Johnny Gemini

John Griffin (Born May 6th, 1994), known by his ring name Johnny Gemini is a professional wrestler working for the CWL under the Genesis brand, also known for his time at the Minneapolis based promotion, F1rst Wrestling.

## Johnny Gemini

Gemini in 2020 at the November 8th episode of CWL Genesis

### CWL Record

12-10

> "I was doing what I do best when I take a hit, getting up and getting back into the fight, it’s what I have been doing my whole life, and I like to think I’m pretty good at it." - Gemini, 2020
>
>

## Early Career

Gemini is a Twin Cities native, born in Minneapolis and living there, or in Saint Paul, all his life. Gemini's love of martial arts and combat sports started when he was a child and stemmed from two sources. The first is his affection for martial arts movies, 80s action films and whatever else he could sneak down stairs to watch while his parents were asleep when he was a kid. Gemini today is still a massive fan for this genre and given the chance will talk for hours about the differences between *The 36th Chamber of Shaolin* and its sequels or why *Big Trouble in Little China* has the best movie sound track of the 80s.

The second source of his passion for Martial arts came from Johnny's father, who was a professional Muay Thai fighter throughout the 80s and 90s. Johnny's father was well known in the North American kick boxing circuit but always fell short of breaking into the international scene. After a solid career he settled down in Minneapolis to raise his son and start up a Muay Thai gym. Naturally, Johnny was his first student. Johnny trained in Muay Thai under his father's tutelage from the age of 6 and he was the kickboxing prodigy his father had always dreamed of training. At the age of 18, with several junior Muay Thai tournament wins to his name, it seemed like Johnny was posed to become the professional Muay Thai star his father had never been able to achieve. However, everything changed when Johnny Gemini discovered the world of Professional Wrestling.

Johnny's love affair with the world of professional wrestling started one night at a local, Twin Cities wrestling show n the dusty old gym of a Saint Paul high school. Gemini can't remember exactly why he was at the show, though he admits it might have been because he heard that a classmate he had a crush on at the time was going to be there, but regardless of the reasons, this night would have an irrevocable impact on the life of the then 18 year old Johnny Gemini. Johnny still can precisely put into words what exactly about professional wrestling spoke to him so clearly that night, only that he knew that this was the sport that he would one day become the best in, regardless of the obstacles. From that point on Johnny dedicated himself to the sport, overcoming any challenge he faced with determination and pleasure. Needless to say his father was not pleased with his son's new fascination and disappointment and misunderstanding have clouded their relationship ever since.

Gemini trained at The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling for two years before making his debut at the Twin Cities based F1rst Wrestling promotion. There he had two prominent title reigns as the Wrestlepalooza Champion. During this time he also made appearances at indie events and promotions across the Midwest United Sates. He also never stopped perfecting his craft or overcoming any challenge he faced. Although he feared for a time that his career on the Midwest indie scene might be his career peak, Gemini felt that the only way he would be able to break though would be if he pushed forward with determination and passion for the sport that he had made his life.

## CWL (2020 - present)

### Debut on Genesis

Gemini's title reigns in the indie scene, along with his unusually intense discipline and work ethic, attracted the attention of several large promotions. Gemini made his CWL debut at the November 7th, 2020, episode of Genesis where he won against David Graves in a singles match.

On the 11/14/2020 episode of Genesis he participated in three way match between Himself, Gretery, and Damien Morrigan, in which he lost when Gretery pinned Morrigan.

Gemini's next match would be on the 11/21/2020 episode of Genesis where he teamed with Jay Scott in a losing effort against Harris and El Gretery in a Tornado Tag Team match, after he helped saved Scott from a fire in his office started by Gretery and Harris.

After several weeks of feuding, Gemini would face Damien Morrigan on the 11/28/2020 episode of Genesis in a singles match in which he went on to defeat Morrigan.

On the 12/5/2020 episode of Genesis Gemini faced then King of Genesis Champion Prince Burei in a non-title match. Ultimately Burei was able to defeat Gemini after using mandible claw on Johnny.

On the 12/12/2020 episode of Genesis Gemini lost to Benjamin King by submission in a singles match.

### Feud with Prince Burei and King of Genesis Title Reign

> "Burei, I want one more match with you, not because I think I deserve a rematch, but because I need to know if I have what it takes to beat you and call myself a professional." - Gemini, 2020
>
>

After his non-title match with Prince Burei Gemini called for a re-match against the King of Genesis Champion at the One More Fight pay-per-view event. Gemini believed he had not been wrestling at his best when he had lost to Burei on the December 5th episode of Genesis and he wanted to raise the stakes, and the pressure, with a title match in order to prove to himself that he was the skilled athlete he viewed himself as. Burei accepted Gemini's challenge and the two met in the ring for the second time at One More Fight on December 19th, 2020. Gemini went on to win the match, and the King of Genesis title, after hitting Burei with a DDT, followed up by the Gemini Driver.

