Not to be confused with Necrobutcher

Dylan Summers
Necro Butcher during a PWS Firestorm show on December 9, 2007
Ring name(s)	(The) Necro Butcher "Hollywood" Dylan Summers[1] CP Munk[2] Pvt. Dylan Summers Pvt. Dylan Sanders
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[3]
Billed weight	230 lb (104 kg)[3]
Born	(1974-07-13) July 13, 1974 (age 37)[1] Morgantown, West Virginia[1]
Billed from	Goddamn, West Virginia[4]
Trained by	Black Bart Jay Diego[5]
Debut	January 2, 1998[5]
Website	TheNecroButcher.com

Dylan Keith Summers^[1] (born July 13, 1973)^[1] is an American professional wrestler best known by his ring name (The) Necro Butcher. Throughout the years he has worked for various promotions, including Beyond Wrestling, Firestormpro, Ring of Honor, Full Impact Pro, IWA-Mid South, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Big Japan Pro Wrestling, and Combat Zone Wrestling.

Summers is well known for his willingness to participate in a creative and dangerous mix of hardcore wrestling, deathmatches, and brawls, as well as his appearance in the 2008 film The Wrestler.

Wrestling career[link]

In 1998, Summers made his professional wrestling debut after teaming with Aaron White to take on Victor Pain and Canyon. Summers, enlisted in the United States Army, continued to work small independent shows across Texas as "Michael Van Slyck", later changed to Sanders. On March 16, 1999, as Necro Butcher, he won his first professional wrestling championship, after defeating Damon Richards to become IHW Hardcore champion. Butcher's popularity continued to dominate Texas wrestling, and at his debut in TCW, he defeated rival Jay Diego to become the company's Hardcore champion. His success in TCW came to a halt after a dispute with its promoter. He lost the Hardcore title to Hellhammer before leaving the company. Butcher continued to build up his reputation as the most violent Death Match wrestler in Texas. On October 10, 1999, Butcher faced "Mad" Man Pondo for the first time.

IWA Mid-South[link]

Throughout 2001, Butcher had worked IWA Mid-South in an attempt to make a name for himself in the top independent leagues. Becoming a regular across the NWA promotions, Butcher gained widespread visibility in 2002. In July 2002, competing in IWA Mid-South, he defeated Mark Wolf, Mitch Page, 2 Tuff Tony, and finally Spyder Nate Webb to become the 2002 King of the Deathmatch. Necro would go to the finals in the 2005 Strong Style Tournament, defeating Eddie Kingston and B.J. Whitmer, but losing to Chris Hero.

In 2005 and 2006, Necro had two high profile matches against both Samoa Joe and Low-Ki. He lost to Joe in their first match, the main event of IWA's debut in the ECW Arena. He then went on to lose in January 2006 again to Joe. Three months later, in Low-Ki's second match in the promotion, he took out Necro. The two met in a rematch in December, where the stipulation was a tap out/knock out finish. Although Necro lost all four matches, his star remained high after taking a lot of abuse from both Joe and Ki.

In the summer of 2007, at IWA MS Point Proven in Philadelphia, Necro and his frequent tag team partner "Mister Insanity" Toby Klein (aka The Tough Crazy Bastards) battled and were defeated by Low-Ki and Homicide. The TCB were accompanied to the ring by Halfbreed Billy Gram.

Necro eventually won his first IWA gold, the Death Match title, on September 9, 2007, in Sellersburg, Indiana in a three way dance against Corporal Robinson and Tank. He would lose the title on March 1, 2008, to Danny Havoc.

Combat Zone Wrestling[link]

His success in IWA-MS lead him to become a name attraction for hardcore oriented indy promotions in North America. For Combat Zone Wrestling, Butcher worked a program with Wifebeater, losing to him in the first Tournament of Death in 2002. Butcher returned the following year and was eliminated in round two by Ian Rotten. He reached the final at the 3rd annual Tournament of Death before finally winning Tournament of Death 4 by defeating John Zandig and Nick Gage.^[6][7] This victory made him the first person ever to win both the King of the Deathmatch and Tournament of Death. Necro returned to CZW at Cage of Death XI on December 12, 2009. Necro competed in the 10th Annual Tournament of Death but was defeated by "Bulldozer" Matt Tremont in the first round.^[8]

Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2003–present)[link]

Summers debuted in Juggalo Championship Wrestling at the 2003 Gathering of the Juggalos where he faced "Hollywood" Chuck Hogan in a Light tube Deathmatch. The match was set to be released on video, but footage from the entire event was scrapped due to the amount of injuries sustained by the wrestlers and the rowdiness of the fans. Later that year, Summers fought Mad Man Pondo in a deathmatch which was released on JCW, Vol. 3.^[9] Soon after, the two men began teaming together. Summers also began appearing every year at the annual Gathering of the Juggalos, and quickly became a staple in the company.

In 2007, Summers went on tour with JCW to film the internet wrestling show SlamTV!. On the first episode, Insane Clown Posse announced that the JCW Tag Team Championship had been vacated, which caused several tag teams to emerge.^[10] Summers aligned himself with Mad Man Pondo, and the team dominated competition for several weeks.^[10] However, animosity grew between the two as miscommunication cost both members multiple matches. The following weeks saw the duo break out into fist fights, which lead to a series of matches between the two.^[10] The team reunited at "East Side Wars", though, and eventually established themselves as top contenders for the vacant tag team titles.^[11] At Bloodymania, the duo won an 8 Team Tag-Team Elimination match to become the new JCW Tag Team Champions.^[11] The reign was short lived, however, as Summers signed a contract with Ring of Honor, forcing Pondo to team with several partners before losing the title at a live event in Cleveland, Ohio on January 26, 2008.^[12]

Summers returned to Juggalo Championship Wrestling at Big Ballas X-Mas Party 2009 where he teamed with Pondo to face The Thomaselli Brothers.^[13] At Bloodymania IV, Summers and Pondo lost to the team of Balls Mahoney and Hollywood Chuck Hogan.^[14] On March 9, 2011, at Hardcore Hell, the team of Summers and Mad Man Pondo defeated The Haters in a hardcore Barbed Wire, Thumbtacks, and Ladders match for their second JCW Tag Team Championship.^[15] The duo lost their championship to Ring Rydas the following month.^[16]

Ring of Honor[link]

Necro first wrestled in the Ring of Honor promotion in 2006. He came in as part of Chris Hero's invasion of the company, representing CZW. He had several big matches, including being part of Team CZW in the Cage of Death match at Death before Dishonor IV. His final appearance in ROH as a representative of CZW was in a No Ropes Barbed Wire Match against B.J. Whitmer.

He returned to ROH a year later in August 2007 at ROH's third pay-per-view Man Up, as part of debuting stable The Age of the Fall with Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black and Lacey. With barbed wire around his arm and fist, the three attacked Briscoe Brothers. Later that night he was responsible for the end of two matches. First, he threw a chair into the ring, hitting Jack Evans as he was wrestling Tyler Black, and then he broke up an ensuing Six Man Tag Team match after punching the referee.

In early October 2007, as a result of the incident at Man Up, Butcher won two back-to-back Anything Goes Matches against Jay Briscoe. Since then Butcher has been featured in a number of high-profile 'brawling' and hardcore-style matches, including a loss to Bryan Danielson in a 'Relaxed Rules' match, losing to Jack Evans in a No Disqualification Match, losing to Kevin Steen in a Street Fight, and a loss in a 3-Way No Disqualification Match to Roderick Strong for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship. On October 25, 2008, Necro fought Go Shiozaki for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship, but lost when he and Shiozaki fought to a double count-out. Afterwards, The Age of the Fall came out and assaulted Butcher.

