LJ Cleary | |
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![]() Cleary in October 2021 | |
Birth name | Lee Joseph Cleary |
Born | [1] Dublin, Ireland | March 12, 1999
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | LJ Cleary |
Billed height | 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)[2] |
Billed weight | 88 kg (194 lb) |
Trained by | Phil Boyd |
Debut | 2014 |
Lee Joseph Cleary (born 12 March 1999) is an Irish professional wrestler who is primarily known for his work in the Irish promotion Over the Top Wrestling (OTT) and Scottish promotion Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) but also for his various tenures with other promotions from the European independent scene. He most recently competed in Pro Wrestling Noah as a member of the Good Looking Guys stable.[3]
Professional wrestling career
European independent scene (2014–present)
Cleary made his professional wrestling debut at FFPW, an event co-promoted by Fight Factory Pro Wrestling and Union Of European Wrestling Alliances (UEWA) on March 23, 2014, where he teamed up with Bobby Calloway, Del PC and Mary Foy in a losing effort against Adam O'Brien, Colm Day, Luke Barry and Ross Browne as a result of an eight-man tag team match.[4] He is known for his tenures with various promotions from the European independent scene with which he has shared brief or longer stints such as TNT Extreme Wrestling, Westside Xtreme Wrestling, German Wrestling Federation, Insane Championship Wrestling, DEFY Wrestling, Celtic Championship Wrestling and many others.[2] He competed in the 2021 edition of Revolution Pro Wrestling's British J-Cup where he fell short to Michael Oku in the first rounds.[5]
Over the Top Wrestling (2017–present)
One of the promotions Cleary is mostly known for competing in is Over the Top Wrestling. He made his debut at OTT Contenders, a house show promoted on May 28, 2017, where he teamed up with Gavin Fitz and Michael May in a losing effort against DJ Frosty and The Lads From The Flats (Paddy M and Workie).[6] During his time in the promotion, Cleary chased for various championships promoted by it. He is a former OTT No Limits Champion, having won the title at The Draw - Dublin on July 15, 2023, by defeating Trent Seven.[2] He is also a former OTT Gender Neutral Championship, title which he has won on two separate occasions, first at Contenders 7: Outer Space Odyssey SuperShow on March 18, 2018, by defeating Session Moth Martina,[7] and secondly on December 17, 2022, at Now That's Cool, OTT Christmas Party Day 1 by defeating Sammy D.[2]
Progress Wrestling (2019–2023)
Cleary made sporadic appearances in Progress Wrestling. He first competed at PROGRESS Chapter 91: Prog On The Tyne on July 6, 2019, where he teamed up with "More Than Hype" stablemates Darren Kearney and Nathan Martin to defeat Do Not Resuscitate (Chuck Mambo, Spike Trivet and William Eaver) in a six-man tag team match.[8] One night later at PROGRESS Chapter 92: Entertaining Friends, Cleary defeated Chuck Mambo in singles competition.[9] At PROGRESS Chapter 101: Dalmatians on January 19, 2020, he unsuccessfully challenged Kyle Fletcher in a qualifier bout for the PROGRESS World Championship.[10] At PROGRESS Chapter 103: Beer Snake City on February 23, 2020, Cleary teamed up with Darren Kearney and Nathan Martin in a losing effort against The Anti-Fun Police (Chief Deputy Dunne and Los Federales Santos Jr.) and Walter.[11] At PROGRESS Chapter 125: Castle Of Illusion on November 13, 2021, he fell short to Kid Lykos.[12] At PROGRESS Chapter 156: Steal Yourself on September 10, 2023, Cleary defeated Yoshiki Inamura in singles competition.[13]
Pro Wrestling Noah (2023–present)
Cleary started his excursion in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah, making his debut at NOAH Monday Magic #1 on October 9, 2023, where he teamed up with Ryohei Oiwa in a losing effort against Good Looking Guys (Anthony Greene and Jake Lee). After the bout, Cleary was presented as Good Looking Guys' stable's newest member.[14] He made his first pay-per-view appearance at Noah Demolition Stage In Fukuoka 2023 on October 28, where he teamed up with stablemate Anthony Greene in a losing effort against Kaito Kiyomiya and Ryohei Oiwa.[15] At Noah Star Navigation 2024 on January 13, Cleary teamed up with Jack Morris in a losing effort against Vinnie Massaro and Titus Alexander.[16] At Noah Sunny Voyage 2024 on January 17, he teamed up with Jake Lee, Anthony Greene, Yo-Hey, Tadasuke in a losing effort against Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Los Golpeadores (Dragón Bane and Alpha Wolf) as a result of a Ten-man tag team match.[17] Cleary scored his first pay-per-view victory at Noah Cross Over in Sendai 2024 on February 4, where he defeated Ninja Mack and Alejandro in a three-way match.[18] On the second night of the Noah Star Navigation 2024 event, Cleary teamed up with Jake Lee against Naomichi Marufuji and Kazuyuki Fujita in a losing effort.
