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John Morrison (wrestler)
John Morrison (wrestler)
from Wikipedia

John Randall Hennigan[1] (born October 3, 1979),[2] better known by his ring name John Morrison, is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Johnny TV and is a member of MxM TV. He also performs for their sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). He is best known for his tenures in WWE, Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground. He also performs on the independent circuit under various ring names.

Key Information

After winning Tough Enough III (a WWE reality TV competition show that awarded winners a wrestling contract with the company), Hennigan was assigned to its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. WWE promoted Hennigan to its SmackDown! roster in April 2005 under the ring name Johnny Nitro; winning the WWE Tag Team Championship with Joey Mercury in his first match on the show. Hennigan has also held main event roles in several promotions outside of WWE, including Impact Wrestling, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and Lucha Underground. Outside of WWE, he has used several different ring names, including Johnny Impact in Impact Wrestling and Johnny Mundo in various Mexican promotions.

Hennigan has won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, AAA Mega Championship, Impact World Championship, and Lucha Underground Championship once each. In WWE, he also held the Intercontinental Championship three times, and was a six-time tag team champion. In lucha libre, Hennigan was a central fixture in all four seasons of Lucha Underground, and was AAA's first-ever triple champion, holding the AAA Mega Championship, AAA Latin American Championship, and AAA World Cruiserweight Championship simultaneously. He has headlined multiple major events for WWE and Impact, including the latter company's flagship event, Bound for Glory, in 2017 and 2018.

Outside of wrestling, Hennigan has also worked in the film and television industry. In film, he has mainly worked as an actor, producer and stuntman. He also competed as a contestant on the 37th season of the competitive reality show Survivor.

Early life

[edit]

John Randall Hennigan was born on October 3, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Palos Verdes Peninsula, where he attended Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.[3][20] He graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2002, where he studied film and geology.[21][22]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment/WWE (2002–2011)

[edit]

Tough Enough and Ohio Valley Wrestling (2002–2004)

[edit]

After graduating college with a degree in film and geology and deciding that he did not want to pursue either path,[22] Hennigan began his professional wrestling career training at the Supreme Pro Wrestling school in Sacramento, California.[15] After failing his audition for Tough Enough 2,[23] a competition in which the winner earned a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) contract, he was accepted as a cast member for Tough Enough III in 2002, eventually becoming the co-winner with Matt Cappotelli.[24] For winning, Hennigan was awarded a developmental contract and assigned to their developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), to continue his training.[25] Hennigan competed in Acolytes Protection Agency's invitational Bar Room Brawl match on July 27, 2003, at Vengeance.[2] Hennigan and Cappotelli made an appearance on an episode of Heat in January 2004, losing to Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak.[2] In March, Hennigan, going by the ring name "Johnny Superstar", turned on Cappotelli, establishing himself as a heel.[8]

Eric Bischoff's assistant and MNM (2004–2006)

[edit]
Nitro (left) won three WWE Tag Team Championships with Joey Mercury (right) in 2005 and 2006.

On the March 1 episode of Raw, Hennigan debuted on the main roster as a heel under the ring name "Johnny Blaze". His gimmick was that he was the apprentice and assistant of the Raw General Manager, Eric Bischoff.[26] The next week his name was changed to "Johnny Spade",[27] and three weeks after that it was changed to "Johnny Nitro".[28] The Nitro name, which finally stuck, was a reference to WCW Monday Nitro, the flagship show of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) for which Bischoff had previously worked, using the Nitro theme as his ring entrance music.[29] Nitro acted as Bischoff's apprentice and assistant until June, when he was sent back to OVW. To explain his departure, Nitro lost a match on the June 7 episode of Raw against Eugene, which carried the stipulation that upon his loss, he also lost his job, but was actually returned to OVW.[30]

Upon his return to OVW, Nitro was put into a feud with Matt Cappotelli. During the course of the feud, Melina was brought into the company as Nitro's ex-girlfriend and an ally of Cappotelli, only to turn on him and side with Nitro. Not long after, Nitro and Melina were joined by Joey Mercury, forming the stable MNM. MNM wrestled in OVW for around a year, holding the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship once, before losing the titles to Cappotelli and Johnny Jeter in January 2005.[31] They were soon called up to the main SmackDown! brand in April that same year.[32]

In their debut match on the main roster, MNM won the WWE Tag Team Championship from Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio on the April 21 episode of SmackDown!.[33] MNM held the titles for three months, having successful defenses against the teams of Guerrero and Mysterio,[34] and Charlie Haas and Hardcore Holly on May 22 at Judgment Day,[35] before dropping them to the Legion of Doom on July 24 at The Great American Bash.[36] They won the titles again on the October 28 episode of SmackDown! in a four-way match defeating Legion of Doom, The Mexicools, and William Regal and Paul Burchill,[37] but lost them to Rey Mysterio and Batista on the December 16 episode of SmackDown! two days before Armageddon.[38] Due to help from Mark Henry, MNM defeated Mysterio and Batista in a rematch on the December 30 episode of SmackDown! to win the championship for the third time.[39] They began a rivalry with the team of Paul London and Brian Kendrick that lasted over three months,[40] until they dropped the championship to London and Kendrick at Judgment Day on May 21, 2006, with the storyline leading to Nitro and Melina suddenly turning on Mercury after the match, breaking up the group.[41] Melina and Nitro left the SmackDown! brand by losing their jobs in kayfabe.[42]

Singles competition and championship success (2006–2007)

[edit]
After MNM's split, Nitro achieved success as a singles competitor, winning two Intercontinental Championships and the ECW World Heavyweight Championship

The next week, Nitro, along with Melina, debuted on the Raw brand in a loss to WWE Champion John Cena.[43] Nitro was immediately placed in the Intercontinental Championship picture, and at Vengeance on June 25, he defeated champion Shelton Benjamin in a triple threat match also involving Carlito to win the title.[42] Nitro held the championship for four months, retaining against Jeff Hardy on September 17 at Unforgiven,[44] before losing the title back to Hardy on the October 2 episode of Raw.[45] Nitro recaptured the Intercontinental Championship from Hardy on the November 6 episode of Raw,[46] but lost it back to Hardy on the following week's Raw.[47] Also around this time, Nitro entered into a partnership with rapper Kevin Federline, with the duo antagonizing and beginning a rivalry with WWE Champion John Cena.[48] Federline was then, in storyline, trained by Nitro for a match with Cena, which he won after interference from Umaga.[49]

MNM reunited on the November 27 episode of Raw to accept an open challenge from The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) at December to Dismember on December 3, a match that they lost.[50][51] MNM and The Hardys feuded across the brands throughout the month, with the two teams competing in a four-way ladder match for the WWE Tag Team Championship at Armageddon on December 17 also involving Brian Kendrick and Paul London and Dave Taylor and William Regal, which MNM failed to win.[52][53] Nitro challenged Jeff Hardy for the Intercontinental Championship in a steel cage match at New Year's Revolution on January 7, 2007, but lost.[54] MNM lost to The Hardys at the Royal Rumble on January 28, and again at No Way Out on February 18, which ended the feud.[55][56] MNM disbanded as a team when Mercury was released from WWE in March 2007.[57]

After Mercury's departure, Nitro also ended his association with Melina.[58][59] Nitro was placed in a tag team with Kenny Dykstra,[60][61] until the 2007 WWE draft, during which Nitro was drafted to the ECW brand.[62] Nitro made his debut for the brand on the June 19 episode of ECW, with a win over Nunzio,[63] and few days later, on June 24, at Vengeance: Night of Champions, he won the vacant ECW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating CM Punk, replacing the absent Chris Benoit due to the latter's double-murder suicide.[64] A few weeks after winning the title, Nitro was repackaged as John Morrison, a reference to musician Jim Morrison, to whom Hennigan bears a strong physical resemblance.[65] Morrison retained the title against Punk at The Great American Bash on July 22,[66] and on August 26 at SummerSlam.[67] Punk would again challenge for the championship on the September 4 episode of ECW, in which Morrison lost the championship to Punk, ending his reign at 69 days.[68][69] Morrison was then suspended for thirty days for violating WWE's Wellness Program,[citation needed] renewing his feud with Punk upon his return, as well as competing against The Miz for the number one contendership to the title.[70][71][72]

Teaming with The Miz (2007–2009)

[edit]
From 2007 to 2009, Morrison teamed with The Miz, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship and World Tag Team Championship.

Though rivals, Morrison and The Miz faced the dysfunctional tag team of Matt Hardy and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) on the November 16 episode of SmackDown! for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a winning effort, marking Morrison's fourth WWE Tag Team Championship reign.[73] At Survivor Series two days later, Morrison and The Miz were both defeated by CM Punk in a triple threat match for the ECW Championship.[74] After the defeat, the rivalry aspect of Morrison and The Miz's relationship faded, as they were now portrayed as trusting friends. Morrison competed in the 2008 Royal Rumble match on January 27, but failed to win after being eliminated by Kane.[75] In February 2008, Morrison and The Miz were given a streaming segment on WWE.com named The Dirt Sheet in which they mocked other wrestlers and facets of pop culture. Morrison and The Miz co-wrote each episode of The Dirt Sheet each week, and Morrison credits his time in college studying film with contributing to the success of the show.[19] On March 30 at WrestleMania XXIV, Morrison competed in the Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by CM Punk. Despite being unsuccessful, Morrison had a standout performance in the match, in which he performed a moonsault from the top rope to the outside of the ring while holding onto a ladder.[76]

Morrison and The Miz retained the titles against Kane and CM Punk at Judgment Day on May 18[77] and Finlay and Hornswoggle at Night of Champions on June 29,[78] before dropping the titles to Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder on July 20 at The Great American Bash in a fatal four-way match which also featured Jesse and Festus. Neither Morrison nor The Miz were pinned, as Hawkins pinned Jesse to win the titles.[79] Afterwards, they started a feud with Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad) through each team's Internet show, which then transitioned to matches on Raw and on October 26 at Cyber Sunday.[80][81][82] After winning the Slammy Award for Best WWE.com exclusive earlier in the day, Morrison and The Miz won the "Tag Team of the Year" Slammy Award on December 8, 2008 episode of Raw.[83] On December 13, Morrison and The Miz won the World Tag Team Championship from CM Punk and Kofi Kingston at a live event.[84]

Morrison and The Miz engaged themselves in a feud with The Colóns (Carlito and Primo), who were the reigning WWE Tag Team Champions, which resulted in both teams defending their respective championships successfully in separate matches. Their feud culminated in a tag team lumberjack match where both titles were on the line at the WrestleMania 25, but it was The Colóns who would unify the championships with a win.[85] On April 13, as part of the 2009 WWE Draft, The Miz was drafted to the Raw brand to split up the team, and as a result, The Miz attacked Morrison.[86]

Intercontinental Champion (2009–2010)

[edit]
After Morrison was separated from The Miz and drafted to SmackDown, he won his third Intercontinental Championship.

On April 15, Morrison was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2009 Supplemental Draft.[87] On the April 17 episode of SmackDown, he defeated R-Truth.[88] On the May 1 episode of SmackDown, Morrison engaged in a backstage fight with Chris Jericho after Jericho slapped him, turning face in the process for the first time in his career.[89] Later that same night, Morrison defeated Shelton Benjamin, beginning a feud between the two. On the May 7 episode of Superstars, Morrison lost a match to Jericho after a distraction by Benjamin.[90] Morrison continued to score victories over Benjamin in singles and tag team matches before defeating him on May 17 at Judgment Day.[91]

On the September 4 episode of SmackDown, Morrison defeated Rey Mysterio to win his third Intercontinental Championship.[92] Morrison then began a feud with Dolph Ziggler, retaining the title against Ziggler on October 4 at Hell in a Cell,[93] and again on the following episode of SmackDown. The feud between Morrison and Ziggler continued throughout the next month, with the two wrestling to a double countout for the Intercontinental Championship on the November 13 episode of SmackDown and Morrison retaining the championship in a two-out-of-three falls match the following week to end the feud. At Bragging Rights on October 25, Morrison lost to his former tag team partner then-United States Champion The Miz in an interbrand Champion vs. Champion match.[94] Their rivalry continued after both were announced as opposing team captains for Survivor Series on November 22, where Miz's team defeated Morrison's team.[95] Morrison then went on to feud with newcomer Drew McIntyre, who defeated Morrison in a non-title match on the December 4 episode of SmackDown, thus earning a championship opportunity against Morrison.[96] At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 13, Morrison lost the Intercontinental Championship to McIntyre, ending his reign at 103 days.[97] Morrison later won an Elimination Chamber qualifying match[98] and participated in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship on February 21, 2010, but was eliminated by The Undertaker.[99] On the March 5 episode of SmackDown, Morrison teamed with R-Truth to defeat Cryme Tyme and The Hart Dynasty to earn a Unified WWE Tag Team Championship match against ShoMiz (Big Show and The Miz).[100] At WrestleMania XXVI on March 28, they failed to win the championship.[101]

Championship pursuits (2010–2011)

[edit]
Morrison at WWE Tribute to the Troops in December 2010
Morrison's highly acclaimed spot in the Royal Rumble match

