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Andreas John Ziegler (born April 14, 1999), better known by his ring name A. J. Z., is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently wrestling for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Control Your Narrative.

Early life

Ziegler began working out in his parents' basement at nine years old. In 2010, he became a national freestyle skiing champion. He also won various bodybuilding titles as a teenager. In 2020, he graduated from Coastal Carolina University majoring in marketing.

Professional wrestling career

Training

In 2019, Ziegler graduated from Firestar Pro Wrestling, under Labron Kozone. He wrestled under the name "The Golden Boy" A. J. Z. In 2019, he began working for Ohio Valley Wrestling. He performed for their live weekly television for two years. During his tenure at OVW, A. J. Z. feuded with many wrestlers including: Tony Gunn, Ryan Howe, Jay Bradley, and The Tate Twins. On October 22, 2019, he won the OVW Television Championship, and to this day is the final person to ever hold that title. His final match at OVW was against Jessie Godderz for the National Heavyweight Championship.

Independent circuit

A. J. Z. also wrestles for AAW, Northeast Wrestling, and various other promotions. Over the years A. J. Z. has had numerous matches with former WWE Superstar Enzo Amore. He also was in a six man tag team match against the returning Big Cass for Impact Wrestling Plus.

NJPW, Ring of Honor, and return to OVW (2021–present)

In 2021, Ziegler began working for NJPW Strong (TV Series). He debuted against Rocky Romero in a losing attempt. That match was known as his first mainstream appearance. His next appearance was in a match against Clark Connors. His last known appearance was at NJPW Autumn Attack. A. J. Z. signed with Control Your Narrative. A. J. Z. was a part of the first ever match, at the first ever CYN event, that was held in Orlando, Florida.

On June 17, 2023, A. J. Z. debuted for ROH at the United Center in Chicago Illinois. He competed against the ROH six-man tag team champions the Mogul Embassy's Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona. They were managed by Prince Nana.

On June 17, 2023, A.J.Z. appeared in an episode of Destination Polaris which also featured Braun Strowman. The two showed host Alexa Score how to wrestle. Destination Polaris airs nationally on television.

Ziegler renamed himself "The Hunter" A.J.Z. Using this new persona, he has wrestled all over the United States and into Canada on the independent wrestling scene. In June of 2024, AJZ returned to OVW. He has aligned himself with Doug Basham and won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship. AJZ and Basham won in the main event at one of OVW's biggest-ever shows on Saturday, August 31. OVW Fight Night took place at the Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, Kentucky.

Championships and Accomplishments

• Ohio Valley Wrestling
  • OVW Television Championship (1 time)
  • OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Bodybuilding and Skiing Championships

Bodybuilding

• October 2015 WNBF
  • 1st Teens Class & 1st Men's Middle-Weight
• July 2017 Nationals
  • 5th Teen Light Heavy-Weight Bodybuilding
  • 2nd National Teen Physique
  • 1st National Teen Physique Class B

Skiing

• USASA
  • 4th in the Nation – Freestyle Skiing

Professional wrestling style and persona

Ziegler's character is "The Golden Boy", an arrogant wrestler who thinks he is better than anyone else. In kayfabe, he is also presented as the nephew of WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler.

References

1. Mendhe, Abhilash. "Nephew of WWE's current top champion joins Control Your Narrative; Braun Strowman reacts". Sportskeeda. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
2. Grifol, Ignacio (November 27, 2022). "Entrevistamos a Andreas John Ziegler, el "sobrino" de Dolph Ziggler". Solo Wrestling. Solo Wrestling. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
3. "NPC". NPC News Online. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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37. "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » AJZ » Matches". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
38. "Destination Polaris". Facebook. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
39. Bowman, Zach. "Braun Strowman's Wisconsin Fortress of Solitude". UTV Driver. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
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42. "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » AJZ » Matches". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
43. "OVW TV #1298". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
44. "OVW TV #1307". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
45. Gibbons, Aidan. "OVW Fight Night Sells Over 1,600 Tickets". Cultaholic. Cultaholic. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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48. Ford, Show. "RESULTS 2015 INBF Midwest Natural". worldnaturalbb.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
49. "2017 NPC TEEN COLLEGIATE & MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS". NPC News. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
50. "2017 NPC TEEN COLLEGIATE & MASTERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS". NPC News Online. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
51. Ziegler, AJ. "NPC News". NPC News Online. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
52. "Highlights from Day 4 of National Championships". USASA. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
53. "Entrevistamos a Andreas John Ziegler, el 'sobrino' de Dolph Ziggler". November 27, 2022.

External links

• Andreas John Ziegler's profile at Cagematch.net, Internet Wrestling Database

• Living people
• Professional wrestlers from Wisconsin
• 1999 births
• American male professional wrestlers
• American male bodybuilders
• Freestyle skiers
• 21st-century male professional wrestlers
• OVW Television Champions
• OVW Tag Team Champions
• 21st-century American sportsmen