On the January 2nd, 2021 episode of Genesis, Johnny Gemini defended the King of Genesis Title in a triple threat match against Benjamin King and Miles. Miles won the match, and the King of Genesis Title, by pinning Gemini. Ending Johnny Gemini's reign after 14 days. Gemini then had a non-title rematch with Miles on the following week of Genesis which he also lost.

### Debut on Nemesis

On the 4.22 episode of Nemesis Johnny Gemini debuted as Doctor Wrestling Jr's choice for Conner Gates pick your poison match. Gemini went on to defeat Conner Gates with the Gemini Driver in an upset as Gates was the number one contender for the Nemesis Heavy Weight Championship.

Two weeks later Gemini made a surprise appearance at the Nemesis Pay-Per-View Global Warning when he answered Jon Spartacus's open challenge. Although hitting Spartacus with some strong offense at the start, Gemini was soon defeated by Spartacus's lethal Centurion Spear. However, Gemini was not unhappy with the outcome as he was just happy to have the opportunity to test himself against a CWL Legend like Spartacus.

### Feud with the Fatal Vices and Alliance with Jon Spartacus

on the 4.25 episode of Nemesis Johnny faced Raymondo of the Fatal Vices in a singles match. After putting up a good fight Raymondo defeated Johnny and then added insult to injury as he put him in a Fujiwara Armbar. Later that same episode, Jon Spartacus and Zach Anderson of the Fatal Vices met in the ring for a singles match. After defeating Anderson Spartacus was attacked by Raymondo and Anderson, however Johnny Gemini came to his aid and the pair fought off the Fatal Vices. Later that week Johnny posted a promo in which he said that the Fatal Vices behavior didn't surprise him but did make him angry. He vowed that as long as Raymondo and Anderson kept on acting like they owned CWL, he and Spartacus would keep on reminding them how wrong they were.

On the 4.26 episode of Nemesis Spartacus cut a promo with a similar tone to Gemini's. After his promo Raymondo stepped out and challenged Spartacus to a singles match next week at the Nemesis pre-Verdict supershow with the stipulation that neither Anderson or Gemini would be at ring side. Spartacus accepted. After the Spartacus Vs. Raymondo match at the supershow, Zac Anderson attacked Gemini and put him through a table in a locker room backstage.

After the Verdict pay-per-view Raymond and Zach Anderson celebrated their victory over Spartacus and Gemini on the following episode of Nemesis. However, Johnny Gemini interrupted their celebration with a challenge. He claimed that Anderson and Raymondo were only trying to feed their delusions and grandeur and that he and Spartacus were far from finished. He challenged Anderson to a match the following week with the winner being able to pick a stipulation for a tag team match at the Battle Lines pay-per-view which would settle the two team's feud once and for all.

Anderson accepted the Challenge and the two met in the ring on the next episode of Genesis. It was a hard fought battle but after hitting Anderson with a top rope block buster followed by his new finisher, the True Gemini Driver, Gemini was able to win the match and obtain the right to name a stipulation for the tag team match at Battle Lines. During the go home show for Battle Lines Gemini announced that he and Spartacus had selected a tables match stipulation for Battle Lines in order to repay Anderson and Raymondo for all the trouble they had given Gemini and Spartacus. However Zach Anderson rushed down to the ring after the accountment and put Gemini through a table.

The two teams finally met at Battles Lines and although the match was competitive, Raymondo and Zach Anderson were the victors and Anderson power bombed Jon Spartacus through a table to win the match while Johnny Gemini was incapacitated outside of the ring.

### Feud with TJ Black and Challenge for the Twitch Title

Following his defeat at Battle lines Johnny Gemini felt a great deal of guilt over the lose. Although he hadn't been put through a table he had failed to protect his partner, Jon Spartacus. From Gemini's perspective, he had failed a legend, a mentor and a man who had trusted Gemini to watch his back in a tag team match. Faced with this guilt, Gemini fell back on his conviction that pushing ahead without fear was the only way to succeed. To pay back the debts he owed to those he had let down Gemini set his sights on the Twitch Championship and its champion, TJ Black.

Gemini made his challenge clear on the episode of Nemesis following Battle Lines. He confronted TJ directly and told him that he had dishonored the Twitch Title and its legacy, invoking Jon Spartacus's name in the process. Gemini declared that he would restore honor to the Twitch title and guarantee that the only belt TJ was worthy of was the POG Championship. However TJ did not respond, leaving Gemini's challenge unanswered for the time being. Despite the lack of a response Gemini pushed ahead and faced another potential contender for the Twitch Title in Samuel Black on the next episode of Nemesis. Black was dominant throughout the match hitting Gemini with a series of brutal moves, however Gemini was able to carryout a few key offensive moves and just barely earn the win. But just as the match ended TJ Black ambushed Gemini in the ring and caught him in his infamous choke hold which quickly subdued Gemini and singled TJ's acceptance of his challenge.

