Rob Strauss

Infobox Wrestler
name=Rob Strauss

---

img_capt=
names=Rob Eckos
Robbie Moxie
height= height|ft=5|in=10
weight= convert|195|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = birth date and age|1983|10|1
death_date =
birth_place = Alpine, New Jersey, United States
death_place =
resides=
billed=
trainer=Kevin Knight
Jim Kettner
debut=October 1, 2000
vs. Chad Warwick
retired=
website= [http://web.archive.org/web/20050407053044/http://www.robeckos.com/iframe.html RobEckos.com] |

Rob Strauss cite web |url=http://www.robeckos.com/independentspotlight.html |title=Independent Spotlight (Wildhouse of Wrestling Newsletter) |accessdate= |author=Cade, Mark |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=RobEckos.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041206022802/http://www.robeckos.com/independentspotlight.html |archivedate=2004-12-06 |quote= ] (b. October 1, 1983) is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name Rob Eckos, who competes in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic independent promotions including Chaotic Wrestling, [ cite web |url=http://www.chaoticwrestling.com/profiles/valedictorians.htm |title=The Valedictorians (Billy Bax & Rob Eckos) |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work=Chaotic Wrestling Profiles |publisher=chaoticwrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] the East Coast Wrestling Association, [ cite web |url=http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com/main/bios/reckos.html |title=Rob Eckos |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work=East Coast Wrestling Alliance Biographies |publisher=ECWAProWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Hardway Wrestling, Jersey All Pro Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, 3PW and Mikey Whipwreck's New York Wrestling Connection as well as appearances in Total Nonstop Action and World Wrestling Entertainment. The kayfabe brother of Dan Eckos, he is also one half of The Valedictorians with Billy Bax and The Youngbloodz with Matt Stryker.

Career

Early life and career

Eckos began watching professional wrestling at the age of 4 cite web |url=http://www.nwaproeast.com/Rob%20Eckos.html |title=Rob Eckos |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=NWA Pro East Superstars |publisher=NWAProEast.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com/PeterRobEckos.htm |title=Rob Eckos Interview |accessdate= |author=Staniforth, Peter |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingClothesline.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] and was a fan of The Ultimate Warrior, Sting McCaffrey, Sean. "Interview with Rob Eckos." DeclarationofIndependents.net. Apr. 2006. 31 Aug. 2008 . ] and Shawn Michaels. He saw his first live event at a local wrestling show in Woodbridge, New Jersey headlined by "Iron" Mike Sharpe and later became interested in becoming a professional wrestler. When he turned 16, Eckos began training at Kevin Knight's Camp IWF in West Paterson, New Jersey [ cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20041206022802/http://www.robeckos.com/7deadlyquestions.html |title=Seven Deadly Questions (WrestlingClothesline.com) |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=RobEckos.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041206022802/http://www.robeckos.com/7deadlyquestions.html |archivedate=2004-12-06 |quote= ] where he practiced regular drills and exercises for four months until his debut against Chad Warwick on October 1, 2000. [ cite web |url=http://www.robeckos.com/ptwinterview.html |title=Interview with Prime Time Wrestling |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=RobEckos.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041206022802/http://www.robeckos.com/ptwinterview.html |archivedate=2004-12-06 |quote= ] He later trained at Jim Kettner's wrestling school in northern New Jersey as well.

Independent Wrestling Federation

Eckos spent his early career in the Independent Wrestling Federation, a local promotion based in West Paterson, New Jersey, defeating Damian Adams at West Orange High School on January 21, 2001. He also participated in a 12-man battle royal later that night which included Dr. Hurtz, Marc Verow, BJ Thomas, Damian Adams, Jade Divine, HP Walker, Hadrian, Josh Daniels, Psycho Bitch, Tony Rage and Rapid Fire Maldonado.

On February 11, he lost to Kevin Knight and Damian Adams in two separate matches at an IWF show in West Peterson. He and Hadrian lost a tag team match to Roman & Kevin Knight on March 4 and faced Kasey Coresh, Damian Adams and Tony Balboa in singles matches during the next few weeks. On May 20, he defeated Hadrian via disqualification and, on June 3, he beat Tony Balboa at the West Orange Community Center. He also participated in a 12-man battle royal which included Dr. Hurtz, Damian Adams, Josh Daniels, Rapid Fire Maldonado, Tony Balboa, BPA Barry, Ryan Lockhart, Kasey Coresh, St. Patrick, Mr. Mike and Biggie Biggs. Eckos lost to Hadrian at the Brookwood Lounge Outdoor Car Show in Jackson, New Jersey several days later.

