Reso made his debut in 1995. He wrestled in Canadianindependent promotions early in his career, where he competed in singles and tag team competition with his best friendEdge. In 1998, he signed a developmental contract with the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF, renamed to WWE in 2002) and made his debut the same year asChristian, immediately capturing his first championship in the company, theWWF Light Heavyweight Championship, in his debut match. Edge and Christianformed a tag team and gained notoriety for their participation inTables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. They won the promotion'sWorld Tag Team Championship on seven occasions. They are considered one of the major teams that revived tag team wrestling during theAttitude Era.[6] The team parted ways in 2001, after which, Christian held various singles titles in WWE, including theEuropean,Hardcore, andIntercontinental Championships.
In March 2021, Cage made his debut for AEW, again reverting to hisChristian Cage moniker, and officially resuming his in-ring wrestling career. Following this, he won theImpact World Championship on the first episode ofAEW Rampage in 2021 (as AEW and Impact had a partnership at the time), and in 2023, he won his first title under the AEW banner in theAEW TNT Championship, which he has held twice. Additionally, he is a former one-timeAEW World Trios Champion. In total, between WWE, AEW, and TNA, Cage has won 26 championships, including seven world championships and nine tag team titles and is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He has headlined multiplepay-per-view events betweenWWE,TNA andAEW, and was one of WWE's most prolific pay-per-view performers.[7]
In September 1994, Reso enrolled in a wrestling school run byRon Hutchison at Sully's Gym.[3] One of his early ring names wasChristian Cage, a combination of the names of actorsChristian Slater andNicolas Cage.[3][9] Cage's wrestling career began in June 1995 in a match against Zakk Wyld, which resulted in a draw.[3] In 1997, he was a part of Thug Life, astable that includedJoe E. Legend, Zakk Wyld,Rhino Richards, and Copeland (under the name Sexton Hardcastle).[10] As a tag team on the Canadianindependent circuit, Reso and Copeland were known as High Impact and later The Suicide Blondes.[11] The duo held titles in numerouspromotions and competed in theUnited States andJapan.[12] Reso won theEast Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA)Heavyweight Championship on July 18, 1998, which he held until October 15, 1999.[13] When Copeland received a tryout match with theWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF), Reso went with him and they faced off in a non-televised tryout match, which Copeland was booked to win.[12] After the tryout, once Copeland was promoted from his developmental status to touring with the WWF, he put in a good word for Reso and got him invited toDory Funk Jr.'s WWF-affiliatedFunking Conservatory training camp in 1998.[14] After completing his training at the conservatory, Reso signed a contract with the WWF to become a full-time performer.[12]
World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (1998–2005)
Following their victory, Edge and Christian portrayed themselves asheels, shifting their in-ring personas from borderlinegoth to a comedic pair of "cool dudes". During this time, their trademark became the "five second pose", where they performed a pose in the ring for five seconds "for the benefit of those with flash photography" to mock, insult, or amuse the fans.[3][23] AtSummerSlam on August 27, the Edge and Christian successfully defended the tag team titles in the first ever TLC match against The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz.[24] AtUnforgiven on September 24, Edge and Christian lost the titles against The Hardy Boyz in asteel cage match and were not allowed another title shot. AtNo Mercy on October 22, Edge and Christian (disguised asLos Conquistadores) defeated The Hardys for the titles. The next night onRaw Is War, The Hardy Boyz dressed as the Los Conquistadores and defeated Edge in a handicap match after Christian was taken out backstage to regain the WWF Tag Team Championship. AtSurvivor Series on November 19, Edge and Christian teamed withRight to Censor'sBull Buchanan andThe Goodfather in a four-on-four Survivor Series elimination match which they lost to The Dudleys and The Hardyz. AtArmageddon on December 10, Edge and Christian regained the tag team titles in a fatal four-way match involving The Dudley Boyz,K-Kwik and Road Dogg and The Right to Censor, but they lost them eight days later toThe Rock andThe Undertaker only to win them back days later onSmackDown! thanks tospecial guest referee Kurt Angle. At theRoyal Rumble on January 21, 2001, Edge and Christian lost the WWF Tag Team Championship to The Dudley Boyz.[25][26] AtNo Way Out on February 25, Edge and Christian were unsuccessful in regaining the tag team titles,[27] but they eventually recaptured them in the second ever TLC match atWrestleMania X-Seven on April 1.[28][29]
On the April 19 episode ofSmackDown!, Edge and Christian were defeated byThe Brothers of Destruction (Kane and The Undertaker) for the WWF Tag Team Championship.[30] AtBacklash on April 29, Christian was part of the triple threat match for theWWF European Championship which was won by Matt Hardy. AtJudgment Day on May 21, Edge and Christian competed in atag team turmoil match which was won byChris Benoit andChris Jericho.[31] On the May 24 episode ofSmackDown!, Edge and Christian competed in a fatal four-way tag team TLC match for the WWF Tag Team Championship in which Benoit and Jericho retained the tag team titles.[32]
After losing the tag team titles, friction arose within the team after Edge won the2001 King of the Ring tournament on June 24.[33] It was also during this time that Edge was becoming aface duringThe Invasion storyline. Christian briefly turned face to help feud withThe Alliance. Christian turned heel shortly afterward,[34] resulting in the two feuding for Edge'sWWF Intercontinental Championship for several months.[35]
AtUnforgiven on September 23, Christian defeated Edge to win his first Intercontinental Championship,[36] but he lost it back to Edge in a ladder match atNo Mercy on October 21.[37] Christian won the WWF European Championship fromBradshaw on the November 1 episode ofSmackDown!.[38] AtRebellion on November 3, Christian faced Edge in a steel cage match for the Intercontinental Championship, but he failed to win the title.[39] AtSurvivor Series on November 18, Christian defeatedAl Snow to retain the European Championship.[40] Christian lost the European Championship toDiamond Dallas Page on the January 31, 2002 episode ofSmackDown!.[41]
