A slatr, or slate mason,^[1] is a tradesman who covers buildings with slate.^[2]

Tools of the trade[link]

There are various tools of the slater's trade. They are all drop-forged.^[3]

The slater's hammer is forged in one single piece, from crucible cast steel, and has a 12-inch leather handle. It comprises a claw, for drawing nails, a sheer edge for cutting slate, and a head with a sharp point at one end for punching holes in slate and with a hammer head at the other.^[3][4]

Slater working on a roof

The ripper is also forged from crucible cast steel and is 24 inches long. It comprises a blade and a hook, and is used for removing broken slate.^[3] The hook can be used to cut and remove slating nails.^[5]

The slater's stake is T-shaped. The vertical bar of the "T" is pointed in order to allow it to be driven into a rafter or other woodworking surface. The horizontal bar of the "T" is used to support slates whilst working on them (cutting, punching, or smoothing) with other tools. The long bar of the stake can also be used as a straight edge for marking.^[3][4]

The zax (also called a sack or sax^[6]) is a hand tool for cutting, trimming, and punching nail holes in slate. It comprises a heavy rectangular knife blade with a large point, of square cross section, protruding from the poll (or butt). The blade edge is used to split slate, while the point is used to pierce square holes for mounting the slate on the roof (with square copper nails) or making a series of small holes marking a line where the slate is broken over a slater's iron. The tool is mounted to a laterally offset handle to protect the user's hand from sharp slate chips.^{[citation needed]}

References[link]

1. ^ Sir Banister Fletcher, Herbert Phillips Fletcher (1888). Quantities; a Text-book for Surveyors, in Tabulated Form. B.T. Batsford. pp. p. 23. ISBN 1561582115. 
2. ^ C. Tomlinson, ed. (1852). "SLATE". Cyclopædia of useful arts & manufactures. pp. p. 636. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Robert Scharff and Terry Kennedy (2000). Roofing Handbook. McGraw-Hill Professional. pp. p. 289. ISBN 0071360581. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Taunton Press Staff (1997). Roofing. Taunton Press. pp. p. 48. ISBN 1561582115. 
5. ^ Kennedy, Terry (2002). Roofing Instant Answers. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. p.332. ISBN 0-07-138712-9. 
6. ^ George Ripley and Charles Anderson Dana (1862). "SLATE". The New American Cyclopaedia: a popular dictionary of general knowledge. New York: D. Appleton and Company. pp. p. 695. 

Further reading[link]

• Peter Mytton-Davies (1988). Practical Guide to the Repair and Maintenance of Houses. Spon Press (UK). pp. 117–118. ISBN 1850320160.  — further information about slater's tools

Kelly Slater
Personal information
Born	(1972-02-11) February 11, 1972 (age 40) Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.
Residence	Florida, California and Hawaii
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	160 lb (73 kg)
Surfing career
Years active	1990–present
Best year	Ranked 1st on the ASP World Tour, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Career earnings	$3,030,755 (as of 2011)[1]
Sponsors	Quiksilver wetsuits
Major achievements	11 time ASP World Champion Victories: 55 World championship tour (WCT) surfing wins: 48
Surfing specifications
Stance	Regular (natural) foot (left foot forward)
Shaper(s)	Al Merrick
Quiver	5'6", 5'8", 5'10", 6'1", 6'3" and 6'6" boards when on the road
Favorite waves	Kirra and Pipe
Favorite maneuvers	Airs and barrels
Website	kellyslater.com

Robert Kelly Slater (born February 11, 1972, Cocoa Beach, FL, USA) is an American professional surfer known for his competitive prowess and style. He has been crowned ASP World Champion a record 11 times, including 5 consecutive titles from 1994–98. He is the youngest (at age 20) and the oldest (at age 39) to win the title. Upon winning his 5th world title in 1997, Slater passed Australian surfing legend Mark Richards to become the most successful champion in the history of the sport. In 2007 he also became the all-time leader in career event wins by winning the Boost Mobile Pro event at Lower Trestles near San Clemente, California. The previous record was held by Slater's childhood hero, 3-time world champion Tom Curren.^[2]

In addition to the ASP tour, Slater has also competed in the X-Games (in 2003 and 2004). After earlier being awarded the title prematurely as a result of a miscalculation by the ASP, on November 6, 2011 Slater officially won his eleventh ASP world title at the Rip Curl Pro Search San Francisco, by winning his 4th round heat. In May 2005, in the final heat of the Billabong Tahiti Pro contest at Teahupo'o, Slater became the first surfer ever to be awarded two perfect scores for a total 20 out of 20 points under the ASP two-wave scoring system. (The corresponding honor under the previous three-wave system belongs to fellow American Shane Beschen who achieved the feat in 1996.) Since 1990, Slater has been sponsored primarily by surfwear industry giant Quiksilver.^[3] He exclusively rides Channel Islands surfboards equipped with his own signature series of FCS fins.

