Steve Madison
Encyclopedia
Steven Philip Favata is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname "Modern Miracle" Steve Madison, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions including AWA World-1 South
, Full Impact Pro
, Future of Wrestling
, NWA Florida and Dusty Rhodes
' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
. While in NWA Florida, he was part of the heel
stable 911 Incorporated with Ron Niemi, Rod Steel, Eric Loy and The Shane Twins
. He was also a member of The Young, Rich & Ready with Chasyn Rance and Kenny King
.
Madison has also made appearances in Ring of Honor
, Total Nonstop Action and World Wrestling Entertainment
, including its developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling
, as well Japanese promotions Big Mouth Loud
, Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
and New Japan Pro Wrestling
. He formed successful tag teams with Erick Stevens
and Lex Lovett
while touring Japan.
and graduated from Chamberlain High School, lettering four years in baseball. Madison was offered several baseball scholarships to small colleges, but turned them down to start wrestling. Steve decided to attend the University of South Florida
while starting his professional wrestling training. Favata was scheduled to finish his degree in business administration in the fall of 2006.
His wrestling training started in the summer of 2001 with current WWE Talent Agent Steve Keirn
and Jimmy Del Ray
of the tag team, The Heavenly Bodies
. Steve adopted the "Madison" last name over a lunch meeting with former NWA President Howard Brody, after deciding that the last name "Favata" would not suit him well in the wrestling business.
On December 28, 2001, Madison wrestled future tag team partner Lex Lovett
at a house show for Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
, a Georgia
-based promotion owned by Dusty Rhodes
, and was pinned by Lovett after a modified DDT.
In November 2002, Madison and David Babylon were the co-winners of an interpromotional NWA Florida vs. Future of Wrestling
battle royal
in which the winners would receive a title shot against the NWA Florida Unified Cruiserweight Champion Naphtali. Madison had been accompanied by Lex Lovett and Jimmy Del Rey while Babylon had FOW promoter Bobby Rogers
and Vanessa Harding
in his corner. The following month, he successfully defeated the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship against Agent Steele at NWA Florida's Total Annihilation.
On January 22, 2003, Madison and Agent Steele appeared in a dark match for NWA: Total Nonstop Action show against The Strong Brothers (Sedrick and Roderick Strong
).
's Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
promotion. Looking for younger American wrestlers unfamiliar to Japanese fans, Choshu had become interested in several students from Keirn's wrestling school. Tiger Hattori, the American booker for Fighting World of Japan, had visited the school scouting for wrestlers to tour the country. Madison, Big Vito and The Shane Twins would be signed for the first tour and were joined by Lex Lovett
on the second tour.
Madison made his first trip to Japan at the age of 19 for new upstart Japanese promotion, World Japan. After his first match against Kenzo Suzuki
, he was complimented by Riki Choshu. Madison headlined the Nagareyama Citizen Gymnasium on March 20, 2003 battling Kensuke Sasaki
in the main event, making him one of the youngest gaijin
of all time to headline a singles match in Japan. The match was watched by The Road Warriors who came out to ringside. On his second tour, he teamed with Big Van Vader to wrestle Takao Omori
and Koichi Kimura
during the prologue of the Magna02 Series.
Briefly returning to Florida, he was preparing for his third tour of Japan. Shortly after wrestling Mike Graham and David Babylon, he was hospitalized for appendicitis
and had emergency surgery. According to doctors, his appendix was about 24 hours from rupturing. He had already been scheduled to appear for the Magna03 Series but called Hattori to cancel the tour. However, he was back in the gym within three weeks and was eventually cleared to wrestle in Japan the day of the first tour. He later went on to team with Riki Chosyu against Yoji Anjo
& Koichiro Kimura at the Tsubame Civic Gym in Niigata
on October 22 and, teaming with Lex Meyer
, against Takao Omori & Shiro Koshinaka
at the Thajo City Gym in Miyagi
. Three days later, he returned to NWA Florida to wrestle Scoot Andrews at the Leaman School in St. Petersburg.
After several tours with World Japan, Madison teamed with Mike Shane, subbing for Mike's brother, Todd Shane, for several dates with the World Wrestling Council
in Puerto Rico
. Soon after that, Madison ventured to Europe, along with Dennis Knight
and Jeff Bradley
, to wrestle for EWA Wrestling in Austria
. On May 14, 2004, Madison faced and lost to Ahmed Chear in a match to crown the first EWA Middleweight Champion in Wolfsburg, Austria
. Madison was then booked by Tiger Hattori to participate for New Japan Pro Wrestling
in the summer of 2004. An ankle injury suffered two weeks before the tour postponed Madison's debut in New Japan.
and Vordell Walker
before losing the belt to Bruce Steel in a 3-way dance with Roderick Strong on November 20.
On January 8, 2005, he defeated Sal Rinauro
at a show for Full Impact Pro. Less than a week later, he made his first WWE appearance in a tag team match with Shannon Moore
against The Shane Twins (Mike & Todd) in a dark match on the January 13th edition of Smackdown!. He spent the next six months wrestling for NWA Florida and FIP. Feuding with "Miami Pound Machine" Rod Steel and occasionally teaming with Antonio Banks
in NWA Florida, he was frequently featured in high-profile matches in FIP. On February 11, he lost a gauntlet match to Vordell Walker which included Azriael, Roderick Strong, Rainman
and Sal Rinauro. He and Rinauro later lost to DP Associates (Jimmy Rave
& Fast Eddie) on March 25.
On April 22, he entered the FIP Tag Team Title Tournament with James Gibson but lost to Spanky & Sal Rinauro in the opening rounds. Madison faced James Gibson in a singles match the following night beating him after using a chain wrapped around his fist. Madison would go on to win a string of victories against Jay Fury, Aaron Epic, Rainman and Kahagus during the next two months. Alternately, he worked in the tag team division during his last weeks in NWA Florida. He and Lex Lovett lost to 911 Incorporated (Rod & Bruce Steele) on May 6 and, with Erick Stevens
, against The Strong Brothers (Roderick & Sedrick Strong) at the 2005 Peterson Cup tournament on June 10. He wrestled his last match for NWA Florida defeating Buck Quartermain via disqualification on June 17.
fought to a double-disqualification against Buck Quartermaine & Roderick Strong. On August 5, he lost a match to Homicide
for the FIP Heavyweight Championship. The next night, he teamed with Erick Stevens to defeat The Masked FIPers (Masked FIPer I & Masked FIPer II). On August 19, Madison teamed with Erick Stevens and Chris Kanyon at an EWE show and lost to Buck Quartermain and The Marker Crashers in a no disqualification match.
