Paul Diamond

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the American judge, see Paul S. Diamond.
For Canadian professional wrestler, see
Paul Diamond (wrestler)
.

Paul Diamond
Birth nameThomas Boric
Born (1961-05-11) May 11, 1961 (age 62)
Nagoya, Japan (as Haito)
Trained byBoris Malenko[1]
Dean Malenko[1]
Joe Malenko[1]
Chris Adams
Debut1985[1]
Retired2008
Tom Boric
Personal information
Full name Thomas Boric
Position(s) Goalkeeper
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1980
Old Dominion Monarchs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1981 Calgary Boomers (indoor) 1 (0)
1981 Calgary Boomers (0)
1982–1984 Tampa Bay Rowdies 15 (0)
1983 Tampa Bay Rowdies (indoor) 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas Boric (born May 11, 1961)

soccer
player.

Early life

Boric was born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1961 and grew up wanting to follow in his father's footsteps and become a soccer player. When Boric was 13 years old the family emigrated from Croatia to Canada, settling down in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tom got a full soccer scholarship to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.[3]

Professional soccer career

After only three semesters at college, Boric was selected as the 6th overall pick of the 1981 NASL draft to play

Tampa Bay Rowdies whom he played for until the NASL closed for good in 1984.[3]

After his professional soccer career ended, Boric began training for a professional wrestling career at a

Tampa Bay wrestling school run by Boris Malenko along with his two sons Joe Malenko and Dean Malenko who all had a hand in training him.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Texas-All Star Wrestling (1985–1986)

Main article:
American Force

After training, Boric began wrestling as "Paul Diamond" in 1985. (The name had been previously used by Toronto-born wrestler Paul Lehman in the 1960s.)

American Breed with Nick Kiniski (son of legendary wrestler Gene Kiniski) in Fred Barend's Texas All-Star Wrestling. Neither Diamond nor Kiniski were actually American, (Diamond is Croatian/Canadian while Kiniski is Canadian) so the team name was quite ironic.[6]

The team won the

Al Madrill and Chavo Guerrero took the titles from them on June 5, 1985.[7] The titles would be vacated later that same month when Chavo Guerrero refused to wrestle in a rematch against Diamond and Kiniski because Chavo's father Gory Guerrero was the special referee chosen for the match. Madrill teamed up with Black Gorman instead but lost the match. After the match, Madrill attacked Chavo Guerrero splitting the team and forcing the titles to be held up.[citation needed
]

When Chavo won the rights to name a new partner he chose to give the titles to "American Breed" instead, only now American Breed consisted of Paul Diamond and a rookie named Shawn Michaels,[8] as Kiniski had left the promotion a few weeks prior.[7]

Diamond and Michaels lost and then regained the titles from the "Masked Hoods" (

Ricky Santana and Tony Torres)[7] before being beaten for the titles on January 27, 1986, by Al Madrill and Magnificent Zulu.[7] Both Michaels and Diamond began to add more to their wrestling skills, thanks in part to fellow wrestler Chris Adams, who split his time between World Class Championship Wrestling
and Texas All-Star at the time.

Continental Wrestling Association (1986–1988)

Main article: Badd Company

In 1986, Diamond moved on to

Butch Miller) defeated the young duo on January 10, 1987.[7] Badd Company quickly regained the titles only to lose them to Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on February 5, 1987.[7] The third run with the tag team titles came on May 9, 1987, when the team beat Mark Starr in a handicap match,[7] but lost them back to Mark Starr and his new tag team partner Billy Joe Travis. Badd Company had one last run with the International tag team titles as they won the vacant titles on May 25, 1987[7] and held them until July 6, 1987, where they lost the titles to Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson
(who were the last International tag team champions).

Badd Company also won the CWA's main tag team titles in Memphis, when they defeated Jeff Jarrett and Billy Joe Travis for the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship on August 8, 1987.[7] Tanaka and Diamond soon lost them as the Nasty Boys took the gold from them just over a month later.[7]

American Wrestling Association (1988–1990)

After working as a team for almost a year, Badd Company moved on from the CWA to the

Diamond Dolls, with him.[9]

The team's first feud was against

Madusa Miceli to face the team of the Top Guns and Wendi Richter at the first AWA PPV, SuperClash III.[10] Both Badd Company's Tag Team Title and Wendi Richter's AWA World Women's Championship were on the line, but since Richter pinned Miceli, Badd Company remained the champions.[11] Diamond and Tanaka's reign ended on March 25, 1989, as they lost to "the Olympians" (Brad Rheingans and Ken Patera).[7] Shortly after losing their titles they split from Page, and had a short feud against each other before wrestling in singles competition until early 1990. Just before moving to the WWF, Diamond teamed with The Trooper Del Wilkes for a short run at the AWA Tag Team Titles against The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom
). Diamond and Trooper actually defeated The Destruction Crew, but were not awarded the titles when it was determined that Diamond pinned the wrong person.

