Jon Andersen
Encyclopedia
Jon Andersen Reel, normally referred to simply as Jon Andersen (born January 8, 1972) is an American bodybuilder, strongman
competitor and professional wrestler
. Anderson currently splits his time between working for Pro Wrestling Revolution in California and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
(CMLL) in Mexico. He has also worked for the Inoki Genome Federation
(IGF) and New Japan Pro Wrestling
(NJPW) in Japan. In CMLL he is billed as Jon Strongman, playing off his massive physique.
's Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) in both 2008 and 2009. He received further training between 2008 and 2009 in Pro Wrestling Revolution by Vaquero Fantasma to prepare him for his work in Mexico.
based Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
(CMLL) promotion and made his debut for the company on October 5, 2009 using the name "Jon Strongman". The storyline used to introduce Jon Strongman to CMLL was that Shocker
found him while on tour with Pro Wrestling Revolution as the first member of his faction Los Guapos ("The good looking"). In his debut Strongman teamed with Shocker and Héctor Garza
to defeat El Terrible
, El Texano, Jr.
and Ray Mendoza, Jr.
. In the months after his debut Strongman began a storyline feud with Último Guerrero
, holder of the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
. The storyline heated up after Último Guerrera was accidentally knocked unconscious during a match with Jon Strongman and CMLL decided to write it into the storyline between the two.
Strongman appeared at CMLL's Sin Salida
event on December 4, 2009 teaming with Místico
and Héctor Garza to defeat Guerrero, Atlantis
and Mr. Niebla
, his first appearance at a major CMLL event. On March 1, 2010 Strong Man defeated Último Guerrero in the main event of a Puebla, Puebla
show, after which último Guerrero offered to defend his championship against Jon Strongman. A title match has not yet been announced between the two.
On March 14, 2010, Anderson, billed as Strong Man, entered New Japan Pro Wrestling
's (NJPW) 2010 New Japan Cup, but was defeated in the first round by Hiroshi Tanahashi
. On July 11 New Japan announced that Strong Man would return to the company in August to take part in the 2010 G1 Climax tournament. After winning two out of his seven matches in the tournament, Strong Man finished seventh out of the eight wrestlers in his block and didn't advance in the tournament. On October 22, 2010, Inoue and Nagata entered the 2010 G1 Climax Tag League. Strong Man returned to New Japan in late October 2010 to team with Manabu Nakanishi
in the 2010 G1 Climax Tag League. After four wins and a loss, Strong Man and Nakanishi, known collectively as Muscle Orchestra, finished second in their block and advanced to the semifinals, where, on November 7, they were defeated by No Limit (Tetsuya Naitō
and Yujiro Takahashi
). In recognition of their achievement, Tokyo Sports Grand Prix named Strong Man and Nakanishi the Tag Team of the Year for 2010. On November 20, Strong Man teamed with Misterioso II to defeat Vaquero Fantasma and Oliver John for the PWR Tag Team Championship, Andersen's first professional wrestling title. On January 4, 2011, Muscle Orchestra returned to New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, where they unsuccessfully challenged Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship in a three–way match, which also included Beer Money, Inc.
(James Storm
and Robert Roode). On February 20 Muscle Orchestra received another shot at Bad Intentions and the IWGP Tag Team Championship, but were unable to win the title. On January 22, 2011, Andersen made his debut for Lucha Libre USA
. In the promotion he performs under the ring name "The Firewall" Jon Rekon, and represents rudo
group The Right. On June 18, 2011, Rekon and his stablemate in The Right, Petey Williams
, defeated the Latin Liberators (Rocky Romero
and Super Nova
) to win the vacant Lucha Libre USA Tag Team Championship. In August, Strong Man returned to New Japan to take part in the 2011 G1 Climax. After losing his first seven matches, Strong Man finished the tournament by picking up big wins over Minoru Suzuki
and Hirooki Goto
, although still finishing last in his block. Strong Man returned to New Japan on October 22 to take part in the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League, forming the tag team Muscle Pavilion with Tama Tonga as his regular partner Manabu Nakanishi was sidelined with an injury.
career began in 2002, winning the New Mexico
's Strongest Man show, and he quickly earned his pro status by winning the Azelea Festival in 2003. Also in 2003, Jon won the North America's Strongest Man
competition, his career best win. Jon joined the ranks of the IFSA
strongman organization in 2005, placing 7th at the Pan-American Championships, and taking 2nd place at the IFSA World Team Championships along with team mates Travis Ortmayer
, Geoff Dolan
and Van Hatfield
.
Strongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
competitor and professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. Anderson currently splits his time between working for Pro Wrestling Revolution in California and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
(CMLL) in Mexico. He has also worked for the Inoki Genome Federation
Inoki Genome Federation
Inoki Genome Federation is a professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007.The IGF is now also the official National Wrestling Alliance territory of Japan, since Antonio Inoki is the person who holds those rights and transferred them to IGF from New Japan Pro...
(IGF) and New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
(NJPW) in Japan. In CMLL he is billed as Jon Strongman, playing off his massive physique.
Professional wrestling career
Jon Anderson trained for his professional wrestling career in the All Pro Wrestling (APW) Bootcamp, making his debut in 2003. From 2003 until 2007 he wrestled only part time to focus on his bodybuilding and strongman career and primarily for APW. By 2008 he began making regular appearances for California based Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) promotion as a "Special feature" due to his enormous size. He also worked tours of Japan, wrestling for Antonio InokiAntonio Inoki
is a Japanese professional wrestling promoter and retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist who now resides between New York City and Tokyo. He was also the founder and former owner of New Japan Pro Wrestling before selling his controlling share in the promotion to Yukes...
's Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) in both 2008 and 2009. He received further training between 2008 and 2009 in Pro Wrestling Revolution by Vaquero Fantasma to prepare him for his work in Mexico.
Jon Strongman
In September, 2009 Jon Anderson signed a contract to wrestle for the Mexico City, MexicoMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
based Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
(CMLL) promotion and made his debut for the company on October 5, 2009 using the name "Jon Strongman". The storyline used to introduce Jon Strongman to CMLL was that Shocker
José Luis Jair Soria
José Luis Jair Soria is a Mexican professional wrestler, who wrestles under the name Shocker. He has in the past branched out into the United States, working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre :...
found him while on tour with Pro Wrestling Revolution as the first member of his faction Los Guapos ("The good looking"). In his debut Strongman teamed with Shocker and Héctor Garza
Héctor Garza
Héctor Solano Segura is a Mexican professional wrestler, known by his ring name Héctor Garza, who is currently working for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and Perros del Mal Producciones...
to defeat El Terrible
El Terrible
Damián Gutiérrez Hernández is a Mexican professional wrestler currently performing for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the ring name Damián el Terrible or simply El Terrible.-Professional wrestling career:...
, El Texano, Jr.
El Texano, Jr.
Juan Aguilar Leos is a Mexican luchador, or professional wrestler, best known under the ring name El Texano, Jr.. Aguilar is the son of Juan Conrado Aguilar Jáuregui, who wrestled under the name El Texano; Aguilar also has several uncles and cousins that are professional wrestlers...
and Ray Mendoza, Jr.
Villano V
Raymundo Díaz Mendoza Jr. is a Mexican professional wrestler who has performed under the name Villano V until he was unmasked on March 20, 2009, after which he became known as "Ray Mendoza, Jr.". Mendoza and is part of the Mendoza family, a well known Mexican wrestling family that includes all...
. In the months after his debut Strongman began a storyline feud with Último Guerrero
Último Guerrero
Último Guerrero is a Mexican currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where he is also part of the booking committee and former CMLL World Heavyweight Championship...
, holder of the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
CMLL World Heavyweight Championship
The CMLL World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship promoted by Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and has been in existence since 1991...
. The storyline heated up after Último Guerrera was accidentally knocked unconscious during a match with Jon Strongman and CMLL decided to write it into the storyline between the two.
Strongman appeared at CMLL's Sin Salida
Sin Salida
Sin Salida was a professional wrestling major show event produced by Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre that took place on December 4, 2009. The main event of the event was a Lucha de Apuestas, hair vs. hair match between the teams of El Texano, Jr...
event on December 4, 2009 teaming with Místico
Místico
Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde is a Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE, working on its SmackDown brand under the name Sin Cara...
and Héctor Garza to defeat Guerrero, Atlantis
Atlantis (wrestler)
Atlantis is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre where he performs as a Technico . Atlantis has held a large number of professional wrestling championships over the years, both in Mexico and in Japan...
and Mr. Niebla
Mr. Niebla
Mr. Niebla is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado . Mr. Niebla's real name is unknown, as is the tradition in Lucha Libre for masked wrestlers. Mr. Niebla is Spanish for "Mr. Fog". Mr. Niebla is mostly known for working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre from the early 1990s until 2007 and again from...
