Jump to content

Simon Gotch: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
(28 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
| image = Simon Gotch WrestleMania 32 Axxess.jpg
| image = Simon Gotch WrestleMania 32 Axxess.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = Gotch in April 2016
| caption = Gotch in 2016
| birth_name = Seth Lesser<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/04/simon-gotch-vaudevillains-wwe-release-simon-grimm |title=Former Vaudevillain Simon Gotch opens up about WWE release &#124; For The Win |publisher=Ftw.usatoday.com |date=April 20, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
| birth_name = Seth Lesser<ref name="usatoday1">{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/04/simon-gotch-vaudevillains-wwe-release-simon-grimm |title=Former Vaudevillain Simon Gotch opens up about WWE release &#124; For The Win |publisher=Ftw.usatoday.com |date=April 20, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|10|18|mf=yes}}<ref name="usatoday1"/>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|10|18|mf=yes}}<ref name="usatoday1"/>
| birth_place = [[Santa Rosa, California]], United States<ref name="Simon Gotch">={{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=simon+gotch|title=Simon Gotch|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Santa Rosa, California]], U.S.<ref name="Simon Gotch">={{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=simon+gotch|title=Simon Gotch|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref>
| resides =
| resides =
| names = Ryan Drago<br />Seth Lesser<br />Simon Grimm<br />'''Simon Gotch'''<br />Super Otaku<br />Psycho Seth
| names = Ryan Drago<br />Seth Lesser<br />Simon Grimm<br />'''Simon Gotch'''<br />Super Otaku<br />Psycho Seth
Line 19: Line 19:
| retired =
| retired =
}}
}}
'''Seth Lesser''' (born October 18, 1982) is an American [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] better known by the ring name '''Simon Gotch'''. He is best known for his time in [[WWE]], where he held the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]] as one-half of [[The Vaudevillains]] along with [[Aiden English]] and also worked for the main roster on its [[SmackDown]] brand. He also competed for [[Major League Wrestling]] (MLW).
'''Seth Lesser''' (born October 18, 1982), better known by the [[ring name]] '''Simon Gotch''', is an American [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] currently signed to [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA). He is best known for his time in [[WWE]], where he held the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]] as one-half of [[The Vaudevillains]] along with [[Aiden English]] and also worked for the main roster on its [[SmackDown]] brand. He also competed for [[Major League Wrestling]] (MLW).


From 2002 until 2013, he worked under the ring name '''Ryan Drago''', invoking the image of early 20th century professional wrestlers or strongmen. In 2013 he joined WWE, retaining the "classic wrestler" image, but being renamed "Simon Gotch" (after [[Frank Gotch]] and [[Karl Gotch]]), together with Aiden English they often appeared in silent movie segments. After leaving WWE he began to use the name '''Simon Grimm''', but was legally able to use the name Simon Gotch in April 2018.
From 2002 until 2013, he worked under the ring name '''Ryan Drago''', invoking the image of early 20th century professional wrestlers or strongmen. In 2013 he joined WWE, retaining the "classic wrestler" image, but being renamed "Simon Gotch" (after [[Frank Gotch]] and [[Karl Gotch]]), together with Aiden English they often appeared in silent movie segments. After leaving WWE he began to use the name '''Simon Grimm''', but was legally able to use the name Simon Gotch in April 2018.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Seth Lesser was born on October 18, 1982 in Santa Rosa, California.<ref name="Simon Gotch">={{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=simon+gotch|title=Simon Gotch|access-date=February 9, 2020}}</ref> He is Jewish.<ref>={{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7qCswH4CC0|title=Simon Gotch Buries Enzo Amore|website=[[YouTube]] |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>
Lesser was born on October 18, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California.<ref name="Simon Gotch"/> He is Jewish.<ref>={{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7qCswH4CC0|title=Simon Gotch Buries Enzo Amore|website=[[YouTube]] |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>


== Professional wrestling career ==
== Professional wrestling career ==
===Independent circuit (2002-2012)===
===Independent circuit (2002–2012)===
Lesser competed on the [[independent circuit]], appearing for promotions such as [[All Pro Wrestling]], [[Pro Wrestling Guerrilla]], [[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]] and [[Full Impact Pro]]. He most notably competed as Ryan Drago,<ref name="iwd">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/simon-gotch-3930.html|title=Simon Gotch|website=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> a character reminiscent of early 20th-century grapplers such as [[George Hackenschmidt]]. He won his first title, [[World League Wrestling]]'s [[WLW Tag Team Championship]], on November 10, 2012 with Elvis Aliaga.
Lesser competed on the [[independent circuit]], appearing for promotions such as [[All Pro Wrestling]], [[Pro Wrestling Guerrilla]], [[Chikara (professional wrestling)|Chikara]] and [[Full Impact Pro]]. He most notably competed as Ryan Drago,<ref name="iwd">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/simon-gotch-3930.html|title=Simon Gotch|website=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> a character reminiscent of early 20th-century grapplers such as [[George Hackenschmidt]]. He won his first title, [[World League Wrestling]]'s [[WLW Tag Team Championship]], on November 10, 2012, with Elvis Aliaga.


