Michael Bishop

**Michael Bishop** (AKA: "The Dreadknight", "The Revenant", "Big Boss", "The Heavyweight King", "The Destroyer" [MMA].), is a former MMA Fighter, now active Pro Wrestler. He is a signed and active member of the Omega Wrestling Alliance and Strong Style Wrestling rosters, Kingdom Pro, Dystopia FC, Wrestle World and Omega Wrestling Tomorrow staff member. He is the current reigning SSW American Heavyweight Champion and Dystopia FC Champion.

## Early Life

Bishop grew up in ***Chicago, Illinois,*** at Columbus Hospital, on May 11th, 1987. Michael's younger life was written off by him as "Irrelevant", but what he does allude is that his early life lead him to a first introduction to middle school/high school wrestling and boxing. Bishop was picked up by a cruel coach, "Paylon". The coach would effectively mold Bishop into the ultimate fighting machine, ruled by his anger. From there Michael found a passion for combat sports, in a time where the sport was still trying to gain mainstream acceptance. Despite his parent's disapproval, Michael racked up an impressive 14 - 0 Amateur MMA record, before going pro in 2007.

## Mixed Martial Arts Career (2007 - 2016)

Bishop's Pro - MMA Career was the stuff of legends. Debuting to then large MMA brand, "The United Championship Draft" early in 2007, he quickly carved a path through the company's heavyweight division until he came face to face with then Heavyweight Champ, "Benjamin Bannon". Their first meeting was a bloody war, with both men neck and neck for three rounds, until Bishop forced the colossal man down to a hard TKO victory. Bishop would go on to hold the title for the next four years, personally making an effort to fight contenders every 3 - 4 months. it wasn't until 2011 that he came face to face with Bannon again. Due to outside interference not seen by officials, Bishop was pepper sprayed by Bannon's corner, and lost VIA a very scummy TKO stoppage. Outside in the alley when making his way home, goons associated with Bannon beat Bishop viciously, so viciously, he was pronounced dead at the hospital for 3 minutes.

Bannon would once again rule the Heavyweight Divison until July 2012, where after Bishop returned and handed Heavyweight veteran 'Jakar O'niel' a startling cold KO stoppage, would face Bannon in a rematch. A fight was supposed to be scheduled for September on the Las Vegas card, however, would be postponed to November, at the promotion's first Madison Square Garden card. Bishop would stand and bang with Bannon for 3 rounds, before taking him to the ground, and mauling him to a KO stoppage in round 4.

The rest of Bishop's MMA career was relatively undramatic, when compared to the shenanigans of the Bishop vs Bannon Trilogy. Bishop would go on to earn 12 successful title defenses, as well as several preformances bonuses over his last four years in the company. However, in 2016, the MMA circuit would suffer a catastrophic event when UCD went bankrupt due to inside corruption, and would go under. The professional MMA scene was chaotic, and thrown into a disarray.

Bishop would leave the company, as the Last, and some would say, the greatest Heavyweight Champion.

## Professional Wrestling Career (2017 - 2018)

### Elite Answers Wrestling (2017 - 2018)

Not much can be said about Michael's time in EAW, as his advertisement, handling in the division and rankings, as well as treatment before and after the March incident were described personally by him as "Abysmal". Bishop was signed to EAW in September of 2017, where he would go onto become a staple in EAW Developmental, even main eventing a Free Per View, however would come up short in the end. After several months of being mistreated and underpaid, Bishop debuted on the main roster in January of 2018. Where, even though he would come up short, after a great performance against Finnegan Wakefield.

This would be, as EAW Commissioner Daniels described, "A Nutshell of Bishop's time in EAW". Bishop would score big victories against Fiora, Keelan, and Matusda, however would be knocked down the pedestal against foes like Wakefield three consecutive times, and EAW Chairman DeDeDe. Bishop, despite his backlash, bad ethics at the time stemming from mistreatment in the company, would earn himself a title shot against then New Breed Champion Finnegan Wakefield. Bishop was heavily booed, heavily criticized, and even as he brought the fight to wakefield, came up short in a Steel Cage Match. The wounds only salted as Bishop was paid a disclosed amount of 20,000 for the bout.

The March 31st incident saw the roster change dramatically, where many would leave, and the 11th annual Grand Rampage left many high and dry after poor performances. One of which would be Bishop, where after a pathetic performance against Rosso, Wakefield, and Fournier, sought to redeem himself for his poor mindset. That chance would come when Bishop would square up with then New Breed Champion Nathan Fiora .

Then newly elected Voltage Commissioner, Brian Daniels, penned Bishop in after the roster was downsized dramatically after the end of march. Although Bishop was a heavy underdog against Fiora, who beat the man he never could, Bishop won the belt off Fiora after 36 seconds.

