The Official Shelton Benjamin Thread (Open)

When will Shelton Benjamin attain the ECW championship?

In the next few months	0.0%	[ 0 ]
Soon	33.3%	[ 3 ]
Not going to happen ever	66.7%	[ 6 ]
Total Votes:			[ 9 ]

[Liz Claiborne]

The Official Shelton Benjamin Thread

Ring name(s): Shelton Benjamin
Billed height: 6 ft 2 in
Billed weight: 248 lb
Born: July 9, 1975
Billed from: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Trained by: Ohio Valley Wrestling
Debut: November 2000

Shelton Benjamin is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) working on its ECW brand.

Benjamin has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling in high school and at the University of Minnesota. In addition, Benjamin has acted as an assistant coach in amateur wrestling. He first spent time in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he held the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship four times. WWE then moved him to the main roster and put him into an alliance with Kurt Angle and Charlie Haas, known as Team Angle (and later the World's Greatest Tag Team). During his tenure with the company, he has won the WWE Intercontinental Championship three times, the WWE United States Championship one time, and the WWE Tag Team Championship two times. His first reign as Intercontinental Champion is currently the longest of the 21st Century, and his reign as United States Champion is tied seventh longest ever. Benjamain is widely considered one of the best pure atheletes in the professional wrestling today.

Thank you wikipedia and photobucket

[Liz Claiborne]

Biography

Amateur Wrestling

Shelton Benjamin grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina where he was an amateur wrestler.[1] He began wrestling while in the 10th grade at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.[3] While in high school, he achieved a 122–10 win-loss record and was a two-time South Carolina state high school heavyweight wrestling champion, earning the title in both 1993 and 1994.[1][2][3][4] He also was a Junior College National Track Champion in the 100 meter and won the junior college national wrestling heavyweight title in 1996 while attending Lassen Junior College in Susanville, California.[3][4] He was then accepted to attend the University of Minnesota, where he achieved a 36–6 win-loss record.[2] Moreover, while attending the university, he was a two-time All-American heavyweight wrestler.[3] After graduation, he served as an assistant coach at the University and trained with future OVW tag team partner Brock Lesnar.[3][4] In 1997, Benjamin went 36–6 and made 12 pins in the Big Ten Championship, in which he placed sixth.[4] Instead of trying to qualify for the 2000 Olympics, Benjamin decided instead to try and pursue a professional wrestling career.[4]

Professional Wrestling Career

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2000-2002)

Benjamin was offered and accepted a contract from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was placed in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as one half of a tag team with Brock Lesnar, who was a wrestling teammate at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.[5] Together they were known as the "Minnesota Stretching Crew,"[4] and they held the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on three occasions.[6] The first two reigns occurred during February and July 2001.[4] They were scripted to win the title for a third time from Rico Constantino and The Prototype on October 29, 2001.[4] After Lesnar was called up to the main roster in November 2001, Benjamin formed a tag team with Redd Dogg Begnaud called "The Dogg Pound" and once again won the OVW Southern Tag Team Title on July 17, 2002.[2][4] Throughout the remainder of 2002, Benjamin wrestled at several house shows for the main WWE roster and eventually on Sunday Night Heat as a fan favorite.[4]

World Wrestling Entertainment

The World's Greatest Tag Team (2002-2004)

Benjamin was offered a full-time World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) contract in September 2002.[4] He joined WWE's SmackDown! brand as a villain on December 26, 2002, forming Team Angle along Charlie Haas, with Olympic gold-medalist wrestler Kurt Angle as their on-screen mentor.[7] Their first official match together in WWE was on the January 2, 2003 edition of SmackDown! against Edge and Chris Benoit.[8]They continued their storyline feud with Benoit until No Way Out, when Benoit teamed with Brock Lesnar to defeat Team Angle.[9] The duo were scripted to win their first WWE Tag Team Championship just a month after their debut by defeating the champions, Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo Guerrero) on February 6, 2003.[10] The two then went on to compete in their first WrestleMania match at WrestleMania XIX, retaining their tag title in a triple threat match against Los Guerreros, and Chris Benoit and Rhyno.[4] Team Angle later lost the title to Eddie Guerrero and his new partner Tajiri at Judgment Day in a ladder match.[4] The storyline concluded on the June 12, 2003 SmackDown!, when, as part of the scripted events, Angle confronted Benjamin and Haas and fired them from Team Angle.[11] They began referring to themselves as The World's Greatest Tag Team and won the tag title back on the July 3 edition of SmackDown!.[12] They lost the title on September 18, after Benjamin suffered a legitimate knee injury during a match against Los Guerreros.[13] He was sidelined for approximately one month,[4] but the pair competed together again, taking part in a Fatal Four-Way match at WrestleMania XX.[14]

