James Ellsworth (wrestler)
James Ellsworth | |
---|---|
Birth name | James Ellsworth Morris[1] |
Born | [1] Baltimore, Maryland, United States[1] | December 11, 1984
Children | 2[citation needed] |
Family | Chris Nightmare (step-brother)[1] |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | James Ellsworth[1] Jimmy Dream[1] |
Billed height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] |
Trained by | Axl Rotten[1] |
Debut | June 5, 2002[1] |
James Ellsworth "Jimmy" Morris (born December 11, 1984) is an American professional wrestler and promoter currently signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name James Ellsworth on the SmackDown brand.[3] Morris has also competed on the independent circuit under the ring name "Pretty" Jimmy Dream.[1]
Early life
Morris was born in Baltimore, Maryland.[1] He trained under Axl Rotten.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2002–2016)
Throughout most of his career, Morris has performed on the independent circuit under the ring name "Pretty" Jimmy Dream, often as part of a tag team with Adam Ugly as Pretty Ugly.[4] The duo have won several regional championships throughout the Northeastern United States, including American Combat Wrestling, Big Time Wrestling, and First State Championship Wrestling.[5] Pretty Ugly debuted in 302 Pro Wrestling at their first show.[6] In 2006, Morris made his Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) debut at CZW Tournament of Death V teaming with Drew Gulak on a losing end to BLKOUT (Ruckus and Robbie Mireno).[7] Morris returned to CZW again in 2009, losing to Jon Dahmer in a battle royal.[8] In 2009 at Covey Promotions All Or Nothing 3, Morris defeated Draven, Thomas Rodriguez and Crazii Shea in a four-way ladder match to become the Covey Promotions Cruiserweight Champion.[9] Morris dropped the championship at CP Hot and Bothered 2009 to Crazii Shea.[10]
On June 4, 2016, Pretty Ugly won a tournament to be crowned the inaugural 302 Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions by defeating The Dub Boys and Riot City's Most Wanted in the tournament finals.[11] Morris also runs a professional wrestling promotion known as Adrenaline Championship Wrestling (AWC), which was founded by Christopher Adonis in September 2009.[12]
WWE
Early appearances (2014–2016)
Prior to his initial WWE run, Morris appeared a couple of times as one of Adam Rose's "Rosebuds" whenever the company came into the Baltimore area.[13] Morris, as James Ellsworth, had his first WWE singles match on the July 25, 2016 episode of Raw as an enhancement talent, being quickly defeated by Braun Strowman.[14] Ellsworth gained some praise and subsequently developed a cult following due to his meek appearance and enthusiastic pre-match promo, in which he declared that "any man with two hands has a fighting chance" before being easily defeated by Strowman.[15]
Storyline with AJ Styles (2016–2017)
Ellsworth resurfaced in the main event of the September 13 episode of SmackDown Live as the mystery tag team partner for WWE World Champion AJ Styles against Dean Ambrose and John Cena, only to be attacked by Intercontinental Champion The Miz (his replacement in the actual match) as he walked down to the ring.[16][17] On the October 11 episode of SmackDown Live, Ellsworth was chosen by Styles as his opponent in a non-title match, but SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan made Ambrose the special guest referee for the match, stating that Ambrose was to be treated with the same level of respect as a regular WWE referee and that if Styles put his hands on Ambrose, he would be disqualified and suspended.[18] Ambrose favored Ellsworth during the match due to his rivalry with Styles, culminating in Ambrose attacking Styles and allowing Ellsworth to win.[19] Ellsworth was granted a WWE World Championship match the following week on the October 18 episode of SmackDown Live, with Ambrose serving as the timekeeper and ring announcer (Ellsworth won the match by disqualification, but not the title).[20] Ellsworth continued to be involved in Styles' rivalry with Ambrose, as he felt that he owed Ambrose a favor due to his support and aiding him in his matches with Styles, offering Ambrose assistance, but this backfired on the October 25 episode of SmackDown Live, when Ellsworth (at ringside to cheer Ambrose on during his match with Styles) accidentally cost Ambrose the match after executing No Chin Music on Styles, meaning Ambrose was disqualified.[21] On the November 1 episode of SmackDown Live, Ellsworth would attempt to apologize to Ambrose, who would kick Ellsworth out of the building.[22] Ellsworth would nonetheless interfere in the rematch, being chased around by security, distracting Styles and allowing Ambrose to win an opportunity for the title.[23] SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon also named Ellsworth the SmackDown mascot for the 2016 Survivor Series match on the November 8 episode of SmackDown Live.[24][25]
During Survivor Series on November 20, Ellsworth hid under the ring and grabbed Braun Strowman's leg to prevent him from getting back in the ring, resulting in Strowman getting eliminated by countout, only for Strowman to chase Ellsworth up the ramp and put him through a table, injuring his neck.[26] After legitimately signing a WWE contract, this was worked into a storyline on the 22 November episode of SmackDown Live, when Styles goaded the injured Ellsworth to face him in a ladder match for the right to be a SmackDown superstar with his contract suspended above the ring; Ellsworth agreed, but wanted another shot at the WWE World Championship should he win the match.[27] That night, Ellsworth defeated Styles to win a SmackDown contract, due to Ambrose (who was given the night off) helping Ellsworth yet again.[28][29] On the 29 November episode of SmackDown Live, Ellsworth suffered a storyline injury after Styles interrupted his Ambrose Asylum's segment with Ambrose, attacking both and delivering a Styles Clash to Ellsworth off the steel steps, which caused Ellsworth to be taken on a stretcher by medical personnel.