Cody Michaels
Encyclopedia
Cody Michaels has an extensive background in professional wrestling
both as an in-ring performer and also behind the scenes as a booker, promoter
, and creator.
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, alongside friends Mick Foley
, Shane Douglas
and Mark Curtis
(Brian Hildebrand). He played college football
prior to entering the ring. Douglas and Michaels were former college roommates.
(USWA), World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE), Extreme Championship Wrestling
(ECW), National Wrestling Alliance
(NWA), and American Wrestling Association
(AWA). He is credited with developing and expanding the ECW territory and fan base with the development of many major cities in the East, such as Pittsburgh and Cleveland. ECW also ran its most productive pay-per-view
in Pittsburgh, November to Remember, under the guidance of Michaels and Douglas, which drew a live audience estimated at close to 5000 and a live gate of $
100,000.00, both records for the promotion at the time. Michaels was also a driving force and partner in ECW's 2005 reunion tour known as Hardcore Homecoming
, which drew a record crowd in Philadelphia and was a best seller in the DVD
market.
Cody developed and promoted a benefit in 1999, Curtis Goes Home, for friend Brian Hildebrand
, aka Mark Curtis (WCW referee), who was battling end stage stomach cancer at the time. It brought together the major companies at the time, WWE, WCW, ECW, in support for Hildebrand. The major stars that worked and provided support that night included Mick Foley
, Dean Malenko
, Eddie Guerrero
, Chris Benoit
, Chris Jericho
, Shane Douglas
, Bruno Sammartino
, Dominic DeNucci
, Terry Taylor
, D'Lo Brown
, Al Snow
, Hugh Morris
, Les Thatcher
, Billy Kidman, Chris Candido
, and many others.
His various tag team
partners included Jeff Jarrett
(USWA Tag Team Champions), Shane Douglas, Mick Foley, Jerry Lynn
, Superstar Bill Dundee
, and Dominic DeNucci himself. His opponents included Steve Austin
, Eddie Gilbert, Mick Foley, The Iron Sheik, and Shane Douglas. He previously worked in a Tag Team known as The Heartbreakers
in the late 1980s that was managed by "Captain" Lou Albano
for a time.
at The Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas
, in 1991. He sustained a broken neck which eventually ended his in-ring career. He continued his involvement in the industry as an Associate Producer, booker, writer, and creative team member in Viacom/MTV's Wrestling Society X
. Cody was a producer of the UCFC MMA live event, Rumble on the Rivers in June of 2009 at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. That event was the first ever MMA live event in Pittsburgh since the state approved MMA in Pennsylvania. Michaels has also worked as a producer for various XPW productions including the "Cold Day in Hell" national DVD release and is listed on the advisory board for Masked Republic, which is the first integrated live event, merchandising and media organization in the United States specializing in the emerging growth market of lucha libre (Mexican wrestling).
He has also worked as a producer/agent for the Urban Wrestling Federation live events and national PPV releases in 2011. Michaels continues to write and develop content for various entertainment production companies in the United States.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
both as an in-ring performer and also behind the scenes as a booker, promoter
Promoter (entertainment)
An entertainment promoter i.e. music, wrestling, boxing etc is a person or company in the business of marketing and promoting live events such as concerts/gigs, boxing matches, sports entertainment , festivals, raves, and nightclubs.- Business model :Promoters are typically hired as independent...
, and creator.
Early career
He was trained by Dominic DeNucciDominic DeNucci
Dominic DeNucci is an Italian-American professional wrestler. He is also an accomplished trainer, counting former World Heavyweight champions Mick Foley and Shane Douglas, as well as referee Brian Hildebrand, among his students.-Early career:...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, alongside friends Mick Foley
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
and Mark Curtis
Brian Hildebrand
Brian Curtis Hildebrand was a professional wrestling manager, wrestler and referee who sometimes went by the name of Mark Curtis...
(Brian Hildebrand). He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
prior to entering the ring. Douglas and Michaels were former college roommates.
Career
Michaels has worked in-ring beginning in 1986 for promotions such as United States Wrestling AssociationUnited States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
(USWA), World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWE), Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
(ECW), National Wrestling Alliance
National Wrestling Alliance
The National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
(NWA), and American Wrestling Association
American Wrestling Association
The American Wrestling Association was an American professional wrestling promotion based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that ran from 1960 to 1991. It was owned and founded by Verne Gagne and Wally Karbo...
(AWA). He is credited with developing and expanding the ECW territory and fan base with the development of many major cities in the East, such as Pittsburgh and Cleveland. ECW also ran its most productive pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
in Pittsburgh, November to Remember, under the guidance of Michaels and Douglas, which drew a live audience estimated at close to 5000 and a live gate of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
100,000.00, both records for the promotion at the time. Michaels was also a driving force and partner in ECW's 2005 reunion tour known as Hardcore Homecoming
Hardcore Homecoming
Hardcore Homecoming was a series of professional wrestling events which were advertised as a reunion of talent from the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion....
