Johnny Prime
Encyclopedia
Jonathon David "Jon" Emminger is an American professional wrestler
, better known by his ring name
s Johnny Prime and Lucky Cannon. He is best known for his appearances for WWE, where he performed on the second and fifth seasons of NXT
, while also working in the promotion's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
(FCW), where he held the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.
as a quarterback
in college, and later played in the Arena Football League
. He also played for the St. Louis Rams
. He has five siblings, four older brothers and a younger sister. His older brother Shaun, got him interested in wrestling.
(FCW), a WWE developmental territory. On July 12, 2008, Emminger began wrestling as "Johnny Prime", and teamed
with Lupe Martinez in a loss to Sinn Bowdee
and Jack Gabriel
. He wrestled mainly in tag team matches
, and met with some success the following month, when he teamed with Kafu
to defeat Jack Gabriel and Ian Richardson, and with Imani Lee
to defeated Tyrone Jones and Vic Adams. He also competed in mixed tag team matches, teaming up with Tiffany
to gain a victory at the expense of Stu Bennett
and Alicia Fox in September. He then forayed into singles match, competing against Caleb O’Neil, TJ Wilson, Gavin Spears
, and Mike Kruel
. In late 2008, he entered a feud
with Byron Saxton and his stable, the Saxton Conglomerate, and faced the members of the Conglomerate in several matches. During the course of this feud Kaleb O'Neal began teaming with Prime in order to help him out, however, O'Neal later turned on Prime and joined the Conglomerate.
In early 2009, Prime entered into several one-off tag teams. He teamed with Scotty Goldman to defeat Kaleb O'Neal and Lawrence Knight
, and with Joe Hennig to defeat The Dudebusters (Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft). In March, April, and May, he feuded with Alex Riley
, losing to him in a singles match at the March 13 television tapings. He gained a measure of revenge on March 26, when he teamed with Johnny Curtis
and Tyler Reks to defeat Riley, Mr. Tarver and Ian Richardson in a six-man tag team match. The following month, in an eight man tag team match, Prime, Ricky Ortiz, Eric Escobar
and Sheamus O'Shaunessy defeated Riley, Justin Angel, Drew McIntyre and D.H. Smith. The feud also expanded to include Riley's valet, Beverly, with Prime teaming up with Angela
to defeat Riley and Beverly. To end the feud, Prime teamed with Tyler Reks and Sheamus O'Shaunessy to beat Riley, McIntyre, and Lance Hoyt
. For the remainder of the year, Prime competed sporadically, wrestling against Drew McIntyre, Vance Archer
, Curt Hawkins
, and Gabriel
. He also lost a triple threat match, also involving Joe Hennig and Johnny Curtis, when Curtis pinned him.
At the beginning of 2010, Prime was still only competing sporadically, but defeated Joe Doering
at the February 25 television tapings. At the next television taping in March however, he lost to Doering, who had been renamed Drake Brewer. On February 3, 2011, in a match made by General Manager and Cannon's new associate Maxine
and with help from special guest referee Brett DiBiase
, Cannon defeated Bo Rotundo
to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, just moments after Rotundo had defeated Mason Ryan
for the championship. Cannon's and Maxine's group was later joined by Aksana
and Damien Sandow
. Cannon lost the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship back to Rotundo on May 19.
, under the name "Lucky Cannon", with Mark Henry
as his mentor. He made his in-ring debut on the June 15 episode, teaming with Henry in a loss to Michael McGillicutty and Kofi Kingston
. Following the match, another WWE Pro Cody Rhodes insulted Cannon, leading to the former accepting a challenge match against the latter for the following week. On the June 22 episode of NXT, Cannon lost a five-minute challenge match to Rhodes, being pinned after approximately four minutes. The following week, Cannon won the keg carry challenge, earning immunity from elimination. Later that night, Cannon teamed with McGillicutty and Kaval
against Alex Riley
, Eli Cottonwood and Titus O'Neil
, which his team won when Kaval pinned Riley, giving Cannon his first win on NXT, and he was ranked fifth on the NXT poll. He retained his fifth place ranking in the next poll on July 27. On August 9 the rookies appeared in a six-man tag team match on Raw, in which Cannon teamed with Kaval and Percy Watson
in a loss to McGillicutty, Husky Harris and Alex Riley. The next night on NXT, Cannon's team won a rematch. Later that night, Cannon was eliminated from the competition when his ranking slipped to sixth. Cannon returned for the season finale of NXT on August 31, where he and the other eliminated rookies attacked the winner Kaval thus turning heel
in the process.
