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Mike Mondo
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Mike Mondo
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Michael Brendli (born March 26, 1983), better known by the ring name Mike Mondo, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently performing on the independent circuit – predominantly for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he is the current NWA National Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. He is best known for his time in WWE as Mike Mondo and Mikey as a member of The Spirit Squad.

Key Information

After training at the Critical Mass Wrestling School, he debuted in June 2002 and began working for several independent promotions as Mike Mondo, Livewyre, or El Livewyre. His earliest success came in the New York Wrestling Connection promotion, where he won the NYWC Heavyweight Championship on two occasions between 2003 and 2005. In February 2005, he signed a contract with WWE, and was assigned to the OVW developmental territory. There, he formed The Spirit Squad faction with four other wrestlers.

The Spirit Squad debuted on the Raw brand in January 2006, and quickly won the World Tag Team Championship in April. They held the championship for seven months, before losing it in early November. They were taken off television in late 2006. He returned to OVW in 2007, before being moved to the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory in September. He competed in FCW until his WWE release in June 2008. He then returned to the independent circuit, and later returned to OVW, where he won both the OVW Television Championship and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in 2009. He went on to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship for the first time in mid-2010 and the second time in early 2011.

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (2002–2005)

[edit]

Brendli began training at the Critical Mass Pro Wrestling wrestling school during his freshman year of college.[3] He debuted in June 2002, and wrestled on the independent circuit, both in New York and in New Jersey. Brendli first became known as "Livewyre", occasionally competing under a mask as "El Livewyre".[2][3] Most of his early success was in the New York Wrestling Connection promotion, where he had a nine-month undefeated streak.[1] Competing as "Livewire" Mike Mondo he won the NYWC Heavyweight Championship from "Superstar" Dickie Rodz on June 7, 2003, holding it for approximately two months, until he vacated it.[5] On March 26, 2005, he defeated Joey Matthews to win the NYWC Heavyweight Championship for the second time, and later successfully retained the championship against Mikey Whipwreck. Mondo lost the championship to Matt Striker on April 30, after holding it for just over a month.[1][5]

Brendli was also competing in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) during this time, making his debut in September 2003. He appeared in several dark matches prior to the television tapings against wrestlers including Tank Toland, Joey Matthews, and Carly Colón.[1]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005-2008)

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Ohio Valley Wrestling (2005–2006)

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Brendli signed a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) developmental contract in February 2005, and was assigned to OVW full-time.[1] First he acted as a manager, then became a full-time wrestler and a member of the Bolin Services faction led by Kenny "The King Maker" Bolin.[2] He competed in a tournament for the OVW Television Championship, but lost in the first round to Alexis Laree. Embarrassed by losing to a female wrestler, Mondo issued an open challenge to any woman backstage, and a result, lost to Victoria.[1]

In late summer 2005, Mondo feuded with Brent Albright after attacking Albright during a match with Da Beast and injuring his eye. Albright obtained revenge on Mondo, however, defeating him by submission at the television tapings on September 7. Throughout the end of 2005, Mondo continued to team with various members of Bolin Services, mainly Johnny Jeter and Da Beast. In December 2005, Mondo debuted a character, where he pretended to be a luchadore, and competed under a mask as "El Mondo". He won several dark matches using the El Mondo gimmick, before losing to CM Punk in a televised match.[1]

The Spirit Squad (2005–2006)

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Main article: Spirit Squad

In late 2005, Mondo joined the Spirit Squad, a faction of five wrestlers using the in-ring personas of male cheerleaders, as Mikey. Brendli has described being in the Spirit Squad as "the most fun" he's had in his career.[3] Mikey and Kenny began appearing in dark matches and at live events using the Spirit Squad gimmick, and on January 2, 2006, Mikey lost to Chavo Guerrero.[1] On January 23, 2006, they had their WWE television debut as a group, appearing on Raw and helping Jonathan Coachman win a Royal Rumble qualifying match against Jerry "The King" Lawler by distracting Lawler and performing cheers for Coachman.[6] They later became a part of the ongoing scripted feud between WWE chairman Mr. McMahon and Shawn Michaels. The heel (villainous) McMahon brought in the Spirit Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple handicap matches.[7][8]

They also wrestled in the tag team division, and on April 3, on Raw, Mikey and Kenny defeated Big Show and Kane to win the World Tag Team Championship, with help from the other Spirit Squad members.[9][10] After winning the championship, all five members of the Spirit Squad were recognized as the champions under the freebird rule, allowing any combination of them to defend the championship.[2]