Necro feuded with Prince Nana's heel stable The Embassy, before turning heel himself and joining the stable in their battle against Rasche Brown on May 21, 2010.^[17] At the October 2, 2010, tapings of Ring of Honor Wrestling, Necro was defeated by Homicide in a Butcher's Rules match in his final ROH appearance before being let go by the promotion.^[18]

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (2006–2009)[link]

Necro Butcher made his debut for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla on April 9, 2006, the second night of All Star Weekend 3: Crazymania, as the surprise opponent to challenge Joey Ryan for the PWG World Heavyweight Championship in a No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match. Despite the conditions being in his favor, Necro lost to Ryan who pinned him will pulling his tights.^[19]

Necro returned at the 2006 Battle of Los Angeles, competing in the tournament against Super Dragon in a No Count-Out, No Disqualification Match that was the main event of the second night on September 2. Dragon would get the win after hitting Necro with the Psycho Driver onto an open chair.^[20] Necro then wrestled in the special attraction eight-man tag team match the next night teaming with Rocky Romero and the Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) against Colt Cabana, M-Dogg 20, Quicksilver, and Delirious. Necro's team lost when Quicksilver pinned Hero.^[21]

Necro was absent until he returned for Giant-Size Annual #4 on July 29, 2007. He was originally scheduled to compete against Kevin Steen in a Street Fight, but the no-show of the Briscoe Brothers resulted in a number of matches being changed. Necro would instead answer Bryan Danielson's open challenge and they fought in a Necro Rules Match that Danielson would win.^[22]

Necro would then compete in the 2007 Battle of Los Angeles, defeating Kevin Steen with a roll-up in a first-round tournament match on the second night on September 1,^[23] only to lose to Nigel McGuinness in a second-round tournament match the next night.^[24]

Necro became a regular member of the PWG roster through the majority of 2008, teaming with Chris Hero to defend the honor of Candice LaRae against The Human Tornado and his allies in Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston. It started with the main event of the first night of All Star Weekend 6 on January 5 with a Six-Person No Disqualification Tag Team Match that Tornado's team won when Kingston pinned Hero with the Back Drop Driver.^[25] The next night, Necro saved Candice from humiliation at the hands of Tornado before engaging in a Necro Rules Match against Claudio. Necro would win with the O'Connr Roll.^[26]

At ¡Dia De Los Dangerous! on February 24, Necro faced The Human Tornado in a one-night tournament match for the vacant PWG World Heavyweight Championship. Despite the match being contested under Necro Rules, Tornado won and would go on to win the belt by the end of the night.^[27] Necro Butcher would then face Eddie Kingston in a Necro Rules Match at Scared Straight on March 7. Again, Kingston would win despite the conditions being in Necro's favor.^[28]

Necro would take a break before returning on the second night of the 2008 DDT4 on May 18. He was originally scheduled to face The Human Tornado in a non-title Necro Rules Match, but Tornado suffered a serious quad injury the week prior. Tornado enlisted Jay Briscoe to take his place in a match that Necro ultimately won.^[29]

At It's It (What Is It?) on June 8, Necro was originally scheduled to team with Chris Hero to challenge Roderick Strong and Jack Evans for the PWG World Tag Team Championship. Strong suffered an injury the weekend before, so it was decided that the others would compete in a Three-Way Match to determine the Number One Contender to the PWG World Heavyweight Championship. Hero would win the match pinning Necro.^[30]

At Life During Wartime on July 6, Necro competed in a Necro Rules Match against popular Japanese comedy wrestler Kikutaro. Necro would eventually win the "Dangerous Comedy Match" when Kikutaro was knocked out as he was being pelted and buried underneath a pile of chairs that were being thrown into the ring by Necro and the fans. Necro would later help fight off Claudio Castagnoli from interfering in the main event, which saw Chris Hero defeat The Human Tornado for the PWG World Heavyweight Championship in a Steel Cage Guerrilla Warfare Match.^[31]

As a gesture of thanks for helping him, Hero granted Necro a spot in a Four-Way Match for the PWG World Heavyweight Championship on the first night of All Star Weekend 7 on August 30. The other challengers were Eddie Kingston and Low Ki. Low Ki had Necro locked in a Dragon Sleeper submission hold, but he refused to give up, which allowed Hero to successfully pin Kingston to retain the title.^[32] The next night, Necro would avenge his earlier loss to Kingston in another Necro Rules Match, pinning him with a Diving Crossbody.^[33]

Hero would once again give Necro an opportunity to go over on him in the 2008 Battle of Los Angeles as they faced each other in a non-title No Disqualification tournament match that was the main event of the first night on November 1. Hero would get the win through submission.^[34] The next night, Necro formed an unusual alliance with El Generico and Nick Jackson in a special attraction Nine-Man Three-Way Tag Team Match against the team of Joey Ryan, Chuck Taylor, and Kenny Omega as well as the team of Austin Aries, Davey Richards, and Roderick Strong. The chaotic match, made even more chaotic when the top two ropes collapsed and was later turned into an impromptu battle royal following nearly everyone chasing Omega in and out of the venue, finally ended when Richards pinned Necro under a referee fast count. When Generico and Nick Jackson could not reason with the referee, Necro smashed a chair over his head in retaliation.^[35]

Necro's appearances in PWG began to diminish in 2009. He faced Austin Aries at Express Written Consent on February 21 in a Necro Rules Match. Aries would get the win with a Brainbuster onto the chair.^[36] Necro would not return until The Secret of Guerrilla Island on June 28, losing in the main event to Joey Ryan in a Necro Rules Match.^[37] This would be Necro's last appearance for the promotion as he has not returned since.

Non-deathmatch accomplishments[link]

Outside of the lighttubes and barbed wire which gave him his fame, Butcher has also gained critical acclaim for his wild brawls and very physical "slugfests". Perhaps the most famous of these was his first match against TNA and ROH veteran Samoa Joe at the IWA Mid-South "Something To Prove" in 2005. Despite no weapons beyond a chair and a guardrail coming into play, the match was exceptionally brutal and well-received by deathmatch fans and purists alike, proving that Butcher could put on compelling matches without necessarily needing the weapons with which he was normally associated.

He also competed in the Chikara Tag World Grand Prix 2005 along with Mad Man Pondo (making it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated via disqualification for illegal tactics)^[38] and has wrestled (and won) a European catch wrestling match with Chris Hero.^[1] On April 9, 2006, he challenged for the PWG World Championship, but lost to the champion Joey Ryan.^[1] Most recently, many promoters have taken note of Butcher's brawling skills and have increasingly begun to put him in non-deathmatch competitions with wrestlers he would not normally be paired up against. IWA-MS in particular has attempted matches between Butcher and Samoa Joe (twice), Homicide, Roderick Strong, Chris Hero, Super Dragon, Low Ki and Eddie Kingston.

Butcher once wrestled in Chikara as part of 'Team WWF' on their February 24, 2006, Tag World Grand Prix as CP Munk – the 'Straight Edge' Chipmunk (Acorn Free and Better Than You), a parody of CM Punk as it was a large chipmunk costume with 'CM Punk-style' markings (including a large Pepsi logo on his arm and tape over his fists with a 'X' drawn on each). He was partnered by 'Colt Ca-Bunny' (a parody of Colt Cabana, Punk's tag-team partner, in the form of a rabbit costume) who was actually Joker. They would defeat ROH students Matt Turner & Anthony Franco in the first round, but lose to Eddie Kingston & Sabian in the second.^[1]

Butcher also wrestled regularly for Full Impact Pro, where he first gained notoriety as both a brawler and as half of a hardcore tag-team with the "Mad Man" Pondo especially in their feud for the FIP Tag-Team Championship against The Briscoe Brothers. Since then he had memorable matches against Roderick Strong in an unsuccessful challenge for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship, and an Anything Goes match against Delirious.

Butcher participated in the first Dragon Gate show in the United States on September 5, 2008 in Bell Gardens, California. He faced "Hollywood" Stalker Ichikawa as part of the latter's Reckless Run Series in a "Dangerous Comedy Match." Butcher initially won in eighteen seconds after knocking Ichikawa out with a punch in retaliation for getting slapped in the face. Ichikawa asked for an immediate restart and they a match that lasted longer until Butcher won with a Necro Bomb onto a pile of chairs.

In a recent RF video shoot interview Summers confirmed through hours of rigorous concentration and zen like training he has mastered the art of the chokeslam. He claims that no two Necro Butcher chokeslams are the same and that even though most fans won't notice the subtle differences, other experts on the move should appreciate his dedication and finesse.

Butcher appears often at Dallas, TX based Wrecking Ball Wrestling. He feuds with Skandor Akbars men, most notably Dr. Knuckles.^[39]

Butcher has also appeared in the Queens, NY based Impact Championship Wrestling where he was defeated by Maximus Sex Power in his debut.