On April 26, Morrison was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2010 WWE draft, and lost his first match back for the brand later that night to Jack Swagger.[102] In his final match on SmackDown, he lost to Cody Rhodes.[103] On June 1, Morrison announced that he would be mentoring Eli Cottonwood in the second season of NXT.[104][105] Cottonwood, however, was the second person eliminated from the competition, and was eliminated on the July 27 episode of NXT.[106] Morrison then went on to participate in the main event of SummerSlam on August 15, in which he and six teammates (John Cena, Edge, Chris Jericho, Bret Hart, R-Truth, and Daniel Bryan) were victorious in a seven-on-seven elimination tag team match against The Nexus.[107] In October, Morrison began a feud with Sheamus after he helped Santino Marella earn an upset win during a one-sided match against Sheamus. Within the following weeks, Morrison continued to save Marella from attacks by Sheamus. At Survivor Series on November 21, Morrison defeated Sheamus.[108] Morrison entered the 2010 edition of the King of the Ring tournament, defeating Tyson Kidd, Cody Rhodes, and Alberto Del Rio but lost to Sheamus in the final round.[109][110] He continued to feud with Sheamus and defeated him in a WWE Championship number one contender's ladder match at Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 19.[111] Morrison received his WWE Championship match on the January 3, 2011 episode of Raw, but lost to reigning champion The Miz in a falls count anywhere match.[112] Morrison participated in the Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble on January 30, 2011 and despite not winning, he had a stand-out moment which was praised by critics as "arguably the spot of the decade" when Morrison was knocked off of the ring apron and performed a cat leap onto the barricade to avoid having his feet touch the floor and then went on to precision jump onto the ring steps and re-enter the ring.[113] On February 20, Morrison participated in the Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber, but was eliminated by CM Punk.[114] During the match, Morrison climbed to the top of the cage while inside the cage before dropping to deliver a crossbody on and eliminate Sheamus.[115][116] At WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, Morrison, Trish Stratus and Jersey Shore guest star Snooki defeated Dolph Ziggler and LayCool (Layla and Michelle McCool) in a mixed tag team match.[117]

Morrison participated in feuds for various championships before departing from WWE in 2011.

On the April 11 episode of Raw, Morrison participated in a five-man gauntlet match for the #1 contender's spot for the WWE Championship, but was eliminated by R-Truth.[118] The next week on Raw, Morrison challenged R-Truth to a match with the stipulation that if Morrison won, he would take R-Truth's place in the steel cage match at Extreme Rules. R-Truth accepted and lost the match, making Morrison the new #1 contender.[119] After the match, R-Truth viciously attacked Morrison.[120] At Extreme Rules on May 1, R-Truth interfered in the WWE Championship steel cage match, attacking Morrison to prevent him from winning the match.[121] The next night on Raw, Morrison was attacked by R-Truth again, prior to a scheduled match between the two which did not happen as a result.[122] Morrison then underwent surgery to correct a legitimately pinched nerve in his neck.[123] Morrison initially returned on the June 13 episode of Raw, but R-Truth attacked him again prior to their scheduled match, re-injuring him.[124] Morrison returned again on the July 25 episode of Raw, attacking R-Truth.[125] At SummerSlam on August 14, Morrison, Kofi Kingston and Rey Mysterio defeated R-Truth, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz.[126] The following night on Raw, Morrison defeated R-Truth in a falls count anywhere match to end their feud. At Night of Champions on September 18, Morrison competed in a fatal four-way match for the United States Championship, also involving Alex Riley, Dolph Ziggler, and Jack Swagger, with Ziggler retaining his title.[127] Morrison then challenged Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Championship at Hell in a Cell on October 2, but failed to win the title.[128] Following this, Morrison went on a losing streak, lasting a number of weeks.[129] On the November 7 episode of Raw SuperShow, Morrison picked up his first victory in three months, defeating United States Champion Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match. Morrison challenged Ziggler for the championship at Survivor Series on November 20 but lost.[130]

In his last advertised WWE appearance on the November 28 episode of Raw SuperShow,[131] Morrison faced The Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere match; The Miz won the match by delivering the Skull-Crushing Finale on the steel entrance stage, giving Morrison a (kayfabe) injury. This was used to write Morrison off television, even being stretchered out of the arena after the match.[132] On November 29, WWE acknowledged the end of Morrison's contract,[133] and moved his profile to the alumni section of its website.[16] In a video published on December 9, 2011, via Hennigan's personal YouTube channel, Hennigan claimed that he was taking time off to heal and retrain for a possible return to wrestling in the future.[134] In 2015, Hennigan revealed on Stone Cold Steve Austin's podcast that WWE wanted him to sign another multi-year contract, but due to a neck injury, residual pain, and creative frustrations, he decided to not renew his contract, wanting "more control over [his] time".[135]

Independent circuit (2012–2019)

[edit]

After leaving WWE, Hennigan began wrestling on the independent circuit under his real name, as well as his previous ring name John Morrison.[136] On his first post-WWE wrestling appearance, Hennigan rekindled an old feud, facing off against Shelton Benjamin in the main event of the World Wrestling Fan Xperience (WWFX) Champions Showcase Tour in Manila, Philippines on February 4, 2012. Hennigan won the match to become the inaugural WWFX Heavyweight Champion. On August 12, 2012, Hennigan appeared at Juggalo Championship Wrestling's Bloodymania 6 event, defeating Matt Hardy and Breyer Wellington in a three-way match.[137] On January 25, 2013, Morrison appeared at Dragon Gate USA's Open the Golden Gate, defeating Akira Tozawa in the main event of the show.[138] Hennigan took part in the WrestleMania weekend, wrestling for the Pro Wrestling Syndicate. On April 4, Hennigan defeated Elijah Burke and on April 5, Morrison defeated Japanese legend Jushin Thunder Liger in an "International Dream Match" at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS) event.[139]

Morrison competing in a ladder match in April 2016

On June 21, 2013, Hennigan defeated Carlito Caribbean Cool in FWE Welcome to the Rumble II, winning the FWE Heavyweight Championship.[140] The next day, Hennigan defended the title against Too Cold Scorpio at House of Hardcore 2.[141] On October 12, 2013, at FWE Grand Prix, Hennigan defeated Matt Morgan, retaining the FWE Heavyweight Championship.[142] On March 11, 2015, Hennigan lost the FWE Heavyweight Championship to A.J. Styles.[143]

On June 28, 2016, it was announced that Hennigan would make his debut for Pro Wrestling Guerilla in the company's annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament.[144] He won his match against Matt Sydal in the first round,[145] but was eliminated by Ricochet in the quarter-finals.[146]

On January 28, 2017, Morrison won a tournament at a 5 Star Wrestling event for the 5 Star Wrestling Championship, defeating Moose, Drew Galloway, and Rey Mysterio to win the title.[147] On February 8, 2018, he lost the title against Jake Hager after over a year as champion.

On September 22, Morrison reunited with former MNM tag team partner Joey Mercury after ten years, defeating Reno Scum.[148]

Lucha Underground (2014–2018)

[edit]

In September 2014, it was reported that Hennigan had signed with the El Rey network's new television series, Lucha Underground,[149] where he wrestled under the ring name Johnny Mundo.[7] Mundo wrestled in the main event of the debut episode of Lucha Underground on October 29, 2014, defeating Prince Puma and winning one hundred thousand dollars, which was then taken away from him by promoter Dario Cueto, setting up several feuds.[150] He then teamed with Prince Puma during the November 5, 2014 episode, defeating Cortez Castro and Mr. Cisco. On the November 19 episode, Mundo defeated Big Ryck by disqualification after interference by Castro and Cisco.[151] Mundo then defeated Prince Puma and Big Ryck in the main event of the December 10, 2014 episode, which was a three-way ladder match, to finally win the hundred thousand dollars he was denied in the Lucha Underground debut.[152]

On January 7, 2015, Mundo participated in a 20-man "Aztec Warfare" battle royal for the Lucha Underground Championship. He was the second luchador to enter the ring, but was the last man eliminated by Prince Puma who won the Championship. King Cuerno attacked Mundo on the February 4 episode, beginning a feud between them; the second installment took place on the episode which aired March 11, where Mundo and Cuerno wrestled in a Steel Cage match, which was won by Mundo. On May 13, Mundo turned into a villain when he attacked Alberto El Patrón in his match against Hernandez, throwing him through the window of Dario Cueto's office. Mundo subsequently tossed El Patrón back into the ring, giving Hernandez the win.[153] On the June 17, episode of Lucha Underground, Johnny Mundo unsuccessfully challenged Prince Puma for the Lucha Underground Championship in an Iron Man match. On August 5, 2015, at Ultima Lucha, Mundo defeated Alberto El Patrón after an interference by his girlfriend Melina Perez.[154]

On the February 3, 2016 episode of Lucha Underground, Mundo faced Killshot in a winning effort. After the match, Mundo taunted Lucha Underground Champion Mil Muertes, only to be confronted by Cage.[155] Mundo defeated Cage on February 24, after interference from the debuting Taya, subsequently becoming Mundo's valet.[156] On the May 25 episode of Lucha Underground, Taya revealed to P. J. Black and Jack Evans that their partner Fénix was injured by Mundo. As Mundo revealed himself as Fénix's replacement for their match, Black and Evans allied with the two. Later that night in the main event, Mundo, Black and Evans defeated Rey Mysterio Jr., Prince Puma and Dragon Azteca Jr. to win the Lucha Underground Trios Championship, the first championship for each in Lucha Underground.[157] The week after, Mundo, Black and Evans, now collectively billed as Worldwide Underground, retained their championships in a rematch via disqualification.[158][159] Worldwide Underground lost their titles to Aero Star, Drago and Fénix at the third and final part Ultima Lucha Dos, which aired on July 20.[160]

On the October 26 episode of Lucha Underground, Mundo defeated Sexy Star to win the Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Championship after he knocked out Sexy Star with brass knuckles while the referee was unaware.[161][162] On the November 23 episode of Lucha Underground, he cashed in his Gift of the Gods Championship on Sexy Star before defeating her to win the Lucha Underground Championship, becoming the second Triple Crown Champion in Lucha Underground history.[163] On the December 21 episode of Lucha Underground, Mundo successfully defended his championship in a rematch against Sexy Star inside a steel cage. He lost the title to Prince Puma at Ultima Lucha Tres.[164]

Mundo made his return on the fourth season's premiere, competing in Aztec Warfare entering at number 11. Mundo eliminated Ricky Mundo and Daga before getting eliminated by Marty Martinez and being attacked by the Reptile Tribe. On November 17, 2018, Mundo wrestled on the final episode of Lucha Underground, Ultima Lucha Cuatro, defeating Matanza Cueto in a Sacrifice to the Gods match.[citation needed]

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2015–2018)

[edit]

On May 24, 2015, Mundo made his debut for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) at the Lucha Libre World Cup event representing Lucha Underground as a member of "Team TNA/Lucha Underground" alongside TNA wrestlers Matt Hardy and Mr. Anderson. They finished in second place, losing in the finals to the "Dream Team" (El Patrón Alberto, Myzteziz and Rey Mysterio Jr.).[165]

On June 4, 2015 in the main event of Verano de Escándalo, Mundo established himself as a rudo (or villain) and teamed with El Mesias and Pentagón Jr. losing to Myzteziz, La Parka and Rey Mysterio Jr.[166] On September 27, Konnan announced Mundo as an official member of the rudo stable, La Sociedad, while he subsequently stepped down as the leader of the group.[167] On October 4, at Héroes Inmortales IX, Mundo unsuccessfully challenged El Patrón Alberto for the AAA Mega Championship, when he was defeated by disqualification.[168] After Alberto left AAA, Mundo was scheduled to face Rey Mysterio Jr. for the vacant AAA Mega Championship at Guerra de Titanes, but after the matches of the event were officially announced, neither Mundo nor Mysterio were featured for the event.[169] Mundo participated in the 2016 Lucha Libre World Cup as a member of "Team Lucha Underground" alongside Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Brian Cage, defeating "Team Mexico Leyendas" (Blue Demon Jr., Canek, and La Parka) in the quarter-finals,[170] and "Team Mexico International" (Rey Mysterio Jr., Dr. Wagner Jr., and Dragon Azteca Jr.) in the semi-finals. Mundo's team won the tournament defeating "Team AAA" (Pentagón Jr., El Texano Jr. and Psycho Clown) in the finals.[171]

Mundo, wearing USA-themed ring attire, in a match against Pentagon Jr. in June 2016

After adopting an "anti-Mexico" attitude and teaming with El Mesías and Hernandez to defeat El Texano Jr., El Hijo del Fantasma and Pentagón Jr., Mundo challenged the latter to a match at Triplemanía XXIV for the AAA Latin American Championship, to which Pentagón accepted.[172][173] At the event, on August 28, Mundo defeated Pentagón to win the Latin American Championship, marking his first championship in AAA and becoming the first non-Mexican to hold the title.[174] On October 2 in the main event of Héroes Inmortales X, Mundo successfully defended his title against Garza Jr.[175] On March 19, 2017, at Rey de Reyes, Mundo defeated El Texano Jr. and El Hijo del Fantasma in a three-way match to not only retain the Latin American Championship, but to also win Texano's AAA Mega Championship and Fantasma's AAA World Cruiserweight Championship.[176] In his first AAA Mega Championship defense, on June 30, Mundo successfully retained his title against Texano.[citation needed]

