Athletes - Matt Bentley

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	Athletes - Matt Bentley

Matthew (Matt) Bentley (born December 10, 1979 in Clinton, Iowa), also known by his ring names Maverick Matt and Michael Shane, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in its X Division.

Career

A former Ring of Honor wrestler, Bentley's breakout match was against Paul London that concluded with London hitting the Shooting Star Press off the ladder. His cousin is Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on that name. He also sometimes uses the Superkick, which he called the Sweet Shane Music when he was known as Michael Shane.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Bentley joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2003. He competed in the X Division, holding the TNA X Division Championship on one occasion, before forming a stable with Shane Douglas and Traci known as The New Franchise. The stable disbanded in 2004, and Bentley formed a tag team with Frankie Kazarian (informally known by the portmanteau of their last names, Shazarian) which split in 2005 when Kazarian left TNA.

Bentley claims to be the pioneer of the Ultimate X match, and has won Ultimate X matches twice, both times winning the TNA X Division Championship. He won the first Ultimate X on August 20, 2003. The second time, on July 28, 2004, he and ally Frankie Kazarian both landed on the mat while holding the X Division title belt. It was ruled that they both were winners, and they both were considered TNA X Division Champions, having defeated then-champion A.J. Styles.

Bentley was forced to refrain from using the "Michael Shane" alias, which he had used for his entire career, in 2005 following threats of legal action from WWE, the employers of Mike Shane (who had trademarked his name, something which Bentley had neglected to do).

Bentley was removed from television on August 15, 2005, during a period of contract renegotiations. After signing a new contract, he made his return on September 11 at Unbreakable, attacking Chris Sabin and Petey Williams after their match, and announcing his intention to bring the Ultimate X match to Bound For Glory on October 23. The match, along with the number one contendership to the TNA X Division Championship, was won by Williams after the "X" suspended above the ring spontaneously fell into his arms as Sabin and Bentley fought one another. As a result of the controversial ending, Director of Authority Larry Zbyszko forced Williams to defend his title shot on the November 3 episode of iMPACT!, which he did successfully.

After his return to Unbreakable, Bentley and Traci (whom he reunited with at Hard Justice) were face up until a February 2006 edition of Xplosion. Bentley and his partner Lance Hoyt had some miscommunication during their tag team against the Diamonds in the Rough. After the match, Bentley snapped and attacked Hoyt after the match, thus turning him heel.

The next week on iMPACT! in an interview Bentley announced he was a "Maverick". Throughout Hoyt's match they referred to Bentley as "Maverick" Matt. Hoyt and Bentley faced off at TNA's Destination X, Lance Hoyt won the match.

In wrestling

Previous managers

Finishing and signature moves

Head On Collision / Sweet Shane Music / Maverick Crash (Superkick)
Picture Perfect Elbow Drop (Diving elbow drop)
Fisherman DDT
Backbreaker Drop

Championships and accomplishments

CyberSpace Wrestling Federation
*1-time CSWF Cruiser X Champion
Main Event Championship Wrestling
*1-time MECW Light Heavyweight Champion
New Wave Championship Wrestling
*1-time NWCW Light Heavyweight Champion
Texas Wrestling Alliance
*1-time TWA Television Champion
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
*2-time X Division Champion

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Matt Bentley ]

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