A-1 (wrestler)
| A-1 | |
|---|---|
 A-1 (right) with valet Jade Chung after capturing the BCW Can-Am Heavyweight Championship on December 12, 2004. | |
| Birth name | Alastair Charles Ralphs |
| Born |
May 22, 1977 Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada |
| Residence | Dunnville, Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
A-1 A1 A-One Alastair Ralphs Alistair Ralphs Allistar Ralphs Buddy Austin |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] |
| Billed weight | 257 lb (117 kg)[1] |
| Billed from | Niagara Falls, Ontario |
| Trained by | Scott D'Amore |
| Debut | 2001[1] |
Alastair Charles Ralphs (born May 22, 1977) is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder, better known by his ring name, A-1 (alternatively spelled A1 or A-One). He is best known for his appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2004 to 2007 as part of Team Canada.
Early life
Ralphs was born in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, and relocated to Dunnville, Ontario at the age of five. He later moved to Windsor, Ontario to attend the University of Windsor, but was forced to drop out due to financial issues.he bought a stripclub called studio 4 and became a male escort
Professional wrestling career
Border City Wrestling (2001–2005)
Alastair Ralphs was trained by Scott D'Amore in the Can-Am Wrestling School, and debuted in D'Amore's Border City Wrestling promotion in 2001. After spending three years as an undercard talent, Ralphs became A-1, a cocky, arrogant heel, forming an alliance with Johnny Swinger. He defeated D'Lo Brown for the BCW Heavyweight Championship on December 12, 2004, in Belleville, Michigan at "A Night of Appreciation for Sabu".
On January 23, 2005, at New Year's Revolution, Ralphs interrupted the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, complaining that he was being overshadowed by older wrestlers. Scott D'Amore responded with a jibe aimed at Ralph's previous career as a bodybuilder, leading to a brawl between Ralphs and D'Amore. Following a distraction from Jade, A-1 was able to powerbomb D'Amore through a table. Ralphs went on to retain the heavyweight title in a match with Abyss, using Abyss's own chain to knock him unconscious.
Ralphs lost the BCW Heavyweight Championship to Bobby Roode on July 22, 2005. In the course of his reign as champion he faced well-known veterans such as Jim Neidhart and King Kong Bundy.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004–2007)
On July 16, 2004, Ralphs appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, losing to Sabu. He reappeared on March 13, 2005 as a member of Team Canada, replacing the injured Johnny Devine at Destination X 2005 and teaming with Bobby Roode, Eric Young and Petey Williams to face Chris Harris, James Storm, B.G. James and Konnan. He wrestled on TNA Impact! throughout April and May 2005, teaming with other members of Team Canada or accompanying them to the ring. At Hard Justice on May 15, Ralphs took part in the Gauntlet for the Gold. He entered at number six and was eliminated by The Outlaw and B.G. James. On the May 11, 2006, episode of TNA Impact!, Larry Zbyszko asked Team Canada coach Scott D'Amore for assistance in his feud with Raven. D'Amore eventually agreed to help Zbyszko rid TNA of Raven, and nominated A-1 to face Raven in a match at TNA Sacrifice 2006 in May 2006, a match that A-1 lost. On the June 29, 2006, episode of Impact!, TNA Management Director Jim Cornette disbanded Team Canada.
A-1 soon began wrestling sporadically, facing Ron Killings in the pre-show of the Hard Justice pay-per-view and against Eric Young at the No Surrender pay-per-view, losing both times. He also took part in the Kevin Nash Open Invitational X-Division Gauntlet Battle Royal at Bound For Glory, despite not being a part of the X-Division. He was eliminated by both Maverick Matt and Kazarian.
A-1 was released by TNA in February 2007.
Independent circuit (2007–present)
Since leaving TNA, A-1 has wrestled on the independent circuit in Canada and the United States.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Pumphandle powerbomb
- Royal Flush (Arm trap hangman's neckbreaker)
- Signature moves
- Managers