Bobby Lashley

Infobox Wrestler
name=Bobby Lashley


names=Blaster Lashleyciteweb|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/bobby-lashley.html|accessdate=2008-09-08|title=Bobby Lashely profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]
Bobby Lashley
Lashley
height= height|ft=6|in=3cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/lashley/ |title=Bobby Lashley profile | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06]
weight=convert|275|lb|kg st|abbr=on
birth_date=birth date and age|1976|7|16cite web |url=http://www.bobbylashleyonline.com/bio.html |title=Bobby Lashley profile | publisher=Bobby Lashley Online |accessdate=2007-04-06]
death_date=
birth_place=Junction City, Kansas
billed=Colorado Springs, Colorado
trainer=Ohio Valley Wrestling
debut=2003
retired= |

Franklin Lashley (born July 16, 1976) is an American professional wrestler, mixed martial arts fighter and former Collegiate amateur wrestler. He is known from his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Lashley is also a former member of the United States Army. In WWE, he is a former WWE United States Champion and a two time ECW World Champion. He currently has a two-fight contract with the American Fight League.

Wrestling career

Amateur wrestling

Franklin Lashley attended Missouri Valley College, where he won three national amateur wrestling championships between 1996 and 1998 and placed fourth in 1995. Throughout 1997 and 1998, he was the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Wrestling Champion. [cite web |url=http://www.moval.edu/athletics/wrestlingm/Misc/allamerican.asp |title=All-American Men's Wrestling Records | publisher=Missouri Valley College |accessdate=2007-04-06] Lashley later joined the United States Army, where he continued to wrestle.cite web |url=http://naia.cstv.com/genrel/010506aav.html |title=Meet the N.A.I.A.'s-Bobby Lashley | publisher=N.A.I.A. |accessdate=2007-04-06]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005–2008)

In November 2005, Lashley began working in the professional wrestling area and signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. He was assigned to the development territory Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he was known as Blaster Lashley, and was a member of the Bolin Services stable along with Mike Mondo and Ken Doane.

mackDown! (2005–2006)

In mid-2005 Lashley appeared at four live events, wrestling in dark matches for both the "Raw" and "SmackDown!" brands. On September 23, 2005, Lashley made his televised WWE debut on "SmackDown!" using the name Bobby Lashley. Lashley was introduced as a three time National Amateur Wrestling Champion, a four time All–American, a two time Armed Forces Champion, and a 2002 Silver Medalist at the Military World Championship. In his first match, he defeated Simon Dean. In his pay-per-view debut at No Mercy 2005, he defeated Dean once again. Lashley went on to defeat numerous superstars both on "SmackDown!". On the November 11 episode of "SmackDown!", Lashley defeated Orlando Jordan in a qualifying match for a place on "Team SmackDown!" at Survivor Series where he was the first to be eliminated. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11112005/ |title=SmackDown! results - November 11, 2005 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2005/matches/134645811/results/ |title=Survivor Series match result | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06]

On January 6 2006, Lashley became the first announced participant from "SmackDown!" to be entered into that year's Royal Rumble. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01062006/ |title=SmackDown! results - January 6, 2006 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] At the Royal Rumble, Lashley was the eighth wrestler to enter the match. He eliminated Sylvan, but he was then eliminated after the combination of "Raw"'s then World Tag Team Champions The Big Show and Kane. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/2006/matches/31409413/results/ |title=Royal Rumble 2006 result | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06]

Following the Royal Rumble, Lashley began a feud with John "Bradshaw" Layfield leading up to a match at No Way Out. The match was Lashley's first loss in singles competition due to interference from Finlay. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2006/matches/19435061/results/ |title=No Way Out - Lashley/JBL result | publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-04-06] During February and March, Lashley was involved in a feud with Finlay, where the two would brawl on many occasions, including a Lumberjack match that Finlay won after using a shillelagh. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03172006/ |title=SmackDown! results - March 17, 2006 | publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-04-06]

On April 2, after winning a Last Chance battle royal by last eliminating MNM, [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03242006/ |title=SmackDown! results - March 24, 2006 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] Lashley competed at his first WrestleMania (WrestleMania 22) in the Money in the Bank ladder match. The match was won by Rob Van Dam. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania22/matches/2220322/results/ |title=WrestleMania 22 - Money in the Bank result|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-04-06] Lashley next entered "SmackDown!"'s King of the Ring tournament. He lasted until the finals, defeating Mark Henry and Finlay in the process. In the final round, held at Judgment Day he was defeated by Booker T with help from Finlay. Later, as Booker was being crowned, Lashley delivered a spear to Booker. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/matches/2384844/results/ |title=Judgment Day - Bobby Lashley/Booker T result | publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-04-06] These acts developed into a feud with the newly named "King Booker" and the other members of his court (Queen Sharmell, Finlay and William Regal). During this feud, Lashley won his first professional wrestling championship by defeating John "Bradshaw" Layfield for the WWE United States Championship, which he lost to Finlay a little less than two months later. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05262006/ |title=SmackDown! results - May 26, 2006 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07142006/ |title=SmackDown! results - July 14, 2006 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] Lashley later joined forces with Batista against the Court.

