Evan Golden (wrestler)

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Robert Evan Lee Cox (born September 29, 2000), better known by the ring name Evan Golden, is an American professional wrestler currently performing for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). A second generation wrestler, he is the son of Eddie Golden and the third member of the Golden wrestling family. [1]

Contents

Evan Golden
Professional wrestler Evan Golden pictured on September 19, 2024.jpg
Birth nameRobert Evan Lee Cox
Born (2000-09-29) September 29, 2000 (age 24)
Asheville, North Carolina, United States [2]
Parent(s) Eddie Golden (father)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Evan Golden
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm) [3]
Billed weight209 lb (95 kg) [3]
Billed from Asheville, North Carolina [3]
Trained by Eddie Golden [3]
E. Z. Money [1] [3]
Jeff Connelly [3]
DebutDecember 18, 2021 [3]

Early life

Robert Evan Lee Cox was born on September 29, 2000, in Asheville, North Carolina. [3] [2] His father, Eddie, worked as a professional wrestler, touring the Southeast. [4] Cox attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College where he graduated a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the International Thespian Society. [5]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2021–2022)

Golden debuted on December 18, 2021, for the Asheville-based promotion Uprise Pro Wrestling, accompanied to the ring by his father, Eddie. [4] [6] Golden was provided training from his dad alongside E.Z. Money and Jeff Connelly. Golden defeated Connelly in a student vs teacher match on October 22, 2022 at a fundraising event. [7] [8]

National Wrestling Alliance (2023–present)

Early appearances (2023–2024)

Golden unsuccessfully challenged Kerry Morton for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in Mountain City, Tennessee on May 17, 2023. Immediately after the match, Golden tagged alongside Jeff Paul against Morton and Bryan Montgomery in an impromptu tag team match. [9] [10]

Golden competed at SOM Live and the National Wrestling Alliance's Monsters of the Midway event on July 28, 2023. Golden retained the SOM Hybrid Championship against Victor Andrews, Blade Gibson, and Jackson Black. [11] Golden retained the championship in a defense against Kirk Cazana on August 8, 2023. [12]

Southeastern territories (2024–present)

Golden performing at NWA Back to the Territories in 2024 Evan Golden performing for the National Wrestling Alliance in 2024.jpg
Golden performing at NWA Back to the Territories in 2024

On February 9, 2024, Golden debuted for National Wrestling Alliance Joe Cazana Promotions Southeast, the official southeastern territory for the NWA. Golden teamed alongside Michael Gabriel as The Guiding Light in a losing effort to The Country Gentlemen, AJ and KC Cazana. [13] [14] [15]

Golden and Gabriel returned to NWA-JCP on May 10, 2024 at Showdown at Sunbright, revealing Sal Rinauro as their new manager. The Guiding Light, now accompanied by Rinauro, faced Gustavo and JeMiale. Golden and Gabriel emerged victorious after Golden blinded JeMiale with an eyerake, allowing Rinauro to burn JeMiale with a fireball from the Book of Gabriel. After stealing the victory, Golden and Gabriel remained at ringside for Rinauro’s match with Tyler Shoop. Golden attempted to use the Book of Gabriel fireball on Shoop, but the fire did not take shape, allowing Shoop to throw Rinauro into the book and execute a schoolboy pin. After the loss for Rinauro, a tense argument ensued before Golden and Rinauro made up. [16]

On June 1, 2024, Golden competed at the NWA Back to the Territories tapings of Powerrr, where he was defeated by Wayne Moxxi with a springboard elbow drop. [17] On June 14, Golden and Gabriel challenged The Zenith (JR Miller and TDT) to a match at NWA-JCP Showcase Series: Back to the Basics in Decatur, Tennessee. Golden and Gabriel lost the match after Gabriel failed his attempt to cheat. [18] On August 29, The Guiding Light debuted for the fourth official territory, NWA Kross Fire. At the event, JaMiale recruited Rabbit Rogue and challenged Golden and Gabriel to a tag team match in response to the fireball incident. Golden and Gabriel emerged unsuccessful after a double roll up.

Golden entered the Carson Drake Invitational Battle Royal at NWA-JCP Matinee at the Matches on September 29, 2024. Despite an endorsement from Drake, Golden was eliminated from the match by Karl Parker. After pulling Parker off the apron to eliminate him, the two fought around the venue, igniting a new rivalry. In the main event of the show, Golden was defeated by Parker and KC Cazana in a no holds barred triple threat match. [19]

Professional wrestling style, persona, and reception

Professional wrestler Evan Golden in 2024.jpg

Golden utilizes the somersault neckbreaker as his finisher, known as the Afterburner. Golden inherited the finisher from his trainer E.Z. Money, who innovated the move in ECW and WCW. Golden occasionally employs a diving neckbreaker variation of the move called the Super Afterburner. Golden also inherited the Pendulum of Pain from Money, a rocking horse Boston crab. [20] Golden uses a variety of different moonsault variations, most notably the top rope moonsault and the standing moonsault. [3]

Golden has donned a flamboyant vogue since the beginning of his career, popularizing concepts such as illuminating jackets and body glitter. Golden has received acclaim for his work as a heel, often instigating fans and provoking spectators at ringside. Golden has utilized his promo abilities to host his own talk show, 24 Karat Gold, using the platform to initiate matches and trash talk. [21]

Music career

On March 19, 2020, Golden debuted his first single as a musician on streaming platforms. [22] Golden released the following single, "Walk", a year later. [23] Golden released his third single titled "Jet Lag" in collaboration with MecHeoN on May 28. [24] Golden released his fourth single titled "Huntin' for Myself" alongside James Tate on July 10, 2021. [25] [26]

Other media

Video games

YearTitleNotesRef.
2023GM UniverseVideo game debut [27]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as a lead artist, showing year released and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"Up Now / Vapor" [28] 2020Non-album singles
"Walk" [29] 2021
"Jet Lag" [24]

(featuring MecHeoN)

"Huntin' for Myself" [25]

(featuring James Tate)

"Keep Asking" [30]
"Mad" [31]
"Ride" [32]
"Chasing You" [33]
"Watching" [34]
"Snowstorm" [35]
"Love Again" [36] 2022
"Man of the Year" [37]

(featuring MecHeoN)

"It's Christmas Time Again" [38]
"Dreams" [39]

(featuring James Tate)

2023
"Homesick" [40]
”Deeper” [41] 2024

Championships and accomplishments

Golden as SOM Hybrid Champion in 2023 Professional wrestler Evan Golden as SOM Hybrid Champion in 2023.jpg
Golden as SOM Hybrid Champion in 2023
Golden with the SOM East Tennessee Heavyweight Championship and the SPCW Junior Heavyweight Championship in 2024 East Tennessee Heavyweight Champion Evan Golden pictured in 2024.jpg
Golden with the SOM East Tennessee Heavyweight Championship and the SPCW Junior Heavyweight Championship in 2024
Golden pictured with the East Tennessee Championship in 2024 Professional wrestler Evan Golden pictured with the East Tennessee Championship.jpg
Golden pictured with the East Tennessee Championship in 2024

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References

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