Damien Demento

Phillip Theis (born June 25, 1958) is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) between 1992 and 1993 under the ring name Damien Demento. As Damien Demento, Theis wrestled in the main event of the first episode of WWF Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993, losing to The Undertaker.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1987–1992)
After training under Johnny Rodz, Theis made his debut on the independent circuit in 1987 under the ring name "Jonn Reinhart". He later renamed himself "Mondo Kleen". In 1990 he worked for Tri-State Wrestling Alliance. In September 1992, he wrestled a tryout match with World Championship Wrestling as "Mando Phil".

World Wrestling Federation (1992–1993)
After The Bushwhackers helped forward a tape of Theis performing an interview, the World Wrestling Federation signed him to a contract. Theis, performing under his Mondo Kleen ring name, debuted in WWF at a live event on October 2, 1992, wrestling Jeff Jarrett in a losing effort. Ten days later, on the October 12 episode of Superstars of Wrestling, Theis made his televised debut under the repackaged ring name and gimmick of "Damien Demento", a villainous character who hailed from "The Outer Reaches of Your Mind" and showed mentally disturbed behavior such as talking to himself. He then proceeded to defeat Steve May in his televised debut match. On the October 28 episode of Wrestling Challenge, he defeated Jim Brunzell. He mostly remained a mid-card performer. Demento was notable for his appearance in the main event of the debut episode of Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993, where he was defeated by The Undertaker. He made his only pay-per-view appearance at Royal Rumble as a participant in the 1993 Royal Rumble match. Demento lasted over twelve minutes before being eliminated by Carlos Colón. He also appeared at UK Rampage '93, where he lost to Bob Backlund. After this, Demento competed almost solely on house shows before leaving the WWF in October 1993.

Independent circuit (1993–1994; 2008, 2011, 2014)
After a stint on the East Coast independent circuit, Theis retired from wrestling in 1994. Under his Damien Demento ring name, he made a short return to wrestling on November 8, 2008, where he defeated The Musketeer in a match for the New York-based World of Unpredictable Wrestling. A month later they had a rematch in which Demento was on the losing end.

He made another return to the squared circle in September 24, 2011. This time wrestling as "Mondo Kleen", he defeated Steven Person in a steel cage match at a show that WUW promoted for the Dumbo Arts Festival.

On October 29, 2011, Damien Demento defeated long time WUW Trophy Champion "Izzy" Israel Joffe at the WUW October show at Gleason's gym to win the WUW Trophy Championship. On December 10, 2011, Israel Joffe defeated Damien Demento at the WUW December show at Gleason's gym.

In 2014, Demento made a few appearances for World Wrestling Organization.

Filmography
Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) - Erik

Personal life
Theis originally wanted to become a football player, he majored in art at Wagner College while on a football scholarship and later on had a tryout with the Jets but did not make the team. Theis instead began training for a career in professional wrestling. He cites King Curtis Iaukea as his inspiration for becoming a wrestler.

After retiring from professional wrestling, he began working as an artist and a sculptor.

Championships and accomplishments
International Wrestling Federation
IWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
International World Class Championship Wrestling
IWCCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
World of Unpredictable Wrestling
WUW Trophy Championship (1 time)
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
PWI ranked him #216 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1992

References

Further reading
Mazer, Sharon. Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1998.

External links
Phil Theis Presents : Art on GFQ

 
Wrestlers trained by Johnny Rodz

1958 births
American male professional wrestlers
Living people
People from Long Island
20th-century professional wrestlers
21st-century professional wrestlers
Professional wrestlers from New York City
1987 professional wrestling debuts