The Irish Airborne

The Irish Airborne

The Irish Airborne making their ring entrance in July 2012
Tag team
Members Dave Crist
Jake Crist
Nevaeh (manager)
Name(s) The Flying Mendoza Brothers
The Irish Airborne
Jake and David Crist
Lotus and Crazy J
Ohio Is 4 Killers
The Ring Rydas
Heights 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) – Dave
5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) – Jake
Combined
weight		 393 lb (178 kg)
198 lb (90 kg) – Dave
195 lb (88 kg) – Jake
Hometown Dayton, Ohio
Billed from Dayton, Ohio – OI4K
Dublin, Ohio – The Irish Airborne
Southwest Detroit – Ring Rydas
Debut 2003
Promotions ROH
Chikara
IWA
HWA
BPW
IPW
JCW
CZW
BJW
AAW
Trainer Bill Kovileski
Cody Hawk
Matt Striker

The Irish Airborne is an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of brothers Dave Crist (born David Crist, Jr. on November 10, 1982) and Jake Crist (born John Crist on July 13, 1984) from Dayton, Ohio. They are based primarily in the Midwestern United States "indy circuit", most notably Rockstar Pro Wrestling and the Heartland Wrestling Association, where they won the HWA Tag Team Championship a record six times. They have also worked in Combat Zone Wrestling, Chikara, IWA Mid-South and Ring of Honor as well as Canadian promotions Far North Wrestling and UWA Hardcore Wrestling. The team currently also competes for Juggalo Championship Wrestling as the Ring Rydas, where they are former JCW Tag Team Champions.

History

Early career

Both Dave and Jake were fans of professional wrestling growing up, favoring wrestling styles of a more extreme nature such as the Hardy Boyz in the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match and the promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling. The two brothers along with other friends from high school began a backyard wrestling promotion. The promotion drew attention from large numbers of students from their high school and even drew the attention of the local media in a news segment. They were introduced to their trainer Bill Kovaleski who himself was in the process of forming an independent promotion and was looking for young talent. From that point on, they began formally training as singles wrestlers under the names Lotus and Crazy J. At a local promotion named UCW, there was a chance encounter with Shark Boy, who invited the brothers to a match in his Buckeye Pro Wrestling company.

Buckeye Pro Wrestling (2004)

Under the names Lotus and Crazy J, the Crists made their debut in Buckeye Pro Wrestling against Dean and Chet Jablonski in which they were defeated.[1] The Airborne continued to wrestle their way through the ranks of BPW often feuding with the team of American Youth, ultimately defeating them on 24 February 2004 to become the BPW Tag Team Champions.[1] During their time in BPW, the Irish Airborne had chances to work on cross promotion shows with Heartland Wrestling Association and were eventually offered a match with the HWA.

Heartland Wrestling Association (2004–present)

Now achieving their high school goal, the Irish Airborne entered HWA. They became instant fan favorites due to their performance in BPW and the shared fan base. Their first match was a four way tag match teaming with Viper and Zeta against 4BJ, J.T. Stahr & Jimmy Turner & Ala Hussein.[2] Airborne had continued success in HWA leading to a tag team title championship victory against Necessary Roughness in May 2005. As success came quickly for the brothers, so did tension, ultimately leading to a bloody feud that began in the Fall of 2005 and lasted through early 2006. The feud culminated in a best of seven series in which each brother would attempt to top the other in amounts of violence and wit. The feud finally ended in one of HWA's bloodiest and most gruesome ladder matches to date. Both men realizing neither could top the other ended the feud and began to wrestle as a team once again.

Name change and Ring of Honor (2006–2007)

On 27 January 2006, the Crists were given an opportunity to wrestle a dark match in Ring of Honor against each other in which Lotus defeated Crazy J.[3] The following evening they were again given an opportunity to wrestle in a dark match, this time as a tag team against Shane Hagadom & Conrad Kennedy III in which they won. On 4 March 2006, at an Insanity Pro Wrestling show in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Airborne announced that they would be no longer be wrestling under the names of Lotus and Crazy J, but instead under their real names of Dave and Jake Crist. John decided to use the first name of "Jake" rather than John because at that moment there were too many well known Johns in professional wrestling. The name change was a way of growing up for the team and an ability to drop their older persona which in a small way had ties to the Juggalo movement related to the music group Insane Clown Posse. On 11 March 2006, at Arena Warfare the Crists were able to earn a roster spot with ROH as they took on and defeated Tony Mamaluke and Sal Rinauro at the old ECW Arena.

