.jpg) Bill in September 2025 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Morrissey (1986-08-16)August 16, 1986 (age 39) Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
Spouse | |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Big Bill Big Bill Morrissey[1] Big Bill Young[2] Big C Big Ca$$ Big Cass Big Cazz CaZXL[3] Colin Cassady Erik "The Red" Wood[4] W. Morrissey[5] William Morrissey |
| Billed height | 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)[5] |
| Billed weight | 276 lb (125 kg)[5] |
| Billed from | Queens, New York[6] |
| Trained by | Johnny Rodz[7] |
| Debut | August 15, 2009[8] |
William Morrissey (born August 16, 1986) is an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is signed toAll Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under thering nameBig Bill and is a formerAEW World Tag Team Champion. He is best known for his tenure inWWE, where he performed under the ring nameBig Cass.
InWWE, he first appeared under the nameColin Cassidy and came to prominence for hispartnership withEnzo Amore, whom he teamed with from 2013 to 2017. Together, they won theNXT Year-End Award for Tag Team of the Year in 2015. He was brought up toRaw alongside Amore the day afterWrestleMania 32 and his name was changed toBig Cass. He was later moved to theSmackDown brand, where he had a brief feud withDaniel Bryan, before being released by the company in June 2018. After leaving WWE, he resumed teaming with Amore (now known as nZo) on theindependent circuit asBig Cazz,Big C,Big Ca$$, andCaZKL, before joiningImpact Wrestling in 2021 asW. Morrissey, and AEW in 2022 asBig Bill.
William Morrissey[9] was born in theGlendale neighborhood of New York City'sQueens borough on August 16, 1986.[10][11][12] He attendedArchbishop Molloy High School and served as a peer tutor, homeless shelter volunteer, andNational Honor Society member. He played basketball in his senior year and was featured in theCatholic High School Athletic Association Senior Classic All-Star game.[13] After graduating from high school, he received a scholarship to attendNew York University (NYU).[a] He entered thepre-medical track before shifting to economics.[14][7] While attending NYU, he played as acenter for theNYU Violets from the 2005–2006 and 2008–2009 seasons.[13] He co-captained the team for his final season.[15] After graduating from NYU, Morrissey founded aticket brokerage specializing in events held atMadison Square Garden andYankee Stadium.[7][16]
Morrissey trained as a professional wrestler atJohnny Rodz'swrestling school inBrooklyn, New York. He debuted in Rodz's World of Unpredictable Wrestling (WUW)promotion on May 30, 2009, under thering name Big Bill Young with thegimmick of acowboy, accompanying his storyline uncle Billy Walker to the ring.[17] His first match in WUW and in his career as a whole was on August 15, 2009,[18] and he went on to wrestle a number of matches for the promotion before signing withWWE in mid-2011.[2][19][20][21][22][23]
In June 2011, Morrissey signed withFlorida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which wasWWE'sdevelopmental territory at the time.[24][25] Morrissey made his first televised FCW appearance in July 2011, portraying the dean of theUniversity of Florida.[26] Morrissey wrestled his first televised match under the ring name of Colin Cassady on the September 4, 2011, episode ofFCW TV in adisqualification loss toRichie Steamboat.[27] Cassady found no immediate success, losing matches for the rest of 2011 and in early 2012.[28][29][30] Cassady scored his first win on the March 11 episode ofFCW TV, defeatingKenneth Cameron.[31] Cassady's finalFCW TV match was on July 7 in a win againstAiden English.[32] WWErebranded its developmental territory, FCW, intoNXT in August 2012.[24]
