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{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1977)}}
{{otherpeople|William Welch}}
{{distinguish|Seth Rollins}}
{{Infobox Wrestler|
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
name=William Welch
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name=The Messiah
|image= |image=
|birth_name = William C. Welch
|names=Iron Mike Ehrhardt<br>The Blunatic<br>'''The Messiah'''
|names=Iron Mike Ehrhardt<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/m/messiah.html|title=Messiah profile|accessdate=2009-04-25|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=987&name=Messiah|title=Cagematch profile}}</ref><br />The Blunatic<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=Cage/><br />'''The Messiah'''<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=Cage/>
|height=6 ft
|height={{height|ft=6|in=1}}<ref name="OWOW"/>
|weight=220 lb
|weight={{convert|210|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="OWOW"/>
|birth_date = ], ]
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|12|18|mf=y}}<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=Cage/>
|death_date =
|death_date =
|birth_place = ]
|birth_place = ], ], U.S.<ref name="OWOW"/>
|trainer=Carlito Montana<br>Slam U Training School
|trainer=Carlito Montana<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=Cage/><br />Slam U Wrestling Gym<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Dynamite D<ref name="OWOW"/>
|debut=
|debut=November 11, 1996<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name=Cage/>
|retired= |retired=
|}} }}


'''William Welch''' (born ], ] in ]) is an ] ], better known by his ] '''The Messiah'''. '''William C. Welch'''<ref name="OWOW"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csulb.edu/~d49er/archives/2000/fall/diversions/v8n5-wrestling.html|title=Xtreme wrestling; Insane entertainers take the sport in a bloody direction|date=2000-09-05|last=Woods II|first=Wes|accessdate=2009-04-25|publisher=Online 49er}}</ref> (born December 18, 1977) is an American ], better known by his ] '''The Messiah'''.


==Professional wrestling career==
==Career==
Welch's professional career began modestly after being trained at the Slam U Wrestling Gym in ]. He worked for the school's parent company the ] for a time, losing his first professional match there to ]. In the ], he worked under the name '''Iron Mike Erhardt'''. Welch's professional career began on November 11, 1996, after being trained at the Slam U. Wrestling Gym in ]. He worked for the school's parent company, the Slammers Wrestling Federation for a time, losing his first professional match there to El Sprito. In the Slammers Wrestling Federation, he worked under the name Iron Mike Ehrhardt.<ref name="OWOW"/>
Recognition came for Welch after he joined ]. Working his way up the card with his new gimmick, '''Messiah''', he eventually became a main eventer who wrestled with well known former ] stars like ], ] and ].


===Xtreme Pro Wrestling (1999–2001)===
While XPW folded, Messiah continued to compete in the CZW promotion. Messiah has also competed in IWA Mid-South, Pro Pain Pro Wrestling (3PW), as well as other promotions. He has competed in Italy twice, as well as been in a world wide video game. ('']'' for ] and ]) He has held the CZW Heavyweight Title three times; having a nearly one-year long run with the belt from ], ] to ], ]. After losing the CZW Heavyweight Title to ] in February of 2005, The Messiah slowly faded away from CZW and now appears only on special occasions and has a limited schedule.
On November 20, 1999, Welch made his ] debut under a ] as The Blunatic, where he lost to ].<ref name=Thumb>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/markrose/messiah.html|title=The Story of The Messiah}}</ref><ref name=CageMatches2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=987&page=4&s=100|title=Cagematch match listings, page 2}}</ref> The following week, The Blunatic teamed with Felony to face Bass in a ], but was again defeated.<ref name=CageMatches2/> On December 17, Welch debuted his new ring name The Messiah, a ] ], where he defeated Johnny Webb.<ref name=CageMatches2/> The Messiah soon rose up the card and eventually became a ] while wrestling against ] alumni such as ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/markrose/messiah.html|title=The Story of The Messiah|date=2003-07-16|last=Rose|first=Mark|accessdate=2009-04-25|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The Messiah cemented his spot as one of XPW's main stars when he won both the ] and the ]s to become the company's first and only double champion.<ref name=CageMatches/>


