Zema Ion

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Zema Ion
File:Zema Ion.jpg
Zema Ion in 2012
Birth name Michael Paris
Born (1986-10-05) October 5, 1986 (age 37)[1]
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines[1]
Residence Chicago, Illinois, United States
Alma mater West Virginia University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) DJZ[2]
DJ Zema[3]
Michael Montecarlo[1]
Shiima Xion[4]
Zema Ion[2]
Billed height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2][1]
Billed weight 170 lb (77 kg)[2]
Billed from Manila, Philippines[1]
Ibiza[2]
Trained by Super Hentai[1]
Shirley Doe[1]
Taz El Ferroz[4]
Discovery
Debut 2004[1]

Michael Paris[1] (born October 5, 1986) is a Filipino professional wrestler, best known by his former ring name Zema Ion.[1] He is signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name DJZ, where he is a one time X Division Champion.[2]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2003–2004)

In 2003, Paris began training to become a professional wrestler at the Coalition of Competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under trainers Super Hentai, Shirley Doe, and Glenn Spectre.[1] He trained there for 14 months before debuting as Shiima Xion, the "first Filipino male model of wrestling" on August 21, 2004, against Jason Gory in Wheeling, West Virginia for Black Diamond Wrestling.[1] Shiima Xion competed throughout West Virginia and Ohio in late 2004, since he was not old enough to compete in the state of Pennsylvania. Shortly after turning 18, however, Xion began competing regularly for the International Wrestling Cartel, as well as making appearances in Chikara, Far North Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Unplugged.[1][5]

By early 2006, the Shiima Xion character had become more of a glam rock star than a male model, as Xion began wearing make-up to the ring, and had also changed his hair color from black to red/blonde.[1] His bizarre hair style soon became his trademark, with Shiima becoming best known for hairspraying his hair during matches.[1][5] The androgynous character eventually caught the attention of Japanese wrestling promoter Sanshiro Takagi, who invited 19-year-old Shiima to tour Japan with his company, Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) in the summer of 2006.[1] Shiima Xion was featured in the Introducing... article in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's The Wrestler, volume 19, 2007.[1] The magazine was released on newsstands nationwide on December 4, 2007, with a two-page article spread on Shiima.[5]

International Wrestling Cartel

Feuding and teaming with Jason Gory (2004–2008)

Shiima Xion made his IWC debut on November 6, 2004 in Munhall, Pennsylvania.[1] Shiima lost to Jason Gory, who was also making his IWC debut that night.[1] The two feuded into 2005, culminating at IWC No Excuses on July 29, 2005, where Gory came out victorious.[1] Next month, Shiima would receive a shot at Shirley Doe's IWC World Heavyweight Championship and lost. For the next few months he would team with Chris Maverick as the International Males which ended with an IWC Tag Team Champions, Gambino Brothers Moving Company, and lost. Shiima would once again come across Gory at IWC Super Indy V on April 15, 2006, in which Shiima defeated Gory with the Filipino Destroyer. Post-match saw the two shake hands for the first time in their near two-year-long rivalry and eventually led to them forming a tag team known as Team Catfish and eventually Babyface Fire (BFF).[1][5]

BFF teamed for the first time on July 7, 2006, and were defeated by Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. The team is best known for their scramble matches with the Gambino Brothers, Sexual Harassment, and the Cleveland Mafia. The second of these scrambles, which took place on December 9, 2006, saw BFF capture their first IWC Tag Team Championship.[1] Xion and Gory held onto the belts until March 2007, in which The Gambino Brothers challenged the champions, despite both BFF members already competing in singles action earlier in the night.[1] The challenge was accepted, and Xion was pinned by Marshall Gambino after interference from Jimmy Demarco.[1] After losing the titles, Shiima reached the final of the Super Indy VI Tournament but was defeated by Larry Sweeney. Later that year, after a violent feud with the Gambinos, BFF won their second IWC Tag Team Championship on December 8, 2007.[1] They would hold onto the tag titles twice as long as their first reign, until Sexual Harassment defeated BFF for the belts in June 2008.[1] They also lost their rematch in a huge TLC match in August 2008.[5]