Not long after losing the United States title, Lashley was declared unable to compete according to a physician who stated that during an annual exam, Lashley was found to have elevated enzymes of the liver; therefore, would not be cleared to wrestle until further evaluation. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/lashleyout |title=Lashley unable to compete | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] Lashley returned a couple of weeks later to the "SmackDown!" roster to continue his feud with the Court and went on to earn his first match for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Mercy against King Booker. This match later became a four way bout that also included Batista and Booker's ally, Finlay. King Booker won that match after pinning Finlay. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/322528231/results/ |title=No Mercy - Fatal Fourway result | publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-04-06]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (2006–2007)

On November 14, 2006, Lashley moved to the ECW brand. He debuted on the brand by making a surprise appearance to sign a contract for the final spot in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW World Championship at December to Dismember. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/ecwonscifi/archive/11142006/ |title=ECW results - November 14, 2006 | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-04-06] At December to Dismember, Lashley was the fifth person released into the match. He eliminated both Test and The Big Show by pinfall after a spear to become the new ECW World Champion. This made Lashley the first African American to hold the ECW title. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/decembertodismember/matches/32934421/results/ |title=December to Dismember - Extreme Elimination Chamber result | publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-04-06]

After winning the ECW World Championship, Lashley then had successful title defenses against The Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Test, Hardcore Holly, Kenny Dykstra, and Mr. Kennedy. On the March 19 2007, Lashley officially became the first person to break Chris Masters' twenty-three month long Masterlock Challenge. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03192007/ |title=RAW results - March 19, 2007 | publisher=WWE |accessdate=2007-04-06]

In early 2007, Lashley was selected by Donald Trump to represent him in a "Battle of the Billionaires" match against Vince McMahon's representative, Umaga. At WrestleMania 23 in a Hair vs. Hair match, Lashley defeated Umaga following a spear and helped Trump shave McMahon's head afterwards in accordance with the match's losing stipulation. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/39161842/results/ |title=WrestleMania 23: Battle of the Billionaire result | publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-04-06] After WrestleMania, Lashley feuded with Mr. McMahon. McMahon booked himself, his son Shane McMahon and Umaga in a 3 on 1 handicap match against Lashley at Backlash for the ECW World Championship. After two high impact diving splashes from Umaga, Mr. McMahon tagged himself into the match and pinned Lashley to win the title. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/396065214/results/ |title=Backlash 2007: Handicap match result | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-05-16] Lashley legitimately injured his shoulder during the match and after an examination days later, it was revealed he had a damaged rotator cuff but would not need surgery at the time. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/lashleyinjuryupdate|title=Lashley Suffering from Rotator Cuff Injury|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-10-04] At Judgment Day, Lashley defeated Vince, Shane, and Umaga in a 3 on 1 handicap rematch after hitting the Dominator on Shane McMahon. However, Lashley did not win the ECW World Championship because he did not pin Mr. McMahon. As a result, Mr. McMahon retained the title. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/matches/41244021/results/ |title=Judgment Day 2007: Handicap match result | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-05-22] On June 3 at One Night Stand 2007, Lashley defeated Vince McMahon in a street fight to win the ECW World Championship for a second reign, despite the use of Shane McMahon and Umaga in the match. [cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/shows1/onenightstand/matches/4362508112/results/ |title=One Night Stand 2007: Lashley/McMahon result | publisher=WWE.com |accessdate=2007-06-04]

Raw (2007)

On the June 11 edition of "Raw", Lashley was drafted from the ECW brand to the Raw brand as part of the 2007 WWE Draft. As a result of the drafting, Lashley had the ECW World Championship taken from him. He took place in a challenge match against Mick Foley, Randy Orton, King Booker and John Cena for the WWE Championship at which was won by Cena, who was able to retain the championship. Lashley became the number one contender for the WWE Championship by winning the "Beat the Clock" challenge on the July 2, 2007 edition of "Raw". He, however, was pinned by Cena at the Great American Bash.

