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Gene Snitsky

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Gene Snitsky
Snitsky in 2005
Birth nameEugene Alan Snisky
Born (1970-01-14) January 14, 1970 (age 54)[1]
Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Spouse(s)Carolyn Snitsky
FamilyA. J. Petrucci, Justin Snisky, James Snisky, Jason Snisky (cousins)[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Gene Snitsky[1]
Snitsky[3]
Gene Mondo[1]
Billed height6 ft 8 in (203 cm)[3]
Billed weight307 lb (139 kg)[3]
Billed fromNesquehoning, Pennsylvania[3]
Trained byAfa Anoa'i[1]
A. J. Petrucci[2]
Debut1997[1]

Eugene Alan Snisky[1] (born January 14, 1970)[1] is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring name Gene Snitsky, who is best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment. He played college football at the University of Missouri.

Early life

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Snitsky attended Panther Valley High School where he played football. While in high school, Snitsky played as a punter. During his senior year, he was named All-State. Upon graduating in 1988, Snitsky signed a full scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played under offensive lineman coach and future Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid. After playing for the Missouri Tigers, Snitsky attended training camps with the goal of playing professional football. He was on the pre-season roster in 1995 for the Birmingham Barracudas of the Canadian Football League.[3] He eventually signed with the San Diego Chargers. During training, Snitsky re-aggravated a shoulder injury that was previously misdiagnosed from his college years. The injury effectively ended his NFL aspirations.[4]

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1997–2003)

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Snisky trained with the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) and competed in the promotion under the name "Mean" Gene Snitsky. He won the tag-team championship along with his partner Robb Harper as the Twin Tackles, under a football gimmick. When he entered singles competition, he won the WXW Heavyweight Championship. In 2013, Snitsky was inducted into the WXW Hall of Fame.[5]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2003–2008, 2023)

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Developmental territories (2003–2004)

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Snisky had a tryout match with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) the day after winning the WXW Championship on October 20, 2003, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at a Raw taping. Snisky, wrestling as Gene Snitsky, was defeated by fellow WXW wrestler "Smooth" Tommy Suede. It was following this match that he was signed to a developmental deal and sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Snisky wrestled in OVW as "Mean" Gene Mondo (a name inspired by "Mean" Gene Okerlund), and was presented as the kayfabe brother of Mike Mondo.

Debut and Heat mainstay (2004–2006)

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He made his WWE debut on the September 13, 2004, edition of Raw[3] against Kane in a no-disqualification match. As Kane, a heel at the time, prepared to injure Snitsky, he was distracted by Lita, who was (kayfabe) pregnant with Kane's child. Snitsky used the distraction to hit Kane from behind with the chair, causing Kane to fall on Lita, and causing Lita to miscarry her unborn baby. When interviewed about the incident, he claimed "it wasn't my fault" (which became his catchphrase). This facilitated a face turn for Kane and quickly established Snitsky as a full-time heel wrestler.

Snitsky, who had debuted against Kane as an apparent jobber, said years later that he was originally only supposed to make a one-night appearance, then return for OVW for more training before being called back up to the main roster on a full-time basis. The angle with Kane and Lita had gone over so well that WWE made a last-minute decision to promote him to the main roster full-time and flew him in to Raw on the company's corporate jet.[6]

He was then situated in a major feud with Kane, which led to a match at Taboo Tuesday. In this match, Snitsky used a steel chair and crushed Kane's larynx. WWE used this angle as an excuse for Kane's absence, when in reality he was going to film the WWE-produced movie See No Evil. This feud resumed at the New Year's Revolution pay-per-view, when Kane returned and defeated Snitsky.[7] On the January 31 edition of Raw, Snitsky lost a steel cage match to Kane to end the feud.

At Survivor Series, Snitsky had an encounter with a character similar to his own, Heidenreich, in which they both exchanged their views on each other – "I like .. your poetry."; "I .. like what you do.. to babies." — while breathing hard, both their trademark ways of talking. Snitsky was then in the main event as part of Team Triple H and facing Team Orton. During the match he was busted open by Maven before being disqualified for attacking him with a steel chair. At the 2005 Royal Rumble, the two met up again as Snitsky secretly partnered with Heidenreich, planning to interfere in Heidenreich's casket match with The Undertaker. It was later revealed that Kane was hidden in the casket, who pounced on both Snitsky and Heidenreich.[8] They continued their fight in the crowd, before letting the casket match continue. Later that night, Snitsky competed in the Royal Rumble match in which he eliminated Paul London, before being eliminated himself by Batista.