In March 2011, Cannon was selected as one of the six former NXT contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, NXT Redemption. During this season, Cannon is mentored by Tyson Kidd. He would then proclaim himself that NXT "is all about him", in which his first step is to woo
Maryse
. This would resume Cannon's status as a heel once again. He was eliminated from the competition on the June 14 episode of NXT, while also being turned down by Maryse.
On August 8, 2011, Emminger was released from his WWE contract.
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...
, better known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
s Johnny Prime and Lucky Cannon. He is best known for his appearances for WWE, where he performed on the second and fifth seasons of NXT
WWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
, while also working in the promotion's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
(FCW), where he held the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.
Early life
Emminger played footballAmerican football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
as a quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
in college, and later played in the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. He also played for the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. He has five siblings, four older brothers and a younger sister. His older brother Shaun, got him interested in wrestling.
Florida Championship Wrestling
In 2008, Emminger signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and was assigned to Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship Wrestling
Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
(FCW), a WWE developmental territory. On July 12, 2008, Emminger began wrestling as "Johnny Prime", and teamed
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...
with Lupe Martinez in a loss to Sinn Bowdee
Nick Cvjetkovich
Nicholas "Nick" Cvjetkovich is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known for his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he worked on its SmackDown brand as Kizarny.-Training and beginning:...
and Jack Gabriel
Steven Lewington
Steven Paul Lewington is an English professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment where he competed as DJ Gabriel.- All Star Promotions and Ohio Valley Wrestling :...
. He wrestled mainly in tag team matches
Professional wrestling tag team match types
Much like singles matches, tag team professional wrestling matches can and have taken many forms. Just about any singles or melee match type can be adapted to tag teams; for example, hardcore tag team matches are commonplace...
, and met with some success the following month, when he teamed with Kafu
Kafu
Victor Ceron is a Brazilian professional wrestler, better known under his ring name, Kafu. Kafu has worked for All Pro Wrestling , Inoki Dojo, International Wrestling Association, Big Time Wrestling, LLX World 1, PCW, NWA Pro, Portugal Wrestling, and the WWE development territory Florida...
to defeat Jack Gabriel and Ian Richardson, and with Imani Lee
Imani Lee
Imani Lee is an American boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler.-Career:Lee was an avid football player during his high school years and had try outs for the National Football League on two occasions...
to defeated Tyrone Jones and Vic Adams. He also competed in mixed tag team matches, teaming up with Tiffany
Taryn Terrell
Taryn Nicole Terrell , better known by her ring name Tiffany is an American model, professional wrestler and former general manager. She is best known for her time in World Wrestling Entertainment . She also trained at WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling...
to gain a victory at the expense of Stu Bennett
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett is a retired American soccer player. He is currently an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo-College:...
and Alicia Fox in September. He then forayed into singles match, competing against Caleb O’Neil, TJ Wilson, Gavin Spears
Ronnie Arniell
Ronnie William Arneill is a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name as Shawn Spears. He is perhaps best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand, where he briefly performed under the ring name Gavin Spears.-Early life:Born and raised in St...
, and Mike Kruel
Mike Kruel
Michael "Mike" Mayo, Jr. is an American professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Mike Kruel. He began his career in the independent circuit, wrestling in Pro-Pain Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, East Coast Wrestling Association and USA Pro Wrestling, while occasionally making...
. In late 2008, he entered a feud
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with Byron Saxton and his stable, the Saxton Conglomerate, and faced the members of the Conglomerate in several matches. During the course of this feud Kaleb O'Neal began teaming with Prime in order to help him out, however, O'Neal later turned on Prime and joined the Conglomerate.
In early 2009, Prime entered into several one-off tag teams. He teamed with Scotty Goldman to defeat Kaleb O'Neal and Lawrence Knight
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett is a retired American soccer player. He is currently an assistant coach at Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo-College:...
, and with Joe Hennig to defeat The Dudebusters (Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft). In March, April, and May, he feuded with Alex Riley
Alex Riley
Alex Riley is a TV and radio presenter.Born and brought up in Sheffield, Riley started performing with the city's Crucible Youth Theatre during which time he originated, and appeared in, dozens of sketches and devised pieces, as well as appearing in a number of plays and farces at the Library...
