Ryan Reeves

Infobox Wrestler
name=Ryan Allen Reeves

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img_capt=
names=Ryan Reeves
height= height|ft=6|in=1
weight= convert|275|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date = birth date and age|1981|11|10|mf=y
death_date =
birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
death_place =
resides= Louisville, Kentucky
billed=
trainer=Bill DeMott
Al Snow
debut=2004
retired=
website= [http://www.silverbackattack.com/ SilverbackAttack.com]
myspace|silverback247|Ryan Reeves|

Ryan Allen Reeves (born November 10, 1981) is an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name "Silverback" Ryan Reeves, who competes in North American independent promotions. One of the eight finalists on "WWE Tough Enough 4", he later signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and wrestled in Deep South Wrestling [ cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/40440 |title=Ask 411 05.03.06: JBL, Brock, The Lightning Express, The World X Cup, Steve Austin in ECW and More! |accessdate= |author=Napier, Gavin |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2005-05-03 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=411mania.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] and Ohio Valley Wrestling [ cite web |url=http://www.ovwrestling.com/Superstars/silverback_ryan_reeves.htm |title="Silverback" Ryan Reeves |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work=OVW Superstars |publisher=OVWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070118111705/http://www.ovwrestling.com/Superstars/silverback_ryan_reeves.htm |archivedate=2007-01-18 |quote= ] from 2005 until 2007. During that time, he formed a successful tag team with Jon Bolen as one half of High Dosage. cite web |url=http://wrestlingnews.wrestling-radio.com/?view=newsitem&hline=266 |title=Diva Photos Pulled, High Dosage, Marine Box Office Update |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006-10-20 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Wrestling-Radio.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/1122/trish_stratus_308930.shtml |title=Trish Stratus News, Val Venis Injury Update, Loads More News |accessdate= |author=Clark, Ryan |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-11-22 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingInc.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

Prior to teaming with Bolen, Reeves received a 30-day suspension for failing the "WWE Wellness Program" in July 2006 and was one of many wrestlers under developmental contracts to be released early the following year.

Career

Early life and career

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ryan Reeves started watching wrestling at the age of five and was allowed to ring the bell at a live WWF event. cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_Oct_21/ai_n6248249 |title='$1,000,000 Tough Enough' Begins Tonight!; New Reality Contest Starts Tonight on UPN's WWE SmackDown! |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2004-10-21 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=Business Wire |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Wanting to become a professional wrestler, Reeves began weight lifting at 12 years old. He was nicknamed "Silverback" as a teenager, whom a childhood friend joked that he resembled a gorilla, and later adopted it as his ringname. Gerwick, Steve. "Interview with "Silverback" Ryan Reeves." Gerweck.net. 24 Jan. 2007. 24 Sep. 2008 . ] Reeves excelled at baseball and football while attending Western and Palo Verde High School. He played college baseball during his freshman year at the Community College of Southern Nevada, however he broke his foot and ended up missing two seasons.

Reeves spent the next two years concentrating on bodybuilding to enter professional wrestling. He also attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas, majoring in fitness management, while working part-time at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino. By the time he applied to "WWE Tough Enough" in the fall of 2004, he stood at 6'1" and weighed in at 280 lbs. Reeves sent a brief one minute videotape of himself and was invited to Venice Beach with 49 others. During the first week of training, Reeves suffered from bronchitis and a rib injury. He eventually became one of the eight finalists to appear on "Smackdown" and the last to be voted off. [ cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20041206upn01 |title=Breaking News - Ryan Reeves Eliminated by Fan Voting from WWE Smackdown!'s "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" |accessdate= |author=United Paramount Network |authorlink=United Paramount Network |coauthors= |date=2004-12-06 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=TheFutonCritic.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/12/03/764193.html |title=Smackdown: 'Taker taken down |accessdate= |author=Plummer, Dale |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2004-12-03 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Even though Reeves lost, he impressed WWE officials enough for them to sign him to a developmental contract. He would spend some time back in Las Vegas healing from his injuries before heading to Atlanta in March 2005.

Deep South Wrestling (2005-2006)

Reeves started training at Deep South Wrestling, a pro wrestling school located in McDonough, Georgia. On September 1, 2005, he made his official debut in a tag team match with Lash LeRoux against Team Elite (Derrick Neikirk & Mike Knox) at the premiere show for DSW. During the next several weeks, he would team with Big Jack Bull, Ryan O'Reilly, Mike Mizanin and Nick Mitchell against tag teams including Team Elite, The Regulators and The Slaughter Brothers.

He began wrestling single matches a month later against Mike Shane, Mike Knox [ cite web |url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/showreports/2005/047.html |title=Show Reports: October 20, 2005 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2005 |month=October |format= |work=2005 Show Reports |publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] and Palmer Cannon. On November 23, he entered a championship tournament for the DSW Heavyweight Championship and eliminated by Mac Johnson in the opening rounds. He also lost to Freakin Deacon on December 15. Several days later, he wrestled two matches in one night. The first was a tag team match with Damien Steele against The Regulators and the second was a singles match against Mike Knox, both matches he lost. [ cite web |url=http://www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com/showreports/2005/059.html |title=Show Reports: December 22, 2005 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2005 |month=December |format= |work=2005 Show Reports |publisher=GeorgiaWrestlingHistory.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

In January 2006, he formed a short-lived tag team with Ryan O'Reilly and faced Team Elite and The Gymini. Before the team could gain momentum, the WWE transferred Reeves from Deep South Wrestling, to Ohio Valley Wrestling two months later. Reeves wrestled his last match losing to Freakin Deacon on February 26, 2006.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2006-2007)

After training in DSW for most of 2005 and early 2006, Reeves arrived in Ohio Valley Wrestling in early March. He defeated Kasey James, Pat Buck, Da Beast and Double N in dark matches during his two months and, with Mikey Batts, won victories over Billy Kryptonite & Russell Simpson and Jack Bull & Vic Devine.

