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Changes: David Finlay

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|name = David Finlay
  
|name = David Finlay
 
|image = DavidFinlay.jpg
  
|image = DavidFinlay.jpg
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|caption = Finlay in August 2017
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|caption = Finlay in October 2019
 
|birth_name = David Stephen Finlay III<ref name="cagematch">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=12790|title=David Finlay profile|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|accessdate=April 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="IWD">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/david-finlay-11615.html|title=David Finlay profile|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|accessdate=April 14, 2017}}</ref>
  
|birth_name = David Stephen Finlay III<ref name="cagematch">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=12790|title=David Finlay profile|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|accessdate=April 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="IWD">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/david-finlay-11615.html|title=David Finlay profile|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database|accessdate=April 14, 2017}}</ref>
 
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|05|16}}<ref name="IWD"/>
  
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|05|16}}<ref name="IWD"/>
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|debut = December 22, 2012<ref name="cagematch"/><ref name="NJPW1972"/><ref name="oww"/>
  
|debut = December 22, 2012<ref name="cagematch"/><ref name="NJPW1972"/><ref name="oww"/>
 
|retired =
  
|retired =
  ⚫
}}'''David Stephen Finlay III''' (May 16, 1993) is a German-born Northern Irish professional wrestler known simply as '''David Finlay'''. He is currently signed and trained by [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] (NJPW), where he is a former one-time [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champion]] and a former one-time [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship|NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion]]. He is a fourth-generation professional wrestler, following a tradition started by his great-grandfather John Lidell. He is the son of [[Dave Finlay|Fit Finlay]] and was trained by him prior to his professional wrestling debut.
−
}}
  
⚫
'''David Stephen Finlay III''' (May 16, 1993) is a German-born Northern Irish professional wrestler known simply as '''David Finlay'''. He is currently signed and trained by [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] (NJPW), where he is a former one-time [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship|NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion]] alongside [[Ricochet]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]]. He is a fourth-generation professional wrestler, following a tradition started by his great-grandfather John Lidell. He is the son of [[Dave Finlay|Fit Finlay]] and was trained by him prior to his professional wrestling debut.
  
   
 
Finlay was first trained by his father Fit Finlay making his debut with the age of 15. He would make his professional wrestling debut alongside his father. He would spend most of 2013 without having a wrestling match, making his return to wrestling the following year. He would work extensively across Europe for promotions such as Power of Wrestling, All Star Wrestling and the European Wrestling Promotion, winning his first title in the same year. He would then enter in the [[NJPW]] dojo in 2015.
  
Finlay was first trained by his father Fit Finlay making his debut with the age of 15. He would make his professional wrestling debut alongside his father. He would spend most of 2013 without having a wrestling match, making his return to wrestling the following year. He would work extensively across Europe for promotions such as Power of Wrestling, All Star Wrestling and the European Wrestling Promotion, winning his first title in the same year. He would then enter in the [[NJPW]] dojo in 2015.
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===New Japan Pro Wrestling (2015-Present)===
  
