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Ronin The Rock and Roll Vamvipre

Raziel Michael Talos (born November 20, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Ronin.

Ring Name: Ronin Billed Height: 5'9" Billed Weight: 187 lbs Born: November 20, 1982, Staten Island, NY (Adopted hometown of Middletown, NJ) Resides: Littleton, CO Billed From: QXT's in Newark, NJ                   Middletown, NJ                    The Asylum Guild, NYC Debut: 2004

Career Early Days: Little is known of Ronin's life prior to wrestling or outside of the ring, due to his desire to keep his personal live private and separate from his wrestling career. He became a fan of wrestling as a child and briefly trained as an amateur wrestler in high school, before dropping out due to lack of serious enough interest. He went to several shows at Iron Mike Sharpe's wrestling school in Brick Township, New Jersey which further cemented his desire to become a wrestler, where he first met several wrestlers, including Ace Darling and Super Nova, and later in his teens, at shows run by National Wrestling Superstars.

Next Generation Wrestling (2004-2005) Ronin came across Next Generation Wrestling, a small underground promotion in Southern New Jersey, in mid-2004, training briefly alongside several members of the roster. He made his debut on June 12, 2004 with a victory over Savior. He was quickly pushed into the title hunt, challenging Evan Blaze for the NGW Title in a Chair Match, which he lost. He soon formed a stable known as Freaks United, leading members Benjamin Dover and "The Nomad" Gia Savitz to the NGW Tag Titles. The company took several brief hiatuses in action near the end of the year due to internal issues, resurfacing after the new year. Frustrated by his lack of movement, Ronin turned on his partners, causing them to lose the Tag Titles, going heel and adopting a more intense look and aggressive demeanor. This created a riff between Ronin and Savitz that continues to this day.

Ronin soon found himself in the hunt for the NGW Title once again, facing Evan Blaze once again in a Chair Match, where he emerged victorious, winning his first championship on March 12, 2005. He feuded briefly with Blaze, facing against him in a 30 Minute Iron Man Match for the title, which Ronin won 1-0 with a submission at the last minute. He eventually lost the title to The Redneck after only a two-month title reign. He invoked his rematch clause and faced The Redneck in a Dog Collar Match, where he came up short. In July of 2005 he faced Redneck for an opportunity at the NGW Title, with #1 Contender Mickey Dragon as the guest referee. Ronin emerged victorious, setting the stage for a 3 Way Ladder Match at the end of the month. This would also be NGW's last show in Estell Manor, having been forced to change locations to Egg Harbor Township.

The company was shaken when Redneck decided that the burden of being champion was too great to bear, coupled with nagging back injuries, and left NGW the day of the title match, taking the physical belt with him. This left Ronin and Mickey Dragon to face each other for the title, where Dragon was victorious by pinfall (due to there no belt to be hung, though the belt was eventually returned and awarded to Dragon). Ronin drifted from the title scene and became involved in a feud with former partner Gia Savitz. By late-2005 the company was in disrepair due to internal issues once more combined with talent leaving, including current champion Mickey Dragon leaving with the belt (this time the belt was never returned) and the title of NGW Champion was held up in a Battle Royal where the last men standing would battle for the title in the main event. Ronin entered but was eliminated, and the title was once again won by Evan Blaze. He also competed in a 4 Way Dance in a losing effort to regain the title.

On November 19, 2005, Ronin and Evan Blaze went head to head once more for the NGW Title, where Ronin finally regained the title. A new title was created and soon awarded to Ronin. The company shut down soon afterward to restructure and rebuild it's talent pool, unfortunately it was not to be and NGW never reopened it's doors, leaving Ronin as it's last champion and current holder of the physical belt. Soon after this due to personal and professional issues Ronin took a break from wrestling.

National Wrestling Superstars/Other (2006-2008) In the spring of 2006, Ronin was interested in reentering professional wrestling and contacted Joe Panzarino of NWS. He started with the company setting up the ring and taking bumps before shows, as well as working security during shows. He made his NWS debut on July 14, 2006 in a battle royal where he was eliminated by Slayer. Later that month he competed in the Crazy 8 Tournament where he was eliminated by "Ditrbag" Dan Petit. He also made an appearance for Rockin Rebel's Blackball'd Wrestling Organization in Pennsylvania on August 19, where he got a DQ win over Angus The Caveman. He also competed in a 4 Way Dance and a Battle Royal later that evening. Ronin came back to NWS in November in a Three Way Dance against Petit and Slayer, and lost when Slayer pinned Petit.

