David Otunga
David Otunga | |
---|---|
Years active | 2007–present |
Partner | Jennifer Hudson (2007–2017) |
Children | 1 |
Ring name(s) | David Otunga[1] David "A-List" Otunga Dawson Alexander[2] |
Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3] |
Billed weight | 229 lb (104 kg)[3] |
Billed from | Hollywood, California[3] |
Trained by | Tom Prichard[2] Norman Smiley[2] |
Debut | May 29, 2009[2] |
Retired | February 2, 2015 |
Website | davidotunga |
David Daniel Otunga (born April 7, 1980)
Otunga was the runner-up on the first season of
Early life and education
Otunga was born in
Acting career
In 2007, after his niece submitted his audition tape, Otunga was chosen to be a contestant on
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
FCW (2008–2010)
In November 2008, Otunga signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to its development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling.[2][11] He made his debut on May 29, 2009,[2] under the ring name Dawson Alexander, in a six-man tag team match. Otunga teamed with Barry Allen and Jon Cutler to defeat Abraham Saddam Washington, Derrick Bateman and Camacho.
NXT (2010)
On February 16, 2010, after numerous dark matches on both
The Nexus (2010-2011)
The following week on Raw, Otunga and the other NXT rookies from season one interfered in the main event match between John Cena and CM Punk, attacking the competitors, the announce team, and ring announcer Justin Roberts, before dismantling the ring area and surrounding equipment.[18] On the June 14 episode of Raw, the rookies attacked General Manager Bret Hart, when he refused to give them contracts.[19] The following week on Raw, Vince McMahon fired Hart and announced the hiring of a new general manager, who had signed all seven season one NXT rookies to contracts.[20] The following week, the group was named The Nexus.[21] On the July 12 episode of Raw, The Nexus, excluding Daniel Bryan (who was fired by Vince McMahon after the Nexus' first night on Raw in part due to choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie), competed in their first match together, defeating John Cena in a six-on-one handicap match.[22] The Nexus continued to feud with Cena and the Raw roster, resulting in a seven-on-seven elimination tag team match at SummerSlam. Otunga was the fourth member of The Nexus eliminated, when he submitted to Chris Jericho, and The Nexus went on to lose the match.[23]
Cena was later forced to join The Nexus, as a result of losing to Barrett at
In January 2011, Barrett was exiled from Nexus and CM Punk took over his spot as the leader of the group.
On the May 23 episode of Raw, Otunga teamed with fellow Nexus member Michael McGillicutty to win the WWE Tag Team Championship from Kane and The Big Show with the help interference from fellow New Nexus members Mason Ryan and Punk.[37][38] They made their only successful title defense against The Usos on the July 29 episode of SmackDown.[39] After CM Punk left the New Nexus when his WWE contract expired on July 17, Otunga and McGillicutty competed against Santino Marella and Zack Ryder on the August 1 episode of Raw without any Nexus gear or armbands, and with all Nexus logos removed from their TitanTron, effectively signaling the end of the New Nexus.[40][41] On the August 22 episode of Raw, Otunga and McGillicutty lost the Tag Team Championship to Air Boom (Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne).[42]
Legal advisor (2011–2015)
After a minor feud with
At No Way Out, Otunga lost to Brodus Clay via count out. The next night on Raw, Otunga teamed with Big Show and John Laurinaitis in a 3 on 1 handicap match. Before the match started, Big Show walked out on Otunga and Laurinaitis. Otunga walked out as well during the match, because Laurinaitis had refused to tag himself in, allowing John Cena to make Laurinaitis submit. The next week on SmackDown, Otunga delivered a low blow to Brodus Clay as Clay was fighting Big Show. He returned to Raw on August 20 to confront general manager AJ Lee. He was put into a match against Big Show, which he lost. On September 3, Otunga was seen with Alberto Del Rio, who told Matt Striker that his client (Del Rio) won't talk to him. On the September 7 episode of SmackDown, he represented Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez to win the case to ban Sheamus' finishing move, the Brogue Kick,[49] just as Otunga was facing Sheamus at the night's main event,[50] although the Brogue Kick was later reinstated. He managed Alberto Del Rio at Night of Champions in his match with Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship which Del Rio lost, At Survivor Series, Otunga was made a part of Team Ziggler, filling in for the injured Cody Rhodes. He was eliminated by Daniel Bryan. Otunga competed in the 2013 Royal Rumble match entering at #9 but was eliminated by Sheamus. His last singles match was a loss to Ryback. Since then, he has been doing promotional work for WWE backstage. Otunga returned on October 28 when he conducted an interview for WWE.com after Big Show sued WWE and Triple H for defamation, discrimination and wrongful termination of contract.[51]
Otunga returned on April 6, 2014, in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX and was eliminated by Big E. Otunga did not make any WWE appearances again until he returned to live events on January 9, 2015.[52] His last match was on July 5, 2015, on a WWE Live SummerSlam Heatwave Tour where he lost to R-Truth.