===Combat Zone Wrestling (2002–2006, 2007, 2010)===
==Finishing and signature moves==
After leaving XPW due to both personal issues and an uneasy feeling over the promotion's ] ties, Welch made his debut in ] on January 12, 2002, under his Messiah ring name and gimmick, where he accepted then-] ]'s open challenge. At the ] on August 31, Messiah competed in the tournament despite not being an official entrant. Though he managed to defeat ] in the first round, Messiah lost to ] in the semi-finals.<ref name=CageMatches/> Despite the loss, Messiah defeated Flash to win the ] on October 12 before later defeating Justice Pain for the ] on December 14.<ref name=CageMatches/> After losing the Iron Man Title to ] on February 8, 2003, Messiah later lost the World Heavyweight Title to ] on October 25.<ref name=CageMatches/> Messiah would go on to win the World Heavyweight Title two more times before leaving the company in December 2006.<ref name=CageMatches>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=987&page=4|title=Cagematch match listings}}</ref>
*'''''Fall From Grace''''' (])
*'''''Godsmack''''' (])
*'''''Carlito's Way''''' (] into a ], named after his trainer Carlito Montana)
*''Cross Factor'' (])
*''Super Cross Factor'' (] ])
*] into an ]
*] into the turnbuckle
*]
*]
*]
*] into a ]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*Various ]


One year later, Messiah made a one-night return to compete for the World Heavyweight Title against defending champion ] and ], the latter of whom won the match and the title.<ref name=CageMatches/> On July 10, 2010, at the CZW and ] co-event ], Welch returned to compete as The Messiah in a 28-man ], which was ultimately won by Helter Skelter.<ref name=CageMatches/>
==Championships and accomplishments==
*''']'''
:*] (1)
::Won from Justice Pain on ] ] in ], ]
::Lost to Justice Pain on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA


===Independent circuit (2007, 2009, 2011)===
:*] (1)
After leaving CZW in 2006, Messiah wrestled three matches for Pro Wrestling Unplugged in 2007 before taking a hiatus.<ref name=CageMatches/> On July 25, 2009, Messiah returned to wrestle a match for the Alternative Wrestling Show, which he lost to Johnny Goodtime.<ref name=CageMatches/> On July 10, 2011, at the second Acid-Fest event, Messiah and Adam Flash defeated Devon Moore and Drew Blood in a tag team match.<ref name=CageMatches/>
::Won from Adam Flash on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
::Lost to Nick Mondo on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA


===Return to CZW (2014)===
:*] (2)
He was set to appear at ] Down With The Sickness 2014 event in an 8 Man Tag Team Match. Due to personal issues Messiah did not return.
::Won from Justice Pain on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
::Lost to ] on ] ] in ], ]


===CZW Hall Of Fame (2019)===
:*CZW World Heavyweight Championship (3)
On February 9, 2019, at ] 20th Anniversary show in Voorhees, New Jersey, Welch was inducted into the CZW Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Adam Flash, B Boy, Lufisto, Sonjay Dutt and Trent Acid.
::Won from John Zandig on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
::Lost to Ruckus on ] ] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA


===Southern California Death Match Hall Of Fame (2019) ===
*''']'''
On July 20, 2019, at ] “Don’t Get Made, Get Even” show in Huntington Park, California, Welch was the second induction into the SoCal Death Match Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Supreme. Both men are credited with pioneering Death Match Wrestling in California with their memorable semi main event Death Match at ] “Go Funk Yourself” event on July 22, 2000, at the L.A. Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California.
:*NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship (1)
::Defeated Madman Pondo, Prime Evil and Chaos on ] ] in ], USA (first and final champion)


==Other media==
Welch, as The Messiah, is a playable character in the video game '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=987&page=19|title=Video game appearances}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On August 1, 2002, Welch was attacked in his home by two men and had his thumb cut off during the assault.<ref name=Thumb/> The attempted ] made national media coverage and was featured on the September 21, 2002 episode of '']''.<ref name=Thumb/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1032628436.shtml|title=America's Most Wanted airs episode containing Messiah story tonight}}</ref>

Welch married Renell Madison on October 14, 2006.<ref name="OWOW"/>
He and Renell have two daughters together.

