Titus O'Neil

Titus O'Neil

Titus O'Neil in February 2013
Birth name Thaddeus Michael Bullard
Born April 29, 1977
Boynton Beach, Florida, United States[1]
Children Thaddeus Bullard Jr.
Titus Bullard
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Titus O'Neil[2]
Rufus Patterson
Big Folks
Billed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[2]
Billed weight 270 lb (120 kg)[2]
Billed from Live Oak, Florida[2]
Tampa, Florida[3]
Trained by Florida Championship Wrestling
Debut 2009[4]

Thaddeus Michael Bullard Sr. (born April 29, 1977) is an American professional wrestler and retired college and professional football player. Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally in the Arena Football League. Bullard is a professional wrestler, and is signed to WWE, working under the ring name Titus O'Neil.[5] He was part of the second season of NXT, and also competed in the show's fifth season, NXT Redemption.

Background

Thaddeus Bullard was born in Boynton Beach, Florida.[1] He grew up in Live Oak, Florida, where he attended Suwannee High School.[1] He was a standout player for the Suwannee Bulldogs high school football, and was recognized by USA Today, SuperPrep, and Parade magazine as a high school All-American as a senior in 1995.[1]

Football career

Bullard accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and played for coach Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators football team from 1997 to 2000.[6] He redshirted during the Gators' 1996 national championship season. Bullard lettered the next four seasons, playing in forty-four regular season games with three starts. He was elected student body vice president in April 2000, and graduated in August 2000.[1] While he was an undergraduate, he was initiated as a brother of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

After college, Bullard played in the Arena Football League from 2003 to 2007 with the Utah Blaze, Tampa Bay Storm, Las Vegas Gladiators and the Carolina Cobras.[7][8]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2009–2011)

Bullard signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2009 and began training with their development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. He made his television debut on the January 16, 2010 episode of FCW's show on Bright House Sports Network as Titus O'Neil in a tag team match with Skip Sheffield, losing to the team of Vance Archer and Alex Riley. On December 3, O'Neil teamed with Damien Sandow to win the Florida Tag Team Championship after defeating Xavier Woods and Mason Ryan in a match for the vacant championship.[5] The pair lost the championship to Richie Steamboat and Seth Rollins on March 25, 2011.[9]

NXT (2010–2012)

Titus O'Neil competed in the second season of WWE NXT, with Zack Ryder as his mentor. He debuted on the June 8 episode, teaming with Ryder to lose to Eli Cottonwood and John Morrison.[10] During and after the bout the two argued. The following week the two made up. Two weeks later, O'Neil was the first person eliminated from the second season of NXT, and gave a farewell speech before leaving the arena.[11] O'Neil returned for the season finale on August 31, joining the other eliminated rookies in attacking the winner, Kaval.[12]

In March 2011, O'Neil was selected as one of the six former NXT contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, NXT Redemption, being mentored by Hornswoggle. In the season premiere, O'Neil defeated Lucky Cannon in the main event.[13] The two also feuded with Darren Young and his pro, Hornswoggle's old nemesis, Chavo Guerrerro. Following Lucky Cannon's elimination on the May 14, 2011 episode of NXT Redemption, O'Neil lead the fans in a rendition of Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, as a tribute to the recently retired Edge. On the June 21 episode of NXT Redemption, O'Neil's pro from season two, Zack Ryder, returned for one night only to face and defeat O'Neil.

On the July 12, 2011 episode of NXT, he faced off against Darren Young and Derrick Bateman in a triple threat elimination match, which saw him lose to Bateman. 8 days later, O'Neil teamed up with NXT host Matt Striker in a winning effort against Darren Young and Derrick Bateman after Young was pinned by O'Neil.

On the September 8 episode of WWE Superstars, O'Neil teamed with Percy Watson in a losing effort against Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.[14] O'Neil and Watson defeated Derrick Bateman and Tyson Kidd,[15] as well as Bateman and JTG,[16] but lost to Darren Young and JTG.[17]

On the November 16, 2011 episode of NXT, O'Neil was assaulted by a returning Darren Young.[18] Young was then able to get the better of O'Neil twice in tag team matches.[19][20] The conclusion to O'Neil's feud with Young came when O'Neil defeated Young in a no disqualifications match on the January 18 episode of NXT. O'Neil then turned heel after the match, verbally ripping on the audience, his former pro Hornswoggle, and NXT itself.[21]

O'Neil was sent to SmackDown before NXT Redemption crowned a winner of the season.