Butcher was also the (kayfabed) Commissioner of The NY Based Pro Wrestling Syndicate promotion. Necro has competed for PWS from 2007–present taking on stars such as Sabu, Sandman, and his upcoming March 5 match against The Amazing Red.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Choose Death (Sidewalk Slam on top of two folded steel chairs placed back to back)^[10]
  • Necro Bomb (Tiger Driver)
  • Asiatic Spike (Thumb chokehold)^[1]

• Signature moves
  • Chokebomb
  • Death valley driver
  • Diving crossbody
  • Life Constrictor (Rear Naked Choke)
  • Body Slam whilst holding a chair
  • Multiple stiff headbutts^[10]
  • Multiple stiff punches^[10]
  • Necro–canrana (Avalanch frankiensteiner)
  • Lariat
  • Pumphandle slam
  • Release powerbomb
  • Swinging neckbreaker^[10]
  • West Virginia Violence Parade (Multiple punches to an opponent in the turnbuckle followed by multiple foot stomps to opponent seated in corner)^[10]

• Theme music
  • "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (JCW)^[10]
  • "When the Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash (IWA Mid-South)^[40]
  • "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd (CZW)
  • "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty (ROH)
  • "Metal Health" by Quiet Riot (Wrecking Ball Wrestling)
  • "Miseria Cantare (The Beginning)" by AFI (sped up, as CP Munk)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Capital of Texas Power Wrestling

• CTPW Tag Team Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Championship Wrestling Association

• CWA Hardcore Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Combat Zone Wrestling

• CZW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Toby Klein^[41]
• CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship (1 time)^[41]
• CZW Tournament of Death IV^[41]

• Frontier Wrestling Alliance

• FWA Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Independent Wrestling Association Deep-South

• Carnage Cup (2006)

• Independent Wrestling Association East-Coast

• IWA East-Coast Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)^[42]
• IWA East-Coast Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Mad Man Pondo

• Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South

• IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Championship (1 time)^[1]
• King of the Deathmatch 2002

• Insane Hardcore Wrestling

• IHW Championship (1 Time)
• IHW Hardcore Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Insane Wrestling Federation

• IWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Jersey All Pro Wrestling

• JAPW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Brodie Lee (1) and Nick Gage (1)

• Juggalo Championship Wrestling

• JCW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Mad Man Pondo^[15]

• NWA Southwest

• NWA Texas Hardcore Championship (4 times)

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #190 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010^[43]

• Texas All-Star Wrestling

• TASW Brass Knuckles Championship (2 times)^[1]
• TASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• Texas Championship Wrestling

• TCW Hardcore Championship (2 times)^[1]

• westside Xtreme wrestling

• wXw Hardcore Championship (1 time)^[44]

• Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling

• XICW Xtreme Championship (2 time)^[45]

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Best Brawler (2008, 2009)^[46]

Personal life[link]

On June 11, 2008, Summers became the father of a baby daughter, named Amy Virginia Summers. His wife gave birth to a second daughter, Mary Jane Summers, in June 2009.^[47]

According to Lacey's MySpace, Summers, along with Lacey, is a supporter of Democratic congressman, Dennis Kucinich. Summers appeared in the 2008 film The Wrestler. All together he has six children. The oldest is Matthew Summers, Samantha Summers, Kyle Summers, David Summers, Amy Summers, and Mary Jane Summers. He was married before, but is now divorced.

Media[link]

• "Choose Death": The Necro Butcher Story, Vol. 1
• "Choose Death": The Necro Butcher Story, Vol. 2
• The Best of The Necro Butcher
• The Wrestler (2008 Movie)^[48]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Necro Butcher

• Ring of Honor profile
• Full Impact Pro profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile
• Interview

Matt Polinsky^[2] (born February 24, 1984)^[2] is an American professional wrestler known better by his ring name Sterling James Keenan. He is signed to WWE, and works in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE's developmental territory, under the ring name Corey Graves. He is one-half of the reigning FCW Florida Tag Team Champions with Jake Carter.

Professional wrestling career[link]

Early career independent promotions (2000–2002)[link]

Polinsky chose his ring name the night before his first professional wrestling match, and picked the name "Sterling James Keenan" as a tribute to Sterling Sharpe, Polinsky's favorite American football player as a child, and Maynard James Keenan of the band Tool.^[4]

Keenan debuted on March 22, 2000.^[2] Throughout the next few years, Keenan appeared for various promotions, including Dory Funk Jr.'s "Funkin Conservatory", where he competed with wrestlers including Paul London, Adam Windsor, and Onyx.^[2] In 2002, Keenan teamed with "Dreamachine" Chris Cage to win the Funkin Conservatory Tag Team Championship by defeating the team of London and Windsor.^[5]

Independent promotions (2003–2009)[link]

Throughout his career, Keenan has made appearances for NWA Upstate, Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, Cleveland All-Pro Wrestling, and Full Throttle Wrestling. Keenan was part of the Union of Independent Professional wrestlers promotion in both of its incarnations. He won the UIPW Keystone Cruiserweight Championship. Beginning in 2005, he appeared regularly for Far North Wrestling (FNW), and on November 2, 2007, he won a Battle royal to win the FNW Heavyweight Championship.^[2] He defeated Samoa Joe and Rikishi by countout on August 23, 2007 to win the Ballpark Brawl Natural Heayweight Title.^[6] On February 24, 2008, Keenan won Absolute Intense Wrestling's Heavyweight Championship by winning a 30-Man gauntlet match.^[2]

Keenan competed for Pro Wrestling Zero1, and has won the Zero-One United States Heavyweight Championship on two occasions. On March 8, 2008, Keenan defeated Mr. Wrestling 3 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to win the championship for the first time. He only held the championship for a week, before dropping it to Dr. X on March 15 in Morganville, New Jersey. On May 9, Keenan won the championship for the second time, defeating Jake Manning in Limerick, Pennsylvania. He held the championship for just under a month, before losing it to Rick Landell on June 1.^[7]

Throughout the years Keenan has also made sporadic appearances for Ring of Honor (ROH). His debut appearance for the promotion was at Round Robin Challenge II on April 25, 2003, where he teamed with EZ Money in a Tag Team Scramble match won by The SAT. He returned to ROH over two years later at Redemption on August 12, 2005, where he participated in a Four Corner Survival match won by Ace Steel. In October 2005, he lost a singles match to Claudio Castagnoli and a singles match between Keenan and Steel at Tag Wars 2006 in January 2006 ended in a no contest due to interference from Chris Hero and the Necro Butcher. Six months later, at In Your Face, Keenan and Jason Blade lost a tag team match to the Briscoe Brothers. He made a single appearance in ROH in 2007 at the Fifth Year Festival: Dayton event, losing to Jimmy Rave and another appearance in March 2009 at Steel City Clash, losing to Delirious.^[8] He also appeared on the Ring of Honor Wrestling television show on the April 4, 2009 episode, losing to Erick Stevens.^[9]

International Wrestling Cartel (2002–2007)[link]

Keenan debuted in the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) on October 19, 2002, defeating Troy Lords. On the following IWC show, Keenan defeated CM Punk, before losing to Shirley Doe on two separate occasions but defeating Josh Prohition. On December 28, Keenan teamed with Dustin Ardine to challenge the Devil's Advocates for the IWC Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful. In May 2003, Keenan participated in IWC's Super Indy tournament, defeating BJ Whitmer in the first round, but losing to Colt Cabana in the second.^[10]

At IWC's Revengeance show in September, Keenan defeated Al B. Damm to earn a match for the IWC Heavyweight Championship. He received his championship match on November 1, 2003, and defeated Dennis Gregory to win the championship. At Rebirth of Extreme on November 22, Keenan successfully retained the championship in a rematch against Gregory, and made further successful defenses against Punk on December 12, Dean Radford on January 31, 2004, and February 24, and against Super Hentai on March 6. Two weeks later, on March 20, Keenan lost the IWC Heavyweight Championship to Radford, and failed to regain it in a rematch on April 3, and on April 17, when he lost a Tables match to Radford.^[10]

