 Roode in 2018 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Francis Roode Jr.[6] (1976-05-11)May 11, 1976 (age 49)[7] Peterborough, Ontario, Canada[1] |
Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Bobby Roode[1][2] Bobby Rude[1] Lee Awesome[1] Robert Roode[3] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3] |
| Billed weight | 235 lb (107 kg)[3] |
| Billed from | Toronto, Ontario, Canada[3] |
| Trained by | Scott D'Amore[1] Shane Sewell[1] Val Venis[1] |
| Debut | June 19, 1998[4] |
| Retired | February 22, 2024[5] |
Robert Francis Roode Jr. (born May 11, 1976) is a Canadian retiredprofessional wrestler. He is signed toWWE, where he works as aproducer.
Roode is best known for his twelve-year tenure inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). After debuting for TNA as part ofTeam Canada in 2004, he won theNWA World Tag Team Championship withEric Young. Following the team's breakup, embarked on a singles run before forming a tag team withJames Storm asBeer Money, Inc. Together with Storm, he is asix-timeTNA World Tag Team Champion and they are the longest reigning champions in TNA history. Roode eventually became atwo-timeTNA World Heavyweight Champion, with his first reign being the second longest reign in the company's history at 256 days, only behindJosh Alexander's reign at 335 days. In his later years with the company, Roode also won the World Tag Team Championship withAustin Aries and was aone-timeTNA King of the Mountain Champion.
In 2016, he began his WWE career inNXT, where he was aone-timeNXT Champion prior to his main roster call-up. Roode debuted onSmackDown in August 2017, winning theUnited States Championship in January 2018, his first championship on the main roster, and he won theRaw Tag Team Championship with partnerChad Gable that December. He also has held the Raw andSmackDown Tag Team Championshipsonceeach withDolph Ziggler. Overall, Roode is a two-time world champion in professional wrestling.
Roode grew up around an athletic environment playing minor hockey in Peterborough and attended Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institution. He was also a stick boy for the OHL'sPeterborough Petes and witnessed players such as future NHLersMike Ricci,Tie Domi, andChris Pronger train for the local major junior team.
Roode was trained in his hometown ofPeterborough, Ontario by fellow OntariansShane Sewell andSean Morley.[1] He completed his training after a year and wrestled his debut match in June 1998 as "Total" Lee Awesome against Pete Rock.[1][8] He then went on to work for various Canadianindependentpromotions, as well as making appearances for thePuerto Rican promotion,World Wrestling Council (WWC). He also went on to work a series ofdark matches forWorld Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE) between 1998 and 2004 before he was signed byTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[8]
Roode began working for Real Action Wrestling in 2001, where he formed avillainousstable known as The Kardinal Sinners along withKingman andMike Hughes as well as part-time membersWildman Gary Williams andThe Acadian Giant. Roode later rejoined them as a part of theirWrestling Reality show to be aired onThe Fight Network, but he was not seen on these episodes due to contractual obligations with TNA.
While in TNA, Roode also wrestled forBSE Pro in Ontario,Border City Wrestling inWindsor, Ontario and atNWA Shockwave inNew Jersey. On March 18, 2006, he won theNWA Shockwave Internet Championship from Josh Daniels at an NWAS/New York Wrestling Connection cross-promotional event. Eight days later on March 26, Roode won the vacantNWA Shockwave Heavyweight Championship atDisturbing the Peace 2006 in a four-way match. Roode held both titles until May 21, when he dropped the Internet title and successfully defended the Heavyweight title againstSlyck Wagner Brown. Due to the restarting of the company, all of the NWA Cyberspace championships were vacated, including Roode's Heavyweight title.
Roode performed for the WWF/WWE numerous times between 2001 and 2004. He usually appeared in secondary television programs likeJakked/Metal,Sunday Night Heat orVelocity. He also wrestled dark matches beforeRaw andSmackDown.
In May 2004, Roode was brought intoTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) byScott D'Amore, the owner ofBorder City Wrestling, a Canadian independent promotion for which Roode had worked on occasion. Roode debuted in TNA as part of theTeam Canada stable,[9] and took part in theWorld X-Cup, which was won by Team USA. Team Canada went on tofeud with3Live Kru andAmerica's Most Wanted. on the October 12, 2004 episode of Impact, Team Canada (Roode and Eric Young) defeated Christopher Daniels (4) and James Storm to win theNWA World Tag Team Championship. atVictory Road, Team Canada lost the titles to3Live Kru (B.G. James andKonnan). As the biggest and most powerful member of Team Canada at the time, Roode acted as theenforcer of the group, a role popularised byArn Anderson. In early 2006, recognizing his comparisons to Anderson, he made the request that he be called "The Canadian Enforcer" from that point onward, and began coming to the ring in sequined robes reminiscent of the flashy style popularized by theFour Horsemen andRick Rude in the late 1980s.
Roode began a feud withDustin Rhodes in early 2005, losing to him at April'sLockdown in abest of three fallssteel cage match, with the third fall ablindfold match.[10] AtHard Justice, Roode competed in a Twenty-ManGauntlet for the Gold which was won byAbyss. After that Roode feuded withLance Hoyt, who he defeated atSlammiversary[11] and atNo Surrender with Team Canada, Hoyt teaming withThe Naturals. AtSacrifice, Team Canada defeatedAmerica's Most Wanted and The Naturals in an Eight-man tag team match. After defeatingJeff Hardy atUnbreakable in September,[12] Roode and the remainder of Team Canada resumed their feud with 3Live Kru. AtBound for Glory, Team Canada defeated 3Live Kru. atGenesis (2005), Team Canada lost to 3Live Kru in a6-Sided Stick Fight withKip James asspecial guest referee and atTurning Point Team Canada defeated 4Live Kru (B.G. James, Kip James, Konnan and Ron Killings) in an Eight-man tag team match.
AtFinal Resolution, Roode began a singles career, while still being linked to Team Canada, by defeatingRon Killings.[13] Five months later, on the June 29 episode ofTNA Impact!,TNA Management DirectorJim Cornette forced the breakup of Team Canada.[14] However, on the July 6 episode ofImpact!, Cornette gave Team Canada one more chance to stay together but only if they could win a match a week later againstJay Lethal,Rhino andTeam 3D (Brother Ray andBrother Devon).[15] On the July 13 episode ofImpact!, Team Canada lost the match when Jay Lethal pinnedA-1, disbanding Team Canada once and for all.[16]
After the breakup of Team Canada, Roode began referring to himself as "TNA's hottestfree agent".Vignettes began playing with various TNAmanagers such asSimon Diamond,Jim Mitchell, andShane Douglasputting over the idea of Roode being anNWA World Heavyweight Championship contender and stating their interest in becoming his manager, but he eventually dismissed them. Having chosen not to work with a current TNA manager, segments began airing with Roode interviewing managers for the position;Bobby "The Brain" Heenan on September 7,[17]Col. Robert Parker on September 14,[18] andSherri Martel on September 21.[19] He revealed his chosen manager,Traci Brooks, atBound for Glory, and promptly started going by "Robert Roode" while adopting aWall Streetstock tradergimmick, with Brooks now being referred to as "Ms. Brooks", his "Chief Executive Offender" (CEO).[20] His first feud after the retool was againstEric Young, of whom he became jealous when he realized fans still were not cheering him, but cheered Young's every move. After Young beat Brooks in a bikini contest he demanded that Brooks "sign" Young to "Robert Roode Inc.". Finally, at the 2007Against All Odds event Brooks successfully seduced Young into signing a contract with "Robert Roode Inc.", and Roode began to control Young by ordering him around.[21] However, Young began to fight back due to the advice of a mystery "friend".