When his rivalry with Kane ended, Snitsky had a shot at the Intercontinental Championship, which then was held by Shelton Benjamin. Snitsky lost by disqualification after hitting Benjamin with a steel chair.[9]

He was absent from WWE television between April and May 2005 due to a blood clot in his stomach. He returned to action on May 28, and reappeared on Raw on May 30, where he began in earnest his televised feud with house show opponent Chris Benoit.[10] The feud concerned Benoit's appearance at ECW One Night Stand; Snitsky was a "hired gun" for Eric Bischoff's Raw volunteers, brought in to try to invade the pay-per-view and ruin the ECW reunion.[11]

Snitsky was then used by Edge and Lita to attack Kane and by Eric Bischoff as punishment to anybody that he did not like. On July 11 episode of Raw, Edge informed Snitsky that he knew about his female foot fetish and offered Snitsky to "have a go with Lita's feet" if he'd help him in a match against Kane.[12] His history with Lita was addressed when she thanked Snitsky for his actions nine months earlier, stating that she was better off for not having given birth to Kane's offspring and then gave him a kiss as payment.

On the July 18 episode of Raw, Snitsky faced WWE Champion John Cena in the Lumberjack match where Chris Jericho picked all heel lumberjacks to make the odds unfair for Cena.[13]

After a few weeks mainly wrestling on Heat, Snitsky formed a tag team with an initially reluctant Tyson Tomko. In their first team match together, they squashed the tag team of Viscera and Val Venis. The pair had some success as a tag team, becoming the number one contenders for the World Tag Team Championship at one point. They lost their shot at Big Show and Kane, both of whom Snitsky had feuded with in the past, and broke up in April 2006 when Tomko left WWE.

Following that, Snitsky turned face and formed a tag team with Goldust, defeating various teams of wrestlers on Heat, which eventually earned them an unsuccessful title shot against Spirit Squad. The team broke up when Goldust was released from WWE.[14]

Brand switches and departure (2007–2008)

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Snitsky in 2008

In 2007, Snitsky's character underwent a drastic overhaul and was now portrayed as a psychotic madman with a grotesque appearance. To this effect, all of the hair on Snitsky's head and face was shaved off (including his eyebrows), his teeth were colored a dark yellow, and several red marks were placed on his face. On the February 6, 2007, edition of ECW on Sci Fi, a vignette introduced the newly changed Snitsky to the viewers and announced him coming to ECW. Later during the same show, Snitsky debuted and assaulted the ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley.[15] This re-established him as a monstrous heel, similar to Kane's unmasked gimmick. Over the next several weeks, Snitsky would run into the ring after matches and attack various ECW superstars, including CM Punk,[16] Hardcore Holly,[17] Balls Mahoney,[18] and Matt Striker.[18]

On April 3, 2007, Snitsky faced Holly in a match, which he won. After the match, Snitsky wedged Holly's arm in between two steel steps and repeatedly hit the steps with a steel chair, in storyline, breaking Holly's arm.[19] Snitsky then began a short feud with Balls Mahoney.[20] Then, he would begin another short feud with Rob Van Dam. During this feud, Snitsky would suffer his first ECW loss when he was defeated by Van Dam by disqualification.[21]

On the June 11 edition of Raw, Snitsky was drafted from ECW back to Raw as part of the WWE Draft. Snitsky made his return to the brand on the July 9 edition of Raw, defeating Super Crazy.[22]

Snitsky continued to go undefeated on Raw throughout the summer, having pinfall victories over various wrestlers including Super Crazy, Val Venis, Rory McAllister,[23] and Robbie McAllister.[24]

