Chris Mordetzky

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Chris Mordetzky
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Chris Masters Chris Mordetzky Chris Moore
Billed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1][2]
Billed weight	270 lb (120 kg/19 st)[1][2]
Born	January 8, 1983 (1983-01-08) (age 25)[1][2] Santa Monica, California[1][2]
Billed from	Los Angeles, California[1][2]
Trained by	OVW Wrestling School UPW Ultimate University[2]
Debut	2002[1][2]

Chris Mordetzky^[3] (born: January 8, 1983)^[1][2] better known by his ring name "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2005 until his release on November 8, 2007, following repeated violation of WWE's Wellness Policy.^[4][1]

Contents 1 Career 1.1 Early career 1.1.1 The Masterpiece Debut (2005) 1.1.2 2006 1.1.3 2007 1.2 Post-WWE Activity 2 In wrestling 3 Championships and accomplishments 4 Personal life 5 References 6 External links

Career

Early career

Mordetzky competed as an amateur bodybuilder in California before his wrestling career. He began training at Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW)^[1] and signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he trained at its farm territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). At OVW, he developed his wrestling skills and refined his character, achieving success in both the singles and tag team divisions.

When Mordetzky was called up to the main roster, WWE^[1] showed promo style introductory videos outlining him as The Masterpiece, touting him as having a body so perfect, it would appear he was sculpted out of stone.

The Masterpiece Debut (2005)

"The Masterpiece" Chris Masters, made his debut in WWE on Raw as a heel, drawing attention to his physique in bodybuilding poses during his entrance to the ring. On February 21, 2005 edition of RAW, his first match came against Stevie Richards. During the contest Masters broke Richard's nose using the Polish hammer, a wrestling move popularized by "Polish Power" Ivan Putski.^[1][5] The Polish hammer continued to be a signature move of Masters' for months after this first match, but with warning that it would only be used in striking an opponent's chest.^[1]

Masters made a claim that his version of the full nelson hold he dubbed the Master Lock was unbreakable,^[1] and began a series of contests he would call "Master Lock Challenges".^[1][6] Originally he would call out plants from the crowd, placing a $1,000 prize of his own money to be paid to anyone who could break free from the Master Lock.^[1] At Backlash 2005, he defeated Melissa Coates in a Masterlock Challenge.^[1][7] He engaged in feuds with lower-card wrestlers, Val Venis^[1][8] and Sgt. Slaughter, who both failed to break his "Challenge".^[1][9] Using heel tactics, he often attacked the wrestlers beforehand and frequently cheated (for example using a low-blow to escape Sgt. Slaughter's cobra clutch). Masters increased the offered reward each week up to $20,000 and sometimes threw in a bonus.

After defeating the 400-lb Rosey (July 18th), Masters defiantly stated "it doesn't matter how big they are!", prompting The Big Show to accept a "Master Lock Challenge". In accordance with his heel character, Masters fled, refusing a match with the 7-foot giant. A feud between the two was hinted at, but never came to fruition.

In late August, Masters entered a feud with Shawn Michaels, leading to a high-card tag match between himself and Carlito against Ric Flair and Michaels. During the match, Masters scored a big submission victory on a bloodied Ric Flair. Masters regularly teamed with Carlito, albeit in a rigid business relationship.

Shawn Michaels took a Master Lock challenge on September 5th. Masters, upset at the vigorous resistance of the Heartbreak Kid, released the hold and beat him with a steel chair before re-applying the hold. The Challenge, which had not decided a clear victor between the two, led to a pay-per-view match at Unforgiven which resulted in a Michaels victory.

Chris Masters, alongside fellow RAW wrestler Edge, was one of several wrestlers to "invade" Smackdown! in preparation for the brawl between the Smackdown! and Raw brands at Survivor Series. The two ambushed Rey Mysterio, earning them a tag match at Cyber Sunday against Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy. Edge could not participate, so Masters teamed with Edge's replacement, Gene Snitsky. Masters and Snitsky lost to the high-flying team when Mysterio pinned Masters. At Survivor Series, Masters competed in a five-on-five brawl between Smackdown! and Raw wrestlers. During the match their appeared to be a near-break in the Master Lock by Bobby Lashley, who "powered out" of the hold. However, as the hold was never completely locked in, the "Master Lock" had not been officially broken.

Chris Masters had his first WWE Championship match on the November 28 edition of RAW.^[10] It was a Triple Threat Submission Match with Kurt Angle and John Cena. Masters was struck with a chair shot from Cena, who ultimately retained the title, forcing Masters to tap out to Cena's newly-debuted STFU.

