Athletes - Brian Kendrick

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	Athletes - Brian Kendrick

Brian David Kendrick (born May 29, 1979 in Fairfax, Virginia) is an American professional wrestler who currently works for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown! brand in its cruiserweight division. He previously worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in its X Division, Ring of Honor, and various independent and Japanese promotions, usually under the stage name Spanky. In Japan his stage name is Leonardo Spanky, due to his resemblance to Leonardo DiCaprio.

Career

His first match, for the Texas Wrestling Alliance, against fellow Shawn Michaels graduate American Dragon, ended in a 10-min time limit draw and received a standing ovation. He proceeded to make a name for himself in UPW, Ring of Honor, and Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE thanks to his great ringwork and the eccentric persona he crafted for himself. Spanky competed in the 2001 King Of Indies Tournament.

He was hired by then SmackDown! General Manager Stephanie McMahon after seeing his great performance in the ring. Before officially debuting as Brian "Spanky" Kendrick he wrestled on Velocity several weeks in a row, each time under a mask and using a new name that tied in with a specific cities sports team. Spanky soon played a major role in the WWE's cruiserweight division and was teamed up with Paul London.

Brian's "Spanky" gimmick turned up after he interrupted then heel John Cena proclaiming his own hip-hop style was better and more cocky than Cena's own rap lifestyle. The confrontation between Kendrick and Cena resulted in Cena delivering his finisher, the F.U., to Spanky, and started up a rivalry between the two wrestlers. However, Spanky was unfortunate on the rivalry after Cena won all the matches.

On January 13, 2004, Brian Kendrick requested to be released from his WWE contract for not getting enough money from house shows and to pursue a run with Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE in Japan. Kendrick had previously claimed in various interviews that he wasn't happy about Tough Enough winners getting bigger pushes, despite Kendrick working hard for his spot. He went on to wrestle for ZERO-ONE, Ring of Honor, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla for a short time.

In August 2004, he signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He did not remain with the company long, only making two appearances. From January 2005 to August 2005, Kendrick competed for Ring of Honor and Zero One.

Return to WWE

On June 28th, 2005, it was confirmed that Brian Kendrick had signed a new contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. Spanky appeared on numerous Velocity tapings and live shows before his first re-appearance on SmackDown! on the November 18, 2005 special edition Eddie Guerrero tribute show. He participated in a Cruiserweight Battle Royal but lost to Juventud.

The December 2, 2005 SmackDown! was the first appearance of London and Kendrick as the two participated in a #1 Contender Tag Team Battle Royal. The two lost to The Mexicools in the end but put up a valiant fight.

London and Kendrick continued to wrestle both in their tag team and singularly on Velocity for the next few weeks. The two fought and lost in the debut match of the Gymini on their first match of 2006 on January 6.

In a rematch against the Gymini on the January 20 SmackDown!, Kendrick and London were defeated again. They returned to Velocity for the next few weeks until they participated in a non-title match against the Tag Team Champions, MNM on the February 10th edition of SmackDown!, which London and Kendrick were unable to win.

In wrestling

WWE masked personas

Each one was a representation of a hometown's sports team, depending on where he wrestled.

Pittsburgh Penguin
Diamondback
River Rat
The Jet
The Titan

Finishing and signature moves

Sliced Bread #2 (Springboard somersault three quarter facelock diving reverse DDT)
Electric Mayhem (Knee smash off an elevated position)
Virgina Cyclone (Swinging DDT)
Dr. Smoothe’s Secret Recipe (Corner backflip dropkick)
Left Turn At Albuquerque (Turning frog splash)
Superkick
Whirling Twirlixer (Somersault corkscrew plancha)
Huracanrana
Leg lariat

with Paul London====

Get Well Soon (Reverse STO and enziguri combo)

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Brian Kendrick ]

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