===New Japan Pro Wrestling (2015-Present)===
−
On May 7, 2015, it was announced that Finlay was hired by the Japanese promotion [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] and it was announced that he would participate in the [[Best of the Super Juniors|Best of the Super Jr. XXII]] and that he would be entering in the B block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=13926|title=『Super Jr.』メンバー＆全カード決定!　外道が3年ぶり出場!　フィッシュ、オライリー、小松、カベルナリオ、フィンレーらが初出場!|date=May 7, 2015|accessdate=May 7, 2015|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> At his debut match in NJPW and his first match at the Best of the Super Juniors he lost to [[Alex Shelley]] he also had a personal attire.<ref name="NJPW052215">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=972|title=Best of the Super Jr.XXII|accessdate=May 22, 2015|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> At end of the tournament, Finlay lost all of his matches. Later he would compete as one of NJPW's "Young Lions" a class of rookie wrestlers who work mostly against each other early on, wearing all black gear and with no particular ring character, all part of the structured learning process in NJPW. He would later compete with and some matches against fellow Young Lion [[Jay White]] some times with him had begun teaming together on a regular basis and with both men trading victories in both singles and tag team competition. On May 19 Finlay was called to replace [[The Young Bucks|Matt Jackson]] at [[Best of the Super Juniors#2016|2016 Best of the Super Juniors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=16490|title=【緊急決定！】『Best of the Super Jr.』のAブロックにデビッド・フィンレー、Bブロックにチェーズ・オーエンズが代打出場！ 【SJ23】|date=May 19, 2016|accessdate=2016-05-19|work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On May 21 to June 7, 2016, Finlay participated at the tournament and only scored 2 points defeating the veteran [[Gedo]].<ref name="NJPW052916">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1134|title=Best of the Super Jr.XXIII|accessdate=May 29, 2016|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On September 1 Finlay was involved at the Lions Gate Project 3 where he debuted a new wild attire and new finisher named Prima Nocta and he also defeated GO Asakawa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/59619|title=【“GK”金沢克彦氏が激筆！】闘魂三銃士、第三世代、「夢☆勝ちます」…、9.1『LION’S GATE』目前！ 新日本プロレス“ヤングライオンの系譜”とは？|date=September 01, 2016|accessdate=2016-09-01|work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> After that Finlay was given a push at the company and he started to win more matches.
 +
On May 7, 2015, it was announced that Finlay was hired by the Japanese promotion [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] and it was announced that he would participate in the [[Best of the Super Juniors|Best of the Super Jr. XXII]] and that he would be entering in the B block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=13926|title=『Super Jr.』メンバー＆全カード決定!　外道が3年ぶり出場!　フィッシュ、オライリー、小松、カベルナリオ、フィンレーらが初出場!|date=May 7, 2015|accessdate=May 7, 2015|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> At his debut match in NJPW and his first match at the Best of the Super Juniors he lost to [[Alex Shelley]] he also had a personal attire.<ref name="NJPW052215">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=972|title=Best of the Super Jr.XXII|accessdate=May 22, 2015|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> At end of the tournament, Finlay lost all of his matches. Later he would compete as one of NJPW's "Young Lions" a class of rookie wrestlers who work mostly against each other early on, wearing all black gear and with no particular ring character, all part of the structured learning process in NJPW. He would later compete with and some matches against fellow Young Lion [[Jay White]] some times with him had begun teaming together on a regular basis and with both men trading victories in both singles and tag team competition. On May 19 Finlay was called to replace [[The Young Bucks|Matt Jackson]] at [[Best of the Super Juniors#2016|2016 Best of the Super Juniors]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=16490|title=【緊急決定！】『Best of the Super Jr.』のAブロックにデビッド・フィンレー、Bブロックにチェーズ・オーエンズが代打出場！ 【SJ23】|date=May 19, 2016|accessdate=2016-05-19|work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On May 21 to June 7, 2016, Finlay participated at the tournament and only scored 2 points defeating the veteran [[Gedo]].<ref name="NJPW052916">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1134|title=Best of the Super Jr.XXIII|accessdate=May 29, 2016|work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On September 1 Finlay was involved at the Lions Gate Project 3 where he debuted a new wild attire and new finisher named Prima Nocta and he also defeated GO Asakawa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/59619|title=【“GK”金沢克彦氏が激筆！】闘魂三銃士、第三世代、「夢☆勝ちます」…、9.1『LION’S GATE』目前！ 新日本プロレス“ヤングライオンの系譜”とは？|date=September 01, 2016|accessdate=2016-09-01|work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> After that Finlay was given a push at the company and he started to win more matches.
   
 
[[File:Krf.jpg|thumb|right|Ricochet, David Finlay and [[Satoshi Kojima]] as the [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]]]]
  