In July 2017, Mundo and his fiancée Kira Forster, known as Taya, were involved in controversy with AAA and its Director of Talent Vampiro, which led to Taya's departure from the company. According to Wrestling Observer, AAA asked Mundo to turn in Taya's Reina de Reinas Championship for a photo shoot the day prior to an event on July 1. A few weeks later, Vampiro addressed to the live crowd that Forster was stripped of the title due to not appearing to defend her title, despite not being scheduled to appear.[177]

On August 26, at Triplemanía XXV, Mundo successfully defended his three championships against Fantasma and Texano in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match. On October 1 at Héroes Inmortales XI, Mundo wrestled in three matches, retaining the Mega Championship against Rey Wagner, but losing the Latin American Championship to Fantasma in the annual Copa Antonio Peña battle royal, and the World Cruiserweight Championship to Lanzelot in a ten-way match, ending his triple championship reign at 196 days.[178]

On January 26, 2018 at Guerra de Titanes, Mundo lost the AAA Mega Championship to Rey Wagner, ending his reign at 314 days.[citation needed]

Impact Wrestling (2017–2019)

[edit]

Championship pursuits (2017–2018)

[edit]
Johnny Impact wrestling Eli Drake at Bound for Glory

In August 2017, despite not being signed to the promotion at the time,[179] Hennigan appeared for Impact Wrestling at some live events.[180] On August 17, a video package was shown at Destination X revealing his ring name as Johnny Impact.[6] His first feud in the promotion was with Eli Drake, when Impact made his televised in-ring debut on the August 24 episode of Impact!, participating in a Gauntlet for the Gold match for the vacant Global Championship, but was eliminated by eventual winner Eli Drake. Impact would face Drake for the title at Victory Road on September 28[181] and Bound for Glory on November 5, where he failed to win the title.[182] Since the Bound for Glory match ended after Alberto El Patrón made an interference, Impact, Alberto and Drake had a three-way Last Chance Six Sides of Steel match on the January 25, 2018 episode of Impact!, where Drake retained the title.[183]

After Drake lost the renamed Impact World Championship to Austin Aries, Impact began pursuit of Aries's championship, facing him at Crossroads special on March 8, where he lost again. On the April 19 episode of Impact!, Johnny Impact was attacked and injured by Kongo Kong, which was performed to write him off television in order to film for reality television show Survivor.[184] Impact returned at Slammiversary XVI on July 22, when he won a four-way match against Fenix, Taiji Ishimori, and Petey Williams.[185]

Impact World Champion (2018–2019)

[edit]

Impact began a feud with the Impact World Champion Austin Aries, which led to a match at Bound for Glory.[186] As the PPV moved closer, the feud started to blur the lines between a work (something scripted) and shoot (something real), beginning with the two wrestlers trading insults on Twitter that they appeared to take personal, with Aries later deleting many of his tweets.[187] Specifically, Impact mocked Aries' short stature and the champion responded by making fun of his wife's weight. Aries and Impact both alleged in the media that they authentically took issue with comments.[188] TMZ Live also pushed the angle "like [it] was a shoot".[189] The two wrestlers got in a brawl the night before Bound for Glory during Abyss's Impact Hall of Fame induction.[190] At the event on October 14, Impact defeated Aries to win the Impact World Championship. Throughout the following weeks, Impact successfully defended his title against Fénix, Killer Kross, and Matt Sydal. At Homecoming on January 6, 2019, Impact defeated Brian Cage to retain his championship.[191]

During the February tapings for Impact Wrestling, Impact defended his title in a four-way contest involving Killer Kross, Moose and Brian Cage. Impact hit his finisher on Moose, barely seconds prior to Cage hitting his Drill Claw finisher on Killer Kross. As Impact was able to cover his opponent first the referee was able to provide the count and therefore Impact won the match as Brian Cage went to cover his opponent.[citation needed] On the March 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Impact's wife Taya Valkyrie would low blow Cage, which allowed Impact to attack Cage, turning into a villain.[192] At United We Stand on April 4, Impact won a five-way Ultimate X match to become the number one contender for the Impact X Division Championship. Throughout April, Impact successfully defended his title from Cage, often with interferences from Valkyrie and former referee John E Bravo.[193] At Rebellion on April 28, Impact, accompanied by Valkyrie and Bravo, lost the title to Cage in a match where Lance Storm was special guest referee; this left Impact's reign to end at 196 days, leaving it the longest reign since Bobby Roode's 2011–2012 reign, and therefore the longest reign in seven years, as well as the third-longest reign in history.[194][195]

On the May 31 episode of Impact Wrestling, Impact challenged X Division Champion Rich Swann to a title match at Slammiversary XVII. Later that night, he teamed with Michael Elgin to face Swann and Willie Mack in a tag team match, in which Swann pinned Impact.[196] At Slammiversary XVII on July 7, Impact lost to Swann.[197] On July 8, Pro Wrestling Insider reported that Hennigan's contract with Impact Wrestling had expired several weeks prior to the event, and the two sides agreed to have Hennigan work until Slammiversary.[198]

Major League Wrestling (2017–2018)

[edit]

On December 7, 2017, Hennigan debuted for Major League Wrestling (MLW) in the main event of the Never Say Never event, teaming with Shane Strickland in a loss to Darby Allin and Jimmy Havoc.[199] On July 19, 2018, at Battle Riot I, Hennigan participated in the 40-man Battle Riot match, which was won by Tom Lawlor.[200] On September 6, in the main event of WarGames, Hennigan participated in a WarGames match, teaming with Shane Strickland, Tommy Dreamer, Barrington Hughes and Kotto Brazil to defeat Abyss, Jimmy Havoc, Sami Callihan, Fulton and Leon Scott.[201]

Return to WWE (2019–2021)

[edit]

On September 26, 2019, it was reported by Mike Johnson of Pro Wrestling Insider that Hennigan had re-signed with WWE, which was officially confirmed by the company on December 3 during WWE Backstage.[202][203][204] He made his return on January 3, 2020 episode of SmackDown under his John Morrison ring name and resumed his partnership with The Miz, thus re-establishing him as a heel for the first time in WWE since 2009.[205][206] They would feud with the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The New Day, with Morrison winning singles matches against Big E and Kofi Kingston.[207][208] At Royal Rumble on January 26, 2020, Morrison participated in the Royal Rumble match as the fifth entrant, but he was eliminated by Brock Lesnar.[209] At Super ShowDown on February 27, The Miz and Morrison won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from The New Day.[210][211][212][213]

On March 8, Morrison and The Miz had their first title defense in a tag team Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber, successfully defending their titles against The New Day, The Usos, Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker), Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado), and Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.[214] On the first night of WrestleMania 36 on April 4, after The Miz's absence due to illness,[215] Morrison defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championships by himself in a ladder match against Kofi Kingston and Jimmy Uso, in which he was successful.[216] On the April 17 episode of SmackDown, the duo lost the titles back to The New Day after The Miz unsuccessfully defended the titles by himself in a triple threat match against Big E and Jey Uso ending their reign at 50 days.[217] At Money in the Bank on May 10, Morrison and The Miz unsuccessfully attempted to regain the championship in a fatal four-way tag team match also involving Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado) and The Forgotten Sons (Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake).[218] Morrison and The Miz then started a rivalry with Universal Champion Braun Strowman.[219][220] At Backlash on June 14, the duo competed for Strowman's title in a two-on-one handicap match, but lost.[221] As part of the 2020 Draft in October, both Morrison and The Miz were drafted to the Raw brand.[222] Prior to the draft, Morrison and The Miz entered a feud with Otis for his Money in the Bank contract. At Hell in a Cell on October 25, Morrison accompanied The Miz in his match against Otis for the contract, which Miz won.[223][224]

"He's come back and he's kind of been, like, the handyman. He ain't the handyman ... Put some respect on his name because John Morrison is a superstar when given the right opportunity."

Bobby Lashley on Morrison's role in WWE in March 2021.[225]

On the December 7 episode of Raw, Morrison ended a nearly seven-month losing streak after defeating Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a 3-on-2 handicap match alongside The Miz and AJ Styles.[226][227] Morrison entered the 2021 Royal Rumble match on January 31, lasting over eight minutes before being eliminated by Damian Priest.[228] At the Elimination Chamber event on February 21, Morrison defeated Ricochet, Elias, and Mustafa Ali in a fatal four-way match for a spot in the United States Championship match later that night.[229][230] However, he failed to win the title in a triple threat match against Riddle and reigning champion Bobby Lashley, which was won by Riddle.[231] After this, Morrison and Miz feuded with rapper Bad Bunny and Damian Priest.[228][232][233] At WrestleMania 37 on April 10, Morrison and The Miz lost to Bad Bunny and Priest.[234]

After The Miz suffered an injury at WrestleMania Backlash on May 16, Morrison would embark on a singles run, starting by defeating Jeff Hardy on the June 14 episode of Raw. The following week, Morrison defeated Randy Orton to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match at the namesake pay-per-view event on July 18,[235] which was won by Big E.[236] On the August 23 episode of Raw, The Miz turned on Morrison by attacking him, thus turning Morrison face and setting up a feud between the pair.[237] However, the feud abruptly ended after the Miz took a hiatus to compete on Dancing with the Stars.[238] On November 18, as part of an eighth round of layoffs due to budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrison was released from his WWE contract.[239]

Return to AAA (2022–2023)

[edit]

On February 19, 2022, Hennigan returned to AAA as "Johnny Superstar" (his former ring name in Ohio Valley Wrestling),[8] and unsuccessfully challenged El Hijo del Vikingo at Rey de Reyes for the AAA Mega Championship.[9][240] At Triplemanía XXX: Monterrey, Hennigan, now under the name "Johnny Caballero", teamed with Taurus in a three-way tag team match to defeat Dragon Lee and Dralístico, and Laredo Kid and Jack Cartwheel.[241] In the main event of Triplemanía XXX: Tijuana, Caballero was revealed as Matt Hardy's mystery tag team partner (due to his original partner Jeff Hardy's arrest five days prior). Caballero, who went under the name "Johnny Hardy", and Matt Hardy lost their match against Dragon Lee and Dralístico.[5] At Triplemanía XXX: Mexico City on October 15, Caballero teamed with Brian Cage and Sam Adonis in a three-way trios match for the AAA World Trios Championship against Psycho Clown, Laredo Kid, and Bandido and champions Nueva Generación Dinamita (El Cuatrero, Sansón, and Forastero).[242] Caballero pinned Laredo Kid to win the match for his team, but did not win the World Trios Championship due to the match stipulation in which the champions must be pinned to win the titles.[243]

At the 2023 Lucha Libre World Cup, Caballero teamed with Christopher Daniels and Sam Adonis as Team United States. In the tournament finals, they fought Team Mexico (Taurus, Pentagón Jr., and Laredo Kid) to a draw; Caballero subsequently lost a sudden death match against Team Mexico's Pentagon Jr.[244]

Return to the independent circuit (2022–present)

[edit]

On March 31, 2022, Hennigan debuted for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 8, defeating Simon Gotch.[245] The following day, Hennigan, as "Johnny Caballero", wrestled at GCW's Wrld on Lucha event, defeating Jack Cartwheel.[246] On May 28, Hennigan appeared at GCW's Downward Spiral event under the name "Johnny Game Changer", defeating Joey Janela.[247][248] On June 3, Hennigan debuted for Progress Wrestling in the Super Strong Style 16 tournament under the name "Johnny Progress".[13] He defeated Jack Evans in the first round and Aramis in the quarterfinals,[249][250] before losing to Warren Banks in the semifinals.[251]

On March 23, 2025, Hennigan appeared at the Beynefit for Bey event hosted by Future Stars of Wrestling (FSW), a benefit show in support of Chris Bey. At the event, he wrestled under his John Morrison name in a three-way match against Ace Austin and Lio Rush, which was won by Austin.[252]

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2022–present)

[edit]

On the May 18, 2022 episode of Dynamite, under the ring name "Johnny Elite", Hennigan debuted for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as the surprise "Joker" entrant in the Owen Hart Cup Memorial Tournament's quarterfinals, being defeated by Samoa Joe.[253] After the match, it was reported that Hennigan had not signed a contract with AEW, but that "the door is open" for him to return.[254] On the May 27 episode of AEW Dark, Elite scored his first victory by defeating Marq Quen.[255] On the June 1 episode of Dynamite, he issued an "open contract" challenge which was answered by a returning Miro, who defeated Elite.[256]

On the June 23, 2023 episode of Rampage, under the new ring name "Johnny TV", Hennigan returned to AEW as the newest member of Q. T. Marshall's stable QTV after attacking Billy Gunn.[257][258] The following week on Rampage, TV and Marshall defeated Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy in their debut match as a team.[259] On the August 11 episode of Rampage, TV unsuccessfully challenged Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Championship.[260]