Raw; Intercontinental Champion (2004–2006)

On March 22, 2004, Benjamin was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2004 Draft Lottery.[15] After arriving, Benjamin quickly became a fan favorite when, in his new storyline, he won a pinfall victory over Triple H.[16] Benjamin then feuded with Triple H, beating him three times in total: once by pinfall, once by count-out, and once by disqualification.[17] As part of the storyline, Benjamin then feuded with the other members of Triple H's stable Evolution. Benjamin defeated Ric Flair at Backlash and lost to Randy Orton in a WWE Intercontinental Championship match at Bad Blood.[18][19]

During a match with Garrison Cade on Heat, Benjamin punched Cade's knee brace, legitimately breaking his hand in the process and briefly taking him out of action.[4] Benjamin returned in the fall of 2004 and was chosen by the fans to compete for the Intercontinental Championship in a match against then-champion Chris Jericho at Taboo Tuesday. Benjamin was scripted to win the match,[20] giving him his first singles title in the company.[2] During his reign as Intercontinental Champion, Benjamin retained the title against challengers such as Christian at Survivor Series in November,[21] Maven at January's New Year's Revolution,[22] and Chris Jericho at Backlash in May.[23] Benjamin lost the title to Carlito when he debuted on Raw during the June 20, 2005 episode, ending the longest Intercontinental Championship reign of the decade.[24]

Benjamin's next storyline began on the December 5, 2005 edition of Raw, when Shawn Michaels was scripted to give Benjamin a speech to get him "psyched" for their tag match together later in the night.[25] As a part of the scripted ending to the match, Michaels was preparing to finish the match when Benjamin tagged himself in and missed a crossbody, allowing Carlito to pin Benjamin.[2] Benjamin was then depicted as having a "losing streak" over the next several weeks,[2] which led to Benjamin's noisy, scolding and domineering "Momma" (played by comedian/actress Thea Vidale) coming to Raw to confront Benjamin. Momma slapped and yelled at Benjamin anytime he lost a match.[26] Before long, she assisted Benjamin in his matches, often interfering on his behalf.[27] This led Benjamin once again becoming a villain. In 2006, Benjamin had a staged on-screen rivalry with then-Intercontinental Champion Ric Flair. On the February 20 edition of Raw, Benjamin defeated Flair to regain the Intercontinental Championship after Momma faked a heart problem, causing enough of a distraction to allow Benjamin to cheat and win the title.[28] Benjamin continued to feud with Flair, but Momma no longer accompanied him to ringside. As part of the scripted events, Benjamin stated that she was undergoing heart surgery in the hospital and that he held Flair responsible.[29]

Benjamin competed in the second Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 22.[30] He then had an on-screen rivalry with the winner of that match, Rob Van Dam, in an attempt to take Van Dam's Money in the Bank contract. During this time, Benjamin emphasized his new villainous persona with a new gimmick: wearing shades, jewelry, and occasional colored shirts while entering the ring.[31] At one point, Benjamin was defeated by his former tag team partner, the returning Charlie Haas, during an episode of Raw. A predetermined stipulation added to this loss meant that Benjamin had to defend the Intercontinental Title in the same match as his shot at Van Dam's contract,[32] meaning at Backlash it would be a "Winner Takes All" match. Rob Van Dam was scripted to win at Backlash and take Benjamin's Intercontinental title.[33] Benjamin regained the title from Rob Van Dam in a Tornado Tag Team match, pitting Benjamin, Triple H and Chris Masters against Van Dam and WWE Champion John Cena;[4] both the WWE Championship and WWE Intercontinental Championship could be won by whoever pinned the appropriate champion. After Triple H Pedigreed Van Dam, he turned his attention to John Cena and went for the pin on the WWE Champion. In accordance with the predetermined outcome of the match, Benjamin got to Van Dam first, picking up the pin and his third Intercontinental Championship.[34] Subsequently, Benjamin feuded with Carlito and others for his Intercontinental Championship before losing the title to Johnny Nitro in a Triple Threat match also involving Carlito at Vengeance.[35]

During December 2006, Benjamin's former tag team partner Charlie Haas came out to celebrate with Benjamin after he defeated Super Crazy.[36] The World's Greatest Tag Team was officially reunited when they defeated the Highlanders on the December 11, 2006 episode of Raw.[37] The duo feuded with Cryme Tyme and competed mainly on Heat.[38]

