Juice Robinson

Robinson in August 2022

###

Joliet, Illinois, United States

**Joseph** "**Joe**" **Ryan** **Robinson** (born April 10, 1989) is an American professional wrestler best known by his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name **Juice Robinson**, where he is a former three-times IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, a former one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and the winner of the 2019 World Tag League (both alongside David Finlay).

From 2011 through 2015, he worked for WWE, where he wrestled in their developmental territories Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and later NXT under the ring name **CJ Parker**, holding the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice. In October 2015, Robinson signed with NJPW and worked as a "Young Lion" over the following two years. In 2018, Robinson began being pushed and subsquently held the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship twice, before forming a team with David Finlay, going on to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship and the 2019 World Tag League before leaving the promotion at the end of April 2022.

At the following month, a day after his contract expired, Robinson returned repackaged as the "Rock Hard", with a complete with a new look and a villainous persona, turned heel after joining the Bullet Club stable before winning the winning IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, for his third time (a feat also shared by Hiroshi Tanahashi).

## Professional wrestling career

### Training and independent circuit (2008–2011)

Robinson was trained at Truth Martini's House of Truth wrestling school. In 2008, he made his debut for Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA) under the ring name, in a losing effort against Jason Dukes. He competed in an IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship number one contender Seven Team Royal Rumble, losing to Devon Moore and Nick Gage. His last match for IWA Mid-South was a loss in a three-way to Shane Hollister. Robinson then wrestled for a variety of promotions, including All American Wrestling (AAW), where he unsuccessfully competed for the AAW Tag Team Championship twice (once with Mike Sydal as his partner and once with Kyle O'Reilly), Border City Wrestling (BCW), Chicago Style Wrestling (CSW) where he was defeated by Hammett, and DreamWave Wrestling, where he unsuccessfully challenged for both the DreamWave World and DreamWave Tag Team Championships. His last match for DreamWave was a victory against Colt Cabana. Robinson made his National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) debut with a win against Doctor X. His last match in NWA was a win against Dom Vitalli.

### New Japan Pro Wrestling (2015–2022)

#### Young Lion (2015–2017)

On August 24, 2015, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) announced that Parker would be working the following month's Destruction tour under his ring name. He made his debut on September 4 in a six-man tag team match, where he, Kota Ibushi, and Tetsuya Naito were defeated by Katsuyori Shibata, Tiger Mask, and Togi Makabe. On October 11, NJPW announced that Robinson had signed a contract with the promotion, becoming a full-time member of its roster. Robinson spent the rest of 2015 working as a Young Lion and in multi-man tag matches, on December 16 he had his first singles match in New Japan facing fellow Young Lion Jay White who he defeated. Robinson participated in *Fantastica Mania 2016*. On February 25, 2016, Robinson took part in the first of New Japan's Lion's Gate show where he was defeated by Katsuhiko Nakajima. On March 20, Robinson received his first title shot in NJPW, when he, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin unsuccessfully challenged The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Robinson made his Pro Wrestling Noah debut on March 27, at Suzuki-gun's *We Are Suzuki-Gun 2* event, in a six-man tag team match, tagging alongside Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima. At King of Pro-Wrestling, Robinson wrestled Tiger Mask W as **Red Death Mask**, a character based in the anime series *Tiger Mask W*. Robinson made a second trip to Pro Wrestling Noah on October 22, in a tag team match with Katsuyori Shibata, beating Maybach Taniguchi and Go Shiozaki. In late 2016, Robinson took part in the 2016 World Tag League, teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi. The two finished the tournament with a record of three wins and four losses.

#### Championship pursuits (2017–2018)

On January 5, 2017, Robinson scored a major win over NEVER Openweight Champion Hirooki Goto in a ten-man tag team match and afterwards indicated he wanted a shot at his title. Robinson received his title shot on February 5 at The New Beginning in Sapporo, but was defeated by Goto. On April 9 at Sakura Genesis 2017, Robinson picked up the biggest win of his career, pinning former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito in an eight-man tag team match and afterwards challenging him to a match for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Robinson received his title shot on April 29 at Wrestling Toyonokuni 2017 but was defeated by Naito. In early 2017, Robinson became part of the Taguchi Japan stable, as part of which he unsuccessfully challenged for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship, first on June 11 at Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall and again on June 20 at Kizuna Road 2017. On July 1 at G1 Special in USA, Robinson took part in a tournament to determine the inaugural IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, but was eliminated in his first round match by Zack Sabre Jr. Later that month, Robinson entered his first G1 Climax tournament. On August 5, Robinson picked up a major win over the winner of the 2016 G1 Climax and reigning IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega. Robinson went on to finish in the bottom half of his block with a record of four wins and five losses. At the end of the year, Robinson formed a tag team named "Death Juice" with the debuting Sami Callihan in the 2017 World Tag League. The team finished second in their block with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.

#### IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship and FinJuice (2018–2022)

On July 7, 2018, at G1 Special in San Francisco, Robinson defeated Jay White to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Later that month, Robinson took part in the 2018 G1 Climax, where he finished the tournament with a record of three wins and seven losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. He lost the title to Cody on September 30 at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. From November 17 until December 7, Robinson and David Finlay took part in the 2018 World Tag League finishing the tournament with a record of eight wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament.

On January 4, 2019, at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in Tokyo Dome, Robinson regained the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship defeating Cody in a rematch. On June 5, Robinson lost the title to the debuting Jon Moxley. From July 13 until August 11, Robinson took part in the 2019 G1 Climax, where he finished the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. During the tournament, Robinson defeated Moxley in a rematch. On August 12, Robinson and Toa Henare faced Moxley and Shota Umino in winning effort. After the match, Moxley attacked Robinson and put him through a table. Afterwards, in a post-match interview, Moxley offered Robinson a rematch for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, if it was a no disqualification match. Robinson accepted the Moxley's challenge on August 31 at Royal Quest. The title match was announced on September 2. On October 14, Moxley would miss the event due to travel delays due to Typhoon Hagibis, and as a result the title has been declared vacant. On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Robinson was defeated by Lance Archer in a no disqualification match for the vacant IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Robinson was attacked by Archer until David Finlay saved him. After Finlay unsuccessfully challenged Archer for the IWGP United States Championship on November 9 at New Japan Showdown in San Jose, Robinson confronted Archer and made his intentions of challenging for his title. From November 16 until December 8, Robinson and Finlay took part in the 2019 World Tag League, which the two won by defeating former IWGP Tag Team Champions *Los Ingobernables de Japon* (EVIL and SANADA) in their last round-robin match.

On January 4, 2020, on the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 14 in Tokyo Dome, Robinson and Finlay defeated the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. The following day, the second night of Wrestle Kingdom 14, Robinson unsuccessfully challenged Jon Moxley for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Finlay and Robinson lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship back to the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) on February 1 at The New Beginning in USA. In August, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Robinson was unable to work on NJPW events in Japan, leading him to take part in *NJPW Strong* series. However, due to a leg injury, Robinson was forced to miss the series. Robinson made his return in September in Japan to take part in the 2020 G1 Climax, finishing the tournament with a record of four wins and five losses, failling to advance to the finals of the tournament. From November 15 until December 6, Robinson and Finlay took part in the 2020 World Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record of six wins and three losses, advancing to the finals of the tournament. On December 11, Robinson and Finlay were defeated in the finals by Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa). In March 2021, Robinson took part in the 2021 New Japan Cup, losing in the first round to KENTA on March 6.

On April 15, 2022, it was announced that Robinson would leave NJPW at the of the month of April. It was later reported that Robinson's NJPW contract was set to expire at the end of January; although Robinson decided to sign instead a three-month extension. Later, Robinson in a media call told that he was not retiring from wrestling, but rather taking a break. He also told that “he didn’t want to be contracted somewhere that he didn’t believe he could fulfill the required duties to 100 percent”. Robinson made his last appearance at Windy City Riot teaming with longtime tag team partner David Finlay and Brody King against TMDK (Bad Dude Tito, JONAH and Shane Haste) in a Chicago Street Fight in a winning effort.