Bishop would go on to try and redeem himself for his actions in January of that year further, stating he would carry to belt to Pain For Pride with more ethic, grace, and dignity that it had seen in recent times.

Bishop would go onto win his first defense against Shane Gates and Alex Bowden at Wrath of the Dragon, and a week later in his second defense against Damon Diesel. Bishop however would loose the belt, after being heavily booed by the crowd, to Xander Payne. Payne pinned another opponent in the four way match, after being rolled out. Bishop continues to say he was "Never truly beaten". A dispute between managerial staff created a heavy falling out.

Bishop was released from the company soon after, accepting an offer to go to Omega Wrestling Alliance.

### Omega Wrestling Alliance (2018)

**NOTE: for those wondering, Canonically Bishop's time in OWA came after his time in EAW**

Despite his relief to finally be released from Elite Answers Wrestling, Bishop continued to fight in small shows with a burst diverticuli up until he had gotten proper medical treatment, and a subsequent surgery. Fearing he would not be able to support himself, or his associates, Bishop sadly had to release his manager, Bo Maro, from hired assistance. However, things would change for Bishop when someone recommended his services to an executive of a newly founded company. OWA. Bishop was signed shortly before Kingdom I, and was penned in to fight on the roster.

Bishop would go on to have a less than stellar career, however this time, it was entirely his fault. Bishop would come up short in the OWA Championship Tournament, being pinned by Jon Mcadams. He would go on to be approached by Sebastian Monroe about a possible partnership with Monroe's management company. Bishop would go on to be one of the only people to beat Scotty Adams, after tapping him out with a modified triangle choke, and called out Scott Oasis for a match. Monroe came out and said Oasis would certainly not accept.... Bishop proceeded to revert to his old school means, and kicked down Oasis' door, or more accurately, his gym's door and ransacked the place.

Scott Oasis would finally accept Bishop's challenge after he called him out one last time, Oasis set the stipulation for a Blood Sport Rules match, and the two would fight as an opener for Hardcore Havoc. Bishop won the match VIA Ground and Pound KO, and became one of the only men to beat Scott Oasis so violently. He would however continue to face criticism, even after he beat Bull Connors the week after. Despite his newfound success.... Bishop continued to not only face a nearing dead end in his career, but his Diverticulitis issues persisted. Bishop would team up with Scott Oasis to enter the tag team gauntlet, where he would mirror his partner Oasis who did amazingly by eliminating B'n'B singlehandedly, by loosing and getting pinned by Savannah Sunshine. The Sugar Girls, the group Sunshine was apart of, was beaten by The Wolvesden... a group Bishop would not avoid for long.

On Bishop's last tag match of his career, he entered a personal dream match of his by teaming up with Scott Oasis and Carlos Rosso, Bishop and Oasis looking a little more than acquaintances. However, the group nicknamed "Fight Club" would join as brothers in arms, against a classic match against the Wolvesden, a match so out of control, the referee, chet kensington changed to a tornado tag match, and would spill out into the announcement area, and Crowd, and would be called a no contest by Vernon Tressler. Though Bishop wanted to join forces for a rematch, his career, life, and future was cut short, when after a failed attempt to become the Number One Contender for the spartans championship against Monolith, he was attacked by a nameless Wolvesden thug.

The damage to Bishop's knee was so bad, he was forced to retire the night after.

## Short Lived Retirement (2018 - 2020)

In the 2 months since his retirement, Bishop's life, by him, has been described as "Miserable". He spent 2 weeks on the operating table, and was told he would have to wear a knee brace for the next 6 months to keep it from, as his doctor described, "Falling apart". He wandered for two weeks, barely making by off of whatever money he had saved. Vernon Tressler and the OWA board, signed Bishop as a head coach for their OWT developmental brand. Though hesitant at first, Bishop began working with the OWT Brand after their first combine, and was signed to help organize future events.

Bishop would earn a reputation with the OWT roster as an experience mentor, coach, and father figure to many of the young talent. Things would take a turn in 2019, when after being told by medical professionals in Philadelphia that there was no hope of recovery, Bishop slipped into an alcoholic fueled depression. This not only caused a visal deterioration, but a conscious lack of motivation and coherency. The sum of all his fears happen when Bishop's mother, Laura Bishop, entered stage 4 of her breast cancer. Deemed inoperable, Bishop lost the woman who supported him for so many years. Her final words to Michael, were pleading him to return to fighting. For his own health, his sanity, for Rebecca.