On August 20, Madison made a one-time appearance for Ring of Honor
defeating Davey Andrews at ROH Do or Die 5. He also appeared in the main event losing to Sal Rinauro in a 4-way match to received a contract with the promotion. The other participants included Claudio Castagnoli
and Jerelle Clark
. On August 27, he and Stevens returned to EWE to defeat The Market Crashers via disqualification. Two days later, Madison and Quartermain appeared together in a handicap match against The Big Show
on Monday Night Raw. He also appeared on the September 1st edition of Smackdown! losing to Hardcore Holly. The match was later broadcast on WWE Velocity
. During the next two days, he lost to Tony Mamaluke and Jerrelle Clark & Jay Fury in a tag team match with Erick Stevens.
Madison also appeared for new Japanese group, Big Mouth Loud
, on their inaugural show on September 11, 2005 at Korakuen Hall
teaming with Buck Quartermain against Japanese wrestling legend, Riki Choshu, and Choshu's student, Takashi Uwano. Madison claimed victory on Uwano at 10 minutes 5 seconds with the Axe Bomber.
At IPW Hardcore Wrestling's Reunion show, Madison defeated Antonio Banks on September 17. In FIP the next month, he and Stevens lost to Dunn & Marcos in a three-way match with Jay Fury & Jerrelle Clark on October 7, but beat Clark & Fury in a regular tag team match the following night. He started wrestling in single matches around this time defeating Frankie Capone in his debut for Pro Wrestling Warfare on November 5. During the next two months, he also had matches against Derrick Dempsey, Jerrelle Clark and Colt Cabana in FIP and both Andy Douglas
and Chris Kanyon in PWW. He and Erick Stevens also teamed up once again in FIP and lost to Jay Fury & Jerrelle Clark on December 10, 2005.
At FIP's "Big Year One Bash: The Hangover", a supercard celebrating the one year anniversary of FIP's first show, Madison and Stevens lost to Fury & Clark in a gauntlet match for a title shot at FIP Tag Team Champions The Heartbreak Express
(Sean & Phil Davis). They later attacked Fury & Clark in their match against Evan Starsmore & Jaison Moore, giving them each piledrivers, and costing them the match.
in Japan. The team originally formed in late 2005 and called themselves "The Miracle Violence Connection 2005" and in 2006, renamed themselves "The Miracle Violence Connection 2006".
On January 6, 2006, Steve Madison defeated Salvatore Rinauro in a singles match. The next night, he and Stevens beat Rinauro and Colt Cabana in a tag team match. Madison had less luck in PWW losing a tag team match, with Donovan Morgan
, to The Down Boyz on January 13 and a rematch against Chris Kanyon the following night. Another loss against Jerrelle Clark & Jay Fury on January 20 prompted a falling out between Madison and Stevens. The next night, they faced each other in a match with ended in a double-knockout. The match was held at an event by Elite Wrestling Entertainment.
He also made two appearances in Deep South Wrestling losing to Frankie Capone on January 26 and Frankie Ciatso on February 16. He also lost to Sal Rinauro at a FIP show the next night. On February 25, Madison defeated Tom Carter
and Andy Douglas at an event for Pro Wrestling Warfare. He also won that night's main event which was a "Bring Your Own Weapons" Steel Cage Battle Royal. On March 8, he and Osamu Nishimura
beat Donovan Morgan & Lex Lovett at an EWE show. Madison made two more appearances for EWE in April fighting Mike Sullivan
to a no-contest on April 1 and lost a tag team match with Kevin Sullivan
against Mike Graham & Lex Lovett at the end of the month.
Madison and Erick Stevens feuded with Colt Cabana & Sal Rinauro in FIP during April, however they soon began fighting each other. On April 8, the team of Madison & Stevens broke up when Madison turned on Stevens after a tag match at a Full Impact Pro event. Madison eventually brought in Shingo Takagi
as a "hired assassin" and who defeated Stevens on June 9. Madison was also involved in the main event which pitted him in a six-way match against Austin Aries
, Davey Richards, Roderick Strong, Canadian Cougar and Colt Cabana who ended up winning the contest. With single victories over Jerrelle Clark and Ace Rockwell, Madison defeated Erick Stevens in a Grudge match on June 10.
On July 1, Madison lost to Scott Davis in a 3-way match with Buck Quartermaine at a Pro Wrestling World 1 show.
. The three made their debut at a FIP event on July 7, 2006, when Madison and Rance defeated Seth Delay
& Erick Stevens in a tag team match with outside help from Kenny King. Madison also defeated Erick Stevens in a singles match the following night. On July 19, he appeared at a show for Innovative Wrestling Experience teaming with Marcus Hall to beat The Blue Assassin & Butch Long. Madison remained in IWE for several weeks feuding with The Blue Assassin and eventually lost to him in a "Hair vs Mask" match on August 30. However, the IWE President intervened by suspending Madison before the stipulation could be carried out.
On September 8, the YRR returned to FIP to defeat Roderick Strong, Seth Delay & Erick Stevens in Inverness, Florida
. The show, Second Year Spectacular: Night 1, was part of a two-day supercard celebrating the second anniversary of FIP. He faced Erick Stevens in a singles match the next night in Crystal River
. Madison lost to Stevens in singles matches during the next two weeks, the last being a Human Cage match at an event for the Alliance Wrestling Force on September 16. Madison recovered by beating Stevens' tag team partner Seth Delay on October 13 and, the next night, he and Chasyn Rance defeated Erick Stevens & Sal Rinauro. He would, however, lose to stablemate Kenny King at a Division I Pro Wrestling event on October 27.
On November 4, Madison won an "Over the Top Rope" Battle Royal to become the number one contender for the Sunray Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship then held by his old rival Erick Stevens. Facing the champion in the main event that same night, he defeated Stevens to win the title.
Back in FIP, he and Rance defeated Rhett Titus
& Alex Sugarfoot Payne on November 10. The next night, Madison teamed with American Dragon
, Davey Richards, Shane Hagadorn and SHINGO as Team Dragon in a 10-man elimination match with Team Strong captained by FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong, FIP Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers
, Erick Stevens and Pelle Primeau. Strong & The Briscoe Brothers ended up winning the contest. Madison was given a shot at the FIP heavyweight title a month later but lost to Strong on December 15. The YRR (Madison, Rance, King and Rinauro) defeated Seth Delay, Jerrelle Clark and Black Market (Shawn Murphy and Joey Machete
) the following night.