The Gold Standard and back on ECW (2007–present)

On the November 20, 2007 airing of ECW on Sci Fi, Elijah Burke introduced Benjamin as the newest ECW superstar. Benjamin, who had dyed his hair blond before leaving Raw, began wearing gold wrestling attire and referring to himself as "The Gold Standard". On ECW, Benjamin began once again receiving more airtime and higher profile matches, defeating Tommy Dreamer in his debut.[39] He then qualified for the Royal Rumble match and won an over the top rope preview. Benjamin appeared in the Rumble match, entering at number 17, but was eliminated by Shawn Michaels.[40] He suffered his first loss since coming to ECW to Kane by count-out, on the January 29, 2008 edition of ECW on Sci Fi. On the February 22 edition of SmackDown!, Benjamin defeated Jimmy Wang Yang in a qualifying match for the Money in the Bank ladder match scheduled for WrestleMania XXIV,[41] which was won by CM Punk. After WrestleMania, Benjamin briefly feuded with Punk, before he began an on-screen rivalry with Kofi Kingston, who defeated Benjamin on the April 22 edition of ECW. On ECW's 100th episode, however, Benjamin defeated Kingston, thus ending the latter's undefeated streak. To end the feud, Kingston then defeated Benjamin in a ECW Extreme Rules match.

As part of the 2008 Supplemental Draft, Benjamin was drafted to the SmackDown brand. [42] On the July 11, 2008 airing of SmackDown!, Benjamin defeated WWE United States Champion Matt Hardy in a non-title match, earning himself a future title shot. At The Great American Bash on July 20, Benjamin once again defeated Hardy to win the WWE United States Championship.[43][44] Throughout his reign as champion he retained several times against competitors such as R-Truth and Hurricane Helms. On the 500th episode of SmackDown!, Benjamin lost his WWE United States Championship to Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP), ending Benjamin's reign at 243 days.[45] Benjamin then participated in the Money in the Bank match as scheduled at WrestleMania XXV, but failed to win when CM Punk won the match for the second year in a row.[46] Benjamin then began a feud with John Morrison, to whom he would eventually lose at Judgment Day. On June 29, 2009, he was traded back to ECW but lost to Yoshi Tatsu in his debut match.

Personal Life

Benjamin is an avid video gamer. He won WWE's THQ Superstar Challenge, a video game tournament that takes place every year during WrestleMania weekend, four years in a row before retiring in 2007.[47][48] He spends time every day playing.[48] Benjamin is also proficient in art. He creates comic book level work and pays close attention to detail, and he almost considered a career in the field.[49]

Benjamin, along with Batista and Josh Mathews, represented WWE at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in an effort to persuade fans to register to vote in the 2008 Presidential election.[50]

Thank you wikipedia

[Liz Claiborne]

Career Accomplishments

Black Athlete Sports Network
o African–American Wrestler of the Year (2005)

Ohio Valley Wrestling
o OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Brock Lesnar (3) and Redd Dogg

Pro Wrestling Illustrated
o PWI Tag Team of the Year (2003) with Charlie Haas
o PWI ranked him #9 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2005

World Wrestling Entertainment
o WWE Intercontinental Championship (3 times)
o WWE Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Charlie Haas
o WWE United States Championship (1 time)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
o Most Underrated Wrestler (2005–2007)


Signature Moves

* 450° splash– OVW
* Dragon whip– 2003; used as a regular move from 2004–present
* Paydirt (Leaping reverse STO) – 2007–present
* T–Bone Suplex (Exploder suplex lifted and twisted into a modified powerslam pin)
* Superkick
* Bridging northern lights suplex
* Cobra clutch backbreaker
* Diving clothesline
* Military press gutbuster
* Shell Bomb (Turnbuckle powerbomb)
* Springboard into either a modified bulldog or a somersault neckbreaker
* Stinger splash
* Superplex

Thank you wikipedia

[Liz Claiborne]

Open

Only rule: Please, keep your yadda yadda peanut comments to a minimum.

[JumpingMysterios]

wtf @ the newbie beating Shelton, way to go WWE, way to go.

Must say, Shelton's comedy last night made me like him a bit more. lol

[Liz Claiborne]

jumpingmysterios

wtf @ the newbie beating Shelton, way to go WWE, way to go.

Must say, Shelton's comedy last night made me like him a bit more. lol

That was probably the shortest match ever. burning_eyes
Yeah, his comedy made me lol so much, I had to make a thread for him. xD

[JumpingMysterios]

Barsaat

jumpingmysterios

wtf @ the newbie beating Shelton, way to go WWE, way to go.