After a series of defeats, Christian announced he would quit the WWF, but Page persuaded him to reconsider and adopted him as his protégé.[3] Christian betrayed Page and faced off against him for the European Championship atWrestleMania X8 on March 17, but he lost.[3] Christian began throwing tantrums in hisgimmick at the time whenever things did not go his way and during the same event defeatedMighty Molly to win theWWF Hardcore Championship, but lost the title toMaven later that night.[42]
On the March 25 episode ofRaw, Christian was drafted to theSmackDown! brand as part of the2002 WWF draft lottery.[43] Christian formed an alliance with fellow Canadian wrestlerLance Storm on the June 20 episode ofSmackDown!.[44] On the June 27 episode ofSmackDown!, Test, another Canadian, joined their team, now calledThe Un-Americans.[45] Christian and Storm won the WWE Tag Team Championship atVengeance on July 21 by defeating Edge andHollywood Hulk Hogan.[46] The trio then defected from SmackDown! to theRaw brand (moving the WWE Tag Team Championship to Raw in the process), appearing on the July 29 episode ofRaw to attackThe Undertaker.[47] The Un-Americans teamed withTriple H, to defeatWWE Undisputed ChampionThe Rock, The Undertaker andBooker T andGoldust in an eight-man tag team match on the August 12 episode ofRaw, after Test pinned The Undertaker.[48] AtSummerSlam on August 25, Christian and Storm retained the WWE Tag Team Championship against Booker T and Goldust, before interfering in Test's match with The Undertaker later in the night, only to be tossed out of the ring and for The Undertaker to defeat Test.[49] On the August 26 episode ofRaw, the Un-Americans attempted to burn the American flag, but were stopped by Booker T, Goldust and a returningKane.[50] On the September 2 episode ofRaw,William Regal joined the team.[51] Regal, an Englishman, was the only member of the team not of Canadian nationality. AtUnforgiven on September 22, The Un-Americans lost to Bubba Ray Dudley, Kane and Booker T and Goldust.[52] The Un-Americans lost the WWE Tag Team Championship the next night onRaw to the team ofThe Hurricane and Kane.[53] On the September 30 episode ofRaw, both Christian and Storm lost matches toRandy Orton, while Regal and Test lost toRob Van Dam andTommy Dreamer. This led to all four members attacking each other, thus disbanding the team.[54]
Teaming and feuding with Chris Jericho (2002–2004)
Christian formed a tag team with Chris Jericho and competed in a fatal four-way tag team TLC match for the World Tag Team Championship on the October 7 special episode ofRaw Roulette, involving Kane, Jeff Hardy andRob Van Dam and Bubba Ray andSpike Dudley. Despite Kane's partner the Hurricane being absent from the match, he still retained the title.[citation needed] Christian and Jericho won the titles the next week on the October 14 episode ofRaw.[55][56] AtArmageddon on December 15, Christian and Jericho lost the World Tag Team Championship to Booker T and Goldust in a fatal four-way elimination match also involving the teams of The Dudley Boyz and Lance Storm and William Regal.[57]
On January 19, 2003, Christian entered theRoyal Rumble match at theRoyal Rumble and was eliminated by Jericho.[citation needed] After a short absence, Christian returned on the April 7 episode ofRaw, self-proclaiming himself as the new "People's Champion" and began calling his fans "The Peeps" after receiving advice and endorsement fromThe Rock.[58] On the May 5 episode ofRaw, Christian facedGoldberg, but the match ended in a no contest when3-Minute Warning got involved which led to a rematch on the May 12 episode ofRaw, where Christian lost to Goldberg in a steel cage match.[59][60] AtJudgment Day on May 18, Christian went on to win a nine-man over-the-top-ropebattle royal for his second Intercontinental Championship.[35] Christian lost the Intercontinental Championship to Booker T on the July 7 episode ofRaw,[61] but he regained it after Booker T waslegitimately injured at ahouse show on August 10.[62]
AtUnforgiven on September 21, Christian defeated Chris Jericho and Rob Van Dam to retain the title in a triple threat match,[63] but later lost the title to Van Dam in a ladder match on the September 29 episode ofRaw.[64] AtSurvivor Series on November 16, Christian was a part of Team Bischoff taking on Team Austin and during the match he eliminated Bubba Ray Dudley before he was eliminated byShawn Michaels, though in the end Team Bischoff eventually won the match.[65] AtArmageddon on December 14, Christian and Jericho defeatedLita andTrish Stratus in anintergender tag team match billed as the "Battle of the Sexes."[66]
AtWrestleMania XX on March 14, 2004, Christian faced Jericho in a singles match with Stratus on Jericho's side, but Stratus accidentally struck Jericho, allowing Christian to defeat Jericho.[67] Stratus then joined forces with Christian, becoming his on-screen girlfriend in the process. As Christian feuded with Jericho, he introduced his own personalbodyguard,Tyson Tomko, which he dubbed his personal "problem solver". AtBacklash on April 18, Christian and Stratus faced Jericho in an intergenderhandicap match which they lost.[68] During a steel cage match against Jericho on the May 10 episode ofRaw which he lost, Christian suffered a severe back injury, causing him to miss almost four months of in-ring action.[9][69] Christian returned on the August 30 episode ofRaw, attacking Jericho and thus resuming their feud.[70] The two had a ladder match for the vacant Intercontinental Championship atUnforgiven on September 12, which Christian lost, ending their feud.[71]
AtSurvivor Series on November 14, Christian failed to win the Intercontinental Championship fromShelton Benjamin.[72] AtNew Year's Revolution on January 9, 2005, Christian andTyson Tomko facedEugene and William Regal for the World Tag Team Championship, but they failed to win the titles.[73] At theRoyal Rumble on January 30, Christian competed in the Royal Rumble match, but he was eliminated by eventual winnerBatista.[74]
Christian participated in the first-everMoney in the Bank ladder match atWrestleMania 21 on April 3, but he failed to win as the match was won byEdge.[75] Following this, Christian, who had an encounter withSmackDown! wrestlerJohn Cena, begancommenting on Cena, claiming he was a better rapper than Cena and denouncing him as "poseur" while being noticeably cheered during these segments.[9] Soon after, then-WWE Champion Cena was drafted to theRaw brand on the June 6 episode ofRaw, where Cena successfully defended the WWE Championship in a triple threat match against Christian and Chris Jericho atVengeance on June 26.[76]