===WWE (2013–2017)===
===WWE (2013–2017)===
====NXT (2013–2016)====
====NXT (2013–2016)====
{{See also|The Vaudevillains}}
{{See also|The Vaudevillains}}
In June 2013, Lesser signed a developmental contract with [[WWE]] and was assigned to its [[Farm team|developmental territory]] [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], where he adopted the ring name Simon Gotch. In June 2014, Gotch formed a tag team with [[Aiden English]] known as The Vaudevillains, with the gimmick of a pair of [[Vaudeville|vaudevillians]]. The Vaudevillains made their in-ring debut as a team on the June 19 episode of ''NXT'', defeating Angelo Dawkins and Travis Tyler.<ref name=SentonCombination>{{cite web|last=James|first=Justin|title=James's WWE NXT Report 6/19|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_79133.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref> In August, The Vaudevillains participated in a tournament to determine the number one contenders to the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]], before losing to [[The Lucha Dragons]] ([[Hunico|Sin Cara]] and [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]]) in the finals.<ref>{{cite web|last=James|first=Justin|title=James's WWE NXT Report 9/4|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_80585.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> On the October 30 episode of ''NXT'', The Vaudevillains won a tag team [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|author=Melok, Bobby|date=October 30, 2014|title=WWE NXT results – Oct. 30, 2014: Sami Zayn tries to take down Titus O'Neil, tag teams battle for title opportunity|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2014-10-30/wwe-nxt-results-2014-10-30-26755966|access-date=November 14, 2014|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> They received their title match at [[NXT TakeOver: R Evolution]] against The Lucha Dragons, but were unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-takeover-r-evolution-2014-12-11/takeover-r-evolution-results-26900769/page-2|title=WWE NXT TakeOver: R Evolution results|author=Clapp, John|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref>
In June 2013, Lesser signed a developmental contract with [[WWE]] and was assigned to its [[Farm team|developmental territory]] [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]], where he adopted the ring name Simon Gotch. In June 2014, Gotch formed a tag team with [[Aiden English]] known as The Vaudevillains, with the gimmick of a pair of [[Vaudeville|vaudevillians]]. The Vaudevillains made their in-ring debut as a team on the June 19 episode of ''NXT'', defeating [[Angelo Dawkins]] and Travis Tyler.<ref name=SentonCombination>{{cite web|last=James|first=Justin|title=James's WWE NXT Report 6/19|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_79133.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref> In August, The Vaudevillains participated in a tournament to determine the number one contenders to the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]], before losing to [[The Lucha Dragons]] ([[Hunico|Sin Cara]] and [[Kalisto (wrestler)|Kalisto]]) in the finals.<ref>{{cite web|last=James|first=Justin|title=James's WWE NXT Report 9/4|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_80585.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=September 4, 2014|access-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref> On the October 30 episode of ''NXT'', The Vaudevillains won a tag team [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|author=Melok, Bobby|date=October 30, 2014|title=WWE NXT results – Oct. 30, 2014: Sami Zayn tries to take down Titus O'Neil, tag teams battle for title opportunity|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2014-10-30/wwe-nxt-results-2014-10-30-26755966|access-date=November 14, 2014|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> They received their title match at [[NXT TakeOver: R Evolution]] against The Lucha Dragons, but were unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-takeover-r-evolution-2014-12-11/takeover-r-evolution-results-26900769/page-2|title=WWE NXT TakeOver: R Evolution results|author=Clapp, John|publisher=[[WWE]]|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2014}}</ref>


