Daniel Joseph Moloney[1] (born February 9, 1997), is a British professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Dan Moloney. He is working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name Drilla Moloney, where he is a member of the Bullet Club stable, where he is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.
Professional wrestling career[]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2022–Present)[]
Originally, as part of a working relationship between New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), Moloney made his debut at Royal Quest II, on October 1, 2022, where he lost to Gabriel Kidd.
On March 26, 2023 at Revolution Pro Wrestling's Revolution Rumble, Moloney faced Francesco Akira in a winning effort. Afterwards, Will Ospreay, who was impressed with Moloney, offered him a spot in the United Empire stable, which he accepted. On April 27, Moloney was announced as an entrant in 2023 Best of the Super Juniors. He finished the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failling to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. During the tournament, Moloney developed a heated rivalry with Clark Connors, whom often clashed with, most notably, in their head-to-head match, with Moloney winning by count-out due to Connors' vicious tactics backfiring, which left both frustrated.
On June 4 at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, after TJP and Francesco Akira regained the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, Connors confronted the new champions, teasing a challenge alongside a mystery partner, which was revealed to be Moloney after he turned on them to join Bullet Club. Six days later, Moloney renamed himself to "Drilla Moloney", as part of joining Bullet Club. On July 4 at NJPW Strong Independence Day, Moloney and Connors defeated Francesco Akira and TJP to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. From October 21 to November 2, Moloney and Connors took part in the 2023 Super Jr. Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record five wins and four losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On January 4, 2024, at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Moloney and Connors lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship back to Francesco Akira and TJP, only to regained them a month later. In May, Moloney took part in the 2024 Best of the Super Juniors, finishing the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses, failing to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Moloney and Connors lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight and KUSHIDA), ending their reign at 253 days. From October 24 to November 2, Moloney and Connors took part in the 2024 Super Jr. Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record three wins and two losses, failing to advance to the finals.
At Power Struggle, Ichiiban Street Boys (Robbie Eagles and Kosei Fujita) defeated Catch 2/2 to win the 2024 Super Jr. Tag League. However, after the match, Catch 2/2 also laid their own claim on a title match with Jet Setters. Afterwards, Connors and Moloney attacked the three teams and also laid their own claim on a title match, setting up a four-way match. On December 23, Intergalactic Jet Setters faced Ichiban Sweet Boys in a no contest, after War Dogs attacked both teams. After Catch 2/2 interrupted War Dogs, Intergalactic Jet Setters, declared the title match a Tokyo Terror Ladder match.
On January 6, 2025, at New Year Dash, War Dogs faced Los Ingobernables de Jápon in a winning effort. Following the match, Moloney challenged Shingo Takagi, which he accepted, with Moloney moving to the heavyweight division going foward.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Drilla Killa (Backbreaker rack piledriver, sometimes preceded by a lifting double underhook)
- Gore (Striking Spear) - adopted from Rhyno
- Signature moves
- Brainbuster
- Dropkick
- Double foot stomp, followed by a senton bomb
- Elbow stamp
- Forearm smash
- Fisherman buster
- Headbutt
- Half nelson suplex
- Gut punch
- Knife-edge chop
- Snap suplex
- Soccer kick to an opponent's back
- Step-up enzuigiri
- Step-over stomp
- Suicide baseball dropkick
- With Clark Connors
- Full Clip (Diving Spear (Moloney)/Cutthroat brainbuster (Connors) combination)
- Nicknames
- ".44 Calibre"
- "The Drilla"
- Managers
- Entrance themes
- "Drilla" by Filthi
- "LOCKJ44W" by Filthi
Personal life[]
In 2022, Moloney played the role of Si in the British sitcom "Deep Heat", broadcast on ITV2 where he worked with comedy actress Pippa Haywood and "Sex Education" actor Alistair Petrie. Moloney said he struggled with scripts due to him suffering from dyslexia. During his childhood, Moloney lived in a housing estate, where the other children used to call him "Drilla", with Moloney sticking with the nickname ever since.
Championships and accomplishments[]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Clark Connors
References[]
- ↑ Search Results for Civil Births in Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records . England & Wales Births 1837–2006.