On May 10, Reeves teamed with OVW Tag Team Champions Kasey James & Roadkill to defeat Aaron Stevens & Deuce N' Domino at an OVW television taping. [ cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/tv_reports/40804/411%5C%5Cs-OVW-TV-Report-5.11.06.htm |title=411's OVW TV Report 5.11.06 |accessdate= |author=Sullivan, Steve |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006-05-11 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=411mania.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Three days later, he and Mikey Batts lost to Kasey James & Roadkill in a title match. He later broke his thumb after throwing a punch and was out for almost a month. [ cite web |url=http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2006/articles/1149111251.php |title=WWE News: Melina's Ego, The Miz, Ryan Reeves |accessdate= |author=Pena, Daniel |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2006-05-31 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=LordsofPain.net |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] On June 17, Reeves made his return teaming with Cody Runnels, Shawn Spears and Elijah Burke to defeat Los Locos & Deuce N' Domino in an 8-man tag team match.

In July 2006, Ryan Reeves was suspended for 30 days due to failing a drug test as part of the "Wellness Program". [ cite web |url=http://www.impactwrestling.com/Content.aspx?ID=18187 |title=History Of WWE Drug Suspensions, Spokesperson Comments On Regal's Violation |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2008-05-21 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=ImpactWrestling.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] According to Reeves, he had been taking several over the counter bodybuilding supplements one of which inadvertently caused a false reading. The supplements he was using were later taken off if market due to this effect and, although his suspension remained in place, Reeves eventually returned to the roster after passing a second test. His case was later featured on the CNN documentary "Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling". [ cite web |url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/117/randy_orton_307635.shtml |title=WWE Wellness Doctor Reveals Huge Number Of Suspensions |accessdate= |author=Clark, Ryan |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-11-07 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=WrestlingInc.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

High Dosage

After his previous 30 day suspension, Reeves got even bigger, as well as bleaching his hair blonde. After changing his look, Reeves returned to wrestling on a number of OVW shows including an impressive victory over Johnny Punch, Rod Steele, Ramon Loco, Mr. Strongko, Mike Kruel, Shad Gaspard and Charles Evans in a gauntlet match on August 19. In September 2006, Reeves began teaming with Jon Bolen, who together became known as High Dosage. Scoring early victories against teams such as Los Locos (Aaron Lamata & Lowrider) and Johnny Punch & Pat Buck, they began feuding with the then newly formed team of Eddie Craven, Mike Kruel and "The Bad Seed" Shawn Osborne.

The two did not fare well against the trio loosing both tag team and single matches to them during the next few weeks. On October 18, he and Bolen also lost to them in a handicap match. Things soon changed however when High Dosage beat Eddie Craven & Mike Kruel a month later. As a result of their victory, they were allowed five minutes alone with Shawn Osbourne but he was able to escape with the help of Eddie Craven & Mike Kruel. Although continuing to face their rivals throughout the year, High Dosage also won matches against Los Locos and Bad Company defeating the latter in a Handicap Coal Miner's Glove on a Pole match on November 29. On December 9, High Dosage teamed with Seth Skyfire and lost to Eddie Craven, Mike Kruel & Milena Roucka. Reeves also took part in a four-way Elimination Christmas Present match with Mike Kruel four days later. The participants included Justin LaRoche & Charles Evans, T.J. Dalton & Steve Lewington and Seth Skyfire & Paul Burchill who eventually won the match.

On January 6, 2007, High Dosage lost to Justin LaRoche & Charles Evans. They also lost to OVW Tag Team Champions Cody Runnels & Shawn Spears four days later. This was their last match together as Reeves was officially releases from his contract less then two weeks later. [ cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/01/19/3407911.html |title=SLAM! Wrestling: Tatanka, Bill DeMott and WWE prospects latest WWE cuts |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-01-20 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=SLAM! Sports |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] [ cite web |url=http://www.pwbts.com/columns/2007/b012207.html |title=As I See It 1/22: A sad week for wrestling... |accessdate= |author=Magee, Bob |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-01-22 |year= |month= |format= |work=Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets |publisher=PWBTS.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] In April, it was announced that Reeves would be starring in an upcoming film called "Som Tum" with Todd Shane and Nathan Jones. [ cite web |url=http://www.thewrestlingfan.com/deadfacewalking3.html |title=Deadface Walking! |accessdate= |author=Perez, Catherine |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2007-04-12 |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=TheWrestlingFan.com |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] Reeves would make one final appearance in which he and Pat Buck lost to Colt Cabana & Shawn Spears in a match for the DSW Tag Team titles on November 14, 2007. [ cite web |url=http://shawn-spears.org/shawn/matches_4.php |title=Match History Part 4 |accessdate= |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year=2007 |month= |format= |work=Match History |publisher=Shawn-Spears.org |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Silverback Attack" (Suplex powerslam)
**Overhead belly to belly suplex
**Bearhug
**Clothesline
**Double underhook lift into a double knee gutbuster
**Scoop slam

Championships and accomplishments

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:*PWI ranked him # 335 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2006.

References

External links

* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com Profile at Online World of Wrestling]
* [http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/reeves.html Accelerator's Wrestling Rollercoaster: Ryan Reeves]
* [http://www.cagematch.de/?id=2&nr=2624&view=teams CageMatch.de - Ryan Reeves] ger
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