Singles championship pursuits (2008–2011)

In September 2008, Xion defeated Marshall Gambino to qualify for another tournament, for the vacant IWC World Heavyweight Championship.[1] Xion defeated Justin Idol, John McChesney, and Raymond Rowe to advance to the finals, where he defeated Jimmy DeMarco with a 630 splash to win the tournament and the title on October 26, 2008.[1][5] After only one successful defence, Shiima lost the IWC World Heavyweight Championship to Raymond Rowe.[6] On March 7, defeated Rowe in a no disqualification match for the World Heavyweight Championship.[6] Their feud would culminate on March 28, where Shiima once again defeated him.[6] Shiima's reign was littered with DQ finishes, usually Shiima getting himself disqualified.[6] On December 12, Jimmy DeMarco defeated Shiima for the World Heavyweight Championship.[6] On January 30, 2010, the two went up against each other in an extreme rules match with Shane Douglas as the special referee which DeMarco won.[6]

On his way to the Super Indy IX Final, Xion defeated Ricky Reyes, Frightmare and Lince Dorado. On May 8, in the final, he defeated both Azrieal and Johnny Gargano to win the tournament and the IWC Super Indy Championship.[6] On August 21, he defended the title in a steel cage against Super Hentai and the two would face off once again in January 2011 where Shiima lost the title.[6] 2011 would prove to be an annoying year for Shiima as he had multiple title shots including several IWC World Heavyweight Championship shots and one IWC Super Indy Championship shot.[6] Shiima would leave IWC to focus on other promotions, namely Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. However, he has returned under his TNA name Zema Ion for sporadic appearances.[6] On October 19, 2013, as Shiima Xion returned to IWC at Retro reunion, defeating Facade for the Super Indy Championship.

Mexican promotions (2008–2012)

Shiima Xion made his Desastre Total Ultraviolento debut on May 3, 2008, in Mexico City, Mexico in a tag match with Joe Lider against El Generico and Crazy Boy. Xion lost the match after a top rope brainbuster from El Generico. Xion returned to DTU on July 11, 2009 in Tulancingo, Mexico in a three-way light tube deathmatch with Crazy Boy and Extreme Tiger. Xion lost after a Swanton Bomb from Extreme Tiger. Xion also competed in DTU`s "Fashion" event on July 26, 2009, in Mexico City, where Xion challenged for the DTU championship in a 3-way match with Aero Boy and Ragde. Aero Boy became the new DTU champion after pinning Xion. Shiima joined the AAA roster in mid-2009, debuting on a Cuautitlan, Mexico TV taping in a six-man tag that featured Xion, Teddy Hart and Electroshock going against La Parka, Jack Evans and Extreme Tiger. Xion was pinned following a double stomp from Tiger. Xion also wrestled for International Wrestling Revolution Group, Lucha POP and X-Project.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Various feuds (2011–2012)

