Ian Rotten
Encyclopedia
John Benson Williams (born June 1, 1970) is an American
professional Wrestler better known by his ring name
Ian Rotten. He has wrestled in Global Wrestling Federation
(GWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling
(ECW), and his own wrestling promotion IWA: Mid-South.
and "Superstar" Bill Dundee while growing up in Florida
and Baltimore, Maryland, John Williams, began his career under the name Johnny Lawler, the storyline
illegitimate son of Jerry "The King" Lawler
. However, after heat
from Jerry Lawler and a short stint as hockey gimmick Zach Blades, Williams went to wrestle for Skandor Akbar in the Global Wrestling Federation
.
, the Bad Breed. The Bad Breed defeated the Texas Mustangs (Bobby Duncum, Jr.
& Johnny Hawk
) for the GWF Tag Team Championship
in January 1993. In June 1994 in Extreme Championship Wrestling
(ECW), the Bad Breed started a feud with Public Enemy over the ECW Tag Team Championship
, but never won the title.
, where he started a wrestling hotline. He found that many fans were calling in to complain about the "old fashioned" style of wrestling they were seeing at the local United States Wrestling Association
(USWA) shows run by Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett
, and, realizing there was a demand for the more violent ECW-style product, started the IWA Mid-South promotion in early 1996. In addition, he competed for Combat Zone Wrestling
, Pro Wrestling Unplugged, and Chikara.
In 2005, Williams made appearances at the Hardcore Homecoming
shows promoted by Shane Douglas
and Jeremy Borash
, including the Taipei Death 2 rematch against Axl Rotten.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional Wrestler better known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Ian Rotten. He has wrestled in Global Wrestling Federation
Global Wrestling Federation
Global Wrestling Federation was a professional wrestling promotion based in Dallas, Texas. It started in June 1991 and folded in September 1994. At one time its shows were presented on the ESPN television network. On many weeks, the promotion provided programming five days a week airing at 4 p.m...
(GWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
(ECW), and his own wrestling promotion IWA: Mid-South.
Early career
After becoming a fan of Dusty RhodesDusty Rhodes (wrestler)
Virgil Riley Runnels, Jr. , better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler currently working for WWE...
and "Superstar" Bill Dundee while growing up in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and Baltimore, Maryland, John Williams, began his career under the name Johnny Lawler, the storyline
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
illegitimate son of Jerry "The King" Lawler
Jerry Lawler
Jerry O'Neil Lawler is an American professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, musician, businessman, commercial artist and film actor, known throughout the wrestling world as Jerry "The King" Lawler. He is currently signed to WWE, working on its Raw brand as the color commentator and occasional...
. However, after heat
Heat (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, heat refers to both crowd reaction and real-life animosity between those involved in the professional wrestling business. In terms of crowd reaction, heat is usually either cheers for a babyface or boos for a heel...
from Jerry Lawler and a short stint as hockey gimmick Zach Blades, Williams went to wrestle for Skandor Akbar in the Global Wrestling Federation
Global Wrestling Federation
Global Wrestling Federation was a professional wrestling promotion based in Dallas, Texas. It started in June 1991 and folded in September 1994. At one time its shows were presented on the ESPN television network. On many weeks, the promotion provided programming five days a week airing at 4 p.m...
.
Bad Breed
After Brian Knighton suggested they become "brothers", they became Ian and Axl RottenAxl Rotten
Brian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
, the Bad Breed. The Bad Breed defeated the Texas Mustangs (Bobby Duncum, Jr.
Bobby Duncum, Jr.
Bobby Duncum, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling as a member of the West Texas Rednecks.-Professional wrestling career:...
& Johnny Hawk
John Layfield
John Charles Layfield is a former American professional wrestler, a former commentator/host for mixed martial arts promotion Vyper Fight League and financial analyst for Fox News...
) for the GWF Tag Team Championship
GWF Tag Team Championship
The GWF Tag Team Championship was the tag team title in the Global Wrestling Federation in Texas. The title existed from 1991 until 1994, when GWF closed. The title was featured on the promotion's show that aired nationally on ESPN...
in January 1993. In June 1994 in Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
(ECW), the Bad Breed started a feud with Public Enemy over the ECW Tag Team Championship
ECW Tag Team Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling...
, but never won the title.
Later career
Williams left ECW in late 1995 over money disputes and moved to KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, where he started a wrestling hotline. He found that many fans were calling in to complain about the "old fashioned" style of wrestling they were seeing at the local United States Wrestling Association
United States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
(USWA) shows run by Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
, and, realizing there was a demand for the more violent ECW-style product, started the IWA Mid-South promotion in early 1996. In addition, he competed for Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling
Combat Zone Wrestling is a independent wrestling promotion. In 1999, John Zandig and four of his students, Ric Blade, Lobo, Nick Gage and Justice Pain began to run backyard wrestling shows in New Jersey and Delaware, showcasing a brand of hardcore wrestling dubbed as "ultraviolence"...
, Pro Wrestling Unplugged, and Chikara.
