Paul Diamond

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by LAX (talk | contribs) at 17:13, 6 April 2008 (article doesn't exist). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Paul Diamond
Born (1961-05-11) May 11, 1961 (age 63)
Croatia
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Paul Diamond
Venum
Kato
Haito
Max Moon
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Billed weight230 lb (105 kg)
Billed fromThunder Bay, Ontario Canada
Trained byBoris Malenko
Dean Malenko
Joe Malenko
Debut1983
Retired2001

Tom Boric is a former professional wrestler better known as Paul Diamond who is best known being one half of the tag team “Badd Company” with Pat Tanaka and for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as Kato, one half of The Orient Express also with Pat Tanaka.

Career

Tom Boric was born in Croatia in 1961 and grew up wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a soccer player. When Boric was 13 years old the family emigrated from Croatia to Canada, settling down in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tom got a full soccer scholarship to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia[1]. After only three semesters at college Tom got drafted to play goalkeeper for the recently formed Calgary Boomers of the North American Soccer League. After the Boomers folded in 1981 Boric moved on to the Tampa Bay Rowdies whom he played for until the NASL closed in 1984[1]

After his professional soccer career ended Boric began training for a professional wrestling career at a Tampa Bay wrestling school run by Boris Malenko along with his two sons Joe Malenko and Dean Malenko who all had a hand in training him[1]. After training, Boric began wrestling as Paul Diamond in 1985. His first break came in the Texas All-Star Wrestling promotion in San Antonio, Texas. Initially he formed a tag team called American Breed with Nick Kiniski (son of legendary wrestler Gene Kiniski). Neither Diamond and Kiniski were actually American, Diamond was Coatian/Canadian and Kiniski was Canadia so the team name is quite ironic[2]. The team won the TASW Tag Team Championship from the Maoris (Tudui & Wakahi) on May 25, 1985 and held them until Al Madrill and Chavo Guerrero took the titles from them on June 5, 1985[3]. The TASW tag-team title would be vacated later that same month when Chavo Guerrero refused to wrestle in a rematch against Diamond and Kiniski because Chavo’s father Gory Guerrero was the special referee chosen for the match. Madrill teamed up with Black Gorman instead but lost the match. After the match Madrill attacked Chavo Guerrero splitting the team and forcing the titles to be held up. When Madrill won the rights to name a new partner he chose to give the titles to ”American Breed” instead, only now American Breed consisted of Paul Diamond and a rookie named Shawn Michaels[4] (Kiniski left the promotion only weeks prior) [3].Diamond and Michaels lost and then regained the titles from the “Masked Hoods” (Ricky Santana and Tony Torres) [3] before being beaten for the titles on January 27, 1986 by Al Madrill and Magnificent Zulu[3]. Both Michaels and Diamond began to add more to their wrestling skills, thanks in part to fellow wrestler Chris Adams, who split his time between World Class Championship Wrestling and Texas All-Star at the time.

Badd Company

In 1986, Diamond moved on to Memphis, Tennessee where he worked for Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett’s Continental Wrestling Association. In the Fall of 1986 Diamond teamed up with a young Jeff Jarrett to win the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship from Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on November 3, 1986. The team lost the titles back to Goto and Sato less than 2 weeks later[3]. In late 1986 the tag team specialist Paul Diamond was teamed up with Pat Tanaka, who was also seen as a tag team specialist, to form “Badd Company". [5] They held the federation's tag team titles four times and the two won the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship, beating Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on December 15 1986. The first reign was short lived as The Bushwhackers (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) defeated the young duo on January 10 1987 [3]. Badd Company quickly regained the titles only to lose them to Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on February 5 1987 [3]. The third run with the tag team titles came on May 9, 1987 when the team beat Mark Starr in a handicap match[3], but lost them back to Mark Starr and his new tag team partner Billy Joe Travis. Badd Company had one last run with the International tag team titles as they won the vacant titles on May 25, 1987[3] and held them until July 6 1987 where they lost the titles to Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson (who were the last International tag team champions.)

While in Memphis Badd Company also won the CWA’s main tag team titles, the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship defeating Jeff Jarrett and Billy Joe Travis for the gold on August 8, 1987[3]. Tanaka and Diamond soon lost them as the Nasty Boys took the gold from them just over a month later[3].