Bishop hit an all time low in the following month, unable to shake the urge to return to fighting, he realized who he truly was. He was a fighter, and he would become a fighter once again. He would follow up with his mother's last wish, and let nothing stand in his way. A Bishop returned to OWT where he would once again help organize and run the brand. In September of 2019, Doctors from a stem cell firm in Germany contacted Bishop about a possible experimental treatment they believed would help his knee. Due to the still prototype nature of the surgery, they would fund and cover all the costs, before, during, and after. Despite the danger, Bishop accepted.

The surgery was a complete success.

Bishop would take time away from OWT to go through intensive, 24/7 Physical Therapy to speed up the projected 10 month long process into a 3 month period. By November 2019, Bishop was fully able to return to active competition.

## Pro Wrestling Return (2020 - ~~)

### OWA Clash of the Titans 2020 Return

Bishop knew if he would return to the squared circle, he needed to take every advantage and opportunity. He would turn 33 in May, and his clock was ticking, healed knee or not. Revenge, Gold, Glory, those were the tenants of his return. Contacting Vernon Tressler on short notice, Bishop found himself penned in for a spot in the second annual OWA Clash of the Titans battle royale. Leading suspicion away on social media, Bishop trained intensively for the entirety of January in order to wipe away ring rust, and prime himself for the rumble.

Bishop would be entrant #26, returning to a hugely positive reception from the texan crowd, causing Bishop to be taken a back for a second. However, he quickly remembered why he was here, making his way to the ring, Bishop got his first taste of payback in 20 months, but attacking and battering "The Devil" Nate Cage. His onslaught would only be halted when Bishop went on a tear, showcasing his renewed, better than ever athleticism, releasing a hail of suplexes onto the likes of Aria Jaxon, Kevin Maverick, and hitting a double Samoan Drop on Layne Kurobane and Moongoose Mcqueen. The height of it all would be when Bishop squared up to former New Breed and OWA World Champion, Finnegan Wakefield.

Wakefield and Bishop engaged in a display of high level fight IQ, with Finnegan's submission technique battling initially taking control, however, Michael's grit and MMA ruthlessness would lead to him escaping the holds, and hitting a nasty German Suplex on the artist. A blind siding kick from Baba Yaga, Entrant #27, would cause Bishop to be eliminated. However, everyone in attendance knew, this far from Bishop's last hurrah, it was a second coming. Bishop was back, and was ready to get revenge.

### Return to the OWA Roster

Bishop set a high bar for his return, if he was gonna do this, he was gonna take the entire division by storm. Just like he did in '07. His return to the ring after 2 years was hot out of the gates with a tense fight against Udy, of which he won. However Bishop didn't want to stop there, never being one for a fight he asked for the toughest opponent they could slot him against. He got his wish, he faced off against Christopher "Havoc" Sabertooth, a fight the veteran was chomping at the bit to have. The fight was physical, with neither the Nightmare King nor the Dreadknight giving an inch, however before a finish could be had. "Fuckery" struck. Jonetta Stone and Azumi Goto, two members of OWA's Odyssey brand intervened, attacking both men. This would start a chain of events that would find Bishop squaring up for the Ascension to the Heaven's breifcase, Vs Azumi Goto, Jonetta Stone, The Derelict, Havoc, and Jacob Knight.

The fight was a sharks den, with several members having moments where it looked like they would take home the prize. On such moment was Michael Bishop, who after clearing the ring, opponent by opponent, was a few rungs from destiny. However, the briefcase didn't suit Bishop's intentions at the time, he favored fighting champions face to face. So he opted to finish the slug fest with Havoc, in which the Dreadknight pummeled Havoc far worse than anyone else had. However, the ingenuity and endurance of the Nightmare King prevailed, and he would eventually take home the gold. "So close, yet so far", a sad sentiment that would haunt Bishop for the rest of the year.

Michael wasn't in the mood to let one hiccup stop him, a never quit mentality of "keep moving" came to his mind when he entered a ferocious tag bout at the draft show. Such a tag bout saw him once again demonstrate a level of violence and aggression that no other man in the ring could match. Even his old student, Teddy Mac. However Bishop's failure came when one of the members of GRiME was pinned when he was out of the ring, being just a few seconds from breaking the pin. Bishop continued the momentum by returning to Blood Sports, facing off against Jacob Knight in a heated bout. Knight wanted to prove that he was better than Bishop, Bishop wanted to show he wasn't going to be another pawn in Jacob Knight's game. The bout was vicious, a Picasso of violence, ring IQ, and experience that helped Bishop take home the victory. It ended as Bishop defeated Knight via Ground N' Pound TKO, just one day before Bishop's birthday.