Biography[link]

Early life and family[link]

Kelly Slater with fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Christiaan Bailey

Slater was born on February 11, 1972 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he continues to reside. He has a teenage daughter named Taylor. He is of Irish and Syrian ancestry. He has an older brother, Sean, and a younger brother, Stephen.

In his spare time Slater enjoys playing the guitar,composing sonnets and spending quality time with longtime girlfriend, Kalani Miller who often travels and supports him on the ASP World Tour. His favorite surf spots are Sandspit in California, Pipeline in Hawaii, Kirra in Australia, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Minis in Ireland, Taghazout in Morocco, Soup Bowls in Barbados, Sebastian Inlet near his home in Florida and Bilgola beach in the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia. his three favourite surfing buddys from Bilgola are Ian morrison, James Burfitt and Jose Viera.^[4] He is also an avid golfer, with a +2 handicap. Slater is interested in the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Some of his surfing inspirations are Tom Curren, Tom Carroll, Mark Occhilupo, Martin Potter, Andy Irons, Shane Dorian, Drew Phelps, Ken Wells, Hunter Collins, and Andrew Bloom.^[5]

Other projects[link]

Slater played the recurring character Jimmy Slade on several episodes of the popular TV show Baywatch in the early 1990s .^[6] He appeared in an episode of the reality show The Girls Next Door, and has also starred in many surf films throughout his career.

In the late '90s Slater, along with friends and fellow pro surfers Rob Machado and Peter King, formed a band called The Surfers. The trio released an album in 1998 titled Songs From the Pipe, a reference to the famous surf spot Pipeline on Oahu, Hawaii. Aside from his Love of surfing, Kelly also toured Australia with his band, performing in venues such as the Opera House, and parliament house. He was also given an honourary membership to the Rickson Cricket Club in northwest Sydney.

Slater performed a song with Ben Harper during Harper's concert in Santa Barbara. on August 1, 2006. He also performed "Rockin' in The Free World" with grunge band Pearl Jam on the July 7, 2006 in San Diego. In 1999, he appeared alongside Garbage singer Shirley Manson in the promotional video for the band's single "You Look So Fine". He played a man washed up on a seashore, then rescued by Manson.

A video game named Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer, by Treyarch and published by Activision, was released in 2002. Slater also appeared as a playable character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 prior to this, complete with a surfboard.

In 2003 Slater released his autobiography, Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey. In 2008 he released a second book with Phil Jarratt, entitled Kelly Slater: For the Love.

Slater is passionate about preserving oceans globally and protecting temperate reefs in California through his relationship with Reef Check.

On May 8, 2010 the United States House of Representatives honored Slater in H. Res. 792 for his "outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the world of surfing and for being an ambassador of the sport and excellent role model."^[7] This resolution, sponsored by Florida representative Bill Posey and sponsored by 10 representatives, passed without objection by a voice vote.^[8]

Slater is also on the Board of Advisors (the Ocean Advocacy Advisory Board) of ocean conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.^[9]

Stats[link]

Slater surfing in the Boost Mobile Pro at Trestles

Slater at Trestles, San Clemente State Beach, California

• WCT victories: 49
• World titles: 11

On 9/15/07, Kelly Slater passed Tom Curren's long standing WCT tour victory record of 33 with his win at the Boost Mobile Pro at Lowers Trestles.