On July 7, Eckos scored another disqualification win over Roman in Edison, New Jersey. The following night however, he lost to Roman in a match for the IWF Heavyweight Championship. On July 26, he beat Kasey Coresh and Ryan Lockhart in a three-way match and faced both in single matches during the next few weeks. On September 15, he and Josh Daniels lost to Damian Adams & Hadrian. He also lost to Josh Daniels the following night.

Losing to Roman in a rematch for the IWF Heavyweight title on October 28, he also entered a 15-man Royal Rumble whose participants included Roman, Shane O'Brien, Sir Michael, Ryan Lockhart, Biggie Biggs, Rapid Fire Maldonado, BPA Barry, Psycho B*tch, John Royal, Mr. Mike Winner, Hadrian, Josh Daniels, Damian Adams and Kevin Knight. Loosing to Roman in a three-way match with Kevin Knight on November 24, he defeated Erik Andretti the following night. On December 29, Eckos and Dylan Black lost to Roman & Hadrian in a tag team match. The show was later broadcast on News 12 New Jersey.

He also entered the 2-day IWF "Tournament of Champions" and defeated Shane O'Brien in the opening rounds but was eliminated by Josh Daniels in the quarterfinals on December 30, 2001. [ cite web |url=http://www.nyprowrestling.com/results/2001.html |title=Results: 2001 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=NYProWrestling.com Results |publisher=NYProWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

In January 2002, Eckos was one of several independent wrestlers to star in a commercial for the 2002 Royal Rumble. On February 23, he lost to Hadrian in a 4-Way Dance with Biggie Biggs and Damian Adams for the vacant IWF American Championship. [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/atiwf.html |title=IWF American Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

3PW and the independent circuit

On June 29, 2002, Eckos made his debut in 3PW at "A War Renewed" losing to Josh Daniels at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 9, he also defeated Ryan Wing for the SSCW Lightweight Championship in Paramus, New Jersey.

He would make three more appearances in 3PW later that year defeating White Lotus at "A Night for the Flyboy" on October 19 and facing Joey Matthews and Josh Prohibition in a 3-Way Dance at "Return of the Dream" on November 23. He was pinned by Matthews after a 12 minute match. At "Year End Mayhem", he defeated Damian Adams in a singles match and, later on, in a tag team match with Matt Stryker against Damian Adams & Josh Prohibition on December 28, 2002. cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/indy/3pw/3pwcards.html |title=3PW Cards |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] The following night, he won the JCW Junior Heavyweight title from Jay Lethal in Union City, New Jersey.

On March 15, 2003, he lost to Billy Reil in a four corner ladder match with Low Rida and Abunai in Passaic, New Jersey for the ICW Super Juniors Championship. [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/sjticw.html |title=ICW Super Juniors Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Suffering a serious injury that same month, he was forced to vacate the JCW Junior Heavyweight Championship in Garfield, New Jersey on March 23. He lost the SSCW Lightweight Championship to Dave Webb in a 3-Way Dance with Johnny Ova five days later in Clifton, New Jersey. On March 28, Eckos returned to defeat The Sandman for the SSCW Heavyweight Championship. The Sandman had won the vacant title that same night.

Eckos also appeared in a dark match for Total Nonstop Action on May 21. [ cite web |url=http://www.robeckos.com/10questionsnwa.html |title=10 Questions With Rob Eckos (NWA Virginia) |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=RobEckos.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041206022802/http://www.robeckos.com/10questionsnwa.html |archivedate=2004-12-06 |quote= ] He and Matt Striker defeated Christian York & Joey Matthews at "A New Era" on June 21 and Amish Roadkill at "That's Incredible" on August 19. Later that year, he and Billy Bax defeated Johnny and Joey Maxx for the ECWA Tag Team titles in Wilmington, Delaware on September 6. They held the titles for over two years before eventually losing to The Heavyweights (Sean Royal & Dan Ekos) in Newark, Delaware.

Losing the SSCW Heavyweight title to Damian Adams on November 7, he also lost to The Blue Meanie at "Raven's Rules" on November 22. On December 27, 2003, he made his 3PW appearance for the year beating CJ O'Doyle at "Su-Su-Superfly" at the ECW Arena.