On the June 30 episode ofSmackDown!, Christian was drafted to the SmackDown! brand in the2005 WWE draft lottery and replacedBig Show (who was drafted to Raw) in a six-man elimination match for the newly created SmackDown! Championship, but he lost toJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL).[77] Soon after, Christian was given his own interview segment onSmackDown! calledThe Peep Show.[78] AtThe Great American Bash on July 24, Christian facedBooker T in a losing effort.[79] AtNo Mercy on October 9, Christian competed in a fatal four-way match for theUnited States Championship which was won by Chris Benoit.[80]
On October 31, Christian's contract with WWE expired.[78] According to wrestling journalistDave Meltzer, Reso was asked on the spot to sign a new contract, but he declined.[78] According to Reso, during his feud with John Cena he noticed that, despite his popularity, the WWE didn't see him as a main eventer and needed to prove himself.[81] His last match occurred during the tapings for the November 4 episode ofSmackDown!, where he and JBL lost toRey Mysterio andMatt Hardy.[78] Despite his quitting, Christian appeared on the October 31 episode ofRaw and atTaboo Tuesday on November 1.[82][83]
Before leaving WWE, Reso filed to trademark the nickname of "Captain Charisma", which allowed him to use it as Christian Cage inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), but after WWE disputed the trademark claim by citing a provision in the terms of his old contract he stopped officially using it on TNA programming by the summer of 2006, calling himself "The Instant Classic" from early 2007 onwards although he still continued to be referred to as "Captain Charisma" in off-screen appearances and sometimes wore his "Captain Charisma" entrance jumpsuits to the ring atlive events.[84]
Cage would defeatMonty Brown atTurning Point on December 11 to become number one contender to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[86] AtFinal Resolution on January 15, 2006, Cage teamed withSting to defeat the team of Monty Brown and Jeff Jarrett.[87] and defeated Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship atAgainst All Odds on February 12.[88] Cage had his first title defence atDestination X on March 12, where he defeated Brown to retain the title.[89] On the March 25 and April 1 respectiveImpact! episodes,Abyss, his managerFather James Mitchell andAlex Shelley showed two pre-taped video packages that had been compiled in the weeks before the episodes, with first on March 25 depicting Mitchell stalking Cage's wife Denise, confronting her and even threatening that "they were coming".[90] The second aired on April 1, with Abyss, accompanied by Mitchell and Shelley, who was taping the segment with a camcorder like the previous video package, attacking Cage at his home inTampa, Florida and nearly drowning Cage in his own pool.[91] This storyline led to Cage facing Abyss atLockdown on April 23 in asix sides of steel cage match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, with Cage winning and attempting after the match to attack Mitchell and gain revenge for all his recent evil deeds against Cage and his family, but Abyss stopped him, took asteel chain, wrapped it around Cage's neck and attempted to hang him with it until he passed out, after which Abyss and Mitchell stole the title belt and left the arena.[92] The storyline between Abyss and Mitchell and Cage continued untilSacrifice on May 14, where Cage defeated Abyss to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship underFull Metal Mayhem rules.[93]
AtSlammiversary on June 18, Cage lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Jeff Jarrett in aKing of the Mountain match, which also involved Abyss,Ron Killings and Sting.[94]Larry Zbyszko andrefereeEarl Hebner intervened at the end of the match by helping Jarrett win.[94] The title was declaredvacant until TNA's main authority figure at the time,Management DirectorJim Cornette, awarded the title belt back to Jarrett on the June 29 episode ofImpact! on the condition that he defend it against the winner of a four-way match involving Cage,Samoa Joe,Scott Steiner and Sting atVictory Road on July 16.[95] Jarrett agreed to the condition and Sting became the new number one contender at Victory Road.[96]
After Victory Road, Cage befriended the new number one contender Sting on the July 27 episode ofImpact! by asking for forgiveness for doubting Sting's agenda by coming to TNA in January of that year.[97] Cage went on to say that he had asked Cornette the week before if he could be in Sting's corner in his match with Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship atHard Justice on August 13, but Cornette had told him he needed Sting's approval.[97] Sting accepted Cage's offer, withinterviewer and occasionalring announcerJeremy Borash announcing Sting's decision in a backstage segment on the August 3 episode ofImpact!.[98] At Hard Justice, Cage was in Sting's corner at Hard Justice as he faced Jarrett (with Scott Steiner in his corner) and during the contest interfered to help Sting win numerous times—as did Steiner for Jarrett—until Cage turned on Sting by taking Jarrett's signature guitar and bashing it over his head—turning heel in the process.[99] Cage then allowed Jarrett to pin Sting and retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[99]
After Hard Justice, Cage began a feud withRhino as Rhino questioned Cage on his actions at Hard Justice on the August 17 episode ofImpact!, but Cage replied saying he did it for the good of TNA.[100] Cage went on to explain later in the episode during a sit-down interview with TNAcommentatorMike Tenay that he attacked Sting because he felt Sting did not show enough passion during the encounter to "get the job done" and win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[101] The following week onImpact!, Cage came down to the ring where he addressed his attack on Sting further until he was interrupted by Rhino, who attacked after a small debate, starting a brawl between the two which came to an end after Cage laid Rhino's head on a steel chair, picked up another chair and bashed it over the outside of Rhino's head performing aone-man con-chair-to in the process.[102] This led to a match against Rhino atNo Surrender on September 24, which Cage won.[103] A rematch was held atBound for Glory on October 22, which Cage also won under8 MileStreet Fight rules.[104] They had their final bout on the November 16 episode ofImpact!, where Cage defeated Rhino in abarbed wire six sides of steel cage match.[105]