==Championships and accomplishments==
*''']'''
**] (])<ref name=CZWtitles>{{cite web|url=http://www.czwrestling.com/titlehistory/|title=CZW championship histories|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222162338/http://www.czwrestling.com/titlehistory/|archivedate=2010-12-22}}</ref>
**] (])<ref name=CZWtitles/>
**] (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.czwrestling.com/2019/01/23/czw-hall-of-fame-class-of-2019-welcomes-messiah/|title=CZW Hall Of Fame Class of 2019 welcomes Messiah|date=2019-01-23|website=Combat Zone Wrestling|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-25}}</ref>
*'''Insane Wrestling Federation''' *'''Insane Wrestling Federation'''
:*IWF Tag Team Champion (1) **IWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with ]<ref name=CageMatches/>
*'''Mexican pro Wrestling'''
::with ]
**MEXPRO Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
::Defeated ] on ] ] in ] USA
::Lost to Corporal Robinson & "The Dangerous One" The DBA on ] ] in
::] USA

*'''Millennium Pro Wrestling''' *'''Millennium Pro Wrestling'''
:*MPW Heavyweight Championship (1) **MPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*''']'''
::Defeated Tech IX, ], ], Frankie Kazarian, & Super Dragon in a Gauntlet Tag Match on ] ] in ], USA (final champion)
**NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/fl/nwa2/fl-dm.html|title=NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship history}}</ref>

*'''Pacific Championship Wrestling''' *'''Pacific Championship Wrestling'''
:*PCW Heavyweight Championship (1) **PCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="OWOW"/>
*''']'''
::Defeated ] on ] ] in ], USA
**PWI ranked him #'''241''' among the 500 best singles wrestlers of the ] in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=987&page=12|title=Awards}}</ref>
::Stripped on ] ] for being unable to defend

*'''River City Wrestling''' *'''River City Wrestling'''
**RCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Scott McKenzie<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rivercitywrestling.net/titlehistory/tagteam.html|title=RCW Tag Team Championship history|access-date=2010-02-03|archive-date=2016-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311075709/http://www.rivercitywrestling.net/titlehistory/tagteam.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
:*RCW Tag Team Championship (1)
::with Scott McKenzie (known as The Country of Caucasian Knights or C.o.C.K)
::Defeated ] on ] ] in ], USA

*''']''' *''']'''
**] (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/kodxpw.html|title=XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship history}}</ref>
:*] (1)
**] (])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/whtxpw.html|title=XPW World Heavyweight Championship history}}</ref>
::Won from Supreme on ] ] in ], USA
::Stripped after being fired from XPW on ] ] in Los Angeles, California, USA

:*] (1)
::Defeated ] (who was not the champion) on ] ] in Los Angeles, California, USA
::Stripped after being fired from XPW on ] ] in Los Angeles, California, USA

*''']'''
:*PWI ranked him # '''241''' in the ] ]

==Personal life==
On ], ], he was attacked by two unknown assailants in his home, who subsequently cut off his right thumb. Welch's former promoter, ] was mentioned on an episode of ] about the incident. Since the episode's airing, nobody has been accused or arrested by police in connection to the attack and the case remains unsolved.


==References==
Welch was good friends with Gary Yap of EPIC Pro Wrestling and Welch ended up moving in and living with Yap and Renell (Yap's girlfriend and also a part-time on-screen character in EPIC under the alias, "Hailey"). Eventually, Rennell broke up with Yap and she married Welch, her current husband.
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
Welch also had a relationship with adult film star ].
*{{IMDb name|0582097|The Messiah}}


{{CZW Iron Man Championship}}
==External links==
{{CZW World Heavyweight Championship}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Messiah, The}}
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Latest revision as of 05:31, 13 November 2024

American professional wrestler (born 1977) Not to be confused with Seth Rollins.

The Messiah
Birth nameWilliam C. Welch
Born (1977-12-18) December 18, 1977 (age 47)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Iron Mike Ehrhardt
The Blunatic
The Messiah
Billed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Billed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Trained byCarlito Montana
Slam U Wrestling Gym
Dynamite D
DebutNovember 11, 1996

William C. Welch (born December 18, 1977) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name The Messiah.

Professional wrestling career

Welch's professional career began on November 11, 1996, after being trained at the Slam U. Wrestling Gym in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, California. He worked for the school's parent company, the Slammers Wrestling Federation for a time, losing his first professional match there to El Sprito. In the Slammers Wrestling Federation, he worked under the name Iron Mike Ehrhardt.