AWA

After working as a team for almost a year Badd Company moved on from the CWA to the American Wrestling Association. In the AWA they were given identical ring gear, and were accompanied by flamboyant manager Diamond Dallas Page, who always had a number of valets, known as the Diamond Dolls, with him[5].

The team's first feud was against The Midnight Rockers, whom they defeated for the AWA World Tag Team Championship on March 19 1988[3]. During their year long title reign Badd Company would feud heavily with Chavo and Mando Guerrero and the team known as Top Gun (Ricky Rice and Derrick Dukes). They faced the team of Top Gun and Wendi Richter (they teamed with Madusa Miceli) at the first and only AWA PPV SuperClash III [6]. Both Badd Company’s Tag-Team Title and Wendi Richter’s AWA World Women's Championship were on the line, but since Richter pinned Miceli, Badd Company remained the champions. Diamond and Tanaka’s reign ended on March 25 1989 as they lost to “the Olympians" (Brad Rheingans and Ken Patera) [3]. Shortly after losing their titles they split from Page, and had a short feud against each other before wrestling in singles competition until early 1990.

WWF

Diamond signed with the World Wrestling Federation in 1990 working mainly on the lower card against a rookie Dustin Rhodes[7], Hillbilly Jim[8] and Al Perez[9] usually in a losing role. When Akio Sato decided to leave the US wrestling scene in the later days of 1990 it left Pat Tanaka without a partner in The Orient Express. The WWF decided to reunite the team known as Badd Company only this time with Paul Diamond wearing a mask to hide the fact that he was not Asian and using the name of Kato[5]. During this time the team had a very well received match with their old enemies the Rockers at the 1991 Royal Rumble [10] and another good match against the New Foundation at the 1992 Royal Rumble [11] – which were the only two PPV appearances for the New Orient Express.

Sato briefly rejoined the team in 1991 to team with Tanaka and Kato for a series of 6-man tag-team matches on WWF house shows[12]. but Sato left the WWF after only a handful of matches together. Tanaka would leave the WWF in early 1992[13].

Max Moon

In the fall of 1992 Paul Diamond got a brand new gimmick Maximillian Moon (Max Moon for short). Diamond wasn’t originally intended to play Max Moon, it was a gimmick created for Konnan but Konnan left the WWF after a backstage disagreement. Since Diamond fit the costume he was chosen to take over the character[14]. The Suit was a very elaborate powder blue bodysuit with markings that were supposed to look like a circuit board and white protruding rings around his arms making him look rather ”Outlandish” [15]. The elaborate outfit also came with two wrist devices that shot out fireworks and a Jet pack that was supposed to make Max Moon look like a man of the future. The problem was that the Jet pack was nowhere near powerful enough to ever lift Diamond so he had to jump up each ring step as he fired the jet pack to make it look like he was flying[14].

Diamond made his debut on September 2, 1992, introduced initially as ”The Comet Kid” he defeated perennial jobber Duane Gill [16]. The “Comet Kid” name only stuck for one appearance as he was introduced as “Maximilian Moon” the next time he showed up[17]. Diamond (as Max Moon) would wrestle and defeat Terry Taylor in a series of house show matches during the rest of 1992 but otherwise his biggest victories came against Rick Martel[18] and Repo Man [19], both by disqualification.

On January 11 1993 Max Moon wrestled and lost to former tag team partner/long time rival Shawn Michaels on the very first Monday Night RAW[20]. The loss to Michaels was a sign of things to come for the Max Moon gimmick as he began losing to mid card wrestlers such as Skinner[21] and Rick Martel[22]. The Max Moon gimmick only appeared at one PPV, participating in the 30 Man Elimination match at the 1993 Royal Rumble, as a last minute substitute for an injured 1-2-3 Kid. However, he was in the ring less than 2 minutes[23]. In late February, Paul Diamond’s contract with the WWF expired and was not renewed[1].

ECW

Diamond and Pat Tanaka reunited as “Badd Company" to work for Eastern Championship Wrestling (the forerunner to “Extreme Championship Wrestling") in late 1993. The team made their debut at NWA Bloodfest: Part 1 on October 1 1993 where they beat Bad Breed (Ian and Axl Rotten)[24]. Later in the night Tanaka and Diamond got a shot at the ECW Tag Team Champions Tony Stetson and Johnny Hotbody, Badd Company lost[25].

