Rick Boogs: Difference between revisions

Rick Boogs
Rick Boogs
YouTube information
Channels	Eric Bugenhagen;
Years active	2012–present
Genres	Comedy; Weight training; Fitness; Mindset;
Subscribers	327 thousand
Total views	116.77 million
Creator Awards
	Last updated: November 16, 2024

Rick Boogs
Rick Boogs
Birth name	Eric Bugenhagen
Born	December 21, 1987 (age 36); Franklin, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Eric Bugenhagen; Joseph Average; The Nightpanther; Ric Boog; Rick Boogs; Rik Bugez
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Billed weight	285 lb (129 kg)
Billed from	Madison, Wisconsin
Trained by	WWE Performance Center
Debut	October 19, 2017
Retired	January 4, 2024

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Eric Bugenhagen (born December 21, 1987) is an American retired professional wrestler and graduated collegiate wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with WWE from 2017 to 2023, where he performed under the ring name Rick Boogs.

Background

After winning a state title while at Franklin High School in Franklin, Wisconsin, Bugenhagen wrestled for the NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin team under Barry Davis. Bugenhagen competed for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2006 to 2011, starting at 184 pounds in his sophomore season and at heavyweight for his junior and senior years. Bugenhagen competed at the NCAA Championships twice, qualifying for the 2010 and 2011 tournaments in Omaha and Philadelphia, respectively. He went 2–4 at the NCAAs and also wrestled in a United States Olympic Trials Qualifier. Bugenhagen graduated with a degree in kinesiology and worked as a wrestling coach for his alma mater after graduating.^[3]

Professional wrestling career

Bugenhagen made his professional wrestling debut on the October 19, 2017 episode of WWE NXT, where he lost to Lars Sullivan in a singles match.^[4] After an injury set him back significantly, he returned to wrestling at NXT live events under the ring name Ric Boog.^[3] Under his real name, Bugenhagen lost to Drew Gulak on February 6, 2019, on NXT in his television debut.^[3] On the May 1, 2019 episode of WWE Worlds Collide, he participated in a 20-man battle royal as Rik Bugez.^[5] On the February 21, 2019 episode of WWE NXT Live, Bugez teamed up with Denzel Dejournette to unsuccessfully face the NXT Tag Team Champions of the time, The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik).^[6] A notable confrontation of his career took place on the February 22, 2020 episode of WWE NXT Live, where Bugez competed against Finn Balor in a losing effort.^[7]

While working on NXT, he also appeared at EVOLVE 143 and EVOLVE 144, two events promoted by Evolve during their relationship with WWE in January 2020.^[8]^[9]

Bugez made several appearances as an extra in the main shows, being one of the many NXT performers being used as part of a makeshift crowd on Raw at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.^[10] Leading up to WrestleMania 37, Bugez played Old Spice representative character Joseph Average/The Nightpanther in several backstage advertisements at Fastlane and after WrestleMania 37, during which he defeated R-Truth and Akira Tozawa to capture the WWE 24/7 Championship twice.^[11]

On May 21, 2021, Bugez, now going by the tweaked ring name Rick Boogs, made his debut on SmackDown, playing Shinsuke Nakamura to the ring with an electric guitar.^[12] They also worked as a tag team, facing The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 38 Night 1, but during the match, Boogs suffered a torn quadriceps/patellar tendon injury, requiring surgery.^[13]^[14]

After a nine-month absence due to injury, Boogs made his return on the January 30, 2023, episode of Raw as the newest member of the roster, but during the 2023 WWE Draft, Boogs was drafted back to the SmackDown brand. At SummerSlam, Boogs competed in the Slim Jim Battle Royal where he was unsuccessful in winning.^[15]^[16] This would end up being Boogs' final appearance for the company as he was released from his contract on September 21.^[17] On January 4, 2024, he confirmed in an interview with Chris Van Vliet, that he no longer wishes to wrestle anymore after his release from WWE.^[18]

Other media

Bugenhagen appeared as Big Billy Beavers in the 2020 film The Main Event.