AtLockdown, Roode facedPetey Williams, the man he believed to be Young's "friend", and won the match despite Young attempting to help Williams.[22] The following week, Young proclaimed that Williams was not his "friend", and Roode, who controlled Young's contract, gave Young a week to tell him who his friend was or he'd be fired. The following week, Young revealed his "friend" to beJeff Jarrett, which resulted in Roode facing Jarrett atSacrifice. Roode went on to defeat Jarrett after hitting him with the Pay Off.[23] Roode eventually faced Young in a match atSlammiversary.[24] Roode scored the pinfall after hitting Young with asteel chair, but, just as he was about to fire Young, Jim Cornette came out and ordered the match to be restarted.[24] Young then pinned Roode with an inside cradle, in the process severing his ties with Roode.[24] AtVictory Road, Roode and Ms. Brooks lost to Eric Young and Gail Kim in a Mixed tag team match.
Roode and Ms. Brooks then joined forces withChristian's Coalition to aid in their battles withSting andAbyss, and on the July 26 episode ofImpact!,Mike Tenay stated that Roode had joined the stable. Weeks after that, after Eric Young lost a match againstTeam 3D, Roode and Brooks "tarred and feathered" Young. On the August 7 episode ofTNA Today Young issued a challenge for a "humiliation match" atHard Justice to Roode,[25] with the loser to be tarred and feathered. Roode won, but Ms. Brooks ended up tarred and feathered while Roode just watched from the stage and afterwards, as she questioned his loyalty, his apparent bullying of her became a key storyline and side angle.[26][failed verification]
Roode then entered a mini-feud withKaz, who confronted Roode when he mistreated Ms. Brooks. Roode defeated Kaz atNo Surrender.[27] Soon afterwards, other wrestlers followed in Kaz's footsteps. An interview revealed that Brooks put up with Roode's actions because she needed to raise money for her ill mother. Since then, the "superstars' protest" portion of the mistreatment angle quietly faded, though Roode's egotistical bullying antics got worse.
Roode participated in theFight for the Right Tournament. AtBound for Glory, he was the last person eliminated in thegauntlet section of the tournament by Eric Young and lost his opening tournament match toJunior Fatu. Around this time, Roode not only started mistreating Brooks even further, he started to show signs of full-blownmisogyny[citation needed] in segments involving or referring to other women, such asKaren Angle,Gail Kim orSharmell. In the loss to Fatu, the dissension was reciprocated by Brooks, who laughed as Fatu gave Roode astinkface. On the November 8, 2007 episode ofTNA Impact, Brooks finally stood up to Roode by shoving him away from his attack onChris Harris, and herself attacking"Roode's No. 1 Fan". atGenesis (2007), Roode lost to Samoa Joe.
Roode formed a partnership withChristian Cage against TNA newcomerBooker T, claiming that "has beens" like Booker T show up and gain main event status at the expense of long time Talent like himself. atTurning Point (2007), Roode and Cage lost to Booker T andKaz. Roode and Cage then aligned themselves withKurt Angle, after an invitation to join theAngle Alliance onImpact!. This only lasted for one night, however, as theAngle Alliance lost to the team ofSamoa Joe,Kevin Nash, Kaz, Booker T and Eric Young, when Nash pinned Roode. Cage and Roode then had a face to face altercation in the ring which lead to Angle and Roode attacking Cage, thus kicking Cage out of the Angle Alliance and turning the Angle-Cage tension into a full-blown feud.
AtFinal Resolution, Roode teamed up with Ms. Brooks in a mixed tag team match against Booker T and his wifeSharmell.[28] After losing the match Roode finally completed his turn on Brooks and as Sharmell ran back into the ring to stop it, Roode turned around and hit her in the jaw, knocking her out.[28] As Booker T ran to the ring to aid his wife, Roode escaped the ring, and looking back at the ring he realized what he had done.[28] The followingImpact!, Roode faced Brooks and fired her, but was stopped by Jim Cornette when he tried to lay hands on her. Subsequently, Roode's "number one fan" attacked Brooks when she was leaving the ring. Roode's fan, namedMs. Payton Banks, replaced Brooks.
After Final Resolution, and with Payton Banks by his side, Roode continued his feud with Booker T. atAgainst All Odds, where the two faced off in a singles match.[29] Roode ran from the ring and escaped the arena in a car, only to further infuriate Booker. Booker and Roode faced off again atDestination X in a Stand By Your Man Strap Match, with the loser's manager (Banks for Roode, Brooks for Booker) to receive ten leather lashes from the winner's manager.[30] Roode won after using a handcuff-armed fist, but Sharmell returned and whipped everyone with a leather belt, including Jim Cornette.[30] The following week onImpact!, Cornette punished her by putting her in a mixed tag team match with Booker against Roode and Banks atLockdown, which Booker and Sharmell won.[31] After the match, Roode verbally abused Banks for losing, much like he used to abuse Ms. Brooks, effectively ending their alliance.[31] AtSacrifice, Roode and Booker T lost to Christian Cage and Rhino in aDeuces Wild Tag Team Tournament Quarterfinal match. AtSlammiversary, Roode competed in theKing of the Mountain match for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.