, losing to him in a singles match at the March 13 television tapings. He gained a measure of revenge on March 26, when he teamed with Johnny Curtis
Johnny Curtis
Jonathan Curtis is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand under his ring name Johnny Curtis. He also performs in its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. He was the winner of the fourth season of NXT.- Early Career :Curtis...
and Tyler Reks to defeat Riley, Mr. Tarver and Ian Richardson in a six-man tag team match. The following month, in an eight man tag team match, Prime, Ricky Ortiz, Eric Escobar
Eric Perez
Eric Alexander Pérez is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who currently performs under the ring name Eric Escobar. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment , where he spent most of his career in developmental territories...
and Sheamus O'Shaunessy defeated Riley, Justin Angel, Drew McIntyre and D.H. Smith. The feud also expanded to include Riley's valet, Beverly, with Prime teaming up with Angela
Angela Fong
Angela Carolyn Fong is a Canadian professional wrestler, model, cheerleader for the CFL's British Columbia Lions and actress best known for her time at World Wrestling Entertainment as known by her former ring names Miss Angela during her time at the developmental territory FCW and as Savannah...
to defeat Riley and Beverly. To end the feud, Prime teamed with Tyler Reks and Sheamus O'Shaunessy to beat Riley, McIntyre, and Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
. For the remainder of the year, Prime competed sporadically, wrestling against Drew McIntyre, Vance Archer
Lance Hoyt
Lance Hoyt is an American professional wrestler, currently signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling as Lance Archer. He is best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a two time NWA World Tag Team Champion with Kid Kash while the title was under the TNA banner...
, Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins
Brian Joseph Myers is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Curt Hawkins. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand...
, and Gabriel
Steven Lewington
Steven Paul Lewington is an English professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment where he competed as DJ Gabriel.- All Star Promotions and Ohio Valley Wrestling :...
. He also lost a triple threat match, also involving Joe Hennig and Johnny Curtis, when Curtis pinned him.
At the beginning of 2010, Prime was still only competing sporadically, but defeated Joe Doering
Joe Doering
Joe Doering is an Canada professional wrestler, currently working for All Japan Pro Wrestling. In the past he has worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and was also signed to World Wrestling Entertainment under a developmental deal...
at the February 25 television tapings. At the next television taping in March however, he lost to Doering, who had been renamed Drake Brewer. On February 3, 2011, in a match made by General Manager and Cannon's new associate Maxine
Karlee Perez
Karlee Leilani Perez is an American professional wrestler, manager and authority figure, currently working for WWE appearing in their NXT season 5 show and competing in their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling , under the ring name Maxine. She also serves as acting general...
and with help from special guest referee Brett DiBiase
Brett DiBiase
Brett DiBiase is a retired American professional wrestler and professional wrestling referee. known for his time with the WWE, where he worked in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. He is a former FCW Florida Tag Team Champion with Joe Hennig as The Fortunate Sons.Brett...
, Cannon defeated Bo Rotundo
Taylor Rotunda
Taylor Rotunda is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE and wrestles in their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling , as Bo Rotundo. He is a former two time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and has previously held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship...
to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, just moments after Rotundo had defeated Mason Ryan
Barri Griffiths
Barri Griffiths is a Welsh professional wrestler and former Gladiators competitor, also known as Goliath and by his ring name Mason Ryan. He is signed to WWE, where he wrestles on the Raw brand.He was also a member of The Nexus...
for the championship. Cannon's and Maxine's group was later joined by Aksana
Zivile Raudoniene
Živilė Raudonienė is a Lithuanian fitness model, bodybuilder and professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, performing on their SmackDown brand under the ring name Aksana, and is training in Florida Championship Wrestling , WWE's developmental territory...
and Damien Sandow
Aaron Stevens (wrestler)
Aaron Haddad is an American professional wrestler. He is contracted to WWE, and appears in Florida Championship Wrestling , a WWE developmental territory, as Damien Sandow. He is the current FCW 15 Champion...
. Cannon lost the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship back to Rotundo on May 19.
NXT
On June 1, 2010, it was announced that Emminger would be participating in the second season of NXTWWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
, under the name "Lucky Cannon", with Mark Henry
Mark Henry
Mark Jerrold Henry is an American professional wrestler signed with WWE, where he performs on its SmackDown brand as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. He is a 1992 Olympian, and winner of the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic...
as his mentor. He made his in-ring debut on the June 15 episode, teaming with Henry in a loss to Michael McGillicutty and Kofi Kingston
Kofi Kingston
Kofi Nahaje Sarkodie-Mensah , is a Ghanaian American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kofi Kingston. He is currently signed to WWE and works on its Raw brand where he is one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions with Evan Bourne as Air Boom...