, which drew a record crowd in Philadelphia and was a best seller in the DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
market.
Cody developed and promoted a benefit in 1999, Curtis Goes Home, for friend Brian Hildebrand
Brian Hildebrand
Brian Curtis Hildebrand was a professional wrestling manager, wrestler and referee who sometimes went by the name of Mark Curtis...
, aka Mark Curtis (WCW referee), who was battling end stage stomach cancer at the time. It brought together the major companies at the time, WWE, WCW, ECW, in support for Hildebrand. The major stars that worked and provided support that night included Mick Foley
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko
Dean Simon is a retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dean Malenko. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He is best known for his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling , New Japan Pro Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling...
, Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero
Eduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
, Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
, Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
, Shane Douglas
Shane Douglas
Troy Alan Martin is an American professional wrestler and promoter, better known by his ring name "The Franchise" Shane Douglas. In the course of his career, which has spanned nearly three decades, Douglas has wrestled in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling and briefly...
, Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino is an Italian-American former professional wrestler, best known for being the longest-running champion of the World Wide Wrestling Federation , holding the title across two reigns for over 11 years in total, as well as the longest single WWE Championship reign...
, Dominic DeNucci
Dominic DeNucci
Dominic DeNucci is an Italian-American professional wrestler. He is also an accomplished trainer, counting former World Heavyweight champions Mick Foley and Shane Douglas, as well as referee Brian Hildebrand, among his students.-Early career:...
, Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
, D'Lo Brown
D'Lo Brown
Accie Julius Connor better known by his ring name D'Lo Brown , is an American professional wrestler. Well known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment, he is currently working as an agent for Impact Wrestling.Connor has held forty-eight championships in various promotions during...
, Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
, Hugh Morris
Hugh Morris
Hugh Morris is the current managing director of England cricket, and a former Welsh cricketer, who played in three Tests for England in 1991...
, Les Thatcher
Les Thatcher
Leslie Alan Malady better known by the name Les Thatcher is a former professional wrestler who achievied many accolades over his career...
, Billy Kidman, Chris Candido
Chris Candido
Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido...
, and many others.
His various tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
partners included Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
(USWA Tag Team Champions), Shane Douglas, Mick Foley, Jerry Lynn
Jerry Lynn
Jeremy "Jerry" Lynn is an American professional wrestler who is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
, Superstar Bill Dundee
Bill Dundee
William "Bill" Cruickshanks is a Scottish born-Australian professional wrestler better known by his stage name Bill Dundee. Cruickshanks is the father of Jamie Dundee and the father-in-law of wrestler Bobby Eaton....
, and Dominic DeNucci himself. His opponents included Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
, Eddie Gilbert, Mick Foley, The Iron Sheik, and Shane Douglas. He previously worked in a Tag Team known as The Heartbreakers
The Heartbreakers
Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, also known as The Heartbreakers, were an American rock & roll band formed in New York in May 1975. The band was part of the first wave of punk rock.-History:...
in the late 1980s that was managed by "Captain" Lou Albano
Lou Albano
Louis Vincent "Captain Lou" Albano was an Italian-American professional wrestler, manager and actor. He was active as a professional wrestler from 1953 until 1969, then he became a manager, until 1995....
for a time.
Injury
He was seriously injured in a match against John TatumJohn Tatum (wrestler)
John Frankel III , known by his ringname "Hollywood" John Tatum, is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American regional promotions including World Class Championship Wrestling, Universal Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Alliance as well as independent...
at The Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, in 1991. He sustained a broken neck which eventually ended his in-ring career. He continued his involvement in the industry as an Associate Producer, booker, writer, and creative team member in Viacom/MTV's Wrestling Society X
Wrestling Society X
Wrestling Society X was a short-lived professional wrestling-based television series produced in 2006 by Big Vision Entertainment. The weekly television series formerly aired on MTV, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, and over a dozen other MTV outlets throughout the world...
. Cody was a producer of the UCFC MMA live event, Rumble on the Rivers in June of 2009 at the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. That event was the first ever MMA live event in Pittsburgh since the state approved MMA in Pennsylvania. Michaels has also worked as a producer for various XPW productions including the "Cold Day in Hell" national DVD release and is listed on the advisory board for Masked Republic, which is the first integrated live event, merchandising and media organization in the United States specializing in the emerging growth market of lucha libre (Mexican wrestling).
He has also worked as a producer/agent for the Urban Wrestling Federation live events and national PPV releases in 2011. Michaels continues to write and develop content for various entertainment production companies in the United States.
Championships and accomplishments
- Steel City Wrestling
- SCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- United States Wrestling AssociationUnited States Wrestling AssociationThe United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
- USWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jeff JarrettJeff JarrettJeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
- USWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jeff Jarrett
- Other titles
- ASWA Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)