Colin Cassady

This article is about the professional wrestler. For the American folk singer, see Bill Morrissey.
Colin Cassady

Cassady in April 2014
Birth name William Morrissey[1]
Born (1986-08-16) August 16, 1986[2]
Queens, New York City, New York, United States[2]
Alma mater New York University[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Big Bill Young[3]
Colin Cassady[4]
Dean Martin[5]
Billed height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)[4]
Billed weight 276 lb (125 kg)[4]
Billed from Queens, New York[4]
Trained by Johnny Rodz[6]
Debut 2010

William "Bill" Morrissey[1] (born August 16, 1986)[2][7] is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he performs under the ring name Colin Cassady.[4]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2010–2011)

Morrissey wrestled under the ring name Big Bill Young in the World of Unpredictable Wrestling (WUW) promotion in 2010,[3][8][9][10][11] owned by his trainer, Johnny Rodz.[6][12]

WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2011–2012)

In June 2011, WUW announced that Morrissey had signed with Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was WWE's developmental territory at the time.[13][14] Morrissey made first televised FCW appearance in July 2011, portraying the Dean of the University of Florida.[5] Morrissey wrestled his first televised match under the ring name of Colin Cassady on the 4 September 2011 episode of FCW TV for a disqualification loss against Richie Steamboat.[15] Cassady found no immediate success and continued to lose matches for the rest of 2011 and in early 2012.[16][17][18] Cassady finally scored his first win on the 11 March 2012 episode of FCW TV by defeating Kenneth Cameron.[19] Cassady's final FCW TV match was broadcast on 7 July 2012 and saw him defeat Aiden English.[20]

NXT (2012–2016)

When WWE rebranded its developmental territory, FCW, into NXT in August 2012,[13] Cassady's NXT television debut took place on 5 June 2013 with a loss to Mason Ryan.[21][22] Cassady then formed an alliance with Enzo Amore,[23] who had also previously lost to Ryan,[24] and they labelled themselves "the realest guys in the room".[23][25][26] In real life, Cassady first met Amore at the age of 15, when they played basketball together at West Fourth Street Courts in Manhattan, New York.[6][27]

Ryan defeated Cassady and Amore in consecutive singles matches,[28] but lost to them in a handicap match.[25] Ryan ultimately had the last laugh when he caused Amore and Cassady to be attacked by Tons of Funk.[26] Amore and Cassady then feuded with Sylvester Lefort and his stable of Alexander Rusev and Scott Dawson.[29][30] On the 25 September episode of NXT, Amore and Cassady participated in a gauntlet match for a future shot at the NXT Tag Team Championship; they started the match and defeated CJ Parker and Tyler Breeze, then beat Rusev and Dawson, before falling to their final opponents, the Ascension.[31]

Amore and Cassady being managed by Carmella in March 2015

Amore suffered a broken leg in November 2013, which led Cassady to try his hand at singles competition, feuding with Aiden English.[32] Amore returned on the 26 June 2014 episode of NXT, saving Cassady from an attack from Sylvester Lefort and Marcus Louis.[33] In early August, Amore and Cassady participated in a NXT Tag Team Championship number one contenda's tournament. They defeated Jason Jordan and Tye Dillinger in the first round but were eliminated by the Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) in the second round.[34][35] Lefort and Louis then renewed their rivalry with Amore and Cassady by attacking them and shaving Amore's beard. As a result, Amore challenged Lefort to a match with the loser's hair as forfeit at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way on 11 September. Amore proceeded to win the match but Lefort ran away, leaving his partner, Louis, to lose his hair at the hands of Amore and Cassady.[36]

Amore and Cassady proceeded to form an alliance with the debuting Carmella. The duo had accidentally cost Carmella her hairdressing job as per the storyline, causing her to demand to get a job as a wrestler.[37][38] Carmella had her televised in-ring debut on the October 16 episode of NXT.[39]

In March 2015, Amore and Cassady began a rivalry with NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy, with the champions insulting Amore and Cassady while attempting to woo Carmella. Amore and Cassady defeated The Lucha Dragons in a number one contender's match for a title opportunity against Blake and Murphy. Amore and Cassady received their title match at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, which they would lose after Alexa Bliss interfered. At NXT TakeOver: London, Enzo and Cass challenged Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson for the NXT Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.[40] They were granted another title opportunity against Dawson and Wilder in March 2016 at WWE Roadblock.