Non-wrestling roles (2015–2018)
Otunga returned to television on February 2, 2015, doing the Raw Pre-Show. Following this, he offered his legal services to his former tag team partner Curtis Axel regarding his Royal Rumble 2015 controversy.[53] Now rarely an in-ring performer, Otunga replaced Alex Riley as one of the hosts of the weekly Raw pre-show on the WWE Network.
In June 2016, Otunga left his position on the Raw pre-show panel, where he joined the commentary team alongside
On April 11, 2017, it was reported that Otunga was traded to the Raw brand for Byron Saxton as part of the 2017 WWE Superstar Shake-up. However, due to his acting career, he was replaced by Booker T on Raw for six weeks. Upon Otunga's return, Booker remained Raw color commentator while Otunga became a pre-show panelist. He last appeared on commentary on August 20, 2019 episode of SmackDown.
Personal life
Seven months after meeting singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, Otunga proposed marriage on Hudson's 27th birthday in 2008.[55][56] On August 10, 2009, Hudson gave birth to the couple's only child, their son David Daniel Otunga Jr.[57] In November 2017, Otunga and Hudson split after being in the process of separation for several months.[58][59]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | I Love New York 2 |
Punk | |
2012 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Himself | |
2012–2013 | The Wendy Williams Show | Himself | 2 episodes |
2013–2016 | Steve Harvey Show | Himself | Panelist |
2013 | The Haves and the Have Nots | Officer Mason | |
2014 | Celebrity Ghost Stories | Himself | |
2014 | General Hospital | Himself | |
2017 | Criminal Minds | Dwayne Jerrard | Episode: "A Good Husband" |
2018 | Family Time | Alvin | Episode: "Work, Wife, Unhappy Life" |
2022 | She-Hulk: Attorney at Law | Derek | 2 episodes |
2023 | Power Book IV: Force | Gang Chief | Episode: "Chicago Is Heating Up" |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | The Call | Officer Jake Devans | |
2016 | What Happen Last Night | Tiny | |
2017 | Days Like This | Lance | |
Live To Tell | Lt. Michael 'Lou' Ortega | ||
Sandy Wexler | Reporter at Hollywood Sign | ||
2019 | A Madea Family Funeral | Will |
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Feud of the Year (2010) The Nexus vs. WWE[60]
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2010) As part of The Nexus[61]
- Rookie of the Year (2010)[62]
- Ranked No. 84 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012[63]
- WWE
- WWE Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with John Cena (1) and Michael McGillicutty (1)[37][25]
- Slammy Award (2 times)[64]
- Shocker of the Year (2010) The debut of The Nexus[65]
- Pee-wee Herman Bowtie Award (2011)[66]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
References
- ^ a b Caldwell, James (February 16, 2010). "WWE News: Complete cast of the NXT show revealed including The Miz mentoring Bryan Danielson". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "David Otunga". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
- ^ a b c "David Otunga Bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "David Otunga". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Pang, David (March 22, 2011). "David the Goliath". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Pang, David (March 22, 2011). "David the Goliath". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
- ^ Lat, David (October 12, 2007). "He Feels Pretty, Oh So Pretty". Above the Law. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- ^ "David Otunga". LinkedIn.
- ^ "WWE Studios Changes Movie Name Featuring David Otunga". January 4, 2013.
