Mike Rotunda
Mike Rotunda | |
---|---|
Birth name | Lawrence Michael Rotunda[1] |
Born | [1][2] St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.[3] | March 30, 1958
Alma mater | Syracuse University[1][4] |
Spouse(s) | Stephanie Windham |
Children | 3, including Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas |
Family | Blackjack Mulligan (father-in-law) Barry Windham (brother-in-law) Kendall Windham (brother-in-law) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Irwin R. Schyster (IRS)[1] Michael Wallstreet[1] Mike Drond Mike Rotunda Mike Rotundo Mr. Wallstreet V.K. Wallstreet[1] |
Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[5] |
Billed weight | 248 lb (112 kg)[5] |
Billed from | Washington, D.C. (as Irwin R. Schyster)[5][6] |
Trained by | The Destroyer[4] |
Debut | 1981[1][2] |
Retired | 2003 |
Lawrence Michael Rotunda (born March 30, 1958) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s under the ring names Mike Rotunda, Mike Rotundo, Michael Wallstreet, Irwin R. Schyster, and V.K. Wallstreet.[1][2][4]
Rotunda held numerous singles and tag team
Early life
Rotunda was born on March 30, 1958, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He attended Newark Valley High School in Newark Valley, New York. He transferred to Owego Free Academy where he lettered in football and wrestling. He graduated from OFA in 1976. He participated in amateur wrestling, becoming a sectional champion in the 215 lb class in 1976, and placing 4th at the New York State Championships. After graduating from high school, Rotunda attended Syracuse University. He competed in football and amateur wrestling, becoming Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion in 1981, in the heavyweight division and becoming a letterwinner in 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1981.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1981–1984)
After graduating from Syracuse University, Rotunda traveled to Germany where he trained as a professional wrestler under The Destroyer. He debuted in 1981, wrestling for promotions including Lutte Internationale, Jim Crockett Promotions and Championship Wrestling from Florida.[4][9]
World Wrestling Federation (1984–1986)
Rotunda and
Rotunda continued to wrestle in singles matches until he left the WWF himself, in early 1986. He briefly returned to the WWF in the fall of 1986 to team with "Golden Boy" Dan Spivey as a new version of "The U.S. Express", but they were more or less used as a jobber team against up-and-coming teams such as Demolition in house shows. They were not considered top contenders.
American Wrestling Association (1986)
The U.S. Express reunited in the
Florida Championship Wrestling (1987)
Rotunda left the WWF in early 1987 and returned to Florida, where he won the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship in March. There, he feuded with Sir Oliver Humperdink's "Shock Troops" stable.
Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (1987–1991)
Later in the year, Rotunda joined the
Rotunda won the
In May 1989, Williams and Rotunda were stripped of the title and, shortly after Sullivan and Rotunda concluded a feud with
In mid-1990, Rotunda turned heel again and became Michael Wallstreet, with
World Wrestling Federation (1991–1995)
Singles competition (1991–1992)
Rotunda returned to the WWF in April 1991, becoming Irwin R. Schyster, abbreviated to I.R.S.. Schyster had a heel gimmick as a former
He made his pay-per-view debut at
Money Inc. (1992–1993)
In February 1992, Schyster formed the tag team Money Inc. with Ted DiBiase; the two won the WWF Tag Team Championship together three times and was the dominant Tag-Team of 1992–1993. In the eighteen months Money Inc. were together, they held the titles for a total of almost fourteen months.
Money Inc.'s first title reign was at the expense of The Legion of Doom, making Rotunda the only wrestler to twice defeat them for a tag team title. They then feuded with the Natural Disasters, losing the titles to them and then regaining them a few months later. Finally, in spring 1993, Money Inc. entered into a months long feud with
Million Dollar Corporation (1994–1995)
In the beginning of 1994, IRS feuded with
In mid-1994 he joined his former partner DiBiase's
Return to WCW (1995–2000)
Debut and New World Order (1995–1997)
Rotunda returned to WCW in September 1995. On the debut of WCW Monday Nitro, which aired on September 4, 1995, he was introduced as Michael Wallstreet, but by the next episode he was known as V.K. Wallstreet (the "V.K." an allusion to Vincent Kennedy McMahon) with announcer Eric Bischoff asking Bobby Heenan on-air why his name had suddenly changed. Rotunda used the name for nearly a year while wrestling in a lower midcard position. The highlight of this run came at the 1996 Battlebowl, where he teamed with Jim Duggan and made it to the semifinals before losing to Dick Slater and Earl Robert Eaton.[11] Eventually his name returned to Michael Wallstreet and Mr. Wallstreet, and in December 1996, he joined the nWo after being offered a membership by former tag team partner Ted DiBiase.[12] While in the nWo, Wallstreet remained in the low midcard. His highest profile match in this period was a loss to Jeff Jarrett at nWo Souled Out in January 1997. On the April 21 episode of Nitro, Wallstreet was forced out of the nWo when his nWo contract was declared null and void by J. J. Dillon, due to his pre-existing WCW contract.[12] Despite this, he appeared with the nWo weeks later on the May 5 Nitro, he openly expressed his contempt for WCW (frequently wearing anti-WCW T-shirts to the ring). In the summer of 1997, he left for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and was a member of nWo Japan.