In May, McMahon signed another handicap match, with the Spirit Squad facing Michaels. The Spirit Squad instead attacked Michaels before the match had started, and Triple H came out to help them. As a result of feeling disrespected by the Spirit Squad, however, Triple H helped Michaels instead.[11] This led to Triple H and Michaels reforming D-Generation X (DX) and they began a feud with the Spirit Squad.[12][13] DX played various sophomoric jokes on the Spirit Squad and the McMahons, as well as defeating the Spirit Squad in handicap tag team matches at Vengeance and a clean sweep in an elimination handicap match at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII.[13][14][15]

At the same time as their feud with DX and their alignment with McMahon, the Spirit Squad also wrestled other teams in Raw's tag division over their World Tag Team Championship, successfully defending the championship against the teams of Jim Duggan and Eugene, Charlie Haas and Viscera, and Snitsky and Val Venis.[16] They then entered a lengthy feud with The Highlanders, whom they eventually defeated to retain the championship at the Unforgiven pay-per-view in September.[17][18] The Spirit Squad as a whole later began a losing streak with Johnny, Mikey, and Mitch losing singles matches to Ric Flair on consecutive episodes of Raw.[19][20][21] After two consecutive losses to the debuting Cryme Tyme tag team, Kenny attacked Mikey on the October 23 episode of Raw and announced that he was going to defeat Flair. With the help of the other Spirit Squad members, Kenny was successful, despite Flair being accompanied to the ring by his own reinforcements (Dusty Rhodes, Sgt. Slaughter, and Roddy Piper).[22][23] It was then announced that Flair and a legend, selected by interactive voting, would wrestle the team for the World Tag Team Championship at the Cyber Sunday pay-per-view in early November.[23] The fans chose Piper, and he and Flair defeated Kenny and Mikey to win the championship.[24]

The group disbanded on the November 27 episode of Raw, when they were defeated in a five-on-three handicap match by DX and Flair. In a backstage segment later that episode, DX placed all members into a crate stamped "OVW, Louisville, Kentucky", a reference to the developmental territory from which all the Spirit Squad members had come.[25]

Return to developmental territories (2007–2008)

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Brendli, under the name Mikey Mondo, appeared at the January 17 OVW taping along with Nick Nemeth and teamed with Mike Kruel in a match against Seth Skyfire, Shawn Spears, and Cody Runnels.[26] The pair teamed up for a while as The Frat Boys, and later The Frat Pack, but they had disbanded by late March 2007. Mondo moved into singles competition, and picked up wins over Steve Lewington, Boris Alexiev, and Colt Cabana, among others.[2] In June 2007, he started a feud with Shawn Spears over the OVW Television Championship, but failed to capture it on several occasions.[2][27] A one-night reunion with Nemeth followed, before he began dubbing himself "The Professional" Mike Mondo and began feuding with Atlas DaBone.[28][29]

In September 2007, Mondo was moved to the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental territory and defeated Chris Gray in his debut there.[30] He once again reformed his tag team with Nemeth, and they wrestled against teams including Hade Vansen and Chris Gray, and the New Generation Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart and TJ Wilson).[2][31] At the start of 2008, however, they split and began feuding, competing against each other both in singles and tag team matches.[32][33] Having dubbed himself "Mighty Mikey", he went to wrestle Ted DiBiase Jr., Sinn Bowdee, Heath Miller, and Jack Gabriel throughout the early part of 2008.[2] On June 13, 2008, WWE announced that Brendli had been released from his contract.[34]

Independent circuit (2008–present)

[edit]

After his WWE release, Brendli returned to competing on the independent circuit, and, in an interview in December 2008, said he plans to wrestle in Mexico and Japan.[3] He competed for several independent promotions, including Division I Pro Wrestling and Ward Family Entertainments, where he reprised his feud with Rory McAllister of the former WWE tag team, The Highlanders.[2] Brendli made it to the semi-final of the 17th annual ECWA Super 8 Tournament before losing to eventual winner Damian Dragon. Brendli participated in Chikara's 2014 King of Trios tournament under his Spirit Squad character, and teamed with Johnny and Kenny.[35] After a win over Sinn Bodhi and the Odditorium (Qefka the Quiet and Sir Oliver Grimsly) on September 19, the Spirit Squad was eliminated from the tournament in the second round on September 20 by the Golden Trio (Dasher Hatfield, Icarus, and Mark Angelosetti).[36]

He also returned to the New York Wrestling Connection on September 20, 2008, at Draw The Line, where he teamed with Mikey Whipwreck in a losing effort to Rob Eckos and Frederick of Hollywood.[37] On February 28, 2015, Mondo defeated Rex Lawless to win the NYWC Fusion title. He later vacated the championship in April due a schedule conflict, meaning he could not defend the championship.[38] In 2016, he was inducted into the NYWC Hall of Fame.[39] On November 12, 2016, wrestling as The Spirit Squad, Mondo and Doane captured the NYWC Tag Team Championship from Hounds of Hatred (Boo and Bam Sullivan) at Firestorm 3.[40] 15 days later, Spirit Squad lost the titles back to Hounds of Hatred.[40] The pair continued to compete as a tag team in the greater New York region throughout 2017 and 2018, and also traveled abroad to compete for Preston City Wrestling in England and Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany.[41]