In July 2004, Keenan unsuccessfully challenged Chris Sabin for the IWC Super Indy Championship. That December, after Sabin had vacated the Super Indy Championship, Keenan won a four-way match against Petey Williams, Josh Prohibition, and John McChesney to win the vacant championship. He made a successful defense of the championship against AJ Styles on February 24, 2005, and Claudio Castagnoli the following night. In April he retained the championship against Nate Webb, before losing a championship match to Justin Idol by countout in final championship defense on April 29, 2005. That same night, McChesney won the Super Indy Tournament, winning the championship as part of his victory, despite having not beaten Keenan. The next night, a match for the championship between Keenan and McChesney ended in a double countout.^[10]

In March 2006, Keenan unsuccessfully challenged Doe for the IWC Heavyweight Championship. That September, Keenan was part of a tournament for the vacant IWC Heavyweight Championship, but was eliminated in the first round after losing to Ricky Reyes. On August 4, 2007, Keenan lost another match for the championship, this time to long-time rival Dennis Gregory, in what proved to be his final match in the company.^[10]

1 Pro Wrestling (2005–2009)[link]

Keenan made his debut for the United Kingdom-based 1 Pro Wrestling (1PW) at their inaugural show, A Cruel Twist of Fate, on October 1, 2005, defeating D'Lo Brown. He quickly formed an alliance with Abyss, and the pair defeated Sabu and Ulf Herman in a hardcore tag team match on January 7, 2006. In March, Keenan competed in a tournament to determine the inaugural 1PW Heavyweight Champion, but was defeated by AJ Styles in a quarter-final match.^[11]

He moved on to feud with Spud, defeating him on May 26 at Know Your Enemy Night One. At Fight Club 2 in July, Keenan defeated Spud in an Iron City Street Fight. Three weeks later, Kennan replaced Matt Hyson in a tag team match, where he and Spud challenged Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm for the 1PW Tag Team Championship. They were unsuccessful after Keenan attacked Spud during the match. At Invincible in August, a tag team match featuring Keenand and Hyson versus Spud and Teddy Hart ended in a no contest after several other wrestlers interfered, prompting a 10-man elimination tag team match, which Keenan's team won.^[11]

At Resurrection in April 2007, Keenan challenged Romeo Roselli for the Nu-Wrestling Evolution Heavyweight Championship, but was disqualified for using the championship belt as a weapon. He then began challening Ulf Herman for the 1PW Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful in a four-way match on June 29 when Herman retained the championship. Keenan failed to win the championship again on June 30 and August 18.^[11] On October 13, at 2nd Anniversary Show, Keenan defeated Herman to win the championship in a steel cage match.^[3][11][12] Keenan successfully defended the championship against Doug Williams on January 25, 2008, and Martin Stone, Darren Burridge and Abyss in a four-way match the following night. His next defense was on October, when he lost to Johnny Moss via disqualification, and retaining the championship as a result. At the 3rd Anniversary Show that same month, Keenan retained the championship against Raven.^[11] Keenan eventually lost the championship to Martin Stone on April 18, 2009 at To The Extreme, ending his championship reign at 554 days.^[3][11] He continued to feud with Stone in an unsuccessful attempt to regain the championship throughout 2009, and made his final 1PW appearance at the 4th Anniversary Show in November.^[11]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE[link]

On April 26, 2006, Keenan and CM Punk lost a dark match to The Gymini prior to the SmackDown taping.^[2] On June 6, 2006, Keenan teamed with Jon Bolen in a loss to Jamie Noble and Kid Kash.^[13] Keenan appeared on an episode of WWE Heat that was taped on August 6, losing to Val venis.^[2] Keenan appeared on the August 10, 2007 episode of SmackDown!, where he was easily squashed by Mark Henry.^[14]

Florida Championship Wrestling (2011–present)[link]

In August 2011, it was reported that Polinksy had signed a developmental contract with WWE. Polinsky announced that he would be performing in WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), under the ring name Corey Graves.^[1] On March 17, 2012, Graves won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Jake Carter by defeating Bo Rotundo and Husky Harris.^[15]

Personal life[link]

Polinksy is a professional piercer, after training as an apprentice at the request of a friend of his who needed a piercer in his tattoo shop.^[4] He has worked in the Naughty Vibrations shop in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and in a shop named True Image in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.^[4] Polinksy is known for his tattoos.^[4] He got two of them before the age of 18 with his parents' permission, and after turning 18, got sleeve tattoos on both his arms, made up of several clearly visible and separte tattoos tied together with designs.^[4] He also has tattoos on his neck, and has the words "stay down" tattooed across his knuckles.^[4]

Polinksy attended college to get a degree in marketing.^[4]

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Fuller Leglock (Leglock)^[16]
  • MK Ultra (Sunset driver)^[2]

• Signature moves
  • Fireman's carry dropped into a backbreaker^[2]
  • Helter Skelter (Hanging triangle choke)^[2]
  • Release dragon suplex^[2]
  • STO^[2]
  • Tilt a whirl powerbomb^[2]

• Managers
  • Leah West^[17]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• 1 Pro Wrestling
  • 1PW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[12]

• Absolute Intense Wrestling
  • AIW Absolute Championship (1 time)^[2]

• Ballpark Brawl
  • Natural Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)^[6]

• Far North Wrestling
  • FNW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[2]

• Florida Championship Wrestling
  • FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) - with Jake Carter^[15]

• Funkin' Conservatory
  • FC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Cage^[5]

• International Wrestling Cartel
  • IWC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[10]
  • IWC Super Indy Championship (1 time)^[10]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #268 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010^[18]

• Pro Wrestling Zero1
  • Zero-One United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)^[7]

• Union of Independent Professional wrestlers
  • UIPW Keystone Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)^[2]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

• Online World of Wrestling profile
• Sterling James Keenan at the Internet Movie Database

Maynard James Keenan
Keenan performing as a part of Tool at 2006's Roskilde Festival.
Background information
Birth name	James Herbert Keenan
Born	(1964-04-17) April 17, 1964 (age 48) Akron, Ohio, United States
Genres	Progressive metal, alternative metal, alternative rock, industrial metal, hard rock, experimental
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, record producer, winemaker
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards
Years active	1984–present
Associated acts	TexA.N.S., Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty, Tool, Green Jellÿ, Tapeworm, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Alice In Chains
Website	www.puscifer.com

Maynard James Keenan (born James Herbert Keenan; April 17, 1964)^[1] is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. Originally from Ohio, Keenan spent his high school and college years in Michigan. After serving in the Army in the early 1980s, he attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. He moved to Los Angeles, California in 1988 to pursue a career in interior design and set construction. He formed the band Tool with Adam Jones shortly thereafter.

Keenan is best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum rock bands Tool and A Perfect Circle with whom he has released four and two studio albums, respectively. In 2003 he created Puscifer as a side project, financing and releasing its first studio album in October 2007. Since rising to fame, Keenan has been a noted recluse, although he does emerge to support charitable causes.

In addition to his music career, he has performed improvisational stand-up comedy and ventured into acting. He is the current owner of Merkin Vineyards and the associated winery, Caduceus Cellars, and has part ownership of Stronghold Vineyards, all located in Arizona, where he lives. Among other business ventures, he is a partner in the Los Angeles restaurant Cobras & Matadors, and owns a produce market and an organic market in Cornville, Arizona, the latter featuring a tasting room for his wines as well as a food court.

Early life[link]

Keenan's photo in a US Military Academy Prep School yearbook (class of 1984).