, his first appearance at a major CMLL event. On March 1, 2010 Strong Man defeated Último Guerrero in the main event of a Puebla, Puebla
Puebla, Puebla
The city and municipality of Puebla is the capital of the state of Puebla, and one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. Being a planned city, it is located to the east of Mexico City and west of Mexico's main port, Veracruz, on the main route between the two.The city was founded...
show, after which último Guerrero offered to defend his championship against Jon Strongman. A title match has not yet been announced between the two.
On March 14, 2010, Anderson, billed as Strong Man, entered New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling
is a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
's (NJPW) 2010 New Japan Cup, but was defeated in the first round by Hiroshi Tanahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi
is a Japanese professional wrestler who works primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion in his fifth reign.-Early life:...
. On July 11 New Japan announced that Strong Man would return to the company in August to take part in the 2010 G1 Climax tournament. After winning two out of his seven matches in the tournament, Strong Man finished seventh out of the eight wrestlers in his block and didn't advance in the tournament. On October 22, 2010, Inoue and Nagata entered the 2010 G1 Climax Tag League. Strong Man returned to New Japan in late October 2010 to team with Manabu Nakanishi
Manabu Nakanishi
is a Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.-Amateur wrestling career:...
in the 2010 G1 Climax Tag League. After four wins and a loss, Strong Man and Nakanishi, known collectively as Muscle Orchestra, finished second in their block and advanced to the semifinals, where, on November 7, they were defeated by No Limit (Tetsuya Naitō
Tetsuya Naitō
is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Yujiro Takahashi, with whom he teamed as No Limit....
and Yujiro Takahashi
Yujiro Takahashi
, also known by his shortened ring name is a Japanese professional wrestler trained by and currently performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he is a former IWGP Tag Team and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with former partner Tetsuya Naitō, with whom he teamed as No...
). In recognition of their achievement, Tokyo Sports Grand Prix named Strong Man and Nakanishi the Tag Team of the Year for 2010. On November 20, Strong Man teamed with Misterioso II to defeat Vaquero Fantasma and Oliver John for the PWR Tag Team Championship, Andersen's first professional wrestling title. On January 4, 2011, Muscle Orchestra returned to New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, where they unsuccessfully challenged Bad Intentions (Giant Bernard and Karl Anderson
Karl Anderson
Chad Allegra is an American professional wrestler better known by his stage name Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is currently one half of the IWGP and GHC Tag Team Champions with partner Giant Bernard.-Personal life:Allegra grew up in Asheville,...
) for the IWGP Tag Team Championship in a three–way match, which also included Beer Money, Inc.
Beer Money, Inc.
Beer Money, Inc. was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Robert "Bobby" Roode and James Storm in the professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where they are former four-time TNA World Tag Team Champions, while also holding the record for the longest reign as...
(James Storm
James Storm
James Allen Cox is an American professional wrestler who competes under the ring name "The Cowboy" James Storm. Since 2002, Storm has been employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he, along with A.J...
and Robert Roode). On February 20 Muscle Orchestra received another shot at Bad Intentions and the IWGP Tag Team Championship, but were unable to win the title. On January 22, 2011, Andersen made his debut for Lucha Libre USA
Lucha Libre USA
Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors was a television program on the MTV2 broadcast channel, chronicling the rise of Mexican-style wrestling, or lucha libre, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011. However, after only four...
. In the promotion he performs under the ring name "The Firewall" Jon Rekon, and represents rudo
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
group The Right. On June 18, 2011, Rekon and his stablemate in The Right, Petey Williams
Petey Williams
Peter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA...
, defeated the Latin Liberators (Rocky Romero
Rocky Romero
John R. Rivera is a Cuban American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Rocky Romero and as the fourth incarnation of Black Tiger. As Romero he was one half of the tag team The Havana Pitbulls , along with Ricky Reyes...
and Super Nova
Super Nova (wrestler)
Super Nova is the current ring name of a Mexican Luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, who recently signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. Super Nova is the son of Luchador El Texano and the brother of El Texano, Jr. in addition to being the cousin of...