### Feud with Aria Jaxon | A shattered friendship

During the Season 3 draft show, Bishop voiced his intentions to target then Outlaw Champion Aria Jaxon. While she didn't cower in the face of her old friend's stake of claim, Bishop didn't waste any time. At Hardcore Havoc 3, 2 years after his bloody victory of Scott Oasis, Bishop squared up with Aria Jaxon for the Outlaw Championship. The bout was a war, a slug fest of the highest proportions, in which it saw Bishop slowly come out more and more on top after each collision. However, a knock down and several well placed soccer kicks caused Larry Blackwell to stop in for a TKO. Furious as Bishop was intelligently defending himself and weathering the storm, the Dreadknight congratulated Aria, however voiced his frustrations. The last time the two would ever convene as friends.

In the weeks following Hardcore Havoc, Bishop would continue to stack up wins left and right. His rebound match was in Chicago, the first time he would ever square up in his hometown in a wrestling ring. He defeated Hussein, effectively ending the BWO faction with the defeat of their leader. Next he squared up with his old student Maelstrom, an angry, lost young man who sought to take Bishop's head for his own collection. The fight was a slug fest, with Bishop's back being to the ropes several times. However, he proved just why he's the most violent man on Kingdom, after he dropped Maelstrom with several hard moves, and proceeded to finish him off with another Ground N' Pound TKO victory. He carried this momentum forward, with his old friend Scott Oasis awarding him for his good with by giving him the chance to entered the OWA World Championship Steel Asylum match. The bout would be Bishop's first world title shot in Pro Wrestling, however he had just one hurdle to pass: He needed to beat Jeff X.

Jeff X is someone Bishop had his eye on for awhile, and for many it was a dream match. Both men had similar aesthetics, similar mindsets when it came to competing in the ring. In fact, it's said a lot of the fans Bishop left when he retired were drawn to Jeff X's Appalachian Brawler style. The match was a battle of technical skill versus absolute endurance. Bishop found himself at the whims of Jeff X and his submission skills, however used decades of Brazilian Jujitsu experience to fight out of it. He in turn repaid Jeff by giving him the slugfest fans came to see. However, before the match could have a conclusion: Havoc and the newly formed Ashes of the Awake intervened. Havoc, already inside of the Steel Asylum match, wanted to stop two more opponents from competing. He slammed a baseball bat down on Bishop's throat, causing the Dreadknight to win the bout via DQ. However... General Manager Reginald Dampshaw III had bigger plans.... He instead opted to place Bishop and Jeff in the Asylum match, along with himself. In the fever and fog of the aftermath, one thing was clear... the Steel Asylum was going to be a war.

The Steel Asylum match saw then OWA World Champion Moongoose McQueen face off against Havoc, Reginald Dampshaw, Jeff X, Aria Jaxon, and Michael Bishop. Every single member got their chance to have at each other, and even saw Bishop and Aria team up to fight off Havoc and RD3, however they quickly turned on each other, Aria's belt still up for grabs. RD3 and Havoc both came close to climbing out of the asylum, the most surprising came when Bishop himself was one meter from claiming world title gold.... until Stephanie Matsuda intervened- Handcuffing him to the asylum. Matsuda then attempting to help Aria win, and almost succeeded... if Bishop hadn't harnessed 17 years of unrelenting rage to literally snap the cuffs. Bishop they pummeled Aria, and even came deathly close to securing her Outlaw Title, however Stephanie stopped it by shoving a key deep into his neck. Jeff X was also unable to win, after the ashes smashed a baseball bat into his head. In the end, Moongoose McQueen retained.

### Frontline, and the War of the Outlaws

In a tragic twist of fate, the earth was scorched between Michael and Aria. Aria defended herself saying the actions taken were by Cloud, not by her, and even then Bishop was just too stubborn to do what it took to win. Bishop knew that wasn't the way, that wasn't the way to win, for a champion to carry themselves, and that wasn't the example he could set for the kids back in OWT. Bishop faced off against Cloud, in which Matsuda cheated to get a dirty pinfall victory- however such a finish was immediately overturned by General Manager RD3, whom had the bout immediately restarted. A now blood raged Bishop battered both queens, giving both a taste of their own medicine, and carving deep into Matsuda's forehead. Bishop left the Queens of Wrestling with one simple truth after the match.... this was far from over, and he would stop at nothing for retribution.

With the faction war on Kingdom worsening, Bishop was hesitant to throw in with the OWA Frontline. On one hand, he could see Arata Asakura and Jeff X weren't bad men, in fact the three were probably the last best hope for the gold brand. On the other hand.... Bishop had been down this road before. Dark, zealot faction that would stop at nothing to control Kingdom, and a group of rugged men rising to stop them. Not wanting to be yet another casualty for two more years, Bishop distanced himself from the group and faced off against old OWT prospect Kyle. The bout was expected to be simple, expected to be one sided.

Not even Michael Bishop could've guessed what would come next.