Bugenhagen, as Rick Boogs, made his video game debut in the Clowning Around DLC for WWE 2K22.^[19]^[20] He also appears in WWE 2K23.

Championships and accomplishments

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 224 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022^[21]
WWE
- WWE 24/7 Championship (2 times)^[22]

References

^ Saalbach, Axel. "Rik Bugez/General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Rik Bugez-Personal Data". cagematch.net (in German). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Varsallone, Jim (May 1, 2019). "Wisconsin Badgers alum Eric Bugenhagen rocking his way to superstar status with WWE NXT". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
^ Online World Of Wrestling (OWW). "Home / Profile / Rik Bugez". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ "WWE Worlds Collide results, May 1, 2019: NXT reigns supreme as Strong and Belair win Battle Royals". WWE. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
^ Riba, Michael (February 22, 2019). "WWE NXT Live Event Results – February 21, 2019 – Sebring, Florida". gerweck.net. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
^ Tedesco, Mike (February 23, 2020). "2/22 NXT Live Results: Oshkosh and Cocoa (Ripley vs. Belair, Tino Sabbatelli in action)". wrestleview.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ Gagnon, Joshua (January 18, 2020). "EVOLVE 143 Results (1/17): No DQ Match Main Event, BESTies In The World In Action, Santana Garrett". wrestlinginc.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ World Wrestling Network (January 20, 2020). "EVOLVE 144 Recap: 2020 Blasts Off!". wwnlive.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ Trainor, Daniel (June 30, 2020). "NXT's Rik Bugez Addresses Taking Off Mask During TV Tapings, Says It Will Stay On Going Forward". prowrestlingsheet.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
^ Powell, Jason (March 21, 2021). "WWE Fastlane results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship with Edge as special enforcer, Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match, Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Title, Randy Orton vs. Alexa Bliss". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
^ WWE (May 21, 2021). "SmackDown results, May 21, 2021: SmackDown's Fatal 4-Way Fades to Black". wwe.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
^ Gartland, Dan (April 2, 2022). "'WrestleMania 38' Night 1 Live Blog: Results, Highlights, Analysis". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
^ Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online (April 2, 2022). "Rick Boogs suffers injury in WWE WrestleMania opening match". f4wonline.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
^ "See all the results from the 2023 Draft". WWE. April 28, 2023.
^ Keller, Wade (May 1, 2023). "5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
^ Ravens, Andrew (September 21, 2023). "Rick Boogs Released By WWE". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
^ Chris Van Vliet (January 4, 2024). "Eric Bugenhagen (fka Rock Boogs)". YouTube.
^ "WWE 2K22 Clowning Around Pack Is No Joke". 2K. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
^ Wilson, Ben (July 6, 2022). "WWE 2K22 wrestlers list sorted by Raw, Smackdown, AEW and more". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022". The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
^ World Wrestling Entertainment (April 11, 2021). "24/7 Championship/WWE". wwe.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

External links

Rick Boogs's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database
Rick Boogs on WWE.com
Eric Bugenhagen on Twitter
Eric Bugenhagen at IMDb

[1] Saalbach, Axel. "Rik Bugez/General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[2] Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Rik Bugez-Personal Data". cagematch.net (in German). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[Miami_Herald-3] Varsallone, Jim (May 1, 2019). "Wisconsin Badgers alum Eric Bugenhagen rocking his way to superstar status with WWE NXT". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.

[4] Online World Of Wrestling (OWW). "Home / Profile / Rik Bugez". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[5] "WWE Worlds Collide results, May 1, 2019: NXT reigns supreme as Strong and Belair win Battle Royals". WWE. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2019.

[6] Riba, Michael (February 22, 2019). "WWE NXT Live Event Results – February 21, 2019 – Sebring, Florida". gerweck.net. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.