) to win the vacant Lucha Libre USA Tag Team Championship. In August, Strong Man returned to New Japan to take part in the 2011 G1 Climax. After losing his first seven matches, Strong Man finished the tournament by picking up big wins over Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
and Hirooki Goto
Hirooki Goto
is a Japanese professional wrestler. He has wrestled primarily for New Japan Pro Wrestling since his debut.-Career:Goto attended Kokushikan University, where he took part in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. Upon graduating, Goto qualified to join New Japan Pro Wrestling, but left the...
, although still finishing last in his block. Strong Man returned to New Japan on October 22 to take part in the 2011 G1 Climax Tag League, forming the tag team Muscle Pavilion with Tama Tonga as his regular partner Manabu Nakanishi was sidelined with an injury.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- ChokeslamChokeslamA chokeslam refers to a type of body slam in professional wrestling in which the wrestler grasps their opponent's neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. It is common in televised wrestling because it is simple and relatively safe, yet looks powerful on camera...
- Diving neckbreaker
- Gorilla press drop
- 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 Firewall"
Championships and accomplishments
- Lucha Libre USALucha Libre USALucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors was a television program on the MTV2 broadcast channel, chronicling the rise of Mexican-style wrestling, or lucha libre, in the United States. The first episode was aired on July 16, 2010. The second season premiered October 1, 2011. However, after only four...
- Lucha Libre USA Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Petey WilliamsPetey WilliamsPeter "Petey" Williams III is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time X Division Champion and a former captain of Team Canada. Williams Currently Wrestles for Lucha Libre USA...
- 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 #236 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011
- Pro Wrestling Revolution
- PWR Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Misterioso II
- Tokyo Sports Grand Prix
- Best Tag Team (2010) – with Manabu NakanishiManabu Nakanishiis a Japanese professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. He currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.-Amateur wrestling career:...
Strongman career
Jon's strongmanStrongman (strength athlete)
In the 19th century, the term strongman referred to an exhibitor of strength or circus performers of similar ilk who displayed feats of strength such as the bent press , supporting large amounts of...
career began in 2002, winning the New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
's Strongest Man show, and he quickly earned his pro status by winning the Azelea Festival in 2003. Also in 2003, Jon won the North America's Strongest Man
North America's Strongest Man
North America's Strongest Man is an annual strongman competition consisting of athletes from both America and Canada. The event was established in 1993.-Official results - top three places:...
competition, his career best win. Jon joined the ranks of the IFSA
IFSA
IFSA can refer to the following:* International Federation of Strength Athletes* International Financial Services Authority* International Forestry Students' Association* International Free Skiers Association* International Freestyle Skater Association...
strongman organization in 2005, placing 7th at the Pan-American Championships, and taking 2nd place at the IFSA World Team Championships along with team mates Travis Ortmayer
Travis Ortmayer
Travis Ortmayer is an American Professional Strongman athlete from Cypress, Texas. Travis is the owner of Athletic Nation gym...
, Geoff Dolan
Geoff Dolan (strongman)
Geoff Dolan is a Canadian Strongman competitor.-Strongman Career:...
and Van Hatfield
Van Hatfield
Van Hatfield is an American professional strongman competitor from Mapleton, Utah. Van won America's Strongest Man in 2004, his career best win. Van came in 2nd at the IFSA Strongman World Team Championships in 2005 with team Pan-America with teammates Travis Ortmayer, Geoff Dolan and Jon Andersen...
.
Personal Records
(All lifts done raw with only a weight belt)- Bench PressBench pressThe bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
: 565x3 - Close-Grip Bench Press: 545
- Push Press: 365x6, 275x20
- SquatSquatThe word squat, squatter or squatting can refer to:* Squatting, living in an abandoned or unused building, sometimes for political purposes...
: 775x3, 500x25, 405x37 - DeadliftDeadliftThe deadlift is a weight training exercise where a loaded barbell is lifted off the ground from a stabilized, bent over position. It is one of the three canonical powerlifting exercises, along with the squat and bench press.-Overview:...
: 700x4, 500x21 - Box Jump: 50"
- Vertical JumpVertical jumpA vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is...
: 35"