On January 1, 2007, Madison appeared on WWE Heat
losing to Super Crazy
. The match was later broadcast on Monday Night Raw. On January 12, he and Rance defeated Black Market. Madison also faced Erick Stevens in back-to-back matches during the next two days. The first was a bloody Dog Collar match for FIP and the second for AWA World 1 South
in Valdosta, Georgia
, Madison losing in both these encounters.
A week later, he won a six-way match against Jerrelle Clark, Kahagus, Spanky Malone, Leon Scott and David Mercury at an AWF show. He spent the next few weeks in American Combat Wrestling with victories over Twizted Vengeance, "Latin Sensation" Ricky Romeo and Shaun Hill. He also defeated ACW Cruiserweight Champion Nooie Lee in a non-title match on February 13. On February 17, he lost to Scotty Riggs at another AWA World 1 South in Savannah, Georgia
.
On March 3, he lost to "The Marquee" Bruce Santee at a Division-1 Pro Wrestling event, to Shan Hill in American Combat Wrestling on March 13 and in a Barbed Wire match with Joey Machete against The Heartbreak Express in AWA World 1 South on March 24. On April 6, Madison appeared on another show for AWA World-1 South at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
in Tifton, Georgia
where he and Alexis Smirnoff, Jr. took on The Hillbillies. The event was both to help raise funds for the college's athletic program and the American Cancer Society
’s Relay for Life
.
On April 10, he wrestled as "Moose Madison" at an ACW show and beat "The G.O.A.T." Dave Mercury. Later that month, he defeated "Mr. 360" Jerrelle Clark at an FIP show on April 29. On May 8, he lost to Shan Hill at an ACW show in a Texas Bullrope match. Madison was managed by Big Bubba Madison. After defeating Jerrelle Clark at an FIP show on May 25, Madison announced he was leaving the YRR. In response, he was attacked Chasyn Rance, Kenny King and Sal Rinauro with Becky Bayless
. He teamed with The Heartbreak Express to beat the YRR via disqualification the next night.
On June 4, he made another WWE appearance losing to Chuck Palumbo
on WWE Heat and broadcast on Monday Night Raw the next week. On June 7, a tag team match between him and Freedom Ryder against The Sheik and Maximum Capacity
ended in a no-contest. The event was hosted by Pro Wrestling Fusion and held at the St. Lucie Country Fairgrounds in Fort Pierce, Florida
. He also made debut appearance in Florida Championship Wrestling
losing to Rene Dupree on June 26. Returning to FIP, he joined The Heartbreak Express and Seth Delay in a Four-on-Four Melbourne Street Fight to defeat Chasyn Rance, Kenny King, Mad Man Pondo and Ricky Vega
on June 29. He defeated Danny Daniels on August 18 and teamed with Black Market to beat The YRR (Chasyn Rance, Kenny King and Jason Blade) with valets Rain & Becky Bayless in an "Anything Goes" Street Fight the next night.
On November 10, 2007, he made a second FCW appearance as "Moose Madison" losing to "The Natural" Nick Nemeth
with manager Big Rob. Madison was suspended from Florida Championship Wrestling in late-December, apparently following an argument with Steve Keirn
, but was allowed to continue on as a trainer. He took part in New Japan Pro Wrestling's 35th Anniversary 8-day tour that same month which started on December 2 in Fujisawa
and ended on December 9 in Aichi.
. Madison was also reportedly in attendance at FCW's debut television taping in South Tampa
on July 17. A month later, he returned in Dade City to defend his UCW title.
On September 6, he appeared at the PWF supercard Mass Destruction in Fort Pierce. Pro Wrestling Fusion later announced that Steve Madison, Jon Davis
, Chris Jones and The Sheik would receive WWE tryout matches at the November 3rd edition of Monday Night Raw and November 4 television tapings for SmackDown and ECW on Sci-Fi.
Madison currently makes Full Impact Pro his home base in Florida wrestling. Madison also works in several other promotions, and does the booking for the promotion, Elite Wrestling Entertainment that promotes shows every Thursday night out of the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida. Madison also runs Steve Keirn's "School of Hard Knocks" in Brandon, Florida with Jeff Bradley & Buck Quartermain. An episode of Hogan Knows Best
was filmed with Madison and Quartermain teaching Nick Hogan
how to wrestle at the school.
AWA Superstars of Wrestling
Wrestling Superstars Live is a governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart.-History:...
, 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...
, Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in southern Florida starting during the late 1990s. Founded by Bobby Rogers, the promotion was a predecessor of Full Impact Pro, Independent Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida and featured several top independent wrestlers...
, NWA Florida and Dusty Rhodes
Dusty 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...
' Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
. While in NWA Florida, he was part of the heel
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...
stable 911 Incorporated with Ron Niemi, Rod Steel, Eric Loy and The Shane Twins
Shane Twins
The Shane Twins are a professional wrestling tag team that consist of twin brothers Mike and Todd Shane. They were best known for their appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment as Gymini.-History:The Shane Twins debuted in the Florida based Independent Pro Wrestling promotion in 1998...
. He was also a member of The Young, Rich & Ready with Chasyn Rance and Kenny King
Kenny Layne
Kenny Layne is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kenny King. King currently wrestles for Ring of Honor. He was a contestant in the second season of WWF Tough Enough.-Early life:...
.
Madison has also made appearances in 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...
, Total Nonstop Action and 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...
, including its developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and 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...
, as well Japanese promotions Big Mouth Loud
Big Mouth Loud
Big Mouth LOUD was a professional wrestling promotion based in Japan. Big Mouth LOUD was based on the style of New Japan Pro Wrestling, but was not officially tied to New Japan...
, Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
Fighting World of Japan Pro-Wrestling, frequently shortened to World Japan or WJ, and also known as "Riki Pro", was a professional wrestling promotion formed in Japan in 2003....
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...
. He formed successful tag teams with Erick Stevens
Erick Stevens
Erick Stevens is an American professional wrestler. Stevens wrestles for many independent promotions, most notably Ring of Honor and Full Impact Pro where he is a former 2 time World Heavyweight Champion.-NWA Florida:...
and Lex Lovett
Lex Lovett
Wayne Meyer is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Lex Lovett, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions such as Independent Pro Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated NWA Florida as well as having toured the Middle East, Europe and Asia.From 2003...
while touring Japan.