Return to OVW (2009–2012)

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In early 2009, he returned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) both to wrestle and to be an assistant trainer.[42] On February 7, 2009, he defeated Idol Stevens and Johnny Punch in a triple threat match to become the new OVW Television Champion.[43] On March 21, Brendli failed a drugs test at an OVW event, and was suspended by the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority.[44] He lost the OVW Television Championship to Jamin Olivencia on May 9.[43] After postponing two hearings, he was suspended for six months and fined US$100 on June 29.[citation needed] On November 21, 2009, Mondo teamed with Turcan Celik to defeat Moose and Tilo for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship.[45] They held the championship for a week, before losing it to The Network on November 28.[45] On May 29, 2010, at All or Nothing, Mondo won the OVW Heavyweight Championship by defeating Beef Wellington.[46][47] He later lost the championship to James Thomas on June 16.[47] On March 5, 2011, Mondo regained the OVW Heavyweight Championship by winning a three-way ladder match, also involving Cliff Compton and "Low Rider" Matt Barela.[47][48] Mondo was stripped of the championship on May 4, after attacking OVW president Danny Davis.[47][49] On November 2, at OVW's episode 637, Christian Mascagni prevented Mondo from winning an eight-man melee, costing him a match for the OVW Heavyweight Championship.[50]

Ring of Honor (2010–2013)

[edit]

Mondo appeared at Ring of Honor (ROH)'s Bluegrass Brawl event on July 22, where he lost to Delirious.[51] He returned to ROH at the Ring of Honor Wrestling television tapings on December 9 and 10, defeating Grizzly Redwood the first night, before losing to Colt Cabana on December 10.[52][53]

Mondo in August 2013

In late 2011, Brendli returned to Ring of Honor as a full-time member, under his 'Mike Mondo' personality.[54] After a string of losses to begin his full-time ROH career, he eventually defeated Matt Taven. He then feuded with T. J. Perkins, whom he defeated in their first match together, but lost the second. Making his ROH pay-per-view debut at Border Wars, he teamed with the Young Bucks to lose to Perkins and The All Night Express of Kenny King and Rhett Titus. Following a draw with Davey Richards in May and a win over Mike Bennett at Best in the World 2012: Hostage Crisis, he had his first title opportunity when he unsuccessfully challenged Kevin Steen for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship. Mondo won an ROH World Television Championship number one contendership six-man mayhem match, and faced Adam Cole for the championship at Death Before Dishonor X: State of Emergency in a losing effort. Following the loss, Mondo defeated Kyle O'Reilly in a qualifying match for the 2012 Survival of the Fittest tournament, but lost in the final to Jay Lethal. At Glory By Honor XI: The Unbreakable Hope, Mondo lost to Mike Bennett, suffering a leg injury in the process which sidelined him for several months.[55]

Mondo returned in March 2013, forming a tag team partnership with Grizzly Redwood and starting a feud with S.C.U.M. At Supercard of Honor VII, Mondo, B. J. Whitmer, Caprice Coleman, Cedric Alexander, and Mark Briscoe lost to five members of S.C.U.M.

He made a further return at television tapings in April 2017, when he and Kenny unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.[56]

Return to WWE (2016)

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In late 2016, Brendli, as Mikey, alongside Kenny, returned to WWE for a short storyline with Dolph Ziggler (formerly Nicky in the Spirit Squad). On October 4, on SmackDown, they utilised their Spirit Squad characters to taunt Ziggler about his time in the Spirit Squad, before attacking him at the behest of the Intercontinental Champion The Miz and Maryse.[57] Five days later, at the No Mercy pay-per-view, he and Kenny attempted to distract Ziggler in his career vs. title match against The Miz, but were unsuccessful.[58] On the October 11 episode of SmackDown, Mikey and Kenny faced Ziggler in a two-on-one handicap match; Ziggler won but was attacked by The Miz before being saved by Rhyno and Heath Slater.[59] This led to a six-man tag team match the following week, which Mikey, Kenny, and The Miz won.[60] Mikey and Kenny unsuccessfully challenged Slater and Rhyno for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship on October 25.[61] They appeared throughout November in tag team matches, before disappearing off television.

