Jason Reso

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William Jason ("Jay") Reso (born November 30, 1973 in Kitchener, Ontario), better known by his ring name Christian, is a Canadian professional wrestler. Reso is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the name Christian Cage.

He is well known for his work in World Wrestling Entertainment known just as "Christian", including his run in the one of the most dominant tag teams ever, Edge and Christian, alongside his real-life best friend and kayfabe brother Adam "Edge" Copeland. Despite being a heel for most of his WWE run, he gained some measure of popularity, especially in his native Canada for his cocky persona and his humorous promos. Although he was considered to be over with the fans, his push to main event status was inexplicably cut short and several months after he was transferred to SmackDown!, his resignation was announced by WWE.com on October 31, 2005.

Contents

1 Early career
2 World Wrestling Entertainment

2.1 Edge and Christian
2.2 Singles competition
2.3 Captain Charisma

3 Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
4 Finishing and signature moves
5 Managers
6 Championships and accomplishments

6.1 Championship succession

7 Acting career
8 Personal life
9 External links

Early career

One of Reso's early lasting ring names, Christian Cage, was a spur of the moment combination of the names of the actors, Christian Slater and Nicolas Cage. Trained by Ron Hutchinson, Christian's wrestling career began in June 1993 in a match against Zakk Wylde, a fellow trainee from Sully's Gym in Toronto. One of his first stage names was Canadian Rage. During 1997 he was part of THUG Life , a stable that included Joe Legend, Bloody Bill Skullion, Rhino Richards, and Cage's tag team partner and real life childhood friend Sexton Hardcastle (Adam Copeland, who would later come to be known as "Edge").

As a tag team on the Canadian indy scene, Copeland and Reso were known as "High Impact", and later "The Suicide Blondes", though they are most famous for their tenure in WWE as simply "Edge and Christian". Also allied with Judd the Studd, the duo held titles in numerous wrestling promotions, and he held the East Coast Wrestling Association title before signing with the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) in August 1998.

World Wrestling Entertainment

Edge and Christian

When Reso came to WWF, he shortened his ring name to Christian. He made his televised debut at the September 27, 1998 Pay-Per-View entitled In Your House: Breakdown, distracting Edge during his match against Owen Hart to reveal his allegiance to Gangrel, who had been feuding with Edge. He had some early singles success, capturing the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship in his debut match. However, his real success came while wrestling in the tag circuit. Christian, given the character of a vampire, formed a stable with Edge (who was finally convinced to join according to the story) and Gangrel known as The Brood. The Brood briefly feuded with, then joined, The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness, but upon learning that Christian was beaten down into telling Ken Shamrock the whereabouts of Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker wanted to punish Christian. More loyal to the Brood than to the Ministry, Edge and Gangrel turned on the Undertaker and rescued Christian.

The gothic angle was successful, but soon after, Edge and Christian began to reach their full potential. On October 17, 1999, at No Mercy 1999, Edge and Christian competed against The Hardy Boyz in a Ladder Match for the Terri Invitational Tournament. Although the Hardys won the match, the careers of both tag teams soared, and fans gave them a standing ovation.

After a run as faces most notable for their tendency to approach the ring via the audience, Edge and Christian redefined themselves as a bumbling comic duo of surfer / teenyboppers. They were most known for their "5 second poses" (for the benefit of those with flash photography), which mocked either the opponents or city they happen to be in and their finisher, "the con-chair-to" which was a double chair shot to an opponent. They began to associate with Kurt Angle (as Team ECK; Edge-Christian-Kurt) and repeatedly captured the World Tag Team Championships, as well as winning a triple threat ladder match and two TLC matches. In 2001, Rhyno debuted in the WWF, aligning himself with Edge and Christian.

Friction arose within the team after Edge won the annual King of the Ring tournament. Christian appeared to be jealous, and insisted on carrying Edge's trophy to the ring. His true colors were revealed to the world after he assaulted his on-screen brother and tag team partner Edge after he lost a WCW Championship Match to The Rock in September 2001. The former partners went on to feud over the Intercontinental Championship for several months.