Due to NWS' manner of lower card wrestlers only getting booked in their town's shows and if they sell tickets, Ronin's next match wasn't until February of '07 where he competed in a Six Man Tornado Match with Dan Petit, Joey Janella, Antonio Malave, Gil Quest and Bandido, Jr. He was eliminated in short order. Due to personal problems Ronin was forced to hang up his boots again, having moved to Besonhurst, Brooklyn. He made his last appearance for NWS in February of 2008, in an opening bout against former ECW brawler The Equalizer with his manager, Kevin Sullivan. Ronin was attacked during his entrance and was pinned in short order.

In the spring of 2008, Ronin was contacted by Queens-based promotion WTF Wrestling, where he was reunited with his former partner-turned nemesis Gia Savitz, and the two came to blows on May 4, 2008. Ronin emerged victorious after a low blow and the Razorblade Smile. Savitz attacked Ronin after the match before running out of the ring. Ronin vowed to get payback and promised he would put Savitz out of wrestling for good, but it was not to be. Ronin was not granted another oppurtunity in WTF, which he feels was due to a lack of vision in the company in regards to utilizing his persona, as well as other more social reasons. Despite this in the end being a positive, this left Ronin once again out of action for an extended period of time.

IWF Promotions (2009-Present) After relocating to Colorado in September of 2008, Ronin found himself itching to get back in the ring. by the late spring of 2009, Ronin had found a few local promotions, Fusion Pro Wrestling and IWF Promotions. He eventually made the decision to contact IWF, speaking to Joe McDougal, one of it's head trainers he attended a Primo's Hardcore Wrestling show, one of IWF Promotions brands, and after speaking to the owner, Tamera Halbeisen, agreed to come to the Butcher Shop, IWF's training facility. After a month of training and building himself back up, Ronin made his debut on July 24, in tag team action with Chris Hollister at a PHW show, against WWA's tag team Ground Zero, Pierce Price and Greg Waller, where he earned his first win in the company. In IWF he was put up against a variety of their talent, from local superstar "The Denver Daredevil" Rob Ryzin to ROH prospect "The Unreal" Joshua Michael. His most notable match was against Romeo at a promotional event where Ronin was impressed with Romeo's drive and took him under his wing, and after being teamed up against Anderson and Arik Angel, formed Blood Money, where they were a force to be reckoned with in the IWF's burgeoning tag division, earning several title matches but eventually coming up short for one reason or another.

During a three-way #1 contender tag match Ronin became fed up with Romeo's attitude and having to carry the team, Ronin used his infamous Blood Spit on one of his opponents then on Romeo, surprisingly to the approval of the audience, leaving Romeo to be pinned by "The Extreme Gamer" Paul Stetich. After the match they faced each other on the entrance way, where after a brief arguement, Ronin kicked Ronin in the balls and drove him into the stage with The Deadfall, resulting in a huge pop from the venue.

Ronin also became embroiled in a feud in Primo's Hardcore Wrestling, a Juggalo-oriented hardcore promotion. He aligned himself with Romeo and Chris Hollister, now Allister, in the promotion's latest incarnation of Heaven's Descent, a PHW mainstay. They later brought Arik Angel into the fold, feuding against The Redneck World Order, as well as Freek Show 3000 and it's leader, then-champion Joey Terrofyin, as well as Ronin gunning for the Primo's Tag Titles. Eventually Arik Angel took the title from Terrofyin in a vicious match that saw interference by Ronin and the others, therefore putting Heaven's Descent atop the Primo's roster. Soon after the group began to dissent within, resentful of Arik Angel's being champion and not caring for his partner's standings, even their abuse at Arik's own hands. Arik Angel was stripped of the title on March 23, 2010 following a title match, and held up in a battle royal, where it was won by The Freek Show's own Violent Ed. At April's Primo's match, held at Denver's Aztlan Theater, Heaven's Descent competed in a 9-man street fight, with Arik competing in a rematch for the title. Romeo and Ronin came out and attacked Violent Ed, with Ronin hitting him with the Primo's title, only to turn and hit Angel too, pulling Violent Ed on top of him to retain his title. This spelt the end of Arik's membership in Heaven's Descent, with Ronin presumably taking the reigns of the group.