[[File:Krf.jpg|thumb|right|Ricochet, David Finlay and [[Satoshi Kojima]] as the [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions]]]]
−
On September 25 Finlay won his first champion at NJPW when he, [[Ricochet]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]] defeated [[Bullet Club]] ([[Adam Cole]] and [[The Young Bucks|Matt and Nick Jackson]]) to win the [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] where he graduated from his "Young Lion" status.<ref name="DestructioninKobe">{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1198 | title = Destruction in Kobe | accessdate=2016-09-25 | work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> This led to a match on October 10 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2016)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], where Finlay and Ricochet unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks for the [[IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-naomichi-marufuji-222396 | title = NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=2016-10-09 | accessdate=2016-10-10 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Finlay and Ricochet entered the [[Super Jr. Tag Tournament#2016|2016 Super Jr. Tag Tournament]], defeating [[Gedo]] and [[Will Ospreay]] at the first round. Finlay and Ricochet lost at the semifinals to [[ACH]] and [[Taiji Ishimori]]. Finlay, Ricochet and Kojima lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japon]]'' ([[BUSHI]], [[EVIL]] and [[Seiya Sanada|Sanada]]) in a four-team gauntlet match at [[Wrestle Kingdom 11|Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome]] on January 4, 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-227626 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last1=Rose | first1=Bryan | last2=Currier | first2=Joseph | date=2017-01-03 | accessdate=2017-10-04 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
+
On September 25 Finlay won his first champion at NJPW when he, [[Ricochet]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]] defeated [[Bullet Club]] ([[Adam Cole]] and [[The Young Bucks|Matt and Nick Jackson]]) to win the [[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] where he graduated from his "Young Lion" status.<ref name="DestructioninKobe">{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=1198 | title = Destruction in Kobe | accessdate=2016-09-25 | work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> This led to a match on October 10 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2016)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], where Finlay and Ricochet unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks for the [[IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-naomichi-marufuji-222396 | title = NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=2016-10-09 | accessdate=2016-10-10 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> Finlay and Ricochet entered the [[Super Jr. Tag Tournament#2016|2016 Super Jr. Tag Tournament]], defeating [[Gedo]] and [[Will Ospreay]] at the first round. Finlay and Ricochet lost at the semifinals to [[ACH]] and [[Taiji Ishimori]]. Finlay, Ricochet and Kojima lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japon]]'' ([[BUSHI]], [[EVIL]] and [[Seiya Sanada|Sanada]]) in a four-team gauntlet match at [[Wrestle Kingdom 11|Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome]] on January 4, 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-11-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-227626 | title = NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last1=Rose | first1=Bryan | last2=Currier | first2=Joseph | date=2017-01-03 | accessdate=2017-10-04 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref>
   
−
Later in 2017, Finlay joined the [[Taguchi Japan]] stable. In the mid-2017 Finlay would later graduate to the heavyweight division. On March 25, 2018 at [[Strong Style Evolved]], Finlay attacked Jay White and challenged him to a match for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]]. He received his oppurtunity on April 24, unsuccessfully challenged Jay White for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]]. From November 17 until December 7, Finlay and [[Juice Robinson]] took part in the [[World Tag League#2018|2018 World Tag League]] finishing the tournament with a record of eight wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Their final block match against Best Friends ([[Beretta]] and Chuckie T.) ended by disqualification, when Chuckie T., who had recently been prone to violent outbursts, attacked Finlay with a chair. On January 5, 2019 at ''New Years's Dash'', Finlay and Robinson faced the Best Friends in a rematch, which ended in a disqualification, after Chuckie attacked again Finlay with a chair. This led to a match on January 30 at [[The New Beginning in USA]], where Finlay defeated Chuckie T. On February 23, Finlay injured his shoulder, NJPW would later announce that Finlay would hat to forfeit his place at the [[New Japan Cup#2019|2019 New Japan Cup]]. It was later revealed to be a torn labrum and that he would be out of action for around six months.
 +
Later in 2017, Finlay joined the [[Taguchi Japan]] stable. In the mid-2017 Finlay would later graduate to the heavyweight division. On March 25, 2018 at [[Strong Style Evolved]], Finlay attacked Jay White and challenged him to a match for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]]. He received his oppurtunity on April 24, unsuccessfully challenged Jay White for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]]. From November 17 until December 7, Finlay and [[Juice Robinson]] took part in the [[World Tag League#2018|2018 World Tag League]] finishing the tournament with a record of eight wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Their final block match against Best Friends ([[Beretta]] and Chuckie T.) ended by disqualification, when Chuckie T., who had recently been prone to violent outbursts, attacked Finlay with a chair. On January 5, 2019 at ''New Years's Dash'', Finlay and Robinson faced the Best Friends in a rematch, which ended in a disqualification, after Chuckie attacked again Finlay with a chair. This led to a match on January 30 at [[The New Beginning in USA]], where Finlay defeated Chuckie T. On February 23, Finlay injured his shoulder, NJPW would later announce that Finlay would hat to forfeit his place at the [[New Japan Cup#2019|2019 New Japan Cup]]. It was later revealed to be a torn labrum and that he would be out of action for around six months. Finlay made his return to the promotion on October 14 at [[King of Pro-Wrestling (2019)|King of Pro-Wrestling]], saving his partner Juice Robinson from an attack by [[Lance Archer]], while also challenging him to a match for the [[IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship]]. On November 9 at [[New Japan Showdown|New Japan Showdown in San Jose]], Finlay unsuccessfully challenged Archer for his title. From November 16 until December 8, Finlay and Robinson took part in the [[World Tag League#2019|2019 World Tag League]], which the two won by defeating former [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champions]] ''[[Los Ingobernables de Japon]]'' ([[EVIL]] and [[SANADA]]) in their last round robin match.
   