Cage's old WWE enforcer Tyson Tomko (now going simply by Tomko) made his TNA debut on the November 23 episode ofImpact! helping Cage in a match against Sting.[98] With Tomko at his side, Cage set his sights on the NWA World Heavyweight Championship now held by Abyss and atTurning Point on December 10 fought Abyss and Sting in a three-way match for the title, but he failed to win the match as Abyss won to retain the championship after pinning Sting.[106] Cage fought for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once again atFinal Resolution on January 14, 2007 against Abyss and Sting, this time in athree-way elimination match that he won by pinning Sting after Abyss was already eliminated to win the championship.[107] After Final Resolution, Cage prepared for his title defence against the new number one contenderKurt Angle, who had defeated Samoa Joe in a 30-minuteIron Man match at Final Resolution to gain the opportunity.[107] Heading into their encounter atAgainst All Odds on February 11, Cage announced on the January 17 episode ofImpact! that he had hired a special consultant to assist him in training for his bout with Angle.[108] This consultant was revealed on the February 8 episode ofImpact!, who turned out to beScott Steiner after he attacked Angle following a match pitting the team of Angle and Joe against Cage andA.J. Styles.[109] Cage went on to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Angle at Against All Odds with Joe as the unofficialspecial outside enforcer.[110]
Christian (right) andTomko (left) were reunited in TNA while in the alliance calledChristian's Coalition
On the March 8 episode ofImpact!, Cage proclaimed that he, Tomko and Scott Steiner were an "inseparable family", which he calledChristian's Coalition.[111] After a short feud with Samoa Joe, culminating in a victory for Cage atDestination X on March 11 for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship,[112] Cage was announced as a captain of a five-man team for theLethal Lockdown match atLockdown against Team Angle during the March 15, 2007 episode ofImpact!.[113] At Lockdown on April 15, Team Cage (Cage, Tomko, Steiner, A.J. Styles and Abyss) went on to lose to Team Angle (Angle, Joe, Rhino, Sting and Jeff Jarrett).[114] A stipulation was added that the wrestler who got the pinfall would become number one contender for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and have their title shot atSacrifice.[115] Sting was the individual who gained the pinfall victory for Team Angle and became the new number one contender.[114]
Christian making his way to the ring in August 2007
Abyss was later kicked out of the group after he attacked Cage on the April 19 episode ofImpact!.[116] Steiner was the next to leave the group after he was attacked by Tomko following their NWA World Tag Team Championship match at Sacrifice.[117] Cage was set to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting at Sacrifice, but Angle was added to the match on the May 3, 2007 episode ofImpact!, making it a three-way match.[118] At Sacrifice on May 13, theNational Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the owners of the NWA World Heavyweight and the NWA World Tag Team Championships, stripped Cage and Team 3D of the titles.[119] NWA Executive DirectorRobert K. Trobich stated the reason was that Cage refused to defend the NWA world title at NWA live events.[119] Cage, still holding the physical NWA world title belt, defended what was billed as the World Heavyweight Championship against Sting and Angle, who was the victor of said contest by making Sting submit (who had "technically" just pinned Cage at the very same moment) and was announced as the new World Heavyweight Champion.[117] On the following episode ofImpact!, Angle came to the ring with a new championship belt in-tow and announced he was the newTNA World Heavyweight Champion,[120] achampionship that TNA had just introduced at Sacrifice.[121] Afterwards, Cage and Sting came to the ring and the three began to argue over who was the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion, but due to the controversial finish to their match at Sacrifice the title was declared vacant by Cornette and a tournament was held for the title which culminated in a King of the Mountain match atSlammiversary on June 17.[120] Cage won entry into the match on the June 14 episode ofImpact! by defeating Abyss.[122] At Slammiversary, Cage failed to defeat the four other men (Styles, Joe, Angle andChris Harris) and win the title as Angle hung the title belt to become the new and undisputed TNA World Heavyweight Champion.[123]
After defeating Harris atVictory Road on July 17[124] and him,Tomko and Styles losing to the team ofAndrew Martin, Sting and Abyss atHard Justice on August 12 in aDoomsday Chamber of Blood match to become number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship,[125] Cage restarted his feud with Samoa Joe and the two met atNo Surrender on September 9, where he defeated Joe bydisqualification when Joe refused to release hisrear naked choke submission hold he had applied.[126] The two had a rematch withMatt Morgan as the special outside enforcer atBound for Glory on October 14, where Cage lost to Joe and ended his 23-month-long undefeated streak by not officially being pinned nor made to submit.[127] Cage and Joe fought one more time on the October 18 episode ofImpact!, with a spot in the2007 Fight for the Right tournament to become number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[128] Cage defeated Joe to gain entry.[128] Cage made it all the way to the final round of the tournament, where he foughtKaz on the November 8 episode ofImpact!, defeating Kaz due to interference from Styles and Tomko on Cage's behalf, but the match was declared a no contest, with the finals being determined in a ladder match atGenesis on November 11.[129] He lost the tournament final the second time around at Genesis.[130] Later in the night, Styles and Tomko helped Angle retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship during the main event as Cage looked on from the ramp.[130] Styles and Tomko were later announced as members of Angle's new group,The Angle Alliance, which led to a title match between the two atFinal Resolution on January 6, 2008 and also turning Cage face in the process.[131]
Christian in September 2008