Major League Wrestling (2019)

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On July 24, 2019, it was announced that Squad members Mondo and Kenny Dykstra were now signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW). They would go on to debut at that month's Never Say Never show.[62]

National Wrestling Alliance (2025–present)

[edit]

On the January 7, 2025, episode of NWA Power, Mondo made his debut, defeating Boz. On the April 8 episode of Powerr, Mondo challenged Mims for the NWA National Championship, but was unsuccessful. He would later go on to defeat Mims for the NWA National Championship at NWA 77th Anniversary Show on August 16, 2025.[63]

Personal life

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Brendli played football in middle and high school.[3] Brendli is good friends with his former Spirit Squad teammate Nick Nemeth (better known as Dolph Ziggler), and the two lived together in Florida until 2008.[64] On June 1, 2008, Brendli was arrested for driving under the influence in Florida.[4][65][66] He was released the next day after posting $500 bail.[4]

Championships and accomplishments

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Mondo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Brendli (born March 26, 1983), better known by the ring name Mike Mondo, is an American professional wrestler currently performing for the (NWA), where he is the reigning NWA National Heavyweight Champion. Born in , New York, Mondo began training at the Critical Mass Wrestling School in New York in 2002, debuting professionally that June. Mondo signed with World Wrestling Entertainment () in February 2005 and was sent to its developmental territory, (OVW), where he competed until his main roster call-up in January 2006. There, he portrayed Mikey, the energetic cheerleader character in the male cheerleading faction The Spirit Squad, alongside members , Johnny, Mitch, and Nicky. The group quickly rose to prominence, capturing the WWE World Tag Team Championship on April 3, 2006, from ; the group held the titles for 216 days under the Freebird Rule before and Mikey lost them to and at Cyber Sunday on November 5, 2006. The Spirit Squad's run ended later that year, and Mondo returned to developmental before being released by on June 13, 2008. Following his WWE departure, Mondo returned to the independent wrestling scene, competing in promotions such as (ROH), where he had notable matches, and , winning the in 2009. He adopted the hard-hitting "No Fear" persona, emphasizing his technician style and underdog "Giant Killer" reputation despite standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall. In August 2025, Mondo joined the NWA full-time and defeated "Big Strong" Mims on an episode of to win the , ending Mims' 350-day reign and marking Mondo's first major singles title in over a decade. As of November 2025, he continues to defend the title on the Sports Channel, while also working as a wrestling coach.

Early life and training

Background and upbringing

Michael Brendli, professionally known as Mike Mondo, was born on March 26, 1983, in . He spent his early years in , New York, where the local environment and access to televised wrestling events shaped his initial interests. From a young age, Brendli became an avid fan of , particularly idolizing Bret "The Hitman" Hart, whose performances inspired his lifelong passion for the industry. Brendli's exposure to wrestling primarily occurred through watching major events on television during his childhood and teenage years in the New York area.

Wrestling training

Mike Mondo began his professional wrestling training in 2002 at the Critical Mass Wrestling School in New York, a facility dedicated to developing aspiring wrestlers through rigorous instruction in fundamentals and performance techniques. The school, later rebranded as the New York Wrestling Connection, provided Mondo with an intensive program that emphasized physical conditioning, ring psychology, and basic match structure, allowing him to build a strong foundation shortly after high school. Under the guidance of primary instructor Brimstone, a veteran wrestler who operated the school, Mondo received personalized mentorship focused on technical precision and in-ring storytelling. Brimstone's approach, which included hands-on drills and live sparring sessions, helped Mondo refine his agility and timing, key elements that would define his early career. Additional influences from trainers like John Curse and Mike Mayhem further honed his skills during this period, exposing him to diverse wrestling methodologies. Mondo's training particularly emphasized the development of a technician wrestling style, prioritizing mat-based holds, submissions, and transitional maneuvers over high-impact . This style's fundamentals—such as chain wrestling sequences and countering techniques—were instilled through repetitive practice, enabling him to execute fluid, strategic bouts that showcased control and adaptability. By completing his initial training regimen, Mondo was prepared for his professional debut in independent promotions just months later.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2002–2005)

Mike Mondo made his debut in June 2002, performing under his in independent promotions on the East Coast. Standing at 5'7" (170 cm), he quickly developed a reputation as a capable of competing against larger opponents, earning the "The Giant Killer" for his underdog style that emphasized speed, , and resilience. Mondo's early success centered on the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC), where he established himself as a top talent. In June 2003, competing as "Livewire" Mike Mondo, he captured the vacant NYWC Heavyweight Championship by defeating in , beginning a reign that highlighted his rising prominence in the regional scene. During this period, he maintained a notable nine-month undefeated streak, using high-energy matches to build his character as a relentless challenger who thrived on overcoming physical disadvantages. Key defenses and bouts, such as those against established veterans, solidified his feuds with bigger competitors, reinforcing the "Giant Killer" persona through underdog victories that drew local crowds. In early 2005, Mondo won the NYWC Heavyweight Championship for a second time, defeating Joey Matthews on March 26 in . He successfully defended the title against on April 29 before losing it to the following day. These accomplishments, combined with continued appearances like a win over Dickie Rodz in October 2005, positioned him for broader opportunities, leading to his signing of a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment later that year.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005–2008)