World Wrestling Federation (1990–1993)

Debut and The Orient Express (1990–1992)

Main article:
The Orient Express

Diamond signed with the

The Brooklyn Brawler at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 9, 1992, in addition to collecting wins against the likes of grinders such as Jim Powers, Phil Apollo, JW Storm, Kid Collins, and Dale Wolfe. He also would serve as the first opponent for the re-debut of Crush
under his "Kona Crush" persona.

Sato briefly rejoined the team in 1991 to team with Tanaka and Kato for a series of 6-man tag-team matches on WWF house shows,[17] but left the WWF after only a handful of matches. Tanaka would leave the WWF in early 1992.[18] Diamond continued to wrestle as Kato until that October, primarily being used as an enhancement talent.

Max Moon (1992–1993)

In the fall of 1992, Diamond got a brand new gimmick in "Maximillian Moon" ("Max Moon" for short). Diamond wasn't originally intended to play Max Moon. The gimmick, then called Relampago, was created for Konnan, but Konnan left the WWF after a backstage disagreement. Since Diamond fit the costume, he was chosen to take over the character.[19] The suit was a very elaborate powder blue bodysuit with markings that were supposed to look like a circuit board and white protruding rings around his arms making him look rather "outlandish".[20] The elaborate outfit also came with two wrist devices that shot out fireworks and a jet pack that was supposed to make Max Moon look like a man of the future.

Diamond debuted as the Komet Kid and then would change his name to Max Moon. He would wrestle and defeat

The Beverly Brothers and The Genius
. Max Moon and High Energy won the match when Moon pinned The Genius.

On January 11, 1993, Max Moon wrestled and lost an

midcarders such as Skinner.[24] The Max Moon gimmick only appeared at one PPV, participating in the 30 Man Elimination match at the 1993 Royal Rumble, where he was in the ring less than 2 minutes.[25] In late February, Paul Diamond's contract with the WWF expired and was not renewed.[3]

Eastern Championship Wrestling / Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–1994)

Diamond and Pat Tanaka reunited as "Badd Company" to work for

ECW Tag Team Champions Tony Stetson and Johnny Hotbody later in the night, which Badd Company lost.[26]

The next night at

Holiday Hell 1993 on December 26, Pat Tanaka defeated Rocco Rock in a "Body Count" match.[30]

As 1993 turned to 1994, Badd Company set their sights on ECW Tag Team Champions

The Sheik defeated Sullivan and The Tasmaniac. Unfortunately, the team had been stripped of the titles the night before.[32] When Tanaka was rejoined by Diamond, the team lost to the (once again) Tag Team Champions when the gold was finally on the line.[33] On March 27, 1994, Badd Company wrestled its last match for ECW, a house show victory over Rockin' Rebel and Pitbull #1

World Championship Wrestling (1994)

By the time Badd Company wrestled its last match for ECW, Tanaka and Diamond had already signed with World Championship Wrestling; Tanaka had even made his on screen debut as "Tanaka-San".[34] Paul Diamond showed up with the Kato mask on using the name "Haito" (sometimes spelled "Hyeeto") only days after their last ECW match.[35] The duo reprised their "Orient Express" gimmick but could not use the name since the WWF owned the trademark to it. The two men wrestled a couple of matches together[36][37] but they never achieved any notoriety in WCW. Badd Company / The Orient Express finally split up for good by the end of 1994.[9]

Various promotions (1994–2001)

After leaving ECW and WCW in 1994. Diamond worked for IWA in Puerto Rico. Later that year he worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as Max Moon but the costume was yellow. Also, he began working in the independent circuit. In 1996 he worked for American Wrestling Federation as Kato.

Diamond worked for Jerry Lawler's promotions in Memphis for the United States Wrestling Association in 1997 where he held the USWA World Tag Team Championship alongside Steven Dunn.[7] After USWA folded in September 1997, Diamond worked for IWA Mid-South for a couple of months in late 1997 where he feuded with Bull Pain.

After the IWA Mid-South, he worked for "Music City Wrestling" until a torn triceps muscle put him out of action for six months in 1998.[3] He worked for Power Pro Wrestling from 1998 to 1999.

Diamond had set up an agreement to join Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Academy.[3] Diamond also wrestled for the Texas Wrestling Alliance under the name of "Venom", holding the TWA title twice[38] and also being involved in Shawn Michaels return to wrestling after a 1998 back injury that was thought to have put a permanent end to his wrestling career. When Michaels handed the wrestling academy to head trainer Rudy Gonzalez, Diamond and his family moved to Tampa then to Winnipeg where Diamond opened up a wrestling school called "Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy," while helping out his terminally ill father.[3] Diamond return for two show at WWF house shows as the TWA champion defeating Funaki on September 18 and 19, 1999 in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. On April 4, 2000, he lost to Shawn Michaels in a Hardcore Street Fight. Diamond worked for Canadian Wrestling Federation in Winnipeg from 2000 to 2001.

Diamond retired from active competition in 2001 to focus on the wrestling academy.

