Matt Morgan

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For other people named Matt Morgan, see Matthew Morgan.
Matt Morgan
Matt Morgan at SCW 2013.jpg
Morgan in August 2013.
Birth name Matthew Morgan[1]
Born (1976-09-10) September 10, 1976 (age 47)[1]
Fairfield, Connecticut[1]
Spouse(s) Larissa Vasper (m. 2004)
Children 1
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Beast
Gomorrah[1]
The Blueprint[1]
Matt Morgan[1]
Billed height 7 ft 00 in (2.13 m)
Billed weight 320 lb (150 kg)[2]
Billed from Fairfield, Connecticut[2]
Trained by Hardcore Holly
Al Snow[1]
Debut October 2, 2002[1]
Retired June 24 2015 [3]

Matthew "Matt" Morgan (born September 10, 1976)[1] is an American retired professional wrestler. As a college basketball player, Morgan competed in the 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and has appeared in American Gladiators under the pseudonym Beast. Morgan is best known for his professional wrestling career in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) where he is a former two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion.

Basketball career

After a successful high school basketball career at Fairfield High School in Connecticut, Morgan played Division I college basketball with Monmouth University at center position.[4] During Morgan's freshman year at the university, the Monmouth Hawks defeated Rider University to become the Northeast Conference champions. By winning the conference tournament, Monmouth received an automatic bid to the 1996 NCAA tournament.

Of his trip to the tournament, Morgan said, "it was fun to be able to say that you actually played in the NCAA tournament and actually got some minutes. I didn’t score, but at least I got in as a freshman, which was cool."[5] Monmouth lost to Marquette University in the first round of the tournament by a final score of 68 – 44.[6] Following a coaching change at Monmouth, Morgan transferred to Chaminade University in Hawaii, where he finished his college basketball career and graduated magna cum laude in public speaking.[7][8]

Morgan had professional tryouts with the NBA's Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors, but was not offered a contract by either team

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2002–2005)

Morgan was first introduced to the World Wrestling Federation when he entered as part of its Tough Enough II program but left the show early due to an injury. In April 2002, Morgan signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). He made his OVW debut on October 2, 2002, at the OVW TV Tapings as "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan teaming with Mark Jindrak, defeating Travis Bane and Lance Cade.[9] He wrestled there sporadically (usually winning handicap matches)[10][11] until October 2003 when he was called up to the SmackDown brand.

After Lesnar quit WWE, Morgan was sent back to OVW for further development and experience, wrestling again as "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan and on April 14, 2004, he defeated Nick Dinsmore to become the OVW Heavyweight Champion.[12][13] He held the title for almost six months before losing it to Chris Cage on October 13, 2004.[13] Since the stipulation was that if Morgan lost he would "never show his face again" in OVW, he began wearing a mask to the ring and tweaked his name to simply The Blueprint. He would regain the OVW Heavyweight Championship on April 13, 2005, at an OVW live event after defeating Elijah Burke, but lost the title 17 days later to Brent Albright on April 30 after Albright hit Morgan with a crowbar.[1]

SmackDown! (2003–2005)

He made his WWE debut on the October 30, 2003, episode of SmackDown! and was chosen with the returning Nathan Jones by then General Manager of SmackDown!, Paul Heyman, to join Team Lesnar, which consisted of Matt Morgan, Nathan Jones, Brock Lesnar, Big Show and A-Train.[14] It was hinted that Matt Morgan and Nathan Jones would be a tag team, but their only tag team match was at the 2003 Survivor Series pay-per-view, when they took on Team Angle (not the stable introduced one year earlier, but a one-off combination of five wrestlers). They lost to Team Angle in a ten-person elimination tag team match at 2003 Survivor Series; Morgan was eliminated from the match by Kurt Angle after Angle gave Morgan an Angle Slam.[15] Morgan was then used to make run-ins along with the other members of Team Lesnar, helping Brock Lesnar against his opponents.

