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Key Information

Tom Boric
Personal information
Full name Thomas Boric
Position Goalkeeper
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1980 Old Dominion Monarchs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1980–1981 Calgary Boomers (indoor) 1 (0)
1981 Calgary Boomers (0)
1982–1984 Tampa Bay Rowdies 15 (0)
1983 Tampa Bay Rowdies (indoor) 2 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas Boric (born May 11, 1961)[1] is a Croatian-Canadian retired professional wrestler better known by his ring name Paul Diamond. He is best known for being one half of the tag team Badd Company with Pat Tanaka and for his time in the World Wrestling Federation as Kato, one half of The Orient Express, also with Tanaka and later Max Moon. Before he was a professional wrestler, Boric was a professional Association Football player.

Early life

[edit]

Boric was born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1961 and grew up wanting to follow in his father's footsteps and become a soccer player. When Boric was 13 years old the family emigrated from Croatia to Canada, settling down in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Tom got a full soccer scholarship to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.[3]

Professional soccer career

[edit]

After only three semesters at college, Boric was selected as the 6th overall pick of the 1981 NASL draft to play goalkeeper for the recently formed Calgary Boomers[4] of the North American Soccer League. After the Boomers folded in 1981, Boric moved on to the Tampa Bay Rowdies whom he played for until the NASL closed for good in 1984.[3]

After his professional soccer career ended, Boric began training for a professional wrestling career at a Tampa Bay wrestling school run by Boris Malenko along with his two sons Joe Malenko and Dean Malenko who all had a hand in training him.[3]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Texas-All Star Wrestling (1985–1986)

[edit]

After training, Boric began wrestling as "Paul Diamond" in 1985. (The name had been previously used by Toronto-born wrestler Paul Lehman in the 1960s.)[5] His first break came in the Texas All-Star Wrestling promotion in San Antonio, Texas. He initially formed a tag team called American Breed with Nick Kiniski (son of legendary wrestler Gene Kiniski) in Fred Barend's Texas All-Star Wrestling. Neither Diamond nor Kiniski were actually American, (Diamond is Croatian/Canadian while Kiniski is Canadian) so the team name was quite ironic.[6]

The team won the TASW Tag Team Championship from the Maoris (Tudui and Wakahi) on May 25, 1985, and held them until Al Madrill and Chavo Guerrero took the titles from them on June 5, 1985.[7] The titles would be vacated later that same month when Chavo Guerrero refused to wrestle in a rematch against Diamond and Kiniski because Chavo's father Gory Guerrero was the special referee chosen for the match. Madrill teamed up with Black Gorman instead but lost the match. After the match, Madrill attacked Chavo Guerrero splitting the team and forcing the titles to be held up.[citation needed]

When Chavo won the rights to name a new partner he chose to give the titles to American Breed instead, only now American Breed consisted of Paul Diamond and a rookie named Shawn Michaels,[8] as Kiniski had left the promotion a few weeks prior.[7] They feuded for a short time with Toshiaki Kawada and Hiromichi Fuyuki, who were called The Japanese Force.

Diamond and Michaels lost and then regained the titles from the "Masked Hoods" (Ricky Santana and Tony Torres)[7] before being beaten for the titles on January 27, 1986, by Al Madrill and Magnificent Zulu.[7] Both Michaels and Diamond began to add more to their wrestling skills, thanks in part to fellow wrestler Chris Adams, who split his time between World Class Championship Wrestling and Texas All-Star at the time.

Continental Wrestling Association (1986–1988)

[edit]
Main article: Badd Company

In 1986, Diamond moved on to Memphis, Tennessee, where he worked for Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett's Continental Wrestling Association. In the fall of 1986 Diamond teamed up with a young Jeff Jarrett to win the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship from Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on November 3, 1986. The team lost the titles back to Goto and Sato less than 2 weeks later.[7] In late 1986, the tag team specialist Diamond was teamed up with Pat Tanaka, who was also seen as a tag team specialist, to form Badd Company.[9] They held the federation's tag team titles four times and the two won the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship, beating Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on December 15, 1986. The first reign was short lived as The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller) defeated the young duo on January 10, 1987.[7] Badd Company quickly regained the titles only to lose them to Tarzan Goto and Akio Sato on February 5, 1987.[7] The third run with the tag team titles came on May 9, 1987, when the team beat Mark Starr in a handicap match,[7] but lost them back to Mark Starr and his new tag team partner Billy Joe Travis. Badd Company had one last run with the International tag team titles as they won the vacant titles on May 25, 1987[7] and held them until July 6, 1987, where they lost the titles to Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson (who were the last International tag team champions).

