Billy Kidman

Infobox Wrestler
name=Billy Kidman

---

names=Kid Flashcite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/billy-kidman.html|title=Billy Kidman Profile|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling]
Kidman
Billy Kidman
height=5 ft 10 in (178 cm)cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/billykidman/bio/|title= Kidman's WWE Alumni Profile|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-06-04]
weight=convert|195|lb|kg|lk=on|abbr=on
birth_date=birth date and age|year=1974|month=5|day=11cite web|url=http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/kidman.html|title=Billy Kidman Profile|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=Bodyslamming.com]
death_date=
birth_place=Allentown, Pennsylvania
resides=Tampa, Florida
billed=Allentown, Pennsylvania
trainer=Afa Anoai
debut=September 11 1994|

Peter Jacob Gruner (born May 11, 1974) better known by his ring name Billy Kidman, is an American professional wrestler. Kidman is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E) throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.

He joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and ultimately gained fame as a key member of several strong wrestling factions. In addition to being a member of Raven's Flock, he also was a member of the Filthy Animals and later New Blood. As a member of these factions, Gruner participated in memorable rivalries with top WCW names, including Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, and Rey Mysterio. Kidman wrestled for WCW for many years and won tag team gold with partner and real life friend Mysterio. After leaving the group, he won the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship three times. Gruner also met his former wife Torrie Wilson while the two were working in WCW.

Upon WCW's purchase by World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Kidman became a member of the WCW/ECW Alliance faction, and later a successful champion in WWE's Cruiserweight and Tag Team divisions. He now works on the independent circuit.

Career

Early career

Gruner was trained by the one half of the Wild Samoans, Afa Anoa'i and wrestled his first match on September 11, 1994 in the independent circuit as Kid Flash. He formed a tag team with Ace Darling known as Shooting Stars and they would win the ECWA Tag Team Championship and USWA World Tag Team Championship.

World Championship Wrestling

Gruner first started wrestling for WCW in late 1996. He spent over a year as a cruiserweight jobber with no gimmick. Finally, he was added to Raven's Flock as a disheveled street junkie named Kidman. He adopted a subtle gimmick of a heroin addict, constantly scratching his arms, and named his shooting star press maneuver the Seven Year Itch. Due to Raven's domineering control and propagation of his addiction, Kidman found little success with the group and aided Perry Saturn in defeating Raven in a match, thus allowing all Flock members to disband from the group. The very next night Kidman came to the ring in a clean attire as a babyface. He defeated Juventud Guerrera that night to win his first WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Guerrera won the belt back a few weeks later, and Kidman defeated Guerrera a final time at WCW World War 3 to win his second Cruiserweight Title. Kidman went on to hold the title for several months, becoming the record holder at the time, and still holds one of the longest reigns. In this time he became a huge fan favorite and was considered the top star of the WCW Cruiserweight division. He eventually lost the title on an episode of "WCW Monday Nitro" to Rey Mysterio. They had a rematch at Spring Stampede 1998 where Mysterio was victorious.

Following this, Mysterio asked Kidman to be his tag team partner in a match for the WCW Tag Team Championship. Kidman at first declined, as a previous attempt at a tag team between the two did not reach any level of success. The two, however, faced Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko for the titles and succeeded with unwanted aid from Raven and Saturn. The three teams feuded for several weeks, which ended in a three way tag team match for the titles. Chris Kanyon's interference led to the victory for Raven and Saturn. Kidman and Mysterio continued to team together throughout the remainder of WCW, but only sparingly. Kidman spent the next several months in assorted feuds, winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship one more time from Prince Iaukea at a house show. Iaukea reclaimed the title the next night on Nitro. Kidman also defeated Psicosis in a hair vs. mask match, and came close to defeating Jeff Jarrett for the United States Championship. He then entered a short feud with Vampiro.

During this time, Kidman was a part of the WCW face faction, the Filthy Animals, with Mysterio, Konnan, and Eddie Guerrero. Guerrero left the group when he left WCW, and Kidman left the group when they became a heel faction. He later rejoined them when they were faces once more in the last few months of WCW.

Following his first departure from the Filthy Animals, Kidman joined Vince Russo's New Blood faction, taking another heel turn. His gimmick was a young hotshot not wanting to be held back by superstars beyond their prime. This led to his biggest feud to date with Hulk Hogan. After the New Blood split up, Kidman became a face once more entering a feud with Shane Douglas for the affection of his on-screen girlfriend, Torrie Wilson. Wilson turned on Kidman, and the feud ended with Kidman victorious.