[7] Tedesco, Mike (February 23, 2020). "2/22 NXT Live Results: Oshkosh and Cocoa (Ripley vs. Belair, Tino Sabbatelli in action)". wrestleview.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[8] Gagnon, Joshua (January 18, 2020). "EVOLVE 143 Results (1/17): No DQ Match Main Event, BESTies In The World In Action, Santana Garrett". wrestlinginc.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[9] World Wrestling Network (January 20, 2020). "EVOLVE 144 Recap: 2020 Blasts Off!". wwnlive.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[10] Trainor, Daniel (June 30, 2020). "NXT's Rik Bugez Addresses Taking Off Mask During TV Tapings, Says It Will Stay On Going Forward". prowrestlingsheet.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

[11] Powell, Jason (March 21, 2021). "WWE Fastlane results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship with Edge as special enforcer, Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match, Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Title, Randy Orton vs. Alexa Bliss". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.

[12] WWE (May 21, 2021). "SmackDown results, May 21, 2021: SmackDown's Fatal 4-Way Fades to Black". wwe.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.

[13] Gartland, Dan (April 2, 2022). "'WrestleMania 38' Night 1 Live Blog: Results, Highlights, Analysis". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.

[14] Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online (April 2, 2022). "Rick Boogs suffers injury in WWE WrestleMania opening match". f4wonline.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.

[15] "See all the results from the 2023 Draft". WWE. April 28, 2023.

[16] Keller, Wade (May 1, 2023). "5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 1, 2023.

[17] Ravens, Andrew (September 21, 2023). "Rick Boogs Released By WWE". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved September 21, 2023.

[18] Chris Van Vliet (January 4, 2024). "Eric Bugenhagen (fka Rock Boogs)". YouTube.

[19] "WWE 2K22 Clowning Around Pack Is No Joke". 2K. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.

[20] Wilson, Ben (July 6, 2022). "WWE 2K22 wrestlers list sorted by Raw, Smackdown, AEW and more". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.

[21] "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022". The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.

[22] World Wrestling Entertainment (April 11, 2021). "24/7 Championship/WWE". wwe.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2021.

