Athletes - Matthew Bloom

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	Athletes - Matthew Bloom

Matthew Jason Bloom (born November 14, 1972 in Peabody, Massachusetts), better known by his ring names, Albert, A-Train, and Giant Bernard, is an American professional wrestler who previously performed for World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW and SmackDown! brands. One of his trademarks is that he has thick black hair all over his chest and back.

Career

Bloom played football at the University of Pittsburgh as an offensive tackle, then an offensive guard. After graduating, he briefly worked in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers. He then became a schoolteacher, working with children with behavioral problems and deaf children.

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment

Bloom portrayed several characters throughout his career since making his debut in 1997. This included a few runs in Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis as Baldo and in the WWF as the bizarre Prince Albert (named after the Prince Albert piercing). The piercing-themed gimmick complemented tag team partner Darren Drozdov's tattoo-artist gimmick. In 2000, he was repackaged as "Albert, the wrestler formerly known as Prince."

The Albert character was in a tag team with Test. T & A (Test and Albert) fell under the tutelage of the vivacious Trish Stratus. His career highlights include being a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Before Backlash 2001 in Chicago, Bloom joined forces with X-Pac and Justin Credible, forming the team X-Factor.

During one of Bloom's face turns, he joined forces with Scotty Too Hotty but turned heel for the last time by betraying and attacking Scotty.

In late 2002, Bloom was given a new name: A-Train by Paul Heyman who at the time was managing Big Show. Bloom would continue his alliance with the two through the entire administration of Paul Heyman as SmackDown! General Manager until March 2004. He was picked to join 'Team Lesnar', along with teammates Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Matt Morgan and Nathan Jones, to face off against 'Team Angle' in a Ten Man Elimination Tag match at Survivor Series 2003.

During the WWE Draft Lottery 2004 A-Train was drafted to the RAW roster along with Chuck Palumbo and in exchange Rico Constantino and Jackie Gayda were sent to SmackDown! This was one of the last trade-offs by former RAW General-Manager Eric Bischoff and former SmackDown!General-Manager Kurt Angle. A-Train's appearances on RAW were very seldom for a 6 month tenure before being sidelined with an injury.

On November 1, 2004, Bloom was released from the WWE. Bloom was not being used in any meaningful storylines and had been injured for a while with a torn rotator cuff. Billy Gunn and Test were released along with Bloom as well.

Japan

Bloom started wrestling in Japan, where he uses the name Giant Bernard, a takeoff on an older performer who used the name Brute Bernard.

In 2005, Bloom appeared on an All Japan Pro Wrestling card, running in to aid two other former WWE wrestlers, Johnny Stamboli and Chuck Palumbo. He proceeded to join Voodoo Murders, AJPW's main heel group.

On October 18, 2005, Giant Bernard challenged Satoshi Kojima for the AJPW Triple Crown but Kojima successfully defended his title.

In late 2005, Bloom left AJPW and joined the rival New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion.

Wrestling facts

Finishing and signature moves

Derailer / Baldo Bomb / Albert Bomb (Two-handed chokebomb)
Train Wreck (Over-the-shoulder backbreaker drop)
Bicycle kick
Decaptitator (Catapult throat first into bottom-rope from below)
Spinning crucifix into a neckbreaker slam
Big swing
Corner slingshot splash

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Matthew Bloom ]

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