After the dissolution of QTV, Johnny TV began appearing for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). At Final Battle on December 15, TV interfered in the Survival of the Fittest match for the vacant ROH World Television Championship by attacking Dalton Castle. In the following weeks, TV and Castle appeared in various segments in which the latter attempted to have a match with TV, but would be rebuffed until February 2024, when TV agreed to a match for the custody of Castle's teammates The Boys (Brandon and Brent Tate). On the February 29 episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling, Johnny TV defeated Castle and gained custody of The Boys.[261] At Supercard of Honor, Castle defeated Johnny TV in a Fight Without Honor with assistance from several people disguised as The Boys, including Jack Cartwheel and Paul Walter Hauser.[262] At Death Before Dishonor on July 26, Johnny TV participated in a Survival of the Fittest match for the ROH World Television Championship against Brian Cage, Lee Johnson, Lio Rush, Shane Taylor, and reigning champion Atlantis Jr., making it to the final three before being eliminated by Cage.[263]

On the November 2, 2024 episode of Collision, TV formed an alliance with MxM Collection.[264] At the Revolution pre-show on March 9, 2025, TV and MxM Collection lost to "Big Boom!" A.J., Orange Cassidy and Mark Briscoe in a trios match.[265] TV and MxM Collection were later joined by TV's real-life wife Taya Valkyrie, renaming MxM Collection to MxM TV.[266][267]

Return to MLW (2023)

[edit]

On January 7, 2023, Hennigan returned to Major League Wrestling at their Blood and Thunder pay-per-view under the ring name Johnny Fusion and defeated Davey Richards to win their National Openweight Championship. On April 6, at War Chamber, Hennigan lost the title to Jacob Fatu, ending his reign at 89 days.[268]

Professional wrestling style and persona

[edit]
Morrison performing Starship Pain, a split-legged corkscrew moonsault

Hennigan was described by WWE as having "lightning-fast offense", "high-risk aerial expertise", and "incredible agility".[269] He is known to utilize a split-legged corkscrew moonsault, dubbed Starship Pain, as a finishing maneuver. During his singles run as Johnny Nitro, he used a standing shooting star press as his finisher.[270] After transitioning to his John Morrison character, Hennigan began using a corkscrew neckbreaker dubbed Moonlight Drive, in reference to the song of the same name written by Jim Morrison.[271][272] He also prominently used a superkick as a finisher in 2008 during a feud with D-Generation X, as a way to mock Shawn Michaels's Sweet Chin Music maneuver.[273][274] During his time in Impact Wrestling, he used a diving 450 elbow drop as a finisher called the Impact Elbow.[citation needed] Hennigan is a practitioner of parkour and often incorporates it into his wrestling style, giving him the nickname "The Prince of Parkour".[16][275] He also has a background in amateur wrestling, breakdancing, gymnastics, and martial arts.[276] Regarding his unique wrestling style, Hennigan stated in a 2021 interview with Sports Illustrated:

My movement background is different from everyone on the roster. I was an amateur collegiate wrestler at UC Davis. I also did gymnastics at UC Davis. I've studied kung fu, boxing, capoeira, stunt fighting, parkour—I am a master at all those disciplines. Applying those movement patterns is what I do in the ring.[277]

Alongside his team MNM, Hennigan debuted on WWE television as Johnny Nitro, presenting himself as an arrogant wrestler with "elite Hollywood status".[278] After winning the ECW World Championship in 2007, he changed his ring name to John Morrison and his gimmick was tweaked to be even more conceited and self-aggrandizing[279] — in addition to being modeled after Jim Morrison, the legendary frontman of the 1960s rock band The Doors, to whom he bears a strong resemblance.[65] Following his return to WWE and reunion with his tag team partner the Miz in 2020, Hennigan added a comedic aspect to his villainous character, with WWE describing him as using "quirkiness and quick wit to shine every time he is on screen".[16] He also began to refer to himself as "Johnny Drip Drip", a reference to the song "Drip" by rapper Cardi B.[235]

Outside of WWE, Hennigan began referring to himself as the "Mayor of Slamtown", a fictional town he first coined in Lucha Underground in 2015. Hennigan filed to trademark the term "Slamtown" in November 2020.[280]

Boxing record

[edit]
1 fight 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Win 1–0 Harley Morenstein TKO 3 (5) April 15, 2023 Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S. Exhibition bout

Other media

[edit]

In 2009, Hennigan and Maryse Ouellet were interviewed on Eurosport.[281] In 2009, Hennigan appeared on two episodes of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, which were both aired on September 29.[282][283] Hennigan is the subject of a WWE DVD, called John Morrison – Rock Star, which was released on February 16, 2010.[19][284] The DVD covers his career from his name change to John Morrison up until his Intercontinental Championship win in September 2009.[19][284] He appeared on an episode of Destroy Build Destroy on March 3, 2010.[285] Hennigan was on the cover of Muscle & Fitness in June 2010, with the issue also featuring an interview and photo shoot.[286] In 2016, Hennigan, Rey Mysterio, and King Cuerno appeared on ESPN to promote the second season of Lucha Underground.[287]

Hennigan is also a frequent collaborator with comic book-based film producers Bat in the Sun Productions, appearing in two episodes of their well-known Super Power Beat Down series; playing as Casey Jones against Kick-Ass in episode 13,[288] and as Winter Soldier against Nightwing in episode 19.[289] Hennigan portrayed Eternal Warrior in the web series Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe, produced by Valiant Entertainment and directed by Bat in the Sun.[290][291]

Hennigan is a playable character in WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2007 and WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2008 as "Johnny Nitro", WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2009, WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010, WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2011, WWE '12 and WWE 2K22 as "John Morrison", and RetroMania Wrestling under the name "Johnny Retro".[citation needed]

Filmmaking

[edit]

After leaving WWE in 2011, Hennigan pursued a career in the film industry as an actor and filmmaker. In 2013, he appeared in 20 Feet Below: The Darkness Descending with Danny Trejo, as well as served as co-producer of the film.[292] In 2017, Hennigan released his first feature film titled Boone: The Bounty Hunter, which he starred in, co-wrote, and served as executive producer of. Hennigan sold his house in order to finance the film.[293]

On October 31, 2022, Hennigan announced the release of his directorial debut, a comedy horror short film titled The Iron Sheik Massacre which he also produced and co-wrote with his wife Kira Forster.[294] The film stars Hennigan and Forster alongside fellow wrestlers Karrion Kross, PJ Black, Holly Meowy, Super Panda, and the voice of The Iron Sheik,[295][296] and had its first screening on November 5, 2022 at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.[297]

Survivor: David vs. Goliath

[edit]

Hennigan was a contestant on the 37th season of Survivor, Survivor: David vs. Goliath where he was originally part of the Goliath tribe and later the Tiva tribe before making it to the merged tribe Kalokalo. He finished 12th out of 20 contestants and became the second member of the jury after the former members of the Goliath tribe were blindsided at tribal council; two contestants used hidden immunity idols, causing Hennigan to be eliminated despite only having three elimination votes, as Christian Hubicki, who received seven, was immune.[298]

Hennigan's performance as a contestant and the episode of his elimination received critical acclaim. Chris Chase of USA Today praised Hennigan for being "true to everything we've seen from him this season, [and] a class act after his shock defeat".[299] Writing for People, former Survivor contestant Stephen Fishbach highlighted that "in a tribal council that was meant to take out the Davidest David [Christian Hubicki], it was really the Goliath of the Goliaths [Hennigan] who fell. How perfectly Biblical."[300] The show's executive producer and host Jeff Probst was "so impressed" with Hennigan, describing him as "the guy who catches the winning touchdown pass in the final moments of the Super Bowl, and then, instead of some crazy celebration, he casually tosses the ball to the ref, kisses his wife and hugs his kids", alongside stating that he would "absolutely" have Hennigan back on the show.[301]

Boxing

[edit]

On May 14, 2022, Hennigan appeared at the Creator Clash event, accompanying Nathan Barnatt (known as "Dad") for his match against Matt Watson, which Barnatt won. In January 2023, it was announced that Hennigan would fight Harley Morenstein at Creator Clash 2 in his boxing debut.[302] On the night of the event, Hennigan defeated Morenstein via TKO in the third round.[303] He was accompanied to the ring by fellow WWE wrestlers including LA Knight, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Mojo Rawley and "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan.[304]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2010 John Morrison – Rock Star Himself Credited as John Morrison
2012 Legion of the Black Lead Shadow Creature
2013 20 Feet Below: The Darkness Descending Razor Co-producer
2014 Ascent to Hell Roman
Hercules Reborn Hercules Stunts performer
2015 Wrestling Isn't Wrestling 80s Russian Wrestler
American Justice Officer Reid
Russell Madness The Hammer
Stormageddon Adam
2016 Sinbad and The War of the Furies Sinbad
2017 Boone: The Bounty Hunter Boone Co-writer
Executive producer
Dave Made a Maze The Minotaur
Never Leave Alive Rick Rainsford
2018 Strange Nature Sam Co-producer
2020 Birds of Prey Lords Gang Member Stunts performer
The Speed of Time Johnny Killfire Producer
Fight coordinator
2022 The Iron Sheik Massacre John Short film
Director, writer, and producer
Also released as The Sheik Massacre
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2002–2003 Tough Enough III Himself 14 episodes; Co-winner
2009 Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Himself 2 episodes
2010 Destroy Build Destroy Himself 1 episode
2013 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Sammy Episode: "A Hard Drive to Swallow"
2014–2018 Lucha Underground Johnny Mundo
2016 Shameless Cody Episode: "Hiraeth"
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Brash Roderick Episode: "Predator Party"
2017 Days of Our Lives Goon #2 1 episode
Baby Daddy Ryan Davidson Episode: "Ben Rides a Unicorn"
GLOW Salty Johnson Episode: "Pilot"
The Last Ship Ares 3 episodes
The Guest Book Steve Episode: "Story Four"
Sharknado 5: Global Swarming Rodolfo Television film
2018 Survivor: David vs. Goliath Himself 14 episodes; 12th place and 2nd jury member
2018–2020 Miz & Mrs. Himself 5 episodes
2022 The Guardians of Justice Red Talon Episode: "It Was Murder, She Said!"
Web
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Video Game High School Crazy Napalm Suit 1 episode; cameo
2014–2016 Super Power Beat Down Casey Jones / Winter Soldier 2 episodes
2016 Free Play Himself Episode: "Lucha Libre with Johnny Mundo"[305]
2017 Haus of Pain Himself Documentary[306]
2018 Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe Eternal Warrior 6 episodes
2019 Being The Elite Himself Episode: "What Time Is It In London?"
2020 Dad: Andan's Run Aelpha YouTube movie based on Dad Feels series[307]
Video games
Year Title
2006 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
2007 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008
2008 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009
2009 WWE Legends of WrestleMania
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
2010 WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011
2011 WWE All Stars
WWE '12
2021 RetroMania Wrestling
2022 WWE 2K22

Personal life

[edit]

Hennigan is good friends with fellow professional wrestlers The Miz,[308] Dolph Ziggler,[308] Matt Cardona,[308] Jeff Hardy,[19][309] and Randy Orton.[235][310] He was also good friends with Shad Gaspard, and still is with JTG, of Cryme Tyme, and was a part of the search team after Gaspard's disappearance and death.[311]

Hennigan was involved in an on-off relationship with former WWE Diva and on-screen manager Melina Perez from 2003 to 2015. The pair met during the auditions for Tough Enough III, in which Perez was cut and Hennigan eventually won.[312] Since 2016, Hennigan has been in a relationship with Kira Forster, better known as Taya Valkyrie.[313] The pair met through the affiliation between AAA and Lucha Underground, with Forster becoming Hennigan's on-screen partner in the latter promotion prior to their real-life relationship.[314] They became engaged on June 14, 2017,[315] and were married on June 1, 2018.[316]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Morrison (as Johnny Impact) is a former Impact World Champion in Impact Wrestling...
...a three-time WWE Intercontinental Champion...
...and an overall six-time tag team champion in WWE (shown here with the WWE Tag Team Championship, which he held four times)

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
John Randall Hennigan (born October 3, 1979), better known by his ring name John Morrison, is an American wrestler, , and traceur signed to (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Johnny TV as part of the MxM TV stable alongside his wife, fellow wrestler . Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 215 pounds, Hennigan is renowned for his high-flying athleticism influenced by training, earning him monikers like "The Prince of Parkour," "The Guru of Greatness," and "The Shaman of Sexy." His career spans over two decades, marked by innovative in-ring style, multiple reigns, and a blend of Hollywood flair in his entrances and persona. Hennigan rose to prominence in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) after winning the third season of Tough Enough in 2003, which earned him a developmental contract. Debuting as Johnny Nitro, he formed the tag team MNM with Joey Mercury and Melina, capturing the WWE Tag Team Championship three times between 2005 and 2006. Transitioning to a singles competitor under the John Morrison moniker in 2007, he achieved major success on the ECW brand by defeating CM Punk for the ECW World Championship at Vengeance: Night of Champions, holding the title for three months. Morrison won the Intercontinental Championship three times—first and second as Johnny Nitro in 2006, and third as John Morrison in 2009—with defenses in high-profile feuds. He partnered with The Miz to secure three tag team championships, including the WWE Tag Team Championship twice and the World Tag Team Championship once, highlighted by their revival of the talk show segment The Dirt Sheet. After departing WWE in 2010, Hennigan competed internationally under names like Johnny Mundo, winning the , the in promotions such as and Impact Wrestling (as Johnny Impact), where he captured the Impact World Championship. He briefly returned to in late 2019 for a multi-year deal, reuniting with as "The Dirtiest Tag Team in the Game," but was released in November 2021 amid company roster changes. Since then, he has thrived on the independent circuit and in AEW, incorporating his signature moves like Starship Pain (a corkscrew ) and Moonlight Drive into dynamic performances, while also pursuing acting roles in films and television.