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@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 |trainer     = [[WWE Performance Center#2017|WWE Performance Center]]
 |debut       = October 19, 2017
-|retired     =January 4, 2024
+|retired     = January 4, 2024}}
-}}
 {{Infobox YouTube personality
 | pseudonym            =
-| years active         = 2012–2023
+| years active         = 2012–present
 | genre                = {{flatlist|
 * [[Comedy]]
@@ Line 30: / Line 29: @@
 * [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1HMNQ94Ba1rH6JZueBcag/about Eric Bugenhagen]
 }}
-| subscribers          = 310 thousand <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
+| subscribers          = 327 thousand <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
-| views                = 102.80 million <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
+| views                = 116.77 million <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
 | network              =
 | associated_acts      =
@@ Line 40: / Line 39: @@
 | diamond_button       = no
 | diamond_year         =
-| stats_update         = April 11, 2023
+| stats_update         = November 16, 2024
 }}
-'''Eric Bugenhagen''' (born December 21, 1987) is an American retired [[professional wrestler]] and graduated [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiate wrestler]]. He is best known for his YouTube presence and his tenure with [[WWE]], where he performed under the [[ring name]] '''Rick Boogs'''.
+'''Eric Bugenhagen''' (born December 21, 1987) is an American retired [[professional wrestler]] and graduated [[Collegiate wrestling|collegiate wrestler]]. He is best known for his tenure with [[WWE]] from 2017 to 2023, where he performed under the [[ring name]] '''Rick Boogs'''.
 ==Background==
-After winning a state title while at [[Franklin High School (Wisconsin)|Franklin High School]] in [[Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Franklin, Wisconsin]], Bugenhagen wrestled for the [[NCAA Division I]] [[University of Wisconsin]] team under [[Barry Davis (wrestler)|Barry Davis]]. Bugenhagen competed for the [[Wisconsin Badgers]] from 2006 to 2011, starting at 184 pounds in his sophomore season and at heavyweight for his junior and senior years. Bugenhagen competed at the [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Championships]] twice, qualifying for the 2010 and 2011 tournaments in Omaha and Philadelphia, respectively. He went 2-4 at the NCAAs and also wrestled in a U.S. Olympic Trials. Bugenhagen graduated with a degree in [[kinesiology]] and worked as a wrestling coach for his [[alma mater]] after graduating.<ref name="Miami Herald" />
+After winning a state title while at [[Franklin High School (Wisconsin)|Franklin High School]] in [[Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Franklin, Wisconsin]], Bugenhagen wrestled for the [[NCAA Division I]] [[University of Wisconsin]] team under [[Barry Davis (wrestler)|Barry Davis]]. Bugenhagen competed for the [[Wisconsin Badgers]] from 2006 to 2011, starting at 184 pounds in his sophomore season and at heavyweight for his junior and senior years. Bugenhagen competed at the [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Championships]] twice, qualifying for the 2010 and 2011 tournaments in Omaha and Philadelphia, respectively. He went 2–4 at the NCAAs and also wrestled in a [[United States Olympic trials (wrestling)|United States Olympic Trials Qualifier]]. Bugenhagen graduated with a degree in [[kinesiology]] and worked as a wrestling coach for his [[alma mater]] after graduating.<ref name="Miami Herald" />
 == Professional wrestling career ==
+Bugenhagen made his [[professional wrestling]] debut on the October 19, 2017 episode of ''[[WWE NXT]]'', where he lost to [[Lars Sullivan]] in a [[singles match (professional wrestling)|singles match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/eric-bugenhagen/|title=Home / Profile / Rik Bugez|work=onlineworldofwrestling.com|author=Online World Of Wrestling (OWW)|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211457/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/eric-bugenhagen/|url-status=live}}</ref> After an injury set him back significantly, he returned to wrestling at NXT live events under the ring name '''Ric Boog'''.<ref name="Miami Herald"/> Under his real name, Bugenhagen lost to [[Drew Gulak]] on February 6, 2019, on ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'' in his television debut.<ref name="Miami Herald">{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article229826519.html|title=Wisconsin Badgers alum Eric Bugenhagen rocking his way to superstar status with WWE NXT|last=Varsallone|first=Jim|website=Miami Herald|language=en|date=May 1, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2021|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202735/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article229826519.