On August 20, Snitsky competed in his first one-on-one main-event match since losing to John Cena on Raw in 2005, once again against Cena, which he lost via disqualification when Randy Orton interfered.[25] This was Snitsky's first loss since returning to the Raw brand. On the September 10 Raw, it was revealed that Snitsky was not Vince McMahon's illegitimate son. Snitsky returned on the October 8 Raw, defeating Val Venis, substituting for Santino Marella, who was feuding with Venis.[26] On December 3, Snitsky was pinned by Jeff Hardy in an Intercontinental Championship match, his first pinfall loss in the year.[27] Snitsky last appeared on WWE television on the November 24, 2008 Raw, losing an Intercontinental Championship tournament match to CM Punk.[28] On December 11, 2008, at his request, Snitsky was released from his WWE contract.[6]

One night return (2023)

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On November 6, 2023, Snitsky made a cameo appearance on Raw backstage with Chelsea Green saying his famous line "It Wasn't My Fault".[29][30]

Independent circuit and first retirement (2008–2018)

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After his release, Snitsky worked in the independent circuit, mainly in World Xtreme Wrestling, where he won the WXW C4 Ultimate Heavyweight Championship on April 20, 2012.[31] He vacated the title on November 3, 2012. On November 4, 2017, Snitsky won the Right Coast Pro Heavyweight Championship in Delaware-based promotion Right Coast Pro Wrestling. On May 19, 2018, he relinquished it due to injury.[32] On June 22, 2018, Snitsky announced that he plans to retire from professional wrestling after working a few more shows.[33]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2014)

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Snitsky, along with Rycklon, debuted for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on the June 25 taping of Impact Wrestling (which aired on July 24) as a heel, attacking Tommy Dreamer, Bully Ray and Devon, ostensibly aligning with Dixie Carter.[34]

Snitsky and Rycklon were fired by Carter on the August 7, 2014, edition of Impact Wrestling. Earlier on the show they were in an Eight-Man Hardcore War as Team Dixie (EC3, Rhino, Rycklon and Snitsky) lost to Team Bully (Bully Ray, Devon, Tommy Dreamer and Al Snow).[35][36]

Major League Wrestling (2023–present)

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On May 24, 2023, it was announced by Major League Wrestling that Snitsky would be making his return to professional wrestling on July 8 at Never Say Never.[37] He won his debut match by defeating Yoscifer El in a singles match.[38] On September 3, 2023 at Fury Road, he faced off against Alex Kane, but in a losing effort.[39]

Other media

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In 2009, Gene Snitsky appeared as a biker in the music video for the song "Free Your Soul" by Vyrus.[40] He also appeared as an actor in the role of a biker and a criminal on ABC's Primetime: What Would You Do?, in February 2011. He has appeared in other episodes, including one where he played a person harassing a little person. In 2013, he was announced to play a role in the first episode of a non-profit Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fan series titled MMPR which never materialized.[41]

Snitsky became a pitchman for Tristar Products' Power Pressure Cooker XL and has shot a series of videos for YouTube where he demonstrates how to prepare various foods in the pressure cooker. Two examples of these are a low country boil and buffalo wings.[42]

Snitsky starred in the 2019 horror film 100 Acres of Hell as Buck Severs.[43]

Personal life

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Snitsky lives with his wife Carolyn in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, where they often spend time outdoors.[44] He has a father who served in the Air Force and a brother who served in the Army. After his release from WWE, Snitsky began running an Army surplus store in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, where he also spends time riding bike trails.[4]

Snitsky has a fetish for women's feet, something he is open about.[45]

Filmography

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Film
Year Film Role Notes
2003 The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Russian Terrorist Also stuntman
2013 Bikini Girls vs. The Surf Wolf Carny Jack
2015 The Tour: Blunder Down Under Himself
2019 100 Acres of Hell Buck Severs Also writer, co-producer and stunt coordinator
2023 The Beast Comes at Midnight Mr. Leavitt
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 What Would You Do? Bully/Wanted Man Episodes: "How Would You Do It?", and "Wanted Man"
2015 The Adventures of Turkey Dude Turkey Dude Mini-series