James Keenan was born in Ravenna, Ohio, on April 17, 1964, the only child of Judith Marie and Michael Loren Keenan. He was born into a Baptist family. When his parents divorced in 1968, his father, a high school teacher, moved to Michigan and Keenan would only see him about once a year for the next 12 years. His mother remarried, bringing Keenan into an "intolerant and unworldly household," where his intelligence and creative expression would be stifled.^[1] When Keenan was 11, his mother suffered a paralyzing cerebral aneurysm, which would later serve as the inspiration for many of his creative works.^[2] A few years later, she persuaded Keenan to live with his father in Michigan. Keenan considers this "the best move [he] ever made."^[1]

Inspired by Bill Murray's performance in the 1981 comedy film Stripes, Keenan joined the United States Army, with the intention of having the G.I. Bill fund his dream of attending art school.^[1] By this point, he had lived in Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.^[3] He initially served in the Army as a forward observer before studying at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (West Point Prep School) from 1983 to 1984. In addition to completing a rigorous math and English curriculum, he ran on the cross country team and sang in the glee club.^[3] It was during his time in the military that he adopted the sobriquet "Maynard" on a whim.^[4] He was distinguished in basic and advanced training,^[5] but declined an appointment to West Point and instead chose to pursue a music career because of his disillusionment with his colleagues' values^[6] and because he knew West Point would not tolerate his dissidence.^[5]

Upon completing his term of enlistment, he studied art at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1988, he relocated to Los Angeles where his love of animals led him to practice interior design for pet stores,^[7] before he was quickly fired and began working in set construction.^[8] During the 1980s, Keenan played bass guitar for TexA.N.S. and sang for Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty, both independent bands.^[3]

Music career[link]

Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty (C.A.D.)[link]

Before Tool, Keenan performed in C.A.D. for a few years. During which, he formed the foundation for the song "Sober."^[9]

Tool[link]

After moving to Los Angeles, Keenan met Adam Jones who had heard him singing on a demo in college. Impressed with Keenan's vocals, Jones suggested that they form a band. Although reluctant at first,^[8] Keenan agreed and, in 1990, Tool was formed. Fronted by Keenan, the eventual lineup included guitarist Jones; his neighbor, drummer Danny Carey; and bassist Paul D'Amour, who would later be replaced by Justin Chancellor.^[10]

Keenan performing as a part of Tool at 2006's Roskilde Festival.

Tool signed to Zoo Entertainment in November 1991 and released the Opiate EP the following year. To support this release, the band toured with Fishbone and Rage Against the Machine.

Shortly thereafter, Tool released their 1993 debut album, Undertow, in the United States. It was certified gold after just eight months, and platinum less than a year later.^[11] In 1994, the band released their single "Prison Sex"—a song in which Keenan opted to deliver in a slight grunge-style—with a corresponding music video created and directed by Jones. The video was deemed "too graphic and offensive",^[12] and was withdrawn by MTV after a few airings due to "a symbolic dealing with the sensitive subject of child abuse".^[12]

In October 1996, the band released their second studio album, Ænima. The album was certified gold in ten weeks, achieved double platinum in ten months,^[11] and won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998.^[13] After the release of the album, Tool began a prolonged legal battle with their label, Volcano Records (formerly Zoo Records), over contract violations. Following this legal battle, which resulted in a new three-record deal,^[14] the members of Tool decided to take some time off. During the hiatus, the band members were outspokenly critical of peer-to-peer file sharing networks, due to the negative financial impact on artists dependent on success in record sales. During an interview with NY Rock in 2000, Keenan stated, "I think there are a lot of other industries out there that might deserve being destroyed. The ones who get hurt by MP3s are not so much companies or the business, but the artists, people who are trying to write songs."^[15]

Keenan performing with Tool at Ruisrock in 2006.

Five years after the release of Ænima, Tool announced a new album, Systema Encéphale, with a 12-song tracklist in January 2001.^[16] A month later, the band revealed that the new album was actually titled Lateralus and that the previous announcement had been a ruse.^[17] The album was released in May 2001 to positive reviews. Known for his "dark, intelligent, compelling, and unexpected lyrical twists",^[18] Keenan was acclaimed for his songwriting on the album, in which he "doesn’t cross the line from darkness to ugliness ... as often as he has in the past".^[19] In an interview with NY Rock, Keenan explained, "Everything we release with Tool is inspired by our music. It doesn't matter if it is a video or if its lyrics. The lyrics for "Schism" are nothing more than my interpretation of the music."^[15] The album became a worldwide success, reaching #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart in its debut week,^[20] and Tool received their second Grammy Award for the best metal performance of 2001 for "Schism".^[13] In 2002, Keenan recorded a song called "Fallen" with 30 Seconds to Mars that was released on the band's self-titled debut album.^[21]

Fifteen years after the band's formation, Tool had acquired what Dan Epstein of Revolver described as a devoted "cult" following,^[22] and in May 2006 the band released 10,000 Days, an album in which Keenan sang about more personal issues in contrast to previous attempts to inspire change.^[23] His mother, who inspired the song "Jimmy" on Ænima, also served as the inspiration for "Jambi", and the two-part song "Wings for Marie" and "10,000 Days (Wings for Marie, Pt 2)",^[2][24] which deals with her 2003 death after 27 years, or around 10,000 days, of suffering.^[25][26] The album sold 564,000 copies in its opening week in the U.S. and was #1 on the Billboard 200 charts.^[27] However, 10,000 Days was received less favorably by critics than its predecessor Lateralus had been.^[28][29]

Following 10,000 Days, Tool has one album remaining to fulfill the obligation of its record contract. Though there is little information available on plans for this album, the band is steadily working towards its fifth studio release.^[30] Tool has worked around Keenan and his side projects since 1999, starting with the creation of A Perfect Circle, which has led to several years between projects. Regarding the future of Tool, Keenan stated in a 2007 interview with Spin, "We'll make music together until one of us is dead."^[2]

On March 24, 2009, a summer tour was announced on Tool's website,^[31] and in a March 26 press release Tool was confirmed as a headliner for the second annual Mile High Music Festival in Commerce City, Colorado, with Widespread Panic and The Fray.^[32] Tool also headlined Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.^[33]

A Perfect Circle[link]

During Tool's post-Ænima hiatus to deal with their legal issues, Keenan began working with Billy Howerdel, Tool's guitar tech through the Ænima tour, on a different project. The supergroup they formed, A Perfect Circle, began performing in 1999 and released its first album Mer de Noms in 2000. They released a successful follow-up in 2003 titled Thirteenth Step, a reference to twelve-step programs (many of the songs were written from the perspective of recovery).^[4] Both albums were eventually certified platinum. Their subsequent 2004 album, eMOTIVe, was primarily composed of covers, except for the singles "Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums"—a song inspired by "Pet" that was originally released on Thirteenth Step—and "Passive". Keenan later characterized the record as a political album with which he "tested the waters" and was subsequently "crucified" for it because of the content.^[8] It was certified gold the month after its release. That same year they released the DVD and CD set entitled aMOTION, which was certified platinum within a month of its release.

Despite its success, the future of A Perfect Circle remains uncertain. It is currently on hiatus, partly due to Keenan's commitments to Tool; Howerdel reported in a May 2006 interview with MTV that the supergroup's work was concluded for the time being.^[34] After more than two years since the band's last release, Keenan was asked about the status of A Perfect Circle during an interview with Revolver. He stated:

The real problem with running Tool and A Perfect Circle at the same time was they both operate the same way. They're both live touring bands with a label, still working under the old contract mentality. So I thought it was time to let A Perfect Circle go for now and let Billy explore himself. It's tough for a guy who went from being a guitar tech [for Tool] to being in a band with a pretentious, famous singer and having to live in that shadow. It was important for Billy to go and do his own thing and really explore his own sound and let people hear what he has to say and how he would do it on his own, and then we'll get back and do some A Perfect Circle stuff.