On January 31, Eckos faced Ken Scampi (with Tara Charisma) at a show for Stars & Stripes Championship Wrestling. cite web |url=http://www.taracharisma.com/showhistory.html |title=Show History |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=Other Appearances |publisher=TaraCharisma.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] He made his return to 3PW the next month appearing at its second anniversary show at the ECW Arena losing to Derek Wylde. On April 2, Eckos and Matt Striker faced Ken Scampi & Spyder (with Tara Charisma) at an event for the New York Wrestling Connection. The following night at the 2004 Super 8 Tournament, he and Bax defended the ECWA Tag Team titles defeating Stryker & Ace Darling. [ cite web |url=http://www.deathvalleydriver.com/road/ECWA(040304).html |title=ECWA Super 8 2004 (with half a CZW show) |accessdate= |author=Duffy, Ray |authorlink= |coauthors=Stein, Pete |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=DeathValleyDriver.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] At 3PW's "The Future is Now" on April 17, he faced his tag team partner Matt Striker fighting him to a no-contest. He also defeated Nate Mattson at "Not Enough Time" on May 15.

Reuniting with his partner weeks later, he and Stryker lost to Slyk Wagner Brown & April Hunter at "Splintered" on June 19 and to Rockin' Rebel & Jack Victory the following month at "No Limits". He and Stryker also faced Ken Scampi & Spyder twice more during July, including a three-way match with Wayne & Tyler Payne on July 24, before leaving the NYWC. On August 21, he and Stryker competed in a tag team Royal Rumble at "5-Star 4-Way" to crown the first 3PW Tag Team Champions eventually won by Slyk Wagner Brown & April Hunter. The other teams included The Blue Meanie & Roadkill, Gary Wolfe & Mike Kruel and Jack Victory & Rockin' Rebel. [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttpppw.html |title=3PW Tag Team Title History |accessdate= |author=Westcott, Brian |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2005 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] A week later in Wayne, New Jersey, Eckos was pinned by his partner in a match billed as the "battle of the Youngbloods" at the CyberSpace Wrestling Federation's "Cybercade" on August 28. [ cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/08/29/608425.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling: DDP retires Kanyon at hot NJ show |accessdate= |author=Sokol, Chris |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2004-08-29 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Feuding with CJ O'Doyle, he traded victories with him at "Till We Meet Again" on October 16 and "For the Gold" on November 20. In December, he and Billy Bax also lost to The Solution (Havok & Papadon) in a non-title match for the ECWA Tag Team Championship at the debut show for New Millennium Wrestling. Organized by Devon Storm, the "Headlock on Hunger" show was a benefit show held at St. Mary's Parish in Rutherford, New Jersey and featured The Patriot, Simon Diamond, Rick Fuller, Ace Darling, Scotty Charisma, Danny Doring and Amish Roadkill. [ cite web |url=http://www.scottycharisma.com/Reviews/DecofIndeDec04.htm |title=Declaration of Independents (December 2004) |accessdate= |author=McCaffrey, Sean |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month=December |format= |work= |publisher=ScottyCharisma.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

New York Wrestling Connection and the East Coast Wrestling Association

On February 19, 2005, he made his last appearance for 3PW at its third anniversary show where he lost to CJ O'Doyle. [ cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/indy/3pw/3pwcards.html |title=3PW Cards |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ProWrestlingHistory.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] He spent the next year in ECWA where he was featured in a video released by the promotion later that year. Among his matches included a singles match against Shawn Patrick, a 10-man battle royal and a 3-Way Dance between himself, Billy Bax and Scotty Charisma for the ECWA Heavyweight Championship. [ ECWA 7/16/05 Newark, DE. Perf. Rob Eckos, Shawn Patrick, Billy Bax and Scotty Charisma. 2005. Videocassette. RF Video.]

Later that year, he appeared at the debut show of Piledriver Pro losing to Josh Daniels on September 10. On September 23, he won a 20-man battle royal to win a title show against NYWC Interstate Champion Amazing Red but was unable to defeat him later that night. He remained in NYWC for the rest of the year defeating Spyder, Plazma and Disturbed Damian Dragon in a four-way match on October 8 and, with help from Billy Bax, he pinned Mikey Whipwreck on December 17. During this time, he and Billy Bax also competed in Chaotic Wrestling where they and Brian Milonas beat John Walters, Luis Ortiz & Psycho in a 6-man tag team match.

On January 2, 2006, Eckos made his first appearance for World Wrestling Entertainment when he was attacked in a skit by Edge who was doing a mock impersonation of Ric Flair during WWE RAW. Defeating Mikey Whipwreck & Matt Hyson on February 25, he and Bax would continue making appearances for the New York Wrestling Connection as well as making appearances in the East Coast Wrestling Association and National Wrestling Superstars during the next several months. He and Bax also wrestled and lost to The Heart Throbs at a fundraiser for Children's Benefit in Toms River, New Jersey on June 3.