Masters portrayed the role of a bailiff during the mock trial for then General Manager Eric Bischoff on the December 5 edition of RAW, with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as judge. Upon being called to the stand to testify for Bischoff's defense, he was asked to give his name, which he did saying his name was Chris Masters. He was immediately accused of perjury and disqualified as a witness, as McMahon broke kayfabe and stated that Masters' real name was Chris Mordetzky.

On December 12,^[11] Chris Masters defeated Viscera on an episode of RAW to gain a spot in the Elimination Chamber match for John Cena's WWE Title at New Year's Revolution.^[12] Viscera was shown to be too big to cinch on The Master Lock until being grounded. This would be Masters' first Elimination Chamber match. On the December 26 edition of RAW,^[13] Chris Masters faced Chavo Guerrero, in a Beat The Clock match to determine who would be the final entry into the Elimination Chamber. Masters had to defeat Chavo in 5 minutes and 56 seconds, which was the time set by Shawn Michaels (when he defeated Snitsky in the opening match of the show). Chavo Guerrero managed to survive the Master Lock long enough so that Masters was unable to beat the clock.

2006

On January 8 at New Year's Revolution,^[14] Masters was eliminated from the Elimination Chamber match when Carlito double-crossed him by delivering a low blow while he had Cena in the Master Lock and then used a roll-up for the pin. On January 9, after some heated words with Carlito, both men had a tag match against two men who were also having difficulties, Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels. During the match, Michaels walked backstage, leaving Angle to fend for himself. Masters saw the opportunity and applied the Master Lock to Angle, thus gaining the victory. On January 16,^[15] Masters challenged John Cena to take part in a Master Lock Challenge. Cena accepted the challenge and displayed signs that he might in fact break out of the hold, until Edge attacked Cena with his title belt and ended the challenge.

At the Royal Rumble on January 29,^[16] Masters again worked together with Carlito, but Carlito again double-crossed him and eliminated him from the match. On the February 6, edition of RAW^[17] both men were entered into an eight-man tournament, known as the Road to WrestleMania Tournament, to determine the number one contender for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 22.^[18] In Master's first round match up he would use the ropes to aid in a victory against Kane, and secure himself a second round match up against the winner of a later match between Carlito and Rob Van Dam a matchup Van Dam would win. The next week on RAW,^[19] Van Dam was able to beat Masters and advance to the tournament final.

After this Masters continued to feud with one half of the World Tag Team Champions, Big Show, while Masters' on and off teammate Carlito would feud with Kane. On the March 6 edition of RAW,^[20] it was announced that Masters and Carlito would get a tag team title match at WrestleMania 22. At WrestleMania 22,^[21] the pair lost the match to Big Show and Kane. The pair argued amongst themselves after the match.

During the next RAW,^[22] Masters began to feud with Carlito after Carlito attacked him from behind. This led to a match between the two men during Backlash which Carlito won.^[23]

After this, Masters entered the hunt for the WWE Intercontinental Championship but would soon be suspended by WWE. Before being suspended, Masters was on the May 22 edition of RAW,^[24] losing a match to John Cena by submission to the STF-U. He would return to the ring during an OVW TV taping on August 6. He had lost much of his muscle mass, appearing much slimmer, although he still had some definition in his arms and abdomen.

On the August 28 edition of RAW,^[25] Masters made his return against John Cena. Along with less muscle mass, he sported a goatee and mustache leading Jerry "The King" Lawler to refer to him as a "leaner and meaner" Chris Masters. However, this change of image was short-lived as Masters shaved the goatee and regained some of his muscle mass.

When Masters returned he was put in lower-card matches including a short feud with the debuting Super Crazy, with Masters coming out on the losing end of their matches. The pair would also compete in a losing effort, along with four other Superstars, in a Six-Pack Challenge Match for the Intercontinental Championship. Masters gained his first victory since his re-debut, against Jerry Lawler on the November 6 edition of RAW^[26] in a match where General Manager for a night Eric Bischoff forced Lawler to be first handcuffed to the top rope. Masters continued the feud with Jerry Lawler for a few weeks with Lawler also losing a Master Lock Challenge before defeating Masters in a singles match.

On the December 4 episode of RAW,^[27] Jonathan Coachman set up a Master Lock Challenge against John Cena for the WWE Championship. Masters appearing to have the challenge won released the hold for a short time, allowing Cena to reverse the hold into his own Master Lock, forcing Masters to submit to his own signature move, retaining his title, and making Cena the first to win the Master Lock Challenge.

