Joseph Ruud is an American professional wrestler.
Currently signed to WWE better known by his in ring name Erick Rowan and is currently
part of the Wyatt Family.
In 2010, Ruud participated in Norwegian reality series Alt for Norge where he finished in
3rd place.
He is of Norwegian origin.
His family emigrated from Nannestad, Norway.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit
Prior to being signed by WWE, Ruud competed in Japan, where he competed in both tag team
and singles matches, albeit without much success.
Following his tour in Japan, Ruud returned to the United States in 2008 and began competing
under the ring name Thoruf Marius for the Minnesota-based F1rst Wrestling promotion.
Upon joining the promotion, he began feuding with Brody Hoofer, with the pair exchanging
wins across several events.
World Wrestling Entertainment Florida Championship Wrestling
In February 2011, Ruud signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to their
developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling under the ring name of Erick Rowan.
He made his FCW TV debut in August 2011 with a win over Kenneth Cameron, while being accompanied
by Byron Saxton and James Bronson.
To tie in with Saxton's feud with Titus O'Neil, Rowan and Bronson lost to O'Neil and Leakee
in a tag match.
Although Rowan continued to compete in both singles matches and tag matches with Bronson,
he was not involved in any further feuds and did not challenge for any titles on FCW TV.
The Wyatt Family
When WWE rebranded its developmental territory, FCW, into NXT Wrestling, Rowan made his debut
on the December 12, 2012 episode of NXT as a follower of Bray Wyatt, who introduced Rowan
as his "second son".
As a member of the Wyatt Family, Rowan formed a team with Wyatt's "first son" Luke Harper,
and they defeated Percy Watson and Yoshi Tatsu on the January 9, 2013 episode of NXT.
On the January 23 episode of NXT, Harper and Rowan again defeated Watson and Tatsu in the
opening round of the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament.
Following a win over Bo Dallas and Michael McGillicutty in the semi-finals with Wyatt's
interference, Harper and Rowan were defeated in the finals by Adrian Neville and Oliver
Grey.
On the May 2 episode of NXT, Harper and Rowan won a triple threat elimination tag match
by last pinning tag champion Neville.
On the May 8 NXT, Harper and Rowan defeated Neville and Bo Dallas, filling in for the
injured Grey, to win the tag titles.
On the June 5 NXT, Harper and Rowan successfully retained their titles against Corey Graves
and Kassius Ohno.
On the June 19 NXT, the Wyatt Family defeated the team of Graves, Neville and Ohno.
On the July 17 NXT, Rowan and Harper lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to Adrian Neville
and Corey Graves.
From the May 27 episode of Raw, WWE aired vignettes promoting the upcoming debut of
the Wyatt Family.
The vignettes showed the Wyatt Family's backwoods origins and Rowan wearing a sheep mask.
On the July 8 episode of Raw, the Wyatt Family made their debut by assaulting Kane.
Rowan made his WWE in-ring debut on the July 26 episode of SmackDown, where he and Harper
defeated Tons of Funk in a tag team match.
Over the next few months, Rowan and Harper went on a winning streak over many teams,
until Cody Rhodes and Goldust handed them their first loss on the October 11 episode
of SmackDown.
In early 2014, Rowan took part in the Wyatt Family's feud with The Shield, while also
supporting Bray Wyatt in his feud with John Cena.
While feud of Bray Wyatt and John Cena, Harper and Rowan started a feud with The Usos and
beat them in a series of matches.
Harper and Rowan unsuccessfully challenged The Usos for the WWE Tag Team Championship
at Money in the Bank and Battleground, respectively.
In wrestling
Finishing moves Greetings From the North – 2011–2012
Running splash – 2012–2013, used as a signature move 2014-present
Waist-lift sitout side slam – 2014–present
Signature moves Bear hug
Big boot Clawhold, sometimes transitioned into a one-handed
biel throw Fallaway slam
Multiple forearm clubs to a cornered opponent Overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack
Pumphandle backbreaker Scoop slam
Managers Bray Wyatt
Entrance themes "Live In Fear"' by Mark Crozer
"Swamp Gas" by Jim Johnston
Championships and accomplishments Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI ranked him #145 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2013
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick The Wyatt Family
WWE NXT NXT Tag Team Championship – with Luke Harper
References
External links NXT Wrestling profile