| Taylor Rotunda | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | Bo Rotunda[1] Bo Rotundo[1] Tank Mulligan[1] Tank Rotunda[1] Tank Rotundo[1] Taylor Rotunda[1] |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2] |
| Weight | 230 lb (104 kg)[2] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[3] |
| Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg)[3] |
| Born | May 25, 1990 [1] Brooksville, Florida[1] |
| Billed from | Brooksville, Florida[3] |
| Trained by | FCW Staff[1] |
| Debut | December 2008[4] |
Taylor Rotunda[1] (born May 25, 1990)[1] is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), as Bo Rotundo. He is a former two-time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and has also previously held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship on one occasion with his older brother Duke Rotundo.
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In 2008, Rotunda signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he debuted in December by defeating Caleb O'Neal.[4] On December 16, 2008, Rotunda, wrestling under his real name teamed with Kris Logan to defeat Ryback and Jon Cutler in a tag team match.[1] Throughout early 2009, Rotunda continued wrestling in tag team matches, and changed his name to 'Tank Rotunda' in February.[5] In June, he began wrestling as 'Bo Rotunda' and later 'Bo Rotundo', and the following month he began teaming with his brother, Duke Rotundo.[5] At the FCW television tapings on June 23, The Rotundo Brothers defeated The Dude Busters (Caylen Croft and Trent Barretta) to become the number one contenders to the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.[5] That same night, they defeated Justin Angel and Kris Logan for the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.[4][5] They went on to successfully defend the championship against Dylan Klein and Vance Archer and the team of Curt Hawkins and Heath Slater.[5] At the FCW television tapings on November 19, the Rotundos lost the championship to The Dude Busters (Hawkins and Croft).[5]
In early 2010, the Rotundos began feuding with The Usos (Jimmy and Jules), and their manager, Sarona Snuka.[6] They lost to The Usos on January 14, but defeated The Usos and Donny Marlow in a six-man tag team match, with Wes Brisco as their partner. In a straight rematch on March 11, the Rotundos defeated The Usos.[6] In April, they moved into a feud with Jackson Andrews and Curt Hawkins, which began when Rotundo faced Andrews in a singles match and won by disqualification when Hawkins interfered.[6] At the television tapings the following week, the Rotundos teamed up with Eli Cottonwood in a loss to Hawkins, Andrews, and Leo Kruger.[6] Rotundo was then absent from FCW due to injury, making his return in June.[6] He moved into singles competition, defeating wrestlers including Derrick Bateman, Hawkins, Tyler Reks, and Brodus Clay.[6]
In August, FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Mason Ryan issued an open challenge, which Rotundo accepted. He lost the subsequent championship match by submission.[6] On February 3, 2011, Rotundo defeated Ryan to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship for the first time, but lost the championship to Lucky Cannon immediately afterward.[7][8] He regained the championship from Cannon three months later, on May 19.[7] Rotundo made his WWE debut on July 25, defeating Primo in a dark match before the WWE Raw broadcast began.[9] On August 16, Rotundo defeated Joey Ryan in another dark match at the SmackDown tapings, and the following week on August 23, Rotundo lost to Wade Barrett in a dark match prior to SmackDown.[10][11] On September 1, Rotundo vacated the Florida Heavyweight Championship due to injury.[12] Later that month, it was reported that Rotundo had suffered a lacerated kidney, and is expected to be absent for several months to recuperate.[13]
Rotunda is a third generation professional wrestler; his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan, father Mike Rotunda and uncles Barry and Kendall Windham were all professional wrestlers.[2] His brother Windham is also a professional wrestler who goes by the name of 'Husky Harris' in WWE.[4]
Rotunda attended Hernando High School, and graduated in 2008.[4] During his final two years of high school, he qualified for the state wrestling championships.[4] He also played football as a linebacker.[2] Originally, he was offered a football scholarship at Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida, but when the offer fell through, he decided to become a wrestler instead.[4][14]