On the June 12 episode ofImpact!, Roode, along withJames Storm, challengedThe Latin American Xchange (LAX) (Homicide andHernandez) for theTNA World Tag Team Championship. Storm and Roode won, after Storm performed aLast Call on Hernandez, with a belt wrapped around his boot.Hector Guerrero, LAX's manager, was at ringside, however, and got the match restarted by informing the referee about what had happened. LAX then retained, leading to Roode, Storm, and Jacqueline attacking LAX. The next week, LAX challenged Storm and Roode to aFan's Revenge Lumberjack match atVictory Road. Roode and Storm then began calling themselves "Beer Money, Inc.", sometimes shortened to simply "Beer Money", with their name based on their individual gimmicks (Storm's beer-drinking cowboy gimmick representing "Beer" and Roode's Wall Street stock trader gimmick representing "Money"). At Victory Road, LAX won the match.[32] AtHard Justice, however, Beer Money became the new TNA World Tag Team Champions, defeating LAX after hitting Homicide with a beer bottle.[33] The feud continued throughNo Surrender with Beer Money, Inc. once again getting the win.[34] AtBound for Glory IV, Beer Money successfully defended their titles in a four-team Monster's Ball match, after Roode pinned Hernandez of LAX.[35]
After that Beer Money retained the tag team championship atTurning Point againstThe Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley andChris Sabin).[36] Beer Money, Inc. later engaged in a feud withMatt Morgan and Abyss, retaining the titles against them atFinal Resolution.[37] Roode and Storm lost the titles to Lethal and Creed on the January 8 episode ofImpact! but regained them three days later atGenesis in a 3-way match which also involved the team of Abyss and Matt Morgan.[38] Beer Money, Inc. faced Creed and Jay Lethal atAgainst All Odds and retained the championship.[39] AtLockdown, Beer Money lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Team 3D in a PhiladelphiaStreet Fight, where Team 3D'sIWGP Tag Team Titles were also on the line. On May 21, Beer Money turnedface by coming to the rescue of Team 3D, who were being attacked byThe British Invasion (Doug Williams,Brutus Magnus and their bodyguardRob Terry). They stated that from all of the times they have fought, Team 3D showed them that if you are going to fight, you should at least fight fairly. AtSacrifice Beer Money defeated The British Invasion to win theTeam 3D Invitational Tag Team Tournament and earn the right to challenge Team 3D for the TNA World Tag Team Titles.[40] AtSlammiversary, Beer Money defeated Team 3D to win the TNA World Tag Team Titles for the third time. The following month atVictory Road, Beer Money lost the titles to Booker T andScott Steiner ofThe Main Event Mafia.
The two teams' feud intertwined with that of Team 3D and the British Invasion, causing a three-month long war between the four teams. Beer Money went on to lose to the British Invasion in an IWGP Tag Team Championship match atHard Justice,[41] win aLethal Lockdown match atNo Surrender (teaming with Team 3D against MEM and the Invasion),[42] and lose a 4-wayFull Metal Mayhem match atBound for Glory for both the TNA and IWGP Tag Team Championships, with Team 3D winning the IWGP belts and the British Invasion the TNA belts.[43] Beer Money were permitted one last title shot the followingImpact!, where they fought the British Invasion in aSix Sides of Steel match. Brutus Magnus had his team disqualified by punching the referee, causing him and Doug Williams to retain the championships.[44] On the November 12 episode ofImpact! Beer Money defeated the British Invasion in a non-title match to join the Motor City Machine Guns in the Tag Team Title match atTurning Point.[45] At the Pay-Per-View The British Invasion managed to retain their titles after Kevin Nash nailed Storm with theTNA Global Championship belt.[46] AtGenesis Roode and Storm scored an upset victory overThe Band of Kevin Nash andSyxx-Pac.[47]
WithHulk Hogan andEric Bischoff taking over TNA at the beginning of 2010, Beer Money's TV time was significantly reduced.[48] Upon their return toImpact!, Beer Money turned heel on the March 8 episode ofImpact! by first volunteering to face Jeff Jarrett in a handicap match and then defeating him after a low blow and the DWI, claiming it was the only way they were going to get noticed by the new management.[49] Roode and Storm had since acted as Bischoff's henchmen, taking on wrestlers he's had problems with, often in two-on-one situations.[50][51] AtDestination X Beer Money challenged Matt Morgan and Hernandez for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, but were unable to dethrone the defending champions.[52] AtLockdown Beer Money, along with Sting andDesmond Wolfe, represented Team Flair in the annualLethal Lockdown match, where they were defeated by Team Hogan (Abyss, Jeff Jarrett,Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy).[53] They then started a feud with the newly formed team of Jeff Hardy andMr. Anderson, known collectively as The Enigmatic Assholes, who went on to defeat them atSlammiversary VIII.[54] On the following episode ofImpact!, Ric Flair, who had aligned himself with Roode, Storm,A.J. Styles, Desmond Wolfe andKazarian, revived theFour Horsemen under the new nameFourtune, stating that each of them had to earn their spots in the group; Flair also compared Storm and Roode toOle Anderson andTully Blanchard.[55][56] After the TNA World Tag Team Championship was vacated in June, Beer Money entered a four-team, two-week-long tournament to decide the opponent of The Motor City Machine Guns for the titles atVictory Road. Beer Money advanced to the title match at the pay-per-view by defeating Team 3D andInk Inc. (Jesse Neal andShannon Moore).[56][57] At Victory Road Beer Money was defeated by the Motor City Machine Guns in the match for the World Tag Team Championship.[58] After Victory Road Beer Money entered a Best of Five Series with the Motor City Machine Guns, contested for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Beer Money won the first two matches, aladder match and a Street Fight, after knocking their opponents out with beer bottles.[59][60] On the July 29 episode ofImpact!, Ric Flair offered Roode and Storm, who were just one victory away from becoming four-time TNA World Tag Team Champions, the final two spots on Fourtune.[61][62] However, Shelley and Sabin came back to win the two following matches in the Best of Five Series, a steel cage match and anUltimate X match, to even the score to 2–2 and set up a deciding match for the August 12 episode ofImpact!.[62][63] On the August 12 episode ofImpact! Beer Money, Inc. was defeated in aTwo Out of Three Falls match and as a result lost the Best of Five Series 2–3.[64] Later that night Douglas Williams and Matt Morgan were added to Fourtune, as the stable attackedEV 2.0, a stable consisting of formerExtreme Championship Wrestling performers.[64] In the weeks leading toBound for Glory, the stable's name was tweaked to Fortune to represent the expansion in the number of members in the group.[65][66] At Bound for Glory Roode, Storm, Styles, Kazarian and Morgan were defeated in a Lethal Lockdown match by EV 2.0 membersTommy Dreamer,Raven, Rhino,Sabu andStevie Richards.[67] On the following episode ofImpact! Fortune formed an alliance with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's new stable,Immortal.[68] AtTurning Point Fortune defeated EV 2.0 in a ten-man tag team match and, as a result, EV 2.0's Sabu was released from TNA.[69] The following month atFinal Resolution, Roode and Storm returned to the TNA World Tag Team Championship picture by defeating Ink Inc. in a number one contender's match.[70] On January 9, 2011, atGenesis, Beer Money, Inc. defeated the Motor City Machine Guns to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship for the fourth time.[71]
On January 31 at the tapings of the February 3 episode ofImpact!, Fortune turned face by attacking Immortal, when they interfered in aTNA World Heavyweight Championship match between Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy.[72][73] Ric Flair, who did not take part in Fortune's turn due being out with a torn rotator cuff, returned at the February 14 tapings of the February 17 episode ofImpact!, turning on Fortune and jumping to Immortal.[74][75] On April 17 atLockdown, Roode, Storm, Kazarian andChristopher Daniels, who replaced an injured A.J. Styles, defeated Immortal representatives Ric Flair, Abyss,Bully Ray andMatt Hardy in a Lethal Lockdown match, when Roode forced Flair to submit with aFujiwara armbar. The finish was used to write Flair off television for a month.[76] In early May, Roode began once again using the first name Bobby.[77] On May 15 atSacrifice, Beer Money, Inc. successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Immortal representatives Matt Hardy and Chris Harris, Storm's old tag team partner who had made his surprise return to TNA on the previous episode ofImpact!.[78] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode was a victim of a five-on-one beatdown at the hands of Immortal as a retribution for what he did to Flair at Lockdown.[79] Two weeks later, Eric Bischoff attempted to strip Beer Money, Inc. of their TNA World Tag Team Championship due to Roode's injury, but was interrupted by the champions' former rival Alex Shelley (whose partner, Chris Sabin, had also become injured), who agreed to take Roode's spot in the title defense against the British Invasion atSlammiversary IX.[80] At the pay-per-view, Storm and Shelley were successful in their title defense.[81] Roode made his in-ring return on the June 23 episode ofImpact Wrestling, in a tag team match, where he and Storm were defeated byCrimson and Matt Morgan.[82] On July 13, Beer Money, Inc. became the longest reigning TNA World Tag Team Champions in the title's history, breaking the previous record of 184 days set by A.J. Styles andTomko in 2007. On August 7 atHardcore Justice, Beer Money, Inc. successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship againstMexican America (Anarquia and Hernandez).[83] Two days later, at the tapings of the August 18 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Mexican America defeated Beer Money, Inc. in a rematch, following interference from Jeff Jarrett, to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship, ending Roode's and Storm's record-setting reign at 212 days.[84][85]
