T.J. Perkins

Unreferenced|date=May 2007Infobox Wrestler
name=T.J. Perkins


names=T.J. Perkins
Cobra II
Puma / PUMA
cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
height=height|feet=5|inches=9
weight=convert|172|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date =birth date and age|1984|09|03cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
birth_place =Kansas City, Missouri
resides= Riverside, California
billed=Parts Unknown (as PUMA)
Riverside, California (as T.J. Perkins)
trainer=Bill Anderson
Jessie Hernandez
Kevin Quinn
Negro Casas
Antonio Inoki
cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
debut= January 2000
retired=|

T.J. Perkins is an American professional wrestler of Irish and Filipino descent from Southern California. Perkins wrestles as the mask-wearing Puma (also spelt as PUMA) and on some occasions as "The Pinoy Boy" T.J. Perkins.

Career

T.J. Perkins debuted in January 2000 against Sun Warrior for the local Riverside promotion IWC run by Bill Anderson.cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12] He has been quoted as saying his first year he wrestled, his paychecks were free hotdogs and nachos. At 15 years old, he was perceived to look too young for pro wrestling cards anywhere and was forced to don a mask for the first several months, wrestling under the name "The Pinoy Boy" T.J. Perkins. In order to make most of his matches he had to have older wrestlers pick him up from school early on Fridays, ditching most of those days' classes. He would travel and stay with them during the weekend to make out of town shows from Friday to Sunday. Because of this he barely graduated and in fact had to retake most of his classes all the way back from freshman year when he began wrestling professionally. After wrestling independent cards in California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico during his first two years he was picked up by New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles along with friends Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero, who would later become the tag team known as the Havana Pitbulls. Several months later, "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson followed the trio and the first group of L.A. dojo wrestlers was formed. They all made their debut in New Japan on the same Korakuen Hall card in October 2002. T.J.'s debut was as the maskless "Pinoy Boy" T.J. Perkins.

Debut of PUMA

Prior to his debut in New Japan, during a try out with fellow dojo training partners the Havana Pitbulls and Brian Danielson, Director Uwai of the New Japan office noticed similarities in the wrestling styles between T.J. and the Original Tiger Mask. It was after a second tour of New Japan for the young Lions cup in March 2003 that T.J. was given the character PUMA from New Japan, with the gimmick being an American answer to Tiger Mask and the one-word moniker being inspired by T.J.'s New Japan mentor Minoru Tanaka, who was then known as "HEAT".

East Coast Wrestling Association (2005)

Puma wrestled in the 2005 Super 8 tournament and made it all the way to finals before ultimately losing to Petey Williams.

Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling (2005)

On day two of the 2005 Pacific Cup tournament on April 23 2005, Aaron Idol beat Puma and Bryan Danielson in a triple threat match in the finals of the Pacific Cup tournament that lasted 30 minutes. After the match Danielson broke the Pacific Cup trophy and said that ECCW was inferior to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Puma and Danielson then beat down Idol. Promoter Dave Republic then issued a challenge to New Japan and gave Antonio Inoki 30 days to respond. Inoki did not reply and the challenge was then dropped as a result. Perkins continues to compete for ECCW.

Empire Wrestling Federation (2005 - 2008)

T.J. Perkins debuted in EWF on September 22, 2005 at "CHOAS". T.J. Perkins teamed with Dan Kobrick to defeat Big Ugly & Vinnie Massaro.

On December 23, 2005 at EWF's "Holiday Fear" T.J. Perkins got a shot at the EWF Cruiserweight Champion Joey Harder in a Triple-Threat EWF Cruiserweight Championship Match. The match pitted Joey Harder (Cruiserweight Champion) against Rocky Romero and T.J. Perkins. Joey had his work cut out for him as he faced off against two elite wrestlers, not just in the cruiserweight scene, but in the entire independent professional wrestling circuit. In a strange turn of events, Harder and Romero actually worked as a team to eliminate the explosive Perkins from the match up. Vicious Irish Whips into the corner, compounded by double boots to the chest, and a toss from the ring to the concrete floor were enough to debilitate Perkins and keep him from asserting himself during the match. The impromptu partnership quickly dissolved when Romero tried to pin Perkins for the victory. An enraged Harder quickly turned on Romero with a fury of chops to the chest. With Perkins dazed on the outside, Harder dodged a superkick from Romero and cinched in his Harder Driver, securing the victory and retaining his Cruiserweight Title.cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/results.html |title=Empire Wrestling Federation Results |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12] At "Zero Tolerance" on January 27, 2006; TJ faced "The Russian Hooligan" Alex Pinchek. Alex Pinchek had scouted T.J. at EWF's "Holiday Fear"and was impressed by the young superstar, calling him, “one of the best cruiserweights in the world.” The two locked up and put on a brilliant five minute display of hold for hold chain wrestling. Both superstars obviously had the other scouted. Alex took control of the match, as he issued a standing vertical suplex near the ropes, sending TJ to the concrete floor. The angry Russian unleashed a fury of hard punches on the outside of the ring to TJ. He threw him into the ring, and executed a devastating modified power bomb into a back breaker. Alex appeared ready to execute a sharpshooter as he grabbed the leg of Perkins. Somehow, TJ had regained his composure and issued a perfectly executed enziguri sending the big Russian to the mat. TJ issued a powerbomb of his own and appeared ready to cover Alex for the pin. Alex reversed the pin with a rollup, and had a huge handful of ropes. Referee James Rock counted to 2 and ¾ and appeared signal a win for Pincheck. The bell was rung, and Pincheck was the winner! Rock then informed the ring announcer that his hand never fully hit three counts, and ordered the match restarted. TJ took full advantage of the breather and quickly rolled up Alex with a schoolboy, narrowly escaping with the victory.cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/results.html |title=Empire Wrestling Federation Results |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]

T.J. Perkins continued his quest for an EWF Cruiserweight Championship on February 12, 2006. However; Joey Harder continued to prove his dominance in the Cruiserweight division. The match was a technical clinic with five minutes of solid chain wrestling. The two men never broke the test of strength hold that they used to start the match. With no clear cut favorite, TJ decided to take his ground game to the air. However, a missed plancha from the top rope would prove costly. Harder used the opening to go to work on the right arm of Perkins. The unrelenting Harder then executed a painful Fujiwara arm bar which caused the young cruiserweight to tap to the veteran champion, Harder.

On March 19, 2006; T.J. Perkins teamed with Brandon Nitro to take on Jason King & Dan "The Man" Kobrick. The match began as King and Perkins, who went hold to hold to start the match om a technical wrestling clinic. Perkins would toss King to the outside to taunt his opponent. King made his way back and both men tagged their partners. Nitro and Kobrick slugged it out in the ring as Nitro goaded Kobrick to the ropes. Nitro then locked in Kobrick in the illegal Tarantula submission maneuver but was forced to break the hold after a five count. The damage was done as an injured Kobrick made his way to his corner and tagged in King. Nitro tagged in Perkins who entered with a Springboard Centon landing on King! The two high flyers had the match well in hand as Nitro hit the Nitrous 450 splash to win the match!cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/results.html |title=Empire Wrestling Federation Results |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]

On EWF's card on September 8, 2006; T.J. made a bid to obtain EWF gold by taking on the World Champion Bino Gmabino. T.J. Perkins defeated Bino Gambino by countout. Both men demanded an additional 5 minutes which EWF officals gave them. They wrestled to a draw. The EWF gold remained out of reach for T.J.cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/results.html |title=Empire Wrestling Federation Results |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12] On November 21, 2006; T.J. Perkins would take on the new EWF Cruiserweight Champion Ryan Taylor for the Cruiserweight title. However; T.J. bids for EWF gold ended in failure when Ryan pinned him.cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/results.html |title=Empire Wrestling Federation Results |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12] In November 2006, T.J. Perkins entered in the EWF's Inland Title Series Tournament against Joey Harder, Jason King, and Hook Bomberry. Round One of the ITS was Joey Harder vs T.J. Perkins on November 24. T.J. Perkins and Joey Harder wrestled to a draw. In Round Two, T.J. defeated Hook Bomberry. In Round Three, T.J. managed to pull out the victory over Jason King to become 2-0-1 in the Inland Title Series. The final match of the tournament was held on January 5, 2007 in Covina CA. The finalist were T.J. Perkins and Joey Harder. The two started off with a hand shake, surprisingly initiated by Joey. The two battled it out on the mat where Perkins kept getting the upper hand on Harder. It seemed at times Perkins was just toying with Harder by making every counter look simple and letting the fans know it. A frustrated Harder questioned TJ's respect for the match by asking him if he was a clown or a wrestler and at that point it was all business from there. The two go to the mat yet again but this time Joey is on the offense and stays there for quite some time. As Joey was moments away from taking this match Perkins cam back with unbelievable speed and gained a ton of momentum with fierce kicks to the leg and back. It seemed like it was TJ's match until Joey applied his signature Lion Tamer. On this night, Perkins heart was too big to tap out so quickly. After suffering and suffering, he manged to grab the ropes to break the hold. Joey sent him to the ropes and Perkins shocked fans with a hurricanrana that was quickly countered into another Lion Tamer from Harder, this time in the middle of the ring forcing TJ to submit. He placed second in the tournament with a final score of 2-1-1.cite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/history/ITS.htm |title=INLAND TITLE SERIES FINAL TALLIES |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-0-12]

On June 27, 2008 at EWF's "Knockdown Dragout 2" in Covina CA; Famous For Fearless (T.J. Perkins & Liger Rivera) took on La Ola Del Mal in their last chance at the EWF Tag Team Titles.Black Metal and Extreme Loco isolated Liger Rivera for a good portion of the match and it looked as though they would retain the titles yet again. However, Liger Rivera and TJ Perkins scored the pinfall victory and became the new EWF Tag Team Champions. cite web | url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/eventresults/2008/Jun2708.html |title=Famous For Fearless Wins EWF Tag Titles |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004, 2006)

Perkins has also made appearances as Puma with TNA, debuting in 2004, when he worked as a jobber in several "TNA Xplosion" tapings. He was also the first man eliminated in the 2004 Super X-Cup. His first significant performance in TNA was representing Japan in an "International X Showcase" match at TNA Destination X 2006, facing Petey Williams, Chris Sabin and Sonjay Dutt, but ultimately losing to Sabin. He also competed in an Xscape match at the following month's Lockdown.

Puma would later be a member of Team Mexico in the 2006 World X-Cup, alongside Incognito, Magno and Shocker. In that tournament, he lost a second round match to Team USA captain Chris Sabin, and was the last man eliminated in the third round gauntlet match, by Team Canada captain Petey Williams. Team Mexico finished third of four in the event with four points.

Wrestling Society X and Pro Wrestling Guerilla (2006)

On February 9, 2006, PUMA wrestled as part of MTV's inaugural TV taping for their new Wrestling Society X promotion in Los Angeles, California. In addition to WSX, he was a regular member of the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla roster, where he wrestled as T.J. Perkins and Puma.

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and Return to NJPW (2006)

He also competes as a semi-regular in Japan, working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he owns the record of the youngest non-Japanese wrestler to compete for the promotion (only 18 years and 3 weeks of age). A common misconception is that he was a student of Bryan Danielson at this point, however they were actually training partners along with the Havana Pitbulls.He also competed and received training in the Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre.

Ring of Honor (2007)

After returning to the United States, Perkins competed at Ring of Honor's "Supercard of Honor II" show, losing to Nigel McGuinness.

Return to TNA (2007, 2008)

TNA Mobile sent out a text message saying Perkins (returning as Puma) and Elix Skipper would be returning at TNA Victory Road 2007 in the 10-Man Ultimate X Gauntlet. Puma ended up being eliminated 1st in the Gauntlet section of the match. Perkins returned, once again, as Puma in the 2008 TNA World X Cup finals at TNA Victory Road in an elimination match, where he was the second one eliminated.