On the Christmas 2006 "Tribute to the Troops"^[28] event, a United States Army soldier, Staff Sergeant José Avila, broke free from the Master Lock with help from a kick by John "Bradshaw" Leyfield in a Santa Claus costume. After Masters released Avila, Leyfield hit Masters with his Clothesline from Hell. On the January 15, 2007 edition of RAW, Masters announced that Avila's win was not official due to 'outside interference', a stipulation that Masters would use in later challenges that were lost in the same manner.

2007

At the start of 2007, Masters would restart his feud with Carlito led to several matches between the two. The first was a one-on-one contest at New Year's Revolution^[29] won by Masters. In a rematch the next night on RAW, Carlito came out victorious.

On the January 15 edition of RAW,^[30] Ron Simmons, with interference from Super Crazy, almost became the third superstar to "win" the Master Lock Challenge. An attempted Master Lock challenge for The Great Khali on the February 26 edition of "RAW" was unable to occur when Masters was unable to apply the hold the large wrestler^[31].

The Master Lock was officially broken on the March 19 edition of RAW,^[32] by ECW Champion Bobby Lashley.

On the May 7 edition of RAW,^[33] Masters challenged for Santino Marella's newly-won WWE Intercontinental Championship. Masters was unable to defeat the newcomer, losing via a roll-up. On the May 14 edition of RAW,^[34] he lost yet again to Santino Marella, but on the May 28 edition of Raw,^[35] he defeated Marella in the Master Lock Challenge. On the June 4 edition of RAW,^[36] Masters was once again defeated by Santino by a roll-up pin. This match turned out to be his last as a part of RAW.

On the June 11 edition of RAW,^[37] Chris Masters was drafted from to Smackdown! as part of the 2007 WWE Draft. While on Smackdown! he was used sporadically including a few Master Lock Challenges. He had entered into a feud with Chuck Palumbo competing in several matches and an attempted Master Lock Challenge that did not begin as Masters fled the ring after Palumbo realized Masters was trying to trick him. Following this, Masters was suspended for 30 days for failing a drug test. Masters returned to SmackDown! on the Oct. 5 edition, applying the Master Lock to Chuck Palumbo.

On November 2, 2007, it was reported on WWE's official website, WWE.com, that Masters had been suspended for 60 days for having violated WWE's Substance Abuse and Drug Policy a second time.^[38] WWE.com announced that Mordetzky had been released from his WWE contract, six days later, on November 8.^[4]

Post-WWE Activity

On December 20, 2007, Mordetzky made his first wrestling appearance since his WWE release, competing under the name Chris Moore for Antonio Inoki's Inoki Genome Federation at the event Genome2: Inoki Fighting Xmas in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Ryuji Yanagisawa.^[39]

Chris appeared as Chris Masters "The Masterpiece" At WLW at Harley Race's Show on December 29th during a lumberjack match between Branden Tatum and Dinn T. Moore. Tatum pinned Moore after Masters applied the Master Lock behind the referee's back.

In wrestling

• Finishing and signature moves
  • Master Lock (Swinging full nelson)
  • Polish Hammer (Double axe handle blow to the chest) - 2005
  • Wheelbarrow suplex
  • Delayed vertical suplex
  • Military press slam
  • Pendulum backbreaker submission
  • Scoop falling powerslam
  • Bear hug
  • Full nelson slam
  • Electric chair drop
  • Backbreaker rack, sometimes transitioned into a modified neckbreaker
  • Reverse DDT

• Nicknames
  • "The Living, Breathing Statue"
  • "The Matrix"
  • "Superfreak"
  • "Roman General"
  • "The Masterpiece"

• Managers
  • Sherri Martel
  • Beth Phoenix

Championships and accomplishments

• Ohio Valley Wrestling
  • OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Brent Albright
• World League Wrestling
  • WLW Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)

Personal life

Chris is married to Vesela Marinova according to his MySpace page.^[40]

Mordetzky has stated that his two role models growing up were Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair both of whom he has faced while in WWE.^{[citation needed]}

Has a large tattoo of a crucifix on the inside of his right forearm.^{[citation needed]}

Despite rumors, Masters has never dated Beth Phoenix. They did, however, work together in OVW as boyfriend & girlfriend. Mordetsky was pictured with his then fiancée at the premiere of Kane's movie, See No Evil.^{[citation needed]}

References

33. http://www.harleyrace.com/wlw/Eldon122907.htm

External links

• UPW Profile
• Online World of Wrestling Profile
• [1] (Chris's Official Myspace Page)