Early life and career
Stephen Favata was born in Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and graduated from Chamberlain High School, lettering four years in baseball. Madison was offered several baseball scholarships to small colleges, but turned them down to start wrestling. Steve decided to attend the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
while starting his professional wrestling training. Favata was scheduled to finish his degree in business administration in the fall of 2006.
His wrestling training started in the summer of 2001 with current WWE Talent Agent Steve Keirn
Steve Keirn
Stephen "Steve" Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for being part of the tag team The Fabulous Ones, with Stan Lane, and later for a run in the World Wrestling Federation as Skinner, a gimmick that portrayed him as a tobacco spitting alligator hunter from...
and Jimmy Del Ray
Jimmy Del Ray
David Ferrier is a retired American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray. Del Ray is best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation as one half of the Heavenly Bodies with his tag team partner, Tom Prichard...
of the tag team, The Heavenly Bodies
The Heavenly Bodies
The Heavenly Bodies was a professional wrestling tag team famous for having worked in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation, and various independent promotions...
. Steve adopted the "Madison" last name over a lunch meeting with former NWA President Howard Brody, after deciding that the last name "Favata" would not suit him well in the wrestling business.
On December 28, 2001, Madison wrestled future tag team partner Lex Lovett
Lex Lovett
Wayne Meyer is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Lex Lovett, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions such as Independent Pro Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated NWA Florida as well as having toured the Middle East, Europe and Asia.From 2003...
at a house show for Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling
Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling was a Southeastern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Marietta, Georgia. It was founded by retired wrestler and former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dusty Rhodes in 2000 and, during its three years in operation, held events throughout the...
, a Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
-based promotion owned by Dusty Rhodes
Dusty 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 was pinned by Lovett after a modified DDT.
In November 2002, Madison and David Babylon were the co-winners of an interpromotional NWA Florida vs. Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling
Future of Wrestling is an American independent wrestling promotion based in southern Florida starting during the late 1990s. Founded by Bobby Rogers, the promotion was a predecessor of Full Impact Pro, Independent Pro Wrestling and NWA Florida and featured several top independent wrestlers...
battle royal
Battle royal
Battle royal traditionally refers to a fight involving three or more combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing. In recent times the term has been used in a more general sense to refer to any fight involving large numbers of people that are not organized into factions...
in which the winners would receive a title shot against the NWA Florida Unified Cruiserweight Champion Naphtali. Madison had been accompanied by Lex Lovett and Jimmy Del Rey while Babylon had FOW promoter Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
and Vanessa Harding
Vanessa Harding
Leslie Culton better known by her ring name Vanessa Harding, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and manager who has competed in North American independent promotions throughout the early 2000s including Full Impact Pro, Future of Wrestling, the Heartland Wrestling Association, Ohio...
in his corner. The following month, he successfully defeated the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship against Agent Steele at NWA Florida's Total Annihilation.
On January 22, 2003, Madison and Agent Steele appeared in a dark match for NWA: Total Nonstop Action show against The Strong Brothers (Sedrick and Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong
Chris Lindsey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Roderick Strong. Strong currently competes in several independent promotions, most notably Ring of Honor , Full Impact Pro , and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla .He initially debuted as The Jester on the Floridian...
).
Touring Japan and Europe (2003-2004)
In mid-February 2003, Madison received a phone call from Steve Kiern who offered him a spot on an upcoming tour of Japan with Riki ChoshuRiki Choshu
Mitsuo Yoshida , better known by his stage name Riki Chōshū , is a Korean-Japanese professional wrestler who is most known for his longtime work in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a wrestler and a booker...
's Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
Fighting World of Japan Pro Wrestling
Fighting World of Japan Pro-Wrestling, frequently shortened to World Japan or WJ, and also known as "Riki Pro", was a professional wrestling promotion formed in Japan in 2003....
promotion. Looking for younger American wrestlers unfamiliar to Japanese fans, Choshu had become interested in several students from Keirn's wrestling school. Tiger Hattori, the American booker for Fighting World of Japan, had visited the school scouting for wrestlers to tour the country. Madison, Big Vito and The Shane Twins would be signed for the first tour and were joined by Lex Lovett
Lex Lovett
Wayne Meyer is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Lex Lovett, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions such as Independent Pro Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated NWA Florida as well as having toured the Middle East, Europe and Asia.From 2003...
on the second tour.
Madison made his first trip to Japan at the age of 19 for new upstart Japanese promotion, World Japan. After his first match against Kenzo Suzuki
Kenzo Suzuki
Kenzo Suzuki is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with New Japan Pro Wrestling and in the United States with World Wrestling Entertainment...
, he was complimented by Riki Choshu. Madison headlined the Nagareyama Citizen Gymnasium on March 20, 2003 battling Kensuke Sasaki
Kensuke Sasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler who currently wrestles for various promotions through his own agency, Kensuke Office. He is the first of two men ever to hold all 3 of puroresu's major heavyweight titles , the other being Yoshihiro Takayama.-Early years :Kensuke Sasaki...
in the main event, making him one of the youngest gaijin
Gaijin
is a Japanese word meaning "non-Japanese", or "alien". This word is a short form of gaikokujin , which literally means "person from outside of the country". The word is composed of two kanji: , meaning "outside"; and , meaning "person". Thus, the word technically means "outsider"...
of all time to headline a singles match in Japan. The match was watched by The Road Warriors who came out to ringside. On his second tour, he teamed with Big Van Vader to wrestle Takao Omori
Takao Omori
is a Japanese semi-retired professional wrestler, currently competing for New Japan Pro Wrestling. He has formerly competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Zero1.-All Japan Pro Wrestling :...
and Koichi Kimura
Koichi Kimura
is a fictional character in the anime series Digimon Frontier.Koichi is the final member to join the team. He was chosen to wield the Spirits of Darkness that hold AncientSphinxmon's power.-Description:...
during the prologue of the Magna02 Series.
Briefly returning to Florida, he was preparing for his third tour of Japan. Shortly after wrestling Mike Graham and David Babylon, he was hospitalized for appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
and had emergency surgery. According to doctors, his appendix was about 24 hours from rupturing. He had already been scheduled to appear for the Magna03 Series but called Hattori to cancel the tour. However, he was back in the gym within three weeks and was eventually cleared to wrestle in Japan the day of the first tour. He later went on to team with Riki Chosyu against Yoji Anjo
Yoji Anjo
, is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He was born in Suginami, Japan on December 31, 1969.-Professional wrestling career:...