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the May 1, 2019 episode of [[WWE Worlds Collide (series)|WWE Worlds Collide]], he participated in a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|20-man battle royal]] as '''Rik Bugez'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/worldscollide/2019-05-01|title=WWE Worlds Collide results, May 1, 2019: NXT reigns supreme as Strong and Belair win Battle Royals|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211447/https://www.wwe.com/shows/worldscollide/2019-05-01|url-status=live}}</ref> On the February 21, 2019 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|WWE NXT Live]]'', Bugez teamed up with Denzel Dejournette to unsuccessfully face the [[NXT Tag Team Championship|NXT Tag Team Champions]] of the time, [[The Viking Raiders]] ([[Ivar (wrestler)|Ivar]] and [[Erik (wrestler)|Erik]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gerweck.net/2019/02/22/wwe-nxt-live-event-results-february-21-2019-sebring-florida/|title=WWE NXT Live Event Results – February 21, 2019 – Sebring, Florida|work=gerweck.net|first=Michael|last=Riba|date=February 22, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421010111/https://www.gerweck.net/2019/02/22/wwe-nxt-live-event-results-february-21-2019-sebring-florida/|url-status=live}}</ref> A notable confrontation of his career took place on the February 22, 2020 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|WWE NXT Live]]'', where Bugez competed against [[Finn Balor]] in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/nxt-live-events/149596-nxt-live-results-february-22-2020-oshkosh-and-cocoa/|title=2/22 NXT Live Results: Oshkosh and Cocoa (Ripley vs. Belair, Tino Sabbatelli in action)|work=wrestleview.com|first=Mike|last=Tedesco|date=February 23, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211445/https://www.wrestleview.com/nxt-live-events/149596-nxt-live-results-february-22-2020-oshkosh-and-cocoa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+While working on NXT, he also appeared at ''[[List of Evolve Wrestling events#Evolve 143|EVOLVE 143]]'' and ''[[List of Evolve Wrestling events#Evolve 144|EVOLVE 144]]'', two events promoted by [[Evolve (professional wrestling)|Evolve]] during their relationship with WWE in January 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/01/evolve-143-results-665052/|title=EVOLVE 143 Results (1/17): No DQ Match Main Event, BESTies In The World In Action, Santana Garrett|work=wrestlinginc.com|first=Joshua|last=Gagnon|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211446/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/01/evolve-143-results-665052/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwnlive.com/2020/01/20/evolve-144-recap-2020-blasts-off/?v=f5b15f58caba|title=EVOLVE 144 Recap: 2020 Blasts Off!|work=wwnlive.com|author=[[World Wrestling Network]]|date=January 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217144513/https://wwnlive.com/2020/01/20/evolve-144-recap-2020-blasts-off/?v=7516fd43adaa|url-status=live}}</ref>
-=== WWE (2017–2023) ===
-Bugenhagen made his [[professional wrestling]] debut on the October 19, 2017 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|WWE NXT Live]]'', where he fell short to [[Lars Sullivan]] in a [[singles match (professional wrestling)|singles match]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/eric-bugenhagen/|title=Home / Profile / Rik Bugez|work=onlineworldofwrestling.com|author=Online World Of Wrestling (OWW)|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211457/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/eric-bugenhagen/|url-status=live}}</ref> After an injury set him back significantly, he returned to wrestling at NXT live events under the ring name '''Ric Boog'''.<ref name="Miami Herald"/> Under his real name, Bugenhagen lost to [[Drew Gulak]] on February 6, 2019 on ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'' in his television debut.<ref name="Miami Herald">{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article229826519.html|title=Wisconsin Badgers alum Eric Bugenhagen rocking his way to superstar status with WWE NXT|last=Varsallone|first=Jim|website=Miami Herald|language=en|date=May 1, 2019|access-date=April 29, 2021|archive-date=April 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429202735/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article229826519.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the May 1, 2019 episode of [[WWE Worlds Collide (series)|WWE Worlds Collide]], he participated in a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|20-man battle royal]] as '''Rik Bugez''', competing against other popular superstars such as [[Brian Kendrick]], [[Akira Tozawa]], [[Drew Gulak]], [[Tyler Bate]] and the winner [[Roderick Strong]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/worldscollide/2019-05-01|title=WWE Worlds Collide results, May 1, 2019: NXT reigns supreme as Strong and Belair win Battle Royals|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211447/https://www.wwe.com/shows/worldscollide/2019-05-01|url-status=live}}</ref> On the February 21, 2019 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|WWE NXT Live]]'', Bugez teamed up with Denzel Dejournette to unsuccessfully face the [[NXT Tag Team Championship|NXT Tag Team Champions]] of the time, [[The Viking Raiders]] ([[Ivar (wrestler)|Ivar]] and [[Erik (wrestler)|Erik]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gerweck.net/2019/02/22/wwe-nxt-live-event-results-february-21-2019-sebring-florida/|title=WWE NXT Live Event Results – February 21, 2019 – Sebring, Florida|work=gerweck.net|first=Michael|last=Riba|date=February 22, 2019|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421010111/https://www.gerweck.net/2019/02/22/wwe-nxt-live-event-results-february-21-2019-sebring-florida/|url-status=live}}</ref> A notable confrontation of his career took place on the February 22, 2020 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|WWE NXT Live]]'', where Bugez competed against [[Finn Balor]] in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/nxt-live-events/149596-nxt-live-results-february-22-2020-oshkosh-and-cocoa/|title=2/22 NXT Live Results: Oshkosh and Cocoa (Ripley vs. Belair, Tino Sabbatelli in action)|work=wrestleview.com|first=Mike|last=Tedesco|date=February 23, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211445/https://www.wrestleview.com/nxt-live-events/149596-nxt-live-results-february-22-2020-oshkosh-and-cocoa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 Bugez made several appearances as an extra in the main shows, being one of the many [[WWE NXT|NXT]] performers being used as part of a makeshift crowd on [[WWE Raw|Raw]] at the beginning of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/rik-bugez-face-mask-wwe-tv-tapings/#.YH9EBOgzaUk|title=NXT's Rik Bugez Addresses Taking Off Mask During TV Tapings, Says It Will Stay On Going Forward|work=prowrestlingsheet.com|first=Daniel|last=Trainor|date=June 30, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425205410/https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/rik-bugez-face-mask-wwe-tv-tapings/#.YH9EBOgzaUk|url-status=live}}</ref> Leading up to [[WrestleMania 37]], Bugez played [[Old Spice]] representative character Joseph Average/The Nightpanther in several backstage advertisements at [[Fastlane (2021)|Fastlane]] and after WrestleMania 37, during which he defeated [[R-Truth]] and [[Akira Tozawa]] to capture the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] twice.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Fastlane results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Universal Championship with Edge as special enforcer, Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus in a No Holds Barred match, Big E vs. Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Title, Randy Orton vs. Alexa Bliss|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/03/21/wwe-fastlane-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-daniel-bryan-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-edge-as-special-enforcer-drew-mcintyre-vs-sheamus-in-a-no-holds-barred-match-big/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=March 21, 2021|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=March 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322000817/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/03/21/wwe-fastlane-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-daniel-bryan-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-edge-as-special-enforcer-drew-mcintyre-vs-sheamus-in-a-no-holds-barred-match-big/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-On May 21, 2021, Bugez, now going by the tweaked ring name '''Rick Boogs''', made his debut on [[WWE SmackDown|''SmackDown'']], playing [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] to the ring with an electric guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-05-21|title=SmackDown results, May 21, 2021: SmackDown's Fatal 4-Way Fades to Black|work=wwe.com|author=[[WWE]]|date=May 21, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606065315/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-05-21|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his in ring debut on the August 20 episode of SmackDown, teaming with Nakamura to defeat [[Apollo Crews]] and [[Babatunde Aiyegbusi|Commander Azeez]].<ref>{{Citation|title=King Nakamura & Rick Boogs vs. Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez: SmackDown, Aug. 20, 2021|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwhsGFkeHoE|language=en|access-date=2021-10-02|archive-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002173623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwhsGFkeHoE|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 38]], Boogs and Nakamura faced [[The Usos]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]], in which The Usos retained. During the match, Boogs suffered a torn quadriceps/patellar tendon injury, requiring surgery.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/04/02/wwe-wrestlemania-38-live-blog-results-highlights|title='WrestleMania 38' Night 1 Live Blog: Results, Highlights, Analysis|first1=Dan|last1=Gartland|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022|archive-date=April 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402234609/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/04/02/wwe-wrestlemania-38-live-blog-results-highlights|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/rick-boogs-suffers-injury-in-wwe-wrestlemania-opening-match|title=Rick Boogs suffers injury in WWE WrestleMania opening match|work=f4wonline.com|author=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403015735/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/rick-boogs-suffers-injury-in-wwe-wrestlemania-opening-match|url-status=live}}</ref>