Must say, Shelton's comedy last night made me like him a bit more. lol

That was probably the shortest match ever. burning_eyes
Yeah, his comedy made me lol so much, I had to make a thread for him. xD

Haha, its got to of impressed backstage people too, so hopefully he will FINALLY get a push emo

[BIastoise]

Barsaat

jumpingmysterios

wtf @ the newbie beating Shelton, way to go WWE, way to go.

Must say, Shelton's comedy last night made me like him a bit more. lol

That was probably the shortest match ever. burning_eyes
Yeah, his comedy made me lol so much, I had to make a thread for him. xD

Shortest Match

[Cytoplasmic Wolf]

Last night Shelton's credibility died with a roundhouse kick to his head. crying

Sad really because not only did I think he demonstrated that he does in fact have decent mic skills and charisma, but I thought ECW would be a perfect fit for him. I mean lets face it as of right now Benjamin just isn't WWE or World champ material, but he is still a little bigger than being IC or US champ. I think an ECW title run would be perfect for him.

But then he got kicked in the head. stare

With Bourne gone, Ryder's gimmick dying already on me, and Shelton losing to one move I am questioning weither ( <----apparently FireFox is telling me this isn't a real word confused ) or not to even watch ECW.

Sheamus better on ******** fantastic matches. [/rant]

[JumpingMysterios]

Cytoplasmic Wolf

Last night Shelton's credibility died with a roundhouse kick to his head. crying

Sad really because not only did I think he demonstrated that he does in fact have decent mic skills and charisma, but I thought ECW would be a perfect fit for him. I mean lets face it as of right now Benjamin just isn't WWE or World champ material, but he is still a little bigger than being IC or US champ. I think an ECW title run would be perfect for him.

But then he got kicked in the head. stare

With Bourne gone, Ryder's gimmick dying already on me, and Shelton losing to one move I am questioning weither ( <----apparently FireFox is telling me this isn't a real word confused ) or not to even watch ECW.

Sheamus better on ******** fantastic matches. [/rant]

*whether

Maybe next week will be a better week for Shelton..I still have faith..sort of.

Bourne being on Raw is good..but could also be a career killer. whee

I love Sheamus. He's ginger and pale.

heart

[Hybird]

Cytoplasmic Wolf

Last night Shelton's credibility died with a roundhouse kick to his head. crying

Sad really because not only did I think he demonstrated that he does in fact have decent mic skills and charisma, but I thought ECW would be a perfect fit for him. I mean lets face it as of right now Benjamin just isn't WWE or World champ material, but he is still a little bigger than being IC or US champ. I think an ECW title run would be perfect for him.

But then he got kicked in the head. stare

With Bourne gone, Ryder's gimmick dying already on me, and Shelton losing to one move I am questioning weither ( <----apparently FireFox is telling me this isn't a real word confused ) or not to even watch ECW.

Sheamus better on ******** fantastic matches. [/rant]

I just feel cheated out of a possibly good match between Tatsu and Benjamin. I know what they were trying to do. But come on WWE, it didn't work before, won't work now.

Oh, it's "whether" by the way.

[Cytoplasmic Wolf]

Hybird

Cytoplasmic Wolf

Last night Shelton's credibility died with a roundhouse kick to his head. crying

Sad really because not only did I think he demonstrated that he does in fact have decent mic skills and charisma, but I thought ECW would be a perfect fit for him. I mean lets face it as of right now Benjamin just isn't WWE or World champ material, but he is still a little bigger than being IC or US champ. I think an ECW title run would be perfect for him.

But then he got kicked in the head. stare

With Bourne gone, Ryder's gimmick dying already on me, and Shelton losing to one move I am questioning weither ( <----apparently FireFox is telling me this isn't a real word confused ) or not to even watch ECW.

Sheamus better on ******** fantastic matches. [/rant]

I just feel cheated out of a possibly good match between Tatsu and Benjamin. I know what they were trying to do. But come on WWE, it didn't work before, won't work now.

Oh, it's "whether" by the way.

I think I got the same feeling. Most Japanese wrestlers are pretty good and I heard this guy came from New Japan. Now I personally haven't seen any of Yoshi's matches, but I have seen a few New Japan matches and found them rather interesting. If Yoshi is anything like that than Benjamin would have worked great with him, hell he sold the kick well.

Thank you, you are a life saver. mrgreen

[Captain Ninja Panda]

Shelton is in need of the ECW title.

[Penor of Doom]

Captain Jeff

Shelton is in need of the ECW title.

Shelton is in need of lessons of how to be a good professional wrestler, before he gets the ECW title.