& Koichiro Kimura at the Tsubame Civic Gym in Niigata
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
on October 22 and, teaming with Lex Meyer
Lex Lovett
Wayne Meyer is an American professional wrestler, known by his ringname Lex Lovett, who competes in Southeastern independent promotions such as Independent Pro Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated NWA Florida as well as having toured the Middle East, Europe and Asia.From 2003...
, against Takao Omori & Shiro Koshinaka
Shiro Koshinaka
is a Japanese professional wrestler who has competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Wrestle Association "R" during the 1980s and 1990s...
at the Thajo City Gym in Miyagi
Miyagi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Tōhoku Region on Honshu island. The capital is Sendai.- History :Miyagi Prefecture was formerly part of the province of Mutsu. Mutsu Province, on northern Honshu, was one of the last provinces to be formed as land was taken from the indigenous Emishi, and became the...
. Three days later, he returned to NWA Florida to wrestle Scoot Andrews at the Leaman School in St. Petersburg.
After several tours with World Japan, Madison teamed with Mike Shane, subbing for Mike's brother, Todd Shane, for several dates with the World Wrestling Council
World Wrestling Council
The World Wrestling Council is one of Puerto Rico's two main professional wrestling promotions, the other one being the International Wrestling Association....
in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Soon after that, Madison ventured to Europe, along with Dennis Knight
Dennis Knight
Dennis Knight is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment as Phineas I. Godwinn and Mideon.-Career:...
and Jeff Bradley
Jeff Bradley
Jeff Bradley is an American professional wrestler. He is perhaps best known for his appearances with Extreme Championship Wrestling as Dudley Dudley, the leader of the Dudley family. Bradley is currently wrestling on the independent circuit in Europe, Japan, Puerto Rico and South...
, to wrestle for EWA Wrestling in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. On May 14, 2004, Madison faced and lost to Ahmed Chear in a match to crown the first EWA Middleweight Champion in Wolfsburg, Austria
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the River Aller northeast of Braunschweig , and is mainly notable as the headquarters of Volkswagen AG...
. Madison was then booked by Tiger Hattori to participate for 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...
in the summer of 2004. An ankle injury suffered two weeks before the tour postponed Madison's debut in New Japan.
NWA Florida & Full Impact Pro (2004-2005)
In the fall, Madison had sufficiently recovered from his injury to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship from Todd Shane on September 4, 2004. He defended the title for the next three months with victories over Michael ShaneMatt Bentley
Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on...
and Vordell Walker
Vordell Walker
"Eddie" Walker is an American professional wrestler, currently wrestling under the ring name Vordell Walker. He is perhaps best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action.-Professional wrestling career:...
before losing the belt to Bruce Steel in a 3-way dance with Roderick Strong on November 20.
On January 8, 2005, he defeated Sal Rinauro
Sal Rinauro
Salvatore "Sal" Rinauro is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in Ring of Honor and Full Impact Pro in addition to being a member of The Embassy.-Ring of Honor:...
at a show for Full Impact Pro. Less than a week later, he made his first WWE appearance in a tag team match with Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
against The Shane Twins (Mike & Todd) in a dark match on the January 13th edition of Smackdown!. He spent the next six months wrestling for NWA Florida and FIP. Feuding with "Miami Pound Machine" Rod Steel and occasionally teaming with Antonio Banks
Antonio Banks
Hassan Hamin Assad , better known by his ring name Montel Vontavious Porter , is an American professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling , where he was the inaugural IWGP Intercontinental Champion...
in NWA Florida, he was frequently featured in high-profile matches in FIP. On February 11, he lost a gauntlet match to Vordell Walker which included Azriael, Roderick Strong, Rainman
Kory Chavis
Kory Chavis is a professional wrestler, also known by the ring name Rainman. He currently works for several independent promotions, including Dragon Gate USA, Full Impact Pro, and Evolve.- Professional wrestling career :...
and Sal Rinauro. He and Rinauro later lost to DP Associates (Jimmy Rave
Jimmy Rave
James Guffey is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Jimmy Rave. He is best known for working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
& Fast Eddie) on March 25.
On April 22, he entered the FIP Tag Team Title Tournament with James Gibson but lost to Spanky & Sal Rinauro in the opening rounds. Madison faced James Gibson in a singles match the following night beating him after using a chain wrapped around his fist. Madison would go on to win a string of victories against Jay Fury, Aaron Epic, Rainman and Kahagus during the next two months. Alternately, he worked in the tag team division during his last weeks in NWA Florida. He and Lex Lovett lost to 911 Incorporated (Rod & Bruce Steele) on May 6 and, with Erick Stevens
Erick Stevens
Erick Stevens is an American professional wrestler. Stevens wrestles for many independent promotions, most notably Ring of Honor and Full Impact Pro where he is a former 2 time World Heavyweight Champion.-NWA Florida:...
, against The Strong Brothers (Roderick & Sedrick Strong) at the 2005 Peterson Cup tournament on June 10. He wrestled his last match for NWA Florida defeating Buck Quartermain via disqualification on June 17.
Full Impact Pro and the indy circuit (2005-2006)
On July 22, Madison participated in the Elite Wrestling Entertainment's debut show Florida's Strongest Tournament. He defeated Scott Davis in the opening round but lost to Buck Quartermain in the second via countout. On July 30, he and Chris KanyonChris Kanyon
Christopher Klucsarits was an American professional wrestler, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, under the ring names Chris Kanyon and Mortis.-Early career:After college, he began training under Pete McKay Gonzalez, Ismael Gerena and Bobby...
fought to a double-disqualification against Buck Quartermaine & Roderick Strong. On August 5, he lost a match to Homicide
Nelson Erazo
Nelson Rodriguez Erazo is an American professional wrestler of Puerto Rican descent, better known by his ring name, Homicide...
for the FIP Heavyweight Championship. The next night, he teamed with Erick Stevens to defeat The Masked FIPers (Masked FIPer I & Masked FIPer II). On August 19, Madison teamed with Erick Stevens and Chris Kanyon at an EWE show and lost to Buck Quartermain and The Marker Crashers in a no disqualification match.
On August 20, Madison made a one-time appearance 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...
defeating Davey Andrews at ROH Do or Die 5. He also appeared in the main event losing to Sal Rinauro in a 4-way match to received a contract with the promotion. The other participants included Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli
Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, working in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name Antonio Cesaro...
and Jerelle Clark
Vincent Clark
Vincent Jerrelle Clark is a retired American professional wrestler. He is best known for his stints in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Early life:...