In February 2005, Mike Mondo signed a developmental with and was assigned to its (OVW) territory. There, he adapted to the WWE style through early matches, initially competing as part of manager Kenny Bolin's stable, Bolin Services, where he showcased his technical wrestling abilities against larger opponents. In late 2005, Mondo formed the faction The alongside , , , and Mike Posey (Mitch), portraying male cheerleaders to generate crowd heat. The group debuted on the Raw brand on January 23, 2006, interfering in a match to propel into the Royal Rumble, quickly establishing themselves as antagonists aligned with Raw General Manager and later . As Mikey in The Spirit Squad, Mondo gained significant main roster exposure, participating in high-profile feuds including against D-Generation X (DX), Ric Flair, and John Cena, often interfering on McMahon's behalf to target top babyfaces. On April 3, 2006, Kenny and Mikey (Mondo) upset Big Show and Kane to capture the World Tag Team Championship in a shocking Raw main event, with the full squad's involvement turning the tide. The duo defended the titles successfully for 217 days against teams like The Highlanders and Eugene and Jim Duggan, representing the faction in defenses while the other members provided managerial support. The reign ended on November 5, 2006, at Cyber Sunday, when Ric Flair and Roddy Piper defeated Kenny and Mikey via fan-voted stipulations, marking the beginning of the group's decline. Following the title loss and subsequent defeats, The disbanded by late 2006, with members including Mondo returned to developmental territories amid creative shifts. Mondo briefly attempted a singles push on Raw, competing in undercard matches to highlight his "" persona, but was reassigned to OVW in early 2007 for further seasoning. In September 2007, he transitioned to 's new (FCW) territory, debuting with a victory over Chris Gray on and competing in various tag and singles bouts against talents like Nick Nemeth and . Mondo remained in FCW until his release from on , 2008, as announced by the company, ending his initial four-year stint.

Independent circuit beginnings (2008–2009)

Following his release from World Wrestling Entertainment on June 13, 2008, Mike Mondo returned to the under his established , seeking to re-establish his career outside the major promotion's structure. He focused initially on Northeast-based promotions, leveraging prior connections from his early career to secure bookings amid the shift from WWE's national exposure to regional shows with significantly smaller audiences. One of his first notable independent appearances came on September 20, 2008, with the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC), where he teamed with in a match against Rob Eckos and Fredrick Of Hollywood, resulting in a loss. Later that year, on October 25, 2008, Mondo competed for Division I Pro Wrestling in , facing in a singles match that he lost, highlighting his efforts to expand beyond familiar territories. These outings exemplified his strategy of mixing tag and singles competition to rebuild momentum on the indie scene. In , Mondo continued building his profile with NYWC, capturing the NYWC Fusion Championship early in the year. He successfully defended the title on March 28 against Grim Reefer and on April 18 against Papadon, demonstrating his technical prowess and adaptability in shorter, high-stakes matches typical of independent bookings. These defenses underscored his determination to secure midcard success while navigating the circuit's logistical demands, such as frequent travel and self-promotion for future opportunities.

Return to Ohio Valley Wrestling (2009–2012)

In early 2009, Mike Mondo returned to (OVW), where he resumed wrestling while also serving as an assistant trainer to help develop younger talent at the promotion's wrestling school. His first major achievement upon returning came on February 4, 2009, when he defeated Johnny Punch and Aaron Stevens in a three-way match to capture the , which he held for 91 days before losing it to Jamin Olivencia. Later that year, on November 21, 2009, Mondo partnered with Turcan Celik to defeat ( and Tilo) in a gauntlet match, winning the ; the duo held the titles until January 2010. Mondo's success continued into 2010, when he defeated on May 29 at the OVW All or Nothing event to win the for the first time, a reign that lasted until June when he dropped the title to James Thomas. He recaptured the heavyweight title on March 5, 2011, defeating in a steel cage match, holding it for 60 days before vacating it following an altercation with OVW President Danny Davis. Throughout this period, Mondo's "Giant Killer" persona was highlighted in feuds against larger opponents, such as his championship victory over the 300-pound-plus , showcasing his underdog style against physically dominant competitors. As an assistant trainer, Mondo contributed to OVW's developmental system by mentoring emerging wrestlers, drawing on his WWE experience to emphasize technical proficiency and in-ring psychology for the next generation of talent. During this OVW stint, he occasionally appeared in events, balancing his commitments across promotions.