Video games

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Snitsky has also made several appearances in WWE video games, including WWE Day of Reckoning 2, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2006, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2007, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009.[46]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Gene Snitsky Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Milner, John; Oliver, Greg (September 30, 2010). "Gene Snitsky". Canoe.ca. Quebecor Media. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 281. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  4. ^ a b "WWE's Snitsky: "Where Are They Now?" Interview". YouTube. April 9, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "WXW Hall of Fame". World Xtreme Wrestling. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Where Are They Now?: Snitsky Archived February 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Bobby Melok, WWE.com (January 22, 2014)
  7. ^ "New Year's Revolution 2005 Results". WWE. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  8. ^ "Royal Rumble 2005 Results". OWOW (Online World of Wrestling). January 30, 2005. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  9. ^ WWE Network - Raw, retrieved November 15, 2021
  10. ^ "A Barabaric Batista". WWE. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  11. ^ "One Night Stand Results". WWE. June 12, 2005. Archived from the original on February 21, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  12. ^ "HBK challenges Hogan for SummerSlam". WWE. Archived from the original on November 5, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  13. ^ "Cena overcomes the odds". WWE. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  14. ^ "Goldust released". Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
  15. ^ Louie Dee (February 6, 2007). "Making trouble". WWE. Archived from the original on November 28, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  16. ^ Craig Tello (February 13, 2007). "Well-bred". WWE. Archived from the original on November 28, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  17. ^ Craig Tello (March 6, 2007). "Rattlesnake's venomous visit". WWE. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  18. ^ a b Craig Tello (February 27, 2007). "To hell and back". WWE. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  19. ^ Craig Tello (April 3, 2007). "Fatal fallout". WWE. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  20. ^ Bryan Robinson (April 24, 2007). "Making painful statements". WWE. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  21. ^ Bryan Robinson (May 15, 2007). "Focused on Judgment". WWE. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  22. ^ Lennie DiFino (July 9, 2007). "Bulldozed in the Bayou". WWE. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  23. ^ Corey Clayton (August 6, 2007). "Checkmate". WWE. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  24. ^ Greg Adkins (August 13, 2007). "Rhodes keeps on rolling". WWE. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
  25. ^ Corey Clayton (August 20, 2007). "Royally wrong". WWE. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
  26. ^ Greg Adkins (October 8, 2007). "In a Snit". WWE. Retrieved January 2, 2008.
  27. ^ Greg Adkins (December 3, 2007). "Pioneer Pin". WWE. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  28. ^ "WWE Monday Night RAW 11 24 08". OWOW (Online World of Wrestling). November 24, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  29. ^ "Gene Snitsky Returns to WWE on RAW - Sort of". November 7, 2023.
  30. ^ "Gene Snitsky makes surprise return to WWE, sparks excitement among fans". The Times of India. November 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "RCP Heavyweight Championship". RCP.com. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  33. ^ Wilen, Jerome (June 23, 2018). "Former WWE Superstar Gene Snitsky announces his retirement from wrestling". WrestleView.com. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  34. ^ pwinsider.com, June 25, 2014.
  35. ^ "TNA IMPACT WRESTLING RESULTS - 8/7/14 (#ITHAPPENS WITH DIXIE)". wrestleview.com. August 7, 2014. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  36. ^ Howell, Nolan. "Impact: Bully Ray tables Dixie Carter". slam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^ "Former WWE Star Set To Return To Another Company". wrestletalk.com. May 24, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  38. ^ "Snisky promises pain July 8". Major League Wrestling. May 23, 2023. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  39. ^ "Snisky fights Sept 3 in Philly". Major League Wrestling. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  40. ^ "Gene Snitsky Appears in a New Music Video For Vyrus". wrestlezone.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  41. ^ "Gene Snitsky in the New Power Rangers Film?" Archived February 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, ringsidenews.com; accessed April 24, 2015.
  42. ^ Profile, wrestlecrap.com; accessed April 24, 2015.
  43. ^ Keith, Scott (June 27, 2016). "WWE's Gene Snitsky Stars in "100 Acres Of Hell". Scott's Blog of Doom!. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  44. ^ Black, Matt (May 16, 2023). "Gene Snitsky: Punting A Baby Doll On WWE RAW Was 'Another Day At The Office'". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  45. ^ "Eugene Reveals Snitsky's Foot Fetish Gimmick Was Real". September 29, 2021.
  46. ^ "Snitsky (Character)".
  47. ^ "Athletik Club Wrestling profile" (in German). Athletik Club Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  48. ^ "Archived copy". Facebook. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  49. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2005". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  50. ^ "RCP Pro Wrestling". Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  51. ^ a b "World Xtreme Wrestling Title Histories". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
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