From June to September, Roode was one of the twelve participants in theBound for Glory Series to determine the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. When thegroup stage of the tournament concluded, Roode finished in the top four and thus advanced to the finals atNo Surrender along with James Storm, Bully Ray andGunner.[86] On September 11 at No Surrender, Roode defeated Gunner via submission, moving him up to 52 points, tying the score of Bully Ray, who had defeated Storm earlier in the event, and setting up a tiebreaker match between Roode and Ray. In the tiebreaker match, Roode defeated Ray via pinfall to win the Bound for Glory Series and earn a match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship atBound for Glory.[87] In the weeks leading to Bound for Glory, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, in an attempt to cause dissension within Fortune, forced Roode to face each of his stablemates in a series of singles matches, promising them title matches, should they be able to defeat him. In the first match on the September 15 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode defeated Kazarian via submission.[88] After Daniels refused to take part in his match, Roode finished the series by defeating Styles and Storm respectively on the September 29 and October 6 episodes ofImpact Wrestling.[89][90] On October 16 at Bound for Glory, Roode failed to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship when he was pinned by Angle, after the referee failed to notice his arm under the ropes or Angle using the ropes for leverage.[91]
On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, after it was revealed that Roode was not eligible for a rematch with Angle, new authority figure Sting gave the next title shot to James Storm, who then went on to defeat Angle to become the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion.[92] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode defeated Samoa Joe to become the number one contender to Storm's title.[93] On the November 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode defeated Storm to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, after hitting him with his own beer bottle, dissolving Beer Money, Inc. turningheel in the process.[94] Roode and Storm had a rematch for the title the following week. As a result of a backstage attack, Storm came into the match bleeding and eventually lost, after passing out due to blood loss. After the match, Roode was challenged by his former Fortune stablemate, A.J. Styles.[95] On November 13 atTurning Point, Roode successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Styles, pinning him while holding his tights.[96] On December 11 atFinal Resolution, Roode retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, after wrestling Styles to a draw in a30-Minute Iron Man match.[97] Roode and Styles wrestled a sudden death overtime period on the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, where Roode managed to retain his title.[98] On January 8, 2012, atGenesis, Roode again retained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship after getting himself disqualified in his title match againstJeff Hardy.[99] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, a rematch between Roode and Hardy ended in a no contest, following interference from Bully Ray.[100] The following episode ofImpact Wrestling, both Roode and Ray interfered in a number one contender's match between Hardy and Storm, which ended the match in a no contest.[101] On February 12 atAgainst All Odds, Roode defeated Hardy, Ray, and Storm in a four-way match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship afterspecial ringside enforcerSting accidentally knocked out Hardy with the title belt.[102] The following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode retained the championship against Hardy in a No Disqualification match, following interference from Kurt Angle.[103] Roode then began feuding with TNA's General Manager Sting,[103] which eventually led to Sting returning to the ring on March 18 atVictory Road, where Roode defeated him in a non-title No Holds Barred match.[104] On April 15 atLockdown, Roode defeated James Storm in a steel cage match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship after being accidentallysuperkicked out of the cage for the win.[105] On May 13 atSacrifice, Roode defeated Rob Van Dam in a ladder match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[106] On the May 24 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode successfully defended the title against A.J. Styles to break Styles' record of 211 days as TNA World Heavyweight Champion the following day. Following the match, Roode was attacked by the returning Sting.[107] The following week, Roode was defeated by Sting in a non-title lumberjack match in the first live episode ofImpact Wrestling.[108] On June 10 atSlammiversary, Roode successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a rematch against Sting, after hitting him with James Storm's beer bottle. After the match, Roode was again attacked by Sting.[109] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode made another successful title defense, defeating Mr. Anderson by submission.[110] On July 8 atDestination X, Roode lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship toAustin Aries, ending his reign at 256 days.[111]
In an attempt to prove that Aries' victory had been a fluke, Roode faced the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion in a non-title match on the July 19 episode ofImpact Wrestling. However, the match ended in a no contest, when both competitors were attacked by a group of masked assailants, known only as the "Aces & Eights".[112] On August 12 atHardcore Justice, Roode unsuccessfully challenged Aries for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship,[113] with a pre-match stipulation preventing him from getting another rematch for the title as long as Aries was champion.[114] After not being seen for several weeks, Roode returned on September 9 atNo Surrender, costing James Storm his Bound for Glory Series semifinal match against Bully Ray.[115] On the September 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Storm challenged Roode to a match as part of the Open Fight Night. The match ended in a no contest, when referee Brian Hebner was unable control the two brawling rivals.[116] The rivalry between Roode and Storm culminated on October 14 atBound for Glory in a Street Fight, withKing Mo serving as thespecial guest enforcer, which was won by Storm.[117] On November 11 atTurning Point, Roode was again defeated by Storm in a three-way number one contenders match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, also involving A.J. Styles; however, Roode was not pinned; had he been, he would not get another title opportunity until Bound for Glory 2013.[118] However, on the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode defeated Storm in a rematch for the number one contendership for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[119] On the December 6 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode was revealed as the man who paid off the Aces & Eights to attack TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy at the end of the show.[120] Three days later atFinal Resolution, Roode failed in his title challenge against Hardy, after which, both men were attacked by the Aces & Eights.[121] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Aces & Eights member Devon revealed Roode was outbidded by Austin Aries to prevent him from winning the title.[122] The following week, Roode attacked Aries in the main event of the evening, costing him his shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.[123] Roode and Aries faced off in a number one contender's match on the next episode ofImpact Wrestling. The match ended in a no contest after the two attacked refereeEarl Hebner and then were, in turn attacked by Hardy.[124] The rivalry culminated in a three-way elimination match on January 13, 2013, atGenesis, where Roode failed again to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Hardy.[125]
