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Shelton Benjamin
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Shelton Benjamin
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	245 lbs (113 kg)
Born	July 9, 1976 Orangeburg, South Carolina
Resides	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Trained by	Ohio Valley Wrestling
Debut	2000

Shelton Benjamin (born July 9, 1976 in Orangeburg, South Carolina) is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler now working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s RAW brand. Shelton Benjamin is touted as being "the most athletic wrestler on the RAW roster" by WWE.

Contents [hide] 1 High School Years 2 Career 2.1 SmackDown! 2.2 RAW 3 In wrestling 4 Championships and accomplishments 5 Trivia 6 References 7 External links

 

High School Years

Benjamin attended Orangesburg-Wilkinson High School in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and was a letterman in football, wrestling, and track&field. In wrestling, he finished his career with a 122-10 win-loss record, and was a two-time South Carolina State Heavyweight wrestling champion.

 

Career

Shelton Benjamin had a 36-6 win-loss record while attending the University of Minnesota. Benjamin was Brock Lesnar's tag team partner (also a wrestling teammate and roommate at The University of Minnesota) in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Together they were known as The Minnesota Stretching Crew and held the OVW Tag Team Titles on three occasions. He and Lesnar appeared in WWE magazines while still in OVW.

After Lesnar was called up to World Wrestling Entertainment, Benjamin formed a tag team with Redd Dogg Begnaud to again hold the OVW Tag Team Titles. Shelton did compete on some episodes of WWE HEAT, scoring some upset wins against established WWE Superstars, before becoming an official member of the roster. He was offered his contract by Tom Pritchard in early September in 2002. Shelton Benjamin wore a green no hole mask on these episodes of HEAT.

 

SmackDown!

He joined WWE's SmackDown! brand as a heel along with Charlie Haas in 2002 to form Team Angle, with Olympic gold-medallist wrestler Kurt Angle as their mentor. However they quickly turned on their mentor Kurt Angle.

Their first official match in the WWE together was on the January 2, 2003 edition of SmackDown! against Edge and Chris Benoit in a feud that continued until No Way Out 2003.

The duo managed to win their first WWE Tag Team Championship just a month into their debut by defeating the then WWE Tag Team Champions, Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo) on February 6, 2003. The two men then went on to compete in their first WrestleMania which was WrestleMania XIX. A month later where they would retain the WWE Tag Team Championship in a match involving the team of Rhyno and Benoit, and Los Guerreros. Team Angle would win the match after pinning Chavo Guerrero. Team Angle would later lose the titles to Eddie Guerrero and new partner Tajiri, who was a substitute for the injured Chavo Guerrero during the Judgment Day pay-per-view in 2003 only to win the titles back a couple of weeks later on SmackDown!.

The pair would split away from Angle before soon referring to themselves as The World's Greatest Tag Team. The team would continue to dominate the SmackDown! tag division holding the titles until Los Guerreros returned and took them away. Benjamin would suffer a knee injury that would take him out for a couple weeks but the pair would soon compete together again even, taking part in WrestleMania XX. Benjamin would then be drafted to RAW and his career would begin to take off.

 

RAW

Upon arriving on RAW, Benjamin quickly became a face singles star by picking up an upset pinfall victory on one of WWE's main event superstars, Triple H. Benjamin continued being pushed as an up-and-coming star, picking up two more victories over Triple H and feuding with the other members of Evolution. This even saw Benjamin defeat Ric Flair during Backlash 2004.At Bad Blood 2004 Randy Orton defeated Shelton Benjamin to retain the Intercontinental title.

During a match with Lance Cade, Benjamin would punch Cade's kneebrace breaking his hand in the process which briefly put Benjamin out of action. Benjamin returned in the fall of 2004, and would be chosen by the fans to compete for the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a match against then-champion Chris Jericho at Taboo Tuesday. Benjamin won the match; winning his first singles title in the company.

During his reign as the Intercontinental Champion, Benjamin defeated challengers such as Christian at Survivor Series. At New Year's Revolution Shelton beat Maven in just a few seconds. However, Maven was not happy so he demanded a rematch which he lost just as fast. On an edition of Raw,Chris Jericho called out Shelton to inform him that he would be challenging him for the belt at Backlash 2005 for the Intercontinental title. At Backlash, Shelton defeated Chris Jericho to retain the Intercontinental title. Shelton lost the title to Carlito on June 20, 2005.

During this time, Benjamin also participated in several matches that would see him be credited by many for "stealing the show." One of these matches was the very first "Money In The Bank" Ladder Match at WrestleMania 21, another was a match on RAW against Shawn Michaels in the 'Gold Rush' tournament where the winner would receive a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. The finish of this match saw Michaels' Sweet Chin Music Benjamin while he was in mid-air springboarding towards Michaels. Michaels would later say that Benjamin was the greatest young superstar he had seen in the last 20 years.