—Maynard James Keenan, Revolver, December 2007^[22]

When asked, in an interview for Spin that same month, about the possibility of another A Perfect Circle album, Keenan stated, "Maybe, someday, a song on a soundtrack. But an album? No."^[2] A year later, on December 9, 2008, blabbermouth.net reported that Keenan had announced on The Pulse of Radio that he and Howerdel have been writing new music for A Perfect Circle. Keenan also said that the band has no plans to resume full-scale touring, or even to write and record a new album. Instead, they will focus on "one or two songs at a time", which will most likely be released via the Internet.^[35]

On August 2, 2010, a seemingly official (but not "verified") Twitter account for the band was launched with a tweet reading: "It's on." The tweet also linked to the Twitter accounts of Keenan, Howerdel and Puscifer. The following day the account tweeted, "Go tell Aunt Rosie... The old grey goose is dead not," linking to more accounts including those of Danny Lohner and Josh Freese.^[36] It is believed that both Freese and James Iha (the latter of whom still refers to himself as a current member of APC) will both be involved. That same day Billy Howerdel tweeted "The APC dust is shaking off!"^[37]

Puscifer[link]

In 2003, Keenan surfaced under the name "Puscifer" for the song "REV 22:20" on the Underworld film soundtrack. Puscifer was once advertised as a side project with Danny Lohner, who had formerly performed live with Nine Inch Nails, but has since been formed as a manifestation of Keenan's "creative subconscious"^[38]—meaning that Keenan is now using the name as a pseudonym for his solo work. Keenan has stated that it is "a premiere improvisational hardcore band",^[39] and his "catch-all, stream of consciousness, anything goes, etc." project.^[40] When comparing the project to Tool in an interview with Rolling Stone, Keenan described it as his "attempt to make music to inspire people. ... This is definitely not thinking man's music, but groove-oriented music that makes you feel good."^[41] In a later interview with Artistdirect, Keenan said that he did not want the lyrics to be puzzles. He wanted the complexity to be in the music, stating "that's the part that gets under your skin and makes you feel good."^[42]

In 2006, Puscifer contributed the song "The Undertaker (Renholder Mix)" to the soundtrack of Underworld: Evolution, where "Renholder", a moniker for Danny Lohner created by the members of A Perfect Circle, is the reversal of "Re: D Lohner".^[43][44] Keenan financed and released the first studio album, "V" Is for Vagina, in October 2007.^[42] Created in a tour bus, in several hotel rooms, and in various studios around the country while Keenan toured with Tool,^[1] the album is a radical departure from Keenan's contributions in Tool and A Perfect Circle. Tim Alexander, best known as the drummer for rock band Primus, was a guest musician on the album. He called Puscifer "trancy and hypnotic" and a "total 180 from Tool".^[1] The album was criticized as unfocused and lacking in the passion and intelligence present in Keenan's previous work.^{[45][45][46][47]}

Puscifer is also a clothing line, with merchandise available for purchase on the band's website.^[48] On September 16, 2008, Keenan updated the puscifer.com blog, revealing that the first ever Puscifer store would be opening "hopefully" by October 1 in Jerome, Arizona. Occupying a small space above a tattoo parlor, the store opened on October 3, 2008.^[49] In addition to the merchandise available on the band's online store, Keenan has also made available locally-roasted coffee, art, and limited edition collectibles.^[50]

On February 13–15, 2009, Keenan debuted Puscifer at the Pearl Concert Theater in Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nevada, with a cabaret-style show so abstract it is not easily described.^[51] In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Keenan stated "we didn’t really have any clue what to call it, so we just kind of called it cabaret." Keenan—who has had previous experience with this type of entertainment, having fronted a similar show in Los Angeles before achieving fame with Tool^[52]—went on to add that "you just can’t really describe it, you just have to see it, then it makes sense."^[53] Featuring an ever-changing lineup of artists including Milla Jovovich and Primus drummer Tim Alexander, the show was originally said to have a long-term residency at the Pearl;^[54] however, Keenan later revealed that it was to be only a two-show performance.^[53]

Puscifer continued to perform with a revolving lineup throughout 2009 at venues around the Southwest. However, in a November 2009 interview, Keenan stated: "Efforts to confine our beloved enigma to the Southwestern United States have been thwarted. We are compelled beyond all reason to bring the noise Eastward and share our special sauce. Although authorities suggest you be prepared for any and all possibilities, we simply suggest you arrive happy and hungry."^[55]

In 2011 Maynard released Puscifer's 2nd album Condition of my Parole.

Writing and performance style[link]

A primary purpose of Keenan's lyrics for Tool involves a desire to connect with the listeners on a personal level; to encourage them to look within themselves for self-identity, understanding and reflection.^[56] Tool does not include lyrics with any releases as Keenan believes most people "don't get it" and it is not a priority of the band that people do.^[57] However, after each release Keenan has eventually published his typed lyrics online via the semi-official fansite, with the exception of "Lateralus", which was published on the official Tool website.^[58] Lyrical arrangements are often given special attention, such as in the lyrics to "Lateralus", wherein the number of syllables per line correspond to an arrangement of the Fibonacci numbers,^[56] and "Jambi", in which the metrical foot iamb is used.^[59] Keenan's lyrics on Ænima and Lateralus focused on philosophy and spirituality—specific subjects range from evolution and Jungian psychology in "Forty-Six & 2" and transcendence in "Lateralus".^[23]

In live performances with Tool, Keenan has often been known to be situated on a platform towards the rear of the stage,^[60] without a spotlight,^[61] facing the backdrop rather than the audience.^[62][63] Breckinridge Haggerty, the band's live video director, says that the dark spaces on stage "are mostly for Maynard". He explains, "a lot of the songs are a personal journey for him and he has a hard time with the glare of the lights when he’s trying to reproduce these emotions for the audience. He needs a bit of personal space, and he feels more comfortable in the shadows."^[64] An exception, which surprised even hardcore Tool fans, occurred when a fan climbed on stage and attempted to hug Keenan during the band's performance of "Pushit". After picking the fan up and dropping him to the ground, Keenan wrapped himself around the man's back. He eventually turned the fan to his stomach and sat on his back, where he stayed for "an uncomfortably long period of time."^[65] His appearance with Tool has included the Mohawk hairstyle,^[61] wigs, Kabuki masks, bras, tights,^[66] and his entire body in blue paint.^[67][68] This is contrasted with a variety of long haired wigs while performing with or promoting A Perfect Circle.^[69][70]

Describing Keenan's contribution to Tool and A Perfect Circle, The New York Times wrote that "both groups rely on Mr. Keenan's ability to dignify emotions like lust, anger and disgust, the honey in his voice adding a touch of profundity".^[71] Keenan's ability as a vocalist has been lauded by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer: after his performance during an Alice in Chains reunion concert in 2005, freelance journalist Travis Hay saw him as "a natural fit at replacing Layne Staley".^[72] He ranked #21 in Hit Parader's 2006 list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists",^[73] and his unique style of singing has often been considered influential to artists such as Pete Loeffler of Chevelle and Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars.^[74][75]

Comedy and acting[link]

Keenan became friends with comedian Bill Hicks in the early 1990s. Keenan did sketch comedy on improv nights in comedy clubs in Los Angeles during that time.^[76] The two became acquainted and Hicks later opened some Tool concerts. Best known is a routine Hicks did while on tour with Tool during the Lollapalooza tour in 1993, when he asked the audience to look for a contact lens he had lost. Keenan repeated this joke on a number of occasions.

Keenan is featured in several segments of Mr. Show,^[77] most notably in the Ronnie Dobbs sketch presented in the first season. In one scene, he is seen being arrested with Dobbs. Later in the sketch he is featured wearing a wig as the lead singer of the then-fictitious band "Puscifer". When asked about the arrest of Dobbs, Keenan replies "Guilty? Yeah. I'm sure he's guilty but... he knows it. I mean, you're guilty, and you don't know it. So... who's really in jail?" He also appears in episode 2.6, "The Velveteen Touch of a Dandy Fop", as one of the viewers of Coupon: The Movie, saying "Now is not the time", waving the cameras off and slapping the microphone out of his face in disgust after walking out of the theater. Later, Keenan would sing on a track for the Mr. Show incarnation Run Ronnie Run,^[78] and appear in the "music video sex scene" on its DVD. Keenan appeared on the cover of the May/June 1999 issue of Pop Smear magazine, portraying Charles Manson as part of a photo essay, imitating a famous Life magazine portrait.^[79] He also appeared as Satan in the 2002 film Bikini Bandits and its 2004 sequel Bikini Bandits 2: Golden Rod. When asked in an interview which role was more difficult, Keenan responded, "Oh, Manson. He’s a real person. People know what he looks like, how he talked. With Satan there’s so much gray area."^[7]

In the mid-90s, responding to requests for Tool to perform in benefit shows, Keenan created "Free Frances Bean" tee-shirts to represent his own platform. Frances' mother, Courtney Love, had previously referred to Keenan as a "media whore" to which he responded, "Isn't that great? I have the distinction of being called a media whore by Courtney Love."^[4] He said that after watching "the tornado that is her mother", he thought "Oh my God, how is Frances Bean gonna survive this insanity?"^[4] Although it was started as a simple joke, the t-shirts were soon in high demand and Keenan was giving them away.^[4]

On April 1, 2005, the official Tool website announced, as an April Fools' Day prank, that "Maynard has found Jesus" and would be abandoning the recording of the new album temporarily and possibly permanently.^[80] Kurt Loder of MTV contacted Keenan via email to ask for a confirmation and received a nonchalant confirmation. When Loder asked again, Keenan's response was simply "heh heh".^[81] On April 7, the official site revealed that it was a hoax.^[82] During an interview Keenan later stated, "It was April Fools’. If you fall for that on April Fools’ Day, there’s nothing I can do for you."^[7] He has been part of other April Fools' pranks related to Tool, including one in which he was said to be in critical condition after a tour bus accident.^[83]

Keenan made his major feature film debut in the April 17, 2009, release of Crank: High Voltage. Sharing a scene with the movie's lead, Jason Statham, Keenan portrays a dog walker "who has an electrifying experience [...] in a public park".^[84]

Winemaking and other endeavors[link]

Keenan corking wine bottles from his winery, Caduceus Cellars.