Soon thereafter, Nathan Jones quit WWE, so Matt Morgan occasionally teamed with Lesnar. He teamed up with Lesnar, Big Show, and Rhyno in a four-on-two Handicap match against Chris Benoit and John Cena on the January 22, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, in a losing effort.[16] On January 25, he competed in the 2004 Royal Rumble match, in which the winner would get a title shot against their brand's champion at WrestleMania XX; he got rid of The Hurricane but was eliminated by Chris Benoit, who would go on to win the match and the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX.[17]

Morgan returned to WWE on the April 21, 2005, episode of SmackDown!, with a new gimmick as a stuttering big-man who was defensive over his speech disorder, and quickly defeated a then-unknown jobber, Brett Matthews.[18] On the May 19 episode of Smackdown!, he allied himself with Carlito Caribbean Cool and became his "backup".[19] Morgan helped Carlito defeat The Big Show at Judgment Day, using Lesnar's former finisher, the F-5.[20][21] This partnership ended when Carlito was drafted to Raw,[22] and Morgan was subsequently released by WWE on July 5, 2005.[23][24] His last match in WWE was on the July 7, episode of SmackDown! against William Regal, although technically the match never took place as Morgan was attacked by The Mexicools before Regal ever got to the ring.[25]

Japanese and European promotions (2005–2006)

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Morgan toured with New Japan Pro Wrestling in late 2005, defeating Yuji Nagata in his debut match. He was being pushed as a "monster gaijin" and along with Brock Lesnar, was expected to become one of NJPW's top foreign wrestlers, but plans for this were abandoned when he decided to leave NJPW to go to All Japan Pro Wrestling. Morgan debuted in All Japan Pro Wrestling as a member of Taka Michinoku's foreigner-oriented RO&D faction. He and Mark Jindrak wrestled for HUSTLE as a tag team under the names of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Morgan also worked for Nu-Wrestling Evolution|NWE Wrestling in Italy and Rings of Europe in Austria, where he participated as the Monster Heel in a 20 Men Rumble Match. He and Joe Legend became allies but were unable to defeat Austrian Hero Big Van Walter in the end.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Cornette's "Back up" (2007–2008)

Morgan debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on the August 7, 2007, episode of TNA Today, appearing briefly in the background of a segment featuring Eric Young and Jeremy Borash.[1] On the August 9 episode of TNA Impact!, Morgan appeared alongside former TNA Management Director Jim Cornette, with TNA later identifying him as Cornette's "backup".[26] Morgan was the Special Enforcer in the Samoa Joe and Christian Cage match at Bound for Glory, preventing Christian's Coalition from interfering as Joe gave Cage his first true defeat in TNA.[27] Morgan had to restrain Tomko and A.J. Styles on the edition of October 18 of Impact! when they tried interfering in the main event helping Christian defeat Samoa Joe in a Fight For The Right Qualifying match.[1]

On the April 3, 2008, edition of TNA Impact!, it was revealed that Morgan allowed Team Tomko to add James Storm to their team, giving them a five-to-four advantage heading into Lockdown; however, at the end of the program, it was revealed that Morgan himself had joined Team Cage.[28] The next week, Jim Cornette relieved Morgan of his assistant duties to become a full-time wrestler. With Morgan joining Team Cage, he established himself as a fan favorite, and went back to his old OVW nickname, "The Blueprint". Morgan teamed up with Kip James at Sacrifice as a result of the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament draw.[29] They failed to win the tag titles as James and Morgan could not get along long enough.[29] He then began to feud with The Rock 'n Rave Infection after defeating Jimmy Rave in less than two minutes on July 17.[30] Lance Rock immediately challenged Morgan to a match right there, and Morgan squashed him.[30]

Teaming and feuding with Abyss (2008–2009)