2012 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: Currently 8th
Points: 13,700

Event results in 2012^[10]
Quiksilver Pro presented by Land Rover, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 5th
Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford Ranger, Bells Beach, (Victoria, Australia): 2nd
Billabong Rio Pro, Brazil: INJ

2011 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2011 Champion
Points: 68,100

Event results in 2011^[11]
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, (Victoria, Australia): 5th
Billabong Rio Pro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): 1st
Nike Pro US Open (Huntington Beach, California, USA): 1st
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 1st
Quiksilver Pro New York (Long Beach, New York, USA): 2nd
Hurley Pro Lower Trestles (Orange County, California, USA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 2nd
Rip Curl Search (Ocean Beach, San Francisco, USA): 5th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2010 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2010 Champion
Points: 69000

Event results in 2010^[12]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 9th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 2nd
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 17th
Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 3rd
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Rip Curl Pro Portugal (Peniche, Portugal): 1st
Rip Curl Pro Search 2010 (Middles Beach, Isabela, Puerto Rico): 1st
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 3rd

2009 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 6th.
Points: 6136

Event results in 2009^[13]
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 17th
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 17th
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): 1st
Billabong Pro (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 9th
Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 3rd
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 5th
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 3rd
Rip Curl Search (Peniche, Portugal): 17th
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 2nd

2008 Stats and results[link]

World ranking: 2008 Champion
Points: 8832

Event results
Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast (Snapper Rocks, Australia): 1st
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach (Australia): 1st
Billabong Pro, Tahiti (Teahupoo, Tahiti): 17th
Globe Pro, Fiji (Tavarua, Fiji): 1st
Billabong Pro, J-Bay (Jeffreys Bay, South Africa): 1st
Rip Curl Search (Bali, Indonesia): 17th
Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, CA): 1st
Quiksilver Pro France (Hossegor, France): 2nd
Billabong Pro, Mundaka (Mundaka, Spain): 9th
Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil): DNS
Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, Oahu, Hawaii): 1st

History of wins[link]

2011

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Nike US Open (Huntington Beach, CA)
• Billabong Pro Teahupoo (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• Hurley Pro Trestles (California, USA)

2010

• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
• Hurley Pro (Lower Trestles, California, USA)
• Rip Curl Pro (Peniche, Portugal)
• Rip Curl Search (Middles, Isabela, Puerto Rico)

2009

• Hang Loose Pro (Santa Catarina, Brasil)

2008

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)
• Glove Pro Fiji (Cloudbreak, Restaurants – Tavarua, Fiji)
• Billabong Pro J-Bay (Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa)
• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)
• Billabong Pipeline Masters (Pipeline, North Shore Oahu, Hawaii)

2007

• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)

2006

• Quiksilver Pro (Gold Coast, Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro (Bells Beach, Australia)

2005

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• The Globe WCT (Fiji)
• Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• Boost Mobile Pro (Lower Trestles, San Clemente, California)

2004

• Snickers Australian Open (QS)
• Energy Australia Open (QS)

2003

• Billabong Pro (Teahupoo, Tahiti)
• Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• Billabong Pro (Mundaka, Spain)
• Nova Schin Festival (Brazil)

2002

• The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau (Specialty-Hawaii)

2000

• Gotcha Tahiti Pro presented by Globe (Tahiti)

1999

• Mountain Dew Pipe Masters (Hawaii)

1997

• Coke Surf Classic (Australia)
• Billabong Pro (Australia)
• Tokushima Pro (Japan)
• Marui Pro (Japan)
• Kaiser Summer Surf WCT (Brazil)
• Grand Slam (Specialty-Australia)
• Typhoon Lagoon Surf Challenge (Specialty-USA)

1996

• Coke Surf Classic (Australia)
• Rip Curl Pro Saint Leu (Reunion Island)
• CSI pres. Billabong Pro (South Africa)
• U.S. Open (California)
• Rip Curl Pro Hossegor (France)
• Quiksilver Surfmasters (France)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)
• Da Hui Backdoor Shootout (Specialty-Hawaii)

1995

• Quiksilver Pro (Indonesia)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• Triple Crown of Surfing (Specialty-Hawaii)

1994

• Rip Curl Pro (Australia)
• Gotcha Lacanau Pro (France)
• Chiemsee Pipe Masters (Hawaii)
• The Bud Surf Tour (WQS-USA)
• The Bud Surf Tour (WQS-USA)
• Sud Ouest Trophee (Specialty-France)

1993

• Marui Pro (Japan)

1992

• Rip Curl Pro Landes (France)
• Marui Pipe Masters (Hawaii)

1990

• Body Glove Surfbout Trestles (California)