  +
On January 4, 2020 in the first night of [[Wrestle Kingdom 14|Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome]], Finlay and Robinson defeated the [[Guerrillas of Destiny]] ([[Tama Tonga]] and [[Tanga Loa]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]]. They lost the titles back to the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) on February 1 at [[The New Beginning in USA (2020)|The New Beginning in USA]].
−
===Ring of Honor (2016–present)===
  
−
Prior to Finlay's official debut for Ring of Honor in January 2019, his previous involvement with the American promotion was at the NJPW-ROH promoted [[Honor Rising: Japan]] shows, held in Korakuen Hall. His first appearance in this capacity was on 20 February 2016, where he was defeated by [[Jay White]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpwroh-honor-rising-jay-lethal-defends-roh-title-against-honma-207906 | title = NJPW/ROH Honor Rising: Jay Lethal defends ROH title against Honma | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 20, 2016 | accessdate=November 29, 2016 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> In February 2017, Finlay tagged with [[Juice Robinson]] and [[KUSHIDA]], defeating [[Gedo and Jado]] and Silas Young,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpwroh-honor-rising-results-return-kenny-omega-230766 | title = NJPW/ROH Honor Rising results: The return of Kenny Omega | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 26, 2017 | accessdate=February 26, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> but the following night, he and Kushida lost to Young and [[Jado]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpwroh-honor-rising-results-omega-okada-square-tag-action-230811 | title = NJPW/ROH Honor Rising results: Omega & Okada square off in tag action | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=February 27, 2017 | accessdate=February 28, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> In February 2018, Finlay was again involved in tag matches, tagging with Robinson in a defeat to [[The Young Bucks]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-roh-honor-rising-night-one-results-omega-ibushi-team-252281|title=NJPW-ROH HONOR RISING NIGHT ONE RESULTS: OMEGA & IBUSHI TEAM UP|first=Ethan|last=Renner|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=February 23, 2018|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref> and the following night, he, Robinson and [[Jay Lethal]] defeated [[Bullet Club]] ([[Chase Owens]], [[Hikuleo]] and [[Yujiro Takahashi]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-roh-honor-rising-night-two-results-omega-ibushi-vs-cody-scurll-252296|title=NJPW-ROH HONOR RISING NIGHT TWO RESULTS: OMEGA-IBUSHI VS. CODY-SCURLL|first=Bryan|last=Rose|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=January 31, 2018|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref>
  
−  
−
Finlay made his debut for Ring of Honor during the January 2019 TV tapings, in a loss to [[Tracy Williams]].<ref name="lifeblood">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/ring-honor/roh-tv-taping-spoilers-bandido-debuts-nwa-title-match-274461|title=
  
−
ROH TV TAPING SPOILERS: BANDIDO DEBUTS, NWA TITLE MATCH|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=January 12, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref> Robinson later announced the formation of Lifeblood, with the goal of bringing honor back to ROH; the stable included Finlay, Williams, Bandido, Mark Haskins and Tenille Dashwood.<ref name="lifeblood" /> Lifeblood defeated Jay Lethal's handpicked team of [[Jonathan Gresham]], Flip Gordon, Dalton Castle and [[Jeff Cobb]] in the main event.<ref name="lifeblood" /> Finlay and Robinson, representing Lifeblood, participated in the Tag Wars Tournament. In the first round, they beat Alex Coughlin and Karl Fredericks,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/roh-results/roh-road-g1-supercard-dallas-results-tag-wars-begins-275351|title=ROH ROAD TO G1 SUPERCARD DALLAS RESULTS: TAG WARS BEGINS|first=Justin|last=Knipper|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=January 25, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref> and in the semi-finals, they won in a three-way dance over Lethal and Gresham and Coast 2 Coast (LSG and Shaheem Ali).<ref name="satx">{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/roh-results/roh-road-g1-supercard-san-antonio-results-tag-wars-finals-275471|title=ROH ROAD TO G1 SUPERCARD SAN ANTONIO RESULTS: TAG WARS FINALS|first=Justin|last=Knipper|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=January 27, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref> In the final, they were defeated by Villain Enterprises (Brody King and PCO).<ref name="satx" />
  
−  
−
===Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2018)===
  
−
On October 5, 2018, Finlay participated in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre's CMLL International Gran Prix, as part of the ''Resto del Mundo'' team, and as a representative of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He lasted 29 minutes and 40 seconds, before being eliminated by [[Carístico]]. During October, he was used in multiple tag team matches, all with the stipulation of two out of three falls.
  