Kyle snapped, in a fit of absolute rage, he revealed in the lead up the mystery Bishop had been asking for years: who smashed the Dreadknight's knee? It wasn't Nate Cage, it wasn't Kenny Drake, it was one of his own students... it was Kyle. Seeking to get a win over him, Bishop responded with a murderous thirst no one should wish on another person. When the two met it was a war, with Kyle using Bishop's own teachings against him, and Bishop throwing every ounce of fury and fire he had at Kyle. In the end, Bishop came out victorious, finally having his long sought after revenge after 2 long years. Kyle disappeared into the darkness, never to be seen again. For now.

With Aria and Cloud winning the number one contenders match for the OWA Tag Titles, Bishop wasn't in the mood to try and take his Frontline blood brothers belt. Instead he opted to jump on for commentary during OWA Game Over, being witness to the Queens of Wrestling's tag victory during the opening bout. However, an emergency call came when one of the OWT talent had injured themselves at a gym in downtown new york, shortly after the previous uprising. Bishop quickly left the arena, it would be his undoing. Jeff X successfully won the world title from Moongoose McQueen, however he and the rest of Frontline were overwhelmed as the Ashes ambushed them after the match. Bishop would've been the piece needed to turn the tide, instead, he watched in absolute frustration from a TV in a hospital as Havoc laid claim to the world title.

In the aftermath, Frontline huddled up. Bishop reasserted his loyalty to the faction and the Frontline teamed up with Shin Sekai to face the ashes in the coming months. Such actions saw a loss to Theodore Pavel, in which Bishop gave some mentoring advice to the young russian MMA prospect. As well as a raid on the Ashe's HQ. However even as the faction wars persisted... Bishop knew his personal business needed to be dealt with.

Michael Bishop would face Aria Jaxon in a long awaited rematch under Blood Sports Rules. Bishop up until this point had been stricken by guilt, by grief, by anger, by frustration. It was in the final weeks.... when he took time away from Frontline to train, he finally understood what he needed to do. He needed to be the war machine of precision rage and unhinged violence, of ruthless efficiency and war. He needed to give Jaxon no room to breathe, and he needed to end this. He needed to pry the title off his former friend, now bitter rival. He was going to do it for himself, for his fiance, for the kids in OWT, for every single person beaten by Jaxon. For the fallen Fight Club, of which he was the last member, for his mother, whom he promised to become champion again for. Michael Bishop walked into Blood Sports 4 his old self, his golden age self, a version of himself he knew no man or woman in OWA could ever hope to stop.

Blood Sports 4 blew all expectations out of the water, and while Blood Sports 3 was considered the best of the three bouts... 4 took that by force. Realizing he would need friends of his own, Michael was able to convince his old Fight Club members Scott Oasis and Carlos Rosso to corner him during the bout. Bishop opened hot out of the gates with maneuver after maneuver, exercising intelligent defense as well as blitzing offense. Aria however proved why she had held this belt for over 200 days, by responding with her own attacks on Bishop's leg and knee. Bishop weathered the pain, and in the final moments of the bout; sucked Jaxon into a triangle choke, and tore her forehead apart worse than he did Matsuda's. Jaxon was a warrior, Jaxon fought.... however, she went down a warrior, and when Blackwell had had enough, he stopped the bout. Bishop had ended a near 900 day drought of championship gold, he had proved every single notion about him wrong, and he cemented why Kingdom's Outlaw Mountain was under new management, from a new king.

For the first time in years, Michael Bishop had a championship title slung around his waist, bloodily wearing the flag of his home city. He had kept his promise, and in the months following, he would continue to do so by spending every ounce of energy to make the belt one of the most sought after commodities. Come hell, or high water.

### Reign of the Outlaw King

Bishop's time as the Outlaw King was notorious for it's absolute violence and aggression. He marched shoulder to shoulder with the rest of Kingdom's Frontline x Wolvesden alliance at OWA Civil War 2020, in the legendary "Great War" Match. Victorious, he would carry the Outlaw Championship into 2021's 40 man Clash of the Titans, where he would see long awaited match ups against the Corsairs, a temporary alliance with Finnegan Wakefield, then Hybrid Champion Mark Michaels, before ultimately being eliminated by Dynasty newcomer Matt Miles.

Bishop's defenses were also just as impactful, a close neck and neck bout with Solomon Caine earned him his first defense. In the lead up and road to Final Destination 3, Bishop was also offered a shot at Christopher "Havoc" Sabertooth. Bishop had up until that point had a hard streak of wins, including a clean win over the OWA Champion himself. Bo Maro even pitched a champion vs champion affair, which was starting to convince chairman Scott Oasis... But Bishop denied. He was a fighting and defending champion, and he wanted to focus on cultivating and building the Outlaw Championship's prestige. He acknowledged the grounds for a world title shot, but he reassured him that it would have to come later- Blood Sports awaited. Subsequently, Bishop faced Ogden Harper in a steel cage match, again in a close war in which Bishop managed to submit the challenger whilst throat deep in a strangle choke submission.