Badd Company also won the CWA's main tag team titles in Memphis, when they defeated Jeff Jarrett and Billy Joe Travis for the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship on August 8, 1987.[7] Tanaka and Diamond soon lost them as the Nasty Boys took the gold from them just over a month later.[7]

American Wrestling Association (1988–1990)

[edit]

After working as a team for almost a year, Badd Company moved on from the CWA to the American Wrestling Association. In the AWA, they were given identical ring gear and were accompanied by flamboyant manager Diamond Dallas Page, who always had a number of valets, known as the Diamond Dolls, with him.[9]

The team's first feud was against The Midnight Rockers, whom they defeated for the AWA World Tag Team Championship on March 19, 1988.[7] During their year long title reign, Badd Company would feud heavily with Chavo and Mando Guerrero and the team known as the Top Guns (Ricky Rice and Derrick Dukes). They teamed with Madusa Miceli to face the team of the Top Guns and Wendi Richter at the first AWA PPV, SuperClash III.[10] Both Badd Company's Tag Team Title and Wendi Richter's AWA World Women's Championship were on the line, but since Richter pinned Miceli, Badd Company remained the champions.[11] Diamond and Tanaka's reign ended on March 25, 1989, as they lost to "the Olympians" (Brad Rheingans and Ken Patera).[7] Shortly after losing their titles they split from Page, and had a short feud against each other before wrestling in singles competition until early 1990. Just before moving to the WWF, Diamond teamed with The Trooper Del Wilkes for a short run at the AWA Tag Team Titles against The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom). Diamond and Trooper actually defeated The Destruction Crew, but were not awarded the titles when it was determined that Diamond pinned the wrong person. AWA folded in August 1990.

World Wrestling Federation (1990–1993)

[edit]

Debut and The Orient Express (1990–1992)

[edit]
Main article: The Orient Express (professional wrestling)

Diamond signed with the World Wrestling Federation in 1990, working mainly on the lower card against Dustin Rhodes,[12] Hillbilly Jim,[13] and Al Perez,[14] usually in a losing role. Orient Express member Akio Sato decided to take a position in the Titan (WWF) front office, focusing on the WWF television rights sold to Japan TV networks following the 1990 Survivor Series. Following Survivor Series 1990, the "C-team" house shows were no longer taking place and many wrestlers left television following the event. The move left Pat Tanaka without a partner in The Orient Express. The WWF decided to reunite the team known as Badd Company, only this time with Paul Diamond wearing a mask to hide the fact that he was not Asian and using the name of Kato.[9] During this time, the team had a very well received match with their old enemies the Rockers at the 1991 Royal Rumble,[15] and match against the New Foundation at the 1992 Royal Rumble,[16] which were the only PPV appearances for the New Orient Express. Kato spent a great deal of the 1992 campaign flying solo, posting a notable victory over The Brooklyn Brawler at Maple Leaf Gardens on February 9, 1992, in addition to collecting wins against the likes of grinders such as Jim Powers, Phil Apollo, JW Storm, Kid Collins, and Dale Wolfe. He also would serve as the first opponent for the re-debut of Crush under his "Kona Crush" persona.

Sato briefly rejoined the team in 1991 to team with Tanaka and Kato for a series of 6-man tag-team matches on WWF house shows,[17] but left the WWF after only a handful of matches. Tanaka would leave the WWF in early 1992.[18] Diamond continued to wrestle as Kato until that October, primarily being used as an enhancement talent.

