Bo Dallas

Bo Dallas
Taylor Rotunda.jpg
Rotunda in March 2010
Ring name(s) Bo Dallas[1]
Bo Rotunda[2]
Bo Rotundo[2]
Tank Mulligan[2]
Tank Rotunda[2]
Tank Rotundo[2]
Taylor Rotunda[2]
Billed height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Billed weight 225 lb (102 kg)[3]
Born (1990-05-25) May 25, 1990 (age 22)[4]
Brooksville, Florida[2]
Billed from Brooksville, Florida
Trained by FCW Staff[2]
Debut December 2008[5]

Taylor Michael Rotunda[2][4] (born May 25, 1990)[4] is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he is working in their developmental territory NXT Wrestling as Bo Dallas, as the NXT Champion. He is a former three-time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and former two-time FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with his older brother Windham, where Taylor wrestled as Bo Rotundo and Windham first wrestled as Duke Rotundo and then as Husky Harris.

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

Developmental territories (2008–present)

In 2008, Rotunda signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he debuted in December by defeating Caleb O'Neal.[5] On December 16, 2008, Rotunda, wrestling under his real name teamed with Kris Logan to defeat Ryback and Jon Cutler in a tag team match.[2] Throughout early 2009, Rotunda continued wrestling in tag team matches, and changed his name to 'Tank Rotunda' in February.[6] In June, he began wrestling as 'Bo Rotunda' and later 'Bo Rotundo', and the following month he began teaming with his brother, Duke Rotundo.[6] At the FCW television tapings on June 23, The Rotundo Brothers defeated The Dude Busters (Caylen Croft and Trent Barretta) to become the number one contenders to the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.[6] That same night, they defeated Justin Angel and Kris Logan for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.[5][6] They went on to successfully defend the championship against Dylan Klein and Vance Archer and the team of Curt Hawkins and Heath Slater.[6] At the FCW television tapings on November 19, the Rotundos lost the championship to The Dude Busters (Hawkins and Croft).[6]

In early 2010, the Rotundos began feuding with The Usos (Jimmy and Jules), and their manager, Sarona Snuka.[7] They lost to The Usos on January 14, but defeated The Usos and Donny Marlow in a six-man tag team match, with Wes Brisco as their partner. In a straight rematch on March 11, the Rotundos defeated The Usos.[7] In April, they moved into a feud with Jackson Andrews and Curt Hawkins, which began when Rotundo faced Andrews in a singles match and won by disqualification when Hawkins interfered.[7] At the television tapings the following week, the Rotundos teamed up with Eli Cottonwood in a loss to Hawkins, Andrews, and Leo Kruger.[7] Rotundo was then absent from FCW due to injury, making his return in June.[7] He moved into singles competition, defeating wrestlers including Derrick Bateman, Hawkins, Tyler Reks, and Brodus Clay.[7]

In August, FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Mason Ryan issued an open challenge, which Rotundo accepted. He lost the subsequent championship match by submission.[7] On February 3, 2011, Rotundo defeated Ryan to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the first time, but lost the championship to Lucky Cannon immediately afterward.[8][9] He regained the championship from Cannon three months later, on May 19.[8] Rotundo made his WWE debut on July 25, defeating Primo in a dark match before the WWE Raw broadcast began.[10] On August 16, Rotundo defeated Joey Ryan in another dark match at the SmackDown tapings, and the following week on August 23, Rotundo lost to Wade Barrett in a dark match prior to SmackDown.[11][12] On September 1, Rotundo vacated the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship due to injury.[13] Later that month, it was reported that Rotundo had suffered a lacerated kidney, and was expected to be absent for several months to recuperate.[14]

Rotundo returned at the tapings of the January 29, 2012, episode of FCW television, cutting a promo declaring his intentions to reclaim the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.[15] On February 2, Rotundo and his brother, renamed Husky Harris, defeated Brad Maddox and Eli Cottonwood, a substitute for the injured Briley Pierce, to win the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship for the second time.[8][16] The brothers held the championship until March 15, when they lost it to Corey Graves and Jake Carter.[8] In May 2012, Rotundo made several appearances at WWE house shows, defeating Drew McIntyre.[17][18]

At a FCW live event on June 16, 2012, Dallas defeated Rick Victor to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for a third time, right after Victor had just defeated Seth Rollins for the title.[19] He lost the title back to Victor at another FCW live event on July 13, 2012.[20]

NXT and Raw (2012–present)

