Bronson Reed
Reed in November 2021
Birth nameJermaine Haley
Born (1988-08-25) August 25, 1988 (age 34)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bronson Reed
J-Rock
Jermaine Hailey
Jonah[1]
Jonah Rock
Big Dog
"Big" Bronson Reed
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Billed weight330 lb (150 kg)[2]
Billed fromAdelaide, South Australia
Black Forest, South Australia[2]
Trained byDamian Slater
Hartley Jackson
Debut2007

Jermaine Haley (born August 25, 1988) is an Australian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Bronson Reed. He is a former NXT North American Champion.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2007–2018)

Jonah Rock against Robbie Eagles in 2013

Debuting in 2007 under the ring names Jonah Rock and J-Rock, he spent 11 years working throughout the Australian independent circuit. While wrestling in Australia, Rock earned numerous titles. He is a former three-time Wrestle Rampage Australian National Champion, former one-time Explosive Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champion, former one-time Pacific Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, former one-time Heavyweight Champion, former one-time Professional Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Champion and a former one-time Melbourne City Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion, one-time Intercommonwealth Champion and one-time Tag Team Champion.

Rock's early work was not limited to solely appearing in Australian promotions. He also appeared in Japan's Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion, the British promotions Revolution Pro Wrestling and PROGRESS Wrestling, the German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling and the American independent promotion Pro Wrestling Guerrilla.

WWE (2019–2021)

In January 2019, Haley's signing was announced along with 11 other recruits where he would report to the WWE's developmental territory NXT. On March 9, he would make his debut on an NXT live event wrestling under his real name losing to Riddick Moss. In June, his ring name was changed to Bronson Reed. On the July 17 episode of NXT, Reed made his official televised debut competing in the NXT Breakout Tournament as a face, where he defeated Dexter Lumis in the first round but was defeated by Cameron Grimes in the quarter-finals. On the August 21 episode of NXT, Reed was defeated by his former TMDK stablemate Shane Thorne.

Reaching 2020, on the February 5 episode of NXT, he was attacked by The Undisputed Era backstage after trying to come to the aid of Kushida. The following week, he challenged Roderick Strong to a match but was defeated.[3] On the June 3 episode of NXT, Reed was defeated by Grimes. Following the match, he was attacked by Karrion Kross. On the June 17 episode of NXT, Reed defeated Leon Ruff and called out Kross challenging him to a match for the next week.[4] The following week, Reed was defeated by Kross.[5] Next, Reed would enter a short feud with newcomer LA Knight, defeating him in a singles match. After gaining momentum, he focused on the NXT North American Championship. At NXT: Takeover XXX in August, Reed was unsuccessful in winning the title.

In April 2021, on Night 1 of NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver, Reed won a Six-man Gauntlet Eliminator match, to become the #1 contender for the North American Championship. On Night 2 of the event, Reed faced the reigning champion Johnny Gargano in a losing effort, but defeated him on the May 18 episode of NXT in a steel cage match to win the title, becoming the first Australian and non-American wrestler to hold the NXT North American Championship. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Reed teamed with the NXT Tag Team Champions, MSK to successfully defend their titles against Legado Del Fantasma in a winner take all match. On the June 29 episode of NXT, Reed dropped the title to Isaiah "Swerve" Scott after interference from Hit Row, ending his reign at 42 days.[6] On the July 27 episode of NXT, Reed was defeated by Adam Cole in what would be his final WWE match in this stint. On August 6, Haley was released from his WWE contract.[7]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2021–2022)

At Battle in the Valley on November 13, 2021, Haley, using the ring name Jonah, made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut, attacking FinJuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson), establishing himself as a heel in the process.[8] After his debut, Jonah would go on short lived winning streak defeating Lucas Riley in his NJPW in-ring debut and then a month later defeating David Finlay. On January 15, 2022, Jonah suffered his first NJPW loss in a tag team match against FinJuice as he teamed with Bad Dude Tito. On March 6, Shane Haste, assisted Jonah and Tito, in defeating FinJuice and reformed The Mighty Don't Kneel as a stable.[9]

On June 12 during Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall, Jonah was announced as a participant in the G1 Climax 32 tournament starting in July, as a part of the A block.[10] Jonah scored 8 points in his block, narrowly missing out on a spot in the semi-finals. However, one of Jonah's wins was an upset victory over former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and eventual tournament winner Kazuchika Okada.[11][12]

Impact Wrestling (2021–2022)

At Turning Point on November 20, 2021, Jonah made his Impact Wrestling debut, attacking Josh Alexander and leaving him bloodied.[13][14] They had a match at Hard To Kill, where Alexander defeated him.[15][16] After his loss to Alexander, Jonah would embark on a winning streak defeating the likes of Crazzy Steve, Black Taurus, Raj Singh, and Honor No More's PCO. His winning streak would come to an end at Rebellion, after being defeated by Tomohiro Ishii. His final match was a loss to PCO in a Monster's Ball match. On May 6, Jonah announced his departure from the company.[17]

Return to WWE (2022–present)

Haley made his unannounced return to WWE on the December 19, 2022 episode of Raw, reprising the Bronson Reed character, where he helped The Miz defeat Dexter Lumis in a ladder match, establishing himself as a heel.[18] On the January 30, 2023 episode of Raw, Reed defeated Dolph Ziggler to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match for the United States Championship at the namesake event.[19] At the event on February 18, Reed failed to win the title.[20]