Unfortunately Gemini sustained serious injuries to his torso and ribs as a result of his brutal match with Samuel Black and was strongly encouraged by CWL medical staff to take time off to recover. As a result the Twitch Title match at Titan's Clash that had been scheduled to be between Gemini and TJ Black was changed to be Samuel Black vs TJ. However, Gemini refused to back down from his own challenge and motivated by guilt and his convictions to push forward no matter the cost, he made a surprise entrance at Titan's Clash as a third competitor in the Twitch Title match. Despite his dogged determination, his injuries and the prowess of the other two competitors in the match in the form of Samuel and TJ Black was too much for Gemini. The match ended when TJ chocked out Gemini once again while Samuel Black watched, retaining his title and crushing Gemini's hops of earning the title and the respect of those he had let down.

### Friendship with Conner Gates and Feuding with Samuel Black

Following his lose at Titan's Clash Gemini looked towards the fast approaching Battle For Supremacy as his next opportunity to prove himself once again. A chance to prepare or the BFS emerged when Conner Gates reached out to Gemini. Looking to prepare for the BFS, and settle the score, Conner challenged Johnny to a friendly rematch on the go home show before the Supremacy pay-per-view. Gemini accepted the challenge and was preparing for the eventual match backstage when Samuel Black, punishing Gemini after his surprise involvement in the Twitch Title Match at Titan's Clash, assaulted him on an episode of Nemesis.

Gates was the first on the scene and the two agreed to face Samuel Black and the newly appeared Tora Khan on the next episode of Nemesis. The match provided and opportunity for both Gates and Conner to preparing and scout each other out for their match the next week but also proved to be fiercely competitive. However Gates and Gemini were able to get in the win in the end. Gemini and Gates then faced each other in singles competition the Nemesis before Supremacy and despite some strong offensive on Gemini's part, Gates was able to efficiently dispatch Gemini, implying that Gemini's win over Gates a few months before might have been caused more by Gemini's surprise debut than anything else.

### The 2021 Battle for Supremacy

Johnny Gemini entered the Battle for Supremacy at the 29th spot. In the final five he faced MD, Tora Khan, Conner Gates and Gretery. Gemini made it all the way to the final two of the BFS before Tora Khan eliminated him to win the match and cost Gemini another chance to prove himself.

### Continued Feud with Samuel Black, Tora Khan and Continued Alliance with Conner Gates

In the wake of his Supremacy loss Gemini challenged Samuel Black to another match on the following Nemesis, claiming the Samuel Black was a mental thorn in his side preventing him from focusing on the future. Their match on that week's episode of Nemesis however was interrupted by Tora Khan who assaulted Gemini resulting in a disqualification win for Johnny. Shocked and angry that a former friend had attacked him Gemini vowed to take them both on in a handicap match. But once again Conner Gates reached out to Gemini.

Gates proposed that once again he and Gemini could face Black and Khan but with the End Game opportunity on the line meaning that if Khan's team won he would retain it and if Conner's team won Conner would obtain the opportunity. At this point Gemini respected and view Gates as a friend so he accepted the proposal. Participating in the match also gave Gemini the chance to prove himself once again against both Black and Khan. On the main event of the Nemesis super show before Jail Break Gates and Gemini faced Khan and Black and Gates was able to pin Black and win the End Game opportunity thanks to Johnny Gemini's help.

### Feud with Alexander and Participation in the Redacted Battle Royale

After helping Gates win his End Game opportunity Gemini was still searching for his own opportunity to earn a spot on End Game. Fortunately he found an ideal one in the form of Alexander's plan to win the Redacted Battle Royale and rename it to the Alexander Battle Royale. Angered by Alexanders arrogance and lack of respect for CWL history, Gemini announced his own entrance into the Redacted Battle Royale by calling out Alexander personally for his arrogance and vowing to protect the Royale from Alexanders' duplicitous goals.

Alexander responded by mocking Gemini. Referencing his defeat at the hands of TJ Black Alexander claimed that Gemini did not deserve a spot in the Redacted Battle Royale. Gemini responded by first arguing that loses did not define a wrestler, rather it was what they did after they lost that mattered. Then he vowed to prove how much superior of a wrestler he was compared to Alexander by first beating Warboy Haas then Alexander in the lead up to the Battle Royale. Gemini was able to beat the Warboy after a tough match but came up short against Alexander in the following singles match. Yet Gemini had earned his spot in the Redacted Battle Royale and entered the match undaunted. Despite his confidence Johnny Gemini was the third eliminated in the Battle Royale by Lucas Button.