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

"Ultimate Wave Tahiti" (2010)
"Bustin Down the Door" (2008)
"One Track Mind" (2008)
"Kelly Slater Letting Go" (2008)
"Waveriders" 2008)
"Surf's Up" (2007)
"Down the Barrel" (2007)
"Surfers – The Movie" (1990)
"Bra Boys" (2007)
"The Ocean" (2008)
"One Night at McCool's" (2001)
"Letting Go" (2006)
"Young Guns 1, 2 & 3" (2004–2008)
"Campaign 2" (2005)
"Doped Youth" 'Groovy Avalon' (2004)
"Kelly Slater in Black and White" (1991)
"Endless Summer II" (1994)
"Wave Warriors 3"
"A Fly in the Champagne" (2009) (featuring Kelly Slater and Andy Irons)
"Cloud 9" (2009)
"Riding Giants" (2004)
"Step into Liquid" (2003)
"Thicker than Water" (2000)
"Fighting Fear" (2011)
"September Sessions" (2002)
"Kelly Slater In Kolor" (1997) <br

Cameo appearance[link]

"Surf's Up" (2007)

Television[link]

Baywatch, 10 episodes

The Girls Next Door, "Surf's Up" 1 episode

Bibliography[link]

• Pipe Dreams: A Surfer's Journey (2003) ISBN 0-06-009629-2
• Kelly Slater: For the Love (2008) ISBN 0-8118-6222-4

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kelly Slater

• Kelly Slater the Official Website
• Kelly Slater Photo Gallery at Outside Online
• Kelly Slater at the Internet Movie Database
• Kelly Slater Pictures & Wallpapers^{[dead link]}
• Kelly Slater Interview
• Interview with Kelly Slater and Eddie Vedder Regarding Surfing and Their Friendship
• Kelly Slater In SPIN's November Issue
• Kelly Slater Shares His Memories of Rival Andy Irons at The Inertia
• Kelly Slater isn't new world champ yet; ASP says it made an error

Joel Parkinson
Joel Parkinson in 2009
Personal information
Born	Joel Leslie Parkinson (1981-04-10) 10 April 1981 (age 31) Nambour, Queensland, Australia
Residence	Tweed Heads, New South Wales, , Australia
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	80 kg (180 lb)
Surfing career
Best year	2nd – 2002, 2004 and 2009
Career earnings	$1,270,726
Sponsors	Billabong, JS Industries, Kustom, Sony, Von Zipper
Major achievements	Two ASP World Junior Championships, ASP World Title Runner- Up in 2002 and 2004, Perfect 20 at Billabong Pipeline Masters (2008), Vans Hawaiian Triple Crown of Surfing Winner (2008)[1]
Surfing specifications
Stance	Natural (regular) foot
Website	joelparko.com

Joel Parkinson (born 10 April 1981) is an Australian surfer who competes on the ASP World Tour. Known as Parko, he grew up on the Gold Coast with fellow surfer Mick Fanning.^[2] Parkinson is married to Monica with daughters Evie and Macey and son Mahli.

A highly successful competitive surfer, Parkinson has won ten elite ASP tour victories as of April 2011:^[3]

Another career highlight came for Parkinson during a December 2008 Pipeline Masters third-round heat in Hawaii when he matched Kelly Slater's 2005 record of two perfect 10-point rides under the world tour's two-best-waves scoring system.^[4] Parkinson went on to win the Triple Crown of Surfing for 2008 and then again in 2009 and 2010.

In July 2009, while in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa Joel launched his new official website joelparko.com

ASP World Tour Wins
Year	Event	Venue	Country
1999	Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay	Jeffreys Bay	South Africa
2002	Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast	Gold Coast, Queensland	Australia
2002	Rip Curl Cup	Sunset Beach, Oahu	Hawaii
2004	Rip Curl Pro	Bells Beach, Victoria	Australia
2004	Boost Mobile Pro	Trestles, California	United States
2006	Quiksilver Pro France	Hossegor	France
2009	Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast	Gold Coast, Queensland	Australia
2009	Rip Curl Pro	Bells Beach, Victoria	Australia
2009	Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay	Jeffreys Bay	South Africa
2011	Rip Curl Pro	Bells Beach, Victoria	Australia

References[link]

This Australian biographical article relating to sport is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This biographical article related to surfing is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Heath Slater
Heath Slater at Tribute to the Troops in December 2010
Ring name(s)	Heath Miller[1] Heath Slater[1] Sebastian Slater[1]
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Billed weight	216 lb (98 kg)[2]
Born	(1983-07-15) July 15, 1983 (age 28)[1] Pineville, West Virginia[1]
Billed from	Pineville, West Virginia[2]
Trained by	Curtis Hughes[1]
Debut	August 2004[3]

THE CHICK FROM WENDY'S^[1] (born July 15, 1983)^[1] is an American professional wrestler working for WWE. He performs on the SmackDown brand under the name Heath Slater. He was a contestant in the first season of WWE NXT, where he finished fourth. He is a former FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and three-time WWE Tag Team Champion, with Justin Gabriel.