#### Rock Hard (2022-Present)

On May 1 at Wrestling Dontaku, after Hiroshi Tanahashi won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, a masked wrestler attacked him, before revealing himself to be Robinson, who became the newest member of Bullet Club, turning heel in the process. On May 14 at Capital Collision, Robinson won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay in a four-way match. On June 11, he was stripped of the title, after being unable to wrestle in a scheduled title defense at Dominion 6.12 in Osaka-jo Hall due to suffering from appendicitis. However, he refused to return the physical belt, despite Ospreay defeating SANADA to win the vacant title, and claimed he was never beaten for it and therefore would refuse to relinquish it., Robinson made his in-person return at Forbidden Door, along with Jay White, who affirmed his statement on not reliquishing the belt. Later in the event, Robinson taunted Ospreay with the IWGP United States Championship belt from a luxury box, after Ospreay's successful defense against Orange Cassidy. From July 17 to August 16, Robinson took part in the 2022 G1 Climax. During the tournament, Robinson was defeated by his former partner David Finlay, who retrieved the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship belt and returned it to Ospreay. Robinson finished the tournament with a record of two wins and four losses, finishing last in his block and consequently failed to advance to the semifinals. On December 2, it was reported Robinson officially signed with AEW, thus signalling his departure from the promotion.

On February 18 at Battle in the Valley, Robinson returned to NJPW helping his Bullet Club stablemate KENTA to defeat Fred Rosser to win the Strong Openweight Championship after Robinson attacked Rosser with the *Left Hand of God* to cost Rosser the championship. Rosser then in a pre-taped vingette, vowed revenge on Robinson, with Rosser inviting Robinson's wife Toni Storm at Capitol Collision. On April 10, NJPW announced a singles-elimination tournament between four former IWGP United States Heavyweight Champions to crown a #1 contender for a future title shot. The tournament originally was to feature Robinson, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay and Lance Archer, with Robinson taking on Archer at Collision in Philadelphia on April 16. However, on April 15 at Capitol Collision, Robinson was set to take on Rosser at the event, only to the match end in a no-contest after Robinson assaulted Rosser and the referee nearby, leaving Rosser with stiches around his hear. This led on April 16, NJPW sanctioning Robinson with a suspension and Rosser taking his place in the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship #1 contendership tournament. At the next day, the match was turned into a street-fight; due to the stipulation, Robinson interfered aiding Archer to defeat Rosser. In another pre-taped vingette, both men vowed revenge on each other, with Robinson later affirming that Rosser payed the price for invoking the name of a man's wife and that he did not care about the consequences due to being hired by AEW and not NJPW. On May 21, at Resurgence, Rosser lost to Robinson after Toni Storm interfered in the contest, helping Robinson.

## Personal life

Robinson is good friends with fellow NJPW wrestler David Finlay and acted as a groomsman at his wedding in May 2018. In June 2020, it was revealed that Robinson was dating AEW wrestler Toni Storm. The couple got engaged on September 30, 2021. The two later married in 2022.

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *HHB* (Wrist-clutch fisherman driver)
	+ *Pulp Friction* (Jumping sitout inverted double underhook facebuster) – 2016-present
	+ *Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Clutch* (Back mounted cobra clutch) – 2016
	+ *The Rockslide* (Spinning Argentine backbreaker dropped into a facebuster) – 2022
* **Signature moves**
	+ Cannonball senton
	+ Flying lariat
	+ Jackhammer
	+ *Juicebox* (Firemans carry double knee gutbuster)
	+ *Left Hand of God* (Knockout left-handed jab, sometimes with a handful of quarters)
	+ *Juice is Loose* (Snap front facelock drop)
	+ *The Taste* (Crescent kick)
	+ *Third Eye* (Straight palm strike to the opponent's face, with theatrics)
	+ Throat thrust
	+ Twisting Samoan drop
	+ Vertical suplex
* **Nicknames**
	+ "Moonchild"
	+ "The Flamboyant"
	+ **"Rock Hard"**
	+ **"The Booster"**
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Moon Child" by May's
	+ **"Chosen One"** by [Q]Brick

## Championships and accomplishments

* **Impact Wrestling**
	+ Impact World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with David Finlay
* **New Japan Pro Wrestling**
	+ IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with David Finlay
	+ IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
	+ World Tag League (2019) – with David Finlay
* ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
	+ PWI ranked him **326** of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012

1. ↑ Powell, John 2017-11-19. NJPW Tag League Day One: Death Juice, Chaos victorious . *Slam! Sports*. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved on 2017-12-08.
2. ↑ 鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017  (in Japanese). *New Japan Pro-Wrestling*. Retrieved on 2017-12-08.