West-Texas Wrestling Association (August-October 2009) Ronin attracted the attention of the Amarillo-based promotion WWA, and traveled to the WWA Warehouse on August 22 for a seminar held by Raven. Ronin briefly attracted the attention of Raven and was complimented on his attire. He also made his WWA debut that night at Extreme Warfare 3, where he faced off against mainstay Pinky LaRue, and depsite a losing effort, earned the respect of the WWA crowd. He had his next match the following month against "Youth Gone Wild" Leo Bramblett and had an entertaining, fast paced match. Ronin once again fell short but his following certainly grew and had his hand raised by Bramblett in a show of respect. In September he returned in tag team action, temaing up with Leo Bramblett against Hudson Crowley and Madd One, Dark Salvation. After a brutal 20 minutes the match was declared a draw much to the dismay of the audience. Ronin made his last appearance on October 24th at WWA's Dreadball. He went one on one with WWA's resident monster Dyspare, managed by Lobo. They brawled from bell to bell, culminating with Dyspare cinching in his Heart Claw in the corner. Using all his strength, Ronin climbed the turnbuckle, surprising Dyspare and the crowd by sinking his teeth into Dyspare's throat drawing blood, forcing Dyspare to break the hold. Ronin lunged towards Dyspare, grabbing a hold of him and planting him with the Razorblade Smile, earning his first win in WWA. After the bell, Lobo tried to attack him, but Ronin managed to avoid it and drew even more blood by biting Lobo, leaving them both laid in the ring.

Personal Life -As mentioned, little is known of Ronin's personal life. He has made it known in interviews and other forums that his vampire persona is no gimmick, he is what is known as a "Living Vampire." He admits he was born a vampire although it had not fully manifested itself until the age of 16, and he has lived as a Sanguinary, or Blood, Vampire ever since.

Ronin is an avid music fan, of almost all genres, from Showtunes and Classic Rock to Goth/Industrial and Middle Eastern/Indian. He has been entrenched in the Goth/Industrial Club scene since 2003, first finding his home at QXT's in Newark, NJ, later branching out to NYC's scene. Being one of the original devotees of The Asylum Guild, a hugely popular weekly party held at the legendary Pyramid club in the East Village (up until it's reloaction to within QXT's), he came to befriend many of the DJs, promoters and regulars that made up the area's loyal scene. His love for Goth/Industrial music and fashion are made evident in his choices of entrance music and ring attire, both outfits he purchases off the rack and pieces he constructs himself.

FINISHING MOVES: -The Razorblade Smile (Fisherman Driver) -The Deadfall (Leaping Reverse STO) -The Coffinlock (Modified Arm-hook sleeper) and add this to the arm-hook article "A variation fashioned by Ronin (link to my article), known as The Coffinlock, sees the attacking wrestler hook both arms over the opponents head, linking his hands together under the opponent's chin before turning him over into a Camel Clutch position, placing additional strain on his opponent's back."

SIGNATURE MOVES: -The Soundcheck (Triple Legdrop Combo, often preceded by a Side Russian Legsweep) Innovated - I guess this could use an addition to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legdrop#Variations, "This attack sees the wrestler come off the ropes, first with a Sliding Legdrop to the opponent's chest, then the wrestler spins off and up to his feet, performing a Somersault Legdrop again to the opponent's chest. He spins off one last time to his knees, performing a jumping legdrop from the kneeling position, typically hooking the opponent's leg for a pin after." -Hangman's Joke (handstand splash or senton on opponent's chest) Innovated -The Deadlights (Chop block to opponent's leg followed by a running flying neckbreaker off the ropes) -Blood Moon Rising (leaping double-inside crescent kick, often preceded by kicks to the thighs) Innovated -- this might need an explanation added to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_wrestling_attacks#Kick "The Blood Moon Rising, also known as a double inside crescent kick, sees the attacking wrestler jump up in the air, spreading his legs, and closing them quickly, clapping the opponent's temples" -Lip Service (Counter basement dropkick off the ropes) -Innovated --this might need an explanation as well, added to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropkick#Variations "The Basement Dropkick sees the wrestler being Irish Whipped into the ropes (or if the wrester's Irish Whip is countered), where the wrestler will hold onto the top rope to stop his momentum and place the opponent off-guard, before dropping down to the middle rope a la Rey Mysterio, and coming off with a front dropkick to the opponent's face. -Blood Spit (link to Asian Mist) -Running High Knee into opponent on turnbuckle, often followed by Double Stomp off the turnbuckle to opponent's back as he falls out of the corner -European Uppercut -Snap Suplex

NICKNAMES: "The Rock & Roll Vampire" "The Gothic Superstar" "The Industrial Icon"

ENTRANCE THEMES: "Mobscene" by Marilyn Manson (NGW face theme) "Run Like Hell" by Kittie (NGW heel theme) "Spitshine" by Carfax Abbey (NWS '06-'08; WWA 2009; IWF 2009-2010) "Sent to Destroy" by Combichrist (Used as part of Blood Money with Romeo, later used as singles theme in IWF; 2010-Present)

CHAMPIONSHIPS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS: NGW Heavyweight Title (2 times)