The next night at NWA Bloodfest: Part 2 Badd Company fought against one of ECW’s new creations Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) in one of their very early matches. [26]. Later in the show Badd Company and the Public Enemy would clash again, this time in a Three way, steel cage match that also included “Bad Breed". This time Public Enemy were victorious[27]. At ECW’s next big show Terror at Tabor on November 12, 1993 Badd Company beat the makeshift team of Don E. Allen and Mr. Hughes[28]. After the match Badd Company called out Public Enemy resulting in an impromptu match between Paul Diamond and Rocco Rock which Diamond won[29]. Public Enemy quickly got a very brutal revenge on Badd Company as they defeated the duo in a “South Philly hood" match the very next day at November to Remember[30]. At Holiday Hell 1993 on December 26 1993 Pat Tanaka defeated Rocco Rock in a “Body Count" match[31].

As 1993 turned to 1994 Badd Company set their sights on ECW Tag Team Champions Kevin Sullivan and The Tasmaniac, defeating them twice in non-title matches[32] [33]. At "The Night the Line was Crossed" on February 5 1994 Tanaka and his one night only partner The Sheik defeated Sullivan and Tasmaniac. Unfortunately, the team had been stripped of the titles the night before[34]. When Tanaka was rejoined by Diamond the team lost to the (once again) Tag Team champions when the gold was finally on the line[35]. On March 27, 1994 Badd Company wrestled it’s last match for ECW, a house show victory over Rockin' Rebel and Pittbull #1

WCW

By the time Badd Company wrestled its last match for ECW Tanaka and Diamond had already signed with World Championship Wrestling, Tanaka had even made his on screen debut as “Tanaka-San"[36]. Paul Diamond showed up with the Kato mask on using the name “Haito" (sometimes spelled "Hyeeto") only days after their last ECW match[37]. The duo reprised their “Orient Express" gimmick but could not use the name since the WWF owned the copyright to it. The two men wrestled a couple of matches together [38] [39] [40] but they never achieved any notoriety in WCW. Badd Company / The Orient Express finally spilt up for good by the end of 1994[5].

