Cezar Bononi
Cezar Bononi[4] (born June 15, 1986) is a Brazilian professional wrestler who is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Cezar Bononi | |
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Bononi in April 2018 | |
Born | São Paulo, Brazil[1] | June 15, 1986
Residence | Orlando, Florida, United States |
Spouse(s) | Camila Bononi (m. 2015) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Cezar Bononi[1] V8 Big Block |
Billed height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)[1] |
Billed weight | 255 lb (116 kg)[1] |
Billed from | São Paulo, Brazil[1] |
Trained by | Bob Jr.[2][3] WWE Performance Center |
Debut | 2004[2] |
Early life
Prior to his wrestling career Bononi played American football for São Paulo Storm in the Brazilian football league, being named to the São Paulo state team and the All Brazilian team.[4]
Professional wrestling career
Early Training
Bononi trained to be a professional wrestler under Bob Junior of the Brazilian Wrestling Federation, and competed on the independent circuit in his native Brazil and South America under the ring name V8 Big Block. In the BWF, he held the BWF Rei Do Ringue Championship on one occasion.[2]
WWE (2015-2020)
In October 2015, Bononi was announced as part of a class of 19 WWE recruits to begin training at the WWE Performance Center.[4] He was sitting on his couch at home before being told he was offered a WWE contract.[5] He made his television debut on the May 10, 2017 episode of NXT, losing to Aleister Black.[6] Bononi had his first televised victory on the May 31 episode of NXT, defeating Andrade "Cien" Almas. Bononi was named "Future Star of NXT" at the 2017 NXT Year-End Awards.[7] On April 17, 2020, it was announced that he was released from his WWE contract.[8]
All Elite Wrestling (2020-present)
On the June 24, 2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, Bononi was spotted in the crowd along with other wrestlers where he broke up a brawl between participants of a lumberjack. Bononi would then make his in-ring debut on the September 29 episode of AEW Dark where he teamed with Shawn Dean in a losing effort to The Gunn Club. Over the next few months, Bononi would compete on Dark in a losing effort. On the January 26, 2021 episode of AEW Dark, Bononi would align himself with Peter Avalon after attacking Lee Johnson during their Walk Off competition.
Championship and accomplishments
- Brazilian Wrestling Federation
- BWF Rei Do Ringue Championship (1 time)[2]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- WWE
- NXT Year-End Award (1 time)
References
- "Cezar Bononi". WWE.
- "Cezar Bononi". Cagematch.
- "Cezar Bononi". WrestlingData. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ‘Tough Enough’ competitors part of solid class of new recruits at WWE Performance Center
- How did these NXT Superstars react to being offered a WWE contract?: Ask the WWE PC, Feb. 17, 2018, retrieved February 17, 2018
- WWE NXT results: Itami battles Strong in a physical main event
- WWE NXT Results – 5/31/17 (Ciampa addresses Gargano, Tag Match)
- Johnson, Mike (April 17, 2020). "WWE RELEASES CONTINUE (UPDATED)". PW Insider. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2019.html
- Daily Update: NXT year-end awards, TakeOver, Impact ratings
External links
- Cezar Bononi on WWE.com
- Cezar Bononi's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database