On the January 3 episode ofImpact!, Tomko left both Christian's Coalition and The Angle Alliance.[132] Cage failed to win the title at Final Resolution as a result of Styles' betraying and attacking him during the bout, ending Christian's Coalition.[133] AtAgainst All Odds on February 10, Cage got a rematch against Angle with Samoa Joe as the special outside enforcer, but he once again was defeated by Angle as this time Tomko interfered and cost Cage the match.[134] Cage teamed with Joe andKevin Nash (known as The Unlikely Alliance) atDestination X on March 9 to defeat The Angle Alliance (Angle, Styles and Tomko) in a six-man tag team match.[135] On the March 13 episode ofImpact!, Cage and Tomko were announced as opposing team captains for a Lethal Lockdown match atLockdown.[136] At Lockdown on April 13, Team Cage (Cage, Rhino, Nash, Morgan and Sting) went on to defeat Team Tomko (Tomko, Styles, Brother Devon, Brother Ray andJames Storm) at the event.[137] Afterwards, Cage and Rhino began competition as a regular tag team, with the pair being involved inThe Deuce's Wild Tag Team Tournament for the vacantTNA World Tag Team Championship, but they failed to win the tournament and the championship atSacrifice on May 11.[138] AtSlammiversary on June 8, Cage and Rhino were involved as single competitors in a King of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but they failed to win the match.[139] Cage and Rhino went on to team with Styles (who had made amends with Cage and Rhino) in a losing effort against Angle, Brother Devon, and Brother Ray in a Full Metal Mayhem match atVictory Road on July 13.[140] AtHard Justice on August 10, Cage and Rhino defeated Team 3D in a New Jersey Street Fight.[141] Cage was involved in a three-way match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against the champion Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle atNo Surrender on September 13, but he failed to win the title.[142] Cage then went on to participate in another three-way match against Styles and Booker T atBound for Glory IV on October 12, which Booker T won.[143] Cage was defeated in his final TNA match by Booker T for the newly establishedTNA Legends Championship atTurning Point on November 9, with the stipulation that if Cage lost, he would have to join the newly formedMain Event Mafia.[144] On the November 13 episode ofImpact!, Cage had his final appearance in TNA before his contract expired as during the telecast he was to be inducted into The Main Event Mafia, but Cage was attacked and "injured" by Angle, Booker T, Nash and Scott Steiner after Angle learned that he would go back to WWE when his contract expired.[145]
In 2012, Reso made a one night return to TNA atSlammiversary 10 under his old ring name Christian Cage to announce the number one moment in TNA history as voted by the TNA fans (Sting's 2006 return in the aforementionedFinal Resolution tag team main event). This was part of a deal which in return WWE were able to useRic Flair in programming and induct him into theWWE Hall of Fame as a member of theFour Horsemen stable.[146]
In March 2006, Reso competed as Christian Cage three times in theUnited Kingdom for theOne Pro Wrestling (1PW) promotion. His first appearance was on March 4 at their All or Nothing: Night 1 event, where he defeated Rhino.[147] His second appearance was at 1PW's Know Your Enemy: Night 1 event on May 26, defeatingSteve Corino.[147] At Know Your Enemy: Night 2 event on May 27, 2006, Cage fought against the champion Abyss and Corino for the1PW World Heavyweight Championship in a three-way dance, but failed to win as Corino gained the fall and the title.[147]
In May 2006, Reso made two appearances for theRing of Honor (ROH) promotion as Christian Cage. His first appearance was on May 12 at ROH's How We Roll event in a tag match withColt Cabana againstBryan Danielson andChristopher Daniels, which Cage and Cabana won.[148] His second appearance was a loss to Daniels at ROH's Generation Now event on July 29.[148]
Reso returned to WWE on the February 10 episode ofECW under his old ring name Christian as a face, confronting thenECW ChampionJack Swagger.[150] Later that night, Christian defeated Swagger in his first match back.[150] On the February 24 episode ofECW, Christian faced Swagger again for the ECW Championship in a losing effort.[151] Christian won a tri-branded 15-man battle royal on the March 10 episode ofECW,[152] gaining entry into theMoney in the Bank ladder match atWrestleMania 25 on April 5, which he failed to win.[153]
Christian won anelimination chase tournament to become the number one contender to the ECW Championship, gaining a title match atBacklash.[154] At Backlash on April 26, Christian defeated Swagger to win the ECW Championship.[155] AtJudgment Day on May 17, Christian defeated Swagger in a rematch to retain the title.[156] AtExtreme Rules on June 7, Christian lost the ECW Championship toTommy Dreamer in a triple threathardcore match also involving Swagger.[157]
On the June 15 episode ofRaw, Christian faced Dreamer for the ECW Championship in a losing effort.[158] After unsuccessfully challenging for the ECW Championship in aChampionship Scramble match that also included Swagger, Finlay andMark Henry atThe Bash on June 28,[159] Christian regained the ECW Championship from Dreamer atNight of Champions on July 26.[160]
On the August 4 episode ofECW, Christian retained the ECW Championship in anExtreme Rules match against Dreamer.[161] Christian then began a rivalry withWilliam Regal over the ECW Championship, retaining the title against him atSummerSlam in eight seconds on August 23,[162] and atBreaking Point on September 13.[163] After a few months of defending the ECW Championship onECW only, retaining the title against the likes ofZack Ryder andYoshi Tatsu,[164][165] Christian was part of Team Kingston in a Survivor Series elimination match atSurvivor Series on November 22, where he eliminated both Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes before being eliminated by Randy Orton. Team Kingston went on to win. AtTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 13, Christian successfully defended the ECW Championship againstShelton Benjamin in a ladder match.[166] In late December 2009, Christian became the longest reigning WWE-era ECW Champion.[167] At theRoyal Rumble on January 31, 2010, Christian successfully defended the ECW Championship againstEzekiel Jackson.[168] On the February 16 episode ofECW, Christian lost the ECW Championship in an Extreme Rules match to Jackson on the show's final episode.[169] The ECW brand was deactivated shortly after.