Michael Bishop wasn't done there, being interviewed after the bout, Bishop called out the worthy next contender: Theodor Pavel. A young man who'd managed to beat Bishop before, Theo had shown his own prowess against opponents, and he decided if it was going to arrive.... best he face him on the grandest stage of them all. The lead up to the match showed two fighters who needed to win, who wanted to win.... for their families, for their future, for the Outlaw division as a whole. Blood Sports 5 would go down in history as a hallmark of the Blood Sports series, with Theodor Pavel entering with the Frontline.... Bishop, a bit distraught, entered with the Mafia. The two would engage in a brutal war, that would be ended once Pavel TKOed Bishop with ground and pound strikes.

The Frontline celebrated, Bishop assured Theodor there was no bad blood, and that his time had come. The first, and old Outlaw king however, simply had to pick himself up off the canvas and move on. His time in the Outlaw Divison, had ended.

### Season 4; War Never Changes

Frontline found itself under siege as multiple factions arrived on Kingdom during the Season 4 kick off show. The Awakening had arrived in full force, as Father Fiora made himself known, along with Dynasty's Jacob Senn challenging Jeff X for the world title. Bishop had seemed content to ride out his post title loss time in the midcard, just as he'd carved up the Kingdom Roster a year prior. However, fate had other plans when Arata Asakura arrived looking to recruit Outlaw Champion Theodor Pavel and Michael Bishop into his faction: The Black Sun.

negotiations were one sided, Arata could care less about Michael, as he simply wanted Theodor, hoping to use the romania champion's foreigner status as a bargaining chip to win over the OWA fans. However, Theodor seemed suspicious, at Arata's coyness and his seeming distrust of Bishop, referring to The Dreadknight as a "Gaijin". The two were invited to Arata's Dojo, where in Theodor declined- they were attacked. Both were beaten to a pulp, Theodor was thrown off a cliff, as Bishop had the Black Sun logo carved into his chest. Bishop appeared on the following Atlantis, huddling up with The Mafia as they planned for war with The Black Sun. If Jeff X was away, Bishop would need to step up as Frontline's Master at Arms.

Joining forces with Azumi Goto, who had also been targeted by Black Sun for her refusal to join their ethno-nationalist cursade, Bishop, Pavel, and Goto faced Jack Daito, Kenta Saru, and Arata Asakura in a Hardcore War match at Game Over 2021. The bout was brutal, with every member pushed to their limits, however as Black Sun members rushed the ring just as they were winning... The Mafia stepped in, torching Daito and Saru with molotovs, as Theodor Pavel secured the win.

As the three parted ways, Theodor Pavel would go on to face Miltiades the following Kingdom, as Bishop found himself locking horns with former Television Champion Noah Quinn. Quinn just barely won the bout via a roll up, using Bishop's shorts as a means of pinfall. Despite this setback, Bishop would go on to win a bloody "Ancient Way" fight with Kenta Saru, before facing Arata Asakura at Boiling Point 4. The match was for the Number One Contendership to the OWA World Championship. A title Bishop had been hunting for years, and would not let Arata win. Over his dead body. Although it started competitively, the tides quickly shifted as the Bishop's intensity proved too much for Asakura. However, disaster struck when Arata was found to be collating with strange mythical forces. Bishop was struck by Lightning, a power summoned by Arata's god, Raijin, in an emergency effort to save the Black Sun's world championship ambitions. Arata was then able to pin Bishop, to a deflated crowd, and the Dreadknight was taken to emergency services, fighting for his life.

### Near Death & Limited Time

Bishop flatlined 27 times in 2 hours. They said he would never walk again, and yet he got off the operating table by the end of the day. 300 million voltz had coursed through his body and the projected survival rate of a victim of a lightning strike was .03%. Rookie numbers for the man nicknamed "The Revenant". However, OWA medical staff were not so optimistic, Bishop's ability to tank life-altering blows was one day going to run out. The head doctor warned Bishop that if he pursued Arata, and the World Title scene, he might take a blow he would not get back up from. Bishop still had a promise to keep.

Bishop would go on to face The Awakening and The Council in a Circus Deathmatch at Hardcore Havoc 4. Bishop assumed control, Eliminating 3 of the 4 enemy participants by himself, and putting himself back on the Kingdom map as someone to be reckoned with. Notoriety got himself a title shot at the Outlaw Championship against newly crowned title holder, Myojin. At OWA The Festival, Bishop and Myojin faced off. Despite the "Shining Outlaw"'s intensity, Bishop was able to assume a rear naked choke causing a referee's stoppage. Even though he was determined to be the world champion, Bishop found himself once again The Outlaw King.