Combat Zone Wrestling (2011–2012; 2014–present)

On April 9, 2011, Jake Crist was invited to compete in Combat Zone Wrestling's "Best Of The Best X" representing Insanity Pro Wrestling. Jake Crist would go on to lose in the first round losing against Sami Callihan in a triple threat match that also involved AR Fox.[4] The next night on April 10, 2011 at CZW's "International Incident" Jake Crist would go on to wrestle Jon Moxley in Moxley's final match in CZW in another losing effort. After the match Jake would be attacked by both Moxley and Robert Anthony until Devon Moore made the save.[5] Jake Crist return to CZW on May 14, 2011 in a losing effort against Ryan Mcbride however fans chanted Please Come Back after the match.[6] On June 11, 2011 at CZW "Prelude To Violence" Jake Crist was told by CZW Owner DJ Hyde that if Crist wanted a CZW Contract then he would have to go and defeat Sami Callihan. However Callihan would go on to defeat Jake Crist again. After the match both man showed respect by shaking hands. Adam Cole and Mia Yim would come down to mock Callihan. During the verbal confrontation DJ Hyde would come out and lariat Callihan. Jake Crist would try to save Callihan but wound up attacked by DJ Hyde.[7] On July 9, 2011 at CZW "New Heights" AR Fox would offer a CZW Wired TV Championship title match to Jake Crist. Jake Crist would go on to gain his first win in CZW by defeating AR Fox to become the new CZW Wired TV Champion. Jake's Brother, Dave Crist would also make his CZW debut celebrating with his brother on title win.[8] On September 10, 2011, Jake Crist was originally supposed to defend his newly won title against Chrisjen Hayme. However, Hayme would withdraw from the match and be replaced by Dustin Rayz. Jake Crist would go on to retain against Dustin Rayz. Dave Crist though, would show more concern about his brothers TV title than in Jake Crists well being.[9] After the show Dustin Rayz would confront the Irish Airborne about Dave getting involved in his match against Jake.[10] Rayz would then challenge Dave Crist at CZW "Cerebral". Dave would go one to win that match. Jake Crist successfully defended his Wired TV title against Latin Dragon earlier that night.[11] On April 14, 2012, Dave defeated Jake with a low blow to win the CZW Wired TV Championship.[12] Upon entering CZW, the Irish Airborne formed the Ohio is 4 Killers stable with Nevaeh and Sami Callihan.

On September 27, 2014, at Deja Vu, OI4K defeated the Juicy Product to win the CZW World Tag Team Championship.[13] On July 11, 2015, at New Heights, OI4K lost the CZW World Tag Team Championship to Team Tremendous.[14]

Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2010–present)

The Irish Airborne debuted in Juggalo Championship Wrestling on May 16, 2010 in a losing effort to JCW Tag Team Champions Thomaselli Brothers.[15] On May 26, the duo debuted as the masked tag team Ring Rydas.[16] Jake, as Ring Ryda Red, and Dave, as Ring Ryda Blue, lost to Thomaselli Brothers.[16] At Oddball Wrestling 2010, Ring Rydas defeated The Daivari Brothers (Shawn and Arya Daivari).[17] The following night at Bloodymania IV, the duo lost in a Fatal 4 way Tag Team match that also featured the Haters, The Briscoe Brothers, and The Kings of Wrestling.[17] At 2011's Up in Smoke, the duo defeated Mad Man Pondo and Necro Butcher to become JCW Tag Team Champions.[18] At the next JCW iPPV "St. Andrews Brawl" they defeated the Haters in their first titles defense.[19] On July 28, the Ring Rydas lost the JCW Tag Team Championship to U-Gene and Zach Gowen.[20] However, Gowen forfeited the championship after realizing that U-Gene cheated to win and gave the championships back to the Rydas.[20] On December 20, 2014, at Big Ballas, Ring Rydas lost the titles against The Hooligans.[21]