Professional wrestling career[link]

Training and independent circuit (2004–2006)[link]

While growing up in West Virginia, Miller participated in backyard wrestling.^[3] Miller trained under Curtis Hughes at the WWA4 Pro Wrestling School before debuting in 2004.^[1][3] While training, he appeared on a two-part episode on the sketch comedy show Blue Collar.^[4] He soon began competing in Northeastern independent promotions, including NWA Wildside. While wrestling for NWA Wildside, Miller won the GCW Columbus Heavyweight Championship after defeating Scott Beach in 2004.^[1] In mid-2005, Miller began wrestling for NWA Anarchy. He debuted in a tag team match on July 2, when he and Randall Johnson were defeated by the Urban Assault Squad. Miller and Johnson formed a regular tag team in the promotion, going on to lose to teams including Alabama Attitude in August, Three Guys That Totally Rule (Seth Delay and Patrick Bentley) in September, Jeremy V and Jason Blackman in October, before earning their first win on October 29, by defeating the team of Skitzo and Brett Thunder. The following week, they lost to the team of V and Blackman for the second time in their final appearance for the promotion.^[5] In December 2005, Miller debuted for Great Championship Wrestling (GCW) in Georgia, losing to Jaki by disqualification on December 10. In April 2006, Miller formed a tag team with Eric Watts, and the pair went on to defeat the team of Cru Jones and Shawn Banks twice in succession. The following month, Miller unsuccessfully challenged Scotty Beach for the GCW Television Championship. In July, Miller adopted the nickname "The Thriller", and on July 22, Miller forfeited the GCW Columbus Heavyweight Championship to Bobby Sanford. In September, Miller formed a tag team with former rival Scotty Beach. Miller's final appearance in GCW was on December 13, when he lost to Legion Freakin' Cage.^[6]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE[link]

Developmental territories and NXT (2006–2010)[link]

In December 2006, Miller signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment, and was assigned to Deep South Wrestling (DSW), a WWE developmental territory. When the WWE ended its relationship with DSW in the spring of 2007, Miller was one of over twenty developmental wrestlers to be sent for further training at the new Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory. At a June 2007 FCW show, Miller appeared as the manager of fellow developmental talent Shawn McGrath under the name "Heath Wallace Miller Esq." However, Miller reverted to using his real name and resumed his singles career while continuing to manage McGrath.

Miller as the FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion in August 2009.

In 2007, Miller was given a talk show called the "Happy Hour" during some FCW shows.^[7] During one segment, Billy Kidman was the guest; Miller claimed to idolize Kidman but then commented that Kidman's career was declining. This created a feud and led to a series of matches between the two.^[7] In January 2008, Miller started defending the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship on behalf of the champion Ted DiBiase, Jr., who was injured.^[8] DiBiase soon forfeited the belt and Miller was declared the champion.^[9]

Miller and his tag team partner Steve Lewington lost to John Morrison and The Miz for the WWE Tag Team Championship on February 15, 2008 at an FCW show. Miller and Lewington then advanced to the finals of a tournament for the inaugural FCW Florida Tag Team Championship in February 2008. Miller and Lewington defeated Brandon Groom and Greg Jackson and The Thoroughbreds (Johnny Curtis and Kevin Kiley) to reach the finals.^{[10][unreliable source][11][unreliable source]} On February 23, 2008, Miller and Lewington lost to The Puerto Rican Nightmares (Eddie Colón and Eric Perez) in the finals.^[8] On September 11, teaming with Joe Hennig, he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.^[12] As champion, he would change his ring name to "Sebastian Slater". On October 30, 2008, Slater and Hennig lost their tag titles to The New Hart Foundation (Harry Smith and TJ Wilson) in Tampa, Florida.^[12] He returned from injury in the 26 episode of FCW where he defeated Justin Angel. On August 13, 2009, at the 50th FCW TV taping, Miller defeated Tyler Reks to become FCW Heavyweight Champion.^[12][13] Miller lost the FCW Heavyweight Championship to Justin Gabriel in a two out of three falls match at the September 24, 2009 TV taping.^{[12][14][unreliable source?]}