Main roster (2016–present)

On the April 4 episode of Raw (which took place the night after WrestleMania 32), Amore & Cassady made their main roster debuts and confronted The Dudley Boyz.[41] On an April 12 Smackdown taping, Amore and Cassady defeated The Ascension in their main roster debut match. With the win they advanced in the WWE Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament.[42] In the finals, Amore & Cassady faced The Vaudevillains at Payback, with the match ending in a no contest after Amore suffered a legitimate concussion during the match.

Personal life

Morrissey was born and raised in Queens, New York. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School and served as a peer tutor, a homeless shelter volunteer, and a National Honor Society member. He played basketball in his senior year and was featured in the Catholic High School Athletic Association Senior Classic All-Star game.[1] He then received a scholarship to attend New York University, where he entered the pre-medical track before going on to study economics.[6] He played as a center for NYU's basketball team from the 2005–2006 season to the 2008–2009 season.[1] He co-captained the team for his final season.[43]

Following his graduation, Morrissey started a ticket brokerage company, specializing in events at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden.[32] While performing in WWE, he claimed that he "hadn't sung in many years" but had experience with "street performing in the subways of New York City".[32]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bill Morrissey – 2008 / 2009 Men's Basketball". NYU Athletics. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Colin Cassady: Profile & Match Listing". profightdb. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Johnson, Mike. "LoadedeventsetforHalloweenweekendinArizona:Dreamer,Abyss,Roley,Legendsbattleroyal,DennisRodman,SamoaJoe,Rhino,Snow,Orton,Atlasandlomore". PWInsider.com. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ColinCassad–WWE profile". WWE.com. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  5. 1 2 Trionfo, Richard. "Florida Championship Wrestling Television report: Dean Ambrose continues to call out Seth Rollins; six man tag main event". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Saxton, Byron. "Colin Cassady & Enzo Amore: 'The Realest Guys in the Room' – Page 1". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Colin Cassady – old NXT profile". NXT Wrestling. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "WUW Roster". WUW. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  9. ↑ "WUWHype13". WUW. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014. IfyoumissedJumpoffInJulyHEAT,checkouttheATTACKCowboy"BIG"BillYoungperpetratedonWUWCommissionerMarkViola
  10. ↑ "WUW-TVEpisode24Part 2". WUW. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014. andJason Perr...err,MacDaddyFlexagainst"BIG"BillYoung,
  11. ↑ "UltimateSecurityvsCowboyBigBillYoung–October2nd2010". Ultimate Security. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  12. ↑ "WUWHome". WUW. Archived from the original on November 6, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "WWE News: FCW name being phased out". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wuw would like to say congrats to 7 foot tall superstar big bill young for Signing his new fcw contract go to Wuw online. Com for more info". WUW. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  15. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "Florida Championship Wrestling Television report: Will Aksana tear two brothers apart?; Maxine is back in charge". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  16. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "Florida Championship Wrestling TV report: FCW 15 Title match; the Ascension in singles action; a tease for something good to come next week". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  17. ↑ "Florida Championship Wrestling TV report for 12–18". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  18. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "FCW Television report for February 12: Title Match". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  19. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "3/11 FCW Television report: Leo Kruger gets a rematch, the former Chris Hero makes his television debut, Maxine has one less thing to worry about and more". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  20. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "FCW Television report for 7/8: Steamboat and Rollins defend their titles; Ohno; Rollins; and more". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  21. ↑ Bongiovanni, Darren. "Looking at the WWE & TNA win/loss records: Week 23". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  22. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT results 5/29 & 6/5: Wyatts defend Tag Titles, NXT Women's Title introduced, #1 contender battle royal, Parade of released NXT wrestlers in matches". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  23. 1 2 Saxton, Byron. "Colin Cassady & Enzo Amore: 'The Realest Guys in the Room' – Page 2". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  24. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 5/15 & 5/22: El Generico debuts, O'Brian beats two NXT releases in same match, Bray Wyatt debuts mask, Natalya vs. Rae, more developments". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  25. 1 2 James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 7/10: Wyatts vs. Team Regal six-man main event, NXT Women's Title tourney continues, Generico (Zayn), Mason Ryan, set-up for Charlotte's debut". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  26. 1 2 Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT results – 8/1/13 (tag team main event)". wrestleview.com.
