Johnny Gemini

John Griffin (Born May 6th, 1994), known by his ring name Johnny Gemini is a professional wrestler currently inactive but known for his time wrestling at the CWL wrestling promotion under the Genesis, and Nemesis, brands, also known for his time at the Minneapolis based promotion, F1rst Wrestling. He was also a member of the CWL stable, the Kingsmen.

## Early Life

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. 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 in 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.

## Career in CWL (2020-2022)

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. Johnny would be involved in several feuds and matches ultimately climaxing with a title match where he defeated Prince Burei to capture the King of Genesis Title at One More Fight 2020. 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.

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. Johnny soon after entered into an alliance with Spartacus as the two feuded with Raymondo and Zach Anderson of the Fatal Vices. 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.

Gemini's next major match would be at the 2021 Titan Clash where he made a surprise entrance 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.

Johnny Gemini would then enter the 2021 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. Johnny would spend the rest of 2021 in a variety of feuds with opponents such as Alexander and the Dark Breed, most often failing to achieve the break he needed despite spirited efforts. Gemini's next major career move would be to officially join the Kingsmen in at the pre-Global Warming (2022) supershow.

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, he 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.

Gemini and Dr. Wrestling Jr. would capitalize on their tag team abilities to win the CWL tag team titles at the next pay-per-view. Their reign would however end at the following pay-per-view where they would unable to defend their titles. Gemini and the Doctor would continue to team together until the end of CWL in the same year.

## Notable Achievements

### CWL

* King of Genesis Champion (1 time)
* Member of Nemesis Men's Battle Lines Team (1 time)
* CWL Tag Team Champion (1 time) (The Kingsmen w/ Dr. Wrestling Junior)

## In Wrestling

### Finishers

* True Gemini Driver (Fisherman's Buster)
* Witness (Middle Rope Block Buster)

### Signatures

* Spinning Backfist
* The 36th Chamber (Machine Gun Chops)