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Wifebeater (wrestler)
Wifebeater (wrestler)
Wifebeater (wrestler)
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Matthew Prince (born July 13, 1973) is an American former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Wifebeater. He is best known for his tenure in Combat Zone Wrestling from 1999 to 2004. He is known for his ring attire (a wifebeater and jeans) and a weed whacker that he brought to the ring with him, and sometimes used on his opponents.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Wifebeater debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling on August 21, 1999, at "Pyramid of Hell" on the losing end of a match against Trent Acid. On September 18, 1999, Wifebeater defeated Nick Gage to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. Wifebeater held the title until November 20, 1999, when he lost it to John Zandig. Wifebeater went on to win the CZW Heavyweight Championship two more times and the Iron Man Championship four times. He also teamed up with Justice Pain to form the H8 Club and win the World Tag Team Championship. Wifebeater and Justice Pain lost the titles to Nick Gage and Nate Hatred, who later also referred to themselves as the H8 Club. After their title loss and failure to regain the titles in a rematch, Wifebeater and Justice Pain broke up and began feuding. This feud ended at Cage of Death III inside the Cage of Death for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship where Pain defeated Wifebeater. During one period in 2001, Wifebeater was a member of the stable "Big Dealz" along with John Zandig, Nick Mondo, Jun Kasai, Z-Barr, and Trent Acid.[2]

In 2002, Wifebeater won the first-ever CZW Tournament of Death after defeating Nick Mondo in the finals. He wrestled a retirement match in November 2002, but made a return a year later in the same month to join Zandig's team for Cage of Death V. In 2004, he won the third Tournament of Death after defeating Necro Butcher in the finals. Later in the year, Justice Pain returned and rejoined Wifebeater to reform the H8 Club. They targeted the H8 Club of Gage and Hatred and defeated the pair at Cage Of Death 6 on December 11, though after their victory Justice Pain turned on Wifebeater. Prince subsequently made infrequent appearances in CZW, including a run in on the ROH wrestlers during a big brawl between CZW and ROH at ROH's "Arena Warfare" in early 2006. His final match to date was at CZW's event Trapped on August 12, 2006, filling in for a vacant J.C. Bailey, where Wifebeater defeated Danny Havoc in a barbed wire cage.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Wifebeater (wrestler)

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from Grokipedia
Matthew Prince, better known by his ring name Wifebeater, is an American retired professional wrestler and former U.S. Marine born on July 13, 1973, in Dallas, Texas. Standing at 6'4" (193 cm) and weighing 244 lbs (111 kg), he debuted in 1998 and became a prominent figure in the hardcore and deathmatch wrestling scene, particularly with Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) from 1999 to 2004. Wifebeater's career was defined by his intense, ultraviolent style, often performing in jeans and a signature wifebeater tank top while wielding weapons like a weed whacker in brutal matches. In CZW, he achieved significant success, winning the three times, the CZW Iron Man Championship four times, and the once; he also captured the BJW World Tag Team Championship during tours with Big Japan Pro-Wrestling (BJW). Notable accomplishments include winning the twice and competing in high-profile events like Cage of Death, solidifying his reputation as a deathmatch pioneer. After a brief in 2002 due to a shoulder injury, Wifebeater returned for sporadic appearances before fully retiring from in-ring competition in 2006. His contributions to extreme wrestling were recognized with inductions into the CZW Hall of Fame in 2009 by and the GCW Deathmatch Hall of Fame in 2022, where he was honored by fellow wrestler for his fearless performances and lasting impact on the genre.

Early life and background

Military service

Matthew Prince served in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to pursuing a career in professional wrestling. He enlisted after his early life in Dallas, Texas, where he was born on July 13, 1973, and his service lasted until his discharge before 1998. As a retired Marine, Prince's military experience emphasized rigorous physical conditioning and discipline, qualities that prepared him for the intense demands of wrestling. Following his discharge, Prince transitioned to civilian life, seeking new challenges outside the armed forces.