### Dimensional Warfare, Return of the Outlaw King, First Five Time Champion

Shortly after his victory, Abholos returned to the scene, and things culminated on Kingdom with the Golden Dawn attempting to assume control. It was then announced at OWA Civil War, a "Dimensional Warfare" match would take place between four teams. The winners got whatever they wished for, literally. Bishop found himself on Team Wolvesden alongside Jason Long, Theodor Pavel, and JD Damon. Bishop once again found himself under attack by super powered fuckery, and his The aggravation towards things grew as a normal man in a world of lightning slinging gods. The Golden Dawn team just barely one, with one of the wishes taking his title, returning it to Myojin, and banning him from ever capturing it again. However, Bishop still went down as the First Five Time Champion for a single title in OWA. A record he held solely, along with being the first and Only Four Time Champion.

As an Epilogue, the return of Kenny Drake saw both Bishop and his former nemesis patch things up. Shaking hands, and ending a four year long blood feud. With the entire world looking to Theodor Pavel to win the OWAC from Arata, Bishop realized his time really was running out. If he was going to get a shot at the title, it needed to be before the end of the season.

### Clash of the Titans 2022: Finest Hour

The lead up to the Clash was tense; Jason Long, aggravated by setbacks, had a falling out with Bishop. The Frontline was split in the lead up. Michael Bishop prepared for the fight of his life during the Fourth Annual Clash of the Titans, the second in history to feature 40 participants. With the event taking place in Rio, Brazil, a place Bishop fondly remembered from his time in MMA; it needed to be now. Now or Never. Bishop gave it his all, entering at 37 to a murderer's row including JD Damon, Theodor Pavel, Jacob Senn, Christopher Sabertooth, Donovan T, Raivo, and more. However, despite everything, Bishop surpassed all odds. Eliminating Graham Baker, the highest pick to win the event, he then went on to eliminate Jacob Senn to win the Clash of the Titans. 2 years after his return in the greatest battle royale in combat sports, Bishop broke out as a true Main Event star.

### Final Destination 4: The Road to hell

The OWA World Championship had alluded Bishop for four years, and right now it was the most prolific World Title in combat sports. Laura's last words coursed through his mind: Win the War, Win the title. The weight of the world began to mount on Bishop. Rebecca had become pregnant shortly before The Festival, Azumi Goto had captured the title and Arata Asakura had managed to weasel his way back in. To keep Arata from killing an entire Arena, Goto and Bishop agreed to allow him to use his godly powers one more time. The War for the OWAC would be an all or nothing affair.

Bishop gave it his all, with the entire world behind OWA's last veteran without the gold strap, he quickly established himself as the aggressor in the match. It was back and fourth, with blood, Azumi Goto being struck by the same lightning that impaired Bishop, and even Arata attempting to recreate the 12 chair shots that crippled him. However, despite everything, Bishop pushed through with an inhuman hunger to win. With the Frontline, The Mafia, and many of the allies he'd aided over the years helping him against the Golden Dawn's legions of supporters. And down to the wire, Bishop pinned Azumi Goto to become the 11th OWA World Champion. Bishop finally put to rest a four year saga of ups and downs, and cemented himself as one of the most dominant forces in OWA and modern combat sports. Celebrating with his wife and child, Michael Bishop had finally become the man he knew he could be, fulfilled that promise, and would walk into Season 5 the most complete warfighter of the squared circle.

## Strong Style Wrestling (2020 - 2021)

Bishop's time in Strong Style Wresting was eventful. Initially he debuted with B.O.B in the summer of 2020, on the cusp of his return to professional wrestling. However, Bishop didn't agree with Scott Oasis' newfound sense of imperialistic dichotomy. Bishop had arrived to SSW hoping to experience the puroresu combat sports he had yet to engage in. He got his first taste when facing Forde Escort, initially stunned by the young titan's knock out power, Bishop used veteran experience and more high level striking to secure a victory over the behemoth. Bishop would go on to face several others in the following shows, with a divide showing between Oasis and Bishop, hinting that the bad blood never faded.

Michael Bishop found himself success after winning The Rising Sun Championship, his first championship gold since he returned. Both he and then heritage champion Scott Oasis nearly came to blows in SSW's seeming cancellation, however Bishop would find himself fighting again in it's return that fall. Bishop found himself victorious as a then Outlaw-Rising Sun Double Champion, bloodying the inaugural Rising Sun Champion Kenta Saru. Bishop would lose the title to Jay Jones after a hard bout.