In June 2012, Rotunda, as Bo Dallas, debuted on the first episode of the sixth season of WWE NXT taped at Full Sail University as a happy-go-lucky and resilient babyface,[21] where he defeated Rick Victor.[1] On the August 8 episode of NXT, Dallas was inserted into the Gold Rush Tournament to crown the first NXT Champion, where he was eliminated by Jinder Mahal in the quarter-finals.[22] On the November 7 episode of NXT, Dallas competed in a #1 contender fatal four-way elimination match against Mahal, Drew McIntyre and Justin Gabriel; despite eliminating McIntyre and Gabriel, Dallas succumbed to Mahal.[23] The next week, Dallas goaded Mahal into facing him in a match with the title shot on the line, but Mahal prevailed once again.[24] On the December 5 episode of NXT, Dallas offered an open challenge to anyone in WWE due to his love of fighting.[25] The challenge was answered by WWE's World Heavyweight Champion Big Show, who defeated Dallas on the December 19 episode of NXT.[26]

On January 26, 2013 at WWE's first-ever Royal Rumble Fanfest, Dallas participated in a eight-man NXT tournament defeating Luke Harper, Conor O'Brian and lastly Leo Kruger to win the tournament, thus becoming the first NXT wrestler to qualify for a Royal Rumble match.[27] The next day, Dallas duly entered the Rumble match for his WWE television debut and lasted for twenty one minutes, the sixth longest participation time in the match.[28] During the match, he eliminated the Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett, who later returned to eliminate Dallas.[29] This started a feud between the duo, with Barrett challenging Dallas to a non-title match the next night on Raw, and Dallas pulled off a upset victory in his first singles match on Raw.[30] Alongside Michael McGillicutty, Dallas entered the NXT Tag-Team Tournament, defeating Primo and Epico to advance to the semi-finals. Bray Wyatt attempted to seduce Dallas into the Wyatt Family, but was rebuffed. The Wyatt Family then defeated Bo and McGillicutty in the tournament semifinals, though Bo continued to feud with Bray. On the February 11 edition of Raw Dallas appeared again attacking Barrett before Barrett's match against Kofi Kingston, further angering the Intercontinental Champion.

Dallas was later given a shot at becoming the number one contender for the NXT Championship against Conor O'Brian and Corey Graves, though an attack by the Shield took him out of the match. The triple threat eventually did happen, with Dallas being cost his shot at the NXT Championship by the Wyatt Family. Dallas later challenged Barrett for the Intercontinental Championship, but was defeated. In May, he become the new NXT Champion after he defeated Big E. Langston for the title.[31]

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Personal life

Rotunda is a third generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, father Mike Rotunda and uncles Barry and Kendall Windham were all professional wrestlers.[32] His brother Windham is also a professional wrestler employed by WWE.[5]

Rotunda attended Hernando High School, and graduated in 2008.[5] During his final two years of high school, he qualified for the state wrestling championships.[5] He also played football as a linebacker.[32] Originally, he was offered a football scholarship at Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida, but when the offer fell through, he decided to become a wrestler instead.[5][33]

On February 19, 2012, Rotunda was arrested for driving under the influence in Tampa, Florida, with blood-alcohol levels of 0.166 and 0.178 according to two breathaylser tests, more than twice the legal limit.[4][34] He was released later that day on a US$500 bond.[35]

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In wrestling

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Championships and accomplishments