After that, Benjamin's career went into a bit of a slump. For months afterwards, Benjamin was wrestling mainly on RAWs sister show HEAT and jobbing to wrestlers on RAW Such as Carlito, Chris Masters, Snitsky and Rob Conway. Many WWE fans thought this was unfair, due to the quality of Benjamin's athleticism and wrestling skills. While Benjamin was performing on HEAT, he engaged in a brief feud with Chavo Guerrero (under the Kerwin White gimmick) and his caddy Nick Nemeth, mainly losing to them. Matt Striker came to his aid in one of their matches, but turned on Benjamin soon after in a tag match between the four.

On the December 5, 2005 edition of RAW, Benjamin was encouraged by Shawn Michaels to show "more attitude" during their tag match together later in the night. Benjamin hinted at a heel turn by carelessly losing the match for himself and his partner Michaels.

Benjamin's carelessness cost him two more important matches over the next several weeks, which led to Benjamin's noisy, scolding, and domineering "Momma" (played by comedian/actress Thea Vidale) coming to RAW to confront Benjamin about his losing streak. Momma would slap and yell at Benjamin anytime he lost a match, and before long she would assist Benjamin in his matches; often cheating on his behalf. For example, she would hit Viscera with a brick hidden in her handbag, and stabbing Val Venis' "bottom" with one of her hairpins. Though Momma got Benjamin off his losing streak she would slowly turn him heel.

As soon as Benjamin turned heel he gained more confidence which won him intercontinental championship gold once again. Benjamin would later feud with then-Intercontinental Champion Ric Flair, who would refer to Benjamin as a "Momma's Boy", a nickname Benjamin would not be fond of. On the February 20, 2006 edition of RAW, Shelton Benjamin, with Momma at ringside, defeated Ric Flair to regain the Intercontinental Championship; after Momma faked a heart problem, causing enough of a distraction to allow Benjamin to cheat and win the title.

Benjamin, along with Momma (who was now wheel chair bound), would continue to feud with Ric Flair. Shelton's Momma was later written out of the script, with Benjamin stating that she was undergoing heart surgery in the hospital, and that he held Flair responsible. This was partially true, as the actress who played Momma Benjamin, Thea Vidale, was suffering from health problems that was preventing her from being more active at ringside. With the Momma Benjamin angle scrapped, Shelton's character would become more of a cocky character reminiscent of The Rock. Jim Ross has also compared this new cocky persona to that of Terrell Owens.

Shelton Benjamin would later compete in the second Money in the Bank ladder match during WrestleMania 22, where, once again, he was credited with stealing the show. Benjamin would later feud with the winner of that match, Rob Van Dam, in an attempt to take RVD's Money in the Bank contract. During this time, Benjamin would emphasize his heel turn by wearing shades, jewelry, and occasional colored shirts while entering the ring. At one point, Benjamin would be defeated by his former tag team partner, the returning, Charlie Haas during an episode of RAW. This loss meant that Shelton would defend the Intercontinental title at Backlash 2006. He also lost in a 6-man tag match between himself, Matt Striker, and Chris Masters against Haas, Van Dam, and Carlito. Benjamin was pinned by Van Dam after a 5 Star Frog Splash. In another tag match, Benjamin was about to use a steel chair, which made Haas run down to the ring and take it off him, causing a distraction and allowing Carlito to roll up Benjamin for the victory and another loss for Benjamin. His feud with RVD led to a match at Backlash 2006 where both RVD's title contract and Benjamin's Intercontinental Title were on the line. This "Winner Takes All" match saw Rob Van Dam come out on top. Shelton Benjamin had wrestled in four WrestleMania matches, and in all four matches, he would have at least one opponent who would capture the WWE Championship in less than 12 months.

However, it wouldn't be long before Benjamin regained the title from RVD, which happened in a Texas tornado tag match, putting Benjamin, Triple H and Chris Masters against Van Dam and John Cena, Both the WWE and Intercontinental championships could be won by whoever pinned the appropriate champion. After Triple H pedigreed Van Dam, he didn't want his title so he went for a pedigree on Cena, and went for the pin. However, Benjamin managed to get to RVD first, and got the pin and the Intercontinental Championship. This would be Benjamin's third Intercontinental Championship reign, all of which were in under two years.

Benjamin lost the Intercontinental Title in another Triple Threat Match against Johnny Nitro & Carlito at Vengeance 2006 to Nitro.

Benjamin lost a triple threat match for the Intercontinental Title on the July 31 edition of RAW.

On August 8, 2006, Benjamin asked Mr. McMahon's Executive Assistant Jonathan Coachman for another Intercontinental Championship No. 1 contendership match, but he was defeated the "Big Red Machine" Kane, who he was shocked to be facing.