Morgan teamed with Abyss in late 2008

In August 2008 Morgan entered a tag team up with Abyss. The storyline was an additional chapter in the "Abyss' humanisation" storyline. Since his return to television, Abyss had portrayed an emotionally vulnerable character, exaggerating the meaning behind every gesture he received. Abyss saw Morgan as his best friend, and was desperate not to displease him. But Abyss' new sensitivity made him more naive, thus causing him to make simple errors that cost the team matches. Through time, Morgan would go from understanding to frustrated over Abyss' errors. They feuded briefly with Team 3D. The duo defeated Team 3D at No Surrender, but lost at Bound for Glory IV in a Monster's Ball match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, which Beer Money, Inc. won.[31][32] On the November 6 episode of Impact! Morgan and Abyss won a four team ladder match to earn a future TNA World Tag Team Championship match against Beer Money, Inc., which they lost at Final Resolution when Storm hit Abyss with brass knuckles when the referee was distracted.[33][34] They gained a third opportunity at the belts at Genesis in a three-way match against Beer Money, Inc. and then-champions Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed. During the match, Abyss accidentally knocked Morgan out with one of the championship belts, causing him to be pinned by Beer Money.[35]

On the following Impact!, the team fought against Lethal and Creed in a number one contenders match for the tag team championship, which ended with Morgan once again being pinned because of Abyss.[36] On the January 23 episode of Impact!, Morgan and Abyss battled Beer Money, Inc. in a non-title first blood match. Towards the end of the match, Morgan turned on Abyss after hitting him with a steel chair, causing him to bleed, giving Storm and Roode the win and turning heel in the process.[37] Abyss was so distraught over losing Morgan's friendship that he started having therapy sessions with his psychiatrist, Dr. Stevie at shows. At Against All Odds, Abyss defeated Morgan (who wrestled despite having a staph infection right to the bone of his shoulder) in a standard match.[1] Three weeks later, Morgan challenged Abyss to a Match of 10,000 Tacks at Destination X, which Abyss accepted the following week, after Morgan threatened his girlfriend Lauren.[1] Morgan defeated Abyss in the match after knocking him off the entrance ramp with his "Carbon Footprint" bicycle kick, onto two tables covered in tacks.[1] The feud ended at Lockdown, in a Doomsday Chamber of Blood Match, in which neither wrestler could be legally pinned were he not bleeding. Morgan won after interference by Abyss' psychiatrist, Dr. Stevie, by hitting Abyss with a back low blow and then a chokebomb onto a pile of tacks.[1] This ended the feud, with Abyss moving on to feuding with Dr. Stevie.

Morgan making his entrance at Slammiversary 2009.

The following weeks Morgan began a campaign to convince the heel stable The Main Event Mafia to allow him to join them and become a member. He was aware that the current members of the Mafia were all former World Champions, but realising that Team 3D, Kip James and Al Snow had been invited into the Mafia (Team 3D refused, and James and Snow were rejected), Morgan felt he should have been invited too. Kurt Angle then hired Morgan to perform a series of tasks, constantly promising that the Mafia were considering inducting him. He faced Sting at Slammiversary, but was unable to defeat him and was thus barred from joining the Mafia.[38] At Victory Road he defeated Daniels to regain the Mafia's favour.[39] On the August 13, 2009, episode of Impact!, Morgan defeated A.J. Styles in the deciding match of a "Best of Three Series" to secure his place in a triple threat match at Hard Justice also involving Sting and Kurt Angle.[40] He lost at the event after Angle hit him with a steel chair.[41] At No Surrender competed in a re-match that also featured A.J. Styles and Hernandez, who used his "Feast or Fired" contract to include himself in the match, but was removed after a few minutes when he sustained an injury at the hands of Eric Young. During the match, Styles attempted a front flip senton from the apron onto Morgan outside of the ring, at the same moment Angle attempted to attack Morgan, but accidentally got struck by Styles instead. Morgan seemingly took this as a friendly gesture and agreed to assist Angle for the remainder of the match. But when Angle seemed set to win, Morgan turned on Angle and cost him the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, turning into a fan favorite in the process.[42] On the September 24, 2009, episode of Impact!, Morgan cemented his newfound disinterest in the Main Event Mafia when he teamed with Hernandez to defeat Kurt Angle and Eric Young, which also solidified his status as a face.[43] On the following impact, he teamed with former rival Abyss to defeat Kurt Angle and Mick Foley. Another week later, on the edition of October 1 of impact, Matt Morgan defeated Eric Young. On October 5 Morgan announced on his Twitter page that he had signed a new 5-year deal with TNA.[44] Morgan's feud with Angle culminated in a singles match at Bound for Glory, where despite Morgan's loss, he managed to gain Angle's respect.[45] This match practically ended the Main Event Mafia.

