Andreas John Ziegler

Last updated

Andreas Ziegler
Born (1999-04-14) April 14, 1999 (age 25)
West Bend, Wisconsin, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) A. J. Z.
A.J. Ziegler
Andreas Ziegler
Andreas John Ziegler
The Golden Boy
The Hunter
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Billed weight233 lb (106 kg)
Billed from Laguna Beach, California, United States
Trained byLabron Kozone
Rip Rogers
Trevor Adonis

Andreas John Ziegler (born April 14, 1999), better known under ring name A. J. Z., is an American professional wrestler and actor, currently wrestling for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Control Your Narrative. [1]

Contents

Early life

Ziegler began working out in his parents' basement at nine years old. [2] In 2010, he became a national freestyle skiing champion. He also won various bodybuilding titles as a teenager. [3] In 2020, he graduated from Coastal Carolina University majoring in marketing. [4]

Professional wrestling career

Training

In 2019, Ziegler graduated from Firestar Pro Wrestling, under Labron Kozone. [5] He wrestled under the name "The Golden Boy" A. J. Z. [6] [7] [8] In 2019, he began working for Ohio Valley Wrestling. He performed for their live weekly television for two years. During his tenure at OVW, A. J. Z. feuded with many wrestlers including: Tony Gunn, [9] [10] [11] Ryan Howe, [12] [13] Jay Bradley, [14] and The Tate Twins. [15] On October 22, 2019, he won the OVW Television Championship, [16] and to this day is the final person to ever hold that title. [17] [18] [19] His final match at OVW was against Jessie Godderz for the National Heavyweight Championship. [20]

Independent circuit

A. J. Z. also wrestles for AAW, Northeast Wrestling, and various other promotions. [21] [22] [23] Over the years A. J. Z. has had numerous matches with former WWE Superstar Enzo Amore. [24] [25] He also was in a six man tag team match against the returning Big Cass for Impact Wrestling Plus. [26]

NJPW and Ring of Honor (2021–present)

In 2021, Ziegler began working for NJPW Strong (TV Series). [27] [28] He debuted against Rocky Romero in a losing attempt. [29] That match was known as his first mainstream appearance. [30] [31] His next appearance was in a match against Clark Connors. [32] [33] [34] His last known appearance was at NJPW Autumn Attack. [35] A. J. Z. signed with Control Your Narrative. A. J. Z. was a part of the first ever match, at the first ever CYN event, that was held in Orlando, Florida. [36]

On June 17, 2023, A. J. Z. debuted for ROH at the United Center in Chicago Illinois. He competed against the ROH six-man tag team champions the Mogul Embassy's Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona. They were managed by Prince Nana. [37]

On June 17, 2023, A.J.Z. appeared in an episode of Destination Polaris which also featured Braun Strowman. The two showed host Alexa Score how to wrestle. Destination Polaris airs nationally on television. [38] [39]

Ziegler renamed himself "The Hunter" A.J.Z. [40] Using this new persona, he has wrestled all over the United States and into Canada on the independent wrestling scene. [41] [42]

Championships and Accomplishments

Bodybuilding and Skiing Championships

Bodybuilding

Skiing

Professional wrestling style and persona

Ziegler's character is "The Golden Boy", an arrogant wrestler who thinks he is better than anyone else. In kayfabe, he is also presented as the nephew of WWE wrestler Dolph Ziggler. [49]

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References

  1. ↑ Mendhe, Abhilash. "Nephew of WWE's current top champion joins Control Your Narrative; Braun Strowman reacts". Sportskeeda. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ↑ Grifol, Ignacio (November 27, 2022). "Entrevistamos a Andreas John Ziegler, el "sobrino" de Dolph Ziggler". Solo Wrestling. Solo Wrestling. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ "NPC". NPC News Online. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  4. ↑ Ziegler, AJ. "Merit Pages". Merit Pages. Coastal Carolina University. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  5. ↑ Ziegler, AJ. "Graduates of the Firestar Pro Wrestling Academy". FSPWrestling. Kozone. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  6. ↑ Ziegler, AJ. "AJZ Profile & Match Listing". ProFightDB. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  7. ↑ LASHELL, LASHELL P. "AJZ". OVW. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  15. ↑ "OVW TV #1069 TV-Show". Cagematch. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  28. ↑ Knipper, Justin. "NJPW Strong results: Eight-man tag team action". f4wonline. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Collision Fri. May. 14. 2021 | Bell 10:00PM(EST)". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  31. ↑ Mordenga, Michael (May 15, 2021). "NJPW Strong: Collision Tour Episode 40 Review". Daily DDT. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  32. ↑ Mordenga, Michael (May 29, 2021). "NJPW Strong: Collision Tour Ep. 42 Review". fansided. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  34. ↑ Review, NJPW Strong 5/28 (May 31, 2021). "NJPW STRONG E42 – COLLISION 2021 (MAY 28, 2021)". BackbodyDrop.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. ↑ Boone, Matt (September 26, 2021). "Spoilers: NJPW STRONG: Autumn Attack Taping Results (9/25/2021)". eWrestling. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  36. ↑ Gunier, Robert (March 6, 2022). "Control Your Narrative Debut Show Results, Adam Scherr Note". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  37. ↑ "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » AJZ » Matches". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Destination Polaris". Facebook. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  39. ↑ Bowman, Zach. "Braun Strowman's Wisconsin Fortress of Solitude". UTV Driver. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  40. ↑ Grifol, Ignacio. "Entrevista exclusiva a AJZ: "Sé que EC3 se siente amenazado por mí"". Solo Wrestling. Solo Wrestling. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  41. ↑ "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » AJZ » Matches". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  42. ↑ "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » AJZ » Matches". Cagematch. Cagematch. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  43. ↑ "OVW Television Title (Kentucky)".
  44. ↑ Ford, Show. "RESULTS 2015 INBF Midwest Natural". worldnaturalbb.com. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
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  48. ↑ "Highlights from Day 4 of National Championships". USASA. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Entrevistamos a Andreas John Ziegler, el 'sobrino' de Dolph Ziggler". November 27, 2022.
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