Following the Douglas feud, Kidman began teaming with Mysterio again, and they entered the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship tournament. They lost in the finals to Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo, but won the titles from them on the final episode of "WCW Monday Nitro". That night the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) purchased WCW, the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles were retired, and Kidman's contract was picked up by WWE.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

When the WWF purchased WCW, the contract of Gruner (who was still wrestling as Billy Kidman) was one of twenty-five contracts involved in the purchase. When The Invasion storyline commenced, Gruner appeared on WWF television as a tweener for the WCW Alliance faction. In July 2001, Gruner won the WCW Cruiserweight Championship from Gregory Helms in the first televised WCW match on "SmackDown!".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350674|title=History Of The Cruiserweight Championship - Bill Kidman(4)|date=2001-07-05|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] Kidman was sidelined with an injury during the Invasion angle and thus did not have as big of an impact as other WCW superstars.

Kidman turned face after the WCW/ECW Alliance broke up. He was drafted to SmackDown! as part of the brand extension, and in his return match he defeated Tajiri to win his first WWE Cruiserweight Championship.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350562|title=History Of the Cruiserweight Championship - Bill Kidman (6)|date=2002-04-04|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] Tajiri reclaimed the title at Backlash. He went on to capture the Cruiserweight Championship for the seventh time (making him the record holder for most Cruiserweight Titles at the time), by defeating Jamie Noble at Survivor Series.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/350466|title=History Of The Cruiserweight Championship - Billy Kidman(7)|date=2002-11-17|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] Kidman lost the title three months later to Matt Hardy at No Way Out. He spent the next few years as a star attraction in the cruiserweight division, relying solely on his in-ring work and no real gimmick. Later, Kidman was placed with a new tag team partner, Paul London. The team went on to win the WWE Tag Team Championship from The Dudley Boyz on July 8 2004.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/330038|title=History Of The WWE Tag Team Championship - Billy Kidman & Paul London|date=2004-07-08|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] Proving the win not to be an upset, they went on to win a rematch for the titles.

The championship run of this face team came to an abrupt end after Kidman turned his back on London. The heel turn played off of a legitimate injury occurring on an August 24 2004 taping of "SmackDown!", when Gruner's Shooting Star Press had unintentionally caused Chavo Guerrero Jr. to suffer a concussion and be taken to the hospital. The next week, Kidman was on the top rope ready to hit the Shooting Star Press, but hesitated, climbed down the turnbuckles, and slowly walked backstage overwhelmed with guilt after injuring Chavo. London was left alone to defend the titles against Kenzo Suzuki and Rene Dupree, and was brutally defeated. London and Kidman fought at No Mercy 2004, where Kidman injured London with a shooting star press, while London was strapped to a stretcher. This completed Kidman's heel turn, blaming the fans for wanting him to be more brutal with his in-ring style. Kidman and Chavo ended their feud upon Chavo's return, the latter being victorious in the final match. Kidman then competed against London over the Cruisweight title in the coming months.

Gruner was released from his WWE contract on July 7 2005. It was rumored that the reason behind his release was the lack of crowd reaction and unintentional injuries he caused, but Gruner later stated in an interview with the UK newspaper "The Sun" that it was because he argued with management over their decision to stop booking wrestlers on first class flights overseas.cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560001-2006200713,00.html|author=Simon Rothstein|title=The Sun Online - Wrestling: Kidman: Why I Was Fired|accessdate=2007-05-19] Recently he has become a trainer for developmental talent in WWE's official territory Florida Championship Wrestling making appearances as a wrestler but as of yet has not rejoined WWE in an official wrestling role.

Post-WWE career

During this first tour of the UK since leaving WWE, Kidman would make a few appearances in independent British promotions. Other than his notable Frontier Wrestling Alliance 3-way match with Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm, Kidman would also wrestle British wrestling legend Robbie Brookside in a losing effort during a British rules match to determine the first Real Quality Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.

In 2007, Gruner was at IWA, in a match for the IWA World Heavyweight Championship against Ray Gonzalez. [cite web|url=http://www.prwrestling.com/noticiasprw/3840.php|title=IWA: Kidman vs Ray Gonzalez en Bayamón|date=2007-03-29|accessdate=2008-05-29|publisher=PRWrestling.com|language=Spanish] Gruner also took part in the East Coast Australian "International Assault II" Tour from June 1 - June 3 2007 wrestling Australian superstars TNT and Mark Hilton, and pinned Bryan Danielson to win the WSW World Heavyweight Championship on the 3rd night in Newcastle.

