Rhett Orwell

Orwell posing for a photoshoot in 2017.

**Rhett Adam Orwell** (born October 9, 1993) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work on the American independent scene.

## Early life

Orwell was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1993. He is an only child. Orwell practised martial arts from a young age, beginning judo at eleven and kickboxing at fourteen. In addition to his interest in martial arts, Orwell also had a love of pro wrestling from a young age, and would often watch with friends.

At the age of sixteen, Orwell began intensive training at the Santa Monica MMA Academy, with the intention of becoming a professional MMA fighter. However, this ambition was soon replaced by the desire to become a professional wrestler when he attended an event hosted by wrestling school The Playground. Orwell spoke to the head trainer of the school after the show, and began training there in 2014.

## Professional wrestling career

### **Early career (2015)**

On May 3, 2015, Orwell made his in-ring debut for West Coast Championship Alliance (WCCA) in a losing effort against Liam Thomas. In the same month, he debuted for Black Label Wrestling (BLK LBL), defeating Marcus Burke. Orwell proceeded to wrestle across the West Coast and ventured further into nearby regions, making sporadic appearances on WCCA's undercard. He also joined BLK LBL as a full-time roster member in early June. On August 21, Orwell appeared in the main event of New Blood Rising 2015, The Playground's graduation show, where he defeated Elliot Eyre and Colby Z in a triple threat match.

### **Black Label Wrestling (2015–2017)**

#### **Black Label Collective tournament (2015–2016)**

After defeating Marcus Burke in his debut match for BLK LBL, Orwell returned to the promotion for their Volume 32 show on August 22, 2015, where he defeated Ohio Dawson via submission. Due to his impressive performance, Orwell was entered into the Black Label Collective tournament, filling out Block B. At Volume 33 on September 19, he defeated Rhys Helmsley via submission, gaining three points in the tournament. On October 17 at Volume 34, Orwell defeated Mason Zion via the same method, earning an additional three points. At Volume 35 the following month, Orwell competed against TK Driver, with whom he was tied with in Block B. Orwell defeated Driver, using a low blow to get the advantage before making him submit, thus taking the lead. In the second series of block matches – which by the rules, are all no DQ – Orwell defeated Helmsley again at Volume 36: Part 1 on December 11. On December 12 at Volume 36: Part 2, Orwell defeated Zion to remain the leader of Block B. On January 16, 2016, Orwell faced off against Driver in one of the last matches of Block B. The match ended in a draw when the thirty-minute time limit expired.

With 16 points to Driver's 13, Orwell was announced the winner of Block B and would advance to the final of the Black Label Collective tournament. After the match, Driver refused to shake hands with his opponent for the first time since joining BLK LBL, showing clear disgust for newcomer Orwell's tactics. Later that night, Orwell won the Black Label Collective tournament by defeating Chase Damned, thus earning the BLK LBL Briefcase, which would grant him a shot at any title he wanted whenever he wanted.

#### **Medal of Absolution holder (2016)**

On February 20, during a segment between Black Crown holder Anders Cor Von and Medal of Absolution holder TK Driver, Orwell came to the ring with his BLK LBL Briefcase. After directly addressing Cor Von for a couple of minutes and taunting him with the Briefcase, Orwell then turned his attention to Driver and announced an immediate cash-in for his Medal of Absolution, stating he wanted to make up for their draw during the tournament. Orwell attacked Driver with the metal briefcase, and as Driver's rival Cor Von watched on from ringside, Orwell defeated Driver for the Medal of Absolution.

During his reign, Orwell would come out at every Volume to conduct “sermons”, where he would speak on his warped ideologies and then make an open challenge to anyone backstage who disagreed with him. Over the course of several months, Orwell defeated BLK LBL regulars and one-off competitors, including: Mason Zion, LT Jacobs, Tornado, Chip Wood and Camila Scorpio. Orwell notably used dirty tactics against many of his opponents, stating “if they want to win the Medal of Absolution, they should be prepared for the absolute lows I'm willing to go”. On September 17 at Volume 46, Orwell's open challenge was answered by H.H. Gacy, who emphasised the own “lows” he would go to to win by challenging Orwell to a deathmatch for the Medal. Orwell, impressed by Gacy's challenge, accepted. However, he stated that the match would instead take place at Volume 47, which Gacy accepted.

On October 22, Gacy defeated Orwell in a deathmatch, becoming the new Medal of Absolution holder. This marked the end of Orwell's series of “sermons”, as well as his rise into the main event scene.