Singles competition

Christian as WWF European Champion.

Christian began a singles career, becoming known for throwing tantrums in the ring when he was unable to gain a pinfall. Fans dubbed this move the "Christian Fit" and often chanted for and during it. After a series of defeats, Christian announced that he was quitting the WWF. Diamond Dallas Page, then using the gimmick of a perpetually cheerful motivational speaker, persuaded him not to quit and adopted him as his protegé. Christian teased a face turn before betraying his mentor and solidifying his heel status. Christian faced DDP for the European Championship at WrestleMania X8, but was defeated and once again threw a tantrum in the middle of the ring.

Christian then formed a tag team with fellow Canadians Lance Storm and Andrew "Test" Martin as part of the Un-Americans faction and then became the sidekick of Chris Jericho, with whom he once again won the Tag Team Championships. Christian helped Jericho eliminate Shawn Michaels from the 2003 Royal Rumble by dressing as Jericho and distracting Michaels, allowing Jericho to attack him from behind.

During this time, The Rock jumped to the RAW brand as a reward from Mr. McMahon for defeating Hulk Hogan at No Way Out. Christian befriended him and was therefore told by The Rock himself that Christian was "his new favorite WWE Superstar". Delighted to hear that from The Rock, Christian began using many of The Rock's mannerisms, which varied from calling his fans "The Peeps" (similar to The Rock calling his fans "The People") to using The Rock's one arm raised victory pose. Christian also assisted the Rock in his feud with Goldberg. He even called himself "The New People's Champion" and used his new found charisma to defeat Booker T at Judgment Day 2003 for the vacant WWE Intercontinental Championship in a special nine man over-the-top-rope battle royal. The following night on Raw, he appeared on Chris Jericho's "Highlight Reel" talk show segment, sporting a new haircut and ring attire. He claimed that The Rock called him to "bring home the Intercontinental Championship" and furthermore used his victory to establish himself as The People's Champion. When Christian joined TNA and won it's World Title, he began using even more Rock mannerisms, including mocking backstage interviewer Jeremy Borash (ala The Rock to The Coach) and talking on a commentator's headset in the middle of a match.

However, The Rock wasn't too happy about Christian's claims and his imitation of The Rock, so he would appear on Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel interview segment and confront Christian about this, stating that The Rock is "The one and only People's Champion".

Christian and Trish's kiss at WrestleMania XX

Unhappy about this, Jericho and Christian assaulted The Rock, only to fall victim to The Rock Bottom and The Book End when Booker T made the save.

Late in 2003, Jericho and Christian started to court Divas Trish Stratus and Lita, on-screen as part of a bet (for one Canadian dollar) to see who could get their target into bed first. Although the girls found out about the bet, Jericho and Stratus would stay together for the time being, leading to Jericho and Christian's split over her in early 2004. Christian was actually depicted injuring Stratus in a match on RAW. During a match between Christian and Jericho at WrestleMania XX, however, Trish betrayed Jericho, allowing Christian to defeat him. Trish then joined forces with Christian (the on-screen couple was called "Tristian") and his "Problem Solver" Tyson Tomko to make Jericho's life on RAW miserable. During a steel cage match against Jericho on May 10, 2004, Christian suffered a severe back injury, causing him to miss almost four months of ring action. He returned on the August 30 2004 edition of Monday Night RAW, picking up where he left off and continuing his feud with Jericho.

Captain Charisma

Christian during his run as "Captain Charisma" in WWE.

Christian's gimmick became that of a cocky, overconfident heel, although he was popular in Canada and the United Kingdom. He dubbed himself "Captain Charisma" and on December 6, 2004 was forced to wrestle as Captain Charisma, complete with superhero costume, by his rival Chris Jericho, who was general manager for the night. Christian was often accompanied by Tyson Tomko, and usually won his matches with interference from Tomko or by some other creative method of cheating. Christian was loosely paired with Edge again several times in late 2004 and early 2005. Despite being a heel, he acquired a cult fanbase, who he refers to as his "Peeps", "Peepulation" (a play on the word "population") or the "Christian Coalition". He was given new entrance theme music, an edited version of "Just Close Your Eyes" by the rock band Waterproof Blonde.