Cassady debuted onNXT television on June 5, 2013, with a loss toMason Ryan.[33][34] Cassady then formed avillainoustag team withEnzo Amore,[35] who had also previously lost to Ryan,[36] and they labelled themselves "the realest guys in the room".[35][37][38] In real life, Cassady first met Amore at the age of 15, when they played basketball together atWest Fourth Street Courts inManhattan, New York.[14][39] Ryan defeated Amore and Cassady in consecutivesingles matches,[40] but lost to them in ahandicap match.[37] Ryan ultimately had the last laugh when he caused Amore and Cassady to be attacked by Tons of Funk (Brodus Clay andTensai).[38] Amore and Cassady thenfeuded withSylvester Lefort and hisstable ofAlexander Rusev andScott Dawson, turning themface in the process.[41][42] On the September 25 episode ofNXT, Amore and Cassady participated in agauntlet match for a future title shot at theNXT Tag Team Championship; they started the match and defeatedTyler Breeze andCJ Parker, then beat Rusev and Dawson, before falling to their final opponents,The Ascension (Conor O'Brian andRick Victor).[43] Amore suffered alegit broken leg in November 2013, which led Cassady to try his hand at singles competition, feuding with Aiden English.[16] Amore returned on the June 26, 2014, episode ofNXT, saving Cassady from an attack from Sylvester Lefort andMarcus Louis.[44]
In early August, Amore and Cassady participated in a NXT Tag Team Championship number one contenders tournament, and they defeatedJason Jordan andTye Dillinger in the first round, but were eliminated by TheVaudevillains (Aiden English andSimon Gotch) in the second round.[45][46] Lefort and Louis then renewed their rivalry with Amore and Cassady by attacking them and shaving Amore's beard and, as a result, Amore challenged Lefort to a match with the loser's hair as forfeit atNXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way on September 11, where Amore won the match, but Lefort ran away, leaving his partner Louis to lose his hair at the hands of Amore and Cassady.[47] Amore and Cassady proceeded to form analliance with the debutingCarmella after the duo had accidentally cost Carmella her hairdressing job as per the storyline, causing her to demand to get a job as a wrestler.[48][49] Carmella had her televised in-ring debut on the October 16 episode ofNXT.[50] In March 2015, Amore and Cassady began a rivalry with then NXT Tag Team ChampionsBlake and Murphy, with the champions insulting Amore and Cassady while attempting to woo Carmella. Amore and Cassady defeatedThe Lucha Dragons (Kalisto andSin Cara) in a number one contender's match for a title opportunity against Blake and Murphy.[50] Amore and Cassady received their title match atNXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, but they lost afterAlexa Bliss interfered.[51] AtNXT TakeOver: London, Amore and Cassady challengedDash and Dawson for the NXT Tag Team Championship in a losing effort. They were granted another title opportunity against Dash and Dawson in March 2016 atRoadblock, which Amore and Cassady lost.[52]
On theRaw afterWrestleMania 32, Amore and Cassady made their main roster debuts and confronted TheDudley Boyz.[53] On the April 14 episode ofSmackDown, Amore and Cassady defeated The Ascension in their main roster debut match, advancing in theWWE Tag Team Championship number one contenders tournament.[54] In the finals, Amore and Cassady faced The Vaudevillains atPayback, with the match ending in a no contest after Amore suffered a legitimate concussion during the match.[55] In May 2016, Cassady's ring name was changed to Big Cass.[6] On the June 6 episode ofRaw, during the match between Enzo and Cass and The Vaudevillains, Cass witnessed English attempting to injure Enzo in a similar manner of what Gotch did to him at Payback. This led to Cass attacking The Vaudevillains, including executing an East River Crossing on Gotch. AtMoney in the Bank, Enzo and Cass competed in a fatal four-way tag team match also involvingThe New Day,Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson and The Vaudevillains for the WWE Tag Team Championship, which they lost. On the July 4 episode ofRaw, Enzo and Cass helpedJohn Cena from an attack by The club, involving themselves in the feud between Cena and The club. AtBattleground, Enzo and Cass teamed with Cena to defeat The Club in a six-man tag team match.