On June 23, 2011, Paris made an appearance on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact Wrestling television show, working under the ring name Zema Ion, defeating Dakota Darsow and Federico Palacios in a three–way X Division match to advance to the tournament finals at Destination X, where a contract with the promotion would be at stake.[7] At the pay-per-view, Ion competed in a four-way match against Jack Evans, Low Ki and the eventual winner of the match, Austin Aries.[8] On July 24 it was reported that Paris had signed a contract with TNA.[9] Zema Ion made his return to TNA on the August 11 edition of Impact Wrestling, appearing in a backstage segment, where Eric Bischoff introduced new rules to the X Division.[10] The following week, Ion took part in a gauntlet match to determine the X Division rankings. After eliminating Mark Haskins from the match, Ion was himself eliminated by Jesse Sorensen, placing him fifth in the rankings.[11] Ion returned on the September 28 episode of Impact Wrestling, working in a five-man ladder match, which was won by Brian Kendrick.[12] On the December 15 edition of Impact Wrestling, Ion started Best of Three Series with Anthony Nese to determine the third and final challenger for the X Division Championship at Genesis. Ion, now wrestling as a heel, won the first match of the series.[13] Two weeks later, Ion defeated Nese in a Contract on a Pole match to win the series 2-1 and advance to the pay-per-view.[14] On January 8, 2012, at Genesis, Ion was the second man eliminated from the X Division Championship match, which also included Austin Aries, Jesse Sorensen and Kid Kash. Ion then helped Aries defeat Sorensen and retain his title.[15] On February 12 at Against All Odds, Ion defeated Sorensen in an X Division number one contender's match, after Sorensen was unable to continue after suffering a legitimate injury and was counted out.[16] Ion received his shot at the X Division Championship on the March 8 edition of Impact Wrestling, winning the match via disqualification, after champion Austin Aries was caught using Ion's hair spray on him; as a result, Aries retained his title.[17] Ion received another title shot on March 18 at Victory Road, but was defeated by Aries via submission.[18] On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, Ion failed again to capture the X Division Championship after he fought Aries, Kid Kash and Anthony Neese to a no contest, following interference from Bully Ray.[19] Ion received another shot at the X Division Championship on the May 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, but was again defeated by Aries.[20] On the June 14 episode of Impact Wrestling, Ion competed in his first Ultimate X match, where he and Chris Sabin unsuccessfully challenged Aries for the X Division Championship.[21]

X Division Champion (2012–2013)

On July 8 at Destination X, Ion entered a tournament to determine the new X Division Champion, defeating Flip Cassanova in his first round match.[22] Later that same event, Ion defeated Kenny King, Mason Andrews and Sonjay Dutt in an Ultimate X match to become the new X Division Champion and the first Filipino to win a championship in TNA.[22] Ion made his first successful title defense on the July 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Kenny King after an interference from Bobby Roode.[23] The following week, Ion and Roode were defeated in a tag team match by King and Aries, with King pinning Ion for the win.[24] On August 12 at Hardcore Justice, Ion defeated King to retain the X Division Championship.[25] On September 9 at No Surrender, Ion made another successful title defense, this time against Sonjay Dutt.[26] Four days later on Impact Wrestling, Ion defeated Dutt in a rematch to once again retain the X Division Championship.[27] On the October 4 episode of Impact Wrestling, Ion defended the X Division Championship against Douglas Williams, making him submit with a modified armbar (now known as Submission Impossible), however, after refusing to release the hold, the referee reversed the decision and disqualified Ion, but as the title cannot change hands on a disqualification, Ion retained the title.[28] On October 14 at Bound for Glory, Ion lost the X Division Championship to Rob Van Dam, ending his reign at 98 days.[29] Ion received his rematch for the title on the October 25 episode of Impact Wrestling, but was again defeated by Van Dam.[30] On the February 7, 2013, episode of Impact Wrestling, Ion unsuccessfully challenged Van Dam for the X Division Championship in a three-way match, also involving Kenny King.[31] Ion received another shot at the X Division Championship on March 10 at Lockdown, but was defeated by defending champion Kenny King in a three-way match, which also included Christian York.[32] On the March 21 episode of Impact Wrestling, Ion failed again to capture the X Division Championship from King in a three-way match, also involving Sonjay Dutt.[33] Ion received one more shot at the X Division Championship on the April 18 episode of Impact Wrestling, but was pinned by Kenny King in a three-way match, which also included Petey Williams and removed Ion from the title contention.[34]

The BroMans (2013–2015)

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Main article: The BroMans
File:DJ Z April 2014.jpg
When Ion aligned himself with The BroMans, he changed his name and gimmick to DJZ.