In addition to being part-owner of Cobras & Matadors, an LA restaurant run by Steven Arroyo,^[85] and owner of a produce market in Cornville, Arizona;^[86][87] Keenan, whose grandparents and great-uncle made wine in Northern Italy (in what is now Southern France),^[88] owns Merkin Vineyards and Caduceus Cellars, based in the unincorporated area of Page Springs/Cornville, Arizona, southwest of Sedona, where he resides.^[40] While the winery is named after an ancient symbol for commerce (caduceus), the vineyard is named after a pubic wig (merkin).^[8][86] He is also a partner of Stronghold Vineyards,^[89] "an 80-acre site dedicated to producing affordable wines in the state",^[90] located in the small, unincorporated area known as Kansas Settlement in Sulfur Springs Valley, Arizona.^[89] Keenan's mother died in 2003, at the age of 59, due to complications from an aneurysm. Following her death, he scattered her ashes across one of his vineyards, and later named one of his wines after her,^[2] honoring her memory with his Cabernet Sauvignon "Nagual del Judith".^[91] In a statement released in April 2009, Keenan stated:

I am standing on a metaphorical plateau. The view from here suggests that I/we still have many mountains to negotiate. It has already been a long journey. But the successes and failures have been in balance. Which would suggest that I/we have chosen the correct path. I hold in my hands the evidence to support this statement . . . With tears in my eyes, I present to you the very first 100 percent Arizona Caduceus wine. Nagual del Judith, named after my late mother, Judith Marie.^[92]

His previous wines were named after relatives of the Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise who lived in the area where the vineyard is located,^[93] and were produced at Page Springs Cellars, owned by Keenan's business partner. While those wines used some fruits imported from California, "Nagual del Judith" is the first made entirely from Keenan's own vineyard.^[92]

During the fall season of 2008, Keenan began a small tour of sorts with his Stronghold Vineyards partner Eric Glomski, promoting his wine with signing sessions at Whole Foods Markets in California and Nevada.^[50] The tour continued in 2009 with sessions in Texas kicking off in March,^[94] and appearances scheduled during Tool's 2009 summer tour in Florida,^[90] Massachusetts, and New Jersey.^[95] In July 2009, Keenan opened an organic market which features a tasting room for his Arizona wines as well as a food court.^[96] In an interview with Spinner.com that same month, Keenan stated that he had been taught by Southwestern chefs "how to make spaghettis and pastas and gnocchis and various soup stocks", which would be made fresh and served at the tastings.^[97]

Keenan is featured in Blood Into Wine: The Arizona Stronghold, a documentary co-produced by Moog filmmakers Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenk^[98] that chronicles Keenan and Glomski's embarkation into winemaking in the desert conditions of Arizona's Verde Valley, and the success they've seen in the decade since its inception.^[99] The film, which includes appearances from Tim & Eric, Patton Oswalt, and Milla Jovovich, was shown at the Noise Pop festival on February 25, 2010, along with another documentary produced by Pomerenk, The Heart is a Drum Machine. It investigates why people create and listen to music, and features Keenan, Jason Schwartzman, Kurt Loder, Nic Harcourt, Juliette Lewis, and Elijah Wood.^[100]

During an interview on the Australian podcast Wine Week, Keenan revealed that his touring with various bands will only occur at times when his winemaking endeavours allow it.^[101]

Philanthropy[link]

Keenan has used his voice on numerous occasions to support charitable causes. He performed at a 1997 benefit concert for RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) organized by Tori Amos (who had often referred to Keenan as an unofficial brother).^[102] He is one of the notable performers for Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization that brings musicians, fans of music, and grassroots political organizations together to fight for social justice.^[103] In 2004, Axis of Justice released Concert Series Volume 1. Included are two tracks featuring Keenan on vocals. The second track on the album, "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", was recorded live during Lollapalooza in Seattle, Washington on August 23, 2003. The first track, "Where the Streets Have No Name", was recorded live during the Axis of Justice Concert Series at The Avalon in Hollywood, California on July 19, 2004. In February 2005, Keenan appeared as a surprise vocalist at a Seattle benefit concert for victims of the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in southern Asia, performing with the partly reformed Alice in Chains, in place of the deceased vocalist Layne Staley, on the songs "Them Bones", "Man in the Box", and "Rooster".^[72]

Personal life[link]

Keenan, who has described himself as "happily unmarried,"^[4] was in a relationship as of December 2007^[update], when he stated "For the first time in my life, I have someone who's taking care of me, rather than the other way around."^[2] He has a son named Devo H Keenan (born 1995) who sang backing vocals on A Perfect Circle's Thirteenth Step,^[104] and later was credited as the cellist on Keep Telling Myself It's Alright—the debut album of Ashes Divide, Billy Howerdel's post-A Perfect Circle project. It was after the birth of his son that it occurred to Keenan to obscure his own identity in order to prevent his son from being "victimized by [his] career".^[4] The song "Wings for Marie (Pt. 1)" holds his mother, Judith Marie Keenan's middle name. The song "Breña" by A Perfect Circle uses the middle name of Keenan's former fiancée,^[2] while "Judith" bears the first name of Keenan's mother.^[105]

Keenan has a reputation for being reclusive,^[93][106] elliptical and controlling of his public image.^[8] He dislikes the manner in which rock stars are worshipped,^[18][107] and at one point carried business cards with the name "Jesus H. Christ" printed on them.^[80] Often having to deal with stalkers,^[108] Keenan has resorted to using a paintball marker to run trespassing fans from his property.^[86] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of Keenan's pursuits, and he studied under Rickson Gracie, who is widely considered one of the martial art's greatest practitioners.^[8]

Selected discography[link]

With TexA.N.S.

• Live at Sons and Daughters Hall (1986)
• Never Again (1986)

With Children of the Anachronistic Dynasty

• Fingernails (1986)
• Dog.House (1987)

With Tool

• Undertow (1993)
• Ænima (1996)
• Salival (2000)
• Lateralus (2001)
• 10,000 Days (2006)

With A Perfect Circle

• Mer de Noms (2000)
• Thirteenth Step (2003)
• eMOTIVe (2004)

As Puscifer

• "V" Is for Vagina (2007)
• Conditions of My Parole (2011)

See also[link]

• List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards

Notes and references[link]

• McAlley, John (December 2007). "I, Puscifer". Spin: 82–90. http://spin-cdnsrc.texterity.com/spin/200712/?pg=9. Retrieved April 14, 2008. 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Maynard James Keenan

• Official website
• Maynard James Keenan at the Internet Movie Database

Corporal Robinson
Ring name(s)	Corporal Robinson
Billed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Billed weight	225 lb (102 kg)
Born	Louisville, Kentucky
Billed from	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Trained by	Tracy Smothers[1] Ian Rotten Jamie Dundee[1] Kelly Wolfe[1]
Debut	1996[2]
Retired	December 31, 2011

Steve Robinson,^[3] known by the ring name Corporal Robinson, is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his hardcore wrestling style, Robinson has wrestled for various wrestling promotions, including Combat Zone Wrestling, and Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South. He is a formely four-times JCW Heavyweight Champion.

