Matt Bentley

Real name: Matt Bentley
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 221 lbs.
Date of birth: December 10, 1979
From: Clinton, Iowa
Pro debut: 1999
Trained at: Texas Wrestling Academy
Finishing move: Picture Perfect

Biography

– Bentley is the legitimate cousin of WWE legend Shawn Michaels
– After training at Michaels’ Texas Wrestling Academy, Bentley took the name ‘Michael Shane’ and got his first major run in Japan’s FMW promotion
– Upon his return to the US, Shane began working ECW house shows
– Shane made an appearance as an enhancement talent on the September 16, 2000 episode of WCW Worldwide
– Shane defeated Oz on the final ECW event, a house show in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on January 13, 2001
– Through the remainder of 2001 and into 2002, Shane was a regular enhancement talent on WWF B-shows
– Shane began working for ROH in early 2002
– In 2003, Shane returned to Japan, working for All Japan and Zero 1 in the first half of the year
– Shane debuted for TNA in the summer of 2003
– On August 20, 2003, Shane defeated Chris Sabin & Frankie Kazarian to win the NWA-TNA X-Division Title in the first ever Ultimate X Match
– On August 27, Shane defeated Jerry Lynn to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On October 1, Shane again defeated Jerry Lynn to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On October 8, Shane defeated Chris Sabin to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On October 15, Shane defeated Christopher Daniels to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On October 22, Shane defeated Christopher Daniels & Chris Sabin to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On November 19, Shane defeated Fast Eddie to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On November 26, Shane defeated Sonjay Dutt to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– At AAA Guerra de Titanes 2003, Shane & Latin Lover won the Televisa Tag Team Tournament, defeating David Young & Mr Aguila in the final
– On December 10, Shane defeated Christopher Daniels by DQ to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On December 17, Shane defeated Lo-Ki to retain the NWA-TNA X-Division Title
– On February 21, 2004, Shane defeated Dan Barry to win the vacant CSWF Cruiserweight Title
– On April 24, Shane defeated Grim Reefer to retain the renamed CSWF Cruiser-X Title
– Shane competed in a 4-Way match on the first episode of TNA Impact
– On July 28, 2004, Shane & Frankie Kazarian pulled down the X at the same time in an Ultimate X Match also featuring AJ Styles. As a result, the duo were declared co-holders of the TNA X-Division Title, but would lose it to Petey Williams in a Gauntlet Match two weeks later
– On August 28, Shane defeated The Grim Reefer in a Lumberjack Match to retain the CSWF Cruiser-X Title
– At Hard Justice 2005, Shane & Trinity defeated Chris Sabin & Traci
– With WWE having signed ‘Mike Shane’ and trademarked his name, Michael Shane was forced to abandon his gimmick and began wrestling under his real name for TNA in the summer of 2005
– At Turning Point 2005, Bentley & Austin Aries defeated Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong
– In early 2006, Bentley rebranded again, becoming ‘Maverick Matt’
– In October 2006, Bentley debuted a new, gothic look and would soon join Raven’s Serotonin stable under the name ‘Martyr’
– On February 24, 2007, Bentley defeated Vordell Walker to win the vacant UXW United States Title
– Bentley’s TNA contract expired in August 2007 and was not renewed. He entered semi-retirement immediately thereafter
– Bentley made an appearance as an enhancement talent on the April 4, 2008 episode of Smackdown
– Bentley made a one-night return to Impact Wrestling on June 27, 2011, unsuccessfully competing in a 3-Way match against Low Ki & Jimmy Yang
– On March 10, 2012, Bentley defeated Vordell Walker to win the SAW International Heavyweight Title
– Bentley returned to TNA once again for One Night Only: X-Travaganza 2013, competing in a 7-man XScape Match
– Bentley worked one match on GFW’s Grand Slam Tour in September 2015