In November, The Valedictorians defeated Jason Blade & Kid Mikaze and Team Supreme (Nicky Oceans & Corvis Fear). They also won a four-way match against Aden Chambers & Andrew Ryker, Kid Mikaze & Jason Blade and Shane Hagadorn & Pelle Primeau on December 5, 2006.

Recent years

Elsewhere on the independent circuit, Eckos lost to Bobby Fish at a show for NWA Shockwave in Boonton, New Jersey on January 13, 2007. He and Bax finally lost the ECWA Tag Team titles to The Heavyweights (Sean Royal & Dan Eckos) on January 27. Eckos also teamed with Trent Acid at the 2007 J-Cup Tag Team Tournament to defeat J.D. Smooth & Rhett Titus in the opening rounds on February 9. When he and Acid fought to a draw with Team Supreme (Nicky Oceans & Corvis Fear), both teams received a bye to the finals where they faced The Sychadelic Sissies in a 3-way match. He and Acid would lose the match to Team Supreme.

He later teamed with Ace Darling to defeat Team Supreme at a show for NWS later that month. On March 17, he defeated his kayfabe brother Dan Eckos in a street fight match at an ECWA show and, the next month, he lost to Nicky Benz in a 3-Way Dance with Damian Dragon for NWA East Coast on April 28. He also faced ECWA Heavyweight Champion Aden Chambers in several matches during the summer including a three-way match with Scotty Charisma on July 14.

Eckos also lost to Bryan Logan in a 5-Way Dance with Billy Bax, Matt Logan and El Trouble on October 13. At an October 27th show for Northeast Wrestling, he and Billy Bax lost a tag team match to Dynamic Sensation & Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. He and Mikey Quest also defeated NWS Tag Team Champions The Sychedelic Sissies in a non-title match on November 2. A participant in the 2007 Super 8 Tournament, [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com/RobEckos.htm |title=Ten Questions With ... Rob Eckos |accessdate= |author=Schwan, Brett |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingClothesline.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] he defeated Billy Bax in the opening rounds before losing to Sonjay Dutt in the semi-finals in Newark on November 10. He later lost to Billy Bax in a rematch on December 1, 2007.

On January 26, 2008, Eckos defeated Benny Martinez at a NYWC show and, three days later, he appeared on the January 29th edition of "ECW on Sci Fi" losing to Kofi Kingston. [ cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/68055/The-ECDub-Crater-01.29.08.htm |title=The ECDub Crater 01.29.08 |accessdate= |author=Byers, Ryan |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-01-29 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=411mania.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Championships and accomplishments

*"'Chaotic Wrestling:*CW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Billy Bax [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/newengland/chaotic/chaotic-t.html |title=Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*CyberSpace Wrestling Federation:*CSWF Cruiserweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/nj/nwa/cswf-x.html |title=N.W.A. Cyberspace Cruiser X Title |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Puroresu Dojo |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*East Coast Wrestling Association :*ECWA Tag Team Championship - with Billy Bax (1 time) cite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=4th Edition 2000 | id=ISBN 0-9698161-5-4 ] [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttecwa.html |title=ECWA Tag Team Title History |accessdate= |author=Dupree, Jim |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*Hardway Wrestling:*HW Lightweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/lhwthw.html |title=HW Light Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors=Michael Urbanavage |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*Independent Wrestling Federation:*IWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Biggie Biggs

*Jersey Championship Wrestling:*JCW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/lhtjcw.html |title=JCW Light/Junior Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Oliver, Earl |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2003 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*National Championship Wrestling :*NCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Nick Berk

*National Wrestling Superstars :*NWS Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*New York Wrestling Connection:*NYWC Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Matt Striker

*Stars & Stripes Championship Wrestling:*SSCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/htsscw.html |title=SSCW Heavyweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] :*SSCW Lightweight Championship (1 time) [ cite web |url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/lhtsscw.html |title=SSCW Lightweight Title History |accessdate= |author=Tsakiries, Phil |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2004 |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Solie's Title Histories |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:*PWI ranked him # 204 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2008.:*PWI ranked him # 388 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2007.:*PWI ranked him # 314 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2005.:*PWI ranked him # 355 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2003.:*PWI ranked him # 457 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2002.Finishing Move: Superkick Favorite Moves: Russian leg sweep clothesline

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/r/rob-eckos.html Profile at Online World of Wrestling]
* [http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=1743&worker=Rob+Eckos CageMatch.de - Rob Eckos] ger