Xtreme Pro Wrestling (1999–2001)

On November 20, 1999, Welch made his Xtreme Pro Wrestling debut under a mask as The Blunatic, where he lost to Nicole Bass. The following week, The Blunatic teamed with Felony to face Bass in a handicap match, but was again defeated. On December 17, Welch debuted his new ring name The Messiah, a holy man gimmick, where he defeated Johnny Webb. The Messiah soon rose up the card and eventually became a main eventer while wrestling against Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni such as Sabu, Chris Candido and New Jack. The Messiah cemented his spot as one of XPW's main stars when he won both the World Heavyweight and the King of the Deathmatch Championships to become the company's first and only double champion.

Combat Zone Wrestling (2002–2006, 2007, 2010)

After leaving XPW due to both personal issues and an uneasy feeling over the promotion's pornographic ties, Welch made his debut in Combat Zone Wrestling on January 12, 2002, under his Messiah ring name and gimmick, where he accepted then-World Heavyweight Champion Justice Pain's open challenge. At the first Tournament of Death on August 31, Messiah competed in the tournament despite not being an official entrant. Though he managed to defeat Adam Flash in the first round, Messiah lost to Nick Mondo in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, Messiah defeated Flash to win the Iron Man Championship on October 12 before later defeating Justice Pain for the World Heavyweight Championship on December 14. After losing the Iron Man Title to Nick Mondo on February 8, 2003, Messiah later lost the World Heavyweight Title to Zandig on October 25. Messiah would go on to win the World Heavyweight Title two more times before leaving the company in December 2006.

One year later, Messiah made a one-night return to compete for the World Heavyweight Title against defending champion Ruckus and Nick Gage, the latter of whom won the match and the title. On July 10, 2010, at the CZW and Jersey All Pro Wrestling co-event Acid-Fest: A Tribute to Trent Acid, Welch returned to compete as The Messiah in a 28-man battle royal, which was ultimately won by Helter Skelter.

Independent circuit (2007, 2009, 2011)

After leaving CZW in 2006, Messiah wrestled three matches for Pro Wrestling Unplugged in 2007 before taking a hiatus. On July 25, 2009, Messiah returned to wrestle a match for the Alternative Wrestling Show, which he lost to Johnny Goodtime. On July 10, 2011, at the second Acid-Fest event, Messiah and Adam Flash defeated Devon Moore and Drew Blood in a tag team match.

Return to CZW (2014)

He was set to appear at CZW Down With The Sickness 2014 event in an 8 Man Tag Team Match. Due to personal issues Messiah did not return.

CZW Hall Of Fame (2019)

On February 9, 2019, at CZW 20th Anniversary show in Voorhees, New Jersey, Welch was inducted into the CZW Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Adam Flash, B Boy, Lufisto, Sonjay Dutt and Trent Acid.

Southern California Death Match Hall Of Fame (2019)

On July 20, 2019, at Santino Brothers Wrestling “Don’t Get Made, Get Even” show in Huntington Park, California, Welch was the second induction into the SoCal Death Match Hall Of Fame. He was inducted along with Supreme. Both men are credited with pioneering Death Match Wrestling in California with their memorable semi main event Death Match at XPW “Go Funk Yourself” event on July 22, 2000, at the L.A. Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Other media

Welch, as The Messiah, is a playable character in the video game Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood.

Personal life

On August 1, 2002, Welch was attacked in his home by two men and had his thumb cut off during the assault. The attempted hit made national media coverage and was featured on the September 21, 2002 episode of America's Most Wanted.

Welch married Renell Madison on October 14, 2006. He and Renell have two daughters together.

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ "Messiah profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  2. ^ "Cagematch profile".
  3. Woods II, Wes (September 5, 2000). "Xtreme wrestling; Insane entertainers take the sport in a bloody direction". Online 49er. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  4. ^ "The Story of The Messiah".
  5. ^ "Cagematch match listings, page 2".
  6. Rose, Mark (July 16, 2003). "The Story of The Messiah". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "Cagematch match listings".
  8. "Video game appearances".
  9. "America's Most Wanted airs episode containing Messiah story tonight".
  10. ^ "CZW championship histories". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010.
  11. "CZW Hall Of Fame Class of 2019 welcomes Messiah". Combat Zone Wrestling. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  12. "NWA Florida King of the Deathmatch Championship history".
  13. "Awards".
  14. "RCW Tag Team Championship history". Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  15. "XPW King of the Deathmatch Championship history".
  16. "XPW World Heavyweight Championship history".

External links

CZW Iron Man Champions
1990s
2000s
CZW World Heavyweight Champions
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Categories: