John Toland (wrestler)

Infobox Wrestler|name=John Toland


names=James Dick
John Toland
Tank Toland
height=height|ft=5|in=8
weight=convert|234|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = Birth date and age|1980|8|31|mf=y
death_date =
birth_place = Atlantic City, New Jersey
resides=
billed=Margate, New Jersey
trainer=Ohio Valley Wrestling
The Monster Factory
debut=2000
retired=|

John Michael Toland (born August 31, 1980) is an American pro wrestler currently working for the independent promotion Ring of Honor, under the name Tank Toland. Toland is most notably known for wrestling as James Dick for World Wrestling Entertainment on its SmackDown brand.

Career

World Wrestling Entertainment

Toland would wrestle in Ohio Valley Wrestling (WWE's developmental territory) teaming with Chris Cage, and would go on to win the Tag titles three times with him. During 2005 Toland began to team with his cousin, Chad Toland as The Blonde Bombers and on April 12, 2005 the team would win the OVW Tag Team Titles from the Thrillseekers (Matt Cappotelli and Johnny Jeter).

Toland made his debut on WWE Friday Night SmackDown as James Dick along with his partner, Chad Toland who was now using the name Chad Dick on October 14, 2005 as The Dicks. After The Mexicools won their 8-man tag match with their partners Road Warrior Animal and Heidenreich by defeating Paul Burchill and William Regal and MNM, The Mexicools were ambushed by the Dicks, and in the process they threw the then current WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Juventud out of the ring and laid out Super Crazy and Psicosis using two of their signature tag team finishers.

On the October 28 episode of SmackDown, The Dicks appeared once again, helping MNM capture the WWE Tag Titles when they attacked Heidenreich before Paul Burchill was about to receive the Doomsday Device finisher. This began a brawl with all the teams as the Dicks began attacking Road Warrior Animal. This allowed MNM to hit the Snapshot on Heidenreich and win the WWE Tag Titles.

On the November 5 episode of Velocity, The Dicks made their in ring debut in WWE defeating jobbers James Prentice and Kevin Antonio.

On the November 25 episode of SmackDown, The Dicks made their official SmackDown! debuts, defeating Heidenreich and Road Warrior Animal after blinding Road Warrior Animal with body oil.

On February 22, 2006, The Dicks were released from their WWE contracts. Their last match in WWE was on SmackDown which was broadcasted on February 24, 2006, where The Dicks were defeated by The Boogeyman.

The real reason for their release was recently revealed to be the result of a physical altercation that took place in Mexico between Toland and his partner, Chad Wicks, resulting in Toland punching and knocking out Wicks. It is believed that this fight was provoked by the Wrestler's Court. Wicks would often complain about the ribbing they've received from the veteran wrestlers and Toland felt he was putting their jobs in jeopardy. [http://rajah.com/base/node/4930]

Both men would return to Ohio Valley Wrestling under the Dicks name, where John Toland (James Dick) and Wicks (Chad Dick) would begin an angle together. James would seemingly confirm the rumor that the WWE ribbing was caused by Chad Wick's sexuallity during this angle stating that he looked for him at Wicks' boyfriend's house, but he couldn't find him.

Ring of Honor

In late 2006, Toland began wrestling for the Philadelphia based promotion Ring of Honor. He made his debut at "Suffocation" on October 17, competing in a Four Corners Suvival match against Roderick Strong, Chris Hero and Mark Briscoe. Toland wrestled several shows for ROH in 2006, his final being at "The Chicago Spectacular: Night Two", before taking time off from the company.

At the "Fifth Year Festival: Dayton" on February 23, Toland returned to ROH after being hired by Larry Sweeney as the new personal trainer to his client, Chris Hero. In his return match, he defeated Mitch Franklin, a student from the ROH Wrestling School. He was a member of Larry Sweeney's Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. faction, but has not appeared in the promotion for a good while, nor is he listed as a member of the group on the promotions' website. However, on June 27, 2008, he made his return to the faction, teaming with Shane Hagadorn.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves:*"Tank Turret" (Spinning double axe handle blow):*"Power Trip" (One-armed spinebuster):*Spear:*Scoop slam:*Shoulder block:*Schoolboy roll-up

*With Chad Dick:*Bearhug (John) / Diving leg drop (Chad) combination:*Double fireman's carry flapjack

*Nicknames:*"The Tank"

Championships and accomplishments

*Ohio Valley Wrestling
**OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Chris Cage (3) and Chad Toland (1)
**OVW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Personal life

Toland is in a current relationship with WWE Diva Jillian Hall.cite web|url=blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=111193167&blogID=324483527|title=Tank Toland MySpace|accessdate=2008-03-27|publisher=MySpace]

References

External links

* [http://www.tanktoland.tk/ Official Website]
* [http://rasslinandmuscle.com/ DVD Site]