LJ Cleary

Last updated • 4 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
LJ Cleary
LJ Cleary 2021-10-16 20-58-53 ILCE-7C DSC01417 DxO (cropped).jpg
Cleary in October 2021
Birth nameLee Joseph Cleary
Born (1999-03-12) March 12, 1999 (age 25) [1]
Dublin, Ireland
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) LJ Cleary
Billed height177 cm (5 ft 10 in) [2]
Billed weight88 kg (194 lb)
Trained byPhil Boyd
Debut2014

Lee Joseph Cleary (born 12 March 1999) is an Irish professional wrestler who is primarily known for his work in the Irish promotion Over the Top Wrestling (OTT) and Scottish promotion Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) but also for his various tenures with other promotions from the European independent scene. He most recently competed in Pro Wrestling Noah as a member of the Good Looking Guys stable. [3]

Contents

Professional wrestling career

European independent scene (2014–present)

Cleary made his professional wrestling debut at FFPW, an event co-promoted by Fight Factory Pro Wrestling and Union Of European Wrestling Alliances (UEWA) on March 23, 2014, where he teamed up with Bobby Calloway, Del PC and Mary Foy in a losing effort against Adam O'Brien, Colm Day, Luke Barry and Ross Browne as a result of an eight-man tag team match. [4] He is known for his tenures with various promotions from the European independent scene with which he has shared brief or longer stints such as TNT Extreme Wrestling, Westside Xtreme Wrestling, German Wrestling Federation, Insane Championship Wrestling, DEFY Wrestling, Celtic Championship Wrestling and many others. [2] He competed in the 2021 edition of Revolution Pro Wrestling's British J-Cup where he fell short to Michael Oku in the first rounds. [5]

Over the Top Wrestling (2017–present)

One of the promotions Cleary is mostly known for competing in is Over the Top Wrestling. He made his debut at OTT Contenders, a house show promoted on May 28, 2017, where he teamed up with Gavin Fitz and Michael May in a losing effort against DJ Frosty and The Lads From The Flats (Paddy M and Workie). [6] During his time in the promotion, Cleary chased for various championships promoted by it. He is a former OTT No Limits Champion, having won the title at The Draw - Dublin on July 15, 2023, by defeating Trent Seven. [2] He is also a former OTT Gender Neutral Championship, title which he has won on two separate occasions, first at Contenders 7: Outer Space Odyssey SuperShow on March 18, 2018, by defeating Session Moth Martina, [7] and secondly on December 17, 2022, at Now That's Cool, OTT Christmas Party Day 1 by defeating Sammy D. [2]

Progress Wrestling (2019–2023)

Cleary made sporadic appearances in Progress Wrestling. He first competed at PROGRESS Chapter 91: Prog On The Tyne on July 6, 2019, where he teamed up with "More Than Hype" stablemates Darren Kearney and Nathan Martin to defeat Do Not Resuscitate (Chuck Mambo, Spike Trivet and William Eaver) in a six-man tag team match. [8] One night later at PROGRESS Chapter 92: Entertaining Friends, Cleary defeated Chuck Mambo in singles competition. [9] At PROGRESS Chapter 101: Dalmatians on January 19, 2020, he unsuccessfully challenged Kyle Fletcher in a qualifier bout for the PROGRESS World Championship. [10] At PROGRESS Chapter 103: Beer Snake City on February 23, 2020, Cleary teamed up with Darren Kearney and Nathan Martin in a losing effort against The Anti-Fun Police (Chief Deputy Dunne and Los Federales Santos Jr.) and Walter. [11] At PROGRESS Chapter 125: Castle Of Illusion on November 13, 2021, he fell short to Kid Lykos. [12] At PROGRESS Chapter 156: Steal Yourself on September 10, 2023, Cleary defeated Yoshiki Inamura in singles competition. [13]

Pro Wrestling Noah (2023–present)

Cleary started his excursion in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah, making his debut at NOAH Monday Magic #1 on October 9, 2023, where he teamed up with Ryohei Oiwa in a losing effort against Good Looking Guys (Anthony Greene and Jake Lee). After the bout, Cleary was presented as Good Looking Guys' stable's newest member. [14] He made his first pay-per-view appearance at Noah Demolition Stage In Fukuoka 2023 on October 28, where he teamed up with stablemate Anthony Greene in a losing effort against Kaito Kiyomiya and Ryohei Oiwa. [15] At Noah Star Navigation 2024 on January 13, Cleary teamed up with Jack Morris in a losing effort against Vinnie Massaro and Titus Alexander. [16] At Noah Sunny Voyage 2024 on January 17, he teamed up with Jake Lee, Anthony Greene, Yo-Hey, Tadasuke in a losing effort against Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Los Golpeadores (Dragón Bane and Alpha Wolf) as a result of a Ten-man tag team match. [17] Cleary scored his first pay-per-view victory at Noah Cross Over in Sendai 2024 on February 4, where he defeated Ninja Mack and Alejandro in a three-way match. [18] On the second night of the Noah Star Navigation 2024 event, Cleary teamed up with Jake Lee against Naomichi Marufuji and Kazuyuki Fujita in a losing effort.

Personal life

Cleary is currently in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler Aoife Cusack, who currently competes in WWE under the ring name Lyra Valkyria. They got engaged on 14 September 2024. [19]

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Ligero</span> British professional wrestler

Simon Musk is an English professional wrestler better known under his in-ring persona of masked Mexican luchador, El Ligero. He is most known for his time in the British independent circuit and in WWE, on their NXT UK brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Sabre Jr.</span> British professional wrestler (born 1987)

Luke James Uggles Eatwell, known by his ring name Zack Sabre Jr. and its abbreviated form ZSJ, is an English-born professional wrestler currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. In NJPW, he is the current second leader of the group The Mighty Don't Kneel (TMDK) and is a former two-time and inaugural NJPW World Television Champion. He also makes sporadic appearances for partner promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Haskins</span> British professional wrestler

Mark Haskins, is an English professional wrestler. He is known internationally for his time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as well as his appearances in Ring of Honor, Progress Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling, Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mighty Don't Kneel</span> Professional wrestling stable

The Mighty Don't Kneel (TMDK) are a professional wrestling stable performing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The stable consists of Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste, Bad Dude Tito, Zack Sabre Jr., Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita and Ryohei Oiwa; Sabre Jr. is a two-time and inaugural NJPW World Television Champion and the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, while Nicholls and Haste are current IWGP Tag Team Champions in their first reign, and are two-time and current Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions. The stable was primarily known as a tag team in Pro Wrestling Noah, with Nicholls and Haste being two-time GHC Tag Team Champions. They also worked for Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and WWE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Havoc</span> British professional wrestler (born 1984)

James McAhren is a British former professional wrestler best known under the ring name Jimmy Havoc. He is known for his work with Progress Wrestling, Defiant Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), Major League Wrestling (MLW) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Havoc is a former Progress World Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Ospreay</span> English professional wrestler (born 1993)

William Peter Charles Ospreay is an English professional wrestler. As of November 2023, he is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a former two-time AEW International Champion. He is also known for his eight year tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he held various championships, including the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noam Dar</span> Israeli-Scottish professional wrestler

Noam Dar is an Israeli-Scottish professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he works on the NXT brand. He is the leader of The Meta-Four stable and has held the NXT Heritage Cup a record-setting 3 times. He is also known for his time with Scottish promotion Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW),

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy Thatcher</span> American professional wrestler

Timothy Andrew Moura, better known by the ring name Timothy Thatcher, is an American professional wrestler currently performing for Pro-Wrestling NOAH and Major League Wrestling (MLW). He was previously signed to WWE, where he performed on the NXT brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaito Kiyomiya</span> Japanese professional wrestler (born 1996)

Kaito Kiyomiya is a Japanese professional wrestler who is currently signed to Pro Wrestling Noah, where he is the current and three-time GHC Heavyweight Champion. He also makes appearances for partner promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Bate</span> British professional wrestler (born 1997)

Tyler Bate is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he performs on the Raw brand, and is one half of the New Catch Republic with Pete Dunne. He is currently out of action due to a torn pectoral muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JD McDonagh</span> Irish professional wrestler (born 1990)

Jordan Devlin is an Irish professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name JD McDonagh. He is a member of The Judgment Day stable, and is one-half of the World Tag Team Champions with fellow stablemate and mentor Finn Bálor in their first reign as a team and McDonagh's first reign individually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Lee (wrestler)</span> Zainichi Korean wrestler (born 1989)

Lee Jae-kyung, better known by his ring name Jake Lee, is a Zainichi-Korean professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist and weightlifter. As of July 2024, he is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of Bullet Club and its War Dogs subgroup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunther (wrestler)</span> Austrian professional wrestler (born 1987)

Walter Hahn is an Austrian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Gunther, and is the current World Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. He is one-half of Imperium, the incumbent King of the Ring, and a former one-time and longest-reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion. Best known by his "Ring General" gimmick, he is characterized by his stiff wrestling style, and his wrestling philosophies which are signified by the "Die Matte ist Heilig" motto. As a wrestler, Hahn has been consistently praised and regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world by industry journalists and fellow wrestlers alike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Fletcher</span> Australian professional wrestler (born 1998)