Benjamin is currently being used on HEAT!

 

In wrestling

• Finishing and signature moves

• T-Bone (Exploder powerslam)
• Shell Shock / Dragon Whip (Dragon whip)
• 450° splash - (in OVW)
• Shell Bomb (Powerbomb)
• Superkick
• Leg-feed Enzuigiri
• Roundhouse Kick
• Stinger Splash
• Tornado DDT
• Top rope springboard bulldog
• Samoan drop
• Inverted facelock backbreaker
• Flying lariat
• Neckbreaker (as a counter to a vertical suplex where Benjamin lands on his feet first)
• Double underhook suplex
• German suplex
• Knee Lift
• Snap Suplex

• Managers

• Kurt Angle
• Paul Heyman
• "Momma" Benjamin

• Nicknames

• Mr. Benjamin
• Momma's Boy

 

Championships and accomplishments

• Black Athlete Sports Network

• 2005 African-American Wrestler of the Year

• Ohio Valley Wrestling

• OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (with Brock Lesnar)

Defeated The Disciples of Synn (BJ Payne and Damien) on February 13, 2001 in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

Lost to The Disciples of Synn (BJ Payne and Damien) on April 22, 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA

• OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (2) (with Brock Lesnar)

Defeated The Disciples of Synn (BJ Payne and Damien) on May 16, 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Title was vacated when Benjamin was injured.

• OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (3) (with Brock Lesnar)

Defeated Rico Constantino and The Prototype on October 29, 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Lost to Jason Lee and Derrick King on November 7, 2001 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA

• OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (4) (with Redd Dogg)

Defeated Trailer Park Trash and Flash Flanagan on July 17, 2002 in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

Titles were vacated when Redd Dogg and Benjamin were called up to the RAW roster.

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI Tag Team of the Year Award, with Charlie Haas (2003)
• PWI Top 500 wrestlers: ranked 9th (2005)

• World Wrestling Entertainment

• WWE Tag Team Championship (with Charlie Haas)

Defeated Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero) on February 4, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Lost to Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri on May 18, 2003 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

• WWE Tag Team Championship (2) (with Charlie Haas)

Defeated Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri on July 1, 2003 in Rochester, New York, USA

Lost to Los Guerreros (Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero) on September 16, 2003 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

• WWE Intercontinental Championship

Defeated Chris Jericho on October 19, 2004 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Lost to Carlito on June 20, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA

• WWE Intercontinental Championship (2)

Defeated Ric Flair on February 20, 2006 in Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Lost to Rob Van Dam on April 30, 2006 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA

• WWE Intercontinental Championship (3)

Defeated Rob Van Dam on May 15, 2006 in Lubbock, Texas, USA

Lost to Johnny Nitro on June 25, 2006 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• 2005 Most Underrated Wrestler
• 2006 Most Athletic Wrestler

 

Trivia

• His favorite wrestlers growing up were Sting, Steiner Brothers, and Undertaker.
• Benjamin is a fan of video games. THQ holds an annual charity gaming tournament involving WWE Superstars, and Shelton has won the contest four years in a row (2003-2006).
• Shelton Benjamin was best man at the wedding of Charlie Haas and Jackie Gayda.
• In an interview with IGN.com Shelton Benjamin said that he didn't steal the "Stinger Splash" from Sting, but uses it as a tribute to him.
• Shelton Benjamin is one of only four people (the others being Chris Benoit, Batista, and Shawn Michaels) to beat Triple H three times in a row, beating him by pinfall, countout and disqualification, respectively.
• Shelton Benjamin has worn a yellow ribbon on the back of his kickpad in support of the troops.
• Shelton Benjamin has entered the past two WrestleMania's (21 & 22) as the Intercontinental Champion in both Money in the Bank Ladder Matches, and lost both times.
• Shelton Benjamin shares a birthday with Kevin Nash and Marc Mero.
• Shelton Benjamin has had four matches at WrestleMania and one of his opponents in all four of them went on to become WWE Champion in less then 12 months. They are Eddie Guerrero, JBL, Edge and Rob Van Dam.
• Shelton Benjamin made history by being the first man in WWE history to defend and retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice in the same night against the same opponent, Maven at New Years Revolution 2005.
• Shelton Benjamin has wrestled and lost in the Intercontinental Championship Match at the past 3 June pay-per-views. He faced Randy Orton at Bad Blood (2004), Carlito at WWE Vengeance (2005), and a Triple Threat Match at Vengeance 2006.

 

References

• A transcript of the Monday Night Football parody
• African-American Wrestler of the Year award

 

External links

• WWE profile
• Banking-Benjamin (Fansite)
• OWW profile