tag Team Champion (1 time)
- Professional Wrestling "X"
- PWX Intercontinental Champion (1 time)
- Generation Wrestling "X"
- GWX Intercontinental Champion (1 time)
- GWX Heavyweight Champion (2 times)
- World Wrestling Over the Internet
- WWOI World Heavyweight Champion (2 times)
- WWOI Tag Team Champion (3 times)
- WWOI Hardcore Champion (4 times)
- WWOI United States Champion (1 time)
- Total Non-Stop Action
- TNA World Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- Supreme Wrestling Federation
- SWF United States Champion (1 time)
- Ring of Glory
- ROG Tag Team Champion (1 time)
- Prominent Wrestling Organization
- PWO Championship (1 time)
- PWO Tag Team Championship (1 time)
- PWO United America Championship (1 time)
- Championship Wrestling Council
- CWC Tag Team Championship (1 time) (Current)