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R. J. Brewer

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R. J. Brewer
R.J. Brewer in April 2009
Birth nameJohn Stagikas[1][2]
Born(1979-07-31)July 31, 1979(age 44)
Framingham, Massachusetts,United States[3]
Alma materAssumption College
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)John Walters[3]
R. J. Brewer[1][2]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[3]
Billed weight225 lb (102 kg)[3]
Billed fromFramingham, Massachusetts, United States
Phoenix, Arizona,United States[2]
Trained byKiller Kowalski[3]
Mike Hollow[3]
Debut2001

John Stagikas[3](born July 31, 1979) is an Americanprofessional wrestler,better known by hisring name,R. J. Brewer.Brewer is known for his appearances withLucha Libre USA,where he portrayed aconservativesupporter ofGovernor of ArizonaJan BrewerandArizona SB 1070opposed toillegal immigration to the United States.[1][2]He is also known for his appearances elsewhere on theindependent circuitas"Hurricane" John Walters,including withRing of Honor,where he is a one timePure Champion.

Early life[edit]

Stagikas attendedFramingham High School,where he was awide receiveron thefootballteam and graduated in 1997. He also played volleyball and basketball in high school. He then attendedAssumption CollegeinWorcester, Massachusetts,where he played football for a further two years as awide receiveruntil his career was ended by an operation to remove acystfrom his neck in his junior year. Stagikas graduated in 2001 with adegreeinCommunications.[4][5]

Professional wrestling career[edit]

Training and early career[edit]

After his neck surgery forced an end to his football career, Stagikas applied to severalwrestling schools,and eventually joinedKiller Kowalski's school inMalden, Massachusetts,on January 27, 2001. He trained under Kowalski for five months.[4][5]

Stagikas adopted thering name"John Walters" as a tribute to Kowalski, and later prefixed his name with "Hurricane" at the suggestion of a college roommate. He debuted in mid-2001 inbattle royals,with his singles debut coming in August 2001, and began wrestling regularly on theBostonianindependent circuit,forpromotionssuch as theWorld Wrestling Alliance,New England Championship WrestlingandChaotic Wrestling.[4]

Chaotic Wrestling (2001–2006)[edit]

Chaotic Wrestling(CW), based in Stagikas' home state of Massachusetts, was the first promotion where he got regular bookings.[4]Here, he received supplementary training from Mike Hollow, a former trainer under Kowalski who had become the head trainer of the Chaotic Training Center. On September 7, 2001, inLawrence,Walters defeatedSlyk Wagner Brownin a match for theCW Television Championship.[6]He lost the championship toCW Light Heavyweight ChampionDukes Dalton inLowell, Massachusetts,on February 16, 2002, in achampionship unificationmatch.[6]

In the course of his Television Championship reign, Walters formed atag teamknown as 12 Pack with "Good Time"Vince Vicallo.The tag team partners were the epitome of a personality clash, as Walters had thewrestling gimmickof being a strait-laced, well-conditioned athlete, while Vicallo was known as abeer-drinking "party animal". On December 14, 2001, in Lawrence, 12 Pack defeatedEdward G. XtasyandAaron Stevensfor theCW Tag Team Championship.[6]They lost the title toAdam BookerandFrankie Armadilloon July 13, 2002, in Lawrence.[6]The former teammates thenfeudedfor several months.

Walters challenged for theCW Heavyweight ChampionshipatSummer Chaoson August 16, 2002, inMethuen, Massachusetts,and defeated Aaron Stevens for the title.[6]Following a successfulladder matchtitle defence against Vicallo, he began a lengthy feud withLuis Ortiz.[3]Walters lost the belt to Ortiz on April 5, 2003, but regained it fromBilly Kryptoniteon January 16, 2004, in a "loser leaves Chaotic Wrestling" match.[3][6]His second reign ended on March 13 of that year when he lost to Arch Kincaid.[6]

Walters was a regular performer in Chaotic Wrestling until leaving the promotion in January 2006. Walters later returned to Chaotic Wrestling for one night in 2008 to wrestle Bryan Logan for the CW Heavyweight Championship. Walters was inducted into the Chaotic Wrestling Hall of Fame in February 2009.[7]The same night, he defeated Chase Del Monte.[7]