## Season 5

### Continued Feud with Alexander

After winning the Redacted Battle Royale Alexander continued to ridicule Johnny Gemini for his repeated loses to Alexander. Johnny Gemini was more than willing to face Alexander in the ring again however he was caught completely off guard by a secret alliance forged between Alexander and the Dark Breed (Tora Khan and Samuel Black). Faced with three opponents instead of one Johnny had no choice but to form an alliance of his own comprised of himself, Drake and a newly arrived to Nemesis Harris. The teams met for a 6 man tag match at the Exiled PPV. However Johnny and his teammates lost in humiliating fashion as they were counted out in the opening minutes of the match.

### Reignited Feud with the Dark Breed

The humiliating lose at Exiled weighed heavy on Johnny Gemini's shoulders and over the next few months he became unhealthy obsessed with evening the score between himself and the Dark Breed who he considered to be the source of his most bitter defeats and setbacks in the CWL. This led to conflict between Johnny and his father and coach, Justin Gemini. Justin wanted Johnny to focus on moving up the ranks and obtaining opportunities for title matches. Johnny had just that kind of opportunity after an important singles win over the former heavy weight champion Bryan. However Johnny remained fixed on his goal to get make the Dark Breed pay for the injustices he had experienced.

Johnny's desire to get revenge on the Dark Breed came to a head at the Nemesis Supershow before Shadow Banned where in a brutal match he finally earned himself a win over Tora Khan, though it required him to use almost everything he had to keep the beast down. After this win Justin Gemini urged him to move on from this feud that was damaging his career but Johnny was still unsatisfied and felt that he had to commit himself more to fighting the Dark Breed to prove himself. This resulted in an ill-advised and dangerous handicapped match against both members of the Dark Breed at Gold in the Bank. Johnny was almost totally unable to get any offense in against the combined might of both members of the Dark Breed and despite a unnoticed rope break the Dark Breed utterly defeated Johnny Gemini.

### Break from CWL

Following his lose at Gold in the Bank Johnny took almost three months off from competition in the CWL. Not only did Johnny's body need time to recover from his grueling series of matches with the Dark Breed but Johnny realized that he needed time to asses what he wanted out of the CWL. His resounding lost at Gold in the Bank forced him to release that he had become obsessed with revenge to an unhealthy degree. Johnny knew he had always had a chip on his shoulder but it had never driven him to such extremes before. If he wanted to be successful in the CWL he knew he would have to change his mindset and to truly change it he would need to return to CWL with a entirely new game plan.

### Return to CWL with the Kingsmen

> "It's no longer Johnny Gemini Vs. the world. Now it's the Kingsmen Vs. the World!" - Johnny Gemini
>
>

When Johnny Gemini did return to CWL at the Nemesis Supershow before Global Warning he returned with the new kind of game plan he had been hopping for. Johnny made a surprise return as he returned wearing the colors of the Kingsmen and helped them win their tag match with Zach Anderson against Seth Dallas and Aldo Shaw in statement making fashion. Following this win Johnny continued to feud with Dallas and Shaw in singles matches which he won against Shaw and lost against Dallas. The Kingsmen's feud with Dallas and Shaw reached its peak at the Verdict PVV where Johnny once again helped the Kingsmen win in a tag match against Dallas and Shaw. Joining the Kingsmen gave Johnny the support and focus he needed.

### A Member of the Nemesis Battle Lines Team

In the lead up to the 2022 Battle Lines Show Jay Scott picked Johnny Gemini to represent the Nemesis brand in its charisma challenge with Verdict. Although Johnny was supposed to face the charismatic Xander Woods he ended up debating Chris Princess who forced himself in to the proceedings. After a heated debate the contest of charisma between the two was ruled a no contest because of Chris Princesses actions and the wager between Jay Scott and Ebak was resolved at the Season 5 Battle lines men's match. Although Johnny was the first to be eliminated from the Nemesis team was was able to eliminate Chris Princess first and demonstrated his own skills as well as his tag team abilities with fellow Nemesis and Kingsmen member Dr. Wrestling Jr.

## Notable Achievements

### CWL

* King of Genesis Champion (1 time)
* Member of Nemesis Men's Battle Lines Team (1 time)

## In Wrestling

### **Finishers**

#### Active

* True Gemini Driver (Fisherman Driver 2)
* Witness (Blockbuster)
* The 36th Chamber (Feint Spinning Heel Kick)

#### Retired

* Gemini Driver (Go Home Driver, Retired 2014-2021)

### **Signatures**

#### Active

* Sleeper Suplex
* Yin Yang Leg Drop (Snapmare & Leg Drop Combination)

#### Retired

* Yin Yang DDT (Leg Trap DDT, Retired 2014-2022)

* Kumite Kick (Snapmare & Corkscrew Roundhouse Retired 2014-2022)