  27. ↑ Locicero, Anthony. "Where are they now? Former Waldwick football player Eric Arndt". NorthJersey.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  28. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 7/3 – WEEK 53: Bo Dallas defends NXT Title, Women's Tourney continues, Mason Ryan". PWTorch. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  29. ↑ James, Justin (September 13, 2013). "James's WWE NXT report 9/11". PWTorch.com. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  30. ↑ James, Justin (October 10, 2013). "James's WWE NXT report 10/9". PWTorch.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  31. ↑ "James's WWE NXT report 9/25 - Week 65: Triple H makes "big announcement," Ohno/Hero returns, Zayn/Generico in action, Overall Reax". PWTorch. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  32. 1 2 3 Saxton, Byron. "Riding solo: Can Colin Cassady go it alone?". WWE.com. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  33. ↑ Justin, James. "James's WWE NXT report 6/26 – Week 104: RVD faces NXT champion Neville, Summer Rae, Overall Reax". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  34. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT report 8/7 - Week 110: Rose finds his way into Zayn vs. Kidd & Gabriel issue, Overall Reax". PWTorch.com. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  35. ↑ Jason Namako. "WWE NXT Results - 8/21/14 (Rose/Zayn vs. Cara/Kalisto) - Wrestleview.com".
  36. ↑ Howell, Nolan. "Neville shocks, defies odds at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4 Way". Canoe.ca. SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  37. ↑ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 9/4/14 (Tag Tournament Finals)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  38. ↑ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 9/18/14 (Hideo Itami in-ring debut)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  39. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT report: one move to win a match; a Diva debuts; Zayn versus Kidd; and an update on Mojo Rawley". pwinsider.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  40. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (May 20, 2015). "LIVE ONGOING WWE NXT TAKEOVER UNSTOPPABLE REPORT: BAYLEY AND CHARLOTTE VERSUS DANA BROOKE AND EMMA". PWInsider. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  41. ↑ Caldwell, James. "4/4 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL’S Complete Report on post-WM32". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  42. ↑ "WWE Smackdown TV Taping Results For Tonight *Spoilers* - Wrestlezone". Wrestlezone. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  43. ↑ "2008 / 2009 Men's Basketball Roster". NYU Athletics. Archived from the original on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  44. 1 2 Howell, Nolan. "NXT: Gabriel picks a side after Zayn match". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  45. ↑ Zimmerman, Zack. "6/12 WWE NXT Live Coverage: NXT Champion Adrian Neville defends vs. Tyson Kidd, Sami Zayn vs. The Mysterious "Mr. NXT," Paige, Emma, and Bayley vs. Charlotte, Summer Rae, and Sasha Banks, and more". prowrestling.net. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  46. 1 2 Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT results - 9/26/13 (New GM announced)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  47. 1 2 3 Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT results - 3/13/14 (Bo Dallas vs. Colin Cassady)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  48. 1 2 3 Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 5/15/14 (#1 Contenders Triple Threat)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  49. ↑ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results - 1/29/14 (Contract Signing)". wrestleview.com. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  50. 1 2 Howell, Nolan. "NXT: Brodus Clay gets a shot at Adrian Neville". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  51. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT report: Beat the Clock Challenge; Bo Dallas slideshow; Bayley vows revenge; new interviewers". Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  52. ↑ Howell, Nolan. "NXT: Breeze topples Itami in rematch". Slam! Wrestling. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  53. ↑ Matz, Bill (March 18, 2015). "NXT Results and Analysis (March 18, 2015): Breeze/Kalisto, Banks/Bliss, Owens/Riley". Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  54. ↑ Porter, Lovell. "WWE NXT Results (8/26)- Fit Bull Dempsey Debuts, NXT Womens Fatal Four Way!". Wrestlezone. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  55. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 17, 2015). "WWE NXT RESULTS - 4/15/15 (SAMI ZAYN VS. RHYNO)". WrestleView. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  56. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (June 17, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: JOE VERSUS OWENS, FINN BALOR . . . THE EARLY YEARS WITH COMMENTS FROM BECKY LYNCH, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  57. ↑ "WWE NXT results: Rhyno returns after 10-year absence at Full Sail University". Sky Sports. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  58. ↑ 10/9 Zim's WWE NXT Coverage: Sami Zayn vs. Titus O'Neil, Hideo Itami vs. Viktor, Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch, The Vaudevillains vs. Amore and Cassady, and Tyler Breeze vs. Mojo Rawley
  59. ↑ "WWE: SAWFT Is a Sin (feat. Enzo Amore) - Single". iTunes. April 30, 2016.
  60. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  61. ↑ Zimmerman, Zack. "1/13 Zim’s WWE NXT Live Coverage: Battle Royal to determine Bayley’s next challenger for the NXT Women’s Championship, Dash and Dawson vs. The Ascension, plus Elias Sampson and Tommaso Ciampa in action". prowrestling.net. Retrieved January 13, 2016.

External links

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