Ring of Honor (2010–2013)

Mike Mondo made his debut in on July 22, 2010, at the Bluegrass Brawl event in , where he lost to in a singles match. He returned to the promotion on December 9, 2010, during ROH TV tapings in , , defeating via submission. The following week on the December 31 episode of television, Mondo defeated with a roll-up, establishing himself as a versatile technician capable of competing against established veterans. Throughout his early run, Mondo balanced these appearances with parallel commitments in , positioning him as a reliable mid-card performer known for his agile offense and underdog resilience. In 2011, Mondo's role expanded through a mix of singles and tag team opportunities, highlighting his adaptability in ROH's competitive landscape. At the 9th Anniversary Show on February 26 in , he defeated in a Pick Your Poison stipulation match. On March 18 at New Frontiers in , Mondo teamed with the (Jay and Mark) to defeat the All Night Express (Kenny King and ) and the RockNES Monsters (John McChesney and Shaun Tempers) in a six-man match. The next night at Manhattan Mayhem III, he fell to El Generico via a in a hard-fought singles contest. Later that year, Mondo secured a pinfall victory over Mike Sydal at Best in the World 2011 on June 25 in , but lost to at IX on September 17 in . He closed the year by again partnering with the at 2011 on December 17 in , defeating the All Night Express and ROH World Television Champions Mike Bennett and Mike Hagger in another six-man bout. Mondo's 2012 campaign featured intensified singles rivalries that underscored his "Giant Killer" persona, targeting larger or more accomplished opponents. He suffered a defeat to at on September 7 in , in a match praised for its technical exchanges. Earlier, on ROH television, Mondo challenged Kevin Steen for the , losing via package piledriver but earning acclaim for his aggressive performance against the dominant champion. At Glory by Honor XI on in , Mondo lost to Mike Bennett (accompanied by ) via Go To Hell, an injury to his leg during the match forcing him to miss several months of action. Upon returning in early 2013, Mondo reignited a short feud with , defeating him at the 11th Anniversary Show on March 2 in , with a top-rope . He contributed to a winning effort in a 10-person tag team match at Supercard of Honor VII on March 30 in , , teaming with and others against members. Mondo's tenure concluded on September 21, 2013, with a loss to in , after which he left ROH amid scheduling conflicts with his ongoing obligations.

Further independent promotions (2013–2016)

Following his departure from in 2013, Mike Mondo maintained an active presence on the independent wrestling circuit, with a primary focus on Northeast promotions such as the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC). He competed in several NYWC events that year, including a singles match against Dickie Rodz in June and a three-way contest for the NYWC Championship against and in August, showcasing his technical prowess and underdog resilience. In 2014, Mondo achieved significant success in NYWC by winning the NYWC Heavyweight Championship on February 15, holding the title for 133 days before losing it on June 28. During this reign, he defended the belt in high-profile matches, including against King Mega in March. That same year, he ventured internationally with a tour of the for Discovery Wrestling, where he adopted the aggressive "No Fear" persona—emphasizing fearlessness and hard-hitting offense as a smaller competitor—and headlined the No Fear, No Mercy event on October 11 against Joe Coffey in a critically acclaimed bout that highlighted his adaptability on foreign soil. Additional appearances included a match against Bryan Cage in Coastal Championship Wrestling (CWF) in May and a non-title match against in December, further demonstrating his versatility across regional indies. Mondo's 2015 schedule remained centered on Northeast circuits, with a renewed emphasis on NYWC where he captured the NYWC Fusion Championship on February 28 and held it for 54 days, defending successfully against challengers like Papadon at the April Reign event. He also competed in Delaware Championship Wrestling (DCW), facing in the Rumble for Glory main event on March 21, a match praised for its intense storytelling and athletic exchanges. The "No Fear" gimmick continued to define his indie work, positioning him as "The Professional" and "Giant Killer" in undercard bouts that played to his strengths against larger opponents. By 2016, Mondo's indie bookings shifted toward tag team opportunities, often reuniting with as The in promotions like Beyond Wrestling, where they defeated Angel Ortiz and Mike Draztik on December 11 at . On , he and Dykstra won the NYWC Championship, marking a short but impactful run that same year. These consistent performances across smaller promotions kept Mondo visible amid the financial uncertainties of the indie scene, where wrestlers often balanced multiple bookings to sustain careers, ultimately paving the way for renewed interest from major leagues.

