Zach Gowen
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Zach Gowen, (born Zachary Mark Gowen on March 30, 1983 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional wrestler. Gowen has worked for all three of the top US promotions: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on their SmackDown! brand, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and Ring of Honor (ROH).
Gowen was diagnosed with cancer as a child. Because of that, he lost his leg at the age of 8. It was a necessary move: according to his doctors and parents, had the amputation not been done, Zach would have died.
Gowen walks with a prosthesis and claims he can wrestle with or without it. However, he wrestles most of his matches without it due to the inherent marketability of seeing a one-legged wrestler compete. Known for his high-flying ability as well as his "one-legged" moonsault, Gowen was a fan favorite simply for the spectacle.
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[edit] Career
Gowen was determined to become a wrestler since he was a young child, and he spent a good portion of his teenage years training towards that goal. On March 16, 2002, he finally achieved his dream, when he debuted in the Independent Wrestling Revolution, losing to Truth Martini. On April 26, 2002 , he earned his first win, over Almighty Ray.
[edit] WWE
He made his WWE debut on the May 15, 2003 edition of SmackDown! as a planted fan in the audience. While in WWE, wrestling under his own name, Gowen was involved in an angle with Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper and Mr. America (a masked Hulk Hogan). Gowen lost to McMahon at the Vengeance 2003 pay-per-view. On July 31, 2003, Gowen was the object of a feature report on SmackDown!. He also beat the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar via DQ in his hometown of Detroit, and Matt Hardy at No Mercy before being released from WWE in February 2004.
[edit] TNA
Gowen first gained national exposure wrestling for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling during early 2003 under the name Tenacious Z, but soon left TNA after signing a developmental contract for World Wrestling Entertainment.
Gowen later returned to TNA on May 15, 2005 at their Hard Justice pay-per-view event, as the second entrant in the 20-Man Gauntlet for the Gold match. He lasted just under five minutes in the ring before being eliminated by Shark Boy. The next month, Gowen wrestled for their Slammiversary pay-per-view, losing in a six way match. He also appeared on TNA iMPACT!, wrestling Mikey Batts to a no contest. Gowen left the promotion once again later that year. At TNA Bound For Glory 2006, Gowen returned to TNA during the Kevin Nash X-Division Open Battle Royal Gauntlet match, in which he was eliminated.
[edit] Independents
Gowen made his Ring of Honor debut on October 7, 2006, losing to Delirious in a match featured on ROH's video website, ROHVideos.com.
Although Gowen has taken a hiatus from the world of televised professional wrestling to pursue his college degree at Eastern Michigan University, he continues to appear in his hometown of Detroit for Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling and Independent Wrestling Revolution. He also travels and appears for independent promotions such as Border City Wrestling, All American Wrestling, NWA Wisconsin, Cleveland All Pro Wresting, Juggalo Championshit Wrestling, IWA East Coast, and more.
In AAW, he is also a part of the "Michigan Invasion" heel group along with fellow Michiganders Truth Martini, "Amazing" N8 Mattson, Eddie Venom and Brian Gorie.
[edit] Profile
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
- Weight: 155 lb (71 kg)
- Birthday: March 30, 1983
- Hometown: Livonia, Michigan
- Trained By: Truth Martini and Tommy Johnson
- Professional Debut: March 16, 2002
- Previous Identities: Zach Gowan, Zach Gowen, Tenacious Z
[edit] Finishing and signature Moves
- Zone Out (Top rope moonsault using his only leg)
- Springboard moonsault
- Single leg dropkick
- Modified figure four leglock
- Swinging neckbreaker
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
[edit] Independent Wrestling Revolution
- 1-time IWR Tag Team Champion (with Kamikaze)
- 1-time IWR King of the Indies Champion
- 1-time TZW Tag Team Champion (with Super Meetsee)
[edit] Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Rookie of the Year Award (2003)
- PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler Award (2003)