After several months out injured, he returned to Impact on a regular basis and on the November 28 edition of Impact, Zema joined The BroMans as their personal DJ. Ion won the Feast or Fired TNA X Division Championship briefcase. On January 30, 2014 (Airing in February 6, 2014), unsuccessfully cashed in his briefcase against TNA X Division Champion, Austin Aries. This made him the first person to unsuccessfully cash in the X Division Feast or Fired briefcase. As of February 2014, his ring name changed to DJZ. On February 23, 2014 The Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards) defeated The BroMans (Jessie Godderz and Robbie E) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship only to lose them the following week to The Bromans during the TNA/Wrestle-1 Kaisen: Outbreak supershow event on March 2. Since then, the Wolves have had numerous rematches for the titles on Impact Wrestling, with the BroMans either using excuses to avoid defending the belts, having the third member of the team DJZ fill in for defenses, or by getting blatantly disqualified. At the PPV, all three BroMans will defend the championships against the Wolves in a three-on-two handicap match. On May 29, 2014, TNA announced on their website that Texas wrestling legend Kevin Von Erich would accompany his two sons Marshall and Ross for their first ever nationally televised match at the pay-per-view. At the Slammiversary XII The BroMans fought the Von Erichs and lost via disqualification when Jessie Godderz attacked Ross and Marshal with a steel chair however Kevin ran into the ring and made the save.

Face turn & Singles competition (2015–present)

On the April 17, 2015 episode of Impact Wrestling, after losing a tag team match to the Dirty Heels, the BroMans ended when Godderz attacked Robbie E. On the May 29 episode of Impact Wrestling, DJZ officially started his singles run as a face, challenging for the X Division Championship in a losing effort. On June 10, Zema competed in an TNA X-Division Title Tournament along with Tigre Uno and Mandrews which the match was won by Tigre Uno. After the match Zema was viciously attacked by Jessie Godderz with that setting up a match the next week which Zema failed to win. During October and November (taped in July), he competed in the first ever TNA World Title Series he ended of his first block by defeating Mandrews, and Tigre Uno (with the only exception of Manik). However he finally gained 6 points in pinning Manik in the following weeks also involving Uno to advance in the round of 16 where he was defeated by Ethan Carter III in the first round. failing to advance to the quarterfinals and being eliminated from the tournament.

Personal life

Paris went to high school at Oak Glen High School in New Cumberland, West Virginia. Paris is a journalism major at West Virginia University.[5] He is a Filipino. His father met his mother when she was a mail order bride.[5] Paris was featured in the documentary Slammed: Inside Indie Wrestling. In May 2013, he started a GiveForward campaign to raise money to help pay to remove a growth in his bladder.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • Absolute Intense Wrestling
  • AIW Absolute Championship (1 time)[43]
  • AIW Intense Championship (1 time)
  • AIW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shawn Blaze[5]
  • Battle Bowl (2011)[43]
  • Todd Pettengill Invitational (2011)[43]
  • Triple Crown Champion[44]
  • Championship Wrestling Experience
  • CWE Undisputed Championship (1 time)[5]
  • Takechi Six Man Tag Scramble Cup (2006) – with Kudo and Mikami[45]
  • Far North Wrestling
  • FNW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)[5]
  • Independent Wrestling Association East Coast
  • IWA East Coast Zero-G Crown (2008)[5]
  • International Wrestling Cartel
  • IWC Super Indy Championship (2 times)[46]
  • IWC Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jason Gory[47]
  • IWC World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[48]
  • IWC Super Indy IX Tournament (2010)[49]
  • International Pro Wrestling
  • IPW Texas Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[5]
  • New Era Pro Wrestling
  • NEPW United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jason Gory[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=2172&view=&page=4&gimmick=&year=&promotion=40&region=&location=&arena=&showtype=&worker=&text=
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 35.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ https://twitter.com/aiwrestling/status/335580850290847744
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=280
  47. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=279
  48. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=277
  49. ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=1646
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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