Early life and training

Early life

John Randall Hennigan was born on October 3, 1979, in , . He grew up in Palos Verdes Estates on the with his parents and two younger sisters. During his childhood, Hennigan developed an early interest in athletics and , influenced by action films featuring performers like . Hennigan attended , where he excelled as a standout wrestler and track athlete, notably holding the school record in as a senior in 1997. His high school experiences in competitive sports laid a foundation for his physical discipline and performance skills. After graduating from high school, Hennigan enrolled at the , where he majored in with aspirations of creating action movies. He graduated in 2002 and was actively involved in campus athletics, participating on the wrestling and track teams as well as the and kung fu clubs. Reflecting on his time there, Hennigan noted, “The last several years at UC Davis, I was a Rec Hall gym rat. I was there five hours a day. There was a variety of talented people and a sharing of physical movement skills and ideas. That type of environment laid the foundation for my success athletically and professionally.”

Wrestling training and debut

John Randall Hennigan, better known by his ring name John Morrison, initiated his professional wrestling training at the Supreme Pro Wrestling school in , following his decision to forgo other career paths in and . This training regimen honed his athletic abilities, drawing on his background in to develop the high-flying style that would become his signature. Eager to break into the industry, Hennigan auditioned for the second season of WWE's reality competition Tough Enough in 2002 but failed to secure a spot on the cast. Undeterred, he was selected for the third season of Tough Enough, which premiered on October 17, 2002 and was filmed at WWE's developmental facility in . During the competition, Hennigan demonstrated resilience and skill, ultimately co-winning the season finale on January 23, 2003, alongside and earning a developmental with . Hennigan's professional in-ring debut occurred shortly after in WWE's developmental territory, (OVW), in late 2003, where he competed under his real name while continuing to refine his technique under the guidance of OVW trainers including . His early OVW appearances focused on work and building fundamentals, setting the stage for his eventual main roster call-up.

Professional wrestling career

WWE career (2002–2011)

John Randall Hennigan, performing under the ring name Johnny Nitro initially, signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2003 after co-winning the third season of Tough Enough, a reality competition that granted contestants developmental contracts. Alongside co-winner Matt Cappotelli, Nitro began training at WWE's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) territory, where he debuted in late 2003 and quickly established himself as a high-flying, agile performer with a cocky heel persona. His early OVW matches showcased athletic maneuvers like corkscrew moonsaults, drawing comparisons to agile competitors such as Rey Mysterio, though Nitro's style emphasized technical precision over pure lucha libre flair. Nitro made his WWE television debut on the December 13, 2004, episode of Raw as part of Eric Bischoff's on-screen entourage, but his full-time push came on SmackDown in 2005 after transitioning from OVW. There, he formed the stable MNM with fellow OVW alum Joey Mercury and valet Melina Perez, debuting as a flashy, Hollywood-inspired tag team on April 14, 2005. MNM captured the WWE Tag Team Championship just a week later on May 1 at Judgment Day, defeating Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio in a ladder match, marking Nitro's first WWE title. The group feuded prominently with Guerrero and Mysterio, regaining the titles in a four-way match on October 28, 2005, and winning them a third time on December 30 against Batista and Mysterio, holding the belts for a combined 238 days across reigns that highlighted MNM's chemistry and Melina's provocative distractions. The stable's run ended abruptly at Judgment Day 2006, when MNM lost the titles to Paul London and Brian Kendrick; Mercury's subsequent injury led to the group's dissolution, shifting Nitro toward singles competition. Following MNM's breakup, Nitro was drafted to the revived ECW brand in the 2006 Supplemental Draft on June 6, where he adopted a more intense persona aligned with the promotion's hardcore roots while retaining his aerial prowess. On June 25, 2006, at Vengeance, he won the in a triple threat match against and Carlito, holding it for 19 days before losing to Umaga. Nitro recaptured the Intercontinental title on November 6, 2006, defeating on Raw in a match praised for its fast-paced exchanges, but dropped it back to Hardy shortly after on November 13 in a . In mid-2007, he underwent a character overhaul, rebranding as John Morrison with a rock-star gimmick featuring elaborate entrances, parkour-inspired segments, and the signature "Moonlight Drive" corkscrew kick. This evolution culminated in his sole ECW World Championship win on June 24, 2007, at Vengeance: Night of Champions, where he defeated via pinfall after a grueling 15-minute bout, reigning for 72 days amid feuds with Punk and . Morrison's ECW tenure solidified his midcard status, blending high-flying offense with mic skills that positioned him as a charismatic . In late 2007, Morrison transitioned to SmackDown and formed an unlikely alliance with , blending their egos into a dominant that revived his championship success. The duo debuted their talk segment The Dirt Sheet on December 29, 2007, which ran for over 100 episodes and earned acclaim for its satirical promos and celebrity guests, boosting both performers' visibility. On the November 16, 2007, episode of SmackDown, Morrison and defeated and MVP to win the , their first of two reigns together on SmackDown, defending against teams like and . After a draft to Raw in 2008, they captured the World on December 13 against and , holding it until April 2009 and feuding with teams such as Legacy and The Colóns. The partnership soured into a high-profile rivalry, highlighted by a 2009 Bragging Rights match where Morrison lost to , ending their tag dominance but elevating Morrison's singles credibility. Morrison's third Intercontinental Championship reign began on September 4, 2009, when he defeated Rey Mysterio on SmackDown in a match noted for its innovative spots, including Morrison's signature springboard kicks; he held the title for 100 days before dropping it to Drew McIntyre at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. This period saw him in prominent feuds, including a 2010 rivalry with Sheamus that culminated in a Last Man Standing match at Extreme Rules, and alliances like a brief 2009 tag run with R-Truth. By 2010–2011, Morrison floated between brands, competing in Money in the Bank ladder matches and challenging for the WWE Championship against The Miz on the January 3, 2011, episode of Raw in a falls count anywhere match, which he lost. His final WWE run included bouts against Drew McIntyre and R-Truth, but creative frustrations and a neck injury requiring surgery led to his release on November 29, 2011. Over his nine-year tenure, Morrison amassed six tag team titles, three Intercontinental reigns, and one ECW Championship, establishing himself as a versatile performer known for athleticism and entertainment value.

Tough Enough and developmental (2002–2004)

In 2002, John Hennigan competed in the third season of WWE's reality television series Tough Enough, which sought to identify aspiring wrestlers for developmental contracts with the company. The competition, filmed in and airing on , tested participants through physical challenges, promos, and in-ring training under WWE personnel. Hennigan, leveraging his background in and limited independent wrestling appearances, advanced to the finals filmed in late 2002, with winners announced on the January 27, 2003, episode of Raw. Alongside fellow finalist , he emerged as co-winner, securing a developmental contract with as the season's prize. Following his Tough Enough victory, Hennigan was assigned to (OVW), WWE's primary developmental territory based in , where he began intensive training to refine his skills. OVW, founded and operated by veteran trainer , emphasized fundamentals like match psychology, conditioning, and character work for its roster of prospects. Hennigan made his OVW in-ring debut in mid-2003, initially performing under his real name and teaming with co-winner Cappotelli in matches against established OVW talent. This partnership allowed early experimentation with tandem offense, including high-flying sequences that highlighted his athleticism, while he honed signature maneuvers such as the and other acrobatic dives during house shows and TV tapings. As part of his character development, Hennigan transitioned to the ring name Johnny Nitro by late , adopting a cocky, Hollywood-inspired that incorporated flashy entrances and agile offense to stand out in OVW's competitive environment. Key storylines in OVW during –2004 involved feuds with emerging talents, including a notable rivalry with former partner Cappotelli that escalated into singles competition and showcased intense, hard-hitting exchanges. These bouts, often ending in disqualifications or no-contests due to interference, helped Hennigan build credibility among OVW regulars and refine his high-flying style, emphasizing precision in moves like the standing . Tag team experiments continued, pairing Nitro with various partners to test chemistry and adaptability, preparing him for potential main roster opportunities without overshadowing OVW's focus on skill-building. By early 2004, Nitro received teases of promotion to WWE's main roster, including a brief appearance on the March 1 episode of Raw under the temporary name Johnny Blaze, where he assisted in a segment involving female wrestlers. However, this stint did not lead to a full debut, and he returned to OVW to further develop his abilities amid ongoing storylines.

MNM formation and tag team success (2004–2006)

In late 2003, Johnny Nitro and began teaming regularly in (OVW), WWE's developmental territory, where they adopted the MNM moniker with serving as their manager, portraying an arrogant, Hollywood-inspired heel stable. MNM made their in-ring debut as a unit on the April 17, 2004, episode of OVW television, defeating Matt Cappotelli and Maven in a match that showcased their polished coordination honed from developmental training. The group quickly rose in OVW, capturing the on November 13, 2004, in a match against The Bashams, establishing their dominance as a cohesive unit with Melina's provocative distractions playing a key role. MNM was called up to the SmackDown brand in April 2005, debuting on the April 14 episode by interrupting during a segment on Carlito's Cabana, immediately positioning themselves as flashy, self-absorbed heels with a pimp-like emphasizing celebrity excess. Their entrance featured Melina wheeling out a filled with designer shopping bags, symbolizing their ostentatious lifestyle, while flashes and Nitro's showboating added to the over-the-top presentation that drew strong audience heat. Just two weeks later, on May 1 at , MNM captured their first Tag Team Championship by defeating and in a high-stakes , marking an explosive start to their main roster run and highlighting their technical synergy and Melina's interference tactics. The stable defended the titles successfully against various challengers, including retaining against and on multiple Velocity episodes throughout mid-2005, but lost them to Heidenreich and (the 2005 incarnation) at on July 24, 2005, in a brutal encounter that emphasized MNM's vulnerability without their manager's aid. They regained the championships in a fatal four-way elimination match on the October 28, 2005, episode of SmackDown, overcoming the , the ( and ), and Regal and Burchill, with Melina's distractions proving pivotal in the chaotic finish. This victory sparked a heated feud with the , culminating in a non-title match at on December 18, 2005, where MNM emerged victorious amid lowrider truck antics and high-flying exchanges that showcased the group's adaptability against styles. MNM's third reign began on December 30, 2005, when they defeated and on SmackDown to reclaim the titles, solidifying their status as SmackDown's premier through opportunistic heels tactics and Melina's role in distracting opponents. However, internal tensions simmered, exacerbated by backstage issues including reported on Melina for her demanding attitude, leading to the group's on-screen dissolution after losing the championships to at on May 21, 2006. In the aftermath, Nitro and Melina turned on Mercury, blaming him for the defeat and attacking him ringside, paving the way for Nitro's transition to a singles competitor while MNM effectively ended as a unit.

ECW transition and singles push (2006–2007)

Following the 2006 Supplemental Draft on June 6, Johnny Nitro was assigned to the ECW brand, marking a pivotal shift toward a singles career after the MNM dissolution. He made his in-ring debut for ECW on the June 13 episode, defeating Nunzio in a straightforward match that showcased his technical prowess and arrogance. This transition built on the promo skills he had honed during his time in MNM, allowing him to establish himself as a cocky antagonist in the revived ECW roster. Just one week later, on June 24 at Vengeance: Night of Champions, Nitro capitalized on an unexpected opportunity when he substituted for the absent in a match against for the vacant ECW World Championship. Nitro pinned Punk to win the title, an upset victory that thrust him into the main event scene and ignited a heated rivalry. The win was controversial, as it occurred amid the real-life tragedy surrounding , but it solidified Nitro's status as ECW's top champion. On the July 17 episode of ECW, Nitro underwent a dramatic , adopting the John Morrison to evoke a shamanistic, rock-star persona reminiscent of ' , complete with flowing hair, mystical attire, and an entrance featuring and the theme song "" by . This character evolution emphasized his self-proclaimed status as the "Shaman of Sexy," blending conceit with otherworldly flair, and included high-flying maneuvers like the Starship Pain—a signature corkscrew shooting star kick that became a highlight of his matches. Morrison defended the ECW Championship successfully against challengers such as in a no-disqualification bout on July 10, highlighting his resilience in hardcore-style environments. The rivalry with intensified throughout the summer, with Morrison retaining the title against Punk at on July 22 and on August 26, often through interference or cunning tactics that reinforced his persona. Morrison also engaged in defenses against The Big Daddy V, showcasing his agility against larger opponents, and began appearing in comedic "Moonlighting" skits alongside , where they portrayed film critics, adding layers to his entertainment value without yet forming a formal alliance. These segments highlighted Morrison's charisma and versatility, contributing to his growing popularity as a multifaceted performer. Morrison's initial singles push culminated in a title loss to on the September 4 episode of ECW, ending his 72-day reign and closing the chapter on his breakthrough as a in 2007. Despite the defeat, this period established Morrison as a credible main event talent, known for his innovative aerial offense and engaging character work within ECW's landscape.