Training and debut

Prior to entering , Matt Prince underwent training in 1998 under The Pitbulls, the tag team consisting of Gary Wolfe and , who were renowned for their influence in the scene on the East Coast. This rigorous preparation equipped him with the fundamentals of in-ring performance, drawing on his prior experience as a U.S. Marine, which had built his physical resilience and discipline. Prince made his professional debut in 1998 under the ring name Matt Martini, competing on the independent circuit in the Northeast . One of his earliest documented matches occurred on December 5, 1998, in the Grande Wrestling Alliance, where he faced The Mandingo Warrior in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Billed at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) tall and 244 lb (111 kg), and hailing from "Trailer Trash, ," Prince's imposing physique and Southern gimmick immediately set the tone for his rugged, no-nonsense character. Throughout these initial independent outings, Prince cultivated a powerhouse and style, emphasizing brutal strikes, submissions, and the integration of everyday weapons to amplify match intensity. His early performances laid the groundwork for a defined by extreme physicality and audience provocation.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit beginnings (1998–1999)

Following his training under , Matthew Prince entered the professional wrestling scene in 1998 under the ring name Matt Martini. In late 1998, Prince adopted the Wifebeater, aligning it with his distinctive in-ring attire of a white sleeveless —commonly referred to as a wifebeater—and , which emphasized his rugged, as a hardcore competitor. One of his earliest documented matches occurred on December 5, 1998, for the Grande Wrestling Alliance in , , where he faced The Mandingo Warrior. Throughout 1998 and into 1999, Wifebeater appeared in various independent promotions, establishing himself as a hardcore brawler known for incorporating environmental weapons, such as chairs and tables, into his matches to deliver intense, physical confrontations. His initial feuds on the circuit highlighted this aggressive style, positioning him as a formidable in short-term rivalries that showcased brutal, no-holds-barred action. A pivotal transitional match came on August 21, 1999, at Combat Zone Wrestling's "Pyramid of Hell" event, where Wifebeater debuted in the promotion with an 11-minute loss to .

Combat Zone Wrestling tenure (1999–2004)

Wifebeater entered (CZW) in 1999, quickly establishing himself in the promotion's hardcore environment following his initial appearances on the independent circuit. On September 18, 1999, at the September Slam event, he defeated to capture the for the first time. His reign lasted until November 20, 1999, at Cage of Death III, where he lost the title to in an "I Quit" strap match. Throughout his tenure, Wifebeater engaged in intense that defined CZW's ultraviolent style, particularly with , a that spanned multiple years and title opportunities. In 2001, this feud escalated when Wifebeater won the World Heavyweight Championship on April 15 before dropping it to Zandig on May 12; he briefly recaptured it on June 14, only to lose it to on July 7 in a brutal match. Their animosity extended to dynamics, as Wifebeater and initially formed the H8 Club, a dominant hardcore faction that terrorized opponents with extreme tactics. The group disbanded amid their personal conflicts but reformed in 2004 to target rivals Nate Hatred and . However, the reunion ended in at Cage of Death 6 on December 11, 2004, where turned on Wifebeater during their match against Hatred and Gage, leading to a chaotic finish orchestrated to sideline him. Wifebeater's matches epitomized CZW's emphasis on deathmatch wrestling, frequently incorporating hazardous weapons and stipulations. He became infamous for wielding a weed whacker as a , most notoriously in the 2002 Tournament of Death finals against "Sick" , where he used it to inflict severe damage amid a barrage of light tubes and salt. Other bouts featured elements, such as his no-ropes deathmatch no contest with Lobo on July 13, 2002, due to a . These encounters solidified his role in CZW's hardcore scene, where he defended titles like the Iron Man Championship across four reigns and secured the World Tag Team Championship once alongside , showcasing resilience through grueling defenses. Following his victory in the 2002 Tournament of Death, Wifebeater announced his retirement due to accumulating injuries, including a issue. This culminated in a retirement match against on November 9, 2002, at CZW's Night of Infamy 2, billed as an "I Quit" deathmatch, which ended in a no contest due to interference. However, he returned to the ring in 2003 for sporadic appearances, including participation in Cage of Death V on December 13, 2003, before resuming more regular competition in 2004.