In 2005, Williams made appearances at the Hardcore Homecoming
Hardcore Homecoming
Hardcore Homecoming was a series of professional wrestling events which were advertised as a reunion of talent from the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion....
shows promoted by Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
and Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash
Jeremy Borash , is an American professional wrestling play-by-play commentator, announcer, ring announcer, booker, interviewer, producer and website designer...
, including the Taipei Death 2 rematch against Axl Rotten.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Career Killer (Diving elbow drop)
- Rotten Rush (Double underhook DDT)
- Signature moves
- BrainbusterBrainbusterA brainbuster is a professional wrestling throw in which a wrestler puts his/her opponent in a front facelock, hooks his/her pants, and lifts him/her up as if he/she was executing a vertical suplex. The wrestler then falls onto his/her back so that the opponent lands on his/her head while remaining...
- Corkscrew elbow smash
- Falling chokebomb
- Head vice
- Pumphandle slam
- Snap suplex
- Ura-nage
- Brainbuster
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "The King of Hardcore"
Championships and accomplishments
- Global Wrestling FederationGlobal Wrestling FederationGlobal Wrestling Federation was a professional wrestling promotion based in Dallas, Texas. It started in June 1991 and folded in September 1994. At one time its shows were presented on the ESPN television network. On many weeks, the promotion provided programming five days a week airing at 4 p.m...
- GWF Tag Team ChampionshipGWF Tag Team ChampionshipThe GWF Tag Team Championship was the tag team title in the Global Wrestling Federation in Texas. The title existed from 1991 until 1994, when GWF closed. The title was featured on the promotion's show that aired nationally on ESPN...
(1 time) – with Axl RottenAxl RottenBrian Knighton is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Axl Rotten.-Early years:After watching a professional wrestling match on television, Knighton decided to become a wrestler...
- Anarchy Championship Wrestling
- ACW-IWA Texas Tag Team Championship (1 time)- with Drake YoungerDrake YoungerDrake Wuertz is an American professional wrestler known by his ring name Drake Younger. He has worked for a number of major independent promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, IWA Mid-South and Chikara...
- Independent Wrestling Association Deep South
- IWA Deep South Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mickie KnucklesMickie KnucklesMickie Lee Knuckles is an American professional wrestler who has worked for a number of major independent promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Chikara and Combat Zone Wrestling. She also worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Moose...
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-SouthIndependent Wrestling Association Mid-SouthIndependent Wrestling Association Mid-South is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky.- History :...
- IWA Mid-South Heavyweight ChampionshipIWA Mid-South Heavyweight ChampionshipThe IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship was the major title in the Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South based in Louisville, Kentucky...
(8 times) - IWA Mid-South Tag Team ChampionshipIWA Mid-South Tag Team Championship-Title history:-External links:*...
(5 times) - with Axl Rotten twice, with Cash Flo, Tarek The Great and Mad Man PondoKevin CanadyKevin Canady , better known by his ring name Mad Man Pondo, is an American professional wrestler best known for his hardcore wrestling style. Canady has wrestled for various wrestling promotions, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Combat Zone Wrestling, Big Japan Pro Wrestling,...
once - IWA Mid-South King of the DeathmatchIWA Mid-South King of the DeathmatchThe Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South King of the Deathmatch is an annual professional wrestling tournament running since 1997 in which a number of wrestlers compete in various deathmatches, in a single-elimination tournament which is similar to World Wrestling Entertainment's King of...
(2 times) 1997 and 2001
- Juggalo Championship Wrestling
- JCW Tag Team ChampionshipJCW Tag Team ChampionshipThe JCW Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship in Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Nine teams, comprising a total of eighteen wrestlers, have held the JCW Tag Team Championship, combining for a total of thirteen title reigns....
(1 time) - with Lane Bloody
- Mid-American Wrestling
- MAW World Heavyweight Championship (8 times)
- MAW Hardcore Cup Winner (2 times - 2001 and 2003)
- National Wrestling AllianceNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA United States Tag Team ChampionshipNWA United States Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA United States Tag Team Championship is a name used by several championships that were or currently are under the National Wrestling Alliance 's supervision:...
(1 time) - with Blaze
- NWA Revolution
- NWA Revolution Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Danny McKay
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him # 178 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
in 1996 - PWI Feud of the Year - 1995 (Axl Rotten vs. Ian Rotten)
- Pro Wrestling Unplugged
- PWU Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- westside Xtreme wrestlingWestside Xtreme WrestlingWestside Xtreme Wrestling, officially stylized as westside Xtreme wrestling «wXw», is a professional wrestling promotion based in Oberhausen, Germany...
- wXw World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- wXw Hardcore Championship (1 time)
- Estudio Wrestling Association
- EWA World Champion (1 time, current)
- Total Championship Wrestling
- TCW World Champion (1 time,current)
External links
- Interview with Ian Rotten by In Your Head
- Interview with Ian Rotten by Genickbruch.com
- ProWrestlingPress.com Interview with Ian Rotten
- Ian Rotten profile at Online World of Wrestling
- Match History at Indy Wrestling News
- Global Wrestling Federation Tag Team history
- WXW title histories
- Pro Wrestling Unplugged title histories
- MAW title histories