During a match on July 30, Lashley was (kayfabe) injured by Mr. Kennedy after Kennedy kicked Lashley's shoulder into the ring steps, allowing Lashley to have time off for surgery for the legitimate injury he suffered at Backlash. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07302007/articles/lashleysurgery|title=Lashley to undergo surgery Tuesday|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-10-04] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07302007/articles/kennedycelebrateslashleydemise|title=Championship addition by subtraction|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2007-10-04] [cite web|url=http://wpfind.com/p/2001257/|title=Bobby Lashley injured|publisher=hellionsmagazine|accessdate=2007-10-04]

Post-WWE (2008)

In January 2008, on the forum of his official website, Lashley announced that he had left WWE. He clarified his comments by contacting Ryan Gray of the WrestlingNewsWorld website, claiming that he did not want to leave WWE, but had to due to circumstances beyond his control. He also stated that he was now training for a career in Mixed Martial Arts. [ [http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/1/2/wwenews/exclusive-bobby-lashley-tells-wrestlingnewsworld-com-he-s-finished-with-wwe-full-update.php Bobby Lashley tells WrestlingNewsWorld.com he's finished with WWE] ] WWE announced that Lashley was released from his WWE contract on February 4, 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/lashleyreleased|accessdate=2008-02-04|title=Bobby Lashley released|publisher=WWE|date=2008-02-04]

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (2008)

After leaving WWE, Lashley returned to wrestling by appearing as a heel at Asistencia Asesoría y Administración's flagship event Triplemania 16. He, along with Kenzo Suzuki and Electroshock, defeated Chessman, Silver King, and La Parka, Jr. [cite web|url=http://bruisermania.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=608&Itemid=2|accessdate=2008-07-03|title=Bobby AAA TripleMania results |publisher=Bruisermania|date=2008-06-14]

Inoki Genome Federation (2008)

On August 15 2008, Lashley made his debut for the Inoki Genome Federation, cutting a promo before his in–ring debut for the promotion. Unlike his one time appearance in the AAA as a heel, Lashley returned to being a face as he wrestled against fellow WWE alumni Sylvester Terkay, who used his old ring name "The Predator" for their match. Despite The Predator dominating most of the match, Lashley was able to win his IGF debut match after hitting a spear.

Mixed Martial Arts

=American Fight League (2008–present)= Lashley has agreed a two-fight deal, with an option for a third with the American Fight League and has been training full-time in MMA for the past year. Lashley will make his debut for American Fight League in December. [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/ufc/article1237822.ece UFC rival signs ex-WWE star] ] [ [http://www.americanfightleague.com/ssp/news?news_id=61 Lashley to fight in December] ]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Dominator" (Inverted front powerslam)
**Spear
**Clothesline
**Double leg takedown
**Fallaway slam
**Kneeling backbreaker rack drop
**Military press dropped into either a front powerslam or a gutbuster
**Multiple suplex variations
***Exploder
***Flipping release German
***Gutwrench
***One–armed delayed vertical
***Overhead belly to belly
**Shoulder block
**Standing or a spinning spinebuster
*Nicknames
**The Dominator [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/exclusives/lashleylookback|title=Bobby Lashley: A Look Back|accessdate=2007-07-22|publisher=WWE]
**The Uncrowned Champ
**The Real Deal
*Entrance themes
**"Dominator" by Jim Johnston
**"Hell Will Be Callin' Your Name" by Mercy Fall
**"Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin (AAA)
**"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones (Inoki Genome Federation)

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

*Armed Forces Championship (2 times)
*CISM World Championship Silver Medalist (2002)
*Missouri Valley College National Championship (1996–1998)
*NAIA National Wrestling Championship (1997, 1998)

Professional wrestling

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI Rookie of the Year (2005) [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiroty.htm|accessdate=2008-06-14|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Rookie of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
**PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2006) [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiimp.htm|accessdate=2008-06-14|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Improved Wrestler of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
**PWI ranked him # 9 in the PWI 500 in 2007 [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50007.htm|accessdate=2008-06-14|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2007|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
*World Wrestling Entertainment
**ECW World Championship (2 times) [citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwchampionship/|accessdate=2008-06-14|title=ECW Championship official title history|publisher=WWE]
**WWE United States Championship (1 time) [citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/24400061|accessdate=2008-06-14|title=Bobby Lashley's first United States Championship reign|publisher=WWE]

Personal life

Lashley graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1999 with a degree in Human Service Agency Management. Lashley has a daughter, Kyra, who was born in 2005.cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=67b7badb-4a9b-449e-97f4-0f8743440273 |title=Champ keeps his cool at highly uncool question | publisher=Times Colonist | first=Adrian | last=Chamberlain | accessdate=2007-04-06] [cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060723/ai_n16645427 |title='SmackDown' Superstar, Regular Guy | publisher=Colorado Springs Gazette | first=Bill | last=Reed | accessdate=2007-06-14] In 2007, Lashley opened up a shop that sells health smoothie drinks. He is currently dating former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall. [ [http://www.myspace.com/kristalmarshall My Boyfriend Bobby Lashley!!] ] The couple is expecting their first child together in 2008. [ [http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/news.html According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall, 24, is due to give birth soon. She is expecting a child with boyfriend Bobby Lashley in the near future. ] ]

Notes

External link

* [http://www.lashleynutrition.com/ Lashley Nutrition - Official website of Bobby Lashley]
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/B/Bobby-Lashley.html Profile] at Online World Of Wrestling