O'Neil later urged his friend Percy Watson to also turn his back on the fans on the January 25, 2012 episode of NXT. When Watson refused, O'Neil shoved him and a match between the two was booked, leading to O'Neil defeating Watson. O'Neil continued to attack Watson after the match, leading to Alex Riley saving Watson.[22] O'Neil then formed an alliance with former enemy Young, and the duo teamed up to defeat Watson and Riley on the February 1 and 29 episodes of NXT.[23][24] O'Neil also faced and defeated Riley on the February 22 episode of NXT.[25] On the March 7 episode of NXT, Watson received his rematch against O'Neil and defeated O'Neil.[26] O'Neil and Young then moved on to feud with The Usos.[27]

The Prime Time Players (2012–2014)

On the April 18 episode of NXT, it was announced that O'Neil, along with Darren Young, had been moved to the main roster. The team made their debut on the April 20 episode of SmackDown with a victory over The Usos. They started on a winning streak defeating the likes Ezekiel Jackson and Yoshi Tatsu, Santino Marella and Zack Ryder before their streak was ended on the May 18 episode of SmackDown after lost to then-Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth.[28]

In June at the No Way Out pay-per-view, O'Neil and Young won a fatal-four way tag team match to become number one contenders for the Tag Team Championship, due assistance from A.W. who turned on his clients Primo and Epico.[29] On the July 16 episode of Raw, O'Neil and Young unsuccessfully challenged Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for the Tag Team Championship.[30] On the August 10 episode of SmackDown, they defeated Primo and Epico in a number one contenders match via disqualification when A.W. provoked Kingston and R-Truth, who were on commentary, into interfering in the match.[31] That same day, A.W. was released from his contract.[32] Despite losing A. W., the Prime Time Players received their title shot at SummerSlam, but were again defeated by Kingston and Truth.[33] On the September 7 episode of SmackDown, Prime Time Players defeated Primo and Epico and The Usos in a triple threat tag team match to earn another shot the Tag Team Championship.[34] However, on Raw three days later, Prime Time Players lost their title shot to the team of Daniel Bryan and Kane.[35] At the Survivor Series pay-per-view, O'Neil took part in a 10-man elimination tag team match, but was eliminated by Tyson Kidd.[36]

At the 2013 Royal Rumble, O'Neil entered the Royal Rumble match at number 7, but was eliminated by Sheamus. On the March 18 episode of Raw, O'Neil for one night only played a new character called Rufus "Pancake" Patterson, his "uncle", accompanying Darren Young in his match against John Cena, in which Young was defeated.[37]

The Prime Time Players in November 2013

On the August 19, 2013 episode of Raw, the Prime Time Players turned face in a winning effort against the Real Americans, a week after O'Neil's tag-team partner Darren Young's (legitimate) coming out which received mainstream media coverage. At the Night of Champions event in the pre-show bout, O'Neil and Young won a tag team turmoil upon entering last, for the opportunity to face The Shield for the tag team championship, but lost to Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins on the pay-per-view.[38] Furthering their face turn, the duo were amongst those who saved Daniel Bryan from being injured by Randy Orton. However, due to their brave actions, the Prime Time Players would be forced into a 3 on 1 handicap gauntlet match against The Shield as ordered by the COO, Triple H, as well as Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston and Rob Van Dam.

Slater-Gator (2014–2015)

On the January 31, 2014 episode of SmackDown, The Prime Time Players disbanded after O'Neil allowed Curtis Axel to pin Young during a tag-team match. After the match, O'Neil attacked Young to turn heel. Before the Elimination Chamber, to gain momentum, Titus defeated Zack Ryder on Raw. O'Neil went on to defeat Young in a match at the 2014 Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

Slater Gator in September 2014

In the following months after Elimination Chamber, O'Neil's misfortunes began piling up; he lost a rematch to Young via roll up on the February 26 episode of Main Event. Sheamus and Big Show defeated O'Neil multiple times on both Raw and Main Event,[39] whereas on SmackDown Dolph Ziggler and Adam Rose gained victories over O'Neil. From mid-April to mid-June, O'Neil commonly appeared on Superstars, where he suffered many losses to Kofi Kingston and Big E. He was also unsuccessful in winning four battle royals: the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX,[40] a battle royal for the WWE United States Championship in May,[41] a Money in the Bank qualifying battle royal in June, and a battle royal for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Battleground.[42][43]