Varsity Club reunion and departure (1999–2000)
He returned (as Mike Rotunda) to WCW at Starrcade 1999, reforming the Varsity Club with Rick Steiner and Kevin Sullivan to team with Jim Duggan against The Revolution (Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn, and Asya). His team lost when they abandoned Duggan during the match. In early 2000, he took part in a "Lethal Lottery" tournament for the vacated WCW World Tag Team Championship, paired with Buzzkill. The two defeated Dean Malenko and Konnan in the first round, but lost in the quarterfinals to the Harris Brothers.[11] Rotunda left WCW in the spring of 2000. He returned to Japan and also made some appearances for the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1997–1999)
Rotunda jumped to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the summer of 1997 (as Michael Wallstreet), where he joined
In 1999, Masahiro Chono left nWo Japan and formed a new group: Team 2000. Wallstreet and nWo Sting followed. Wallstreet, along with the rest of Team 2000, feuded with nWo Japan throughout 1999. In December, Rotunda left New Japan when he was called back to WCW.
All Japan Pro Wrestling and IWA Japan (2000–2004)
Rotunda (as Mike Rotunda) joined
In January 2002,
Retirement and sporadic appearances (2004–present)
Rotunda retired from professional wrestling on a regular basis in 2004, but still had sporadic matches and makes sporadic appearances.
Rotunda started to run a security company with his wife in 2004.
Rotunda was rehired by WWE as a road agent in 2006 and has made guest appearances as Irwin R. Schyster. One such appearance was on the August 6, 2007, edition of WWE Raw; Mr. McMahon was discussing his IRS troubles with Jonathan Coachman, and when the conversation ended, I.R.S lowered the paper covering his face (Financial Times) and revealed himself.
Rotunda appeared as I.R.S. on the December 10, 2007 15th Anniversary edition of Raw, winning a 15-man Battle Royal, only to be paid by his former tag team partner Ted DiBiase to eliminate himself and give DiBiase the win. This was his final match.[22]
On the March 10, 2008, episode of Raw, The U.S. Express were falsely advertised for a rematch from WrestleMania I against Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik. Before it could start, Jillian Hall offered to sing "Born in the U.S.A." for them, Rotunda gave her an airplane spin and the show went to commercial, effectively ending the feud.
In early 2009, Rotunda once again appeared as I.R.S in multiple segments of "Top Rope Theatre" on WWE.com. He played a prominent role in the conspiracy of the exclusively online storyline of the series, drawing Kelly Kelly into his schemes in opposition to his arch enemy "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan.
I.R.S. appeared on the September 7, 2009, edition of Raw, which
Rotunda appeared on an episode of Monday Night Raw as a lumberjack in the "'80s Legend Lumberjack Match", in which Christian defeated Ted DiBiase Jr.
On the May 5, 2010
On June 7, 2010, I.R.S appeared on
On the June 28 Raw, Rotunda was one of the four people who entered the ring to celebrate Ricky Steamboat's career, but were attacked by the Nexus.
Rotunda appeared on the April 9, 2012, edition of Raw. He, along with numerous other WWE officials and superstars, attempted to break up a brawl between Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
On the January 6, 2014 "Old School" episode of Raw, Irwin R. Schyster encountered Big E Langston on his way to a match and told him to pay his taxes, to which Langston smiled. Immediately prior, Langston walked past fellow Million Dollar Corporation members, Nikolai Volkoff and Ted DiBiase.
He continued work as a WWE road agent and was occasionally seen on TV in 2008.[23][24]
He was furloughed, along with many other WWE employees, on April 15, 2020, and was officially released on September 10, 2020.[25][26]
In January 2021, on Raw Legends Night, Rotunda, as I.R.S., made his first appearance since being released by the WWE in a segment backstage with Ric Flair.