After some hiatus, The Vaudevillains returned on the June 3, 2015, episode of ''NXT'', defeating Jason Jordan and [[Marcus Louis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/94151/wwe-nxt-report-nxt-title-match-announced-for-japan-rhyno-versus-balor-sasha-banks-video-package-a-tag-team-returns.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT REPORT: NXT TITLE MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR JAPAN, RHYNO VERSUS BALOR, SASHA BANKS VIDEO PACKAGE, A TAG TEAM RETURNS|website=PWInsider|author=Trionfo, Richard|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> On the July 8 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains defeated [[Enzo Amore]] [[Enzo and Cass|and]] [[Big Cass|Colin Cassady]] to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/94986/wwe-nxt-report-highlights-of-owensbalor-the-bffs-are-back-for-one-night-who-are-the-number-one-contenders-for-the-tag-titles.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT REPORT: HIGHLIGHTS OF OWENS/BALOR, THE BFFs ARE BACK FOR ONE NIGHT, WHO ARE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS FOR THE TAG TITLES?|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=PWInsider|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=July 8, 2015}}</ref> The Vaudevillians received their title match on the July 29 episode of ''NXT'' against [[Blake and Murphy]], in which they were unsuccessful after [[Alexa Bliss]] caused a distraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_86582.shtml#.Vb-q3rNViko|title=WWE NXT RESULTS 7/29: Blake & Murphy defend NXT Tag Titles, Kevin Owens "fined," Charlotte in action, Jesse Sorensen, more|date=July 29, 2015|access-date=August 3, 2015|website=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The Vaudevillains, with [[Leva Bates|Blue Pants]] in their corner, defeated Blake and Murphy in a rematch at [[NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn]] to win the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/96071/liger-is-in-nxt-great-open-to-the-show-ongoing-nxt-takeover-brooklyn-blog.html?p=1|title=Ongoing NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Blog|author=Scherer, Dave|website=PWInsider|date=August 22, 2015|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> On November 11 episode of ''NXT'', they lost the titles to [[Scott Dawson (wrestler)|Scott Dawson]] [[The Revival (professional wrestling)|and]] [[Dash Wilder]] , ending their reign at 61 days.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Mike|title=WWE NXT SPOILER FROM ONGOING TAPINGS|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/97375/wwe-nxt-spoiler-from-ongoing-tapings.html?p=1|website=PWInsider.com|access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> On the November 25 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains challenged Dash and Dawson to a rematch for the titles in a losing effort. On the December 23 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains competed in a four-way tag team match against Blake and Murphy, [[The Hype Bros]] and [[Chad Gable]] and [[Jason Jordan]], which was won by Gable and Jordan. On the March 16, 2016 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains were defeated by Gable and Jordan, now known as [[American Alpha]], in a number one contender's match for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
After some hiatus, The Vaudevillains returned on the June 3, 2015, episode of ''NXT'', defeating Jason Jordan and [[Marcus Louis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/94151/wwe-nxt-report-nxt-title-match-announced-for-japan-rhyno-versus-balor-sasha-banks-video-package-a-tag-team-returns.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT REPORT: NXT TITLE MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR JAPAN, RHYNO VERSUS BALOR, SASHA BANKS VIDEO PACKAGE, A TAG TEAM RETURNS|website=PWInsider|author=Trionfo, Richard|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> On the July 8 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains defeated [[Enzo Amore]] [[Enzo and Cass|and]] [[Big Cass|Colin Cassady]] to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/94986/wwe-nxt-report-highlights-of-owensbalor-the-bffs-are-back-for-one-night-who-are-the-number-one-contenders-for-the-tag-titles.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT REPORT: HIGHLIGHTS OF OWENS/BALOR, THE BFFs ARE BACK FOR ONE NIGHT, WHO ARE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS FOR THE TAG TITLES?|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=PWInsider|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=July 8, 2015}}</ref> The Vaudevillians received their title match on the July 29 episode of ''NXT'' against [[Blake and Murphy]], in which they were unsuccessful after [[Alexa Bliss]] caused a distraction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_86582.shtml#.Vb-q3rNViko|title=WWE NXT RESULTS 7/29: Blake & Murphy defend NXT Tag Titles, Kevin Owens "fined," Charlotte in action, Jesse Sorensen, more|date=July 29, 2015|access-date=August 3, 2015|website=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The Vaudevillains, with [[Leva Bates|Blue Pants]] in their corner, defeated Blake and Murphy in a rematch at [[NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn]] to win the NXT Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/96071/liger-is-in-nxt-great-open-to-the-show-ongoing-nxt-takeover-brooklyn-blog.html?p=1|title=Ongoing NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Blog|author=Scherer, Dave|website=PWInsider|date=August 22, 2015|access-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> On November 11 episode of ''NXT'', they lost the titles to [[Scott Dawson (wrestler)|Scott Dawson]] [[The Revival (professional wrestling)|and]] [[Dash Wilder]] , ending their reign at 61 days.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnson|first1=Mike|title=WWE NXT SPOILER FROM ONGOING TAPINGS|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/97375/wwe-nxt-spoiler-from-ongoing-tapings.html?p=1|website=PWInsider.com|access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> On the November 25 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains challenged Dash and Dawson to a rematch for the titles in a losing effort. On the December 23 episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains competed in a four-way tag team match against Blake and Murphy, [[The Hype Bros]] and [[Chad Gable]] and [[Jason Jordan]], which was won by Gable and Jordan. On the March 16, 2016, episode of ''NXT'', the Vaudevillains were defeated by Gable and Jordan, now known as [[American Alpha]], in a number one contender's match for the NXT Tag Team Championship.


==== Main roster (2016–2017) ====
==== Main roster (2016–2017) ====
Line 42: Line 42:
On July 19 at the [[2016 WWE draft]], the Vaudevillains were drafted to ''SmackDown'' in the tenth round of picks. In August, a tag team tournament for the newly created [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] was set up by ''SmackDown'' general manager [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] and ''SmackDown'' commissioner [[Shane McMahon]], where the winner of the tournament would be crowned the inaugural champions. On the August 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains competed in the first round match of the tournament, where they were defeated by [[The Hype Bros]]. On the November 8 episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains were defeated by Breezango ([[Tyler Breeze]] and [[Fandango (wrestler)|Fandango]]) in a qualifying match for a spot in Team SmackDown at [[Survivor Series (2016)|Survivor Series]].
On July 19 at the [[2016 WWE draft]], the Vaudevillains were drafted to ''SmackDown'' in the tenth round of picks. In August, a tag team tournament for the newly created [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] was set up by ''SmackDown'' general manager [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] and ''SmackDown'' commissioner [[Shane McMahon]], where the winner of the tournament would be crowned the inaugural champions. On the August 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains competed in the first round match of the tournament, where they were defeated by [[The Hype Bros]]. On the November 8 episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains were defeated by Breezango ([[Tyler Breeze]] and [[Fandango (wrestler)|Fandango]]) in a qualifying match for a spot in Team SmackDown at [[Survivor Series (2016)|Survivor Series]].