In his professional wrestling career, Robinson is a five time Heavyweight champion having won the CCW Heavyweight Championship once, EPW Heavyweight Championship once, IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship once, JCW Heavyweight Championship four times, and MAW Heavyweight Championship once. In addition to these championships, he has won the IWA Mid-South Deathmatch Championship twice, MAW Tag Team Championship once with Hardcore Craig, and PWU Hardcore Championship twice. Robinson is also the 2004 and 2007 IWA Mid-South King of the Deathmatch Tournament winner.

Career[link]

Before wrestling[link]

Robinson was attending college on a baseball scholarship, when he was approached by a Marine Corps recruiter and he signed up with an open contract to 2nd Battalion Hotel Company at Parris Island.^[4] Robinson was one of 287 recruits to graduate (from an intake of 299) and was designated 0311, serving time in Bosnia.^[4]

Early career[link]

Robinson grew up watching the "pure wrestling" style of United States Wrestling Association.^[1] After leaving the Marine Corps, he began wrestling in the local wrestling scene. At one event, Tracy Smothers was in attendance and saw Robinson wrestle.^[1] Following the match, Smothers told him about a wrestling school he, Jamie Dundee, and Kelly Wolfe were a part of and invited Robinson to train there. Under their training, Robinson learned the "pure wrestling" style which he had grown up watching.^[1] He soon started his professional career working for Kentuckiana Championship Wrestling.^[4] There, Robinson created his gimmick of an ex-Marine Corp, which he legitimately was, and came to the ring waving an American flag and saluting the crowd.^[1] During this time, Extreme Championship Wrestling had begun to receive national exposure. After watching an episode of ECW, Robinson fell in love with the Hardcore wrestling style.^[1] Ian Rotten soon approached him about joining his promotion IWA Mid-South, which adapted the same hardcore style of wrestling as ECW.^[1]

IWA Mid-South[link]

When Robinson first arrived in IWA-MS, he was still known as a "pure wrestler".^[4] However, Robinson experienced his first taste of the hardcore style in February 1998 at "No Blood No Guts No Glory '98". He was originally scheduled to face Shark Boy, while Mad Man Pondo was set to conclude a violent feud with wrestler Trailer Park Trash. The Pondo-Trash match was booked for Pondo to win, however, Trailer Park Trash refused to take part, so Ian Rotten switched the opponents and Robinson took part in his first hardcore match.^[4]

Robinson decided to start wrestling deathmatches to show people that wrestling was not fake. He said that "people were saying [that] wrestling's fake, wrestling's fake, this and that. But by the time you got done watching one of my matches, you didn't walk out of that building saying that was fake. [You'd say] those two guys just killed each other."^[1] Robinson went on to compete in a wide range of deathmatches in IWA,^[4] including 6 King of the Deathmatch tournaments. He also claimed the IWA-MS Heavyweight Championship on 2 occasions, as well as being a 2 time IWA-MS Deathmatch Champion. Robinson is only the second wrestler (behind Ian Rotten) to win the King of the Deathmatch tournament multiple times. Through his work in IWA-MS, Robinson gained national exposure and fully developed his Corporal Robinson character.^[1]

Insane Wrestling Federation[link]

Robinson also wrestled in Insane Wrestling Federation, capturing the IWF Tag Team Title during his stint.^[2] The referee for the promoton, A. T. Huck, was also referee and friend of Insane Clown Posse and their promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling. During Robinson's feud with Sabu, who was also a friend of the duo, Insane Clown Posse attended several shows.^[1] The group hung out backstage with their friends, and also began talking to and smoking with Robinson, eventually befriending him.^[1]

Juggalo Championship Wrestling and Retirement (1999-2011)[link]

In 1997, Robinson wrestled for Insane Clown Posse at the event ICP's Strangle-Mania Live.^[5] Two years later, he, 2 Tuff Tony, and Mad Man Pondo wrestled at the Dan Curtis Memorial, an independent wrestling booker who had recently worked for Insane Clown Posse.^[6][7] Several days after the event, Tony, Robinson, and Pondo were booked to wrestle for Insane Clown Posse's first Juggalo Championship Wrestling show.^[6] Video of the event was later released nationally. Robinson continued wrestling for Juggalo Championship Wrestling, including matches at the Gathering of the Juggalos festivals.

On October 31, 2006, Robinson defeated Mad Man Pondo to become the JCW Heavyweight Champion.^[8] The following year, Robinson went on tour with JCW to film the internet wrestling show SlamTV!, where he defended his championship against multiple opponents until he began feuding with "Holy" Trent Acid.^[9] On March 6, 2007, Corporal Robinson lost the JCW Heavyweight Championship to Trent Acid at West Side Wars.^[9] On March 14, at East Side Wars, Robinson defeated Acid in a Steel Cage Match to regain the JCW Heavyweight Championship.^[10] At Bloodymania, Robinson successfully defended his championship against Scott Hall.

On October 6, 2007, Corporal Robinson, Scott Hall, and Violent J formed the Juggalo World Order (JWO) at Evansville Invasion.^[11] Shaggy 2 Dope, Nosawa, Kevin Nash, 2 Tuff Tony, and Sid Vicious later joined the group.^[11][12] On November 9, the Juggalo World Order (Scott Hall, Shaggy 2 Dope, Violent J, 2 Tuff Tony, and Corporal Robinson) "invaded" Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Turning Point PPV by purchasing front row tickets to the event. They proceeded to promote their faction by flashing their JWO jerseys, which each member had on, before being removed from the building.^[13][14]

In 2008, Robinson went on tour with JCW for Season 2 of SlamTV!. In the second episode, he put his JCW Heavyweight Championship on the line against Sexy Slim Goody. When Robinson attempted to hit the Boot Camp, the lights shut off in the arena. When they turned back on, Raven appeared in the ring and hit Robinson with his Evenflow DDT, before stealing the JCW Heavyweight Championship belt.^[15] In the third episode, Sexy Slim Goody (kayfabe) knocked Robinson out with a steel chair shot, and Raven began to shave Robinson's afro. Sabu appeared from out of the crowd and scared Raven off, leaving Robinson with a half shaved afro.^[16] The tag team of Raven and Sexy Slim Goody had a match against Corporal Robinson and Sabu in the following episode. Raven to fled from the match with the stolen championship belt before Corporal Robinson pinned Sexy Slim Goody.^[17] At Bloodymania II, Corporal Robinson defeated Raven in a "Loser leaves JCW" Ladder match to retain his championship.

On May 21, 2010, while touring with JCW on Insane Clown Posse's "Happy Daze Tour," Robinson lost the JCW Heavyweight Championship to Mad Man Pondo.^[18] In a Four Corners of Pain rematch ten days later, Robinson defeated Pondo to regain the championship, becoming a record setting three time JCW Heavyweight Champion.^[19] At Bloodymania IV, Robinson, with Terry Funk, defeated Mike Knox, with Scott D'Amore, and Raven, with Todd Bridges.^[20]

At 2011's Flashlight Hysteria, Robinson was eliminated from an 8 team battle royal when Breyer Wellington interfered in the match.^[21] The two were placed in a series of matches for the next several weeks. Per storyline, however, Wellington hired replacements in losing attempts to bring him the JCW Heavyweight Championship.^[22][23][24] The two finally wrestled each other in a six man tag team match where Robinson, Tony, and Rhino defeated Wellington and Haters.^[25] A singles match for the championship was made for the next event, but it was changed into a triple threat with Butler Geves at Robinson's request.^[26] Kongo Kong interfered in the match and chokeslammed Robinson through a table, allowing Geves to pick up the pinfall and win the championship.^[26] On July 28, Robinson defeated Officer Colt Cabana to gain his fourth JCW Heavyweight Championship.^[27] On December 31, 2011, Robinson vacated the title.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves

• Boot Camp (Cobra clutch legsweep)^[9]
• Corporal Punishment (Death Valley driver)

• Signature moves

• Diving leg drop^[9]
• Frankensteiner^[9]

• Theme music
  • "Hall Of Illusions" by Insane Clown Posse (IWA-MS and various independent promotions)
  • "2nd-Hand Smoke" by Twiztid (JCW; 2007–2009)^[9]
  • "I Get Mad" by Violent J (JCW; 2010–present)^[28]

Championships and accomplishments[link]