On September 3, 2021, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame announced that Rotunda will be inducted into its 2022 Class, along with announcer Jim Ross and Trish Stratus. The induction ceremony took place July 21–23, 2022.[27]
On January 23, 2023, Rotunda, as I.R.S., made a backstage appearance at Raw is XXX alongside Ted DiBiase.[28]
On March 8, 2024, Rotunda, alongside his former tag team partner and brother-in-law Barry Windham, under their U.S. Express gimmick, were announced as the first tag team inductee for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.[29]
Personal life
Rotunda is married to Stephanie Rotunda (née Windham), the daughter of professional wrestler Blackjack Mulligan, and sister of Barry and Kendall Windham.[30] They have 3 children together, their sons Windham and Taylor were professional wrestlers who worked in WWE, best known as Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas respectively. They also have a daughter named Mika.[31] On August 24, 2023, Rotunda's son Windham died.[32]
Championships and accomplishments
Amateur wrestling
- Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association
- Heavyweight Champion (1981)[1]
Professional wrestling
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- "Dr. Death" Steve Williams
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2022[36]
- Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling
- NWA World Television Championship (3 times)[37]
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Mid-Atlantic version) (1 time) – with Steve Williams[7][38]
- Maple Leaf Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 26 of the top 500 wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1994[40]
- Ranked No. 164 of the top 500 wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003[41]
- Ranked No. 61 of the top 100 tag teams with Ted Dibiase during the PWI Years in 2003[42]
- Ranked No. 48 of the top 100 tag teams with Barry Windham during the PWI Years in 2003
- Ranked No. 26 of the top 500 wrestlers in the
- World Wrestling Federation
- WWF Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Barry Windham (2) and Ted DiBiase (3)[5][7]
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2024) as a member of The U.S. Express[43]
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- Sweatiest (1994)
- Sweatiest (
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Gimmick (1996) – nWo
- Feud of the Year (1996) New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-1754-4.
- ^ "Mike Rotunda". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Murphy, Ryan (August 14, 2009). "Where are they now? Mike Rotundo". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Irwin R. Schyster". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-241-23501-0.
- ^ ISBN 0-89689-267-0.
- ^ Paustian, Joyce (July 24, 2022). "STRATUS, ROTUNDA, J.R. ON TOP AT TRAGOS/THESZ INDUCTION". Slamwrestling.net. Slam Wrestling. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-77090-296-1.
- ^ "1995". The History of WWE. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Übersicht « Wrestler-Datenbank « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.de. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "The Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster". www.accelerator3359.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "Strong Style Spirit". www.puroresufan.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Pro Wrestling History". www.prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
- ^ "PUROLOVE". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Taiyo Kea & Johnny Smith [Champions from 14.01.2001 to 14.07.2001 / Successful title defenses: 3]". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "New Japan Pro-Wrestling - "SURVIVAL 2001"". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Real World Tag League 2001". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Champion Carnival 2002". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "All Japan Pro-Wrestling Results: 2002". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "Real World Tag League 2002". www.purolove.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ "WRESTLER PROFILES". Obsessed with Wrestling. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
- ^ Courier, Kenneth Mihalik | Special to The Post and (August 23, 2019). "Blast from the past: Mike Rotunda". Post and Courier. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-61321-875-4. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ "Exclusive Details On Packet WWE Sent To Furloughed Employees, Tentative Furlough End Date". Wrestling Inc. April 16, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (September 10, 2020). "LONGTIME WWE PRODUCER GONE AFTER 14 YEAR RUN". PWInsider. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ Delfelice, Robert (September 3, 2020). "Mike Rotunda, Trish Stratus, Jim Ross Named As 2022 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame Honorees | Fightful.com". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ Sukale, Aakaansh (January 24, 2023). "WWE Hall of Famer brought popular championship on WWE RAW XXX after nearly two years of hiatus". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Lee Bateman, Oliver (March 8, 2024). "Exclusive: The U.S. Express to Be Inducted Into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame". www.theringer.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "The final bell Longtime professional wrestler Mike Rotunda is ready to trade in the sport for full-time parenthood". SPTIMES.com. February 22, 2004. Archived from the original on October 27, 2004. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Bernhardt, Chris Jr. (June 12, 2009). "Hernando High alumni ready to hit the ring". Hernando Today. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
- ^ https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wwe-star-known-as-bray-wyatt-dead
- ^ Florida Heavyweight Title history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (Florida version) history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ NWA United States Tag Team Title (Florida version) history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ "FIRST THREE HONOREES NAMED FOR 2022 THESZ/TRAGOS PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME". PWInsider.com. September 3, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ NWA/WCW World Television Title history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ NWA World Tag Team Title (Mid-Atlantic/WCW) history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ NWA Canadian Television Title history At wrestling-titles.com
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Mike Rotunda « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ WWE.com Staff (March 8, 2024). "The U.S. Express to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024". WWE. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
External links
- Irwin R. Shyster on WWE.com
- Mike Rotunda at IMDb
- Mike Rotunda's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database