On the January 31, 2017 episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains, along with five other teams, answered an open challenge set by American Alpha, where a brawl between all six teams ensued before being broken up by referees and officials. At [[Elimination Chamber (2017)|Elimination Chamber]], the Vaudevillains competed in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Tag team turmoil|tag team turmoil]] match for the ''WWE SmackDown'' Tag Team Championship, where they were eliminated by [[Heath Slater]] and [[Rhyno]]. On the [[WrestleMania 33]] kickoff show, Gotch wrestled his last televised WWE match when he competed in the [[André the Giant Memorial Trophy|André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]], which was won by [[Mojo Rawley]]. The Vaudevillians lost to American Alpha during a dark match before Smackdown on April 4. Then on April 5, 2017, it was announced that Simon Gotch had been officially released from his WWE contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/simon-gotch-released |title=Simon Gotch released |publisher=WWE |date=April 5, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
On the January 31, 2017, episode of ''SmackDown'', the Vaudevillains, along with five other teams, answered an open challenge set by American Alpha, where a brawl between all six teams ensued before being broken up by referees and officials. At [[Elimination Chamber (2017)|Elimination Chamber]], the Vaudevillains competed in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Tag team turmoil|tag team turmoil]] match for the ''WWE SmackDown'' Tag Team Championship, where they were eliminated by [[Heath Slater]] and [[Rhyno]]. On the [[WrestleMania 33]] kickoff show, Gotch wrestled his last televised WWE match when he competed in the [[André the Giant Memorial Trophy|André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]], which was won by [[Mojo Rawley]]. The Vaudevillians lost to American Alpha during a dark match before Smackdown on April 4. Then on April 5, 2017, it was announced that Simon Gotch had been officially released from his WWE contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/simon-gotch-released |title=Simon Gotch released |publisher=WWE |date=April 5, 2017 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>


===Return to Independent circuit (2017–present) ===
===Return to Independent circuit (2017–present) ===
After his release from WWE, Lesser returned to the independent circuit, adopting the ring name "Simon Grimm". On July 23, 2017, Grimm won his first singles title when he defeated both [[Daisuke Sekimoto]] and [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Doug Williams]] for the vacant [[XWA Frontier Sports Championship]] in Colchester, England. Less than a week later, Lesser wrestled for [[Pro Wrestling Pride]] defeating [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Doug Williams]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://allwrestling.com/news/105316/simon-gotch-face-former-tna/ |title=Simon Gotch to face former TNA star in Pro Wrestling Pride Match |work= AllWrestling.com |access-date= October 13, 2017}}</ref> and [[Ultimo Tiger]]. In September, Grimm teamed with [[Dasher Hatfield]] and [[Mark Angelosetti]] in Chikara's [[King of Trios#2017|2017 King of Trios]] tournament, where they made it to the quarterfinals, before losing to [[Pete Dunne (wrestler)|Pete Dunne]], [[Trent Seven]] [[British Strong Style|and]] [[Tyler Bate]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/09/03/91-chickara-king-trios-2017-night-one-wolverhampton-england-house-throwbacks-vs-house-strong-style-quackenbush-pete-dunn-tyler-bate-trent-seven/ |title= 9/1 Chikara "King of Trios 2017: Night Two" in Wolverhampton, England: House Throwbacks vs. House Strong Style, Quackenbush, Pete Dunn, Tyler Bate, Trent Seven |last=Green |first= Dave |date= September 3, 2017 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |work= Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
After his release from WWE, Lesser returned to the independent circuit, adopting the ring name "Simon Grimm". On July 23, 2017, Grimm won his first singles title when he defeated both [[Daisuke Sekimoto]] and [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Doug Williams]] for the vacant [[XWA Frontier Sports Championship]] in Colchester, England. Less than a week later, Lesser wrestled for [[Pro Wrestling Pride]] defeating [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Doug Williams]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://allwrestling.com/news/105316/simon-gotch-face-former-tna/ |title=Simon Gotch to face former TNA star in Pro Wrestling Pride Match |work= AllWrestling.com |access-date= October 13, 2017}}</ref> and [[Ultimo Tiger]]. In September, Grimm teamed with [[Dasher Hatfield]] and [[Mark Angelosetti]] in Chikara's [[King of Trios#2017|2017 King of Trios]] tournament, where they made it to the quarterfinals, before losing to [[Pete Dunne (wrestler)|Pete Dunne]], [[Trent Seven]] [[British Strong Style|and]] [[Tyler Bate]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/09/03/91-chickara-king-trios-2017-night-one-wolverhampton-england-house-throwbacks-vs-house-strong-style-quackenbush-pete-dunn-tyler-bate-trent-seven/ |title= 9/1 Chikara "King of Trios 2017: Night Two" in Wolverhampton, England: House Throwbacks vs. House Strong Style, Quackenbush, Pete Dunn, Tyler Bate, Trent Seven |last=Green |first= Dave |date= September 3, 2017 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |work= Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>


Grimm made his [[Ring of Honor]] debut on December 24, 2017 ROH taping where he teamed up with [[Flip Gordon]], where they faced The Dawgs ([[Rhett Titus]] and [[Will Ferrara]]) in a losing effort. In an interview on April 24, 2018, Grimm revealed that WWE had dropped the trademark to the Simon Gotch name, and he started using the name in independent promotions shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rageot|first=Harley P.|title=12/24 ROH TV Report: Christmas Surprise with Team Cody vs. Team Dalton Castle, The Dawgs vs. Flip Gordon & a debuting Simon Grimm|date=December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/26/12-24-roh-tv-report-christmas-surprise-team-cody-vs-team-dalton-castle-dawgs-vs-flip-gordon-debuting-simon-grimm/|access-date=March 29, 2018|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref>
Grimm made his [[Ring of Honor]] debut on December 24, 2017, ROH taping where he teamed up with [[Flip Gordon]], where they faced The Dawgs ([[Rhett Titus]] and [[Will Ferrara]]) in a losing effort. In an interview on April 24, 2018, Grimm revealed that WWE had dropped the trademark to the Simon Gotch name, and he started using the name in independent promotions shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rageot|first=Harley P.|title=12/24 ROH TV Report: Christmas Surprise with Team Cody vs. Team Dalton Castle, The Dawgs vs. Flip Gordon & a debuting Simon Grimm|date=December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/12/26/12-24-roh-tv-report-christmas-surprise-team-cody-vs-team-dalton-castle-dawgs-vs-flip-gordon-debuting-simon-grimm/|access-date=March 29, 2018|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref>