Partnership with The Miz (2007–2009)

In late 2007, John Morrison and , who had been rivals on the ECW brand, unexpectedly formed a partnership after being paired together for a match on the episode of SmackDown. They defeated the reigning champions and (MVP) when Morrison pinned MVP following a Starship Pain corkscrew , marking the first reign for both wrestlers and bringing the titles to ECW as brand-exclusive belts. Upon returning to ECW with the titles, Morrison and The Miz adopted arrogant Hollywood personas, with serving as the boastful mouthpiece and Morrison acting as the more reserved athletic who often played off his partner's antics. They promoted ECW through satirical "Dirtiest Show in the Business" vignettes, mocking the brand's competition while defending the championships against various challengers. Notable defenses included victories over Jimmy Wang Yang and on the December 18, 2007 episode of ECW, and a non-title win over ( and ) that built toward a heated rivalry. The duo's first reign lasted 247 days until losing to Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder on July 20 at . Throughout 2008, the partnership thrived on ECW, with the team expanding their presence via "The Dirt Sheet," a weekly WWE.com launched in February that featured comedic segments roasting other superstars and enhancing their on-screen chemistry. They defended the WWE Tag Team Championship successfully against teams like and at Night of Champions in June, solidifying their status as dominant heels. Feuds during this period included intense rivalries with —highlighted by a tag team match at the on June 23, where Morrison and defeated Matt and to secure ECW's lone draft pick—and , culminating in a victory at Cyber Sunday on October 26, where fan-voted stipulations added to the chaotic encounters. The duo's success continued into late 2008 when, despite being ECW-exclusive, they captured the World Tag Team Championship on December 13 at a non-televised in , defeating and after The Miz hit a Skull-Crushing Finale on Punk. This reign lasted until April 5, 2009, at , where they dropped both the World Tag Team and Tag Team Championships to Primo and Carlito in a unification match to create the new Unified Tag Team Championship, with The Miz submitting to Carlito's Backstabber. Storyline teases of a split emerged during their final months together, fueled by The Miz's growing singles ambitions, but the partnership officially dissolved following the on April 13, when The Miz was selected for Raw and Morrison for SmackDown, leading each to pursue individual midcard opportunities. Their collaboration elevated both wrestlers' profiles, blending athleticism, mic work, and entertainment value across ECW and inter-brand appearances.

Intercontinental Championship reign (2009–2010)

Following his transition to a singles competitor on SmackDown after the , John Morrison defeated to win the Intercontinental Championship on the September 4 episode of the program. This victory marked Morrison's third overall reign with the title and highlighted his growing prominence as a high-flying midcard star. Morrison's reign quickly drew challengers, most notably Dolph Ziggler, with whom he engaged in a heated rivalry emphasizing athleticism and showmanship. He retained the title against Ziggler at on October 4, 2009, in a match praised for its fast-paced action and innovative sequences. The feud continued with Morrison successfully defending the championship in a two-out-of-three falls match against Ziggler on the November 20 episode of SmackDown, solidifying his status as a resilient champion. Morrison also showcased his agility in defenses against other contenders, including a high-stakes stipulation buildup leading to his title loss. The reign concluded at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 13, 2009, when Morrison dropped the Intercontinental Championship to in a . This 100-day run represented Morrison's longest single Intercontinental Championship tenure and featured defenses that underscored his acrobatic style, contributing to elevated midcard storytelling on SmackDown.

Final WWE run and departure (2010–2011)

Following his successful Intercontinental Championship reign, which marked a career high point, John Morrison's momentum in WWE began to wane as he transitioned into more sporadic main event challenges and midcard undercard roles. In mid-2010, Morrison engaged in a notable feud with , losing to him in the King of the Ring tournament final on the November 29 episode of Raw before defeating Sheamus in a at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 19, earning a future opportunity. He also participated in the Money in the Bank at the June 13 event, where secured the briefcase victory amid a field including Morrison, , Edge, , Evan Bourne, , and . Morrison's title pursuit continued into 2011 with a high-profile rivalry against The Miz, his former tag team partner, culminating in a Falls Count Anywhere match for the WWE Championship on the January 3 episode of Raw, where Miz retained the title after interference from Alex Riley. This feud extended to Extreme Rules on May 1, where Morrison challenged in a Triple Threat Steel Cage match also involving John Cena; Cena escaped the cage to win and claim the championship, effectively ending Morrison's immediate main event aspirations. Later that year, Morrison entered a program with R-Truth, who attacked him backstage on the May 2 Raw, leading to an injury angle where Morrison was written off television with a storyline neck injury requiring surgery and months of recovery. Throughout 2010 and 2011, Morrison featured in several key events that highlighted his athleticism but often relegated him to supporting roles. At on February 20, 2011, he competed in the match alongside , , , , and champion , but was eliminated early as ultimately prevailed. Morrison also took part in the 2011 on January 30, narrowly avoiding elimination before being tossed out, and at on April 3, he teamed with and in a mixed match victory over , , and . By mid-2011, his booking shifted to consistent undercard appearances, including qualifying losses for the Money in the Bank , such as a defeat to on the June 20 Raw. Behind the scenes, Morrison grew frustrated with WWE's creative direction, feeling underutilized despite his in-ring capabilities, and concerns over a legitimate neck injury influenced his decision-making. In 2011, after declining a multi-year contract extension to pursue acting opportunities and allow recovery time, WWE chose not to renew his deal upon its expiration, granting his request for on November 29. His final WWE match occurred that same night on Raw SuperShow in a Falls Count Anywhere bout against , which Miz won following a Skull-Crushing Finale onto a steel chair; Morrison received a brief send-off from the crowd but no formal on-air farewell segment on subsequent SmackDown episodes.

Independent circuit beginnings (2011–2013)

After departing on November 29, 2011, John Morrison transitioned to the in early , leveraging his prior experience to secure international bookings and re-establish his career outside a major promotion's structure. His debut on the indies came on February 4, , at a WWFX event in , , where he defeated to capture the inaugural WWFX Heavyweight Championship in a match emphasizing his signature high-flying maneuvers. Morrison's post-WWE run focused on a high-flying suited for diverse audiences, as he toured promotions across , the , and without the benefit of scripted television narratives. In , he competed for (WWC) during their Aniversario 2012 tour, facing local competitors like Apolo in a singles match on July 1, 2012, though he fell short of victory. Stateside, he headlined Juggalo Championship Wrestling's (JCW) Bloodymania 6 on August 12, 2012, defeating and Breyer Wellington in a three-way match to open the show. European appearances further highlighted Morrison's global appeal, with matches for Real Pro Wrestling (RPW) on July 27, 2012, where he bested Robert Anthony, and 2CW on August 3, 2012, overcoming in a showcase of athleticism before enthusiastic crowds. These tours allowed him to adapt his agile, parkour-influenced style to varied ring sizes and opponent types, evolving from WWE's and midcard focus toward standalone high-flyer bouts. On August 4, 2012, Morrison claimed the vacant (CWF) Heavyweight Championship by defeating , adding to his collection of indie accolades and demonstrating his ability to headline smaller events. Entering 2013, he maintained momentum with a main event win over at Dragon Gate USA's Open the Golden Gate on January 25, followed by capturing the Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) Heavyweight Championship from Carlito on June 21. Without consistent TV exposure, Morrison faced the challenge of sustaining visibility through live tours and title pursuits, relying on his WWE-honed reputation to draw crowds and opponents while gradually building a post-major-league identity as an international aerial specialist.

Lucha Underground tenure (2014–2019)

Mundo debuted in on October 29, 2014, under the ring name Johnny Mundo, defeating Prince Puma in the main event of the series premiere to claim a $100,000 prize, although promoter Cueto reneged on the payment, igniting a heated between the two. This upset victory immediately positioned Mundo as a top contender, leading to his rapid ascent in the main event scene through intense bouts against elite competitors, including a key win over Texano that showcased his athletic prowess and cemented his status as a cornerstone performer. His early run emphasized high-flying maneuvers and charismatic promos, blending Hollywood flair with traditional elements to captivate audiences. In 2016, Mundo captured the Gift of the Gods Championship on March 19 by defeating , a title that granted him a contract for a future match at his discretion. He successfully cashed in the opportunity on April 10, defeating to win the , which he defended successfully against challengers like Rey Fénix and over a 77-day reign that highlighted his versatility in both technical and aerial exchanges. This period marked Mundo's peak as a singles star, with defenses often incorporating the promotion's signature themes, elevating the title's prestige through dramatic, stakes-high encounters. Mundo's tenure featured prominent feuds laced with supernatural undertones, including a multi-year rivalry with Prince Puma that spanned seasons and culminated in grueling contests like their 2015 , where Puma retained the title 5 falls to 4. He also clashed intensely with Rey Fénix over championship opportunities and later engaged in a brutal arc against the monstrous Matanza Cueto, incorporating crossover elements from the Black Lotus Triad storyline, where mystical warriors and ancient artifacts intertwined with personal vendettas. After a brief hiatus following season 2 to pursue international commitments, Mundo returned prominently in seasons 3 and 4, participating in major events until the series' conclusion in 2019; his consistent main event presence and innovative character work significantly contributed to Lucha Underground's role in revitalizing interest in among American audiences.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide stint (2015–2018)

Mundo made his debut for (AAA) on May 24, 2015, at the Lucha Libre World Cup event in , where he represented the TNA/Lucha Underground team alongside and , defeating the AAA team of Rey Mysterio Jr., La Parka, and Drago to win the tournament. His rising popularity from Lucha Underground contributed to his prominent booking in AAA, positioning him as a key international attraction. Throughout 2016 and early 2017, Mundo pursued AAA's singles titles while competing in high-profile matches, including a successful defense of the , which he had won earlier in under AAA's banner. On March 19, 2017, at Rey de Reyes in Monterrey, Mundo defeated AAA Mega Champion El Texano Jr. and AAA World Cruiserweight Champion El Hijo del Fantasma in a three-way , unifying the titles to become the promotion's first . Mundo defended his triple crown at XXV on August 26, 2017, in , retaining against El Texano Jr. and El Hijo del Fantasma in another . During this period, he frequently partnered with fiancée Taya in mixed tag team matches, billed as Mundo & Valkyria, showcasing innovative intergender dynamics against various opponents on AAA television tapings and events. , the reigning AAA Reina de Reinas Champion, complemented Mundo's high-flying style with her power-based offense, helping elevate mixed tag formats in AAA storylines. Mundo's AAA run concluded in early 2018 following a title loss to for the on January 26 at Guerra de Titanes in Chihuahua, marking the end of his triple crown reign after 313 days. He departed the promotion later that year, transitioning focus to other commitments.

Impact Wrestling involvement (2017–2019)

In August 2017, John Hennigan debuted in Impact Wrestling under the ring name Johnny Impact, entering as a high-flying challenger aligned with his (GFW) background. His arrival was marked by participation in a on the August 24 episode of Impact, where he showcased acrobatic offense to eliminate competitors like Chris Adonis and . This debut positioned him quickly into the title picture, leveraging his crossover appeal from to build momentum in Impact's roster. Throughout late 2017 and into 2018, Impact engaged in a heated feud with Eli Drake over the Impact Global Championship, suffering multiple high-profile losses that highlighted his resilience as a babyface contender. At Bound for Glory on November 5, 2017, Impact challenged Drake for the title in the main event but was defeated following interference from Alberto El Patron, who attacked Impact post-match. The rivalry continued with tag team encounters, including a loss alongside Petey Williams to Drake and Chris Adonis on the December 7 episode of Impact, escalating tensions within the promotion's chaotic environment. These setbacks built narrative frustration, culminating in Impact's gradual shift toward edgier tactics, including a heel turn in early 2019 where he explained his disillusionment with the system during a March 15 episode promo. Impact's persistence paid off in his pursuit of the Impact World Championship, defeating champion Austin Aries in the main event of Bound for Glory on October 14, 2018, to capture the title after a grueling match featuring innovative aerial maneuvers like a off the guardrail. His 196-day reign included defenses against challengers such as Killer Kross at the November 8, 2018, Final Hour special, where Impact retained via pinfall after countering Kross's Doomsday Saito with Starship Pain. The title run also intersected with ongoing conflicts involving the oVe faction, as Impact navigated attacks and interferences from and allies during multi-man matches, including a February 15, 2019, four-way bout against , , and Kross. Impact lost the to at on April 28, 2019, ending his reign amid escalating heel antics that drew crowd boos. Following on July 7, 2019, where he unsuccessfully challenged for the Championship in a high-energy bout, Impact's contract expired, leading to his departure from the promotion after agreeing to fulfill select dates.