In July 2014, Heath Slater formed a tag team with O'Neil,[44] later known as Slater Gator. In July and August, they largely wrestled on Main Event and Superstars. Despite wins over the likes of Sin Cara & Zack Ryder and Goldust & Stardust, they suffered losses to the likes of Hornswoggle & El Torito and Big E & Kofi Kingston.[45] In September, Slater Gator featured more on Raw, but this was at the expense of O'Neil losing multiple matches to Adam Rose, as well as Slater Gator losing to the team of Rose and the Bunny.[45]

When O'Neil entered the Royal Rumble match in January 2015, he was immediately eliminated by the combined efforts of Dean Ambrose and eventual winner Roman Reigns.[46]

Return of The Prime Time Players (2015–present)

On the February 16 episode of Raw, O'Neil turned face by saving his former tag team partner Darren Young from an attack from The Ascension.[47] Then on the 23 February edition of Raw, The Prime Time Players officially reunited to battle The Ascension, with Young picking up the victory. O'Neil participated in the 2nd Annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31, before being eliminated by Ryback.[48]

Personal life

Bullard has two sons. Thaddeus Jr. "TJ" and Titus Bullard. Titus is also a Christian.[49] He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

In wrestling

O'Neil performs his signature "bark"

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 GatorZone.com, Football History, 2000 Roster,
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Titus O'Neil Bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Titus O'Neill". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Titus O'Neil". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Media Alerts: December 3, 2010: ***Breaking news from Plant City, Fl***". Florida Championship Wrestling. December 3, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  6. ↑ 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 179 (2011). Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  7. ↑ https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=96454
  8. ↑ http://www.arenafan.com/players/Thaddeus_Bullard-3429/
  9. ↑ Gerweck, Steve (March 25, 2011). "New FCW Tag Team champions crowned". WrestleView. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  10. ↑ Bishop, Matt (June 8, 2010). "WWE NXT: New rookies pay as Season 2 opens". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ Caldwell, James (June 29, 2010). "Caldwell's WWE NXT Results 6/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of NXT Season 2, Week 4". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
  12. ↑ Bishop, Matt (August 31, 2010). "WWE NXT: Kaval wins show's 2nd season, gets beat down". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Bishop, Matt (March 9, 2011). "WWE NXT: Redemption begins for 6 former rookies". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
  14. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 9/8: Bryan dominates main event, Fox vs. Tamina, returns & TV debuts & squash matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  15. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/13: Alt. perspective review of NXT Week 28, overall show Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  16. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 10/19: Review of NXT Week 33, talk of Rookie Challenges returns, overall show Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  17. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/20: Alt. perspective review of NXT is Showtime Week 29, overall show Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  18. ↑ Bishop, Matt (November 17, 2011). "WWE NXT: Curtis creating a rift between BetaMax". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  19. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 11/23: Percy & Titus vs. Reks & D-Young main event, BetaMaxCurtis love triangle continues, Usos reference heritage". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  20. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 12/7/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  21. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 1/18 – Week 46: Wedding interrupted, Titus turns heel, Elvis, out-of-control, destructive, and unproductive Cole commentary". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  22. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 1/25 – Week 47: Titus vs. Showtime, Slater ends The Streak, overall show Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  23. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "Wrestleview.com – NXT Results – 2/1/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  24. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "Wrestleview.com – NXT Results – 2/29/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  25. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 2/22 – Week 51: Two matches, big announcement teased for next week". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  26. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "Wrestleview.com – NXT Results – 3/7/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  27. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 3/14/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  28. ↑ Michael Burdick (April 20, 2012). "Smackdown Results". WWE. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  29. ↑ Kara A. Medalis (June 17, 2012). "No Way Out – Fatal-4-Way tag team match results". WWE. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  30. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 7/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw #998 – MITB PPV fall-out, Cena's announcement".
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Burdick, Michael (August 10, 2012). "SmackDown Results: Del Rio ambushed Sheamus, taking the law into his own hands". WWE. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  32. ↑ "A. W. released from WWE". WWE. August 10, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  33. ↑ "WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth def. The Prime Time Players". WWE. August 19, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  34. ↑ "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 9/7: Ongoing coverage of Friday night show, including Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. Cody Rhodes & The Miz".