On January 25, at the tapings of the January 31 episode ofImpact Wrestling inManchester, England, Roode and Aries defeatedChavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship, for the fifth time in his career.[126] Roode and Aries made their first successful title defense on March 10 atLockdown, defeatingBad Influence (Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) and Chavo Guerrero, Jr. and Hernandez in a three-way match.[127] On the March 21 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode and Aries defeated Guerrero and Hernandez to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship, following interference from Daniels and Kazarian. Afterwards, the champions were attacked by Daniels and Kazarian.[128] On the April 11 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode and Aries lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship back to Guerrero and Hernandez in a Two-out-of-Three Falls match, ending their reign at 76 days.[129] Roode and Aries received their rematch on the April 25 episode ofImpact Wrestling, but were again defeated by Guerrero and Hernandez after an inadvertent interference from Christopher Daniels and Kazarian.[130] Roode and Aries faced Daniels and Kazarian in number one contenders match on the May 9 episode ofImpact Wrestling, however, the match ended in a no contest after special guest referee James Storm superkicked Aries and Daniels and walked out on the match.[131] Roode and Aries received another shot at Guerrero and Hernandez's titles on June 2 atSlammiversary XI, in a fatal four-way elimination match, which also included Bad Influence and was won by Gunner and James Storm.[132]
As a result of previously winning the Bound for Glory Series, Roode and Jeff Hardy were entered into the2013 Bound for Glory Series on the June 13 episode ofImpact Wrestling.[133] Roode began the BFG series with a string of losses against Jeff Hardy, Magnus, and his former tag team partner Austin Aries.[134][135][136][137] On the August 1 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode claimed he would go back to his old ways in order to regain the World Heavyweight Championship. Roode then defeated Hernandez via pinfall, after hitting him in the head with a beer bottle, to earn seven points in the tournament.[138] The following week, Roode allied himself with Christopher Daniels and Kazarian to form a new force and so that one of them would win the Bound for Glory series.[139] On August 15 atImpact Wrestling: Hardcore Justice, Roode defeated Magnus, Mr. Anderson, and Samoa Joe in a tables match, following interference from Daniels and Kazarian, to capture twenty points in the BFG Series.[140] The following week, the trio labelled themselves EGO and Roode and Kazarian went on to defeat TNA World Tag Team Champions Gunner and James Storm in a non-title match. EGO also tried to recruit Roode's former tag team partner Austin Aries, but Aries answered their offer by attacking Daniels and costing him his BFG series match.[141] Roode's participation in the Bound for Glory series ended on the September 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, when he was eliminated from a twenty-point battle royal by A.J. Styles.[142]
EGO went on to feud with Magnus by attacking him and costing him several matches.[143][144][145] On the October 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Magnus ran a gauntlet match against EGO and eliminated both Daniels and Kazarian before Roode won the match by making Magnus submit to an ankle lock.[146] As a result of defeating Magnus, EGO held a mock Hall of Fame induction for Roode the following week, in mockery to Kurt Angle's induction, leading to Angle returning, attacking all three members of EGO in retaliation, and issuing a challenge to Roode atBound for Glory, which Roode accepted.[147] On October 20 at Bound for Glory, Roode defeated Kurt Angle after Angle injured himself while hitting his finisher.[148] The two had a rematch on the October 31 episode ofImpact Wrestling, where Roode won via referee stoppage after Angle suffered convulsions and post-concussive symptoms.[149] After his two victories, Roode continued the feud by insulting Angle and brawling with him.[150] Simultaneously, Roode entered a tournament for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship and defeated James Storm in a Florida Death Match in the first round to advance.[151] Two weeks later, after losing in the semi-finals to Jeff Hardy in a Tables match, Roode attacked Angle during his match with Magnus, costing him and also eliminating him from the tournament.[152] On December 19 atFinal Resolution, Roode defeated Angle again in a 2-out-of-3 falls match.[153] The rivalry culminated in a steel cage match on January 23, 2014, atGenesis, where Angle emerged victorious.[154]
With his rivalry with Angle behind him, Roode began having problems with TNA PresidentDixie Carter due to being upset about not receiving a World title opportunity after aiding her on many occasions.[155][156][157] On the February 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode considered leaving TNA, citing changes in opinions on Angle and Carter, but was then persuaded to agree to captain Team Dixie against Team MVP atLockdown in return for 10% ownership if Team Dixie was successful.[158] On March 2, Roode was part of a group of TNA wrestlers that took part inWrestle-1'sKaisen: Outbreak event inTokyo, Japan. During the event, Roode was defeated byMasakatsu Funaki in a singles match.[159] On March 9 at Lockdown, Team Dixie (Roode,The BroMans (Jessie Godderz andRobbie E), and Austin Aries) were defeated by Team MVP (MVP,The Wolves (Eddie Edwards andDavey Richards) andWillow) in the Lethal Lockdown match after special referee Bully Ray powerbombed Roode through a table, allowing MVP to pin him and gain control of TNA.[160] This started a rivalry between Roode and Ray, with the two attacking each other on several occasions.[161][162][163][164][165] AtSacrifice, Roode defeated Bully Ray in a Tables match, thanks to an intervention of Dixie Carter.
At the edition of May 9 ofImpact Wrestling, Bobby Roode showed signs of a possibleface turn when he showed mutual respect for TNA World ChampionEric Young, and the two shook hands on one more championship match for that same night. The match, however, did not happen becauseTNA Director of Operations MVP declined to make the match. At the end of the episode, MVP ended up attacking Young and declared himself the number-one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship atSlammiversary. At the edition of May 15 ofImpact Wrestling, Roode was suspended indefinitely for his confrontation with MVP. A campaign began on impactwrestling.com to lift Roode's suspension. On the edition of June 19 ofImpact Wrestling, Roode returned and attackedKenny King and saving his long-time best friend Eric Young from further injury after losing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship toLashley, and turning face in the process for the first time since 2011. On the July 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, he defeated Kenny King in a Street Fight and MVP on the July 24 episode ofImpact Wrestling in a Falls Count Anywhere match. On the September 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, he defeated Eric Young to be the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. However, he was defeated by Lashley atNo Surrender and failed to win the title. On the October 15 episode ofImpact Wrestling, he defeated Austin Aries, Eric Young and Jeff Hardy once again to be the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On September 18, 2014, in the main event of theImpact Wrestling episode taped to air on October 28, Roode defeatedLashley to win theTNA World Heavyweight Championship for the second time.[166] He successfully retained his title against MVP on the November 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling. On November 15, 2014, Roode successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship againstTommy Dreamer atHouse of Hardcore VII.[167] On January 7, 2015 onImpact Wrestling Roode lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Lashley, after interference fromMVP,Kenny King, and two masked men who seconds later revealed themselves asSamoa Joe andLow Ki. Roode's best friendEric Young came out with a steel chair to scare them away but ultimately hit Roode with the chair, costing him the match. On the January 16, 2015, episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode was defeated by Young in a No Disqualification match. On the January 23 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode teamed with Kurt Angle, but lost once again against Eric Young and Low Ki. However, Bobby Roode defeated Eric Young in a Six Sides of Steel match atLockdown and once again in a Last Man Standing match on the March 13 episode ofImpact Wrestling. The feud ended in a Submission match on the April 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, which Eric Young won.