On the February 22 episode ofRaw, Christian was announced to have re-signed with theRaw brand, defeatingCarlito later that same night to gain entry into the Money in the Bank ladder match atWrestleMania XXVI on March 28, which he failed to win.[170] Later, it was announced that he would be a Pro onNXT, mentoring NXT RookieHeath Slater.[171]
Christian was drafted back to theSmackDown brand by theWWE draft.[172] On the May 7 episode ofSmackDown, he was placed in an Intercontinental Championship tournament, defeatingCody Rhodes to get to the finals, where he lost toKofi Kingston.[173][174] On the July 2 episode ofSmackDown, it was announced that Christian would compete in the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match atMoney in the Bank on July 18,[175] which he lost.[176] In September 2010, Christian tore his pectoral muscle and was expected to be sidelined for approximately six months.[177] Following surgery, WWE released a statement that revealed he was expected to only be sidelined for four months.[178] The injury was put into a storyline withAlberto Del Rio attacking Christian backstage on the September 24 episode ofSmackDown.[179] Christian made his return from injury atElimination Chamber on February 20, 2011, saving Edge from an attack by Del Rio.[180] On the March 4 episode ofSmackDown, Christian saved Edge from another attack by Del Rio.[181] On the March 7 episode ofRaw, Christian made his in-ring return from injury against Del Rio's bodyguardBrodus Clay, picking up the victory.[182] On the March 11 episode ofSmackDown, Christian reunited with Edge and defeated Del Rio and Clay in a tag team match.[183] On the March 18 episode ofSmackDown, Christian defeated Del Rio in a steel cage match, but was afterwards attacked by both Del Rio and Clay.[184] Christian was in the corner of Edge when he retained theWorld Heavyweight Championship against Del Rio atWrestleMania XXVII on April 3.[185]
On the April 8 episode ofSmackDown, Christian lost to Del Rio in a number one contender's match for the World Heavyweight Championship after a distraction from Brodus Clay.[186] After Edge's sudden retirement from wrestling on the April 15 episode ofSmackDown, Christian won a 20-man battle royal to face Del Rio for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship atExtreme Rules on May 1,[187] where Christian defeated Del Rio in a ladder match to win the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[188] On the May 6 episode ofSmackDown, Christian lost the World Heavyweight Championship toRandy Orton ending his reign at 2 days (5 recognized by WWE due totape delay).[189] AtOver the Limit on May 22, Christian failed to regain the World Heavyweight Championship from Orton.[190] On the June 3 episode ofSmackDown, Christian was the special referee for a World Heavyweight Championship defence by Orton againstSheamus, which Orton won only to be hit by Christian after the match with the title belt, turning heel in the process.[191] AtCapitol Punishment on June 19, Christian faced Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship once again, but he failed to capture the title as the referee missed his foot under the bottom rope.[192] AtMoney in the Bank on July 17, Christian won the World Heavyweight Championship for the second and final time after Orton wasdisqualified forkicking him in the groin (the stipulation was if Orton was disqualified or the referee made a bad call, he would lose the title).[193] AtSummerSlam on August 14, Christian lost the World Heavyweight Championship back to Orton in aNo Holds Barred match.[194] On the August 26 episode ofSmackDown, special guest General ManagerBret Hart announced that Christian would face Orton in asteel cage match on the August 30 episode ofSmackDown for the title, which Christian lost to end their feud.[195]
Christian then began feuding with Sheamus, leading to two matches between the two at theHell in a Cell on October 2 andVengeance on October 23, both of which Christian lost.[196][197] On the November 4 episode ofSmackDown,Big Show performed achokeslam on Christian and Christian received a storyline neck injury, preventing him from competing that night and starting to wear a neck brace.[198] On November 9 during the WWE European Tour, Christian injured his ankle and was pulled from a traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match atSurvivor Series on November 20.[199] In December, Christian briefly appeared at theSlammy Awards andTribute to the Troops.[200][201]
AtElimination Chamber on February 19, 2012, Christian returned from his injury to show support forJohn Laurinaitis.[202] Christian appeared on the March 16 episode ofSmackDown, hosting an episode ofThe Peep Show and given a spot on Laurinaitis' team in a 12-man tag match atWrestleMania XXVIII on April 1.[203] On the March 26 episode ofRaw SuperShow, Christian was injured once again after (kayfabe) re-aggravating his neck and shoulder in a match withCM Punk.[204] Despite the injury, Christian still appeared at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony to induct long-time friend Edge.[205]
Christian made his return atOver the Limit on May 20, as a face, where he won a battle royal and defeatedCody Rhodes later in the show to win his fourth Intercontinental Championship.[206] AtNo Way Out on June 17, Christian retained the Intercontinental Championship against Rhodes in a rematch.[207] AtRaw 1000 on July 23, Christian lost the Intercontinental Championship toThe Miz ending his reign at 63 days and failed to regain it in a rematch the same week onSmackDown.[208]
After a ten-month absence, Christian returned from injury on the June 17, 2013 episode ofRaw, defeatingWade Barrett.[209] AtMoney in the Bank on July 14, Christian competed in the WWE Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, but was unsuccessful as the match was won by Randy Orton.[210] On the July 29 episode ofRaw, Christian defeated World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio in a non-title match.[211] That same week onSmackDown, Christian defeated Randy Orton andRob Van Dam in a triple threat match to become number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship, after which he was attacked by Del Rio during a post-match interview.[212] On the August 9 episode ofSmackDown, Christian again defeated Del Rio in a non-title match.[213] AtSummerSlam on August 18, Christian failed in his title challenge against Del Rio.[214] On the September 9 episode ofRaw, The Shield dragged out an assaulted Christian as a message to anyone that disrespectedTriple H following Edge's opinion on Triple H's recent abuse of power.[215] On that week'sSmackDown, Edge promised Christian would return soon and get his payback.[216] Christian returned and appeared on the2013 Slammy Awards, where he presented an award and appeared in a segment involving John Cena and Randy Orton.[217]
