Armando Estrada
| Hazem Ali | |
|---|---|
| File:ArmandoAlejandroEstrada.jpg | |
| Born | Chicago, Illinois |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Armando Alejandro Estrada Osama Osama Rodriguez Alejandro |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Billed from | Cuba |
| Trained by | Ohio Valley Wrestling |
| Debut | 2004 |
Hazem Ahmed Ali is an American professional wrestling manager of Palestinian descent, better known by his ring names, Osama Rodriguez Alejandro and Armando Alejandro Estrada. He is currently appearing on the RAW brand of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Career
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ali began his World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) career wrestling in their developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), making his OVW TV debut as a bodyguard named Osama in Muhammad Hassan's entourage. When Hassan and Daivari were called up to the main roster, Ali remained in OVW wrestling with an anti-American Arab gimmick, similar to that of the Iron Sheik.
When Paul Heyman began booking OVW he expanded his name to Osama Rodriguez Alejandro, revealing himself to actually be 50% Cuban and 50% palestinian (father's side). He was shifted to a backstage interviewer, conducting interviews, along with sidekick Robbie Dawber, for his own (kayfabe) Spanish version of OVWs TV show. At the same time he began a storyline campaign to be elected "dictator of Kentucky", often coming to the ring with a placecard reading "Bote for Lalo".
World Wrestling Entertainment
In April 2006 Ali was called up to the main World Wrestling Entertainment roster and placed on the RAW brand. He debuted on the April 3 RAW as Armando Alejandro Estrada, a Cuban businessman, and the heel manager for Umaga (who was also debuting). His debut saw him mocking Ric Flair, saying he was too old to still be in the business, and promising to bring about a new hero (Umaga). Umaga and Flair feuded until Backlash, where Umaga dispatched Flair.
Following the feud with Flair, Umaga began a period of squashing jobbers which lasted for a number of months. During this time, his way of introducing himself - using long rolling r's - as well as his short "ha ha" laugh began to get him cheered. As a result, he stopped introducing himself before promos.
Estrada had a cameo role in the August 4 episode of WWE.com's "28 segundos" web show featuring Carlos Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich in a parody of the Whassup? commercials of the early 2000's.
At August's SummerSlam, Estrada "offered" the still undefeated Umaga's services to The McMahons (Vince and Shane) to "take out" their D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) opponents during their tag team match. However, when Umaga made his way to the ring he was attacked by Kane. Kane and Umaga feuded for two months, with Kane attacking Estrada on at least one occasion. The feud seemingly came to an end when, on the October 9 RAW, Estrada's interference helped Umaga defeat Kane in a Loser Leaves RAW match.
During December, Umaga began a feud with John Cena over the WWE Championship, in which Estrada was involved. In the opening stages Estrada inserted himself into matches and confrontations with the two, leading to Vince McMahons assistant Jonathan Coachman signing a match between him and Cena. Before the match Estrada attempted to buy Cena off (offering him a box of Cohibas, his watch, and finally cash) only to have him refuse. The match was a squash with Cena winning with the F-U.
Wrestlers managed by Estrada
- Robbie Dawber (OVW)
- Umaga (WWE)
Matches
- John Cena def. Armando Alejandro Estrada. RAW 12/11/06
- Johnny Nitro, Johnathan Coachman, Armando Alejandro Estrada and Umaga def. John Cena in a 4-on-1 Handicap Match (via Disqualification). RAW 1/1/07
References
External links