#### **Pursuit of the Crown (2016–2017)**

On December 10, 2016, Orwell made his first appearance for BLK LBL since losing the Medal of Absolution, and made his intentions for The Black Crown – BLK LBL's equivalent of the World title – clear. However, before he could challenge Anders Cor Von, TK Driver interrupted him, stating that he would not allow someone as disrespectful as Orwell to challenge for the Crown. The two brawled, and BLK LBL Commissioner Max Nelson announced that at Volume 50, both Orwell and Driver would challenge Cor Von for the Crown in a triple threat.

On January 21, 2017, Cor Von retained over Orwell and Driver. The next month, at Volume 51, Orwell faced Driver in a number one contender match for the Black Crown. As per the stipulation decided by Commissioner Nelson, if Orwell broke the rules in any way, he would never be able to challenge for the Crown again. Driver defeated Orwell to become number one contender, which sent Orwell into a frenzy. After the match, Orwell attacked several members of the ring crew, and even dragged ring announcer Abbey Manson into the ring, threatening to break her leg with a kneebar. Eventually, Commissioner Nelson arrived and stated he would give in to Orwell's demands to be number one contender. Nelson later overturned this decision, and suspended Orwell indefinitely for his actions.

Orwell would return to BLK LBL at Volume 56 on July 15, where he would attack Driver, who had won the Black Crown a few Volumes prior. In a shocking act of disrespect, Orwell broke the Black Crown in half. At Volume 57 on August 19, Driver challenged Orwell to a match, stating that he would teach him the lesson his suspension clearly hadn't. Orwell accepted, and the match was booked for Volume 58 the next month. Before Driver could leave the ring, Orwell ambushed him, cutting him open with a piece of the broken Black Crown. On September 16, Orwell attacked Driver before the bell could even be rung, conducting a brutal attack that left Commissioner Nelson with no choice but to cancel their match and move it to a later date.

On October 21 at Volume 59, Orwell defeated Johnny Luciano. After the match, he cut a promo on Driver, branding him a weak Black Crown holder and stating he is “as broken as his plastic crown”. Driver responded mid-promo by brawling with Orwell, and the two were separated by security as Commissioner Nelson announced that the Black Crown would be contested for at Volume 60 in a no holds barred match. On November 18, Orwell unsuccessfully challenged Driver for the Black Crown in the main event. This would be his last appearance for BLK LBL before his hiatus.

### **Pure Underground (2016–2017)**

#### **Double champion (2016–2017)**

In July 2016, Orwell made his debut for PUG in a champion versus champion cross-promotional match against PUG Internet Champion, Zach Xavier. Orwell successfully defended his BLK LBL Medal of Absolution and became the new Internet Champion, much to the dismay of the PUG fans. Much like in BLK LBL, Orwell hosted “sermons” at every PUG event from then on, where he would make open challenges to the PUG roster, who he often mocked as being “underground, undeserving”. Orwell successfully defended the Internet Championship against the likes of KAIZA, Chip Wood, Austin Storm and even defeated the Starr Boys in a handicap match.

On December 3, Orwell's open challenge was answered by former Internet Champion, Duncan Harker. The two competed in a deathmatch, with Orwell retaining in an upset victory. After stating that none of the PUG roster could beat him and prove their worth, Orwell attempted to further beat down Harker, only to be stopped by PUG Warhound Champion and Harker's protégé, Rudy Phoenix. Phoenix challenged Orwell to a champion versus champion match at PUG Fresh Blood, answering his call for “worthy competition” and putting the Warhound Championship on the line. Orwell accepted the offer.

At Fresh Blood on January 7, 2017, Orwell would defeat Phoenix to become both the Internet Champion and the Warhound Champion, as well as continue his winning streak since joining the company. On February 4, PUG owner Scott Carter stated that Orwell would have to vacant one of the titles, as per the rules of PUG. Instead, Orwell attempted to hand the Internet Championship to his newly-gained ally and follower Jack Bates. Carter refused to allow this to happen and upon threatening to force Orwell to vacate both titles, Orwell eventually vacated the Internet Championship. Later that night, the title was contested for between Bates and Zach Xavier, with Bates narrowly winning the belt.