At the 2005 Royal Rumble, Christian had an encounter with then-WWE US Champion John Cena and claimed that he was a better rapper than Cena. Over the next months, Christian began making promos denouncing John Cena as a 'poser'. Christian was noticeably cheered during these segments, and was thought to be finally rising into the main event picture. Soon after Cena came to RAW from SmackDown!, Cena went on to successfully defend the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match between himself, Christian and Jericho at Vengeance 2005.

Between the run-ins with Cena, Christian participated in the "Money-in-the-Bank" Ladder Match at WrestleMania 21. He was generally a non-factor, though one of the more memorable moments was when Tomko carried him half-way up a ladder, then Christian got his ladder knocked over by Kane, going over the top rope and landing in Tomko's arms. He earlier joined Edge and they gave a con-chair-to with ladders to Kane. He had a primary role in the parody trailer for Basic Instinct in connection with the "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood" theme at the event.

On the June 30 episode of SmackDown!, Christian was the second-to-last man drafted to SmackDown! in the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery. He replaced The Big Show in a six-man elimination match for the new SmackDown! Championship, and finished as the runner-up to John Bradshaw Layfield. Christian had previously said in a promo that he hoped to be drafted to SmackDown! because the show needed a Canadian (though it had gotten one of these earlier in that same draft in the form of Chris Benoit).

Christian bragged about how he was on the main event of both RAW and SmackDown! in the same week. However, he was defeated by Batista in a lengthy non-title match on the July 7, 2005 edition of SmackDown!. Christian was soon given his own interview segment on SmackDown! called "The Peep Show."

At The Great American Bash on July 24, 2005 in Buffalo, New York, Christian lost a match to Booker T. Christian then lost a Fatal Four Way match against Chris Benoit, Booker T and Orlando Jordan for Benoit's United States title at the No Mercy 2005 event, tapping out to Benoit's Sharpshooter.

On October 31, 2005, Jay Reso quit WWE. According to Dave Meltzer, he was asked on the spot to sign a new contract during the tapings for the October 21, 2005 edition of SmackDown!. He wouldn't sign the contract, and his last match occurred during the tapings for the November 4, 2005 edition of SmackDown!. Despite his quitting, Christian would appear on RAW and at Taboo Tuesday 2005 and would have wrestled if he was voted in - Notably, during the match (Where Matt Hardy & Rey Mysterio were voted in) a noticeable "We want Christian" chant started up at one point.

Contrary to prior rumors, Reso would later claim during his debut speech at TNA Genesis 2005 that WWE did not lowball him on their contract offer; in fact, supposedly, they offered him "a very hefty sum" to stay. He had made the decision to leave months before his contract expired, and had agreed in principle to terms with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling prior to his departure.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Christian Cage's debut at TNA Genesis 2005.

Reso debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling on November 13, 2005 at TNA Genesis 2005 under his original ring name, Christian Cage. After teasing an alliance with longtime friend Scott D'Amore of Team Canada and Planet Jarrett, he delivered the Unprettier to D'Amore and helped Team 3D drive Jeff Jarrett through a table.

Cage made his TNA iMPACT! debut on November 19, engaging in a verbal sparring bout and brawl with "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown. Brown managed to Pounce Cage, leading to a match being scheduled between the two at TNA Turning Point 2005, with Brown's number one contendership to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at stake.

Cage wrestled his first match for TNA on December 8, 2005, defeating Team Canada enforcer Bobby Roode despite interference from Monty Brown. He went on to defeat Brown at Turning Point.