Brief WWE return (2016)

In late September 2016, Mike Mondo, performing under his ring name Mikey alongside , received an unexpected invitation to return to via a text message from followed by an official email from WWE talent relations executive Mark Carrano, leading to their appearance on the main roster without a prior tryout or formal signing to a developmental contract. The duo debuted on the October 4 episode of SmackDown Live during a Miz TV segment, where they mocked Ziggler—referencing his past as the 's Nicky—before being attacked by him, setting up a short tied to Ziggler's Championship program with . At No Mercy on October 9, Mikey and Kenny interfered on The Miz's behalf during his title match against Ziggler, attempting to aid a victory but ultimately being ejected by the along with Maryse, contributing to The Miz's loss in a highly entertaining bout. The storyline expanded on the October 11 SmackDown, where Ziggler defeated the in a 2-on-1 handicap match, pinning Mikey after a Zig Zag. Subsequent weeks saw the positioned as opportunistic heels in the tag division, aligning sporadically with while targeting the SmackDown Champions. On October 18, they teamed with in a losing six-man tag match against Ziggler, , and , where Mikey was pinned following a Gore from . This built to an impromptu title challenge on , with Mikey and capturing an early advantage through cheerleading antics and double-team maneuvers before Slater and retained via a pin on after a double-team finisher. Their final opportunities came in Survivor Series qualifying matches, first losing to American Alpha on November 1 in a brief tag bout that excluded them from the pay-per-view, followed by a November 15 16-man elimination tag where the Spirit Squad, aligned with other heel teams like The Headbangers and The Vaudevillains, were quickly eliminated by the babyface side including American Alpha and The Usos. Despite the positive crowd reactions and creative's initial extension of the one-off appearance into multiple dates—including a false finish at No Mercy—Mondo revealed in a 2023 interview that the team operated without a contract throughout, relying on per-appearance deals, and received no renewal offers or explanation after the November tapings, attributing the abrupt end to WWE's shifting priorities amid roster expansions in the cruiserweight division. This brief run, while highlighting Mondo's enduring cheerleader gimmick in a high-stakes main roster environment, did not lead to a full-time role and instead reinforced his momentum on the independent circuit, where he continued tag team work post-WWE.

Major League Wrestling (2019)

In July 2019, Mike Mondo, alongside former Spirit Squad teammate Kenn Doane (Kenny Dykstra), signed with (MLW), reforming the for the promotion. Their debut occurred at MLW: Never Say Never on July 25, 2019, at the in , New York, where they were defeated by the Von Erich brothers () in a match. To promote their arrival, the duo held a public open workout session at the the day before their debut, emphasizing their athleticism and prowess. Mondo and Doane primarily competed as a tag team throughout their MLW tenure, engaging in feuds within the tag division. On the August 3, , episode of (taped earlier), they lost to the Von Erichs in a rematch, continuing their rivalry with the Texas-based team. Later, on the November 2, , episode of Fusion, the fell to (Ikuro Kwon and ) in a three-way also involving Dominic Garrini and Douglas James, taped at MLW's Opera Cup event. Their final MLW took place on December 5, , at , where they were again defeated by the Von Erichs. Mondo's time in MLW was characterized by a focus on tag team competition, with the Spirit Squad positioned as cocky challengers drawing on their WWE history to generate heel heat. The run concluded at the end of 2019, after which Mondo returned to the independent circuit.

National Wrestling Alliance (2025–present)

Mondo made his debut for the National Wrestling Alliance on the January 7, 2025, episode of NWA Powerrr, defeating Double Barrel Boz in a singles match that showcased his veteran technical prowess and intensity. Throughout the spring and summer, he competed in several high-profile bouts, including a victory over Zyon on the June 2025 episode of Powerrr and tag team matches alongside Spencer Slade in the 2025 NWA Crockett Cup tournament, where they advanced to the second round before elimination. These performances built his momentum within the promotion, leveraging his extensive independent circuit experience to position him as a reliable midcard contender amid NWA's ongoing revival efforts, including weekly Powerrr episodes airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the Roku Sports Channel. Following a heated "gut check" confrontation with "Big Strong" Mims, Mondo captured the on August 16, 2025, at the NWA 77 event in , defeating Mims via pinfall in the main event after a hard-fought battle emphasizing power versus technique, with interference from allies and playing a key role. This victory marked the end of Mims' 350-day reign and highlighted Mondo's status as a grizzled returning to prominence in a territory-style promotion. On August 22, 2025, Mondo signed a multi-year contract with the NWA, solidifying his commitment to the promotion's classic championship narratives and event lineup. As champion, Mondo has defended the title in promotional segments, including a successful defense against Legursky on October 17, 2025, while engaging in a burgeoning inter-promotional , publicly criticizing All Elite Wrestling's introduction of their own on November 5, 2025, and calling out AEW President for allegedly copying NWA's storied lineage. His reign has contributed to NWA's 2025 resurgence, featuring appearances at revival-themed events like Shockwave tapings and the , where his veteran presence mentors younger talent and reinforces the promotion's emphasis on traditional wrestling storytelling. Mondo is scheduled to make his first televised title defense at the NWA Christmas Brawl event later in 2025, potentially against a challenger emerging from ongoing midcard s.