Major League Wrestling appearances (2017–2018, 2023)

John Hennigan, performing as John Morrison, debuted for (MLW) on December 7, 2017, at the Never Say Never event in , where he partnered with Shane Strickland in a no disqualification match against and , which ended in a loss for his team. During his initial stint through 2018, Morrison competed in several high-profile bouts, including a singles victory over —representing the —on July 12, 2018, during TV tapings in Orlando. He also participated in the 40-man match on July 19, 2018, in , where he was eliminated before advancing to the main event. On the same July 19 card, Morrison challenged for the in a losing effort, marking a significant singles push during his early appearances amid his concurrent momentum from Impact Wrestling. His 2017–2018 run featured sporadic bookings that showcased his athleticism in multi-man and title scenarios, contributing to MLW's roster depth without a full-time commitment. Morrison returned to MLW on January 7, 2023, at the Blood & Thunder event in , defeating to capture the in his debut match under a short-term deal. He successfully defended the title against on February 4, 2023, during tapings. Morrison's reign continued into April, highlighted by a three-way loss to against on April 8, 2023, intensifying their rivalry. Later that month, on April 6, 2023, at MLW War Chamber in , defeated Morrison to end his 89-day championship reign. Morrison also entered Battle Riot V on April 8, 2023, in , where he was eliminated by among the 40 competitors. His 2023 appearances, including events like Kings of Colosseum, bolstered MLW's midcard scene with marquee talent while maintaining his independent schedule.

Return to WWE (2019–2021)

In December 2019, WWE announced that John Morrison had signed a multi-year contract to return to the promotion, prompted by his successful performances on the independent circuit in recent years. His first on-screen appearance came on the January 3, 2020, episode of SmackDown, where he emerged from The Miz's locker room in a backstage segment, signaling an immediate reunion with his longtime tag team partner. Morrison and quickly reformed their A-Lister tag team, adopting a Hollywood-themed centered on their self-proclaimed celebrity status. The duo entered a storyline rivalry with , leading to a championship opportunity at on February 27, 2020, where they defeated and Big E to capture the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a controversial finish involving a chair shot. They retained the titles in a high-stakes match against , , Heavy Machinery, and on March 8, 2020, surviving as the last team standing. Their reign continued with a successful defense in a triple threat against and at on April 4, 2020, highlighted by Morrison's athletic spots including corkscrew moonsaults from the ladder. The partnership lost the championships to on the April 17, 2020, episode of SmackDown in a , ending their 50-day reign. Following the in October, Morrison and were assigned to the Raw brand, where they continued tag team pursuits and comedic segments, including failed cash-in attempts on Drew McIntyre's using The Miz's Money in the Bank briefcase. The team engaged in feuds with other tag divisions, such as matches against and multi-man bouts involving and , often positioning them as opportunistic heels. Amid the , their matches shifted to the under the ThunderDome format starting in August 2020, featuring virtual audience interactions via LED screens, which adapted their entrance theatrics to the empty-arena setting. Morrison transitioned to more solo opportunities in 2021, competing in individual storylines while occasionally supporting . He earned a spot in the men's by defeating in a qualifying bout on the June 21, 2021, episode of Raw, showcasing his high-flying arsenal in a hard-fought victory. At the Money in the Bank event on July 18, 2021, Morrison participated in the against seven other competitors but was eliminated early, with Big E ultimately retrieving the briefcase. His WWE tenure concluded on November 18, 2021, when he was released as part of a series of talent cuts attributed to budget reductions.

Recent promotions (2022–present)

Following his release from in 2021, John Hennigan returned to on February 19, 2022, at the Rey de Reyes event, performing under the ring name Johnny Superstar and challenging for the in the main event. In the match, which was praised for its high-flying action, Vikingo retained the title via pinfall after a 20-minute bout featuring dives and aerial exchanges. Hennigan signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) in May 2022, debuting on the May 18 episode of AEW Dynamite as Johnny Elite in a losing effort against Miro. He transitioned to the ring name Johnny TV in June 2023 upon joining Q.T. Marshall's stable QTV on Rampage, later aligning with his wife Taya Valkyrie, who debuted in AEW in March 2023 and began managing him in ROH storylines. Together, they engaged in prominent ROH feuds, including a months-long rivalry with Dalton Castle over "custody" of Castle's entourage The Boys, culminating in a Fight Without Honor match at Supercard of Honor on March 31, 2024, where Dalton Castle emerged victorious. As part of the heel faction MxM Collection (with Mason Madden and Mansoor) starting in late 2024, Johnny TV and allies pursued the ROH World Tag Team Championship, challenging the Sons of Texas in January 2025 but falling short in a title match. Throughout 2022 and onward, Hennigan maintained an active independent schedule alongside his AEW/ROH commitments, including a high-profile appearance at Game Changer Wrestling's (GCW) Downward Spiral event on May 28, 2022, where he defeated as Johnny Game Changer in a hardcore-style match. He also competed in European independents, such as a loss to Nathan Cruz at One Pro Wrestling's No Turning Back in , on October 28, 2023. Additionally, he made occasional returns to (MLW) in 2023, performing at the Blood & Thunder event on January 7 under his Johnny TV moniker. In 2024 and 2025, Hennigan focused on recovery from a period of inactivity, taking a hiatus from in-ring action from May 2 to August 27, 2025, attributed to an undisclosed injury. He returned on August 28, 2025, to AEW programming in low-card matches, gradually reintegrating into storylines. As of November 2025, Johnny TV remains signed to AEW, portraying a valet-managed as part of MxM TV with at ringside, currently feuding with trios like the Bang Bang Gang in multi-man bouts on Collision and ROH TV.

Professional wrestling style and persona

In-ring style and moveset

John Morrison's in-ring style is defined by his exceptional athleticism, blending high-flying aerial maneuvers with -inspired fluidity and precision. As the self-proclaimed "Prince of ," he emphasizes lightning-fast offense, high-risk dives, and acrobatic transitions that showcase his background and training in the French discipline of . This approach allows for innovative movement around the ring, often incorporating flips, spins, and wall-runs to evade opponents and execute unexpected attacks. His early career impulses in were driven by an eagerness to perform top-rope jumps, reflecting a natural affinity for aerial work that has remained central to his performances across promotions. Classified as an and high flyer, Morrison's style integrates technical holds, striking sequences, and explosive flips, making him adaptable to various match types from singles bouts to spectacles. He has noted that the fast-paced, acrobatic, and hard-hitting elements of align particularly well with his preferences, surpassing the structured pace of in intensity and freedom. This versatility has enabled him to thrive in environments like , where his elements enhance dramatic, high-impact sequences. Morrison's moveset prominently features a array of kicks, presses, and throws that highlight his agility:
  • Flying Chuck: A leaping delivered from a running start.
  • Moonlight Drive: A transitioned into a swinging .
  • Nitro Blast/Superkick: A swift, theatrical superkick to the jaw.
  • Standing Shooting Star Press: A forward senton performed from a standing position.
  • Standing Spanish Fly: A vertical lifted into a mid-air for a high-impact crash.
His signature finisher, the Starship Pain (also known as End of the World or Fin del Mundo in other promotions), is a split-legged executed from the top rope, developed by merging a traditional split-legged with a 540-degree spin; he first performed it in 2007 against . This move exemplifies his commitment to visually stunning, athletic conclusions to matches.

Gimmicks and character development

John Randall Hennigan debuted in WWE in 2004 as the apprentice and assistant to Raw General Manager , initially using names like Johnny Blaze and Johnny Spade before settling on Johnny Nitro. This early persona evolved into the arrogant, glamorous leader of the MNM alongside and Melina, drawing inspiration from celebrity stereotypes Hennigan observed during his internship at and work at Little Fort Productions. The character emphasized a trendy, "LA rich kid" vibe, complete with red carpet entrances, which helped MNM capture the WWE Tag Team Championship in their SmackDown debut match. In 2007, Hennigan was repackaged as John Morrison, a persona inspired by the physical resemblance to musician and influenced by his experience at UC-Davis. This rock star/ portrayed him as the confident "Shaman of Sexy" and "Guru of Greatness," blending athletic elements with charismatic promos that highlighted his cool, entertainment-industry demeanor reflective of culture. The character gained prominence in ECW, where he won the ECW , and later on SmackDown, often paired with for the The Dirt Sheet, allowing creative to showcase their personalities through improvised segments. Upon leaving in 2011, Hennigan adopted the ring name Johnny Mundo in starting in 2014, shifting to a more versatile role with greater creative control that integrated multi-layered and personal themes like identity exploration from his filmmaking. As leader of the faction , the gimmick focused on themes of money, fame, and cunning tactics, culminating in his win via . This evolution emphasized , where his characters overlapped with his real-life interests in acting and directing, allowing for deeper narrative arcs compared to his constraints. In Impact Wrestling from 2017, he competed as Johnny Impact, initially as a clean-cut babyface who captured the Impact World Championship from in 2018, though his promo limitations sometimes overshadowed his in-ring prowess. The character developed into a smug by early 2019, turning on allies like in a brutal segment and leveraging his real-life marriage to for a conniving power couple dynamic that generated easy audience heat. Upon returning to in 2019, Morrison reprised a sidekick role to , incorporating a "drip" with a water-shooting stick to emphasize stylish flair, before transitioning to in 2022 as Johnny TV. There, he embraced a playful name-changing habit—adopting monikers like Johnny Elite or Johnny TV tailored to storylines—finding enjoyment in the campy, adaptive nature of the persona.

Boxing career

Amateur background

John Randall Hennigan, better known by his ring name John Morrison, developed an interest in combat sports as part of his athletic background. He studied various disciplines, including alongside kung fu and , to build agility, striking technique, and overall physical conditioning that would later inform his high-flying style. Hennigan attended the , where he participated in and . Although he did not compete in formal tournaments, his foundational exposure to the sport through self-directed and instructional practice complemented these experiences, fostering the explosive athleticism that became a hallmark of his career. This immersion in boxing principles emphasized movement patterns and endurance rather than competitive bouts.

Professional bouts and record

Hennigan, performing under his ring name John Morrison, made his boxing debut on April 15, 2023, at Creator Clash 2, a charity boxing event held at Amalie Arena in . In the co-main event, he faced Harley of in a scheduled five-round bout. Morrison secured a technical knockout victory at 1:38 of the third round after landing a series of punches that prompted the to stop the fight due to Morenstein's inability to continue. The win was his only recorded match as of November 2025, resulting in an undefeated record of 1-0 with 1 knockout.
DateOpponentResultRoundEventLocation
2023-04-15Win (TKO)3/5Creator Clash 2
Morrison entered the ring weighing 147 pounds, drawing on his athletic background from to dominate the fight with superior footwork and striking power. The bout highlighted his transition from scripted wrestling combat to real striking exchanges, though it remained an exhibition-style match organized for entertainment and fundraising rather than a sanctioned title fight. No additional professional bouts have been announced or completed following this debut.

Other media and ventures

Acting roles

John Randall Hennigan, professionally known as John Morrison, has maintained an acting career spanning over a decade, often portraying athletic or antagonistic characters in independent films within the action, horror, and fantasy genres. Prior to his rise in , Hennigan studied acting at the , where he earned a in while developing his performance skills. His early screen appearance was a minor role in the poker drama Lucky You (2007), directed by , marking his initial foray into Hollywood. Following his departure from WWE in 2011, Hennigan shifted greater emphasis to acting and filmmaking, starring in a series of low-budget productions that showcased his physicality and charisma. Notable examples include his lead role as the titular hero in the fantasy adventure Hercules Reborn (2014), where he played the mythological figure battling ancient evils, and as Sinbad in the sword-and-sorcery film Sinbad and the War of the Furies (2016). He also took on the role of Razor, a survivalist trapped in a cave, in the horror thriller 20 Ft. Below: The Darkness Descending (2014). These performances highlighted his ability to handle action sequences, drawing on his wrestling background for stunts and combat scenes. In 2017, Hennigan expanded his involvement by writing, executive producing, and starring as the gunslinger Boone in the Western Boone: The Bounty Hunter, a project that demonstrated his multifaceted contributions to independent cinema. That same year, he voiced the patriotic Sergeant America in the mockumentary WTF: World Thumbwrestling Federation and played the monstrous Minotaur in the inventive comedy-horror Dave Made a Maze, earning praise for his physical comedy and creature work. Additional genre roles included DJ Orion in the sci-fi disaster parody Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and Rick in the zombie film 3 Hours Until Dead. Hennigan's acting continued into the late 2010s with supporting parts such as Travis Crenna, a detective confronting supernatural threats, in the horror anthology Minutes to Midnight (2018), and Sam, a father navigating family drama amid ecological concerns, in Strange Nature (2018). He portrayed rock icon Jim Morrison in the thriller The 27 Club (2019) and appeared in the action-comedy Bullet Ride (2020) as Le Don. On television, he guest-starred as the wrestler Salty "The Sack" Johnson in the Netflix series GLOW (2017), blending his real-life profession with scripted performance. More recently, he featured in the biographical drama The Iron Sheik Massacre (2022) and had an uncredited role in the DC Comics film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020). Throughout these works, Hennigan has frequently doubled as a stunt performer, leveraging his athletic prowess to enhance production value in resource-limited projects. In 2023, he appeared as Johnny Spinkick in the action-horror film Karate Ghost 2: Dojo of Death. As of November 2025, he is set to reprise his role as Casey Jones and portray Johnny Cage in the upcoming fan film series Super Power Beat Down by Bat in the Sun Productions.