. On August 27, he and Stevens returned to EWE to defeat The Market Crashers via disqualification. Two days later, Madison and Quartermain appeared together in a handicap match against The Big Show
Paul Wight
Paul Donald Wight, Jr. , better known by his ring name, Big Show, is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently signed to WWE on its Raw brand....
on Monday Night Raw. He also appeared on the September 1st edition of Smackdown! losing to Hardcore Holly. The match was later broadcast on WWE Velocity
WWE Velocity
WWE Velocity was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It replaced two syndicated WWE shows, Jakked/Metal. Once a weekly Saturday night show on Spike TV and on Sky Sports 2 in the UK on Sunday mornings, Velocity became a webcast from 2005 to 2006...
. During the next two days, he lost to Tony Mamaluke and Jerrelle Clark & Jay Fury in a tag team match with Erick Stevens.
Madison also appeared for new Japanese group, Big Mouth Loud
Big Mouth Loud
Big Mouth LOUD was a professional wrestling promotion based in Japan. Big Mouth LOUD was based on the style of New Japan Pro Wrestling, but was not officially tied to New Japan...
, on their inaugural show on September 11, 2005 at Korakuen Hall
Korakuen Hall
is an arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, which has hosted many boxing, professional wrestling and mixed martial arts matches. Part of Tokyo Dome City, it is one of Tokyo's biggest attractions. It opened on April 16, 1962 and has a capacity of approximately 1,800 people. The venue hosted the boxing...
teaming with Buck Quartermain against Japanese wrestling legend, Riki Choshu, and Choshu's student, Takashi Uwano. Madison claimed victory on Uwano at 10 minutes 5 seconds with the Axe Bomber.
At IPW Hardcore Wrestling's Reunion show, Madison defeated Antonio Banks on September 17. In FIP the next month, he and Stevens lost to Dunn & Marcos in a three-way match with Jay Fury & Jerrelle Clark on October 7, but beat Clark & Fury in a regular tag team match the following night. He started wrestling in single matches around this time defeating Frankie Capone in his debut for Pro Wrestling Warfare on November 5. During the next two months, he also had matches against Derrick Dempsey, Jerrelle Clark and Colt Cabana in FIP and both Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas
Andy Douglas is a retired American professional wrestler. He is known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling where he was a member of The Naturals alongside his tag team partner Chase Stevens.-Career:...
and Chris Kanyon in PWW. He and Erick Stevens also teamed up once again in FIP and lost to Jay Fury & Jerrelle Clark on December 10, 2005.
At FIP's "Big Year One Bash: The Hangover", a supercard celebrating the one year anniversary of FIP's first show, Madison and Stevens lost to Fury & Clark in a gauntlet match for a title shot at FIP Tag Team Champions The Heartbreak Express
The Heartbreak Express
The Heartbreak Express is a Florida-based tag team that have been together since 2000 and competes regularly all over the Southeastern independent circuit and abroad. The team consists of "Superstar" Sean Davis and "Fabulous" Phil Davis...
(Sean & Phil Davis). They later attacked Fury & Clark in their match against Evan Starsmore & Jaison Moore, giving them each piledrivers, and costing them the match.
Miracle Violence Connection (2005-2006)
Madison eventually teamed up with fellow Florida standout, Erick Stevens, and formed a tag team called the Miracle Violence Connection, a name that was originally used by "Dr. Death" Steve Williams and Terry "Bam Bam" GordyTerry Gordy
Terry Ray 'Bam Bam' Gordy, Sr. was a professional wrestler who was best known in North America for being a member of the Fabulous Freebirds.-Career:...
in Japan. The team originally formed in late 2005 and called themselves "The Miracle Violence Connection 2005" and in 2006, renamed themselves "The Miracle Violence Connection 2006".
On January 6, 2006, Steve Madison defeated Salvatore Rinauro in a singles match. The next night, he and Stevens beat Rinauro and Colt Cabana in a tag team match. Madison had less luck in PWW losing a tag team match, with Donovan Morgan
Donovan Morgan
Andrew Vassos is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Donovan Morgan. Best known for his appearances with Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan and Ring of Honor in the United States, Morgan received tryouts with World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation in...
, to The Down Boyz on January 13 and a rematch against Chris Kanyon the following night. Another loss against Jerrelle Clark & Jay Fury on January 20 prompted a falling out between Madison and Stevens. The next night, they faced each other in a match with ended in a double-knockout. The match was held at an event by Elite Wrestling Entertainment.
He also made two appearances in Deep South Wrestling losing to Frankie Capone on January 26 and Frankie Ciatso on February 16. He also lost to Sal Rinauro at a FIP show the next night. On February 25, Madison defeated Tom Carter
Reckless Youth
Thomas Carter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Reckless Youth. He has competed in numerous North American independent promotions including the East Coast Wrestling Association, Combat Zone Wrestling and Chikara, where he was one of the original founders alongside...
and Andy Douglas at an event for Pro Wrestling Warfare. He also won that night's main event which was a "Bring Your Own Weapons" Steel Cage Battle Royal. On March 8, he and Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura
Osamu Nishimura is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Nishimura formerly worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling and MUGA World Pro Wrestling.-Early years :...
beat Donovan Morgan & Lex Lovett at an EWE show. Madison made two more appearances for EWE in April fighting Mike Sullivan
Mike Sullivan (wrestler)
Mike Sullivan is an American professional wrestler who competes in Southeastern independent promotions including Full Impact Pro, Future of Wrestling, International Professional Wrestling and NWA Florida...
to a no-contest on April 1 and lost a tag team match with Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)
Kevin Francis Sullivan is an American professional wrestler and booker, perhaps best known for his role in WCW as "The Taskmaster" and his leading of the "Dungeon of Doom".-Early career:...
against Mike Graham & Lex Lovett at the end of the month.
Madison and Erick Stevens feuded with Colt Cabana & Sal Rinauro in FIP during April, however they soon began fighting each other. On April 8, the team of Madison & Stevens broke up when Madison turned on Stevens after a tag match at a Full Impact Pro event. Madison eventually brought in Shingo Takagi
Shingo Takagi
Shingo Takagi is a former Japanese bodybuilder, turned professional wrestler. Shingo is currently competing for the Japanese promotion Dragon Gate and American promotion Dragon Gate USA...
as a "hired assassin" and who defeated Stevens on June 9. Madison was also involved in the main event which pitted him in a six-way match against Austin Aries
Austin Aries
Daniel Healy "Dan" Solwold, Jr. better known by his ring name Austin Aries, is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he is the current X Division Champion...
