Michael Austin Wardlow (January 19, 1988) is an American professional wrestler currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Wardlow.
Background[]
Wardlow is trained in Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. He is also an avid weight-lifter. He is also a college graduate with a bachelors degree.
Professional wrestling career[]
Early Career (2014–2018)[]
An Ohio native, Wardlow debuted as early as 2014. His career began in matches within the Ohio state promotions including American Revolution Wrestling and Premier Championship Wrestling. He later expanded his bookings to Pennsylvania's promotions including International Wrestling Cartel, where he became a three-time IWC World Heavyweight Champion and a one-time IWC Super Indy Champion. He also wrestled in Pennsylvania's Revenge Pro Wrestling promotion where he became a one-time Revenge Pro World Champion.
All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)[]
After signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2019, Wardlow was featured in a vignette during the October 23 episode of AEW Dynamite, announcing his upcoming arrival. During the month of November, Wardlow made his debut as a heel enforcer of Maxwell Jacob Feinstein (also known as MJF). He wrestled his first match the following year during the February 19 episode of Dynamite, losing a steel cage match against MJF's rival Cody. During October 2020, Wardlow competed in a AEW World Championship Tournament where he advanced in the first round after eliminating Jungle Boy on the October 21 episode of Dynamite. During the October 28 episode of Dynamite, Wardlow was eliminated in the semifinal match by "Hangman" Adam Page. On the December 2 episode of Dynamite, Wardlow competed in a battle royal won by MJF. He became involved in a feud with Jake Hager beginning on January 6, 2021 on the "New Year's Smash" edition of AEW Dynamite in which he defeated Hager in one-on-one competition. On the June 18 episode of AEW Dynamite however, Wardlow lost a rematch against Hager in a MMA Rules contest that ended by referee decision. Wardlow continued to feud with Hager and members of the Inner Circle in a tag match on the July 7 episode in which The Inner Circle were defeated by Wardlow, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood under the team name The Pinnacle.
In wrestling[]
- Finishers
- Signature moves
- Entrance music
- "This Is War" by Mikey Ruckus (AEW)
- Nicknames
- "The Man They Call WARDLOW"
- "Mr. Mayhem"
- Managers and valets
- Tag teams and stables
- Team LaBar - with Channing Decker, Chris LeRusso, Dennis Jackson, Justin LaBar and Trent Gibson
- The Pinnacle - with MJF, Shawn Spears, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood
Championships and accomplishments[]
- IWC Super Indy Championship (1 time)
- IWC World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #47 in the 2023 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers
- Revenge Pro Wrestling
- Revenge Pro World Championship (1 time)