On the January 9, 2006 edition of iMPACT!, Cage humorously interrupted a sketch where members of Planet Jarrett and Team Canada were mocking Sting. He retorted, "I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is you guys are making yourselves look like complete jackoffs. The good news is I just saved money on my car insurance!" At TNA Final Resolution 2006, Cage and the returning Sting defeated Brown and Jarrett.

Christian Cage after winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

On February 12, 2006 at TNA Against All Odds 2006, Cage defeated Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. In the process, he became the first Canadian to hold the championship since Ron Garvin in 1987, and the fourth Canadian to hold the title in NWA history (after Whipper Billy Watson, Gene Kiniski and Garvin). He successfully defended the title against Monty Brown at TNA Destination X 2006 on March 12, 2006.

On April 2, 2006 a video was shown on the TNA Wrestling website showing Abyss entering Christian Cage's house with Father James Mitchell, filmed by Alex Shelley. In the video a fight ensues between Cage and Abyss, including a notoriously funny scene in Cage's kitchen where Cage gets the better of his opponent temporarily, hitting Abyss across the head with a water dispenser. The video climaxes with Abyss throwing Cage into his swimming pool. Christian Cage accepted the challenge of Mitchell to face Abyss at Lockdown. Cage successfully retained his title, but Abyss attacked him after the match and took the title belt. They were then scheduled for a rematch at Sacrifice where Christian attempted to regain his belt, as well as retain the world title itself. The match was a Full Metal Mayhem match. In terms of kayfabe, Christian stated that he would 'die' to defeat Abyss. At Sacrifice, Cage defeated Abyss to retain the title again.

Cage defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Abyss, Ron "The Truth" Killings, Jarrett and Sting in a King of the Mountain match at TNA Slammiversary 2006. The match was declared unofficial due to the intervening of Larry Zbysko, Jeff Jarrett, and Hebner. Sting and Christian were battling to win, but the 3 pulled off a screwjob and allowed Jarrett to win. The belt was later stripped from him, leaving it vacant until the company meeting, which aired June 29 on Impact. On that night, Jim Cornette decided that Jarrett was the champion, on the condition that he defended it against the winner of a fatal four way match at Victory Road 2006 involving Christian, Samoa Joe, Steiner, and Sting, who ended up winning the bout.

Finishing and signature moves

Unprettier / Impaler (Inverted double underhook facebuster)
Frog splash
CCT (Diving reverse tornado DDT)
Diving reverse DDT
Gutbuster drop
Inverted facelock neckbreaker
One man con-chair-to
Sitout inverted suplex slam
Spike DDT
Texas cloverleaf

Managers

Championships and accomplishments

East Coast Wrestling Association

*1-time ECWA Heavyweight Champion

Insane Championship Wrestling

*2-time ICW Streetfight Tag Team Champion (with Sexton Hardcastle)

Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling

*1-time PCW Heavyweight Champion

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

*PWI ranked him # 454 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003.

*PWI Match of the Year Award, 2000, with Edge, versus the Dudley Boyz and the Hardy Boyz.

*PWI Match of the Year Award, 2001, with Edge, versus the Dudley Boyz and the Hardy Boyz.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

*1-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

*3-time WWF/E Intercontinental Champion

*9-time WWF/E World Tag Team Champion (7-time with Edge, 1-time with Lance Storm, 1-time with Chris Jericho)

*1-time WWF European Champion

*1-time WWF Hardcore Champion

*1-time WWF Light Heavyweight Champion

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

*2000 Tag Team of the Year (with Edge)

Championship succession

Acting career

In March 2006, Reso began filming his part in "Shoot 'Em Up", a film due to be released in December 2006. Reso has a short speaking part, that of a Secret Service bodyguard for a United States Senator.

On April 12, 2006, Reso taped an edition of "Casino Cinema" for Spike TV.

Personal life

Reso married a German woman, Denise, on May 25, 2001. He has a tattoo (the head of a bulldog with a yellow rose in its mouth) on his left upper bicep.

External links

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