Filmmaking efforts

John Hennigan, known professionally as John Morrison, graduated from in 2002, where he began developing scripts and honing his skills in and production. His early interest in stemmed from a desire to create stories beyond the , leading him to pursue independent projects while balancing his wrestling career. This foundation enabled him to take on multifaceted roles in film, including writing, producing, and directing, often self-funding endeavors to bring his visions to life. One of Hennigan's most notable filmmaking efforts is the action film Boone: The Bounty Hunter (2017), which he conceived in 2012, co-wrote with multiple collaborators, executive produced, and starred in as the lead . The project spanned five years, marked by script revisions, trailer production, and significant personal financial investment, including the sale of his to cover costs. Released directly to in May 2017 and on DVD in June 2017, the film showcased Hennigan's commitment to independent cinema, allowing him flexibility around his schedule. He has credited the experience with enhancing his storytelling abilities, drawing parallels to wrestling's narrative structure. Hennigan expanded his producing role in several genre films and series, serving as co-producer on the horror thriller Strange Nature (2018), an ecothriller about mutated frogs, and 20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending (2014), a set in an abandoned subway. He also acted as associate for the WTF: World Thumbwrestling Federation (2017) and for the horror Beyond the Dark (2022), which features interconnected shorts exploring post-apocalyptic and monstrous themes. These collaborations highlighted his growing involvement in low-budget horror and action genres, often leveraging his industry connections from wrestling. In 2022, Hennigan made his directorial debut with the short horror-comedy The Iron Sheik Massacre, which he co-wrote with his wife, , during their honeymoon. The film, inspired by wrestling legend , follows a group of wrestlers who animate an through a , leading to chaotic consequences; Hennigan also starred in it. Premiering at the Los Angeles International , the project demonstrated his ability to blend wrestling lore with genre tropes in a concise, 15-minute format. He has since expressed interest in developing more short films and features, continuing to write scripts amid his wrestling commitments.

Reality television appearances

Hennigan first gained prominence through reality television as a contestant on the third season of MTV's , which aired from October 2002 to December 2002. The competition series, designed to find aspiring wrestlers for contracts, featured Hennigan among 20 initial participants undergoing rigorous physical and mental training under WWE trainers , , and . He advanced through challenges testing endurance, wrestling fundamentals, and resilience, ultimately sharing the win with fellow contestant on the season finale, earning both a developmental contract with . Over a decade later, Hennigan returned to reality competition on the 37th season of CBS's Survivor: David vs. Goliath, which premiered in September 2018. Cast as a member of the Goliath tribe—representing underdogs in a theme pitting "Davids" against "Goliaths"—the 38-year-old wrestler brought his athletic background to the 39-day survival challenge in , focusing on alliance-building and physical tasks like immunity challenges. Despite early contributions to his tribe's successes, including a win in the season's first challenge, Hennigan was voted out in Episode 8 in a blindside after two hidden immunity idols were played, finishing in 12th place overall as the second juror. His participation marked a notable crossover from to mainstream reality TV, highlighting his versatility beyond the ring.

Other pursuits

Hennigan is a dedicated practitioner of , a French discipline emphasizing fluid movement and obstacle navigation, which he has pursued independently of his wrestling career to enhance his athleticism and body control. Known as the "Prince of Parkour," he incorporates advanced techniques such as precision jumps and wall runs into his training regimen, crediting the art form for his signature high-flying maneuvers and overall agility. This pursuit extends beyond performance, as Hennigan has demonstrated parkour in promotional segments and maintains ongoing practice to stay at peak physical condition.

Filmography

Film credits

John Morrison, also known by his ring name, has transitioned into with roles primarily in independent action, thriller, and horror , often leveraging his athletic background for physically demanding characters. His early work includes the role of in the 2014 horror thriller 20 Ft. Below: The Darkness Descending. That same year, he took the lead role of in the Hercules Reborn, portraying the mythological hero battling ancient foes. In 2017, Morrison starred as Boone, a rugged , in the action western Boone: The Bounty Hunter, a project he also co-wrote and executive produced, marking a significant behind-the-scenes contribution to his film career. That year, he also played the monstrous in the indie horror-comedy , earning praise for his physical performance in the film's inventive narrative about a man trapped in a cardboard . Morrison continued with supporting roles in thrillers like Minutes to Midnight (2018) as Travis Crenna, a unraveling a supernatural mystery, and Strange Nature (2018) as Sam, a character navigating environmental horror in a remote town. In 2019, he portrayed rock legend in the supernatural horror The 27 Club, exploring themes of fame and untimely death. His most high-profile film involvement came in 2020 as a stunt performer and uncredited actor portraying a Lords Gang Member in the DC Comics blockbuster Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), directed by Cathy Yan. Morrison rounded out the decade with the role of Le Don in the 2020 action film Bullet Ride. Subsequent projects include the 2022 short horror-comedy The Iron Sheik Massacre, which Morrison directed and starred in as John, alongside his wife Taya Valkyrie. In 2023, he appeared as Johnny Spinkick in the horror film Karate Ghost 2: Dojo of Death. His most recent role as of November 2025 is in the action film Star Shark Squad, released earlier that year.
YearTitleRoleNotes
201420 Ft. Below: The Darkness DescendingRazorSupporting role
2014 RebornHerculesLead role
2017Boone: The Bounty HunterBooneLead role; also co-writer and
2017The MinotaurSupporting role
2018Minutes to MidnightTravis CrennaSupporting role
2018Strange NatureSamSupporting role; co-producer
2019The Lead role
2020 (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One )Lords Gang MemberStunt performer; uncredited actor
2020Bullet RideLe DonSupporting role
2022The MassacreJohnLead role; director ()
2023 Ghost 2: of DeathJohnny SpinkickSupporting role
2025Star Shark SquadUnknownReleased November 2025

Television credits

John Hennigan, known professionally as John Morrison in wrestling, has made several guest appearances on television series outside of programming. His roles range from cameo parts in scripted dramas to contestant spots on reality and s, showcasing his versatility as an and performer. In 2009, Hennigan appeared as a contestant on two episodes of the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, both aired on September 29, where he participated in trivia challenges alongside host and child panelists. Hennigan portrayed Cody, a brief love interest for the character Gallagher, in the season 7 premiere episode "" of Showtime's comedy-drama Shameless, which aired on October 2, 2016. He played the minor role of Goon #2 in one episode of the soap opera on February 16, 2017, appearing in scenes involving antagonistic characters. In the Netflix series GLOW, Hennigan had a cameo as Salty "The Sack" Johnson, a wrestling trainer, in the pilot episode of season 1, which premiered on June 23, 2017. In 2018, he competed as a contestant on season 37 of CBS's Survivor: David vs. Goliath, representing the "Goliaths" tribe; he was eliminated in episode 10 and placed 11th overall.
YearShowRoleNotes
2009Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?HimselfCelebrity contestant; episodes aired September 29
2016ShamelessCodyGuest role in season 7, episode 1 "Hiraeth"
2017Days of Our LivesGoon #2Guest role in episode #13026 (February 16)
2017GLOWSalty "The Sack" JohnsonCameo in season 1, episode 1
2018Survivor: David vs. GoliathHimselfContestant; placed 11th

Personal life

Family and relationships

John Randall Hennigan, known professionally as John Morrison, was born on October 3, 1979, in , , and grew up in Palos Verdes with two sisters. Little public information is available about his parents, as he has maintained privacy regarding his immediate family beyond these details. Hennigan's most notable past relationship was with fellow wrestler , which began in the early 2000s after they met through WWE's Tough Enough competition and lasted on-and-off until around 2015. The couple's personal life drew media attention due to reported infidelity involving wrestler in 2006, leading to a temporary split before they reconciled periodically. In 2016, Hennigan began dating Canadian wrestler Kira Forster, better known as , after their on-screen partnership in evolved into a real-life romance. The pair became engaged on June 14, 2017, and married on June 1, 2018, in a ceremony attended by wrestling figures including , , and . As of 2025, the couple remains married with no publicly reported children, often collaborating professionally in promotions like AEW and AAA.

Interests and philanthropy

John Morrison, whose real name is John Randall Hennigan, is an avid practitioner of , a discipline he has integrated into both his professional wrestling style and personal training regimen, earning him the moniker "The Prince of Parkour." He incorporates elements of alongside and other fluid movement arts to enhance his agility and athletic performance, often adapting these techniques for in-ring maneuvers and stunt work. In addition to , Morrison maintains a dedicated focus on holistic fitness through innovative programs like his "Out of Your Mind Fitness," which emphasizes dynamic, mind-body exercises to build strength, flexibility, and mental resilience. He is also a proponent of , crediting the practice with improving his end-range stability and overall mobility, particularly beneficial for sustaining a demanding wrestling career. On the philanthropy front, Morrison has actively participated in wish-granting initiatives during his time with , including fulfilling a special request from 13-year-old Favaughn of the in 2011, who admired his acrobatic prowess and met him ahead of the Extreme Rules event in . Over his seven-year tenure as a Superstar, he engaged with numerous honorees through the Circle of Champions program, expressing that such interactions brought him profound personal satisfaction. Beyond , Morrison contributed to charitable causes by competing in the 2023 2 event, a high-profile fundraiser that supported organizations including the and , where he secured a victory in his debut bout.

Championships and accomplishments

Wrestling titles

Throughout his career, John Morrison, also known as John Hennigan, Johnny Nitro, Johnny Mundo, and Johnny TV, has achieved significant success across multiple promotions, capturing several world and midcard championships that highlight his versatility as a singles and competitor. His titles span major organizations like , Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA), (AAA), , and (MLW), where he has held prestigious belts that underscore his acrobatic style and in-ring prowess. In WWE, Morrison secured three Intercontinental Championships, first winning the title at Vengeance on June 25, 2006, by defeating Carlito as Johnny Nitro, with subsequent reigns establishing him as a key midcard talent. He also captured the once, defeating at Vengeance: Night of Champions on June 24, 2007, after an impromptu opportunity arose. As a tag team specialist, he won six tag team titles: three times as part of MNM with for the WWE Tag Team Championship between 2005 and 2006, and three times with —WWE Tag Team Championship (2007–2008), World Tag Team Championship (2008–2009), and SmackDown Tag Team Championship (2020). Outside WWE, Morrison's accomplishments include a single reign as Impact World Champion as Johnny Impact, which he defended in high-profile matches such as against Killer Kross at the 2018 Final Hour special. In AAA, he became the promotion's first triple champion by simultaneously holding the (won on March 19, 2017, and held for 313 days), , and . He also captured the once as Johnny Mundo, along with the Gift of the Gods Championship and the with Jack Evans and PJ Black, making him the second Triple Crown Champion in the promotion's history. In MLW, Morrison won the National Openweight Championship as John Hennigan on January 7, 2023, defeating in a controversial finish, holding it for 89 days.
PromotionChampionshipReignsNotable Details
WWE3First reign: June 25, 2006 (def. Carlito at Vengeance, as Johnny Nitro)
WWEECW World Heavyweight Championship1Won at Vengeance: Night of Champions June 24, 2007 (def. )
WWEWWE/World/SmackDown Championship63x with (MNM, 2005–2006); 1x WWE Tag Team with (2007–2008); 1x World Tag Team with (2008–2009); 1x SmackDown Tag Team with (February 27, 2020 – April 17, 2020)
Impact WrestlingImpact World Championship1Defended as Johnny Impact, e.g., vs. Killer Kross (2018)
AAA1March 19, 2017 – January 26, 2018 (313 days)
AAA1Part of triple crown
AAA1Part of triple crown
1As Johnny Mundo
Gift of the Gods Championship1Contributed to Triple Crown status
1With Jack Evans & PJ Black
MLW1January 7, 2023 – April 6, 2023 (def. )

Awards and recognitions

John Morrison has received several notable awards and recognitions throughout his wrestling career, primarily for his tag team work and in-ring improvements. In 2005, he and partner (as MNM) won the Tag Team of the Year award. In 2008, he and partner won the for Tag Team of the Year at 's annual ceremony, recognizing their dominant performances and popularity on SmackDown and ECW. Additionally, their weekly The Dirt Sheet earned the Slammy for Best WWE.com Exclusive that same year, highlighting Morrison's charisma and entertainment value beyond the ring. In 2009, Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) named Morrison the Most Improved Wrestler of the Year, acknowledging his evolution from a midcard tag specialist to a versatile singles competitor capable of main event pushes. This accolade came amid his successful reign as Intercontinental Champion and high-profile feuds, solidifying his reputation for athletic innovation like his signature moon sault. Morrison's tag team excellence was further validated by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), which awarded him and The Miz Tag Team of the Year honors in 2008 for their chemistry, comedic segments, and championship defenses across brands. More recently, in 2021, Morrison shared the WWE Bumpy Award for GIFable Moment of the Half-Year with Ricochet, celebrating a viral springboard moonsault sequence during a tag team match on SmackDown. These recognitions underscore his enduring impact on professional wrestling's entertainment and athletic landscape.

References

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