Later appearances and retirement (2005–2006)

Following a period of inactivity in 2005, during which Wifebeater took a hiatus from likely due to the physical demands of his career, he made limited returns in 2006. His first notable appearance that year occurred on at Ring of Honor's (ROH) Arena Warfare event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he joined other (CZW) wrestlers, including , in an invasion-style brawl against ROH talent. Armed with his signature weed whacker, Wifebeater participated in the chaotic skirmish that spilled throughout the venue, heightening the ongoing inter-promotional rivalry between CZW and ROH. Wifebeater's next and final in-ring outing came on August 12, 2006, at CZW's Trapped event, also held at the New Alhambra Arena in . Stepping in as a last-minute replacement for the injured , he faced longtime rival in a cage match. The bout, lasting approximately four minutes, saw Wifebeater emerge victorious via pinfall, showcasing his enduring power despite the match's brutal stipulations involving the surrounding . This victory marked Wifebeater's last match, after which he retired from active competition. The cumulative toll of his style, characterized by extreme weapons and high-risk maneuvers throughout his CZW tenure, contributed to his decision to step away permanently, transitioning to a semi-retired status with no further documented appearances.

Championships and accomplishments

CZW titles

Wifebeater captured the on three occasions during his tenure with , establishing himself as a dominant force in the promotion's hardcore division. His first reign began on September 18, 1999, when he defeated in , , to win the title in an ultraviolent match that highlighted the promotion's emphasis on extreme wrestling. This 63-day reign included several defenses against top competitors, showcasing Wifebeater's resilience in and weapon-filled bouts, before he lost the championship to on November 20, 1999. His second reign came on April 15, 2001, in Birmingham, , where he defeated Zandig to reclaim the title during an international tour, marking one of the few times the belt changed hands outside the ; this 27-day run ended when Zandig regained it on May 12, 2001, in . Wifebeater's third and final reign started on June 14, 2001, in , , again defeating Zandig in a high-stakes match, but lasted only 23 days before dethroned him on July 7, 2001, amid escalating feuds within CZW's roster. These reigns underscored Wifebeater's role in elevating the title's prestige through brutal, no-holds-barred contests that defined CZW's early identity. The CZW Iron Man Championship, awarded for endurance in grueling, often hour-long matches, saw Wifebeater secure four reigns, reflecting his prowess in prolonged hardcore warfare. His initial run commenced on March 11, 2000, in Sewell, New Jersey, where he defeated Lobo to claim the title and held it for approximately 91 days until losing to Mad Man Pondo on June 10, 2000, in a match laden with weapons and high-risk maneuvers. Following Pondo's stripping due to controversy, Wifebeater was awarded his second reign on July 22, 2000, at CZW's No Rules, No Limits event, though it was brief and transitioned quickly into further competition. He captured the belt for a third time on October 7, 2000, in Sewell, New Jersey, defeating the reigning champion in an intense encounter, holding it for 35 days before Nate Hatred took it on November 11, 2000. Wifebeater's fourth reign began on January 20, 2001, in Smyrna, Delaware, defeating Nate Hatred to win the title, but ended after roughly 20 days when Lobo reclaimed it in a five-way match on February 10, 2001. These victories, often involving multi-man stipulations and extreme stipulations, cemented the Iron Man Championship as a test of stamina, with Wifebeater's multiple successes highlighting his endurance in CZW's most punishing environments. As part of the H8 Club alongside , Wifebeater won the once, on October 10, 2000, in , defeating and Ric Blade in a violent clash that solidified their partnership's dominance. This 176-day reign featured defenses against rival factions, including high-profile encounters that incorporated weapons and environmental hazards typical of CZW's style, contributing to the duo's reputation as hardcore icons. The titles were lost on April 4, 2001, to Nate Hatred and in a bloody matchup at CZW's Paybacks Can Be a Bitch event, after which internal tensions led to the H8 Club's dissolution amid ongoing roster conflicts. This reign not only amplified Wifebeater's versatility beyond singles competition but also marked a pivotal chapter in CZW's tag division history.

