Joey Mercury

Real name: Adam Birch
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 191 lbs.
Date of birth: July 18, 1979
Hometown: Fairfax, VA
Pro debut: October 12, 1996
Trained by: Jimmy Cicero
Finishing move: Snap Shot

Biography

– Matthews and Christian York won a three way dance on October 23, 1997 to win the MEWF (Mid-Eastern Wrestling Federation) Tag Team title.
– On November 22, 1997, Matthews defeated The Intruder for the vacant SCW (Southern Championship Wrestling) vacant Junior Heavyweight title.
– On May 1, 1998, Matthews defeated Kid Dynamo in Sanford, NC for the OMEGA (Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts) Light Heavyweight title.
– Matthews beat York to regain the SCW Junior Heavyweight title in Wendell, NC on May 8, 1998.
– On December 20, 1998, Matthews and York defeated the Blue Meanie and Julio Sanchez for the SCW (Steel City Wrestling) Tag Team title.
– Matthews defeated York on January 9, 1999 in Chincoteague Island, VA for the IPWA (Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance) Light Heavyweight title.
– On January 29, 1999, Matthews downed York to regain the OMEGA Light Heavyweight title in Wendell, NC.
– On May 21, 1999, Matthews defeated York in Wheaton, MD for the MCW (Maryland Championship Wrestling) Cruiserweight title.
– Matthews and York were recognized as the first Tag Team champions for Atlantic Terror Championship Wrestling (ACTW) on January 15, 2000.
– Matthews and York defeated Earl the Pearl and Rich Myers on May 17, 2000 for the MCW Tag Team title.
– On February 3, 2001, Matthews and York defeated Rick Michaels and David Young in Nashville, TN for the NWA World Tag Team title.
– Matthews and York again defeated Earl the Pearl and Myers on November 3, 2001 in Paw Paw, WV to regain the MCW Tag Team title.
– On December 1, 2001, Matthews and York defeated Ray Storm and Mark Anthony for the VCW (Virginia Championship Wrestling) Tag Team title.
– Matthews beat Romeo Valentino on January 29, 2003 in Glen Burnie, MD for the MCW Rage Television title.
– Later in 2003, Matthews joined Ohio Valley Wrestling despite no being signed to a WWE developmental deal.
– On February 21, 2004 in Philadelphia, PA, Matthews defeated Jerry Lynn and Sabu in a “three way” match.
– On April 17, 2004 in Philadelphia, Matthews pinned Raven to capture the 3PW title.
– In February 2005, Matthews signed a WWE developmental deal.
– On the April 14, 2005 episode of “Smackdown,” Mercury (Matthews), Johnny Nitro and Melina debuted during Carlito Caribbean Cool’s new interview segment.
– Mercury and Nitro defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. and Eddy Guerrero for the WWE Tag Team title at the April 18, 2005 “Smackdown” tapings in New York, NY.
– At Judgment Day ’05, MNM defeated Charlie Haas and Hardcore Holly to retain the WWE Tag Team title.
– At the October 25, 2005 Smackdown tapings, MNM beat Animal and Heidenreich, Mexicools, and William Regal and Paul Burchill to regain the WWE Tag Team title.
– MNM defeated the Mexicools (Psicosis and Super Crazy) at Armageddon ’05.
– At the December 27, 2005 Smackdown tapings in Uncasville, CT, MNM defeated Batista and Rey Mysterio to regain the WWE Tag Team title.
– WWE released Mercury on March 26, 2007.
– Following his WWE release, Birch returned to the indies to compete as Joey Matthews.
– On July 8, 2007, Matthews defeated Adam Flash to win the MCW Heavyweight Title.
– On September 9, 2007, Matthews defeated Flash in a rematch to retain the MCW Heavyweight Title.
– One week later, Matthews fought PWU Champion 2 Cold Scorpio to a no-contest.
– At Bound For Glory ’07, Matthews wrestled a dark match, teaming with Johnny Swinger in a loss to Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley.
– On November 4, 2007, Matthews defeated The Bruiser to retain the MCW Heavyweight Title.
– On March 12, 2008, Matthews defeated Jamin Olivencia to win the OVW Television Title.
– One week later, Matthews defeated Sweet Stevie to retain the OVW Television Title.
– On April 9, 2008, Matthews defeated Jamin Olivencia by DQ to retain the OVW Television Title.
– In the summer of 2008, Birch began winding down his active ring career and started working as a trainer for OVW.
– In September 2008, Birch announced his in-ring retirement due to injury.
– In early 2010, Birch broke his retirement by re-signing with WWE.
– At Extreme Rules ’10, Birch re-debuted with WWE, albeit under a mask, by attacking Rey Mysterio as part of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society.
– On July 23, 2010, Birch was unmasked by The Big Show and returned to using his Joey Mercury name, though would soon be renamed to Joseph Mercury.
– In September 2010, Birch suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was forced to undergo surgery. During his rehabilitation, Birch began working as a trainer for WWE developmental, a position which he holds to this day.
– In September 2014, Mercury returned to WWE television, aligning himself with The Authority and serving as a bodyguard for Seth Rollins. He and fellow bodyguard Jamie Noble would become known as J&J Security.
– On November 24, 2014, Mercury wrestled his first match in 4 years, teaming with Rollins & Jamie Noble in a Handicap loss to Dolph Ziggler & John Cena.
– In January 2017, it was reported that Birch had been released from WWE. He would return to the indies, working both as Joey Matthews and Joey Mercury
– Matthews made his first post-WWE appearance at the 2017 MCW Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup. He went on to win the tournament, defeating Joe Keys, Anthony Henry, Joey Janela, Lio Rush, Brandon Scott & Shaheem Ali
– At House of Hardcore 32, Mercury defeated Bull James
– At House of Hardcore 33, Mercury defeated Tommy Dreamer
– On September 30, 2017, Matthews defeated The Bruiser to win the MCW Heavyweight Title
– On November 10, Mercury defeated Lance Anoai to retain the MCW Heavyweight Title
– At House of Hardcore 35, Mercury defeated Tommy Dreamer in a First Blood Match
– On February 17, 2018, Mercury defeated The Bruiser to regain the MCW Heavyweight Title, but would lose it back a week later
– On March 24, Mercury defeated The Bruiser in a Cage Match to regain the MCW Heavyweight Title, but would lose it back in another Cage Match three weeks later
– At House of Hardcore 42, Mercury defeated Ace Romero
– In May 2018, Birch was signed to ROH as a trainer in their Baltimore Dojo
– At House of Hardcore 48, Mercury defeated Caveman Ugg
– Birch made a brief appearance in season four of Lucha Underground, losing a short match to Matanza Cueto before being ‘sacrificed to the gods’
– In February 2019, Birch joined the ROH creative team