Teaming and feuding with Hernandez (2009–2010)

Morgan as the sole TNA World Tag Team Champion.

Since then Morgan teamed up with Hernandez and D'Angelo Dinero and moved on to feuding with Rhino and Team 3D, who accused TNA of favoring the younger talent of the company.[46] At Turning Point, Rhino and Team 3D defeated Morgan, Hernandez and Dinero in a street fight.[47] The next night, the two teams had a re-match which ended the same way after Jesse Neal returned and attacked Hernandez with a steel chair. It was announced that the both teams would face of at Final Resolution in an elimination match, but both teams were required to have four members. Team 3D immediately enlisted Neal, while Dinero pursued Suicide's help. Both teams fought in a regular tag match to determine an additional stipulation on the forthcoming match at Final Resolution. The match at Final Resolution would begin as a 4-on-1 handicap match, but if the disadvantaged wrestler survived the first 5 minutes his partners would then join the match, turning it into an eight-man elimination tag team match. Neal pinned Hernandez, meaning that Hernandez and his team would be disadvantaged at Final Resolution. At the pay-per-view Morgan, Hernandez (who survived), Dinero and Suicide defeated Jesse Neal, Team 3D and Rhino, with Morgan scoring the deciding fall on Brother Ray.[48]

On the January 4, 2010, live, three hour, Monday night episode of Impact! Morgan and Hernandez defeated Dr. Stevie and Raven to become the number one contenders to the TNA World Tag Team Champions British Invasion (Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams) at Genesis.[49] At the pay-per-view Morgan and Hernandez defeated the British Invasion to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship, his first major championship.[50] At Against All Odds as part of the 8 Card Stud Tournament Morgan and Hernandez were forced to face each other in the first round. Morgan defeated Hernandez by taking advantage of his injured shoulder and pinning him, while grabbing a hold of his trunks. However, in the semifinals Morgan was defeated by the eventual winner of the entire tournament, D'Angelo Dinero.[51] At Destination X Morgan and Hernandez retained the Tag Team Titles in a match against Beer Money despite plenty of miscommunication between the two champions. After the match Morgan nailed Hernandez with the Carbon Footprint and left with both title belts, turning heel in the process.[52] The following day on Impact! Morgan defeated Hernandez via referee stoppage after sandwiching his head between his boot and the ring post, putting him out of action indefinitely.[53] With Hernandez scheduled to miss months of action, Morgan declared himself the sole World Tag Team Champion on the edition of April 5 of Impact! and TNA went along with this and recognized him as the sole Champion.[54] Morgan then went on to successfully defend the World Tag Team Title while teaming with the likes of Amazing Red, Shark Boy and Jesse Neal as his substitute partners, attacking each of them after the matches.[55][56][57] On the edition of May 3 of Impact! it was announced that Morgan would defend the World Tag Team Championship at Sacrifice against Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore, both of whom he had attacked in the two previous weeks, and that Hulk Hogan would decide his partner for the match.[58] On the edition of May 13 of Impact! Morgan demanded to find out who his partner would be and when he did not get an answer, threatened to turn his match against Generation Me (Jeremy and Max Buck) into a bloodbath. However, Samoa Joe came to the ring to put a stop to this and hit Morgan with a Muscle Buster. This led to The Band coming out and Kevin Nash cashing in his "Feast or Fired" contract, after which he pinned Morgan to make himself and Scott Hall the new World Tag Team Champions.[59] On the edition of June 3 of Impact!, Matt Morgan was distracted by somebody in the crowd which cost him a four-way match with Samoa Joe, Sting, and the winner of the match, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam. The camera's immediately showed what was distracting Morgan, but nobody could clearly see who it was, although Taz and Mike Tenay believed it to be Hernandez.[60] The following week, Hernandez made his official return by attacking Morgan. After the attack The Band gave the injured Morgan the rematch he had wanted for the World Tag Team Championship and easily defeated him to retain the title.[61] At Slammiversary VIII Morgan defeated Hernandez via disqualification, when Hernandez was disqualified for shoving the referee, when he had gotten enough of him reprimanding him for going after Morgan.[62] The following month at Victory Road Morgan was defeated by Hernandez in a Steel Cage match.[63]