At the2016 WWE draft on July 19, Enzo and Cass were drafted to theRaw brand.[56] Following Battleground, Enzo and Cass feuded withChris Jericho andKevin Owens, losing to them atSummerSlam. On the August 22 episode ofRaw, Cass defeatedUnited States ChampionRusev by countout to qualify for thefourway elimination match for theWWE Universal Championship. In that match, the biggest of his career, which also included Kevin Owens,Roman Reigns andSeth Rollins, Cass was eliminated by Owens, marking the first time he was pinned on the main roster. On the November 7 episode ofRaw, Enzo and Cass joined Team Raw for theten-on-ten Survivor Series tag team elimination match atSurvivor Series, which Team Raw won. Afterwards, Enzo and Cass started a rivalry with Rusev. On the December 5 episode ofRaw, Enzo was lured into a trap byLana and Rusev. Big Cass lost to Rusev via countout on theRoadblock: End of the Line kickoff show. Cass lost a handicap match against Rusev andJinder Mahal before teaming up with Enzo to defeat the duo twice, ending the feud. Cass entered the2017 Royal Rumble match at number 1 and was eliminated byBraun Strowman. AtFastlane, Enzo and Cass unsuccessfully challengedLuke Gallows and Karl Anderson for theRaw Tag Team Championship. AtWrestleMania 33, Enzo and Cass faced Gallows and Anderson,Cesaro andSheamus and the returningHardy Boyz in a fatal four-way ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championship, with the Hardy Boyz emerging victorious.
On theRaw followingExtreme Rules, Cass was mysteriously attacked in the same way Enzo Amore had been before. The following weeks, Cass accusedBig Show of being his attacker, which Big Show denied. On the June 19 episode ofRaw, it was revealed that Cass was behind the attacks on Amore and that he faked his own attack to lure away suspicion. Cass admitted to this, expressing his frustration during his time teaming with Amore, and attacked him with a big boot, disbanding the team and turningheel.[57] On July 9 atGreat Balls of Fire, he defeated Amore. The following night onRaw, Cass was attacked by Big Show, this action sparked a feud between Cass and Big Show. On July 31 episode ofRaw, Cass defeated Big Show by disqualification when Amore attacked Cass during the match. AtSummerSlam, Cass defeated Big Show with Amore being suspended above the ring in ashark cage. The next night onRaw, Cass suffered a legitimate knee injury, a torn ACL, during a Brooklyn Street Fight against Amore. Cass underwent surgery and was out of action for eight months.
Cass returned during the2018 Superstar Shake-up, which moved him toSmackDown. On the April 17, 2018, episode ofSmackDown, he interrupted the main event and attackedDaniel Bryan.[58][59] The following week onSmackDown, Cass would take Bryan's spot as the guest onMiz TV, where it would be later revealed that Cass had attacked Bryan backstage. AtGreatest Royal Rumble, Cass would enter the 50-man Royal Rumble match at number 49, where he would eliminate Bryan, lasting until the final two before being eliminated by Braun Strowman. At theBacklash pay-per-view, Cass was defeated by Bryan after submitting to theYes Lock, only for Cass to attack Bryan after the match. On the May 29 episode ofSmackDown, he would unsuccessfully wrestle against Bryan andSamoa Joe in a triple threatMoney in the Bank qualifying match after Joe applied theCoquina Clutch on Bryan.[60] AtMoney in the Bank, Cass lost to Bryan again in a singles match via submission.[61] This would be his last match with the WWE, as he was released on June 19, 2018.[62] According toSports Illustrated, Morrissey's release was due to behavioral issues including public intoxication during a WWE tour and disobeying direct orders fromVince McMahon, in particular relating to the handling of an angle involving an attack on alittle person who was impersonating Daniel Bryan on the May 1 episode ofSmackDown.[63]
Morrisey has since spoken about his departure from the company, citing depression, anxiety and an alcohol addiction the main factors in his exit.[64]