=== Major League Wrestling (2018–2021)===
=== Major League Wrestling (2018–2021)===
Line 54: Line 54:


====Contra Unit (2019–2021)====
====Contra Unit (2019–2021)====
Following his betrayal of Lawlor, he was defeated by [[Ace Romero]] in his first loss during a Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Has |first=Manolo |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/indies-independent-wrestling-indy-promotions/2019/1/3/18165388/mlw-fusion-ep-37-review-low-ki-konnan-stabbed |title=MLW Fusion review: Low Ki stabbed Konnan in the kidney |publisher=Cageside Seats |date=January 3, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> Gotch returned to MLW Fusion on March 2, 2019, forming the heel faction [[Contra Unit]] with the debuting [[Jacob Fatu]] and [[Josef Samael]]. In their debut appearance they attacked the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor following his cage match against Low Ki at [[Intimidation Games (2019)|Intimidation Games]].<ref name="f4wonline">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/mlw-tv-taping-spoilers-intimidation-games-278376|website=f4wonline.com|title=MLW TV taping spoilers: Intimidation Games|access-date=March 14, 2019}}</ref> The following week, Contra Unit attacked Ace Romero during his match with Gotch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/10/powells-mlw-fusion-tv-review-simon-gotch-vs-ace-romero-djz-vs-ace-austin-in-a-battle-riot-qualifying-match-alex-hammerstone-vs-isaias-velasquez/ |title=Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Simon Gotch vs. Ace Romero, DJZ vs. Ace Austin in a Battle Riot qualifying match, Alex Hammerstone vs. Isaias Velasquez - Pro Wrestling Dot Net |publisher=Prowrestling.net |date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
Following his betrayal of Lawlor, he was defeated by [[Ace Romero]] in his first loss during a Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge on January 2, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Has |first=Manolo |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/indies-independent-wrestling-indy-promotions/2019/1/3/18165388/mlw-fusion-ep-37-review-low-ki-konnan-stabbed |title=MLW Fusion review: Low Ki stabbed Konnan in the kidney |publisher=Cageside Seats |date=January 3, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> Gotch returned to MLW Fusion on March 2, 2019, forming the heel faction [[Contra Unit]] with the debuting [[Jacob Fatu]] and [[Josef Samael]]. In their debut appearance they attacked the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor following his cage match against Low Ki at [[Intimidation Games (2019)|Intimidation Games]].<ref name="f4wonline">{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/mlw-tv-taping-spoilers-intimidation-games-278376|newspaper=Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results|title=MLW TV taping spoilers: Intimidation Games|access-date=March 14, 2019}}</ref> The following week, Contra Unit attacked Ace Romero during his match with Gotch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/10/powells-mlw-fusion-tv-review-simon-gotch-vs-ace-romero-djz-vs-ace-austin-in-a-battle-riot-qualifying-match-alex-hammerstone-vs-isaias-velasquez/ |title=Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Simon Gotch vs. Ace Romero, DJZ vs. Ace Austin in a Battle Riot qualifying match, Alex Hammerstone vs. Isaias Velasquez - Pro Wrestling Dot Net |publisher=Prowrestling.net |date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>


=== Pro Wrestling NOAH (2022-current)===
=== Pro Wrestling NOAH (2022–present)===
On March 27, 2022 Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that Gotch would be one of a handful of foreign talent that would be coming to Japan to compete for them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/03/27/simon-gotch-to-make-his-pro-wrestling-noah-debut/ | title=Simon Gotch to make his Pro Wrestling NOAH debut | date=March 27, 2022 }}</ref> On April 30 at the Majestic 2022 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Gotch would have his first match for NOAH facing off against Masakatsu Funaki for the GHC National Title. Funaki was able to defeat Gotch and retain his title.<ref>https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=341993 {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2022}}</ref> A few days later Gotch would pick up his first win under the Pro Wrestling NOAH banner when he defeated Kinya Okada on May 5, 2022 at Korakuen Hall as part of the "Dream on 2022" event.
On March 27, 2022, Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that Gotch would be one of a handful of foreign talent that would be coming to Japan to compete for them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/03/27/simon-gotch-to-make-his-pro-wrestling-noah-debut/ | title=Simon Gotch to make his Pro Wrestling NOAH debut | date=March 27, 2022 }}</ref> On April 30 at the Majestic 2022 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Gotch would have his first match for NOAH facing off against Masakatsu Funaki for the GHC National Title. Funaki was able to defeat Gotch and retain his title.<ref>{{cite web |title=NOAH Majestic 2022 |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=341993 |publisher=Cage Match |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> A few days later Gotch would pick up his first win under the Pro Wrestling NOAH banner when he defeated Kinya Okada on May 5, 2022, at Korakuen Hall as part of the "Dream on 2022" event.

===Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2024)===
Gotch made his [[TNA Wrestling]] debut on the February 8, 2024 episode of ''TNA Wrestling'', attacking [[Josh Alexander]] after his match with [[Alan Angels]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Simon Gotch Debuts, Attacks Josh Alexander On 2/8 TNA IMPACT|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1443330-simon-gotch-debuts-attacks-josh-alexander-on-2-8-tna-impact|publisher=February 8, 2024|access-date=February 8, 2024}}</ref> On February 23 at [[No Surrender (2024)|No Surrender]], Gotch was defeated by Alexander.<ref name="NoSurrender2024time">{{cite web|title=TNA No Surrender 2024|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=381734|website=Cagematch|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref>


==Other media==
==Other media==
Line 66: Line 69:
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. 175 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the [[PWI 500]] in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
**Ranked No. 175 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the [[PWI 500]] in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
*'''Tri States Wrestling'''
**US Highway Championship (1 time)<ref>cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=6406</ref>
*'''[[World League Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[World League Wrestling]]'''
**[[WLW Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Elvis Aliaga<ref>{{cite web |title=W.L.W. Tag Team Title |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/wlw/wlw-t.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225003019/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/wlw/wlw-t.html|publisher=Puroresu Dojo |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2009}}</ref>
**[[WLW Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with Elvis Aliaga<ref>{{cite web |title=W.L.W. Tag Team Title |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/wlw/wlw-t.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225003019/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/centralstates/wlw/wlw-t.html|publisher=Puroresu Dojo |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2009}}</ref>
Line 83: Line 88:


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Twitter|id=DeviousJourney|name=Simon Grimm}}
* {{WWE superstar|simongotch|Simon Gotch}}
* {{WWE superstar|simongotch|Simon Gotch}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{IMDb name|1795268|Seth Lesser}}
* {{IMDb name|1795268|Seth Lesser}}


{{Navboxes|
|list1=
{{Major League Wrestling personnel}}
{{NXT Tag Team Championship}}
{{NXT Tag Team Championship}}
{{Team Filthy}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gotch, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gotch, Simon}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Jewish American sportspeople]]
[[Category:Jewish American sportspeople]]
[[Category:Jewish professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Jewish professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santa Rosa, California]]
⚫
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from California]]
[[Category:NXT Tag Team Champions]]
[[Category:NXT Tag Team Champions]]
⚫
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from California]]
⚫
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santa Rosa, California]]

Revision as of 03:24, 11 July 2024

Simon Gotch
Gotch in 2016
Birth nameSeth Lesser[1]
Born (1982-10-18) October 18, 1982 (age 41)[1]
Santa Rosa, California, U.S.[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ryan Drago
Seth Lesser
Simon Grimm
Simon Gotch
Super Otaku
Psycho Seth
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[3]
Billed weight220 lb (100 kg)[3]
Billed fromHoboken, New Jersey[3]
Trained byDonovan Morgan
Michael Modest[4]
Ric Thompson
Daniel Bryan
Harley Race[3][5]
Debut2002

Seth Lesser (born October 18, 1982), better known by the ring name Simon Gotch, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He is best known for his time in WWE, where he held the NXT Tag Team Championship as one-half of The Vaudevillains along with Aiden English and also worked for the main roster on its SmackDown brand. He also competed for Major League Wrestling (MLW).

From 2002 until 2013, he worked under the ring name Ryan Drago, invoking the image of early 20th century professional wrestlers or strongmen. In 2013 he joined WWE, retaining the "classic wrestler" image, but being renamed "Simon Gotch" (after Frank Gotch and Karl Gotch), together with Aiden English they often appeared in silent movie segments. After leaving WWE he began to use the name Simon Grimm, but was legally able to use the name Simon Gotch in April 2018.

Early life

Lesser was born on October 18, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California.[2] He is Jewish.[6]

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2002–2012)

Lesser competed on the independent circuit, appearing for promotions such as All Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Chikara and Full Impact Pro. He most notably competed as Ryan Drago,[7] a character reminiscent of early 20th-century grapplers such as George Hackenschmidt. He won his first title, World League Wrestling's WLW Tag Team Championship, on November 10, 2012, with Elvis Aliaga.

WWE (2013–2017)

NXT (2013–2016)

See also: The Vaudevillains

In June 2013, Lesser signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to its developmental territory NXT, where he adopted the ring name Simon Gotch. In June 2014, Gotch formed a tag team with Aiden English known as The Vaudevillains, with the gimmick of a pair of vaudevillians. The Vaudevillains made their in-ring debut as a team on the June 19 episode of NXT, defeating Angelo Dawkins and Travis Tyler.[8] In August, The Vaudevillains participated in a tournament to determine the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship, before losing to The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and Kalisto) in the finals.[9] On the October 30 episode of NXT, The Vaudevillains won a tag team battle royal to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.[10] They received their title match at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution against The Lucha Dragons, but were unsuccessful.[11]