   
 
==Personal life==
  
==Personal life==
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==Championships and accomplishments==
  
==Championships and accomplishments==
 
*'''[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
  
*'''[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
  +
**[[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) – with [[Juice Robinson]]
 
**[[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Ricochet]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]]
  
**[[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship]] ([[NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Ricochet]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]]
  +
**[[World Tag League]] ([[World Tag League#2019|2019]]) – with Juice Robinson
−
*'''Power Of Wrestling'''
  
−
**POW Junior Championship (1 time)
  
 
*'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'''''
  
*'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'''''
 
**PWI ranked him #447 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2015
  
**PWI ranked him #447 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2015

Revision as of 14:48, 2 February 2020

David Stephen Finlay III (May 16, 1993) is a German-born Northern Irish professional wrestler known simply as David Finlay. He is currently signed and trained by New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a former one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. He is a fourth-generation professional wrestler, following a tradition started by his great-grandfather John Lidell. He is the son of Fit Finlay and was trained by him prior to his professional wrestling debut.

Finlay was first trained by his father Fit Finlay making his debut with the age of 15. He would make his professional wrestling debut alongside his father. He would spend most of 2013 without having a wrestling match, making his return to wrestling the following year. He would work extensively across Europe for promotions such as Power of Wrestling, All Star Wrestling and the European Wrestling Promotion, winning his first title in the same year. He would then enter in the NJPW dojo in 2015.

Early life

Finlay was born on 16 May 1993, in Hanover to parents Dave Finlay and Melanie Duffin.[7] He has stated that he wanted to be a wrestler since he was young, being inspired by watching his father wrestle.[8] Finlay grew up in a wrestling family, as his father, grandfather and both paternal great-grandfathers were all professional wrestlers, and his paternal aunt was a referee.

Professional Wrestling Career

Early Career

On December 22 Finlay made his debut in professional wrestling at the European Wrestling Promotion when he was against Big Van Walter. In the same day, he and his father Dave Finlay defeated Danny Collins and Robbie Brookside in an Irish Street match. Then he competed in various independent promotions like Universal Independent Wrestling, All Star Wrestling and World of Unpredictable Wrestling. On October 10, 2014, Finlay won his first professional wrestling title the POW Junior Championship in a three-way match. He held the title for 314 days before vacating it on 20 August 2015.

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2015-Present)

On May 7, 2015, it was announced that Finlay was hired by the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling and it was announced that he would participate in the Best of the Super Jr. XXII and that he would be entering in the B block.[9] At his debut match in NJPW and his first match at the Best of the Super Juniors he lost to Alex Shelley he also had a personal attire.[10] At end of the tournament, Finlay lost all of his matches. Later he would compete as one of NJPW's "Young Lions" a class of rookie wrestlers who work mostly against each other early on, wearing all black gear and with no particular ring character, all part of the structured learning process in NJPW. He would later compete with and some matches against fellow Young Lion Jay White some times with him had begun teaming together on a regular basis and with both men trading victories in both singles and tag team competition. On May 19 Finlay was called to replace Matt Jackson at 2016 Best of the Super Juniors.[11] On May 21 to June 7, 2016, Finlay participated at the tournament and only scored 2 points defeating the veteran Gedo.[12] On September 1 Finlay was involved at the Lions Gate Project 3 where he debuted a new wild attire and new finisher named Prima Nocta and he also defeated GO Asakawa.[13] After that Finlay was given a push at the company and he started to win more matches.