- ^ "GENERAL HOSPITAL - COMINGS & GOINGS". Soaps.sheknows.com. July 18, 2014. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ Lat, David (November 1, 2008). "Musical Chairs: David Otunga to... WWE?". Above the Law. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
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- ^ Tedesco, Mike (May 12, 2010). "WWE NXT Results – 5/11/10". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
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- ^ Stephens, David (June 14, 2010). "Raw Results – 6/14/10". WrestleView. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Keller, Wade (June 21, 2010). "WWE Raw results 6/21: Keller's report on the fallout from the Fatal 4-Way PPV event, Jericho puts his career on the line". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ^ Keller, Wade (June 28, 2010). "WWE Raw results 6/28: Keller's ongoing report on NXT-McMahon attack fallout, Sheamus-Cena confrontation". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
- ^ Martin, Adam (July 12, 2010). "Raw Results – 7/12/10". WrestleView. Archived from the original on July 16, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
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- ^ a b "History of the WWE Tag Team Championship: John Cena & David Otunga". WWE. October 24, 2010. Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
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- ^ Parks, Greg (November 12, 2010). "Parks' WWE SmackDown report 11/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Edge vs. Otunga". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
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- ^ Tedesco, Mike (April 11, 2011). "Raw Results – 4/11/11". WrestleView. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "History of the WWE Tag Team Championship: David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty". WWE. May 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 30, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
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- ^ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 7/29: Complete coverage of the Friday night show, including Triple H's State of Smackdown address". PW Torch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/1: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Triple H resolves WWE Title situation, battle royal, Ace speaks". PW Torch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike. "Raw Results - 8/1/11". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/22: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Cena-Punk #1 contender re-match, new tag champions, lies & conspiracies". PW Torch. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
- ^ "WWE RAW 12/26/11". Archived from the original on August 17, 2013.
- ^ "WWE Smackdown Spoilers 12/30/11". Archived from the original on January 15, 2012.
- ^ "WWE Monday Night Raw (2/20/12) Results: Live Blog, Coverage and Analysis". Bleacher Report.
- ^ "WWE Smackdown 2/21/12". Archived from the original on February 23, 2012.
- ^ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 4/16: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Raw from London - WWE Title match, Extreme Rules hype".
- ^ "David Otunga by Jennifer Hudson's side for family murder trial - Pop2it - Zap2it". Archived from the original on April 28, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Booker T meets with David Otunga over the issue of".
- ^ "Shows".
- ^ "David Otunga weighs in on Big Show's counter-lawsuit: WWE.com Exclusive, Oct. 24, 2013".
- ^ "David Otunga returning to WWE at live events this weekend". WrestleView. January 9, 2015.
- ^ Tweet to Axel 8:44 PM - 2 Feb 2015: You have a legitimate case against @WWE @RealCurtisAxel. Give me a call. I'll give you the friends & family discount. #OtungaLaw
- ^ Caldwell, James (July 20, 2016). "WWE announces new Raw & SD announce teams, Jerry Lawler bumped from main TV". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Snead, Elizabeth (September 15, 2008). "Jennifer Hudson's new reality: She's engaged to David Otunga". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
- ^ "Jennifer Hudson Engaged to Boyfriend David Otunga". People. September 14, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2008.
- ^ Ritti, Missy (August 11, 2009). "Jennifer Hudson Welcomes a Son". People. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ^ France, Lisa Respers (November 17, 2017). "Jennifer Hudson and David Otunga split". CNN. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
- ^ Swartz, Tracy. "Jennifer Hudson, ex appear in court in Chicago as custody battle continues". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Achievement Awards: Feud of the Year". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 10, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ^ "Achievement Awards: Most Hated". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- ^ "Achievement Awards: Rookie". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. January 3, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ "What is a Slammy?". WWE. February 23, 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ "WWE News: Full list of 2010 Slammy Awards – 12 announced on Raw, 10 announced on WWE's website". Pro Wrestling Torch. December 13, 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ^ "WWE.com Exclusive Slammy Awards 2011".
- ISSN 1083-9593.
External links
- Official website
- David Otunga on WWE.com
- David Otunga at IMDb
- David Otunga's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database