After being eliminated last in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal by Bobby Lashley, Reed engaged a feud with Lashley from the April 10 episode of Raw which led to a match and both men were counted out, despite his exhaustion. A week later on an episode of Raw aired on April 17, Reed interfered in a match between Lashley and Austin Theory, which led to a beat down of Lashley, leaving him lying in the ring.[21] A few days later, on April 21 edition of SmackDown, Reed was added to a triple threat match for the WWE United States Championship at Backlash.[22] At the event, Reed was unsuccessful in winning the championship, as he was pinned by Theory.[23]

Personal life

Haley is married to his high school sweetheart Paige, who made an appearance on NXT after he won the NXT North American Championship.[24] He is of Samoan descent.[25]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 29, 2022). "JONAH - IMPACT Wrestling". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Bronson Reed". WWE.
  3. ^ "WWE NXT Results - Adam Cole Headlines, Final Takeover Build, New #1 Contender, Bianca Belair, More". Wrestling Inc. 12 February 2020.
  4. ^ "WWE NXT Results - Io Shirai Attacks, Timothy Thatcher Training Session, Santos Escobar, More". Wrestling Inc. 17 June 2020.
  5. ^ "WWE NXT Results: Bronson Reed vs. Karrion Kross". The Overtimer. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-07-23.
  6. ^ Moore, John (June 29, 2021). "6/29 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon vs. Raquel Gonzalez and Dakota Kai vs. Io Shirai and Zoey Stark in a Triple Threat tag match for a shot at the NXT Women's Tag Titles, Xia Li and Boa vs. Mercedes Martinez and Jake Atlas in a mixed tag match, Cameron Grimes in action". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Jeremy Lambert (6 August 2021). "WWE Releases Bronson Reed, Leon Ruff, Bobby Fish, Mercedes Martinez, And More". Fightful. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  8. ^ Klyn, Parker (November 13, 2021). "NJPW Battle in the Valley live results: NEVER title match". f4wonline.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "NJPW Strong results: FinJuice vs. JONAH & Bad Dude Tito".
  10. ^ "Field announced for NJPW G1 Climax 32". 12 June 2022.
  11. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 32 block winners determined, semifinals set".
  12. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 32 night 13 results: Kazuchika Okada vs. JONAH".
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 20, 2021). "JONAH Makes IMPACT Debut At IMPACT Turning Point, Attacks Josh Alexander". Fightful. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  14. ^ Impact Wrestling Staff (November 20, 2021). "Turning Point 2021 Results". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  15. ^ Powell, Jason (January 8, 2022). "1/8 Impact Wrestling Hard To Kill results: Mickie James vs. Deonna Purrazzo in a Texas Death Match for the Knockouts Title, Moose vs. W. Morrissey vs. Matt Cardona for the Impact World Championship, Jonathan Gresham vs. Chris Sabin for the original ROH Championship, Josh Alexander vs. Jonah". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  16. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 8, 2022). "Hard To Kill 2022 Full Results". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (May 6, 2022). "JONAH Confirms His First Stint With IMPACT Wrestling Has Concluded". Fightful. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  18. ^ "Bronson Reed regresa a WWE en Monday Night RAW". 20 December 2022.
  19. ^ Powell, Jason (January 30, 2023). "1/30 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of the post Royal Rumble edition with Cody Rhodes opening, Rhea Ripley choosing which champion to challenge at WM39, Seth Rollins vs. Chad Gable, and Johnny Gargano vs. Baron Corbin in qualifiers for the Elimination Chamber match for the U.S. Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  20. ^ Powell, Jason (February 18, 2023). "WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley, two Elimination Chamber matches, Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. Rhea Ripley and Finn Balor". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  21. ^ https://wrestlingheadlines.com/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-4-17-2023/amp/
  22. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (April 21, 2023). "WWE SmackDown results: Riddle goes solo against The Bloodline, trio of matches set for Backlash". CBSSports. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  23. ^ Gilpin, Matt (May 6, 2023). "United States Champion Austin Theory def. Bobby Lashley and Bronson Reed". WWE. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  24. ^ Laughton, Max (16 August 2020). "Bronson Reed's surreal journey from not being able to afford training to the WWE big stage". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  25. ^ "World Heavyweight Championship to be defended in Australia". Major League Wrestling. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  26. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 2, 2013). "EPW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "IWA Heavyweight Title [International Wrestling Australia]".
  28. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (October 14, 2017). "IWA Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  29. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 5, 2017). "MCW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  30. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 11, 2015). "MCW Tag Team Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 14, 2016). "MCW Intercommonwealth Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  32. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 5, 2017). "Ballroom Brawl (2017)". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  33. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "NWA AWA Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  34. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 22, 2014). "NWA AWA Grindhouse Wrestling 2.10: Mexican Christmas Fiesta - Event @ Globe Theatre in Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  35. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 22, 2014). "PPW Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  36. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 16, 2018). "PWA Heavyweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. cagematch.net. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  38. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (June 10, 2014). "WR Australian National Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  39. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 12, 2014). "WR Meltdown World Tag Team Championships". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  40. ^ "NXT North American Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.

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