Joey Matthews

Adam Birch, better known as Joey Matthews, is an American professional wrestler, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment as Joey Mercury, part of the SmackDown! roster.

Profile

• Height: 5'10" (177.8 cm)
• Weight: 210lbs (95.3 kg)
• Birthday: July 18, 1979
• Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
• Trained By: Jimmy Cicero
• Professional Debut: June 12, 1996
• Previous Identities: Joey Matthews, Joey Mercury
• Previous Manager(s): Melina, Alexis Laree, Luxurious Lynne, Candie

Finishing/Signature Moves

• Virginia Necktie (Hangman's Neckbreaker)
• Super Frankensteiner

With Christian York

• Future Shock (Double Powerbomb)
• Full Effect (Double Facebreaker)
• Rebel Yell (Super Frankensteiner / Diving Elbow Drop)
• Double Enzuiguri

With Johnny Nitro

• Snapshot (Flapjack DDT)

Career

Joey Matthews's career began in earnest with the now defunct promotion Maryland Championship Wrestling, where he held a variety of titles. He was also part of OMEGA Wrestling, a high-flying promotion run by Matt and Jeff Hardy. His first national exposure came after he left OMEGA and formed a tag team, the Badstreet Boys, with fellow OMEGA alumni Christian York. The Badstreet Boys wrestled in multiple promotions before joining Extreme Championship Wrestling in late 2000. The bankruptcy of ECW in 2001 forced them to return to the independent circuit.

The Badstreet Boys eventually split, and Matthews had a moderately successful singles career before he was signed to a developmental deal by WWE. Matthews formed a tag team with Johnny Nitro, and the duo formed a stable with their manager Melina. The stable – "MNM" – took its name from their respective surnames (Matthews was renamed Joey Mercury). MNM became cocky, egotistical heels.

On April 14, 2005 MNM debuted on Smackdown!, attacking Rey Mysterio. On April 21, 2005 Matthews, along with Nitro, defeated Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Personal Life

Matthews is married to wrestler Alexis Laree.

Championships/Accomplishments

World Wrestling Entertainment

• 1-time WWE Tag Team Champion (with Johnny Nitro)

Ohio Valley Wrestling

• 1-time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion (with Johnny Nitro) (November 13, 2004 – January 19, 2005)

National Wrestling Alliance

• 1-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (with Christian York) (February 3, 2001 – February 17, 2001)
• 1-time NWA 2000 Light Heavyweight Champion (September 6, 1997 – January 3, 1998)

Pro Pain Pro Wrestling

• 1-time 3PW Heavyweight Champion (April 17, 2004 – August 21, 2004)

Maryland Championship Wrestling

• 1-time MCW Rage Television Champion (January 29, 2003 – May 15, 2003)
• 1-time MCW Cruiserweight Champion (May 21, 1999 – June 17, 1999)
• 2-time MCW Tag Team Champion (with Christian York) (May 17, 2000 – August 2, 2000, November 3, 2001 – May 22, 2002)
• 2001 Shane Shamrock Cup

Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance

• 2-time IPWA Light Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time IPWA Tag Team Champion (with Mark Shrader)

Organized Modern Extreme Grappling Arts

• 2-time OMEGA Light Heavyweight Champion

Atlantic Terror Championship Wrestling

• 1-time ATCW Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)

American Wrestling Council

• 1-time AWC Light Heavyweight Champion

Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation

• 1-time MEWF Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)

Southern Championship Wrestling

• 3-time Southern Championship Wrestling Junior Heavyweight Champion

Steel City Wrestling

• 1-time Steel City Wrestling Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)
• 1-time UCW Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time Five Star Light Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time VCW Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)
• 1-time PCW Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)
• 1-time DCW Tag Team Champion (with Christian York)

External Links

• WWE Profile