Kyle Fletcher is an Australian professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Don Callis Family stable. He also performs in its sister company Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former one-time ROH World Tag Team Champion and ROH World Television Championship. Fletcher was previously signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a former IWGP Tag Team Champion and inaugural and record-setting two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion. He also made appearances for British promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where he was a two-time Undisputed British Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Davis (wrestler)</span> Professional wrestler

Davis Passfield, better known by his in-ring name Mark Davis, is an Australian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He also appears in its sister company Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a former one-time ROH World Tag Team Champion. He also appears for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion, and record-setting and inaugural two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion and Revolution Pro Wrestling, where he is a former two-time Undisputed British Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Looking Guys</span> Professional wrestling stable

Good Looking Guys was a professional wrestling stable, based in the Pro Wrestling Noah (Noah) promotion and was only led by Jake Lee between 2023 and 2024. The stable was initially composed of gaijins Jack Morris and Anthony Greene who were led by Jake Lee and started as a trio. Tadasuke, YO-HEY and LJ Cleary later joined the stable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Demolition Stage In Fukuoka 2023</span> 2023 Pro Wrestling Noah event

NOAH Demolition Stage In Fukuoka 2023 was a professional wrestling event promoted by CyberFight's sub-brand Pro Wrestling Noah. It took place on October 28, 2023, in Fukuoka, Japan, at the Fukuoka Convention Center. The event will air on CyberAgent's AbemaTV online linear television service and CyberFight's streaming service Wrestle Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Star Navigation 2024</span> 2024 Pro Wrestling Noah event

NOAH Star Navigation 2024 was a multiple-night professional wrestling event promoted by CyberFight's sub-brand Pro Wrestling Noah and took place on January 13, February 23, March 31, and April 11, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan, at the Korakuen Hall. Broadcasting was made on CyberAgent's AbemaTV online linear television service and CyberFight's streaming service Wrestle Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Lykos</span> English professional wrestler

Ethan Beach – better known by his ring name Kid Lykos – is an English professional wrestler, who currently performs on the British independent circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Great Voyage in Yokohama 2024</span> 2024 Pro Wrestling Noah event

NOAH Great Voyage in Yokohama 2024 was a professional wrestling event promoted by CyberFight's sub-brand Pro Wrestling Noah and took place on March 17, 2024, in Yokohama, Japan, at the Yokohama Budokan. Broadcasting was on CyberAgent's AbemaTV online linear television service and CyberFight's streaming service Wrestle Universe.

References

  1. Saalbach, Axel. "LJ Cleary • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kreikenbohm, Philip. "LJ Cleary/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "L.J. Cleary Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  4. Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 23, 2014). "FFPW". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  5. Jeremy Lambert (November 8, 2021). "RevPro British J Cup 2021 Results (11/6): Mike Bailey, Big Damo, Will Ospreay In Action". Fightful. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  6. Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 28, 2017). "OTT Contenders". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  7. "OTT Contenders 7: Outer Space Odyssey SuperShow « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
  8. "PROGRESS CHAPTER 91: PROG ON THE TYNE". thewrestlingrevolution.com. The Wrestling Revolution. July 6, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  9. "PROGRESS CHAPTER 92: ENTERTAINING FRIENDS". thewrestlingrevolution.com. The Wrestling Revolution. July 7, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  10. Perez, Luis (January 19, 2020). "PROGRESS Chapter 101: Dalmatians 1/19/20 Results". pwponderings.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  11. Lambert, Jeremy (February 23, 2020). "PROGRESS Chapter 103 Results (2/23): Ilja Dragunov, Toni Storm, WALTER, More In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  12. Guzzo, Gisberto (November 13, 2021). "PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 125: Castle Of Illusion Results (11/13): PROGRESS World Title Defended" . Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  13. Lambert, Jeremy (September 11, 2023). "PROGRESS Chapter 156 Results (9/10): Brian Cage Faces Mark Haskins, Big Damo In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  14. Black, Ethan (October 9, 2023). "Pro Wrestling Noah Monday Magic Episode 1 Results – October 9, 2023". pwmania.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  15. Pollock, John (October 28, 2023). "New champions crowned at NOAH's Demolition Stage in Fukuoka". postwrestling.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  16. Brennan, Corey (January 13, 2024). "Pro Wrestling NOAH Star Navigation Results (1/13): Kenoh Defends GHC Heavyweight Title". fightful.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  17. Carlan, Lewis (January 3, 2024). "Indy Sensation Titus Alexander Gets First Shot At A Pro Wrestling NOAH Title Against GHC National Champion Jack Morris". bodyslam.net. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  18. Black, Ethan (February 4, 2024). "Pro Wrestling Noah Cross Over In Sendai Results – February 4, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  19. Mukherjee, Subhojeet (14 September 2024). "Lyra Valkyria and LJ Cleary Announce Engagement After 10 Years Together". Ringside News. Retrieved 14 September 2024.