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References

  1. ^ a b c James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 6/20 - Week 1 of new season: Kidd vs. McGillicutty main event, Ross & Regal on commentary". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 14 July 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Taylor Rotunda profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 18, 2012. 
  3. ^ a b c "Bo Rotundo". Florida Championship Wrestling. Retrieved December 31, 2010. 
  4. ^ a b c d "Arrest Report". Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h LaRiviere, Derek J. (November 26, 2009). "Brooksville's Rotunda brothers follow dad Mike into professional wrestling". Tampa Bay Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2010. 
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Florida Championship Wrestling (2009)". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 2, 2011. 
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Florida Championship Wrestling (2010)". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 6, 2011. 
  8. ^ a b c d e "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. Retrieved March 17, 2012. 
  9. ^ "Superstar of the Week: Lucky Cannon". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011. 
  10. ^ Tedesco, Mike (July 26, 2011). "Spoilers: WWE Superstars for July 28". WrestleView. Retrieved December 8, 2011. 
  11. ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 17, 2011). "Smackdown spoilers from Bakersfield". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 17, 2011. 
  12. ^ Tedesco, Mike (August 24, 2011). "SPOILERS: WWE Superstars for August 25". WrestleView. Retrieved December 8, 2011. 
  13. ^ "Superstars of the Week: Leo Kruger". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2011. 
  14. ^ Martin, Adam (September 10, 2011). "Report: Rotundo out of action for several months". WrestleView. Retrieved December 8, 2011. 
  15. ^ Namako, Jason (January 30, 2012). "FCW Results – 1/29/12". WrestleView. Retrieved February 7, 2012. 
  16. ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (February 2, 2012). "Two title changes at tonight's FCW tapings". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 4, 2012. 
  17. ^ Gerweck, Steve (May 6, 2012). "5/5 WWE Results: Asheville, North Carolina". WrestleView. Retrieved May 7, 2012. 
  18. ^ Gerweck, Steve (May 6, 2012). "5/6 WWE Results: Charleston, South Carolina". WrestleView. Retrieved May 7, 2012. 
  19. ^ "FCW Heavyweight Title Changes Hands Twice, Recent WWE Attendance and More". Lords of Pain. June 20, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012. 
  20. ^ "FCW Title Changes Hands, CM Punk Takes a Shot at AJ Styles, FCW's Newest Diva". Lords of Pain. July 13, 2012. Retrieved July 13, 2012. 
  21. ^ Chiverton, George. "NXT WEEKLY RANKINGS & EVALUATION 6/20 - New NXT Week 1: Early impressions from new cast of FCW talent". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 9 January 2013. "The interview wasn't great and although Bo can deliver in the ring (he hits a great spear), his character already appears a little bland. "A smile that shines for miles" is the catchphrase he is trying to sell at the moment, alongside a happy-go-lucky, resilient babyface persona." 
  22. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 8//8 - Week 8: Gold Rush tournament continues, Hero, Paige, Gabriel vs. McGillicutty, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 8 September 2012. 
  23. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 11/7 - Week 20: Four-Way #1 contender match, Brodie Lee debuts, Vickie's bounty, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 January 2013. 
  24. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S NXT RESULTS 11/14 - Week 21: Rollins's NXT Title feud advances, Reigns featured, Layla vs. Aksana, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 January 2013. 
  25. ^ Namako, Jason. "NXT Results - 12/6/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved 9 January 2013. 
  26. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 12/19 - Week 26: Big Show main event, Rollins interview, Big E. handicap match, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 9 January 2013. 
  27. ^ Murphy, Ryan. "WWE NXT: 8-man tournament Royal Rumble match results". WWE. Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013. 
  28. ^ "Full list of Royal Rumble Match participants and eliminations". WWE. January 28, 2012. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2012. 
  29. ^ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PPV RESULTS 1/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Punk vs. Rock, 30-man Rumble". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 29 January 2013. 
  30. ^ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Huge Return ends Raw, Rock's first night as WWE champ, Raw Roulette, Heyman-McMahon". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 29 January 2013. 
  31. ^ http://www.gerweck.net/2013/05/23/nxt-spoiler-3/
  32. ^ a b Murphy, David (September 14, 2007). "'He's got the look'". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved August 30, 2009. 
  33. ^ Bernhardt, Jr., Chris (June 12, 2009). "Hernando High alumni ready to hit the ring". Hernando Today. Retrieved August 30, 2009. 
  34. ^ "Pro wrestler Rotunda charged with drunken driving". The Tampa Tribune. February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 
  35. ^ Caldwell, James (February 19, 2012). "WWE developmental wrestler arrested on DUI charge". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 
  36. ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Bo Dallas def. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett in a Player’s Choice Match". WWE. Retrieved 6 February 2013. "... the young gun showed his moxie by ... surprising the champion with a pin when he countered the Bull Hammer into a belly-to-belly suplex." 
  37. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 1/30: Tournament continues, Bo Dallas in main event, returns of Bateman, A-Ry & Mason Ryan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 6 February 2013. "Dallas with a belly-to-belly suplex out of nowhere for the win." 
  38. ^ Namako, Jason (February 6, 2012). "FCW Results – 2/6/12". WrestleView. Retrieved February 11, 2012. "Bo Rotundo def. Nick Rogers by pinfall with a spear." 
  39. ^ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: DID SETH ROLLINS RETAIN AGAINST BIG E LANGSTON?; THIRD GENERATION TAG TEAM AGAINST SECOND GENERATION TAG TEAM; DIVAS ACTION; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved January 26, 2013. 
  40. ^ a b c d Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: FIRST ROUND OF TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT CONTINUES; DID SUMMER RAE MAKE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF HER NXT CAREER; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved February 1, 2013. 
  41. ^ a b c Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: TWO MORE GOLD RUSH MATCHES; KASSIUS OHNO IN ACTION; DIVAS IN ACTION; FUTURE PLANS FOR DALTON AND JORDAN AFTER THEIR UPSET LAST WEEK". PWInsider. Retrieved August 10, 2012. 
  42. ^ Trionfo, Richard. "COMPLETE WWE RAW ROULETTE REPORT: JOHN CENA PICKS HIS OPPONENT FOR WRESTLEMANIA; DANCING IN LINGERIE; SHOWGIRLS; STRANGE BEDFELLOWS IN THE RING; WHO DID MORE WEARING TRACK PANTS TONIGHT?; A NEW HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE; ANOTHER RETURN; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved February 1, 2013. 
  43. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 25, 2012. 
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Last modified on 24 May 2013, at 04:18