Personal life

Family and residence

Michael Brendli, known professionally as Mike Mondo, was born on March 26, 1983, in , New York. His mother, Barbara Brendli, was a teacher's aide and pioneering athlete who passed away on May 28, 2017, at the age of 61; she expressed great pride in her son's wrestling career, particularly his time in as a member of the . He has a father, Steven Brendli, a brother, Robert Brendli, and a sister, Michelle Brendli. In 2017, Mondo resided in Islip, New York, a town on . As of July 2025, he has been based in , reflecting his professional ties to wrestling promotions and training facilities in the area. Mondo maintains a travel-intensive lifestyle due to his commitments with the and independent wrestling events across the . On June 1, 2008, professional wrestler Michael Brendli, known by his ring name Mike Mondo, was arrested in , for after police observed his vehicle weaving and stopped him around 11:00 p.m. His blood alcohol level was measured at 0.094, exceeding Florida's legal limit of 0.08. He was charged with DUI, booked into Hillsborough County Jail, and released the following day after posting a $500 bond. The incident directly resulted in Brendli's release from World Wrestling Entertainment () on June 13, 2008, where he had been performing in as part of his developmental contract. No further public legal matters involving Brendli have been documented since the 2008 arrest.

Championships and accomplishments

Major promotions

Mondo achieved his first major championship success in as part of the faction, collectively winning the World Tag Team Championship on April 3, 2006, during a Raw episode taped in , by defeating in a gauntlet match alongside Kenny, Johnny, Mitch, and Nicky. This unusual reign, lasting 216 days until their loss to and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Cyber Sunday on November 5, 2006, marked the first instance in history where five wrestlers were simultaneously recognized as champions, emphasizing the group's unified cheerleader gimmick and contributing to their midcard prominence during the Ruthless Aggression era. The defended the titles multiple times, primarily through representatives Kenny and Mikey (Mondo's in-ring persona), against teams like The Highlanders and Eugene & , showcasing Mondo's role in elevating the faction's entertainment value before their eventual disbandment. In 2025, Mondo captured the —his second title from a major promotion—on August 16 at the NWA 77th Anniversary Show in , by defeating the reigning champion Mims in the main event, ending Mims' 350-day reign that had begun in 2024. As of November 20, 2025, Mondo's first reign with the title, which originated in 1980 as a key NWA territorial belt symbolizing national contention, has lasted 96 days, including a successful defense against Wrecking Ball Legursky on October 17, 2025, positioning him as a central figure in NWA's ongoing revival under its modern booking. This victory highlighted Mondo's resurgence in the industry after years on the independent scene, aligning with his transition to NWA's flagship programming on .

Independent promotions

Mondo's independent wrestling career began to gain traction in the New York Wrestling Connection (NYWC), where he captured the NYWC Heavyweight Championship twice early on. His first reign came under the ring name Livewyre on June 7, 2003, when he defeated Dickie Rodz in Deer Park, New York, though the title was vacated later that summer after a brief run. Mondo reclaimed the title as himself on March 26, 2005, also in Deer Park, holding it for 35 days before losing it to Matt Striker on April 30. During this second reign, he notably defended the championship against Mikey Whipwreck on April 29, 2005, solidifying his reputation as a resilient underdog performer capable of competing against established names. He won the title for a third time on February 15, 2014, defeating Matt Burns in Deer Park, New York, holding it for 133 days before losing to Mikey Whipwreck on June 28, 2014. These NYWC accomplishments marked Mondo's emergence as a key figure on the Northeast independent scene, showcasing his high-energy style and helping attract attention from larger promotions. Returning to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in 2009 after his initial WWE stint, Mondo quickly achieved success across multiple divisions. On February 4, 2009, in Louisville, Kentucky, he won the OVW Television Championship by defeating Aaron Stevens and Johnny Punch in a three-way match, holding the title for 91 days until dropping it to Jamin Olivencia on May 6. This reign featured consistent defenses that highlighted his technical prowess and versatility, contributing to OVW's midcard landscape during its developmental era. Later that year, on November 21, 2009, Mondo teamed with Turcan Celik to capture the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in Louisville by defeating Moose and Tilo Samoa, but their partnership lasted only 7 days before losing the titles to The Network (Andrew The Director and Benny The Producer) on November 28. Mondo's OVW tenure peaked with two OVW Heavyweight Championship reigns in 2010 and 2011, further cementing his status as a top independent talent. He first won the title on May 29, 2010, defeating in Louisville for an 18-day run ending on June 16 in a match against James Thomas and , with Thomas winning the title. His second reign began on March 5, 2011, when he dethroned in Louisville, lasting 60 days with several high-profile defenses, including a successful title retention against James Thomas on April 9, before the title was vacated on May 4 due to Mondo attacking OVW President Danny Davis. These victories underscored Mondo's evolution into a main-event draw on the indies, emphasizing his ability to carry storylines and deliver intense that built his credibility ahead of future opportunities.

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