On March 4, Orwell retained the Warhound title against Victor Romero. Following the match, Orwell and Bates declared dominance over PUG. This was contested by Duncan Harker and Rudy Phoenix, who challenged the duo to a tag team match – with the stipulation that the Internet and Warhound Championships would be on the line. At the next show, on April 1, Orwell and Bates retained over Phoenix and Harker after utilising dirty tactics. Due to this, Carter granted Phoenix and Harker rematches against Orwell and Bates as individuals, with Phoenix challenging Orwell for the Warhound title in a barbed wire cage match. The two met on May 6, with Orwell retaining once again over Phoenix.

After the show, Orwell was challenged by Turner Hyde. Bates, who had lost the Internet title to Harker and thus wanted to prove himself to Orwell, took the challenge instead. On June 3, Orwell was at ringside whilst Bates lost to Hyde, granting Hyde a shot at the Warhound Championship. Disappointed in his follower and seeing no use for him, Orwell attacked Bates after the match, ending their alliance. On July 1, Orwell would lose his winning streak and Warhound title when Hyde defeated him, with the assistance of a vengeful Bates.

Furious, Orwell would attack Bates at PUG Summercide on August 5, laying him out and challenging him to a grudge match on the next show, which Bates would later accept. On September 2, Bates would gain an upset victory over Orwell in their no holds barred grudge match, earning himself a shot at the Warhound Championship in the process. However, on October 7 before Bates and Hyde's title match, Orwell would request his rematch for the title, making the match a triple threat. Hyde retained over both men.

Later that month, Bates called for an end to their feud once and for all, challenging Orwell to a barbed wire casket match, with the loser leaving PUG. Orwell accepted, and the match was set for PUG November Riots. On November 4, Orwell would lose to Bates, signalling the end of his run in PUG. This would be his final appearance for the company before his hiatus.

### **Hiatus (2018)**

Since late 2017, Orwell has been on a hiatus from professional wrestling due to being in rehab for alcohol addiction. In March 2018, he was briefly interviewed by Sports Observer Online and stated that he is “recovering well” and has “never felt better”. When asked about the possibility of returning to pro wrestling, Orwell stated he is “putting [his] mental and physical health before [his] career”, but said “people shouldn't expect [him] to be gone forever”.

## Personal life

In late 2017, it was revealed that Orwell had entered rehab for alcohol addiction. In the past, Orwell has been open about his depression and addictive tendencies, which he states have “put [him] in a bad place before”. As of March 2018, he has been said to have been recovering well.

Orwell holds a black belt in both judo and kickboxing. He is a fan of Emarosa and Slaves, and was known to frequently attend underground post-hardcore concerts in the Santa Monica area when he resided there.

Since 2016, Orwell has been in a relationship with professional wrestler Camila Scorpio. In January 2018, she confirmed through social media that she was the one who convinced Orwell to enter rehab, and the two now live together in Newark, New Jersey.

## Professional wrestling highlights

* **Finishing moves**
	+ *Love Lockdown* (Straitjacket brainbuster)
	+ *Heart Attack* (Flying knee strike)
	+ *Aphrodite's Redemption* (Kraken choke)

* **Signature moves**
	+ *Diary of a Lover* (Series of German suplexes, ending with a release German suplex)
	+ *Heartache* (Series of shoot kicks to the kneeling opponent's chest, followed by a final kick to the head)
	+ *Mercy* (Rolling kneebar)
	+ *Heartbreak Hotel* (Superkick to the knee, followed by a superkick to the head)
	+ Low blow
	+ Suplex variations
		- Exploder
		- Fisherman
		- Snap
		- Double underhook
		- Northern lights
	+ Forearm smash
	+ Knee lifts
	+ Abdominal stretch
	+ Clothesline variations
		- Discus
		- Short-arm
		- Flying
		- Corner
	+ Stomps to limbs/head
	+ Knee drop variations
		- Standing
		- Second-rope
	+ Mounted punches
	+ Eye poke
	+ Kick variations
		- Roundhouse
		- Heel hook
		- Thrust
		- Switchblade
	+ Big boot
	+ European uppercut
	+ Shoulder thrusts in the corner
	+ Chest chops
	+ Headlock

* **Managers**
	+ Jack Bates
* **Nicknames**
	+ "The New Romantic"
	+ "The New Age Horror"
	+ "The Tragic Hero"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "The Jetset Life is Gonna Kill You" by My Chemical Romance (2015–2018)

### **Championships and accomplishments**

* **Black Label Wrestling**
	+ Medal of Absolution (1 time)
	+ Black Label Collective winner (2015; 1 time)
* **Pure Underground**
	+ PUG Internet Champion (1 time)
	+ PUG Warhound Champion (1 time)