Matthew Bloom

Matthew Jason Bloom, better known as Albert, A-Train, or Giant Bernard (born on November 14, 1972 in Peabody, Massachusetts) is a professional wrestler who previously performed for World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW and Smackdown brands.

Profile

• Height: 6'7"
• Weight: 380 lb
• Birthday: November 14th 1974
• Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
• Trained by: Killer Kowalski
• Professional Debut: 1997
• Previous Identities: Giant Bernard, A-Train, Prince Albert, Baldo, Albert, "Hip Hop Hippo", Baldo Train, Train
• Finishing/Signature Moves: Derailer (previously known as Baldo Bomb), Train Wreck, Bicycle Kick, Catapult

Career

Bloom portrayed several characters throughout his career since making his debut in 1997. This included a few runs in Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis as Baldo and in the then-WWF as the bizarre Prince Albert. The piercing-themed "Prince Albert" gimmick complemented tag team partner Darren Drozdov's tattoo-artist gimmick. In 2000, he was repackaged as "Albert, the wrestler formerly known as Prince".

The Albert character was in a tag team with Test. T & A (Test and Albert) fell under the tutelage of the vivacious Trish Stratus. His career highlights include being a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Before Backlash 2001 in Chicago, Illinois, Bloom joined forces with X-Pac and Justin Credible, forming the team X-Factor.

In late 2002, Bloom was given a new ring name: A-Train by then GM of Smackdown!, Paul Heyman. He was picked to join 'Team Lesnar' who would face off against 'Team Angle' in a Ten Man Elimination Tag match at Survivor Series 2003. Along with his teammates Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Matt Morgan and Nathan Jones.

On November 1, 2004, Bloom was released from the WWE. Bloom was not being used in any meaningful storylines and had been injured for a while with a torn rotator cuff. Billy Gunn and Test were released along with Bloom as well.

In 2005, Bloom appeared on an All Japan Pro Wrestling card, running in to aid two other former WWE wrestlers, Johnny Stamboli and Chuck Palumbo. News website Puroresu Power has stated that Bloom will use the name Giant Bernard, a takeoff on an older performer using the name Brute Bernard.

Titles held

• 1-Time WWF Intercontinental Champion
• 1-Time PPW Heavyweight Champion (first-ever)
• 1-Time PPW Young Guns Champion
• 1-Time IZW Heavyweight Champion