Krf

Ricochet, David Finlay and Satoshi Kojima as the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions

On September 25 Finlay won his first champion at NJPW when he, Ricochet and Satoshi Kojima defeated Bullet Club (Adam Cole and Matt and Nick Jackson) to win the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship where he graduated from his "Young Lion" status.[14] This led to a match on October 10 at King of Pro-Wrestling, where Finlay and Ricochet unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.[15] Finlay and Ricochet entered the 2016 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, defeating Gedo and Will Ospreay at the first round. Finlay and Ricochet lost at the semifinals to ACH and Taiji Ishimori. Finlay, Ricochet and Kojima lost the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship to Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, EVIL and Sanada) in a four-team gauntlet match at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2017.[16]

Later in 2017, Finlay joined the Taguchi Japan stable. In the mid-2017 Finlay would later graduate to the heavyweight division. On March 25, 2018 at Strong Style Evolved, Finlay attacked Jay White and challenged him to a match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. He received his oppurtunity on April 24, unsuccessfully challenged Jay White for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. From November 17 until December 7, Finlay and Juice Robinson took part in the 2018 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of eight wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. Their final block match against Best Friends (Beretta and Chuckie T.) ended by disqualification, when Chuckie T., who had recently been prone to violent outbursts, attacked Finlay with a chair. On January 5, 2019 at New Years's Dash, Finlay and Robinson faced the Best Friends in a rematch, which ended in a disqualification, after Chuckie attacked again Finlay with a chair. This led to a match on January 30 at The New Beginning in USA, where Finlay defeated Chuckie T. On February 23, Finlay injured his shoulder, NJPW would later announce that Finlay would hat to forfeit his place at the 2019 New Japan Cup. It was later revealed to be a torn labrum and that he would be out of action for around six months. Finlay made his return to the promotion on October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, saving his partner Juice Robinson from an attack by Lance Archer, while also challenging him to a match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. On November 9 at New Japan Showdown in San Jose, Finlay unsuccessfully challenged Archer for his title. From November 16 until December 8, Finlay and Robinson took part in the 2019 World Tag League, which the two won by defeating former IWGP Tag Team Champions Los Ingobernables de Japon (EVIL and SANADA) in their last round robin match.

On January 4, 2020 in the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome, Finlay and Robinson defeated the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles back to the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) on February 1 at The New Beginning in USA.

Personal life

On 9 May 2017, Finlay became engaged to girlfriend Ana Scott. The couple married on 13 May 2018.[6] He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.[5]

In wrestling

  • Finishing moves
    • Air Raid Crash (Running over the shoulder back to belly piledriver)
    • Prima Nocta (Stunner)
    • Trash Panda (Brainbuster dropped onto his Knee)
  • Signature moves
    • Scarf Hold
    • Granby Roll
    • Kamikaze Shot (Rolling Fireman's Carry Slam)
    • German Suplex
    • Muffler Hold
    • Spear
  • Nicknames
    • "Celtic Prince"
  • Entrance themes
    • "Samurai Rock" by Yonosuke Kitamura (NJPW)

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 David Finlay profile . Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved on 2017-04-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 David Finlay profile . The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved on 2017-04-14.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 David Finlay profile . New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-06-25.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 David Finlay profile . Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved on 2017-04-14.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named boots
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ana Scott and David Finlay's Wedding Website . The Knot. Retrieved on 2019-02-20.
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named njpw
  8. ↑ TMPToW: David Finlay . Podomatic (2017-03-10). Retrieved on 2019-02-20.
  9. ↑ 『Super Jr.』メンバー＆全カード決定!　外道が3年ぶり出場!　フィッシュ、オライリー、小松、カベルナリオ、フィンレーらが初出場! (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2015-05-07). Retrieved on 2015-05-07.
  10. ↑ Best of the Super Jr.XXII (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2015-05-22.
  11. ↑ 【緊急決定！】『Best of the Super Jr.』のAブロックにデビッド・フィンレー、Bブロックにチェーズ・オーエンズが代打出場！ 【SJ23】 (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling (2016-05-19). Retrieved on 2016-05-19.
  12. ↑ Best of the Super Jr.XXIII (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  13. ↑ 【“GK”金沢克彦氏が激筆！】闘魂三銃士、第三世代、「夢☆勝ちます」…、9.1『LION’S GATE』目前！ 新日本プロレス“ヤングライオンの系譜”とは？ (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling (2016-09-01). Retrieved on 2016-09-01.
  14. ↑ Destruction in Kobe (in Japanese). New Japan Pro Wrestling. Retrieved on 2016-09-25.
  15. ↑ Rose, Bryan 2016-10-09. NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Naomichi Marufuji . Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved on 2016-10-10.
  16. ↑ NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11 live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega . Wrestling Observer Newsletter (2017-01-03). Retrieved on 2017-10-04.
  17. ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016 . The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved on 2016-09-01.

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