Tournament victories

Wifebeater achieved his first major tournament victory in (CZW) by winning the inaugural Tournament of Death on August 31, 2002, in . In the quarterfinals, he defeated in a falls count anywhere , utilizing weapons such as and mousetraps to secure the win. Advancing to the semifinals, Wifebeater overcame in a glass , where panes of glass were incorporated into the ring setup to intensify the brutality. The final saw him triumph over in a fans bring the weapons , showcasing his resilience amid an array of improvised armaments provided by the audience. Two years later, Wifebeater claimed his second Tournament of Death title at the third edition on July 24, 2004, in , further solidifying his dominance in CZW's extreme format. He opened with a first-round victory against in a fans bring the weapons , enduring crowd-sourced hazards to advance. In the semifinals, Wifebeater bested JC Bailey under similar fans bring the weapons stipulations, demonstrating tactical adaptability in chaotic conditions. The tournament concluded with a grueling final against in an ultraviolent featuring ropes, additional fan-supplied weapons, and a cage structure, where Wifebeater's endurance proved decisive. These victories in CZW's Tournament of Death series highlighted Wifebeater's prowess in , as the events emphasized deathmatch stipulations involving hazardous weapons like light tubes, glass, , and staple guns, serving as ultimate tests of physical and mental fortitude. By prevailing in such high-stakes, ultraviolent contests, he elevated his reputation as a of the scene, influencing perceptions of risk and innovation in the genre.

Personal life and legacy

Post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from full-time in 2006, Matthew Prince transitioned to a low-profile civilian life, with no documented involvement in major public or professional pursuits beyond occasional wrestling-related nostalgia events. Born in , , on July 13, 1973, Prince maintains a private existence as of 2025. Prince, a of the , has not publicly detailed leveraging his military experience into security or training roles post-retirement. He is married and has one son, though details about his family life remain limited in public records. No significant disclosures related to his hardcore wrestling injuries have surfaced in verified reports since 2006, and he has made no notable returns to in-ring competition, aligning with his semi-retired status. As of November 2025, no additional public activities have been reported.

Influence on hardcore wrestling

Wifebeater played a pivotal role in popularizing extreme weapons and stipulations within (CZW) during the early 2000s, helping to establish the promotion's signature "ultraviolent" style in the post-ECW era. His innovative use of unconventional implements, such as the weed whacker, became emblematic of CZW's boundary-pushing matches; in a notable I Quit bout against , he wielded the device against his opponent's lacerated back after salt was applied to the wounds, amplifying the brutality and setting a precedent for weapon integration in deathmatches. This approach, exemplified briefly by his Tournament of Death 1 encounter with where the weed whacker was again prominently featured, contributed to CZW's reputation for escalating hardcore elements like and hazardous stipulations, influencing the genre's evolution toward greater risk and spectacle. As a deathmatch pioneer, Wifebeater's legacy extends to modern independent promotions, particularly (GCW) and other indies, where his resilience and no-sell persona—characterized by enduring severe punishment without visible reaction—inspired subsequent generations of hardcore performers. His ability to absorb extreme violence while maintaining an imposing presence as a former Marine-turned-wrestler helped normalize high-stakes deathmatch formats, paving the way for wrestlers who emulated his unyielding style in contemporary ultraviolent bouts. This influence is evident in GCW's revival of CZW-inspired elements, where his contributions to the form's intensity continue to resonate among indie talents seeking to honor early extremism. Wifebeater's and achieved cultural notoriety in wrestling history, deriving from his signature attire but evoking controversy due to its connotations, which sparked debates on sensitivity in the early 2000s hardcore scene. By 2025, this moniker endures as a polarizing symbol of the era's raw, unfiltered aggression, often referenced in discussions of wrestling's provocative character archetypes and their societal implications within the indie circuit. Tributes to Wifebeater include his 2009 induction into the CZW Hall of Fame, recognizing his foundational impact on the promotion's ultraviolent identity, and his 2022 enshrinement in the GCW Deathmatch Hall of Fame, where highlighted his role in shaping career awareness through an abrupt that prompted reflection on risks in the . These honors underscore his enduring mentions in modern hardcore promotions as a benchmark for innovation and toughness.

References

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  2. https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/06/05/deathmatch-hall-of-fame-2022-report/
  3. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=211
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  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvTv84Y4c2g
  9. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=9130
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  14. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=232
  15. https://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/wifebeater-4117.html
  16. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/wifebeater/
  17. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results_old/roh/060311.html
  18. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results_old/czw/060812.html
  19. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=98
  20. http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/titles/czwiron.html
  21. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pa/e/czw/czw-im.html
  22. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/wifebeater-4117.html
  23. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=101
  24. https://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pa/e/czw/czw-t.html
  25. http://www.profightdb.com/cards/czw/paybacks-can-be-a-bitch-9444.html
  26. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=10771
  27. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=8263
  28. https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/top-15-weirdest-weapons-in-wrestling/
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