On August 2, Big Time Wrestling announced that Morrissey, now known asBig Cazz (later changed toBig C), would make his wrestling return after the 90-day no-compete clause in his WWE contract was expired on September 21.[3] He appeared at a BTW event on October 5, cutting a promo, hostilely addressing the fans, thus cementing himself as a heel. On December 1, Big Cass wrestled forTommy Dreamer'sHouse of Hardcore 51 under the nameBig Ca$$, losing toMVP.[65] Morrissey also made an appearance atHouse of Hardcore 52 on December 8, but during the show's intermission was rushed to a hospital after suffering a seizure (seepersonal life).[66]
On April 6, 2019, Morrissey, alongside former tag partner Enzo Amore, appeared at theG1 Supercard atMadison Square Garden. Following a tag team match involvingRing of Honor andNew Japan Pro-Wrestling talent, the two jumped the barricade and attacked several wrestlers.[67] The broadcast cameras cut away from the incident to indicate alegitimate outside attack, but it was later reported the angle was aworked shoot.[67] However, following the angle, the duo were not booked for any following shows and the incident was never mentioned again.[68]
On June 15, 2019, Morrissey, under the ring name ofCaZXL, made his debut forNortheast Wrestling (NEW), where he was accompanied by Arndt, now known as nZo. Caz then issued an open challenge to anyone on the roster.Jon Moxley would answer the challenge and later defeat him in a match.[69] Morrissey was inactive from wrestling from September 2019 to February 2021, and he defeated Christian Mox at SWE Clash in Canton in his return match.
On April 25, 2021, atRebellion, asW. Morrissey, he made hisImpact Wrestling debut as the surprise replacement forEric Young inViolent by Design's match againstChris Sabin,Eddie Edwards,James Storm, andWillie Mack.[70] Morrissey picked up the win for his team by pinning Mack.[71] As a result, Morrissey began feuding with Mack, defeating him in a singles match atUnder Siege and ano disqualification match on the June 10 episode ofImpact!. As a result, Morrissey got embroiled in a feud with Mack's allyRich Swann, whom he defeated atAgainst All Odds.[72] Morrisey began his next rivalry withEddie Edwards, whom he defeated in their first singles encounter atSlammiversary. However, Morrissey lost to Edwards in ahardcore match atHomecoming. AtVictory Road, Morrissey andMoose defeated Edwards andSami Callihan. On the September 30 episode ofImpact!, Morrissey lost to Edwards in a street fight to end the rivalry.
AtBound for Glory, Morrissey competed in theCall Your Shot Gauntlet match which was won by Moose. Morrissey would then begin feuding withMatt Cardona, whom he defeated atTurning Point. Towards the end of 2021, Morrissey became embroiled in a storyline with Moose over theImpact World Championship. AtHard to Kill on January 8, 2022, Morrissey failed to win the title in a triple threat match, also involving Matt Cardona, with Moose pinning Cardona to retain the title. The following week,Scott D'Amore granted Morrissey a one-on-one title match with Moose atNo Surrender on February 19. During the storyline, Morrissey transitioned to a babyface character. Morrissey failed to win the title from Moose at the event.
AtRebellion, Morrissey andJordynne Grace competed in anEight-Team Elimination Challenge for theImpact World Tag Team Championship which was won byViolent By Design. On the June 2 episode ofImpact!, Morrissey teamed withPCO in a loss to Moose andSteve Maclin.[73][74] This would be his last match in the company, as it was reported that Morrissey had departed Impact Wrestling.[75][76]
On the May 4, 2022, episode ofDynamite, Morrissey made his debut inAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) as aheel character, serving asMJF's pick forWardlow's mystery opponent.[77] Wardlow would defeat Morrissey by pinfall.[78]
In August 2022, Morrissey would sign a full time contract with AEW,[79] and have his ring name changed toBig Bill. Big Bill began his AEW tenure as a member ofStokely Hathaway's stable, known as The Firm, but in spring 2023 the group quietly broke up, with Big Bill then going his own way.
