Brian Halligan

**Brian Halligan** (born June XX, XXXX) is a fictional American professional wrestler, currently working for the American Wrestling Federation (AWF) under his real name. He is a former AWF Pan-American Champion.

Halligan had a substantial rookie year in Ring of Honor, where he became the first dual ROH World and World Television Champion.

## Professional wrestling career

### **Ring of Honor (2013–2016)**

Halligan began his wrestling training in 2012 as a member of the Ring of Honor Dojo. Excelling in his training, Halligan made his official ROH debut in early 2013 after just over a year training. Over the course of three years, he quickly rose to the top as a main event competitor. In a shock upset, he defeated Jay Lethal in late 2014 to win the ROH World Television Championship. Then, in early 2015, he defeated Jay Briscoe to become the first person to ever hold the ROH World and Television Championships simultaneously. Halligan would lose the former to Roderick Strong and the latter to Lethal after only a few months with both titles. Despite a very successful three years, Halligan opted not to renew his contract in early 2016 to pursue new opportunities.

### **American Wrestling Federation/AWF**

> "*Born and raised in Brooklyn NY “The Hound” was no stranger to trouble and always loved a good fight. From back alleys to barrooms to basements anywhere a fight was to be had Brian was there to prove this Hound was top dog. Trained in almost everything from traditional wrestling to boxing, in the squared circle The Hound prefers the hard strikes of mix martial arts notably ju jitsu and if kicking you head of your body doesn't work he will do it again until it does. The Hound is coming into the AWF to flip the system on its head and let loose the dogs of war and this dog will have his day.*"
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#### **Early feuds (2016)**

Amidst rumors he was heading to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Halligan made his AWF debut on February 26 in the 2016 *Capitol Hill* match, appearing as a surprise sixth competitor in the match. He advanced to the second round by eliminating The Trash Man but would be eliminated by eventual winner Ben the Unhinged. On May 5, Halligan got into a fight with Chris Pyle after showing repeated disrespect to Mohawk Morgan. On May 29 at *Graduation I*, Halligan was defeated by Pyle in a critically acclaimed match. On July 17, Halligan teamed up with new ally Sean Maximus to enter the AWF Tag Team Tournament, but they were defeated in the qualifying round by eventual winners Ben the Unhinged and M.C. Jeff Patz after a vengeful Morgan prevented Halligan from saving his partner. This would lead to a match on August 28 at *School of Pain* between Morgan and Halligan, where Morgan donned the attire and in-ring style of "the old Mohawk Morgan". Halligan defeated Morgan, but respectfully shook his hand after the match.

#### **Feud with The Nightmare (2016–2017)**

On September 11, Halligan defeated El Flying Diablo to be inserted into a match to crown a new AWF World Heavyweight Champion. On November 25 during a match against his fellow title contender Chris Pyle, both men were attacked by Angus, who was then inserted into the vacant title match. On November 27 at *Midterm Mania*, Pyle won the triple threat match by pinning Halligan. Blaming Halligan for his loss, Angus attacked him after the match. As Halligan recovered from the match, he was confronted via a blackout by the debuting Nightmare, who identified him as his first victim. On December 2, Halligan had a one-on-one match against Angus, but the match ended in disqualification after he was attacked by the Nightmare. After weeks of being victimized by Angus and The Nightmare, Halligan had a one-on-one match against Angus on February 26 at *Capitol Hill*, which Halligan lost. Subsequently, the Nightmare continued to torment him, forcing Halligan to challenge him to a one-on-one match at *Graduation*. On May 5, The Nightmare added a stipulation to the match, surrounding the ringside area with a roofed cage and comparing it to sleep paralysis On May 28 at *Graduation II*, Halligan defeated The Nightmare in a Sleep Paralysis Cell match.

On July 7, The Nightmare returned to *Clash* after Halligan continued to try and weaken Nightmare's Master by targeting his followers, challenging him to a rematch. However, Halligan added the stipulation of a "Loser Leaves Town" match to try and depose The Master once and for all. On July 30 at *Summer Breakdown*, The Nightmare defeated Halligan after causing a blackout that prevented the referee from making a three-count on him, forcing Halligan to leave the AWF.

#### **The Conspiracy (2017–2018)**

On October 6, J.T. Flairs had ousted Mr. McPatz from the AWF board and Booker D. took over as the new commissioner, naming Flairs the new general manager, allowing the newly formed Conspiracy to take over the AWF. Despite being fired after losing to The Nightmare, Halligan made a shock return to the AWF to rescue AWF Pan-American Champion Jon Silver from Dr. Disaster, but then immediately attacked Silver on the order of Flairs, turning heel in the process and revealing Flairs reinstated him in exchange for his loyalty to the Conspiracy. This would lead to Flairs forcing Silver to defend the title against Halligan on October 27 on *Clash*. Halligan would defeat Silver and become the new Pan-American Champion, delivering the title to the hands of Flairs, now calling himself J.T. Masters

On November 10, Masters put Silver in a rematch against Halligan, with the stipulation that Silver's talent contract would be void if he lost and he would go back to being a referee. On November 26 at *Midterm Mania*, Halligan defeated Silver to retain the Pan-American Championship. On December 29, The Nightmare won a fatal four-way to become #1 contender to Halligan's title, reigniting an old feud and continuing his campaign against his former Master. On January 28 at *Grim Resolution*, Halligan defeated Nightmare a second time to end their rivalry and retain his championship. On March 9, Halligan aided Big Ty and Sam Bates in defeating James Duffy Esquire and El Flying Diablo to advance the semifinals of the second AWF Tag Team Tournament, allowing them to join The Conspiracy. On March 30, Halligan and Diablo both appeared in Duffy's Courtroom, where Diablo challenged Halligan to a match for the AWF Pan-American Championship. On April 1 at *Capitol Hill*, Halligan was defeated by Diablo after a high intensity match.

After Halligan's loss, an enraged Masters threw Halligan into the first six of the 2018 Capitol Hill match without a minute of rest to make up for his failure, ordering him to ensure Keegan Stone won it. Halligan made it to the second round of the match by eliminating Dr. Disaster, but Stone would be eliminated in the first by a returning Chris Pyle. Halligan made it to the final two of the match, but was eliminated by Pyle after suffering a broken nose. Despite his injury, Masters forced Halligan to be at ringside for Stone's AWF World Heavyweight Title rematch against The Lexbot. During the match, Halligan attacked Lexbot and hit him with the *Dogs-of-War*, but it wasn't enough to put him away. After interference by Ben the Unhinged cleared M.C. Jeff Patz and Angus out of the ring, Halligan would be the only man left to help Stone. However, Halligan would defy Masters and hit Stone with *Release-the-Beast*, turning face and enabling the beaten down Lexbot to win the match.

#### **Various feuds (2018–present)**

After turning on the Conspiracy, Halligan challenged El Flying Diablo to a rematch for the AWF Pan-American Championship. On May 27 at *Graduation III*, Diablo once again defeated Halligan in a much more fair match, where Halligan and Diablo shared a handshake in respect afterwards. On June 29, Halligan faced Diablo a third time for another shot at the Pan-American Championship, but got himself disqualified after attacking Diablo with a steel chair. This forced James Duffy Esquire to intervene, but Halligan attacked him as well in a show of defiance and rebellion against general manager Duffy. On July 29 at *Summer Breakdown,* Halligan defeated Duffy in a one-on-one match to show his refusal to be chained down.

## Personal life

Halligan cites third-generation wrestler Randy Orton as the inspiration behind his wrestling career, hence his adopting of Orton's signature finishing move.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Release-the-Beast* (Jumping cutter) – 2013–present; adopted from Randy Orton
	+ *Dogs-of-War* (Spear) – 2014–present
* **Signature moves**
	+ DDT
	+ Double knee drop to a standing opponent, sometimes off the top rope
	+ Facelock jawbreaker
	+ Facebreaker knee smash
	+ *Falcon Arrow* (Sitout suplex slam)
	+ Forearm smash
	+ Half nelson suplex
	+ Hurricanrana
	+ *K9 Clutch* (Anaconda vise), sometimes used as a finisher when preceded by an avalanche back suplex
	+ Multiple kick variations
		- Baseball slide
		- Enzuigiri
		- Missile drop
		- Single leg drop
		- Spinning heel, usually as a counter
		- Standing drop
	+ Neckbreaker
	+ Reverse DDT
	+ Shining wizard in the corner, often followed by a running bulldog
	+ Sitout pumphandle slam
	+ Snap scoop powerslam
	+ Suicide spear
	+ Springboard moonsault, sometimes to a standing opponent
	+ Vertical suplex
* **Nicknames**
	+ **"The Hound"**
	+ **"Hound of Justice"**
* **Entrance themes**
	+ **"Justice"** by Rev Theory

## Championships and accomplishments

* **American Wrestling Federation**
	+ AWF Pan-American Championship (1 time)
* **Fighting Spirit Wrestling**
	+ FSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
* **Ring of Honor**
	+ ROH World Championship (1 time)
	+ ROH World Television Championship (1 time)