Cezar Bononi[4] (born 15 June 1986) is a Brazilian professional wrestler, actor and Fitness coach. He is also known for his time in WWE NXT and AEW Dark.
| Cezar Bononi | |
|---|---|
 Bononi in April 2018 | |
| Born | 15 June 1986 São Paulo, Brazil[1] |
| 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 | 259 lb (117 kg)[1] |
| Billed from | São Paulo, Brazil[1] |
| Trained by | Bob Junior[2][3] WWE Performance Center |
| Debut | 2012[2] |
Early life
editPrior 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
editBononi 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 (2016-2020)
editIn October 2015, Bononi was announced as part of a class of 19 WWE recruits to begin training at the WWE Performance Center.[4] He made his television debut on 10 May 2017 episode of NXT, losing to Aleister Black.[5] Bononi had his first televised victory on 31 May episode of NXT, defeating Andrade "Cien" Almas. Bononi was named "Future Star of NXT" at the 2017 NXT Year-End Awards.[6] On 17 April 2020, it was announced that he was released from his WWE contract.[7]
All Elite Wrestling (2020-2023)
editOn 24 June 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 29 September 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 sporadically on Dark in losing efforts. On 26 January 2021 episode of Dark, Bononi would align himself with Peter Avalon. Bononi had his first win in AEW on 3 February episode of Dark, teaming with Avalon to defeat Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean. Bononi made his first in-ring appearance on 4 February episode of Dynamite, teaming with Avalon in a loss to the team of Lee Johnson and Cody Rhodes. At Revolution, Bononi and Avalon took part in the Tag Team Casino Battle Royale in a losing effort. After the end of AEW Dark in May, Bononi had his contract terminated with AEW.
Evolve (2018)
editDue to WWE's business relationship with EVOLVE Wrestling, several NXT wrestlers were allowed to participate in an independent show produced by Evolve.[8] On October 28 at EVOLVE 114, Bononi debuted as the corner man to his tag partner Adrian Jaoude in his match defeating independent wrestler Joe Gacy.
Independent Circuit (2021-present)
editBononi mostly worked in Independent Circuit under the ring name V8 Big Block.[9] He held BWF Rei Do Ringue Championship for Brazilian Wrestling Federation.[10] Later in 2023, Bononi joined Boca Raton Championship Wrestling. He defeated Ozzy Kilmeister in NWA/BRCW Boca Versus The World event.[11][12]
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Championship and accomplishments
edit- Brazilian Wrestling Federation
- BWF Rei Do Ringue Championship (1 time)[2]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- WWE
- NXT Year-End Award (1 time)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Cezar Bononi". WWE. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Cezar Bononi". Cagematch.
- ^ "Cezar Bononi". WrestlingData. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- ^ a b c ‘Tough Enough’ competitors part of solid class of new recruits at WWE Performance Center
- ^ WWE NXT results: Itami battles Strong in a physical main event
- ^ WWE NXT Results – 5/31/17 (Ciampa addresses Gargano, Tag Match)
- ^ Johnson, Mike (17 April 2020). "WWE RELEASES CONTINUE (UPDATED)". PW Insider. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Surprise Title Changes as NXT Stars hit EVOLVE 114". STEELCHAIR Wrestling Magazine | Covering WWE, AEW, NJPW, ROH, IMPACT and more. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "10 Former AEW Wrestlers Who Disappeared Into Oblivion, Nov. 3, 2023". TheSportster. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
- ^ "Cezar Bononi - TheSportsDB.com". www.thesportsdb.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "NWA x BRCW Results: Boca Versus The World – Boca Raton, FL (7/19)". www.wrestling-news.net. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Cezar Bononi Matches". CageMatch.net. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2019 - the Internet Wrestling Database".
- ^ Daily Update: NXT year-end awards, TakeOver, Impact ratings
External links
edit- Cezar Bononi's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database