[30] This led Ellsworth interfering on December 4 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs during the Tables, Ladders and Chairs between Styles and Ambrose to help the latter, but he ended up helping Styles instead by pushing Ambrose off the ladder and sent him crashing through two tables, starting a turn into a villain character.[31] Ellsworth explained that since he had already beaten Styles three times, he helped Styles because he wanted to defeat him again, this time for the WWE World Championship, a match SmackDown's commissioner Shane McMahon granted him for the following episode of SmackDown Live.[32] Ellsworth also praised his own "brilliant strategy" to give Styles the title so his title match would be against Styles, who he had "beaten three times already", adding that Ambrose would have "done the same thing" and would "understand 'cause we go way back", also promising him an immediate shot at the title after he would defeat Styles, but Ambrose would instead end up giving him a Dirty Deeds.[33] This prompted Ellsworth trying to make it up with Ambrose by helping him defeat The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship on the December 6 episode of SmackDown Live, but his effort backfired and eventually cost Ambrose the match.[33] Furthemore, Ellsworth's title opportunity was twice postponed, first due to Styles being legitimate injured,[33] and the second time due to Ellsworth suffering from a kayfabe cold.[34] The match eventually happened on the December 20 episode of SmackDown Live, during which Styles easily defeated Ellsworth in under a minute to end their storyline.[35]
Relationship with Carmella (2017–present)
After he was defeated by AJ Styles, Ellsworth was seen by medical staff and was comforted by Carmella, who professed that she found him "uniquely attractive".[36] On January 3, 2017 episode of SmackDown Live, Ellsworth started accompanying Carmella to the ring for her matches, helping her win them; both appeared on Talking Smack the same night.[37] At the 2017 Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on January 29, Ellsworth entered at number 11 and was quickly eliminated by Braun Strowman after being in the Royal Rumble match for 15 seconds.[38] Throughout the months of January and February, Ellsworth appeared in various backstage segments with Carmella along with accompanying her to her matches, often helping Carmella win by distracting her opponents.[39] At Elimination Chamber on February 12, Ellsworth appeared with Carmella watching the event from a luxury box.[40]
Personal life
Morris resides in Glen Burnie, Maryland.[1] He is a fan of The Offspring, having a tattoo of their logo on his left arm and the artwork of their 2008 album Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace on his right arm.[41] Ellsworth has two daughters and fellow professional wrestling step-brother, Chris Nightmare.[1]
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- No Chin Music[21] (superkick) – parodied from Shawn Michaels[42]
- Whiskas (inverted double underhook facebuster) − parodied from Christian[43]
- Signature moves
- Code of Ellsworth (diving reverse STO) – parodied from Carmella[44]
- Nicknames
- Wrestlers managed
- Entrance themes
- "Fabulous" by CFO$ (January 3, 2017 − present; used while accompanying Carmella)[45]
Championships and accomplishments
- 302 Pro Wrestling
- 302 Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Adam Ugly[46]
- Adrenaline Championship Wrestling
- ACW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Adam Ugly[47]
- Covey Promotions
- CP Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)[48]
- First State Championship Wrestling
- Maximum Championship Wrestling
- Maximum Championship Wrestling Crusierweight Championship (4 times)[51]
- Power Pro Wrestling
- PPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Adam Ugly[52]
- Ultra Championship Wrestling
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "James Ellsworth profile". Cagematch. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth". WWE.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth". WWE.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ "Prettu Ugly". Cagematch. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Prettu Ugly » Titles". Cagematch. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Prettu Ugly » Matches". Cagematch. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "CZW Ultraviolent Tournament of Death V". Cagematch. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "CZW Who's The F'N Man? The Nick Gage Benefit". Cagematch. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
- ^ "CP Cruiserweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "CP Hot & Bothered 2009". Cagematch. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
- ^ "302". Cagematch. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "Adrenaline Championship Wrestling". Adrenaline Championship Wrestling. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth on his WWE Raw appearance, his promo, and what's next for him". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ "Braun Strowman def. James Ellsworth". WWE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ a b c "The man who battled Braun: What was he thinking?". WWE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "WWE SmackDown Live Match Results – October 11th, 2016". WWE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ Pappolla, Ryan (October 11, 2016). "James Ellsworth def. AJ Styles with Dean Ambrose as guest referee". WWE. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
A big fan of Ellsworth, SmackDown LIVE General Manager Daniel Bryan emerged to approve the matchup, before adding that Ambrose would be the special guest referee and if Styles put his hands on Ambrose, he would be fined or suspended.