In May, Roode reformedDirty Heels withAustin Aries in pursuit of the vacantTNA World Tag Team Championship. They both agreed to a best of five series withThe Wolves. On June 3, 2015 in the third match of the series, with The Wolves up 2–0, Aries pressured Roode to hitEddie Edwards with a steel chair. As Roode refused, Aries distracted the referee and Roode hit Edwards with a low blow and hit him with a steel chair to win the match, thanks to the influence of Aries, turningheel in the process. They win the fourth round on the June 24 episode ofImpact Wrestling, in aFull Metal Mayhem match. AtSlammiversary, Roode helped Aries to beatDavey Richards for pick the stipulation for the fifth match of the best of five series. Later, he competed in theKing of the Mountain match for the reactivatedTNA King of the Mountain Championship, in a losing effort. Roode and Aries lost the best of five series to The Wolves for the tag titles in the fifth match on the July 1 episode ofImpact Wrestling in an Iron Man match. On the July 22 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode lost a Tables match to Matt Hardy. On the August 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Aries was forced to faceRockstar Spud, with Aries' TNA career and Spud's "Rockstar" moniker on the line. Aries ultimately lost the match, resulting in him leaving TNA. On the August 12 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode attacked Rockstar Spud for ending Aries' career in TNA when Spud defeated Aries the previous week.
On the September 2 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Roode showed signs of a face turn after he defeatedGFW representativePJ Black to win the TNA King of the Mountain Championship. On October 4, atBound for Glory, Roode successfully defended his King of the Mountain Championship against Lashley. After the match, Roode and Lashley shook hands, thus turning Roodeface once again.[168] During October and November (taped in July), he participated in theTNA World Title Series. Roode ended first of his block, tied with Eric Young, advancing to the finals where he was defeated in the round of 16 byMatt Hardy.
On January 5, 2016 on TNA's debut onPop, James Storm returned to TNA to help Bobby Roode fight offEric Young andBram. After Storm told Roode he wanted to "get back to having fun", Storm handed Roode a beer officially reunitingBeer Money, Inc. On the January 12, 2016, edition ofImpact Wrestling, Roode lost theTNA King of the Mountain Championship to Eric Young. AtTNA One Night Only, Beer Money defeated Eric Young and Bram. In a rematch atLockdown, Beer Money defeated once again Eric Young and Bram in a Six Sides of Steel match, thus ending the feud. On February 9, 2016, Beer Money attempted to cash in their title shot against current champions the Wolves, however in their attempt to cash in,Decay (Abyss,Crazzy Steve,Rosemary) stopped them and mysteriously asked them to join their path of Decay.[169] They eventually challenged the group to a match, but it ended in disqualification when Abyss pulled the referee out of the ring and began choking him.[169] After the match, Crazzy Steve hit a low blow on Roode.[169] On the March 8 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Beer Money successfully cashed their Feast or Fired againstThe Wolves and win theTNA World Tag Team Championship for the fifth time in their career. They successfully retained their titles againstThe BroMans on the March 22 episode ofImpact Wrestling and against Decay, The BroMans and Eric Young and Bram on the April 12 episode ofImpact Wrestling. Their feud against Decay culminated atSacrifice in a Valley of Shadow match, which Decay won, winning the TNA World Tag Team Championship. On March 19, 2016, TNA announced Roode's departure from the company after 12 years.[170]
Through TNA's working relationships with various Japanese promotions, Roode has competed in Japan numerous times, beginning in 2009 when he and Storm, as Beer Money, debuted inNew Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), defeating Legend (Akira andMasahiro Chono).[171] They returned to New Japan in October 2010, first defeatingBad Intentions (Karl Anderson andGiant Bernard),[172] and thenNo Limit (Tetsuya Naito andYujiro Takahashi).[173] Storm and Roode made their debuts in theTokyo Dome on January 4, 2011, atWrestle Kingdom V, taking part in a three-way tag team match for theIWGP Tag Team Championship, won by Bad Intentions.[174]
Bobby Roode made his debut forHouse of Hardcore on November 15, 2014 as a surprise opponent forTommy Dreamer in a successful defense of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On March 7, 2015 atHouse of Hardcore VIII,Dirty Heels lost toThe Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) in the main event. On July 1, 2015, Roode competed inGlobal Force Wrestling's Global Championship tournament.[175] Roode made it to the finals, losing to Nick Aldis. On July 18, 2015 atHouse of Hardcore IX, Roode defeated Pepper Parks.[176] On November 13, 2015 at House of Hardcore 11, Roode faced Austin Aries in a losing effort. At House of Hardcore 11, Dirty Heels (Roode and Austin Aries) facedThe Wolves for the TNA World Tag Team Championship but failed to win the titles. AtHouse of Hardcore 14, Roode defeated Eric Young In the main event withJimmy Korderas as the special guest referee.