Return to ECW (1997–1998)

Diamond made his return to Extreme Championship Wrestling in September 1997. His role was more of a jobber losing to Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Spike Dudley and Justin Credible. He had a feud with Al Snow. Diamond defeated Snow at "Fright Fight", but lost to him at Ultimate Jeopardy and Better Than Ever. The feud continued into 1998 with Snow getting the majority of the wins due to his Head gimmick getting over.

Return to Wrestling (2005-2008)

In 2005 Diamond returned to action for the first time in four years. His only active involvement has been Rocket City Wrestling in Huntsville, Alabama, wrestling sometimes twice, as Diamond and as Max Moon[39] while also being involved in the booking. He reunited with Tanaka for the first time in 12 years on March 25, 2006, for Blue Water Championship Wrestling in Port Huron, Michigan as they lost to Kevin Baker and Michael Barnes. They continued teaming until their last match on April 18, 2008, defeating Joshua Masters and Kennedy Kendrick for All Star Wrestling Florida in Port Richey, Florida.

Personal life

In May 2012, he began working for the

Tennessee Wesleyan College.[41]
He is currently married to Dawn Doyle.

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Paul Diamond (2) - OWW". Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated, March 1993 issue, p.27.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Lunney, Doug (February 25, 2001). "Paul Diamond returns to his roots". Winnipeg Sun. SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "1981 North American Soccer League North American Soccer League College Draft | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  5. ^ Oliver, Greg (October 24, 1999). "Original Paul Diamond shone until 1971". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Chuck Merkich. "Texas All-Star Wrestling part 3". Retrieved April 7, 2007. American Force, which consisted of Paul Diamond and Nick Kiniski, who were ironically, both Canadians.
  7. ^
    ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  8. ISBN 978-1-4165-1686-6
    .
  9. ^
    ISBN 978-1-55022-683-6
    .
  10. ^ American Wrestling Association (December 13, 1988). "Badd Company & Madusa Miceli Vs. The Top Guns & Wendi Richter". AWA SuperClash 3.
  11. ^ "AWA SuperClash Results (III)". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  12. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved April 7, 2007. (September 21, 1990) Dustin Rhodes pinned Paul Diamond at 7:03 with a flying forearm and an elbow drop
  13. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved April 7, 2007. (March 22, 1990) Hillbilly Jim pinned Paul Diamond
  14. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved April 7, 2007. (March 24, 1990) Al Perez pinned Paul Diamond
  15. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Results (1991)". Retrieved April 3, 2007.
  16. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Results (1992)". Retrieved April 3, 2007.
  17. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1991". Retrieved April 3, 2007. Ricky Steamboat, Davey Boy Smith, & Kerry Von Erich defeated the Orient Express (Kato, Tanaka, & Sato) (w/ Mr. Fuji) when Steamboat pinned Kato with the flying crossbody at 10:28
  18. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved April 3, 2007. February 17, 1992: Virgil defeated Pat Tanaka via submission with the Million $ Dream at 7:16 (this was Tanaka's last match in the WWF)
  19. ISBN 1-55022-584-7
    .
  20. ISBN 1-55022-584-7
    . weird rings around his arms, making Diamond look as though he was ribbed like one of those condoms "made for her pleasure"
  21. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved April 7, 2007. September 22, 1992: Max Moon defeated Rick Martel via disqualification at 6:00 when the referee saw Martel using the tights for leverage
  22. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved April 7, 2007. October 13, 1992: Max Moon defeated Repo Man via disqualification when Repo used his bull rope
  23. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007. January 11, 1993: Shawn Michaels pinned Max Moon with the side suplex at around the 10:30 mark after avoiding a punch.
  24. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007. January 15, 1993: Skinner defeated Max Moon
  25. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Elimination Info (1993)". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  26. ^ a b "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  27. ^ a b "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  28. ^ a b "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  29. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  30. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  31. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  32. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  33. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  34. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007. March 24, 1994: WCW US Champion Steve Austin defeated Tanaka-san
  35. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007. March 30, 1994: Arn Anderson defeated Hyeeto (Paul Diamond) via disqualification when Tanaka-san interfered
  36. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007. March 30, 1994: Ricky Steamboat & Arn Anderson defeated Tanaka-san (Pat Tanaka) & Hyeeto
  37. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved April 7, 2007. Spring Stampede 94, dark match: Kevin & Dave Sullivan defeated Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond
  38. ^ "TWA Heavyweight Title History". Retrieved April 7, 2007.
  39. ^ Ray Aikens. "Rasslin's Back (and We Ain't Leavin')". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2007. Paul Diamond (Cato of Orient Express - World Tag Team Champions) and Max Moon (Royal Rumble).
  40. ^ "Welcome New Employee - Decatur Parks & Recreation". www.decaturparks.com.
  41. ^ "Madison County Record - The Madison Record". www.madisoncountyrecord.com.
  42. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4
    .
  43. ^ "Southern Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  44. ^ "TASW Texas 6-man Tag Team Title (Texas)". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  45. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "IWA Puerto Rico Southern Championship " Titles Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved April 27, 2017.

External links

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