Shawn McGrath
Encyclopedia
Shawn McGrath was an American professional wrestler
, better known by his ring name Shawn Osborne. He is best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment
as a developmental talent, most recently wrestling for its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
.
(HWA) against Cody Hawk in Wilmington, Ohio
. He wrestled under the name Number One for Black Militia. Later McGrath changed his name to Shawn Osbourne, using the "Bad Seed" nickname. He broke free from the Black Militia faction becoming a face in the process. He defeated current HWA Champion Rory Fox for his first and only HWA Heavyweight Championship
. He lost the championship a few months later and left HWA soon after. McGrath later wrestled for Impact Zone Wrestling in late 2005 and early 2006.
's (WWE) Raw
and SmackDown before signing a developmental contract with WWE in June 2006. He was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling
(OVW), and debuted a month later under the ring name "The Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne. In September, McGrath formed a faction with Eddie Craven, Mike Kruel
and Roucka known as Bad Kompany in which they would challenge for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
in a losing effort to Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears
.
in a dark match. It was later announced that Osborne had been moved to DSW. In DSW, he would form a tag team with Jon Bolen
, although the team ended when DSW was dropped by WWE as a developmental territory and Osborne subsequently returned to OVW. After OVW was also dropped by WWE, Osborne relocated to Tampa, Florida to train in Florida Championship Wrestling
, debuting in a losing effort to G-Rilla. He was then released from his contract in February 2008.
, most notably for Ring of Honor
's sister promotion Full Impact Pro
.
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...
, better known by his ring name Shawn Osborne. He is best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
as a developmental talent, most recently wrestling for its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
.
Early career
On March 8, 2003, McGrath debuted in Heartland Wrestling AssociationHeartland Wrestling Association
The Heartland Wrestling Association is a Midwestern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A former developmental territory for both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s, it was listed as one of the top independent...
(HWA) against Cody Hawk in Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
. He wrestled under the name Number One for Black Militia. Later McGrath changed his name to Shawn Osbourne, using the "Bad Seed" nickname. He broke free from the Black Militia faction becoming a face in the process. He defeated current HWA Champion Rory Fox for his first and only HWA Heavyweight Championship
HWA Heavyweight Championship
The HWA Heavyweight Championship is the heavyweight title contested in the Heartland Wrestling Association.- Title history :...
. He lost the championship a few months later and left HWA soon after. McGrath later wrestled for Impact Zone Wrestling in late 2005 and early 2006.
Ohio Valley Wrestling
McGrath wrestled a couple dark matches for World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
's (WWE) Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
and SmackDown before signing a developmental contract with WWE in June 2006. He was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
(OVW), and debuted a month later under the ring name "The Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne. In September, McGrath formed a faction with Eddie Craven, Mike Kruel
Mike Kruel
Michael "Mike" Mayo, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Mike Kruel. He began his career in the independent circuit, wrestling in Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, East Coast Wrestling Association and USA Pro Wrestling, while occasionally making...
and Roucka known as Bad Kompany in which they would challenge for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
OVW Southern Tag Team Championship
The OVW Southern Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles of Ohio Valley Wrestling. Created in 1997, the first champions were Nick Dinsmore and Flash Flanagan. As of 2011, the current champions are Ted McNaler and Adam Revolver, known as The Elite in their fourth reign...
in a losing effort to Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears
Ronnie Arniell
Ronnie William Arneill is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name as Shawn Spears. He is perhaps best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand, where he briefly performed under the ring name Gavin Spears.-Early life:Born and raised in St...
.
Deep South Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and departure
On February 8, 2007, Osborne made an appearance in Deep South Wrestling, losing to G-RillaBrodus Clay
George Murdoch is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name, Brodus Clay. He is signed to WWE, where he wrestles on its Raw brand and its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling...
in a dark match. It was later announced that Osborne had been moved to DSW. In DSW, he would form a tag team with Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen
Jon Bolen is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He currently competes on the independent circuit including Maximum Pro Wrestling, the International Wrestling Cartel and the National Wrestling Alliance...
, although the team ended when DSW was dropped by WWE as a developmental territory and Osborne subsequently returned to OVW. After OVW was also dropped by WWE, Osborne relocated to Tampa, Florida to train in Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
, debuting in a losing effort to G-Rilla. He was then released from his contract in February 2008.
Independent circuit
Since his release, McGrath resumed competing on the independent circuitIndependent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
, most notably for Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
's sister promotion Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro
Full Impact Pro is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Florida. Their shows are taped and then sold as DVDs. Full Impact Pro was the sister promotion of Ring of Honor until 2009...
.
Death
McGrath died on January 26, 2011, due to an apparent suicide. He sent a suicide note to several friends, detailing his reasons for committing suicide.In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Bad Slam (Belly to back side slam)
- Signature moves
- Diving overhead chop
- Elbow drop
- Hangman's neckbreaker
- High knee
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- Roucka
- 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 Bad Seed"
Championships and accomplishments
- Heartland Wrestling AssociationHeartland Wrestling AssociationThe Heartland Wrestling Association is a Midwestern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A former developmental territory for both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s, it was listed as one of the top independent...
- HWA Heavyweight ChampionshipHWA Heavyweight ChampionshipThe HWA Heavyweight Championship is the heavyweight title contested in the Heartland Wrestling Association.- Title history :...
(1 time)
- HWA Heavyweight Championship
- HWA Tag Team ChampionshipHWA Tag Team ChampionshipThe HWA Tag Team Championship is the tag team titles contested for in the Heartland Wrestling Association. It was established in 1996 when the Head Bangers became the first champions.-Title history:...
(1 time) - with Benjamin Kimera