On April 1, 2016, Roode was shown on-screen standing in the crowd atNXT TakeOver: Dallas.[177] On June 8 atNXT TakeOver: The End, Roode appeared backstage during an interview with NXT General ManagerWilliam Regal, where he was seen walking into Regal's office, hinting that Roode was about to sign with WWE or had already done so.[178] On June 11 duringNXT's tour in the United Kingdom atDownload Festival, Roode made his in-ring debut and defeatedAngelo Dawkins.[179] On August 3, Roode made his NXT television debut and quickly turned on the crowd to establish himself as aheel.[180] The following week onNXT, Roode appeared afterAndrade "Cien" Almas defeated Angelo Dawkins and informed Almas that General Manager William Regal scheduled a match between the two on August 20 atNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II,[181] where Roode defeated Almas.[182] On the September 14 episode ofNXT, Roode defeatedNo Way Jose in hisFull Sail University debut.[183] On the September 28 episode ofNXT, Roode appeared afterTye Dillinger defeated Angelo Dawkins and later persuaded Dillinger to be his tag team partner for the 2016Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.[184] On the October 12 episode ofNXT, Roode and Dillinger were defeated bySAnitY (Alexander Wolfe andSawyer Fulton) in the first round after Roode walked out on Dillinger during the match.[185] Roode and Dillinger attacked each other following their matches throughout the subsequent weeks, leading to a match on November 19 atNXT TakeOver: Toronto,[186] in which Roode defeated Dillinger.[187]
On the December 14 episode ofNXT, Roode qualified for a #1 contender's fatal four-way match for theNXT Championship after defeatingOney Lorcan.[188] On the December 21 episode ofNXT, Roode defeated Andrade "Cien" Almas, Tye Dillinger andRoderick Strong in the fatal four-way match to earn the title shot against NXT ChampionShinsuke Nakamura.[189] On January 28, 2017 atNXT TakeOver: San Antonio, Roode defeated Nakamura to win the title, becoming the oldest NXT champion in WWE history in the process.[190] On the March 15 episode ofNXT, Roode made his first successful title defense, defeatingKassius Ohno. On April 1 atNXT TakeOver: Orlando, Roode successfully defended the title against Nakamura in a rematch, giving Nakamura his first clean singles loss in his departing match from NXT. On the April 19 episode of NXT, Roode was interrupted byHideo Itami, who attacked him with aGTS.[191] On May 20 atNXT TakeOver: Chicago, Roode retained the NXT Championship against Itami.[192] On the June 7 episode ofNXT, Roderick Strong announced his intentions of capturing the NXT Championship and Roode came out to mock him.[192] Sparking a rivalry, the two engaged in a backstage brawl two weeks later after Roode mocked Strong and his family.[193] On the July 5 episode ofNXT, Roode successfully defended the NXT Championship against Strong.[194] On the July 19 episode ofNXT,Drew McIntyre defeatedKillian Dain, earning the right to challenge Roode for the NXT Championship.[195] On the August 2 episode ofNXT, Strong attempted to attack Roode during a backstage interview, in which Roode claimed to be a "better man" than Strong.[196] On the August 16 episode ofNXT, Roode attacked both McIntyre and Strong during their main event to end the show.[197] On August 19 atNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Roode lost the NXT Championship to McIntyre, giving Roode his first singles loss in NXT.[198] On the August 30 episode ofNXT, Roode lost to Strong in his last televised NXT match. Roode wrestled his NXT farewell match at a NXT live event in Toronto on September 9, when he defeatedVelveteen Dream.
On the August 22 episode ofSmackDown, Roode made his main roster debut as aface, defeatingAiden English in a singles match and later defeatedMike Kanellis on the following episode ofSmackDown Live. On the September 26 episode ofSmackDown Live, Roode confronted and challengedDolph Ziggler for a match on October 8 atHell in a Cell which Roode won with a roll-up whilst holding Ziggler's tights. Afterwards, Ziggler attacked Roode and demanded a rematch on the following episode ofSmackDown Live which Roode accepted, suffering his first pinfall loss on the main roster as this time it was Ziggler who held Roode's tights. On the October 24 episode ofSmackDown Live, Roode interrupted a backstage interview with Ziggler andRenee Young, suggesting atwo out of three falls match next week onSmackDown Live with Ziggler, which he accepted. Roode then defeated Ziggler two falls to one, ending their feud and also earning a spot on Team SmackDown atSurvivor Series. On November 19 at Survivor Series, Roode was eliminated second overall byBraun Strowman and Team SmackDown then eventually lost to Team Raw. In late November, Roode started a rivalry withUnited States ChampionBaron Corbin, leading to a match for the title on December 17 atClash of Champions also involving Ziggler, who won the title by pinning Corbin.
On January 3, 2018, Roode was announced to team withSmackDown Women's ChampionCharlotte Flair (dubbed The Robe Warriors) in theMixed Match Challenge tournament.[199] After Ziggler vacated the United States Championship on the December 19 episode ofSmackDown Live, aneight-man tournament was set up to crown a new champion.[200] Roode defeated Baron Corbin in the first round[201] andMojo Rawley in the semi-finals.[202] On the January 16 episode ofSmackDown Live, Roode defeatedJinder Mahal in the final to win his first championship since joining the main roster.[203] Roode would hold the title for 54 days, retaining against Rawley during theRoyal Rumble kick-off show during an open challenge[204] andRusev on the February 6 episode ofSmackDown Live,[205] Roode lost the title againstRandy Orton atFastlane, causing Roode to attack Orton out of frustration after saving him from Mahal.[206] Roode tried to regain the title atWrestleMania 34 in a fatal 4-way match against Orton, Mahal andRusev, which was won by Mahal. During this time, in theMixed Match Challenge, Flair (who had to undergo a minor teeth surgery) was replaced byBecky Lynch via fan-vote on social media, and Roode and Lynch defeatedFinn Bálor andSasha Banks. Flair returned for the finals of theMixed Match Challenge, which Roode and Flair lost to the team ofThe Miz andAsuka.
On April 16, Roode was moved to theRawbrand as part of theSuperstar Shake-up. In hisRaw debut, he was unveiled as the surprise member of the ten man tag match in which he teamed with Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, Finn Bálor, andSeth Rollins in successful fashion as they faced off against The Miz,Bo Dallas,Curtis Axel,Kevin Owens, andSami Zayn. At theGreatest Royal Rumble event, Roode performed in his first everRoyal Rumble match, lasting just under eighteen minutes before being eliminated by Baron Corbin. Roode's first rivalry on theRaw roster was withElias with the pair trading victories over the months of April and May. On the May 14 episode ofRaw, Roode defeated Baron Corbin andNo Way Jose to qualify for theMen's Money in the Bank ladder match atMoney in the Bank on June 17, which was won by Braun Strowman.[207]
On the September 3 episode ofRaw, Roode started a partnership withChad Gable and went on to defeatThe Ascension.[208] AtSurvivor Series, they would lead the Raw tag team division, but they would lose to Team SmackDown in a 10-on-10 Survivor Series tag team elimination match. After feuding with them for weeks, Roode and Gable defeatedAOP (Akam andRezar) and their managerDrake Maverick in a three-on-two handicap to capture theRaw Tag Team Championship on the December 10 episode ofRaw, after Roode pinned Maverick.[209] AtTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Roode and Gable along with Balor, Crews and Angle helped Strowman defeat Baron Corbin in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match and Corbin was stripped of all authoritative power. Roode and Gable would go on to beatThe Revival in title matches on December 24, 2018 episode of Raw and on the January 7, 2019 episode of Raw in a Lumberjack Match and then again on the January 21 episode of Raw withCurt Hawkins as the special guest referee. At theRoyal Rumble kick-off show, Gable and Roode defeated Rezar andScott Dawson in a non-title match. The match stipulation stated that if Rezar and Dawson were to win, their respective teams (AOP andThe Revival) would both receive tag team championship matches.[210] The Revival would eventually receive their title match on the February 11 episode ofRaw, in which Gable and Roode lost the championship.[211] On the March 4 episode of Raw, Roode and Gable interfered in The Revival's match withRicochet andAleister Black, attacking both teams.[212] AtFastlane, Roode and Gable competed in a triple threat tag team match for the Raw Tag Team Championship, which was won by The Revival. AtWrestleMania 35, Roode competed in theAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but was unsuccessful.[213]