After some hiatus, The Vaudevillains returned on the June 3, 2015, episode of NXT, defeating Jason Jordan and Marcus Louis.[12] On the July 8 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains defeated Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship.[13] The Vaudevillians received their title match on the July 29 episode of NXT against Blake and Murphy, in which they were unsuccessful after Alexa Bliss caused a distraction.[14] The Vaudevillains, with Blue Pants in their corner, defeated Blake and Murphy in a rematch at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn to win the NXT Tag Team Championship.[15] On November 11 episode of NXT, they lost the titles to Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder , ending their reign at 61 days.[16] On the November 25 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains challenged Dash and Dawson to a rematch for the titles in a losing effort. On the December 23 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains competed in a four-way tag team match against Blake and Murphy, The Hype Bros and Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, which was won by Gable and Jordan. On the March 16, 2016, episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains were defeated by Gable and Jordan, now known as American Alpha, in a number one contender's match for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

Main roster (2016–2017)

On the April 7, 2016, episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains made their main roster debut as heels, defeating The Lucha Dragons.[17] On the April 11 episode of Raw, the Vaudevillains were announced as one of the teams to participate in the number one contenders tournament for the WWE Tag Team Championship, where they defeated Goldust and Fandango in the first round later that week on SmackDown and The Usos on the April 18 episode of Raw in the semi-finals.[18][19][20] At Payback, the Vaudevillains faced Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in the finals of the tournament. The match resulted in a no-contest due to a legit concussion suffered by Amore, and the Vaudevillains were declared number one contenders.[21] While the Vaudevillains lost to The New Day at Extreme Rules, they competed in a fatal 4-way tag team match, also involving Enzo Amore and Big Cass and Gallows and Anderson, for the titles at Money in the Bank in a losing effort.

On July 19 at the 2016 WWE draft, the Vaudevillains were drafted to SmackDown in the tenth round of picks. In August, a tag team tournament for the newly created WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship was set up by SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan and SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon, where the winner of the tournament would be crowned the inaugural champions. On the August 30 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains competed in the first round match of the tournament, where they were defeated by The Hype Bros. On the November 8 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains were defeated by Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) in a qualifying match for a spot in Team SmackDown at Survivor Series.

On the January 31, 2017, episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains, along with five other teams, answered an open challenge set by American Alpha, where a brawl between all six teams ensued before being broken up by referees and officials. At Elimination Chamber, the Vaudevillains competed in a tag team turmoil match for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship, where they were eliminated by Heath Slater and Rhyno. On the WrestleMania 33 kickoff show, Gotch wrestled his last televised WWE match when he competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Mojo Rawley. The Vaudevillians lost to American Alpha during a dark match before Smackdown on April 4. Then on April 5, 2017, it was announced that Simon Gotch had been officially released from his WWE contract.[22]

Return to Independent circuit (2017–present)

After his release from WWE, Lesser returned to the independent circuit, adopting the ring name "Simon Grimm". On July 23, 2017, Grimm won his first singles title when he defeated both Daisuke Sekimoto and Doug Williams for the vacant XWA Frontier Sports Championship in Colchester, England. Less than a week later, Lesser wrestled for Pro Wrestling Pride defeating Doug Williams[23] and Ultimo Tiger. In September, Grimm teamed with Dasher Hatfield and Mark Angelosetti in Chikara's 2017 King of Trios tournament, where they made it to the quarterfinals, before losing to Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate.[24]

Grimm made his Ring of Honor debut on December 24, 2017, ROH taping where he teamed up with Flip Gordon, where they faced The Dawgs (Rhett Titus and Will Ferrara) in a losing effort. In an interview on April 24, 2018, Grimm revealed that WWE had dropped the trademark to the Simon Gotch name, and he started using the name in independent promotions shortly after.[25]

Major League Wrestling (2018–2021)

Team Filthy (2018–2019)

In early 2018, Gotch began wrestling for Major League Wrestling (MLW). Shortly after he joined Tom Lawlor's faction Team Filthy, which included Lawlor and Fred Yehi. In his debut match, he teamed with Team Filthy's Seth Petruzelli to defeat Team TBD (Jason Cade and Jimmy Yuta).[26] Gotch then started holding the "Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge" daring anyone to last five minutes in an exhibition match with him, without being pinned or submitting, with the prize being a purported large, but really a small amount of money. The first challenge took place on May 3, 2018.[27] This went on for a few months with him defeating mostly local talent, with legends like Gangrel mixed in.[28] During Lawlor's storyline with Low Ki over the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, Gotch walked Lawlor into an ambush by Ki's faction Promociones Dorado. The feud reached its boiling point on a December episode of MLW Fusion where Gotch faced Lawlor in a "no ropes, no disqualification" match, which was won by Lawlor.[29]

Contra Unit (2019–2021)

Following his betrayal of Lawlor, he was defeated by Ace Romero in his first loss during a Simon Gotch Prize Fight Challenge on January 2, 2019.[30] Gotch returned to MLW Fusion on March 2, 2019, forming the heel faction Contra Unit with the debuting Jacob Fatu and Josef Samael. In their debut appearance they attacked the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion Tom Lawlor following his cage match against Low Ki at Intimidation Games.[31] The following week, Contra Unit attacked Ace Romero during his match with Gotch.[32]

Pro Wrestling NOAH (2022–present)

On March 27, 2022, Pro Wrestling NOAH announced that Gotch would be one of a handful of foreign talent that would be coming to Japan to compete for them.[33] On April 30 at the Majestic 2022 at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Gotch would have his first match for NOAH facing off against Masakatsu Funaki for the GHC National Title. Funaki was able to defeat Gotch and retain his title.[34] A few days later Gotch would pick up his first win under the Pro Wrestling NOAH banner when he defeated Kinya Okada on May 5, 2022, at Korakuen Hall as part of the "Dream on 2022" event.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2024)