On July 8, 2007, Kidman teamed up with Sean "X-Pac" Waltman as part of a triple threat match in McAllen, Texas to crown the new NWA World Tag Team Champions. The title was previously vacated by Team 3D after TNA Wrestling officially pulled out of the National Wrestling Alliance. They would lose the match to Karl Anderson and Joey Ryan. He has since signed with the Australasian Wrestling Federation.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves :*"B.K. Bomb" (Standing sitout spinebuster, sometimes from the second or top rope):*"Kid Krusher" (Jumping inverted double underhook facebuster):*Shooting star press (WWE) / "Seven Year Itch" (WCW) :*Fireman's carry neckbreaker:*Frankensteiner:*"Kid Factor" (Sitout facebuster, often used as a powerbomb counter):*Moonsault:*Springboard bulldog:*Springboard leg drop:*Standing dropkick

*Managers:*Raven:*Dawn Marie:*Torrie Wilson:*Lacey Von Erich

*Entrance themes:*"Rock the World (WCW):*"Destroyer" (WCW):*"Mortal Wound" (WWE production Music):*"Extreme Impact" (WWE Production Music):* by James A. Johnston

Championships and accomplishments

*East Coast Wrestling Association:*ECWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ace Darling:*ECWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2004) [cite web|url=http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com/halloffame/index.html|title=ECWA Hall Of Fame Inductees - Wrestlers|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=ECWAProWrestling|quote=2004 Billy Kidman]

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:*PWI ranked him # 94 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in PWI 500 in 2004 [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50004.htm/|accessdate=2008-07-03|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2004|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]

*Revolution Xtreme Wrestling:*RXW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)fact|date=July 2008

*Trans-World Wrestling Federation:*TWWF Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)

*United States Wrestling Association:*USWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ace Darling

*World Championship Wrestling:*WCW Cruiserweight Championship (3 times)cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/billykidman/376954|title=BILLY KIDMAN'S TITLE HISTORY|accessdate=2008-03-01|publisher=WWE] :*WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship (1 time; final) – with Rey Misterio, Jr.:*WCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Rey Misterio, Jr. (1) and Konnan (1)

*World Series Wrestling
**WSW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current) [citeweb|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/htwsw.html|accessdate=2008-07-03|last=Pulsone|first=Mario|title=WSW - WORLD SERIES WRESTLING WSW HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY|publisher=Solie]

*World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment:*WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Paul London:*WWF/WWE Cruiserweight Championship (4 times)

*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
**Worst Feud of the Year (2000) vs. Hulk Hogan

Personal life

Gruner grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the Lehigh Valley region, where he graduated from Parkland High School. Gruner was a banker before he started training to be a professional wrestler, and is good friends with Glen Gilberti, Chris Kanyon, Diamond Dallas Page, and Rey Mysterio. Fact|date=May 2008

After being together for four years, [cite web|url=http://www.filmmonthly.com/Profiles/Articles/TorrieWilson/TorrieWilson.html|title=Miss Torrie Wilson|date=2004-05-14|last=Schultz|first=Gary|accessdate=2008-07-15|publisher=Film Monthly] Gruner married former WWE Diva, Torrie Wilson on July 11 2003. [cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/wilson-torrie.html|title=Torrie Wilson|last=Milner|first=John M.|accessdate=2008-07-15|publisher=Slam! Sports] They lived together in Tampa, Florida when not traveling. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_1_5/ai_101337651|title=The wiles of Wilson: WWE Diva Torrie Wilson reveals all—her secrets to success, that is|date=2003-06|last=Berkowitz|first=Matt|accessdate=2008-07-15|publisher=Wrestling Digest] The couple were officially divorced in2007. [cite web|url=http://www.warned.net/BillyKidmanAudioWrestling07.html|title=Billy Kidman Talks About Divorcing From Torrie Wilson, Working Against Hogan, His New Gimmick, Sleeping With Married Women And More|date=2007-02-26|last=Farrell|first=Errol Leigh|accessdate=2008-09-12|publisher=Warned.net]

References

External links

* [http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/kidman.html Billy Kidman at Bodyslamming.com]
* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/billykidman/bio/ WWE Alumni Profile]