Ring of Honor (2003–2005, 2006)[edit]

Following the formation ofRing of Honorin early 2002, Stagikas sent avideotapeof his work to the owners of ROH, but did not hear from them. After he met ROH ring announcerGary Michael Cappettaat a Chaotic Wrestling show, Stagikas sent hisrésuméto ROH once more, and was contacted bybookerGabe Sapolsky in May 2003.[4]Walters debuted in ROH on May 31, 2003, as aface,wrestling against Andy Anderson atDo Or Die.Walters entered the 2003 Field of Honor event, but was eliminated byMatt Stryker.He then beganfeudingwithXavier,facing him for the first time on September 20 atGlory By Honor II,and defeating him decisively on December 27 atFinal Battle 2003in ahardcore"Fight Without Honor".[8]

On February 14, 2004, Walters entered a one-night tournament for theROH Pure Championship,but was eliminated byCM Punkin the opening round. In mid-2004, he began a feud withGeneration Next,a stable of young wrestlers with no respect for tradition. AtGeneration Nexton May 22, 2004, Walters teamed withJimmy Raveand theBriscoe Brothersto face Generation Next in an eight-man tag match, which Walters' team lost. AtTesting the Limitin early August, Walters defeatedNigel McGuinnessto earn a match for the ROH Pure Championship.[8]Walters won the ROH Pure Championship fromDoug Williamson August 28,[9]and went on to successfully defend it against McGuinness,Homicide (wrestler),Jimmy Rave,andJay Lethal.[8]During this time, Walters joinedPrince Nana'sfaction,known asThe Embassy.[10]After losing the Pure Championship toJay Lethalon March 5, 2005,[9]Walters left ROH in order to heal from several nagging injuries. Walters returned to Ring of Honor for one match on November 3, 2006, inBraintree, Massachusetts,competing in a losing effort toNigel McGuinness.[8]

Lucha Libre USA (2010–2013)[edit]

In 2010 Stagikas began wrestling forLucha Libre USA.Under the ring name "R. J. Brewer", he adopted an anti-illegal immigration character who vows to "clean it up" and take the Mexican style out of the company. As part of the gimmick, he has wrestled in tights bearing SB1070, a reference to theArizona SB 1070Act,frequently enters the ring with theflag of Arizonadraped around his shoulders, and claims to be the son ofArizona GovernorJan Brewer.[11]Thegimmickhas garnered him muchheatfor his anti-illegal immigrantpromos.[12]

He participated in a number of matches in Season One feuding withMagnoas well as a four-way match on the Season finale for theLucha Libre USA Championshipin which he was unsuccessful. In season two, Brewer formed an anti-Mexican stable called The Right withPetey WilliamsandJon Rekon.At the tapings of the season finale on June 18, 2011, Brewer defeatedLizmark, Jr.andMarco Corleonein a three-way match, with help from the newest member of The Right,Stevie Richards,to win the Lucha Libre USA Championship.[13]On October 20, 2013, Brewer lost the title toEl Solar,but regained it later that same day. Brewer has claimed to turn down offers working for lucha libre companies inMexico.[14]Brewer was featured on ABC Nightline in January 2013. He has also had appearances on Fox News, CNN, The Geraldo Rivera Radio Show as well as being front page on publications like The LA Times and Harper's Magazine.[15]

Other promotions (2002–present)[edit]

Walters in theringin 2009.

After then-WWE employeeTom Prichardheld a training seminar at Chaotic Wrestling in 2003, Stagikas began working sporadically forWorld Wrestling Entertainmentas ajobber,facingOhio Valley Wrestlingmainstay Aaron Stevens in his first match for the company in April 2003. The following night, he faced Team Angle. His most prominent appearance was a loss toBig Showon the episode ofSmackDown!precedingWrestleMania XX.At WrestleMania itself, on March 14, 2004, atMadison Square Garden,he accompaniedThe Undertakerto the ring while dressed as a black-claddruidand wielding a flamingtorch.[4][5]

Walters has also wrestled for theMaine-based Eastern Wrestling Alliance, winning both the EWA New England Heavyweight Championship and the EWA Heavyweight Championship. He has appeared forJersey All-Pro Wrestling,Connecticut Championship Wrestling, andNew England Championship Wrestling(NECW), where he won the NECW Heavyweight Championship by defeating Paul Lombardi on March 18, 2006. Walters has also worked for Big Time Wrestling, where he has held the BTW Heavyweight Championship.[3]

In 2003, Walters began working for theEast Coast Wrestling Association(ECWA). After winning a six-man qualifying bout on February 28, 2003, Walters took part in the eighth annualECWA Super 8 Tournamenton April 3, 2003. He defeatedNicho El Millonarioin the first round of the tournament, but lost toAustin Ariesin the semi-finals.[4]On May 1, 2004, inWilmington, Delaware,Walters challengedChristopher Daniels,who had won the ECWA Heavyweight Championship in the Super 8 Tournament semi-finals. Walters won a four-way match which also included Aries and Mike Kruel to become the new ECWA Heavyweight Champion. His reign lasted nine months, before he lost the title toScotty Charismain a five-way match on February 12, 2005, inNewark, Delaware.[3]

In November 2020, he announced his return as a full-time wrestler.[16]

Personal life[edit]

Stagikas owns a villa inCosta Rica.[11]After graduating, Stagikas trained shelter dogs and worked inreal estate.[11]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Luchas de Apuestasrecord[edit]

See also:Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Magno(mask) R. J. Brewer (hair) Albuquerque, New Mexico Lucha Libre USA Live event January 22, 2011 [18]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcPerasso, Valeria (December 10, 2011)."Lucha libre in the US: The wrestler who taunts Latino fans".BBC.co.uk.BBC News.Retrieved2013-08-15.
  2. ^abcdDavis, Linsey & Newman, Ben (January 28, 2013)."US Wrestler Promotes Anti-Illegal Immigration Agenda on Mexican Wrestling Tour".ABCNews.go.com.ABC News.Retrieved2013-08-15.
  3. ^abcdefghijklmnop"John Walters".Online World of Wrestling.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.
  4. ^abcdefgClevett, Jason (April 21, 2004)."John Walters building a 'Killer' career".Slam! Sports.Canadian Online Explorer.Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.RetrievedApril 12,2007.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^abcPave, Marvin (March 28, 2004)."Local boy turns into Mr. sex machine".The Boston Globe.RetrievedApril 12,2007.
  6. ^abcdefghij"Title Histories".Chaotic Wrestling.Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.
  7. ^abc"Cold Fury 8: The Review".Chaotic Wrestling.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.
  8. ^abcd"Past Events".Ring of Honor.Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.
  9. ^abc"Ring Of Honor Pure Championship".Ring of Honor.Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2010.RetrievedApril 5,2010.
  10. ^"Homicide looks for revenge in NYC".Ring of Honor.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.The Embassy's John Walters
  11. ^abcBecerra, Hector (April 10, 2012)."'Crusader' against illegal immigration brings his message to the mat ".LA Times.p. 1.RetrievedJanuary 5,2013.
  12. ^Perasso, Valeria (December 10, 2011)."Lucha libre in the US: The wrestler who taunts Latino fans".British Broadcasting Corporation.RetrievedDecember 10,2011.
  13. ^abRoberts, Alex (June 20, 2011)."6/18 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: Spoiler results for more Season 2 episodes of MTV2 show, update on Season 2, notes from head of creative".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedJune 20,2011.
  14. ^Johnson, Daniel (2013-10-19)."RJ Brewer Interview".The Johnson Transcript.Retrieved2014-11-23.
  15. ^abGerweck, Steve (October 21, 2013)."Twitter notes on Tammy Sytch, RJ Brewer, Eric Bischoff, and LuFisto".Gerweck.Archived fromthe originalon October 22, 2013.RetrievedOctober 21,2013.
  16. ^"FORMER ROH PURE CHAMPION ANNOUNCES FULL-TIME RETURN TO RING | PWInsider.com".
  17. ^"Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012".The Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedAugust 25,2012.
  18. ^Roberts, Alex (January 22, 2011)."1/22 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: SPOILER results for more Season 2 episodes of MTV2 wrestling show – notable former WWE wrestlers debut, first tag champions crowned".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedJanuary 24,2011.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toJohn Stagikas.
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