After working for WCW Diamond worked for Jerry Lawler’s promtions in Memphis, first for the United States Wrestling Association where he held the USWA Tag Team Championship alongside Steven Dunn [3]. After the USWA he worked for “Music City Wrestling” until a torn tricep muscle put him out of action for six months in 1998 [1]. Diamond had set up an agreement to join Shawn Michaels’ Texas Wrestling Academy as a trainer[1]. Diamond also wrestled for the Texas Wrestling Alliance under the name of Venum (mistakenly listed as ”Venom” in places) , holding the TWA title twice[41] and also being involved in Shawn Michaels return to wrestling after a 1998 back injury that was thought to have put a permanent end to his wrestling career. When TWA and the wrestling academy closed Diamond and his family (wife Lisa and two kids) moved from Tampa to Winnipeg where Diamond opened up a wrestling school called "Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy"[1]. In 2001 Diamond semi-retired from active competition to focus on the wrestling academy, his only active involvement in recent years has been Rocket City Wrestling in Huntsville, Alabama wrestling sometimes twice, as Diamond and as Max Moon[42] while also being involved in the booking.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • Canadian Wrestling Federation
    • CWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Texas Wrestling Alliance
    • TWA Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Doug Lunney (Winnipeg Sun). "Paul Diamond returns to his roots". Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  2. ^ Chuck Merkich. "Texas All-Star Wrestling part 3". Retrieved 2007-04-07. American Force, which consisted of Paul Diamond and Nick Kiniski, who were ironically, both Canadians.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  4. ^ Shawn Michaels & Aaron Feigenbaum (2005). Heartbreak and Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story. WWE Books. ISBN 978-1416516866.
  5. ^ a b c d Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson (2005). The Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Tag Teams. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-5502-2683-6.
  6. ^ "AWA SuperClash Results (III)". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Ricky Rice, Derrick Dukes, & Wendi Richter beat Paul Diamond, Pat Tanaka, & Madusa Micelli beat (5:43) when Richter pinned Micelli.
  7. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved 2007-04-07. (September 21, 1990) Dustin Rhodes pinned Paul Diamond at 7:03 with a flying forearm and an elbow drop
  8. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved 2007-04-07. (March 22, 1990) Hillbilly Jim pinned Paul Diamond
  9. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1990". Retrieved 2007-04-07. (March 24, 1990) Al Perez pinned Paul Diamond
  10. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Results (1991)". Retrieved 2007-04-03. The Rockers beat The Orient Express (Tanaka & Kato) (19:15)
  11. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Results (1992)". Retrieved 2007-04-03. Owen Hart & Jim Neidhart beat The Orient Express (Tanaka & Kato) (17:18)
  12. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1991". Retrieved 2007-04-03. Ricky Steamboat, Davey Boy Smith, & Kerry Von Erich defeated the Orient Express (Kato, Tanaka, & Sato) (w/ Mr. Fuji) when Steamboat pinned Kato with the flying crossbody at 10:28
  13. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved 2007-04-03. February 17, 1992: Virgil defeated Pat Tanaka via submission with the Million $ Dream at 7:16 (this was Tanaka's last match in the WWF)
  14. ^ a b R.D. Reynolds and Randy Baer (2003). Wrestlecrap – the very worst of pro wrestling. ECW Press. ISBN 1-55022-584-7.
  15. ^ R.D. Reynolds and Randy Baer (2003). Wrestlecrap – the very worst of pro wrestling. ECW Press. ISBN 1-55022-584-7. weird rings around his it's arms, making Diamond look as though he was ribbed like one of those condoms "made for her pleasure" {{cite book}}: Text "page 164" ignored (help)
  16. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved 2007-04-07. September 2, 1992: The Comet Kid (Max Moon) pinned Duane Gill at 1:54 with a running fireman's carry into a forward roll )
  17. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved 2007-04-07. September 1, 1992: Max Moon pinned Jerry Fox at 2:35 with a fireman's carry into a forward roll (1st time the Comet Kid is referred to as Max Moon)
  18. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved 2007-04-07. September 22, 1992: Max Moon defeated Rick Martel via disqualification at 6:00 when the referee saw Martel using the tights for leverage
  19. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1992". Retrieved 2007-04-07. October 13, 1992: Max Moon defeated Repo Man via disqualification when Repo used his bull rope
  20. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. January 11, 1993: Shawn Michaels pinned Max Moon with the side suplex at around the 10:30 mark after avoiding a punch.
  21. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. January 15, 1993: Skinner defeated Max Moon
  22. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WWF Show Results 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. February 7, 1993: Rick Martel defeated Max Moon
  23. ^ "WWF Royal Rumble Elimination Info (1993)". Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  24. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka beat Ian & Axl Rotten
  25. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. ECW Tag Champs Tony Stetson & Johnny Hot Body beat Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka
  26. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka beat The Public Enemy
  27. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Paul Diamond & Pat Tanaka beat The Public Enemy
  28. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond beat Don E. Allen & Mr. Hughes
  29. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Paul Diamond beat Rocko Rock
  30. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. The Public Enemy beat Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond (16:40) in a "South Philly hood" match
  31. ^ "ECW Show Results October – December 1993". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Pat Tanaka pinned Rocco Rock in a "body count" match
  32. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Tommy Dreamer, Pat Tanaka, & Paul Diamond beat Johnny Hotbody, Kevin Sullivan, & The Tazmaniac when Tanaka pinned Hotbody
  33. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond beat Kevin Sullivan & The Tazmaniac
  34. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. The Sheik & Pat Tanaka beat The Tazmaniac & Kevin Sullivan (3:15) when Tanaka pinned The Tazmaniac
  35. ^ "ECW Show Results January – March 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Kevin Sullivan & The Tazmaniac beat Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond
  36. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. March 24, 1994: WCW US Champion Steve Austin defeated Tanaka-san
  37. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. March 30, 1994: Arn Anderson defeated Hyeeto (Paul Diamond) via disqualification when Tanaka-san interfered
  38. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. March 30, 1994: Ricky Steamboat & Arn Anderson defeated Tanaka-san (Pat Tanaka) & Hyeeto
  39. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. March 30, 1994: Ricky Steamboat & Arn Anderson defeated Tanaka-san (Pat Tanaka) & Hyeeto
  40. ^ Graham Cawthon. "WCW Show Results 1994". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Spring Stampede 94, dark match: Kevin & Dave Sullivan defeated Pat Tanaka & Paul Diamond
  41. ^ "TWA Heavyweight Title History". Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  42. ^ Ray Aikens. "Rasslin's Back (and We Ain't Leavin')". Retrieved 2007-04-07. Paul Diamond (Cato of Orient Express - World Tag Team Champions) and Max Moon (Royal Rumble).
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Diamond&oldid=203784837"