, Davey Richards, Roderick Strong, Canadian Cougar and Colt Cabana who ended up winning the contest. With single victories over Jerrelle Clark and Ace Rockwell, Madison defeated Erick Stevens in a Grudge match on June 10.
On July 1, Madison lost to Scott Davis in a 3-way match with Buck Quartermaine at a Pro Wrestling World 1 show.
The Young, Rich & Ready (2006-2007)
During the summer of 2006, Madison formed a faction called The Young, Rich & Ready, or "The YRR", with Chasyn Rance & Kenny KingKenny Layne
Kenny Layne is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kenny King. King currently wrestles for Ring of Honor. He was a contestant in the second season of WWF Tough Enough.-Early life:...
. The three made their debut at a FIP event on July 7, 2006, when Madison and Rance defeated Seth Delay
Seth Delay
Seth Delay is an American professional wrestler from Cornelia, Georgia. Delay wrestles for many promotions, including Full Impact Pro, NWA Anarchy and the Christian Wrestling Federation.-NWA Wildside:...
& Erick Stevens in a tag team match with outside help from Kenny King. Madison also defeated Erick Stevens in a singles match the following night. On July 19, he appeared at a show for Innovative Wrestling Experience teaming with Marcus Hall to beat The Blue Assassin & Butch Long. Madison remained in IWE for several weeks feuding with The Blue Assassin and eventually lost to him in a "Hair vs Mask" match on August 30. However, the IWE President intervened by suspending Madison before the stipulation could be carried out.
On September 8, the YRR returned to FIP to defeat Roderick Strong, Seth Delay & Erick Stevens in Inverness, Florida
Inverness, Florida
Inverness is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 7,210. It is the county seat of Citrus County.-Geography:...
. The show, Second Year Spectacular: Night 1, was part of a two-day supercard celebrating the second anniversary of FIP. He faced Erick Stevens in a singles match the next night in Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. . According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 3,539. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self professed "Home of the Manatee"....
. Madison lost to Stevens in singles matches during the next two weeks, the last being a Human Cage match at an event for the Alliance Wrestling Force on September 16. Madison recovered by beating Stevens' tag team partner Seth Delay on October 13 and, the next night, he and Chasyn Rance defeated Erick Stevens & Sal Rinauro. He would, however, lose to stablemate Kenny King at a Division I Pro Wrestling event on October 27.
On November 4, Madison won an "Over the Top Rope" Battle Royal to become the number one contender for the Sunray Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship then held by his old rival Erick Stevens. Facing the champion in the main event that same night, he defeated Stevens to win the title.
Back in FIP, he and Rance defeated Rhett Titus
Rhett Titus
Everett Lawrence Titus is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Rhett Titus. A student of the ROH Wrestling Academy, Titus has been competing for Ring of Honor , as well as various independent promotions, since 2006.-Career:Titus began training at the ROH Wrestling...
& Alex Sugarfoot Payne on November 10. The next night, Madison teamed with American Dragon
Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing...
, Davey Richards, Shane Hagadorn and SHINGO as Team Dragon in a 10-man elimination match with Team Strong captained by FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong, FIP Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers
Briscoe Brothers
The Briscoe Brothers are the professional wrestling tag team of Jay and Mark Briscoe. They are currently wrestling for the American promotions Ring of Honor, Full Impact Pro, Combat Zone Wrestling, as well as occasionally for the Japanese promotion Pro Wrestling Noah.Their wrestling careers have...
, Erick Stevens and Pelle Primeau. Strong & The Briscoe Brothers ended up winning the contest. Madison was given a shot at the FIP heavyweight title a month later but lost to Strong on December 15. The YRR (Madison, Rance, King and Rinauro) defeated Seth Delay, Jerrelle Clark and Black Market (Shawn Murphy and Joey Machete
Joseph Cabibbo
Joseph Cabibbo is an American professional wrestler, who is currently wrestling under the ring name The Sheik. He is a one-time former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and Pro Wrestling Zero1 World Heavyweight Champion....
) the following night.
On January 1, 2007, Madison appeared on WWE Heat
WWE HEAT
WWE Heat was a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment...
losing to Super Crazy
Super Crazy
Francisco Islas Rueda is a Mexican professional wrestler, or Luchador, best known by his ring name Super Crazy. Islas is most known for his three year run in the original ECW...
. The match was later broadcast on Monday Night Raw. On January 12, he and Rance defeated Black Market. Madison also faced Erick Stevens in back-to-back matches during the next two days. The first was a bloody Dog Collar match for FIP and the second for AWA World 1 South
AWA Superstars of Wrestling
Wrestling Superstars Live is a governing body for a group of independent professional wrestling promotions and sanctions various championships. It was founded in 1996 by Dale Gagner and Jonnie Stewart.-History:...
in Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
, Madison losing in both these encounters.
A week later, he won a six-way match against Jerrelle Clark, Kahagus, Spanky Malone, Leon Scott and David Mercury at an AWF show. He spent the next few weeks in American Combat Wrestling with victories over Twizted Vengeance, "Latin Sensation" Ricky Romeo and Shaun Hill. He also defeated ACW Cruiserweight Champion Nooie Lee in a non-title match on February 13. On February 17, he lost to Scotty Riggs at another AWA World 1 South in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
.
On March 3, he lost to "The Marquee" Bruce Santee at a Division-1 Pro Wrestling event, to Shan Hill in American Combat Wrestling on March 13 and in a Barbed Wire match with Joey Machete against The Heartbreak Express in AWA World 1 South on March 24. On April 6, Madison appeared on another show for AWA World-1 South at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a State College of the University System of Georgia. Located in Tifton, Georgia, ABAC offers baccalaureate and associate degrees...
in Tifton, Georgia
Tifton, Georgia
Tifton is a city in Tift County, Georgia, United States. The population was 15,060 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Tift County.-Major highways:* Interstate 75* U.S. Highway 41* U.S. Highway 82* U.S...
where he and Alexis Smirnoff, Jr. took on The Hillbillies. The event was both to help raise funds for the college's athletic program and the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
’s Relay for Life
Relay For Life
Relay For Life is the main volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Originating in the United States, the Relay For Life event has spread to 21 countries. Relay events are held in local communities, campus universities, military bases, and in cyberspace...