Christian returned on the January 31, 2014 episode ofSmackDown to defeat Jack Swagger in a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber match for theWWE World Heavyweight Championship.[218] On the February 17 episode ofRaw, Christian attackedDaniel Bryan from behind and mocked Bryan during the match, turning heel.[219] AtElimination Chamber on February 23, Christian eliminatedSheamus before being eliminated by Daniel Bryan.[220] On the March 24 episode ofRaw, Christian won a fatal four-way match including Alberto Del Rio,Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus to challengeBig E for the Intercontinental Championship, which did not come to fruition due to Christian suffering a concussion.[221][222]
First retirement and sporadic appearances (2014–2019)
Christian and Edge at theWWE Hall of Fame ceremony in April 2018
Edge and Christian were the guest hosts for the December 29 episode ofRaw, where WWE commentatorJerry Lawler referred to Christian as "retired".[228]Pro Wrestling Insider corroborated Lawler's statement, adding that because of multiple concussions and other injuries, the company considered Christian retired as an active wrestler.[229] On the March 2, 2016 episode ofTalk Is Jericho, Christian said that while he has had no formal discussion with management regarding his retirement, he would be unlikely to wrestle again.[230] He confirmed his status on the September 22, 2017 edition ofE&C's Pod of Awesomeness, saying: "I had to retire, like, right around 40... 'cause of the concussion stuff".[231]
Starting on February 21, 2016, Reso began appearing along with Edge in the WWE Network exclusiveThe Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, but in July 2017 it was announced that the show was cancelled from the Network.[232] In mid-May 2016, it became known that Reso had been released from his talent contract.[233] On the June 22,Talk Is Jericho podcast focusing on theChris Benoit tragedy, Jericho mentioned Christian as an example of modern wrestlers who had to retire as the WWE would no longer give them medical clearances due to concussion related injuries (this was largely as a consequence of the Benoit incident as well as better knowledge ofchronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and other concussion related risks).[234]
On the June 8, 2020 episode ofRaw, Christian hostedThe Peep Show with special guest Edge, who had returned to competition in January and was feuding withRandy Orton.[238] The following week onRaw, Christian was challenged to anunsanctioned match by Orton.[239] Christian, who had no offense in the match, quickly lost after a low blow fromRic Flair, which was followed by a punt kick from Orton.[240] AtClash of Champions, Christian got revenge on Orton by attacking him during hisambulance match againstDrew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.[241] He then appeared as a surprise entrant in the2021 Royal Rumble match, entering at number 24 and lasting over 18 minutes before being eliminated bySeth Rollins.[242] During the match, he brieflyreunited with Edge, who would eventually win by last eliminating Orton.[243] Following this, it was reported that Reso was no longer under contract with WWE.[244]
Reso made his surprise debut forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) as Christian Cage and signed a multi-year contract atRevolution on March 7, 2021.[245][246] AtDouble or Nothing on May 30, Cage participated in theCasino Battle Royale, but he was the last competitor eliminated by the eventual winnerJungle Boy.[247] Soon after, he would begin a partnership with Jungle Boy and become his mentor.[248] Cage facedKenny Omega, defeating him for theImpact World Championship on the premiere episode ofRampage on August 13,[249] but losing atAll Out in a match for the AEW World Championship, marking Cage's first loss in AEW.[250] At theRevolution event on March 6, 2022, Cage competed in the Face of the Revolution ladder match for a future opportunity at theAEW TNT Championship, but the match was won byWardlow.[251]
On the June 15 special episode ofDynamite titledRoad Rager, Cage attacked Jungle Boy after he and Luchasaurus lost theAEW World Tag Team Championship to The Young Bucks in a ladder match, turning heel for the first time in AEW.[252] Cage would initiate a rivalry with Jungle Boy, mocking him for the death of his father, famed actorLuke Perry.[253] Cage and Jungle Boy would face in a match at theAll Out event on September 4, where Cage defeated Jungle Boy in 20 seconds after Luchasaurus attacked him and allied himself with Cage.[254] Following this, it was revealed that Cage had suffered a triceps injury, which would render him unable to compete for the next six to nine months.[255] Cage returned from his injury on the February 15, 2023 episode ofDynamite, attacking Jungle Boy.[256] AtRevolution, he was defeated by Jungle Boy in aFinal Burial match, ending their rivalry.[257]
"Christian is phenomenal right now. He is literally doing some of the best work of his career, and he is currently one of the most entertaining things on eitherCollision ORDynamite... A lot of younger heels really need to take the time to study what Christian is doing and replicate it in their own ways."
David Bryant ofPro Wrestling Torch praising Cage's character in July 2023[258]
AtDouble or Nothing on May 28, Cage lost toWardlow in a ladder match for the AEW TNT Championship.[259] Wardlow then lost the title to Luchasaurus, with Cage's help, on the premiere episode ofCollision, on June 17.[260] Cage then started a new storyline where he claimed to be the AEW TNT Champion and would carry the championship around with him, despite the actual champion being Luchasaurus. Cage's new character would receive acclaim from critics, audiences and other wrestlers; fellow AEW wrestlerMJF opined that Cage was the "best he's been in his entire career".[261][262][258] Cage and Luchasaurus would begin a feud withDarby Allin over the championship.[263] On the August 23 edition ofDynamite, Cage was added to the tag team coffin match atAll In: London, followingAR Fox's removal from theMogul Embassy, replacing Fox and teaming withSwerve Strickland to face Allin andSting.[264] On August 27 at All In: London, Cage and Strickland were defeated by Allin and Sting, who threw Strickland in the coffin to win the match.[265] The following week atAll Out on September 3, Cage helped Luchasaurus defeat Allin to retain the AEW TNT Championship.[266] On the September 23 episode ofCollision, Cage pinned Luchasaurus in a triple threat match (also involving Allin) to become the new AEW TNT Champion.[267]
Cage in September 2024