  35. ↑ "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 9/10: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Hart back in Montreal, final PPV hype".
  36. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 11/18: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Punk-Cena-Ryback". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  37. ↑ Benigno, Anthony. "Raw results: CM Punk taunts The Undertaker, and Triple H signs a fateful WrestleMania contract". WWE. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  38. ↑ http://www.uproxx.com/sports/2013/09/wwe-night-champions-2013-results/
  39. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 3/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Hunter's big response to "Occupy Raw," Evolution Explodes, Bryan vs. Orton, more". PWTorch.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Andre the Giant memorial battle royal". Wrestleview. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  41. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 5/5: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – PPV fall-out, U.S. Title battle royal, IC Title re-match, Shield vs. Wyatts, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  42. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE Raw results – 6/16/14 (Stretcher match main event)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  43. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Battleground PPV report 7/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV – Cena defends WWE Title, IC Title battle royal, Usos vs. Wyatts Tag Title match, more". PWTorch.com. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  44. ↑ "WWE SmackDown report 7/11: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton, Roman Reigns vs. Rusev". PWTorch.com. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Titus O'Neil during 2014". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  46. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Royal Rumble PPV Report 1/25: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Lesnar vs. Cena vs. Rollins for WWE Title, Royal Rumble, post-PPV Network show". PWTorch.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  47. ↑ Caldwell, James (February 16, 2015). "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 2/16: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Fast Lane final hype, Cena opens Raw, Bryan and Reigns singles matches, Dusty Rhodes, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  48. ↑ Clapp, John. "2nd Annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal". WWE. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  49. ↑ Namako, Jason (March 28, 2014). "Titus O'Neil on being a parent while working for WWE". WrestleView. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  50. ↑ Caldwell, James (March 22, 2011). "Caldwell's WWE NXT results 3/22: Complete "virtual time" coverage of NXT Season 5, Week 3, Tucker's Instant Reaction". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  51. ↑ Stephens, David (September 2, 2013). "WWE Raw Results – 9/2/13 (Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 Cox, James. "WWE Superstars TV Report: Big E vs. Titus O'Neil, RybAxel vs. Xavier/Truth". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 11/7 – Week 40: Bateman-Curtis-Maxine triangle adds new player, Showtime & Titus, Usos vs. Hawkins & Reks". PWTorch.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 Tedesco, Mike. "WWE Smackdown results – 8/15/14 (Reigns vs. the Miz)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Howell, Nolan. "WWE Main Event: Cesaro looks to regroup against Kingston". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  56. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE Raw results – 6/23/14 (4-on-3 handicap main event)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  57. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE SmackDown results – 11/1/13 (John Cena appears)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 8/16: NXT Week 24 review, Which happens first – Season 5 ends or Season 5 Pro Chavo turns up in TNA?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Howell, Nolan. "WWE Main Event: R-Truth dukes it out against Wade Barrett". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  60. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE SmackDown results – 10/11/13 (tag team main event)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  61. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE Superstars report 4/10: Kofi vs. Titus main event, Ziggler loses to Ryback". PWTorch.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  62. ↑ Aiken, Chris. "WWE Main Event TV report: Tuesday, 05 August 2014 19:41". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  63. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE Main Event report: Big Show thins out the locker room; Gabriel vs. O'Neil; and more". PWInsider. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  64. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE Superstars report: It's Party Time; 3MB's Last Stand; and more". pwinsider.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  65. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 5/24: Alt. perspective review of NXT Week 12, overall show Reax". PWTorch.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  66. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE.com NXT Redemption Report: A Love Triangle?; Remembering That Tamina Was Once With The Usos; Tyson Kidd In Action". pwinsider.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  67. ↑ "Titus O'Neil def. Darren Young". WWE.com. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  68. ↑ Clapp, John (July 20, 2012). "Meet the hit maker in The Prime Time Players' corner". WWE. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  69. ↑ "Making Moves". iTunes. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  70. ↑ ">"Let Me Show You How". iTunes. Retrieved February 21, 2014.|
  71. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2013". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved August 22, 2013.

External links