+On May 21, 2021, Bugez, now going by the tweaked ring name '''Rick Boogs''', made his debut on [[WWE SmackDown|''SmackDown'']], playing [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] to the ring with an electric guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-05-21|title=SmackDown results, May 21, 2021: SmackDown's Fatal 4-Way Fades to Black|work=wwe.com|author=[[WWE]]|date=May 21, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606065315/https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-05-21|url-status=live}}</ref> They also worked as a tag team, facing [[The Usos]] for the [[WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]] at [[WrestleMania 38]] Night 1, but during the match, Boogs suffered a torn [[quadriceps]]/[[patellar tendon]] injury, requiring surgery.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/04/02/wwe-wrestlemania-38-live-blog-results-highlights|title='WrestleMania 38' Night 1 Live Blog: Results, Highlights, Analysis|first1=Dan|last1=Gartland|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022|archive-date=April 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402234609/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2022/04/02/wwe-wrestlemania-38-live-blog-results-highlights|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/rick-boogs-suffers-injury-in-wwe-wrestlemania-opening-match|title=Rick Boogs suffers injury in WWE WrestleMania opening match|work=f4wonline.com|author=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=April 2, 2022|access-date=April 2, 2022|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403015735/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/rick-boogs-suffers-injury-in-wwe-wrestlemania-opening-match|url-status=live}}</ref>
-After a nine month absence due to injury, Boogs made his return on the January 30, 2023, episode of ''Raw'' being introduced as the newest member of the roster before defeating [[The Miz]] in an impromptu match. As part of the [[2023 WWE Draft]], Boogs was drafted back to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2023|title = See all the results from the 2023 Draft|publisher=WWE|date=April 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |title=5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/01/5-1-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-wwe-draft-riddle-vs-uso-judgment-day-vs-lwo-mixed-tag-lesnar-cody/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> On September 21, 2023, Bugenhagen was released from his WWE contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravens |first=Andrew |date=2023-09-21 |title=Rick Boogs Released By WWE |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/rick-boogs-released-by-wwe/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Wrestling Headlines |language=en-US}}</ref>
+After a nine-month absence due to injury, Boogs made his return on the January 30, 2023, episode of ''Raw'' as the newest member of the roster, but during the [[2023 WWE Draft]], Boogs was drafted back to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]]. At [[SummerSlam (2023)|SummerSlam]], Boogs competed in the Slim Jim Battle Royal where he was unsuccessful in winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2023|title = See all the results from the 2023 Draft|publisher=WWE|date=April 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |title=5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/01/5-1-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-wwe-draft-riddle-vs-uso-judgment-day-vs-lwo-mixed-tag-lesnar-cody/ |access-date=May 1, 2023 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> This would end up being Boogs' final appearance for the company as he was released from his contract on September 21.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ravens |first=Andrew |date=2023-09-21 |title=Rick Boogs Released By WWE |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/rick-boogs-released-by-wwe/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Wrestling Headlines |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 4, 2024, he confirmed in an interview with [[Chris Van Vliet]], that he no longer wishes to wrestle anymore after his release from WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzRmVtphrPk|title=Eric Bugenhagen (fka Rock Boogs)|author=[[Chris Van Vliet]]|website=[[YouTube]] |date=January 4, 2024}}</ref>
-===Evolve (2020)===