In August 2023, Big Bill andRicky Starks formed a partnership after Starks obtained a manager's license and began managing Big Bill in order to continue appearing in AEW after being (kayfabe) suspended by the company.[80] On the October 7 episode ofCollision, Big Bill and Starks defeatedFTR (Dax Harwood andCash Wheeler) for theAEW World Tag Team Championship.[81] This marked his first championship reign in a major wrestling promotion. Big Bill and Starks lost the titles toSting andDarby Allin in atornado tag team match on the February 7, 2024 episode ofDynamite, ending their reign at 123 days.[82]
In May 2024, Big Bill joinedThe Learning Tree stable headed byFTW ChampionChris Jericho, and on the June 12 episode of Dynamite he was dubbed "The Redwood".[83][84] In June 2024 atForbidden Door, Bill teamed with Jericho andJeff Cobb in a losing effort toHook,Katsuyori Shibata, andSamoa Joe.[85] On the November 23 episode ofDynamite Bill assisted Jericho to defeatMark Briscoe in aLadder War for theROH World Championship.
In January 2025, Bill began a feud withPowerhouse Hobbs.[86] On the February 20 episode ofDynamite, Bill was defeated by Hobbs in aStreet Fight.[87] On April 6 atDynasty, Bill andBryan Keith unsuccessfully challengedThe Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley andShelton Benjamin) for theAEW World Tag Team Championship.[88] On the following episode ofDynamite, The Learning Tree would disband as Jericho would blame losing the ROH World Championship on both Big Bill and Bryan Keith, before saying it's best that he leaves for a while until Bill and Keith make a change.[89][90][91] As a tag team, Bill and Keith were able to find success without Jericho, defeatingGates of Agony (Bishop Kaun andToa Liona) in aChicago Street Fight.[92] In
Morrissey, as Big Cass, is a playable character in the video gamesWWE 2K16,[93]WWE 2K17,[94] andWWE 2K18.[95]
Morrissey was in a relationship with fellow wrestler Leah Van Dale, known asCarmella, until 2017.[96]
Morrissey met his future tag team partner Eric Arndt (Enzo Amore) when they played basketball together atthe Cage inManhattan, New York, nearly 10 years before they reunited in WWE in August 2013.[14] Their 15-year friendship ended after Morrissey suffered a legitimate knee injury and Arndt was publicly critical of him for not finishing their match after the injury.[96] The two have since reconciled.[97]
During their time in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), Morrisey roomed with fellow wrestler Jonathan Good, known asDean Ambrose in WWE and Jon Moxley in AEW. The two lived together until 2014 while Ambrose had already joined the main roster. Morrisey said he enjoyed living with Ambrose, calling it "the best [time] of his life."[98]
On December 8, 2018, Morrissey suffered anepileptic seizure while at his merchandise table during aHouse of Hardcore event. He was treated by medical personnel whileTommy Dreamer andBubba Ray Dudley were by his side. He was responsive and eventually taken to the hospital.[66] Following his seizure, with the help of pro wrestlerDiamond Dallas Page, Morissey became sober and got treated for depression.[99]
On September 14, 2019, Morrissey was involved in an incident backstage at a WrestlePro independent show where he allegedly confronted and tried to fightJoey Janela (who was involved in an incident with Morrissey's tag team partner, Eric Arndt, months earlier) and he also allegedly confronted and spat in the face of independent wrestlerPat Buck. According to witnesses, Buck retaliated by punching Morrissey in the face. Morrissey was kicked out of the building, and police officers were called after he refused to leave. No charges were filed.[100] In 2021, both Morrissey and Janela have made amends.[101]
Since April 2021, Morrissey has been in a relationship with AEW interviewerLexy Nair, who is also the stepdaughter ofDiamond Dallas Page.[102]They got engaged on December 24, 2022.[103] They would get married in December 2024 in Mexico.[104]
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