Gotch made his TNA Wrestling debut on the February 8, 2024 episode of TNA Wrestling, attacking Josh Alexander after his match with Alan Angels.[35] On February 23 at No Surrender, Gotch was defeated by Alexander.[36]

Other media

Gotch appears as a playable character in the video games WWE 2K16 and WWE 2K17.[37][38]

Championships and accomplishments

Ryan Drago as the WLW Tag Team Champion

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Former Vaudevillain Simon Gotch opens up about WWE release | For The Win". Ftw.usatoday.com. April 20, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b ="Simon Gotch". Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Simon Gotch". WWE. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Interviews with MLW talent in Miami". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "Simon Gotch". Cagematch.
  6. ^ ="Simon Gotch Buries Enzo Amore". YouTube. June 10, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "Simon Gotch". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  8. ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Report 6/19". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  9. ^ James, Justin (September 4, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 9/4". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  10. ^ Melok, Bobby (October 30, 2014). "WWE NXT results – Oct. 30, 2014: Sami Zayn tries to take down Titus O'Neil, tag teams battle for title opportunity". WWE. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  11. ^ Clapp, John (December 11, 2014). "WWE NXT TakeOver: R Evolution results". WWE. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  12. ^ Trionfo, Richard (June 3, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: NXT TITLE MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR JAPAN, RHYNO VERSUS BALOR, SASHA BANKS VIDEO PACKAGE, A TAG TEAM RETURNS". PWInsider. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ Trionfo, Richard (July 8, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: HIGHLIGHTS OF OWENS/BALOR, THE BFFs ARE BACK FOR ONE NIGHT, WHO ARE THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS FOR THE TAG TITLES?". PWInsider. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  14. ^ "WWE NXT RESULTS 7/29: Blake & Murphy defend NXT Tag Titles, Kevin Owens "fined," Charlotte in action, Jesse Sorensen, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  15. ^ Scherer, Dave (August 22, 2015). "Ongoing NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Blog". PWInsider. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  16. ^ Johnson, Mike. "WWE NXT SPOILER FROM ONGOING TAPINGS". PWInsider.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  17. ^ Decker, Kyle (April 7, 2016). "WWE SmackDown results, live blog (April 7, 2016): The Miz vs. Zack Ryder". Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  18. ^ Caldwell, James. "4/11 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  19. ^ Decker, Kyle (April 14, 2016). "WWE SmackDown results, live blog (April 14, 2016): Tag team tournament!". Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  20. ^ Rueter, Sean (April 18, 2016). "WWE Raw spoilers (April 18, 2016): Tag tournament finals set in London, more!". Cageside Seats. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  21. ^ Caldwell, James. "5/1 WWE Payback Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  22. ^ "Simon Gotch released". WWE. April 5, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  23. ^ "Simon Gotch to face former TNA star in Pro Wrestling Pride Match". AllWrestling.com. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  24. ^ Green, Dave (September 3, 2017). "9/1 Chikara "King of Trios 2017: Night Two" in Wolverhampton, England: House Throwbacks vs. House Strong Style, Quackenbush, Pete Dunn, Tyler Bate, Trent Seven". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  25. ^ Rageot, Harley P. (December 26, 2017). "12/24 ROH TV Report: Christmas Surprise with Team Cody vs. Team Dalton Castle, The Dawgs vs. Flip Gordon & a debuting Simon Grimm". PWTorch. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  26. ^ "MLW Road To The World Championship « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  27. ^ "Simon Gotch Challenge Added To Next MLW Tapings | Fightful Wrestling". Fightful.com. May 25, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  28. ^ "10/5 MLW FUSION TV REPORT: Pentagon Jr. vs. LA Park, Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. ACH, Simon Gotch vs. Gangrel in Prize Fight Challenge". Pwtorch.com. October 12, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  29. ^ "MLW Fusion results: Tom Lawlor vs. Simon Gotch no holds barred fight". F4wonline.com. December 23, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  30. ^ Has, Manolo (January 3, 2019). "MLW Fusion review: Low Ki stabbed Konnan in the kidney". Cageside Seats. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  31. ^ "MLW TV taping spoilers: Intimidation Games". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  32. ^ "Powell's MLW Fusion TV Review: Simon Gotch vs. Ace Romero, DJZ vs. Ace Austin in a Battle Riot qualifying match, Alex Hammerstone vs. Isaias Velasquez - Pro Wrestling Dot Net". Prowrestling.net. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  33. ^ "Simon Gotch to make his Pro Wrestling NOAH debut". March 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "NOAH Majestic 2022". Cage Match. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "Simon Gotch Debuts, Attacks Josh Alexander On 2/8 TNA IMPACT". February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  36. ^ "TNA No Surrender 2024". Cagematch. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  37. ^ WWE 2K16. "Simon Gotch - WWE 2K16 - Roster". Thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ WWE 2K17. "Simon Gotch - WWE 2K17 - Roster". Thesmackdownhotel.com. Retrieved March 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  40. ^ cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=6406
  41. ^ "W.L.W. Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  42. ^ "NXT Tag Team Championship". WWE. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  43. ^ "Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady vs. The Vaudevillains ended in a no contest". WWE. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  44. ^ "XWA Frontier Sports Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Simon Gotch.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Simon_Gotch&oldid=1233830678"