-Bugenhagen, as Rik Bugez, worked his first match in the independent scene at ''EVOLVE 143'', an event promoted by [[Evolve (professional wrestling)|Evolve]] during their relationship with [[WWE]] on January 17, 2020, where he faced [[Joe Gacy]] in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/01/evolve-143-results-665052/|title=EVOLVE 143 Results (1/17): No DQ Match Main Event, BESTies In The World In Action, Santana Garrett|work=wrestlinginc.com|first=Joshua|last=Gagnon|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211446/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/01/evolve-143-results-665052/|url-status=live}}</ref> One night later, at ''EVOLVE 144'', Bugez scored his first victory by defeating Anthony Greene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwnlive.com/2020/01/20/evolve-144-recap-2020-blasts-off/?v=f5b15f58caba|title=EVOLVE 144 Recap: 2020 Blasts Off!|work=wwnlive.com|author=[[World Wrestling Network]]|date=January 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=February 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217144513/https://wwnlive.com/2020/01/20/evolve-144-recap-2020-blasts-off/?v=7516fd43adaa|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Other media==
 Bugenhagen appeared as Big Billy Beavers in the 2020 film ''[[The Main Event (2020 film)|The Main Event]]''.
-Bugenhagen, as Rick Boogs, made his [[video game]] debut in the ''Clowning Around'' [[Downloadable content|DLC]] for ''[[WWE 2K22]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwe.2k.com/dlc/clowning-around-pack|title=WWE 2K22 Clowning Around Pack Is No Joke|website=[[2K (company)|2K]]|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628162345/https://wwe.2k.com/dlc/clowning-around-pack|archive-date=June 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k22-wrestlers|title=WWE 2K22 wrestlers list sorted by Raw, Smackdown, AEW and more|last=Wilson|first=Ben|date=July 6, 2022|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720065821/https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k22-wrestlers/|archive-date=July 20, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
+Bugenhagen, as Rick Boogs, made his [[video game]] debut in the ''Clowning Around'' [[Downloadable content|DLC]] for ''[[WWE 2K22]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwe.2k.com/dlc/clowning-around-pack|title=WWE 2K22 Clowning Around Pack Is No Joke|website=[[2K (company)|2K]]|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628162345/https://wwe.2k.com/dlc/clowning-around-pack|archive-date=June 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k22-wrestlers|title=WWE 2K22 wrestlers list sorted by Raw, Smackdown, AEW and more|last=Wilson|first=Ben|date=July 6, 2022|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720065821/https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k22-wrestlers/|archive-date=July 20, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appears in ''[[WWE 2K23]]''.
 ==Championships and accomplishments==
 *'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
 **Ranked No. 224 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2022.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022|access-date=September 14, 2022|work=The Internet Wrestling Database|archive-date=September 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922075048/http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2022.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]]'''
+*'''[[WWE]]'''
 **[[WWE 24/7 Championship]] ([[List of WWE 24/7 Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/24-7-championship|title=24/7 Championship/WWE|work=wwe.com|author=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=April 11, 2021|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-date=June 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623164827/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/24-7-championship|url-status=live}}</ref>
@@ Line 81: / Line 77: @@
 * {{Twitter|rickboogswwe|Eric Bugenhagen}}
 * {{IMDb name|nm10459310|Eric Bugenhagen}}
 {{WWE 24/7 Championship}}
@@ Line 87: / Line 82: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Boogs, Rick}}
 [[Category:1987 births]]
+[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
+[[Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
 [[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
-[[Category:American YouTubers]]
 [[Category:People from Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin]]
 [[Category:Sportspeople from the Milwaukee metropolitan area]]
 [[Category:Wisconsin Badgers wrestlers]]
 [[Category:WWE 24/7 Champions]]
-[[Category:21st-century professional wrestlers]]
+[[Category:YouTubers from Wisconsin]]

v t e WWE 24/7 Champions
2010s	Titus O'Neil Robert Roode R-Truth Elias Jinder Mahal Drake Maverick Heath Slater Cedric Alexander EC3 Pat Patterson Gerald Brisco Kelly Kelly Candice Michelle Alundra Blayze Ted DiBiase Mike Kanellis Maria Kanellis The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) Rob Stone Bo Dallas Enes Kanter Mayor Glenn Jacobs Carmella Marshmello Tamina Sunil Singh Samir Singh Michael Giaccio Kyle Busch Akira Tozawa Santa Claus Mike Rome Mojo Rawley
2020s	Riddick Moss Rob Gronkowski Shelton Benjamin Drew Gulak Erik Tucker Gran Metalik Lince Dorado The Gobbledy Gooker Angel Garza Alicia Fox Peter Rosenberg Doug Flutie Bad Bunny Joseph Average Reginald/Reggie Corey Graves Byron Saxton Dana Brooke Nikki A.S.H./Nikki Cross Doudrop Alexa Bliss Shawn Bennett Eddie Orengo Daphanie LaShaunn
WWE 24/7 Champions