A downward spiral began for Bishop, coinciding with his Outlaw Title loss. Bishop lost to Darkane in a deathmatch for the Shinigami Championship, resulting in Bishop's bad leg being severed at the knee. However, the Death God Aizen had other plans, as he simply restored Bishop's leg to beyond better health. However the losses didn't stop for Bishop, he found success in the Warlord series after beating Jack Daito, Maverick, and Carlos Rosso, only losing to Solomon Caine in a Blood Sports Rules match. Caine had avenged his Outlaw loss to Bishop, and Bishop had lost his undefeated Blood Sports streak, only cemented by his consecutive Blood Sports 5 loss to Theodor Pavel. The exclamation point on this was the Spirit Royale at SSW Dragon Soul, where Bishop showed himself off as an iron man, making it to the final 3 of the 50 man battle royale. However, Bishop would be eliminated by Bad Boy Know, and be overshadowed by know's feud with Senn, and his calling out of Cloud Matsuda.

Scott Oasis acting all too condescending with Bishop, referring to him as a "Failed project" of BOB even though he had more time in the Octagon than Oasis, and was his veteran superior in MMA. However, Bishop started to find success after a hard war with Bryce Gordon earned him a spot in the International Cup. His first Pay Per View win of 2021. Bishop would go on to run the gauntlet of the International Cup; A neck and neck war with Remi Skyfire, and a hard victory over AVZ. Bishop found himself the inaugural winner of the cup, and a shot at Scott Oasis. The two faced off after his malicious victory over Nobi.

Up until this point, Scott Oasis had been on a tear after he had beaten Aria Jaxon, avenging his Final Destination 1 loss to Aria 2 years prior. He'd go on to brutalize Sakuya Goto, one of Bishop's OWT students, along with dirty victories over Rich Gatsby and Nobi. Bishop stood as the only man to stop Scott Oasis, having beaten the man clean 3 years prior in the opener to Hardcore Havoc 2018, the found themselves now in the headliner and Main Event of Wrestlespirit 2. It would be Bishop's first "Big Match" Main Event singles match in professional wrestling, and his first singles world title match.

Initially jumped by The Big Oasis Brand and Corsairs in the go home show, where he teamed with one of his OWT Students, Vanessa Santiago, Bishop faced off against Oasis the following Pay Per View.

The bout was the Heavyweight War to end all Wars, with both men pulling no punches. Although both factions were present, both men wanted a clean win over the other. For Scott Oasis, is was a chance at redemption, and another milestone in his crusade of revenge after Bad Boy Know and Aria Jaxon. For Bishop, it was his chance to finally strike World Title gold in the Squared Circle, and to be a world champion for the first time since 2016, 5 years to the day of UCD closing down. It was a neck and neck fight, showing that not only had both fighters remembered, but improved. However, Bishop won after cold KOing Scott Oasis to secure The American Heavyweight Championship. Bishop found himself on the receiving end of unanimous praise, joined not only by The Mafia as Bo Maro placed the belt on his waist, but fellow Frontline and World Champion Jeff X, and Bishop's wife.

After a hard, hard road, and what seemed to be a downward spiral in 2021... things were looking up.

## Personal Life

Bishop's home life is relatively calm compared to the high octane violence he dishes out in the ring and octagon. Bishop lives in a 6 room high rise apartment in downtown Chicago, where he owns a corgi named Tarantino. Bishop has been together with his current wife, Rebecca Bishop-Waterson, for around 18 years. The two were previously engaged before they formally married in Dec. 2020.

On his off time, Bishop regularly gives back to the community and industry. Charity events and work at The Chicago MMA Performance Institute, as well as being a regular week coach at the OWT PC.

## Fimography

### Film/Movie Appearances

 2018
 2021
 2021
 2021

### Video Games

 2018
 2018
 2021

## Info:

### Achievements:

**OWA:**

* 5x OWA Outlaw Champion (195 Days~)
* 1x OWA World Champion (Current)

**SSW:**

* 1x SSW Rising Sun Championship (110 Days~)
* 1x SSW American Heavyweight Champion (LAST)

**Kingdom pro:**

* 1x Commonwealth Champions (w/ Jason long)

**Wrestleworld:**

* 1x Territorial Champion

**Project Honor:**

* 1x PH Tag Team Champions (W/ Liz Karlson)

Other stats:

MMA Record (As of Jun. 2022): 57 - 6 - 1

Blood Sports Record (As of Jun. 2022): 8 - 2

### Trivia:

* Michael is right handed, Orthodox stance
* Michael's manager, and now long time friend, Bo Maro, initially retired after his injury. However, after being contacted by Bishop early in January, the dynamic duo would join forces again, and Maro would see himself return to OWA along with Bishop. Bo Maro now also manages OWT and OWA Odyssey Star BIANCA.
* Michael's punching power was measured in at 121,000 PSI units, the second highest on the planet.