On February 16, 2010, Slater was announced as one of eight FCW wrestlers to compete on the first season of the WWE NXT show, with Christian as his storyline mentor. On the inaugural episode of NXT, Slater won his debut match as he and Christian defeated Carlito and Michael Tarver in a tag team match. Two weeks later, Slater defeated Carlito, becoming the first NXT rookie to beat a WWE pro in a singles match. On the March 30 episode of NXT he came fourth out of eight rookies in the first Pros' Poll. On the April 6 episode, Slater won a keg-carrying contest against all other rookies. This resulted in him being in the main event that night, a match against Kane, that he lost. In an upset victory on April 20, Slater defeated Chris Jericho in the main event of NXT. However, Slater remained at fourth in the second Pros Poll, revealed on May 11. He was eliminated from NXT on May 25, coming in last in the Pros' Poll.

The Nexus and The Corre (2010–2011)[link]

Slater (second from right) with the rest of The Nexus at SummerSlam.

On the June 7 episode of Raw, Slater and the other season one NXT rookies turned heel by interfering in the main event match between John Cena and CM Punk, attacking both competitors, the announcing team and Justin Roberts, the ring announcer, before dismantling the ring area and surrounding equipment.^[15] On the June 14 episode of Raw the rookies (excluding Daniel Bryan who had been released) attacked General Manager Bret Hart, when he refused to give them contracts.^[16] At the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view, the seven rookies interfered in the WWE Championship match, as a result costing Cena the championship. The following week on Raw, Vince McMahon fired Hart and announced the hiring of a new General Manager, who had signed the seven season one NXT rookies to contracts.^[17] The following week, the group was named The Nexus.^[18] On the July 12 episode of Raw, The Nexus competed in their first match together, without Darren Young, a six–on–one handicap match against John Cena, which they won when Gabriel pinned Cena.^[19] The Nexus continued to feud with Cena and the Raw roster, resulting in a seven-on-seven elimination tag team match at SummerSlam. Cena's team won when Cena eliminated Gabriel and then Barrett to win the match.^[20]

In October 2010, Cena was forced to join The Nexus as a result of losing to Barrett at Hell in a Cell, and at the following pay-per-view, Cena and Otunga won the WWE Tag Team Championship.^[21][22] On the October 25 episode of Raw, Barrett made a tag team match, with Justin Gabriel and Slater facing Otunga and Cena for the championship. Gabriel and Slater won when Barrett ordered Otunga to allow Slater to pin him, becoming the new Tag Team Champions.^[23][24] Gabriel and Slater held the championship for nearly two months, before losing it to Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov in a four-way elimination match also involving The Usos and Mark Henry and Yoshi Tatsu on the December 6 episode of Raw.^[25] Gabriel and Slater received a rematch for the championship at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view on December 19, but lost by disqualification when Nexus member Michael McGillicutty interfered.^[26]

On the January 10, 2011, episode of Raw Gabriel and Slater refused to take part in new Nexus leader CM Punk's initiation and walked away from the group.^[27]

The following day, at the tapings of the January 14 eisode of SmackDown, Gabriel and Slater helped their former leader Wade Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson attack Big Show.^[28][29] The following week, Gabriel, Slater, Barrett, and Jackson announced they had formed the Corre, and later that night Gabriel defeated World Heavyweight Champion Edge in a non-title match, following interference from the other members of The Corre.^[30][31] After winning a non-title match against the champions Kozlov and Marella on the February 4 episode of SmackDown, Gabriel and Slater received a match for the WWE Tag Team Championship two weeks later, but lost via disqualification when the other members of The Corre interfered.^[32][33] They received a rematch at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on February 20 and defeated Marella and Kozlov to win the WWE Tag Team Championship for the second time.^[34][35]