Big Japan Pro Wrestling (2013)

On September 10, 2013, Big Japan Pro Wrestling announced that the Irish Airborne, representing CZW, would be making their Japanese debuts, when they take part in the 2013 Dai Nihon Saikyo Tag League, which runs from September 25 to November 22.[22] The Irish Airborne finished their tournament on October 18 with a record of two wins and three losses, failing to advance from their block.[23]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

Irish Airborne with the Alpha-1 tag team belts

References

  1. 1 2 Buckeye Pro Wrestling (2004). "Results". BuckeyeProWrestling.com. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  2. ↑ "David Crist". Wrestler Profiles. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  3. 1 2 "Irish Airborne". Tag Team Profiles. OnlineWorldofWrestling.com. 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  4. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  5. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-04-10. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  6. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  7. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  8. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  9. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  10. ↑ "WE just won??". YouTube. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  11. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Czwrestling.com. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  12. ↑ Namako, Jason (2012-04-15). "4/14 CZW Best of the Best XI results in New Jersey". WrestleView. Retrieved 2012-04-15.
  13. 1 2 Namako, Jason (2014-09-29). "9/27 CZW Results: Dayton, Ohio (New Tag Champions)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  14. ↑ Muscarella, Dave (2015-07-11). "CZW 07/11/15 New Heights iPPV Results". pwponderings. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  15. ↑ Kevin Gill. "KG’s Referee-Cap #3". KG’s Referee-Cap. Psychopathic Records. Archived from the original on 2010-07-26. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 JCW - Slam TV Express - Episode 2 (flv) (webcast). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Psychopathic Sports. 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  17. 1 2 "Gathering of the Juggalos Wrestling Recap!". Psychopathic Sports. 2010-09-03. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  18. 1 2 "JCW Up in Smoke at The Modern Exchange wrestling results". ProFightDB.com. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  19. ↑ злобная росомаха (2011-05-05). "JCW St.Andrews Brawl report (russian)". VSplanet.net. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
  20. 1 2 Matt Carter (2011-07-28). "Radican's JCW "F--- The Police" iPPV Coverage 7/28: U-Gene & Zack Gowen, Rhino, Cabana, Sabu & Raven". PWInsider.com. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  21. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=121755
  22. ↑ "2013大日本最侠タッグリーグ　橋本選手のパートナーは､Zero1・小幡優作選手に決定! 9/25(水)後楽園～10/28(月)大分　公式戦カード決定のお知らせ". Big Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  23. ↑ 後楽園ホール大会. Big Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  24. ↑ "AAW Wrestling - Professional Wrestling Redefined". All American Wrestling. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  25. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1599
  26. ↑ "Absolute Intense Wrestling". Absolute Intense Wrestling. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  27. ↑ "Results for APWA Saturday Night Eruption 1/14/12". 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  28. ↑ "Combat Zone Wrestling - Like Nothing Else!". Combat Zone Wrestling. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  29. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=114653
  30. ↑ "Results". Heartland Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012.
  31. ↑ Puroresu Dojo (2003). "Heartland Wrestling Association Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com.
  32. ↑ Westcott, Brian (2008). "HWA Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Solie.org.
  33. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (2011-04-24). "Sun. update: WWE draft, Gordon makes ESPN mag, UFC TV debut on ESPN2, Lawler, Best Interviews". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
  34. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=128079
  35. ↑ "2011 Results". Insanity Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Champions". Insanity Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009.
  37. 1 2 "Dave Crist". Insanity Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
  38. 1 2 "Jake Crist". Insanity Pro Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
  39. ↑ "IWA East Coast " Event-Datenbank " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.de. 2012-08-18. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  40. ↑ "JCW Results (12/31): New Year’s Ninja Party!". 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  41. 1 2 "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2015". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  42. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/RockstarProWrestling/posts/717505694995108

External links

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