- ^ Orr, James (October 12, 2016). "Smackdown Live results: WWE world heavyweight champ AJ Styles SHOCKED by resident jobber James Ellsworth, Kane disappears in main event". The Sun (UK). Retrieved October 15, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Greg (October 18, 2016). "10/18 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Ongoing, Real-Time Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c Parks, Greg. "10/25 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Ongoing, Real-Time Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Greg. "11/1 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Complete, Real-Time Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Pappolla, Ryan (November 1, 2016). "Dean Ambrose def. AJ Styles to become No. 1 contender for the WWE World Championship". WWE. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown LIVE in a 5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Men's Elimination Match". WWE. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ Pappolla, Ryan (November 8, 2016). "James Ellsworth is named mascot for Team SmackDown LIVE at Survivor Series". WWE. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
- ^ Powell, Jason. "Powell's WWE Survivor Series 2016 live review: Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar, three Team Raw vs. Team Smackdown elimination matches, IC and WWE Cruiserweight Title matches". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ Keller, Wade (November 22, 2016). "KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 11/22: Full coverage of fallout from Survivor Series, Shane speech, Miz vs. Kalisto, Styles vs. Ellsworth ladder match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ Pappolla, Rya (November 22, 2016). "AJ Styles challenged James Ellsworth to put his contract on the line in a Ladder Match". WWE. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
However, things escalated quickly when, after Shane told Ambrose that because of recent actions he would be given the night off and had to leave the building
- ^ Pappolla, Ryan (November 22, 2016). "James Ellsworth def. AJ Styles in a Ladder Match to win a SmackDown LIVE contract". WWE. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Greg (November 29, 2016). "11/29 WWE Smackdown Live report: Parks's detailed rundown including final TLC hype, big Ellsworth angle, Bray & Orton vs. Alpha". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ Melok, Bobby. "WWE World Champion AJ Styles def. Dean Ambrose (Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match)". WWE. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Powell, Jason. "Powell's WWE TLC 2016 live review: AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose in a TLC match for the WWE Championship, The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler in a ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c Barnett, Jake (December 6, 2016). "12/06 Barnett's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: Randy Orton and Bray Wyatt vs. Heath Slater and Rhyno for the Smackdown Tag Titles, AJ Styles not medically cleared to wrestle". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Greg (December 13, 2016). "12/13 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Ongoing, Real-Time Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
- ^ Parks, Greg (December 20, 2016). "12/20 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Complete, Real-Time Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ "Forbes Welcome". Retrieved 4 January 2017.
- ^ a b Rueter, Sean (January 3, 2017). "NXT's Aliyah loses her SmackDown debut to the Carmella/James Ellsworth dream team". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony; Taylor, Scott. "Randy Orton won the 30-Superstar Royal Rumble Match". wwe.com. WWE. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ Rueter, Sean (January 3, 2017). "NXT's Aliyah loses her SmackDown debut to the Carmella/James Ellsworth dream team". Retrieved January 4, 2017.
- ^ Powell, Jason. "2/12 Powell's WWE Elimination Chamber 2017 live review: John Cena vs. AJ Styles vs. Dean Ambrose vs. The Miz vs. Baron Corbin vs. Bray Wyatt in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship". Pro Wreslting Dot Net. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
- ^ Adkins, Greg (July 29, 2016). "The man who battled Braun: What was he thinking?". WWE. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth vs. AJ Styles - WWE World Championship Match: SmackDown LIVE, Oct. 18, 2016". WWE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "James Ellsworth vs. AJ Styles - WWE World Championship Match: SmackDown LIVE, Oct. 18, 2016". WWE. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ Benigno, Anthony; Taylor, Scott. "Randy Orton won the 30-Superstar Royal Rumble Match". wwe.com. WWE. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ "WWE: Fabulous (Carmella) - Single". iTunes. April 30, 2016.
- ^ "302 Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "ACW Tag Team Champions". James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ "CP Cruiserweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "Pretty ugly wins. Steve C gets the assist". James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Ellsworth, James. "Pretty and the beast Tag Team Champions". instagram. James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "winning my first". Instagram. James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "And Newwwww #ppw #tagteamchampions". Instagram. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "paying the price to be the man". Instagram. James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ Dream, Jimmy. "Throw-Back Thursday". Instagram. James Ellsworth. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
External links
- James Ellsworth on WWE.com
- James Ellsworth on Twitter