The following night on Raw, Gabriel and Slater lost the championship to John Cena and The Miz, but won the championship back minutes later after Barrett invoked The Corre's rematch clause, and The Miz turned on Cena.^[36][37] During this time, The Corre had continued to feud with The Big Show, and at WrestleMania XXVII in April the team of The Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella, and Kofi Kingston defeated The Corre.^[38] At the April 19 taping of SmackDown, the duo of Gabriel and Slater lost the Tag Team Championship to the team of Kane and The Big Show. In a backstage segment following the match, Gabriel was attacked by Slater, who thought Gabriel blamed him for their loss. On the May 6 episode of SmackDown, Gabriel, Barrett, and Slater attacked Jackson, removing him from the group. On the June 10th edition of SmackDown, when Barrett walked out on Gabriel and Slater in a 6-man tag team match against Jackson and The Usos, Gabriel and Slater told Barrett later backstage that The Corre was over.^[39][40]

They would start a feud with The Usos. On the June 17 edition of SmackDown, Gabriel and Slater, with new music, were defeated by The Usos, later defeating them in a rematch on the June 24 edition. The next day he together with Gabriel were announced for the Smackdown Money in the Bank match in Chicago, Illinois. They were again defeated by The Usos on the July 8 edition, having a visible disagreement and argument in the ring following the match.

Singles competition (2011–present)[link]

On the July 15 edition of SmackDown, Slater started a feud with Gabriel when he verbally berated him saying that Gabriel was holding him down. That same night, Slater lost to Gabriel after receiving a 450° splash.^[41] At Money in the Bank on July 17, he and Gabriel participated in the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Daniel Bryan.

On October 17, 2011, WWE suspended Heath Slater due to a Wellness Violation for 30 days.^[42]

Slater, winless since July 28, ended 2011 on an 18-match TV/PPV losing streak, topping Edge's 17-match winning streak to achieve WWE's longest streak of 2011.^[43] On the January 6 edition of Smackdown, Heath Slater lost to Hornswoggle in an Over the Rope challenge and attacked him before his former tag team partner, Justin Gabriel saved Hornswoggle and hit the 450 splash to Slater. Slater broke his 22 match losing streak by defeating Trent Barretta on NXT Redemption on January 25, 2012. He continued his winning streak two weeks later on WWE NXT by defeating Derrick Bateman. On March 29, 2012 on WWE Superstars, Slater ended his losing streak by defeating Alex Riley after losing to the likes of Justin Gabriel and Brodus Clay. Slater continued his winning streak when he once again defeated Alex Riley.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • As Heath Slater
    • Belly to back wheelbarrow facebuster^[44] – 2012–present
    • E-minor^[45] (Inverted DDT)^[46] – 2011–2012
    • Sleeper slam - 2012
    • Sweetness (Jumping Russian legsweep)^[4] – 2010–2011
  • As Heath Miller
    • Jumping neckbreaker^[1][47]
    • Miller's Crossing^[3] (Hangman's neckbreaker)^[3][48]

• Signature moves
  • Corkscrew plancha^[49][50]
  • Flapjack^[4]
  • Leg lariat^[48]
  • Spinning spinebuster^[4]
  • Super scoop powerslam^[51]
  • Tilt-a-whirl DDT^[48]

• Nicknames
  • "Handsome"^[3]
  • "The One-Man (Southern) Rock Band"^[2]
  • "The Thriller"^[6]

• Wrestlers managed
  • Shawn Osbourne^[52]

• Entrance themes
  • "We Are One" by 12 Stones^[53] (June 7, 2010–January 10, 2011; Used while a part of The Nexus)
  • "End of Days" (various versions)^[54] (January 14, 2011–June 10, 2011; Used while a part of The Corre)
  • "Black or White" by Bleeding In Stereo^[55] (June 17, 2011–July 17, 2011)
  • "South Bound" by Jim Johnston
  • "One Man Band" by Jim Johnston^[56] (August 18, 2011–present)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Florida Championship Wrestling
  • FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[12]
  • FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Joe Hennig^[12]
  • FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[9]

• Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • NWA/GCW Columbus Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI Feud of the Year (2010) – The Nexus vs. WWE^[57]
  • PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (2010) – as part of The Nexus^[58]
  • PWI ranked him #66 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011^[59]

• World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE
  • WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Justin Gabriel^[23][34][36]
  • Slammy Award for Shocker of the Year (2010) – The debut of The Nexus^[60]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Heath Slater

• WWE profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile