Brandon Rodger

## Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1xauTfV9fg

Brandon Smith (born 8th November 1991) known professionally under the ring name **Brandon Cage**. He is currently signed to CPW working on the Uproar brand, but is best known for his 4 year work in TNA's developmental territories under his ring name **Brandon Cage** and his three year contract with CWL under his current wrestling name.

Brandon signed a contract with TNA in 2010. He was released by TNA on October 12th 2012, deciding to not resign with the company and letting his contract expire. Brandon would appear in multiple wrestling promotions since his departure, most notably working under AEW, WWE, NJPW and the CWL since 3rd August 2022. Then Brandon be arrested due to a DUI and be forced to take a 1 year break from wrestling to get his life back on track.

## **Background**

#### Early Life

Brandon Rodger was born on 8th November, 1991. In Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up with only his dad. Jerry Rodger (ex-police officer, father) Sadly 1 month after Brandon was born his mother died. Before Brandons mother died, She was also a police officer. The remaining family emigrated to The United States in 2001. From there, the Rodgers successfully made it to Iowa, where Jerry would marry a manager for a walmart named Rose, and where the family currently resides in Carson City. The Rodger family would welcome a second child, a girl they named Emily who was born on 14th September 2001. Jerry and Rose would open up a store in Iowa named 'Hobby Lobby' in 2005, which would later expand all over the world.

While growing up, Brandon would always watch WWE and wrestle with his cousins and friends. Brandon would always find love for sports and played football from middle school all the way too collage.

**Professional Wrestling Career**

#### Early Career (2010-2013)

In 2010, Brandon joined ROH. July 4th, 2010 Brandon would fight Kenny Omega for the ROH World Champion and beat him in a 1 Hour 25 Minute 43 Second match, Beating the longest ROH match Austin Aires Vs Daniel Bryan. Later on in ROH Brandon and Tyler Black would team up and win the ROH Tag Titles.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) 2013-2014

In January 2013, Months after Brandon let his contract run out in ROH, He was signed to a contract by the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He was assigned to WWE’s show Monday Night Raw, making his debut on the May 12tth, 2013 episode of the show, losing to CM Punk. After this loss, Brandon was not used on television, remaining off television and in the performance center until November 14th 2014, when he made his television return not back to the main brand but to NXT under the ring name **Lucas Lee**. After His return Brandon lost 4 times in a row to Wade Barrett then he ended up letting his Contract run out.

#### New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) (2015 - 2019)

On January 23rd 2015, Brandon would appear on NJPW show. His time in NJPW was relatively brief, taking on the likes of Will Osprey, Kenny Omega, Eddie Kingston and Kenta. His most notable accomplishment was winning the NJPW World Championships 4 different times after a long war of trying to make a name for himself. on June 3rd 2018 Brandon would end up beating Zack Sabre for the NJPW World Television Championship. Brandon would not this title that long but he would end up winning it a second time in a first to bleed match against Eddie Kingston. Brandon has since said in interviews that he did not like the constant travels back and forth to NJPW.

#### AEW (ALL ELITE WRESTLING) (2020 - *2022*)

On April 5th 2020, Brandon shocked the fans around the world by appearing to attack the then current AEW World Champion MJF. A week later, on April 15th 2020, a match was set for his title in a Ladder Match, which Brandon won by hitting a powerbomb off the ladder on MJF and reaching for the title and winning. He would hold this title for 212 days and become AEW's face of the company, Until losing the title to CM Punk in 2021, CM Punk was the man who beat Brandon in his debut match in WWE which would lead Brandon and CM Punk to having a huge rivalry but Brandon ended up losing it. After losing to CM Punk 3 times Brandon would injure himself, Brandon would be out until July 15th, Then August 3rd 2022 Brandon would be caught drinking and driving. AEW had no other choice then to fire Brandon.

## **Notable Achievements (Non CPW)**

* *1x ROH World Champ - 193 Days*
* *1x ROH Tag Champ - 32 Days*
* *4x NJPW World Champ*
* *x1 NJPW Tv Champ - 125 Days*
* *x1 AEW World Champ - 212 Days*

## **Notable Achievements (CPW)**

None so far