Mike Sanders Michael Edwin Neil Sanders ( July 20 , 1969 ) is an American stand - up comedian and former professional wrestler . Sanders is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling , where he was a one time Cruiserweight Champion . Early life . Prior to his professional wrestling career , Sanders served for four years in the United States Army , three of which included being stationed in Germany . Following his discharge , he began working as a bouncer for a bar . Professional wrestling career . WCW ( 1998 - 2001 ) . Sanders trained at the WCW Power Plant before debuting in World Championship Wrestling in 1998 , before finally he made his official debut as " Above Average " Mike Sanders , on the August 9th , 2000 edition of Thunder where he was defeated by Norman Smiley in a Hardcore Match . The following week on the August 16th , 2000 edition of Thunder he helped formed the Natural Born Thrillers with Chuck Palumbo , Shawn Stasiak , Sean O ' Haire , Mark Jindrak and Reno betraying and attacking the Filthy Animals . From here he became the mouthpiece of the Natural Born Thrillers . [ 3 ] On the September 27th , 2000 episode of Thunder , Sanders was put in charge by Vince Russo and went on to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship on the October 2nd , 2000 edition of Nitro . Sander would eventually lose the Cruiserweight Title to Chavo Guerrero Jr . on the December 6th , 2000 edition of Thunder At Halloween Havoc Sanders defeated Ernest " The Cat " Miller by countout in a kickboxing match ( 3rd round 2 : 00 ) , to become the new WCW Commissioner . As Commissioner , Sanders abused his power to the advantage of the Thrillers . However Ernest Miller became Commissioner again after he defeated Sanders at WCW Sin on January 14 , 2001 . From here Sanders became a protege to WCW CEO Ric Flair . Sanders also continued his alliance with Reno and working with the Natural Born Thrillers until the group ' s dissolution in February 2001 , after Johnny The Bull reformed the Mamalukes with Big Vito and members Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak began feuding with Sean O ' Haire and Chuck Palumbo over the WCW Tag Team Championship . Sanders continued wrestling random singles matches until the March 14th , 2001 episode of Thunder , where Sanders formed a short lived Tag Team with Disco Inferno where they were defeated by Hugh Morrus and Konnan . Sanders last WCW appearance was on the March , 19th , 2001 edition of Nitro when Sanders tried assisting Disco in his match against Jason Jett , which Disco ended up losing . In late March , 2001 the World Wrestling Federation bought out WCW . WWF ( 2001 - 2002 ) . When WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001 , Sanders ' contract was acquired as part of the deal . He only wrestled one dark match on August 6 , 2001 before Raw Is War losing to Reno , both wrestling as members of The Alliance . Sanders was then sent to the Cincinnati , Ohio - based Heartland Wrestling Association , then a WWF developmental territory . There he was a member of Team WCW along with Johnny The Bull , Reno , Mark Jindrak , Jason Jett , Lash LaRoux , Shannon Moore , Evan Karagias , Kwee Wee , Elix Skipper and Jamie Knoble . He later formed a tag team with Lance Cade . On February 13 , 2002 , Sanders and Cade captured the tag team titles defeating Val Venis and Steve Bradley , but the titles were vacated the following week and Lance Cade and Steve Bradley became the new champions . [ 4 ] In March , 2002 Sanders became head Booker of HWA . Sanders last match under WWE contract was a dark match before RAW on June 24 , 2002 , where Sanders and Jason Sugarman defeated B . J . Payne and Steve Bradley . With no plans to bring him up to the main roster , Sanders was released by the WWE on July 19 , 2002 , along with Jason Jett , Race Steele , Steve Bradley and Jason Sugarman . Post WWE ( 2002 - Present ) . Sanders was hired by the World Wrestling All - Stars promotion on November 28 , 2002 and toured Europe as the onscreen commissioner of the promotion . In January 2003 he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He was released in August 2003 . In 2004 , Sanders started wrestling for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Universal Championship Wrestling . Sanders still wrestles occasionally , but has not been working a regular schedule . Sanders returned to the ring on February 20 , 2005 in Vince Russo ' s Ring Of Glory , where he and Disco Inferno defeated Adam Jacobs and Johnny Swinger . Comedy career . After competing for WCW , WWF and TNA among numerous independent promotions , Sanders retired from professional wrestling and did his first open mic at the Punchline in Atlanta . After just a few months in the business , Sanders got his first paying gig at the Orlando Improv , where he is now a regular . Sanders has performed with such comedians as Tommy Davidson , Mark Lundholm , Diana Jordan , Craig Robinson , Vinnie Coppola and many others . Mike currently does both clubs and corporate comedy , as well as motivational speaking . [ 2 ]