On the April 8 episode ofRaw, Roode and Gable turnedheel by attacking Aleister Black and Ricochet, after losing a tag team match to them.[214] This would be Roode's first time as a heel on the main roster. On April 16, Chad Gable was drafted to SmackDown during theSuperstar Shake-up, disbanding the team and leaving Roode on his own. On the April 22 episode ofRaw, Roode, sporting a clean shave and moustache, formalized his name to Robert Roode, before defeating Ricochet.[215] On the May 20 episode ofRaw, Roode became the second holder of theWWE 24/7 Championship, pinning the inaugural championTitus O'Neil on the entrance ramp. His reign ended in the same night whenR-Truth defeated him in the parking lot.[216] AtSuper ShowDown, Roode competed in the 50-Man Battle Royal where he was unsuccessful.[217]
On the August 26 episode ofRaw, Roode teamed withDolph Ziggler to win a tag-team turmoil match to earn aRaw Tag Team Championship match againstSeth Rollins andBraun Strowman atClash of Champions.[218][219] At the event on September 15, they won the titles after Roode pinned Rollins.[220][221] On the September 30 episode ofRaw, Roode and Ziggler defeated Heavy Machinery (Otis andTucker) to retain the titles. On the October 14 episode ofRaw, Roode and Ziggler lost the titles toThe Viking Raiders (Erik andIvar), ending their reign at 29 days.[222] Later that night, both Roode and Ziggler were drafted to theSmackDown brand as part of the2019 Draft.[223] AtSurvivor Series, Roode and Ziggler won a 10-teamInterbrandTag Team Battle Royal.[224]
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In the following weeks, they aligned themselves withKing Corbin during his feud againstRoman Reigns.[225] On December 10, Roode was suspended for 30 days, for violating WWE's Wellness Policy.[226] Roode returned on the January 10, 2020 episode ofSmackDown, where he helped Ziggler and Corbin beat down Reigns andThe Usos.[227] Roode entered theRoyal Rumble match at thenamesake pay-per-view at number 4, but was eliminated byBrock Lesnar.[228] AtElimination Chamber, Roode and Ziggler competed in thenamesake match for theSmackDown Tag Team Championship, where the championsThe Miz and John Morrison retained.[229] Following Elimination Chamber, Roode was not seen on television as he was not able to travel due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[230] On the June 22 episode of Raw, it was announced that Roode and Ziggler were traded to the Raw brand.[231] On the September 28 episode ofRaw, Roode returned and answeredDrew McIntyre'sWWE Championship open challenge, where he failed to win the title.[232] As part of the2020 Draft in October, both Roode and Ziggler was drafted back to the SmackDown brand.[233] AtSurvivor Series, Roode competed in an 18-man Dual Brand Battle Royal, which was won by The Miz.
On the January 8, 2021 episode of SmackDown, Roode and Ziggler defeatedThe Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. This would mark the team's first SmackDown Tag Team Championship, second tag team championship overall as a team, and Roode's third tag team championship as an individual. On the February 5 episode of Smackdown, Roode and Ziggler defeated Alpha Academy in a non title tag-team match. On the April 2 episode of Smackdown, Roode and Ziggler together with Alpha Academy defeatedThe Mysterios and the Street Profits in an 8-person tag-team match. AtWrestleMania SmackDown on April 8, Roode and Ziggler defeated Alpha Academy, The Mysterios and The Street Profits in a Fatal four Way match to retain the titles. On the April 16 episode of SmackDown, Roode and Ziggler defeated The Street Profits to retain the titles. AtWrestleMania Backlash, Roode and Ziggler lost the titles to The Mysterios, ending their reign at 128 days. As part of the2021 Draft, both Roode and Ziggler were drafted to theRaw brand.[234][235] On the October 4 episode of Raw, Roode and Ziggler lost to Big E and Drew McIntyre. On the October 25 episode of Raw, Ziggler and Roode defeated Alpha Academy and the Street Profits in a #1 contenders match for a Raw tag team Championship match later on that night, Roode and Ziggler failed to win the titles againstRK-Bro. On the November 1 episode of Raw, Roode and Ziggler defeated The Street Profits in a tag-team match. AtSurvivor Series, Roode competed in a 25-man dual branded battle royal which was won byOmos. On the December 6 episode of Raw, Roode unsuccessfully challengedDamian Priest for his United States Championship. On the December 13 episode of Raw, Roode and Ziggler defeatedDamian Priest andFinn Bálor in a tag-team match.
AtRoyal Rumble, on January 29, 2022, Roode competed in the Royal Rumble match where he was eliminated by AJ Styles.[236] The night beforeWrestleMania 38 during the "WrestleMania Edition" of SmackDown, Roode competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal which was won byMadcap Moss.[237] On the June 6 episode ofRaw, Roode and Ziggler returned for the first time in months, where they appeared for an interview segment on the stage but would be interrupted byOmos andMVP. Ziggler then superkicked MVP and both Roode and Ziggler were chased out of the arena by Omos, therefore turning both menface.[238][239] Roode wrestled his final match on June 25 at a live event, losing to Omos.[240]
On September 29, 2022, it was reported that Roode underwent C5-C6 neck fusion surgery and would be out of action indefinitely.[241] In May 2023, Roode underwent C4-C5 cervical fusion.[242] In August, Roode transitioned from being an active competitor to taking on the role of a matchproducer.[243][241] On February 22, 2024, Roode stated in an interview onInsight with Chris Van Vliet that despite having been medically cleared to compete, a return was simply not going to happen, effectively announcing his retirement from in-ring competition.[5] On September 16, 2025, atNXT Homecoming, Roode made his first appearance in three years, sharing a segment withJoe Hendry andNo Quarter Catch Crew backstage.[244]
Roode made hisvideo game debut in 2008'sTNA Impact! and also appeared in its sequelsTNA Wrestling (2009),TNA Impact!: Cross The Line (2010) andTNA Wrestling Impact! (2011). He made his WWE video game debut inWWE 2K18 (2017), later appearing inWWE 2K19 (2018),WWE 2K20 (2019),WWE 2K Battlegrounds (2020),WWE 2K22 (2022),WWE 2K23 (2023) and most recentlyWWE 2K24 (2024).
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | TNA Impact! | Himself | Playable character[245] |
| 2010 | TNA Impact!: Cross The Line | Himself | Playable character |
| 2011 | TNA Wrestling Impact! | Himself | Playable character |
| 2017 | WWE 2K18 | Himself | Playable character[246] |
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | Himself | Playable character[247] |
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | Himself | Playable character |
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | Himself | Playable character |
| 2022 | WWE 2K22 | Himself | Playable character[248] |
| 2023 | WWE 2K23 | Himself | Playable character[249] |
| 2024 | WWE 2K24 | Himself | Playable character |
Roode and his wife Tracey have three children: Robert III, Riley, and Nicholas.[250] He is a childhood friend of professional lacrosse playerTracey Kelusky.[251] Roode attendedKenner Collegiate Vocational Institute inPeterborough, Ontario.
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,Cagematch,Wrestlingdata,Internet Wrestling Database