AtWrestleDream on October 1, Cage defeated Allin in atwo out of three falls match to retain the AEW TNT Championship. After the match, Cage, Luchasaurus, andNick Wayne (who turned on Allin) assaulted Allin and Sting; they were interrupted by the debutingAdam Copeland, known as Edge in WWE, who ran out to confront Cage and save Allin.[268] Cage's faction was later called The Patriarchy, with Cage being recognized as "The Patriarch" of the faction.[269][270] AtFull Gear on November 18, The Patriarchy lost to Copeland, Sting and Allin in a six-man tag team match.[271] On the following episode ofDynamite, Cage renamed Luchasaurus as Killswitch (after his finishing move) and Wayne as "The Prodigy" Nick Wayne.[272] On the December 6 episode ofDynamite, Cage successfully defended the AEW TNT Championship against Copeland, afterShayna Wayne (Wayne's mother) hit Copeland with the title belt in retaliation for taking out Nick. On the December 23 episode ofCollision, Cage accepted Copeland's challenge to a no disqualification match for the AEW TNT Championship atWorlds End on December 30, while announcing that Shayna Wayne had joined The Patriarchy as "The Matriarch" Mother Wayne.[273][274] At Worlds End, Cage lost the title to Copeland, ending his reign at 98 days. Immediately after the match, Cage demanded and invoked Killswitch's AEW TNT Championship title shot (which Killswitch had won earlier that night) and defeated Copeland to win the AEW TNT Championship for the second time.[275] On the March 20, 2024 episode ofDynamite, Cage lost the AEW TNT Championship to Copeland in anI Quit match, ending his second reign at 81 days and ending their six-month feud.[276]
On the May 1 episode ofDynamite, Cage returned from an almost two-month hiatus as the challenger for Swerve Strickland's AEW World Championship atDouble or Nothing on May 26, where he failed to win the title from Strickland.[277][278] On the June 15 episode ofCollision, Cage declared that he would challenge for the AEW World Championship again but would first challenge for theAEW World Trios Championship with Killswitch and Wayne.[279] On the July 21 episode ofCollision, The Patriarchy defeated theBang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson andThe Gunns) for the vacant AEW World Trios Championship, after interference from Mother Wayne. This is Cage's first six-man tag team championship win of his career.[280] On August 25 atAll In: London, The Patriarchy lost the AEW World Trios Championship in a four-way London ladder match toPac andBlackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli andWheeler Yuta), ending their reign at 37 days. Later in the show, Cage won aCasino Gauntlet match to earn the right to challenge for the AEW World Championship whenever he wants.[281] Two weeks later atAll Out on September 7, Cage attempted to cash-in his AEW World Championship match contract on Bryan Danielson after Danielson successfully defended his title against Jack Perry but was blocked by the Blackpool Combat Club.[282] On November 23 atFull Gear, Cage attempted to cash-in on championJon Moxley but would be blocked again, this time byJay White.[283] AtRevolution on March 9, 2025, Cage cashed in his contract in the main event between Moxley and Adam Copeland (then known as "Cope") making it a three-way match but failed to win the title when he was choked out by Moxley.[284]
AtAll In: Texas on July 12, after Cage and Nick failed to win theAEW World Tag Team Championship fromThe Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley andShelton Benjamin), Nick turned on Cage and attacked him, thus disbanding The Patriarchy. Cage was saved by Adam Copeland, where the latter told the former to "go find himself," hinting at a face turn for Cage.[285] On the August 13 episode ofDynamite, Cage cemented his face turn by saving Copeland from an attack byFTR (Cash Wheeler andDax Harwood), Nick Wayne, and Kip Sabian. Copeland then embraced Cage and a tag match was announced between the duo and Wayne (later replaced by Killswitch) and Sabian on August 24 atForbidden Door, where Cage and Copeland were victorious.[286][287] AtAll Out on September 20, the team were victorious against FTR.[288]
Christian setting up his finisher onThe Miz in 2012
Like many prominent wrestlers with lengthy careers, Christian's character has evolved considerably over the years. When he debuted on the national stage, he was a scowlinggoth figure who never spoke. Ironically, he later became known for both his interview skills and, when ababyface, his humorous, fun-loving,surfer-type persona. As avillain, Christian is typically self-absorbed, vindictive and occasionally sadistic while still retaining quick wit.
Christian began to build up a loyal fanbase around the spring of 2005, despite his placement as a villain; he referred to them as his "Peeps",[295] "Peepulation" (a play on the word "population"),[296] or the "Christian Coalition".[297] He also hosted a talk show segment calledThe Peep Show which sometimes gets co-hosted by Edge calledThe Cutting Edge Peep Show.
While on tour with the WWF in England, Reso met German model Denise Hartmann; they were married on May 25, 2001.[298] In December 2013, Reso announced the birth of his daughter during the time he had taken off due to recurringpost-concussive symptoms.[298] On May 2, 2019, Hartmann filed for divorce from Reso.[299] The divorce was finalized in January 2020.[299]
In 2007,TNA Home Video released a DVD titledThe Instant Classic: Christian Cage, covering his beginnings in theindependent circuit and other various subjects up to his second NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign.[300] Reso is also the host of the DVDThe Ladder Match 2: Crash and Burn. In September 2015, Edge and Christian were guests on theStone Cold Steve Austin Podcast, which aired on theWWE Network. Edge and Christian were also the hosts and stars of a WWE Networksketch comedy series titledThe Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, which had two seasons, the first of which aired from February to May 2016 with the second from November 2018 to February 2019.
In March 2017, Reso has hosted a podcast with Copeland calledE&C's Pod of Awesomeness with the show ending in late 2019.[301]
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^"2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts".Wrestling's historical cards. Kappa Publishing. 2007. p. 105.
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^Rose, Chris (January 23, 2001). "Blood, sweat and cheers – When the World Wrestling Federation comes to town, the arena is full, the rock 'n' roll is loud and you definitely better be ready to rumble".The Times-Picayune: 01.
^abcdOliver, Greg (October 31, 2005)."Christian, WWE part ways".Slam Wrestling.Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 20, 2009.
^Impact Wrestling Staff (October 23, 2021)."Bound For Glory 2021 Results". Impact Wrestling.Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. RetrievedOctober 24, 2021.
^Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary; Benaka, Matt; Oliver, Earl; Westcott, Brian; Sullivan, Richard; Zadarnowski, Andrew; Dean, Joe; Fitzgerald, Jason; Gonzalez, Manual."NWA World Heavyweight Title history".Wrestling Title Histories by Gary Will and Royal Duncan. Solie.org. RetrievedSeptember 29, 2009.
^Kreikenbohm, Philip (August 13, 2021)."Impact World Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. RetrievedAugust 14, 2021.
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