Peter Gruner
|
|
Billy_kidman.jpg
Peter Jacob Gruner (born May 11, 1974 in Allentown, Pennsylvania), best known by his stage name Billy Kidman, is an American professional wrestler performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on the Smackdown! brand, in its cruiserweight division.
| Contents |
Career
Gruner grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the state's Lehigh Valley region, which is one of the most competitive areas in the nation for high school and collegiate wrestling. He joined the WCW and ultimately gained fame as a key member of several strong wrestling factions. In addition to being a member of Raven's flock, he also was a member of the "Filthy Animals" and later "New Blood". As a member of these factions, Gruner participated in memorable rivalries with top WCW names, including Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Rey Mysterio, and others.
When WWE purchased WCW, Gruner was among the first to join WWE as a heel in the WCW Alliance. Gruner's impact on the cruiserweight division was immediately felt. He won the Cruiserweight Championship in July, 2001 and has been a Cruiserweight Champion on several occasions. He is always considered a top contender for the title. Gruner turned face after the WCW/ECW Alliance broke up. He later turned heel again by betraying Paul London, by walking out on him in a tag team match. Later, Gruner attacked London with a steel chair. They fought at a pay per view match, and Gruner brutally injured him with a sharp shooter.
Profile
- Height: 5'10" (1.78 m)
- Weight: 195 lb (88 kg)
- Trained by: Afa Anoia
- Professional debut: 1994
- Previous identities: Kid Flash, El Technico
- Previous Managers: Torrie Wilson, Raven
- Films: Ready to Rumble (2000)
Finishing/signature moves
- Shooting Star Press ("Seven Year Itch")
- BK Bomb (sit-out spinebuster slam)
- Kid Krusher (inverted double underhook facebuster)
- Springboard Bulldog
- Signature Standing Dropkick
- Firemans Carry into a Neckbreaker on the knee
- K-Factor (powerbomb position counter into a facebuster)
Personal life
Gruner is married to WWE diva Torrie Wilson.
Titles/accomplishments
- 1-Time WWE Tag-Team Champion (with Paul London)
- 2-Time WWE Cruiserweight Champion
- 5-Time WCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 2-Time WCW World Tag-Team Champion (with Rey Misterio Jr. and then Konnan)
- 1-Time WCW Cruiserweight Tag-Team Champion (with Rey Misterio Jr.)
Other Titles
- 1-Time ECWA Tag-Team Champion (with Ace Darling)
- ECWA Hall of Fame Inductee
- 1-Time TWWF Cruiserweight Champion
- 1-Time CWA Tag Team Champion
- PWI ranked him # 313 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.