Personal life
Cleary is currently in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler Aoife Cusack, who currently competes in WWE under the ring name Lyra Valkyria.
Championships and accomplishments
- Fight Factory Pro Wrestling
- Irish Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Irish Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Fabio
- Hard Knox Pro Wrestling
- Hard Knox World Championship (1 time)
- Over the Top Wrestling
- OTT Gender Neutral Championship (2 times)
- OTT No Limits Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Showdown
- PWS Goldmembership Championship (1 time)
Rebel county wrestling Rebel county wrestling world championship (1 time)
References
- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "LJ Cleary • General Information". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Kreikenbohm, Philip. "LJ Cleary/Career Data". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). "L.J. Cleary Profile & Match Listing". profightdb.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (March 23, 2014). "FFPW". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 8, 2021). "RevPro British J Cup 2021 Results (11/6): Mike Bailey, Big Damo, Will Ospreay In Action". Fightful. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (May 28, 2017). "OTT Contenders". cagematch.de (in German). Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ "OTT Contenders 7: Outer Space Odyssey SuperShow « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net.
- ^ "PROGRESS CHAPTER 91: PROG ON THE TYNE". thewrestlingrevolution.com. The Wrestling Revolution. July 6, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ "PROGRESS CHAPTER 92: ENTERTAINING FRIENDS". thewrestlingrevolution.com. The Wrestling Revolution. July 7, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Perez, Luis (January 19, 2020). "PROGRESS Chapter 101: Dalmatians 1/19/20 Results". pwponderings.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (February 23, 2020). "PROGRESS Chapter 103 Results (2/23): Ilja Dragunov, Toni Storm, WALTER, More In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (November 13, 2021). "PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 125: Castle Of Illusion Results (11/13): PROGRESS World Title Defended". Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Lambert, Jeremy (September 11, 2023). "PROGRESS Chapter 156 Results (9/10): Brian Cage Faces Mark Haskins, Big Damo In Action". fightful.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Black, Ethan (October 9, 2023). "Pro Wrestling Noah Monday Magic Episode 1 Results – October 9, 2023". pwmania.com. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ Pollock, John (October 28, 2023). "New champions crowned at NOAH's Demolition Stage in Fukuoka". postwrestling.com. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Brennan, Corey (January 13, 2024). "Pro Wrestling NOAH Star Navigation Results (1/13): Kenoh Defends GHC Heavyweight Title". fightful.com. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ Carlan, Lewis (January 3, 2024). "Indy Sensation Titus Alexander Gets First Shot At A Pro Wrestling NOAH Title Against GHC National Champion Jack Morris". bodyslam.net. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ Black, Ethan (February 4, 2024). "Pro Wrestling Noah Cross Over In Sendai Results – February 4, 2024". pwmania.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.