.
On April 10, he wrestled as "Moose Madison" at an ACW show and beat "The G.O.A.T." Dave Mercury. Later that month, he defeated "Mr. 360" Jerrelle Clark at an FIP show on April 29. On May 8, he lost to Shan Hill at an ACW show in a Texas Bullrope match. Madison was managed by Big Bubba Madison. After defeating Jerrelle Clark at an FIP show on May 25, Madison announced he was leaving the YRR. In response, he was attacked Chasyn Rance, Kenny King and Sal Rinauro with Becky Bayless
Becky Bayless
Rebecca Treston better known by her ring name Rebecca "Becky" Bayless, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for independent promotions such as Women's Extreme Wrestling, Wrestling Superstars Unleashed, Wrestlicious, and Women Superstars Uncensored...
. He teamed with The Heartbreak Express to beat the YRR via disqualification the next night.
On June 4, he made another WWE appearance losing to Chuck Palumbo
Chuck Palumbo
Charles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
on WWE Heat and broadcast on Monday Night Raw the next week. On June 7, a tag team match between him and Freedom Ryder against The Sheik and Maximum Capacity
Maximum Capacity
Michael Stanco is an American professional wrestler, better known as Maximum Capacity, and is billed in many independent promotions as the "World's Largest Athlete".-Wrestling career:...
ended in a no-contest. The event was hosted by Pro Wrestling Fusion and held at the St. Lucie Country Fairgrounds in Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce, Florida
Fort Pierce, also spelled Ft. Pierce, is a city in St. Lucie County, Florida, USA. It is known as The Sunrise City. The population was 37,959 at the 2004 census. As of 2008, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 41,000. It is the county seat of St. Lucie County.Fort Pierce is part...
. He also made debut appearance 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...
losing to Rene Dupree on June 26. Returning to FIP, he joined The Heartbreak Express and Seth Delay in a Four-on-Four Melbourne Street Fight to defeat Chasyn Rance, Kenny King, Mad Man Pondo and Ricky Vega
Ricky Vega
Ephraim Vega is an Puerto Rican American professional wrestler and is best known working Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Machete, and in independent promotions under the name Ricky Vega. Vega was a standout high school football star, and was named to All-Section, All-conference,...
on June 29. He defeated Danny Daniels on August 18 and teamed with Black Market to beat The YRR (Chasyn Rance, Kenny King and Jason Blade) with valets Rain & Becky Bayless in an "Anything Goes" Street Fight the next night.
On November 10, 2007, he made a second FCW appearance as "Moose Madison" losing to "The Natural" Nick Nemeth
Nick Nemeth
Nicholas Theodore "Nick" Nemeth is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE performing on its Raw brand under the ring name Dolph Ziggler. He is the reigning WWE United States Champion...
with manager Big Rob. Madison was suspended from Florida Championship Wrestling in late-December, apparently following an argument with Steve Keirn
Steve Keirn
Stephen "Steve" Paul Keirn is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for being part of the tag team The Fabulous Ones, with Stan Lane, and later for a run in the World Wrestling Federation as Skinner, a gimmick that portrayed him as a tobacco spitting alligator hunter from...
, but was allowed to continue on as a trainer. He took part in New Japan Pro Wrestling's 35th Anniversary 8-day tour that same month which started on December 2 in Fujisawa
Fujisawa, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa, Japan. As of 2010, the city had an estimated population of 407,731 and a population density of 5,870 people per km². The total area is 69.51 km²-Geography:...
and ended on December 9 in Aichi.
Recent years
In early-2008, Madison began wrestling for Ultimate Championship Wrestling and quickly captured the promotion's heavyweight title. On June 20, Madison took part in a four-way match against "Sensational" Scott Davis, Freedom Ryder and Buck Quartermaine for the title in Dade City, FloridaDade City, Florida
Dade City is a city in Pasco County, Florida. The population was 6,188 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pasco County. Dade City is a suburb of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
. Madison was also reportedly in attendance at FCW's debut television taping in South Tampa
South Tampa
South Tampa comprises the city of Tampa communities of Beach Park, Ballast Point, Bayshore Beautiful Bayshore Gardens, Bayside West, Belmar Shore, Davis Islands, Port Tampa, Fair Oaks-Manhattan Manor, Golfview, Hyde Park, New Suburb Beautiful, Virginia Park, Palma Ceia, Rattlesnake Gandy-Sun Bay...
on July 17. A month later, he returned in Dade City to defend his UCW title.
On September 6, he appeared at the PWF supercard Mass Destruction in Fort Pierce. Pro Wrestling Fusion later announced that Steve Madison, Jon Davis
Jon Davis (wrestler)
Jon Davis is an American professional wrestler, working for independent promotions including Dragon Gate USA, Full Impact Pro, and Evolve.- Professional wrestling career :...
, Chris Jones and The Sheik would receive WWE tryout matches at the November 3rd edition of Monday Night Raw and November 4 television tapings for SmackDown and ECW on Sci-Fi.
Madison currently makes Full Impact Pro his home base in Florida wrestling. Madison also works in several other promotions, and does the booking for the promotion, Elite Wrestling Entertainment that promotes shows every Thursday night out of the historic Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida. Madison also runs Steve Keirn's "School of Hard Knocks" in Brandon, Florida with Jeff Bradley & Buck Quartermain. An episode of Hogan Knows Best
Hogan Knows Best
Hogan Knows Best is an American television show produced by Pink Sneakers Productions and centered on the family life of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan . Often focusing on the Hogans' raising of their children, and on Hulk Hogan's attempts to manage and assist in his children's burgeoning careers...
was filmed with Madison and Quartermain teaching Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan
Nicholas Allan Bollea , also known as Nick Hogan, is an American reality personality & actor, best known as the son of semi-retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan and for his appearances on the reality show Hogan Knows Best alongside his father, mother Linda, and older sibling Brooke.Bollea was...
how to wrestle at the school.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Crooked arm lariat
- 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- "Modern Miracle"
Championships and accomplishments
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- NWA Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship was a major title in Championship Wrestling from Florida, USA and is now the major title in NWA Florida. It started in 1937 and was abandoned in 1949. It was picked back up in 1966 by CWF and lasted until 1987 when the company was purchased by Jim Crockett...
(3 times)
- NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship
- Independent Professional Wrestling
- IPW Television Championship (1 time)
- 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 #280 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2005
- Sunray Pro Wrestling
- SPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)