. Following the match, another WWE Pro Cody Rhodes insulted Cannon, leading to the former accepting a challenge match against the latter for the following week. On the June 22 episode of NXT, Cannon lost a five-minute challenge match to Rhodes, being pinned after approximately four minutes. The following week, Cannon won the keg carry challenge, earning immunity from elimination. Later that night, Cannon teamed with McGillicutty and Kaval
Low Ki
Brandon Silvestry is an American professional wrestler. He is best known under his ring names Low Ki, Senshi in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and Kaval in World Wrestling Entertainment. He is a former one-time PWG World Champion and a former ROH Champion...
against Alex Riley
Alex Riley
Alex Riley is a TV and radio presenter.Born and brought up in Sheffield, Riley started performing with the city's Crucible Youth Theatre during which time he originated, and appeared in, dozens of sketches and devised pieces, as well as appearing in a number of plays and farces at the Library...
, Eli Cottonwood and Titus O'Neil
Thaddeus Bullard
Thaddeus Michael Bullard is an American professional wrestler and former college and professional football player. Bullard played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played professionally in the Arena Football League. Bullard is a professional wrestler, and is signed...
, which his team won when Kaval pinned Riley, giving Cannon his first win on NXT, and he was ranked fifth on the NXT poll. He retained his fifth place ranking in the next poll on July 27. On August 9 the rookies appeared in a six-man tag team match on Raw, in which Cannon teamed with Kaval and Percy Watson
Percy Watson
Percy C. Thomas Watson was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Rotherham Town and Small Heath. Born in Barnsley, then in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Watson played in the Second Division for both Rotherham Town and Small Heath during the 1893–94...
in a loss to McGillicutty, Husky Harris and Alex Riley. The next night on NXT, Cannon's team won a rematch. Later that night, Cannon was eliminated from the competition when his ranking slipped to sixth. Cannon returned for the season finale of NXT on August 31, where he and the other eliminated rookies attacked the winner Kaval thus turning heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
in the process.
In March 2011, Cannon was selected as one of the six former NXT contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, NXT Redemption. During this season, Cannon is mentored by Tyson Kidd. He would then proclaim himself that NXT "is all about him", in which his first step is to woo
Courtship
Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement...
Maryse
Maryse Ouellet
Maryse Ouellet is a Professional Glamour Model and a former professional wrestler, better known simply as Maryse. She most recently worked for WWE...
. This would resume Cannon's status as a heel once again. He was eliminated from the competition on the June 14 episode of NXT, while also being turned down by Maryse.
On August 8, 2011, Emminger was released from his WWE contract.
Independent Scene (2011)
On September 10, 2011, Emminger debuted at FUW wrestling in New Port Richey. He now goes under the ring name "LC"In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Lucky Break (Reverse thrown Death Valley driver)
- NicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
s- "Lucky, Da-Lish, Mr. Steal-Your-Girl"
- ManagersManager (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, a manager is a secondary character paired with a wrestler for a variety of reasons. The manager is often either a non-wrestler, an occasional wrestler, an older wrestler who has retired or is nearing retirement or, in some cases, a new wrestler who is breaking into the...
- MaxineKarlee PerezKarlee Leilani Perez is an American professional wrestler, manager and authority figure, currently working for WWE appearing in their NXT season 5 show and competing in their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling , under the ring name Maxine. She also serves as acting general...
- AksanaZivile RaudonieneŽivilė Raudonienė is a Lithuanian fitness model, bodybuilder and professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, performing on their SmackDown brand under the ring name Aksana, and is training in Florida Championship Wrestling , WWE's developmental territory...
- Damien SandowAaron Stevens (wrestler)Aaron Haddad is an American professional wrestler. He is contracted to WWE, and appears in Florida Championship Wrestling , a WWE developmental territory, as Damien Sandow. He is the current FCW 15 Champion...
- Eden Stiles
- Maxine
Championships and accomplishments
- Florida Championship WrestlingFlorida Championship WrestlingChampionship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling...
- FCW Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipFCW Florida Heavyweight ChampionshipThe FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned and promoted by Florida Championship Wrestling , the developmental territory of WWE. It is contested for in their heavyweight division...
(1 time)
- FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship
- Pro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling IllustratedPro Wrestling Illustrated is a professional wrestling magazine. PWI is currently based in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and published by Kappa Publishing Group.-History:The first issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated was released in 1979...
- PWI ranked him #260 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011