Fortune; World Heavyweight Championship pursuit (2010–2011)

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Main article: Fortune (professional wrestling)
Morgan with the rest of Fortune in August 2010

On the edition of July 15 of Impact! Morgan went to attack D'Angelo Dinero, after losing to him in a singles match, but was stopped by Mr. Anderson.[64] The following week Anderson defeated Morgan, who then attacked and bloodied him.[65] On the edition of July 29 of Impact!, Morgan was involved in an altercation with Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy, during which two security guards, Gunner and Murphy, came out and attacked Hardy and Anderson. Later that night Morgan, Gunner, and Murphy were defeated in a three-on-two handicap match by Hardy and Anderson, after Morgan walked out during the match.[66] On the edition of August 12 of Impact! Morgan joined Ric Flair's Fortune (originally spelled Fourtune) stable, as he, A.J. Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, James Storm and Douglas Williams attacked EV 2.0, a stable consisting of former Extreme Championship Wrestling performers.[67] At Bound for Glory Morgan, Styles, Kazarian, Roode and Storm were defeated in a Lethal Lockdown match by EV 2.0 members Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Rhino, Sabu and Stevie Richards.[68] On the following edition of Impact! Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan's and Eric Bischoff's new stable, Immortal.[69]

On the October 28 episode of Impact!, Morgan began showing signs of a face turn by showing concern for the concussed Mr. Anderson and trying to convince Eric Bischoff not to allow him to wrestle Jeff Jarrett in a chain match in the main event of the night. Morgan ended up taking Anderson's spot in the match, but was defeated after a low blow. After the match Fortune, minus Douglas Williams, turned on Morgan and beat him down, effectively turning him into a fan favorite.[70] The following week Morgan became the number one contender to TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy by attacking Bischoff and signing a contract, which was originally meant for Mr. Anderson, who was unable to attend the event due to his concussion.[71] At Turning Point Morgan failed in his attempt to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Hardy. During the match Morgan seemingly scored a three count on Hardy, but this was missed by the referee of the match.[72][73] Due to the controversy surrounding the title match, Morgan was given a chance to earn another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the following edition of Impact! in a three–on–one handicap match against Fortune members Douglas Williams, James Storm and Robert Roode. Morgan won the match, after Beer Money, Inc. abandoned Williams, but was afterwards laid out by Jeff Hardy.[73][74] On the edition of November 18 of Impact! Morgan defeated Ric Flair in a singles match, after Douglas Williams turned on the rest of Fortune, when they interfered in the match. As a result, Morgan earned the right to choose a special guest referee for the match between himself and Hardy at Final Resolution.[75] On the edition of December 2 of Impact! Morgan announced the returning Mr. Anderson as the special guest referee for his title match.[76] At Final Resolution Hardy defeated Morgan to once again retain the World Heavyweight Championship. During the match Anderson was knocked out during which Morgan seemingly had the match won, but when a replacement referee came to the ring, Hardy managed to pull himself together and pinned Morgan to win the match.[77]

Morgan facing Scott Steiner at Slammiversary IX

At Genesis Morgan was defeated by Mr. Anderson in a number one contender's match.[78] On the edition of February 10 of Impact!, Morgan received a shot at Anderson's TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated following interference from the returning Hernandez, who made his first TNA appearance in over six months.[79] On the edition of March 3 of Impact! Morgan defeated Hernandez via disqualification.[80] On March 13 at Victory Road, Hernandez defeated Morgan in a First Blood match, after using fake blood on him, following a distraction from a planted fan, later identified as Anarquia, the newest member of Hernandez's Mexican America stable.[81] On April 17 at Lockdown, Morgan defeated Hernandez in a steel cage match to win the feud.[82] With his feud with Hernandez behind him, Morgan announced his intention of going for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the following edition of Impact!, but was interrupted by Scott Steiner who claimed to be next in line for the shot, before laying Morgan out with a low blow.[83] On June 12 at Slammiversary IX, Morgan defeated Steiner in a singles match.[84] Later that month, Morgan entered the Bound for Glory Series to determine a number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the edition of July 21 of Impact Wrestling, Morgan won a four-man ladder match to climb to number three spot in the tournament's rankings, however, just four days later it was reported that Morgan had torn his pectoral muscle, which would sideline him for six weeks, ending his participation in the tournament.[85][86][87] Over the following weeks, Morgan was on commentary for the Bound for Glory Series matches.[88][89] On August 29 it was reported that Morgan had been cleared to return to the ring.[90]

Teaming and feuding with Crimson (2011–2012)

On the edition of September 1 of Impact Wrestling, Morgan tried to stop Samoa Joe, who had vowed to ruin the Bound for Glory Series, but got kicked in the groin. Later in the evening, Morgan called out Joe and brawled with him, which ended with Joe again kicking Morgan in the groin, before hitting him in the arm with a steel chair.[91] On September 11 at No Surrender, Morgan defeated Joe in a grudge match.[92] On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, Joe defeated Morgan in a submission match.[93] On October 16 Bound for Glory, Morgan and Joe were defeated by Crimson in a three-way match.[94] On November 13 at Turning Point, Morgan wrestled Crimson to a double disqualification.[95] On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, Morgan and Crimson defeated Mexican America to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[96] On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, Crimson and Morgan successfully defended their title against Mexican America in a rematch.[97] On December 11 at Final Resolution, Morgan and Crimson successfully defended their title against D'Angelo Dinero and Devon.[98] Later that same month, Morgan took part in TNA's India project, Ring Ka King, defeating Scott Steiner in a tournament final to become the promotion's inaugural Heavyweight Champion.[99] On January 8, 2012, at Genesis, Morgan and Crimson successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship against the team of Magnus and Samoa Joe.[100] On February 12 at Against All Odds, Morgan and Crimson lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Magnus and Joe in a rematch.[101] On the edition of February 23 of Impact Wrestling, Morgan and Crimson failed to regain the TNA World Tag Team Championship from Joe and Magnus.[102] Despite the problems between Morgan and Crimson, the two managed to defeat Robbie E and Robbie T on the edition of March 8 of Impact Wrestling to once again become the number one contenders to the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[103] However, they were defeated in their title match on March 18 at Victory Road, when Crimson turned on Morgan.[104] On April 15 at Lockdown, Morgan was defeated by Crimson in a steel cage match.[105] On the edition of May 10 of Impact Wrestling, Morgan and Crimson were set to face each other in what was billed as their "final confrontation", however, before the match could start, Morgan was attacked by Bully Ray. After Morgan was stretchered away, Crimson was given a countout victory.[106] In an interview on June 14, Morgan expressed frustration with TNA management and confirmed that his contract with the promotion would be up soon.[107] Working exclusively on house shows for his last month with TNA, Morgan finished his commitments with the promotion on June 16.[108]

Final feuds and departure (2012–2013)

After months of teasing a return to WWE,[109][110][111] Morgan made a surprise return to TNA at a house show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on September 15, entering through the crowd in street clothes, hopping a guardrail and attacking Robbie E.[112][113] The following night at another house show in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Morgan entered the ring after a match between James Storm and Jeff Hardy, delivering a Carbon Footprint to referee Brian Stiffler.[114] The second appearance was later broadcast on the October 4 episode of Impact Wrestling, where Bruce Prichard was lecturing D'Lo Brown about the incident.[115] Morgan returned to pay-per-view on October 14 at Bound for Glory, helping Joey Ryan defeat Al Snow to earn a TNA contract thus establishing himself as a heel.[116] The following Impact Wrestling, Morgan explained his actions, claiming that Hulk Hogan had not delivered on his promises; Hogan in turn blamed the TNA creative about Morgan's treatment.[117] While Morgan continued to vilify Hogan, it was insinuated that Hogan was just trying to rile him up, while secretly backing him.[117][118] Morgan competed in his return match on the November 29 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Douglas Williams.[119] On December 9 at Final Resolution, Morgan and Ryan unsuccessfully challenged Chavo Guerrero, Jr. and Hernandez for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, after losing to them via disqualification.[120] Morgan and Ryan challenged Gurrero and Hernandez again on January 13, 2013, at Genesis, but were again unsuccessful in winning their titles.[121] In March, Morgan began "cleaning up the messes" that Hulk Hogan had made, beginning with attacks on World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy and Joseph Park.[122][123] The attack on Park resulted in a singles match on the March 21 episode of Impact Wrestling, where Morgan emerged victorious.[124] On the April 25 episode of Impact Wrestling, Morgan confronted Hogan and offered his services to take out the Aces and Eights, in exchange for being named the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary, but was firmly denied.[125] The following week, Morgan faced Sting in a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which Sting won after locking Morgan in the Scorpion Deathlock and making him pass out.[126] Morgan's last appearance for the company was on the June 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he was defeated by Magnus in a four-way 2013 Bound for Glory Series qualifying match, which also included Kenny King and Rob Terry.[127] After initially asking that same month, TNA granted Morgan his release from the company on July 9.[128]

Return to TNA (2015)

On June 24, 2015, Morgan returned to TNA after saving the returning Vader from an attack from Bram. It was soon announced that Morgan would face Bram at Slammiversary. At Slammiversary, Bram defeated Morgan after performing The Brighter Side of Suffering onto a steel chair.[129] Morgan later confirmed that the match was a one-time deal only in order to give his son the chance to see him wrestle.[130]

Independent circuit and retirement (2013–2014)

Morgan debuted for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) on June 16, 2013, at Triplemanía XXI, where he, Jeff Jarrett, and Monster Pain defeated AAA World Trios Champions Los Psycho Circus (Monster Clown, Murder Clown and Psycho Clown) in a non-title match.[131]

Morgan made his first wrestling appearance since departing from TNA on August 31, 2013, at NWA Florida Underground Wrestling's Throwdown 6, defeating Kenneth Cameron.[132] Morgan returned to NWA-FUW on October 26, defeating The Grease to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship.[133] In November, Morgan made successful title defenses against Leo Gold,[134] Deimos,[135] and The Titan.[136]

Morgan made his debut for Family Wrestling Entertainment on October 12, 2013, at their Grand Prix iPPV, unsuccessfully challenging John Hennigan for the FWE Heavyweight Championship.[137] Morgan returned to FWE on December 7 for their one-night tournament, losing to Ted DiBiase, Jr. via count-out in the opening round.[138]

In January 2014, Morgan announced his retirement from professional wrestling full-time in order to be with his wife and new born son, as well as begin a career as a regional manager for a "big-time medical device company". In countless interviews since Morgan has stated that while he has a great love for professional wrestling and all the opportunities it afforded him, that his biggest dream in life was to be a father and so he had to take a job that allowed him to be home every night with his son, something he unfortunately would not be able to do as a full-time wrestler.[3] He also stated that he had conversations with both WWE and TNA about possible returns to either company, but that he could not turn down the offer from his new job due to it offering a salary that "blew away" what WWE or TNA would have offered him and that he would find it very difficult to be away from his wife and son for extended periods of time. However, Morgan stated that he would not rule out making an occasional independent circuit appearance.[139]

Other media

In 2008, Morgan accepted an offer to appear on the third series of American Gladiators as one of the Gladiators. Morgan, under the name Beast, made his Gladiator debut during the first night of the semi-finals in the joust. He defeated each of his two opponents in less than eight seconds.[140][141] On September 24, 2010, Morgan appeared on Fox television show The Good Guys, playing the role of a Russian mobster on an episode titled Vacation.[142][143] In November 2010 Morgan was a contestant on an all TNA week of Family Feud, teaming with Jay Lethal, Mick Foley, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam against Angelina Love, Christy Hemme, Lacey Von Erich, Tara and Velvet Sky.[144] On June 30, 2011, Morgan was announced as being a part of the new season of CMT Made 101.[145]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2009 American Gladiators Beast
2010 The Good Guys Sasha Tsalka Season 1, Episode 10
2010 Family Feud Himself 5 Episodes, TNA Wrestling Special
2011 Death from Above Animal
2011 CMT Made 101 Himself Season 1, Episode 1 [146]

Personal life

Morgan announced on a 2008 episode of TNA Impact! during the TNA Webography segment where TNA Superstars give an insight into their life that he has been married to his college sweetheart, a Hawaiian/Filipino woman named Larissa Vasper from Hawaii for four years.[147] During that Webography, he also announced that when he was five, he was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),[147] which led to him getting involved with CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a non-profit organization based out of Landover, Maryland.[148][149]

In an interview with Pro Wrestling Report on 540 ESPN Radio, he stated "I'm a big Jay-Z fan" and that "The Blueprint" moniker was inspired by the album of the same name.[150]

In August 2008, it was announced that Morgan would contribute a sample of his DNA to be launched into space as part of game designer Richard Garriott's "Operation Immortality" project.[151]

On January 7, 2014, Morgan's wife, Larissa, gave birth to their first child, a son named Jackson.[3]

In wrestling

Morgan preparing to hit a reverse chokeslam on Scott Steiner.
  • Signature moves
Morgan performing a back elbow
  • Nicknames
    • "The Blueprint"[2][157]
    • "The Most Genetically-Jacked, Athletically-Stacked Giant Walking Today"[159]
    • "The (self-proclaimed) DNA of TNA"[160]
    • "Ric Flair's Insurance Policy"[161]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Far North Wrestling
    • FNW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[166]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[unreliable source?]
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[unreliable source?]
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjmutpur6Hw
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  77. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  78. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  79. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  80. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  81. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  82. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  83. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  84. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  85. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  86. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  87. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  88. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  89. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  90. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  91. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  92. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  93. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  94. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  95. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  96. ↑ 96.0 96.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  97. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  98. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  99. ↑ 99.0 99.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  100. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  101. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  102. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  103. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  104. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  105. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  106. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  107. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  108. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  109. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  110. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  111. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  112. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  113. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  114. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  115. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  116. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  117. ↑ 117.0 117.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  118. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  119. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  120. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  121. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  122. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  123. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  124. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  125. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  126. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  127. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  128. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  129. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  130. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  131. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  132. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  133. ↑ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=102675
  134. ↑ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=102992
  135. ↑ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=103132
  136. ↑ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=104376
  137. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  138. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  139. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[unreliable source?]
  140. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  141. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  142. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  143. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  144. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  145. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  146. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  147. ↑ 147.0 147.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  148. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  149. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  150. ↑ Pro Wrestling Report on ESPN Radio – Pro Wrestling Report on ESPN Radio – September 30, 2009
  151. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  152. ↑ 152.0 152.1 152.2 152.3 152.4 152.5 152.6 152.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  153. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  154. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  155. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  156. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  157. ↑ 157.0 157.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  158. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  159. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  160. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  161. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  162. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  163. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  164. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  165. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  166. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  167. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  168. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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