Return to PWG (2007-Current)

After brief stints in ROH and TNA, Perkins has since returned to Pro Wrestling Guerilla and has been a regular since 2007. Puma returned at TNA's "Victory Road" as apart of Team Japan, replacing Ishikari as the final member of the team.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Figure Four Deathlock" (Leglock cloverleaf)
**Tilt-a-whirl belly to belly piledriver
**Frog splash
**"720° DDT" (Twisting springboard tornado DDT)
**Tiger suplex
**Tiger feint kick
**Brainbuster
**Side slam backbreaker
**German suplex
**Various kicks
**European uppercut
**Double arm suplex
**Spinning wheel kick
**Leg hook brainbuster
**Flipping senton
**Baseball slide into a headscissors takedown to an opponent outside the ring
**Corkscrew slingshot crossbody

*Notable feudscite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
**Ricky Marvin
**Virus
**Volador Jr.
**Tiger Mask IV
**J.J. Perez
**Davey Richards
**Rocky Romero

Championships and accomplishments

*All Pro Wrestling
**APW Worldwide Internet Championship (1 time)cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
*Alternative Wrestling Show
**AWS LA Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
**CMLL Best New Sensation (2003)
**CMLL Match of the Year (2003)
*Empire Wrestling Federation
**EWF Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) - with Liger Riveracite web |url=http://www.empirewrestlingfederation.com/history/tag.htm |title=EWF Tag Team Title History |publisher=empirewrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
*National Wrestling Alliance
**NWA Heritage Championship (1 time, current)cite web |url=http://nwawrestling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=525&Itemid=9 |title=TJ Wins Heritage Title |publisher=nwawrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
*United Independent Wrestling Alliance
**UIWA Lightweight Championship (1 time)cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
*UWA Hardcore Wrestling
**UWA Canadian Championship (1 time)cite web |url=http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/p/puma.php |title= Puma |publisher=obsessedwithwrestling.com |accessdate=2008-08-12]
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI ranked him # 179 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the in the PWI 500 in 2005.cite web | url= http://www.100megsfree/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50005.html | title= Pro Wrestling's Top 500 | publisher= Pro Wrestling Illustrated | accessdate=2008-08-12]
**PWI ranked him # 347 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the in the PWI 500 in 2006.cite web | url= http://www.100megsfree/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50006.html | title= Pro Wrestling's Top 500 | publisher= Pro Wrestling Illustrated | accessdate=2008-08-12]
**PWI ranked him # 316 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the in the PWI 500 in 2007.cite web | url= http://superluchas.net/?p=738 | title= Pro Wrestling's Top 500 | publisher= Pro Wrestling Illustrated | accessdate=2008-08-11]

Trivia

*T.J.'s favorite wrestlers are Eddie Guerrero, Satoru Sayama, Shawn Michaels and Nick Bockwinkel.
*His favorite match as a fan is the 1959 NWA World title match between Pat O'Connor and "The Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers.
*T.J. loves ice hockey and plays on his spare time in Riverside.
*Despite conflicting references to the nationality of PUMA in TNA, Perkins is actually of Filipino and Irish descent. Noted in his nickname "The Pinoy Boy." "Pinoy" is the Tagalog term for a Filipino male.
*In May 2007, Puma was booked by the Queens of Chaos promotion in France. He wrestled in front of 72,000 people, which is the 2007 record for a wrestling show. A documentary will be released in 2008 from the event.
*He has a younger sister named Tiffany Perkins.
*He is one of the few Half-Filipino wrestlers in the U.S. . Also one of those wrestlers is WWE's Batista who is Half-Filipino, Half-Greek

External Links

*imdb name|id=1688502|name=T.J. Perkins
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGQSFgedurg ROH T.J. Perkins vs. Nigel McGuinness]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NWdrjJmC8k TJ Perkins vs. Markus Riot April 2007 (Highlights)]

References