Alastair Ralphs
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Alastair Ralphs, better known as A-1, is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder, currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and on the Canadian independent circuit.
Ralphs was born on May 22 1977 in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, and relocated to Dunnville, Ontario at the age of five. He later moved to Windsor, Ontario to attend university, but was forced to drop out due to financial issues.
Career
Border City Wrestling
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
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.
A-1, being a heel with Team Canada, is typically made fun of for his ring name. Crowds at the iMPACT! Zone, the name for Soundstage 21 at Universal Orlando when TNA programs are taped/aired there, typically bring bottles of A1 Steak Sauce when heckling him.
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 on May, 2006, a match that A-1 lost.
On the June 29, 2006 episode of iMPACT!, TNA Management Director Jim Cornette disbanded Team Canada.
Wrestling facts
Finishing and signature moves
- Royal Flush neckbreaker (arm trap shoulder neckbreaker)
- Sitout pumphandle slam
- Brainbuster
- Powerbomb
- Jackhammer suplex
Managers
- Jade Chung
- Scott D'Amore
Championships and accomplishments
- *1-time BCW Can-Am Heavyweight Champion
References
External links
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