Max Moon (1992–1993)

[edit]

In the fall of 1992, Diamond got a brand new gimmick in "Maximillian Moon" ("Max Moon" for short). Diamond wasn't originally intended to play Max Moon. The gimmick, then called Relampago, was created for Konnan, but Konnan left the WWF after a backstage disagreement. Since Diamond fit the costume, he was chosen to take over the character.[19] The suit was a very elaborate powder blue bodysuit with markings that were supposed to look like a circuit board and white protruding rings around his arms making him look rather "outlandish".[20] The elaborate outfit also came with two wrist devices that shot out fireworks and a jet pack that was supposed to make Max Moon look like a man of the future.

Diamond debuted as the Komet Kid and then would change his name to Max Moon. He would wrestle and defeat Terry Taylor in a series of house show matches during the rest of 1992, but otherwise, his biggest victories came against Rick Martel[21] and Repo Man,[22] both by disqualification. On the December 7, 1992, episode of WWF Prime Time Wrestling, Max Moon teamed with High Energy (Owen Hart and Koko B. Ware) in a six-man tag team match against The Beverly Brothers and The Genius. Max Moon and High Energy won the match when Moon pinned The Genius.

On January 11, 1993, Max Moon wrestled and lost an Intercontinental Championship match to former tag team partner/longtime rival Shawn Michaels on the very first Monday Night Raw.[23] The loss to Michaels was a sign of things to come for the Max Moon gimmick as he began losing to midcarders such as Skinner.[24] The Max Moon gimmick only appeared at one PPV, participating in the 30 Man Elimination match at the 1993 Royal Rumble, where he was in the ring less than 2 minutes.[25] In late February, Paul Diamond's contract with the WWF expired and was not renewed.[3]

Various promotions (1993)

[edit]

After leaving WWF, Diamond worked in the independent circuit, and Australia as Max Moon. In the summer of 1993, Diamond would debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling under his real name.

Eastern Championship Wrestling / Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–1994)

[edit]

Diamond and Pat Tanaka reunited as "Badd Company" to work for Eastern Championship Wrestling (the forerunner to "Extreme Championship Wrestling") in late 1993. The team made their debut at NWA Bloodfest: Part 1 on October 1, 1993, where they beat the Bad Breed (Ian Rotten and Axl Rotten).[26] Tanaka and Diamond got a shot at the ECW Tag Team Champions Tony Stetson and Johnny Hotbody later in the night, which Badd Company lost.[26]

The next night at NWA Bloodfest: Part 2, Badd Company fought against Public Enemy (Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge) in one of their very early matches.[27] Later in the show, Badd Company and the Public Enemy would clash again, this time in a Three way, steel cage match that also included Bad Breed. This time, Public Enemy was victorious.[27] At Terror at Tabor on November 12, 1993, Badd Company beat the makeshift team of Don E. Allen and Mr. Hughes.[28] After the match, Badd Company called out Public Enemy resulting in an impromptu match between Paul Diamond and Rocco Rock which Diamond won.[28] Public Enemy quickly got very brutal revenge on Badd Company as they defeated the duo in a "South Philly hood" match the very next day at November to Remember.[29] At Holiday Hell 1993 on December 26, Pat Tanaka defeated Rocco Rock in a "Body Count" match.[30]

As 1993 turned to 1994, Badd Company set their sights on ECW Tag Team Champions Kevin Sullivan and The Tasmaniac; they defeated them twice in non-title matches.[31] At The Night the Line Was Crossed on February 5, 1994, Tanaka and his one night only partner The Sheik defeated Sullivan and The Tasmaniac. Unfortunately, the team had been stripped of the titles the night before.[32] When Tanaka was rejoined by Diamond, the team lost to the (once again) Tag Team Champions when the gold was finally on the line.[33] On March 27, 1994, Badd Company wrestled their last match for ECW, a house show victory over Rockin' Rebel and Pitbull #1.

World Championship Wrestling (1994)

[edit]

By the time Badd Company wrestled its last match for ECW, Tanaka and Diamond had already signed with World Championship Wrestling; Tanaka had even made his on screen debut as "Tanaka-San".[34] Paul Diamond showed up with the Kato mask on using the name "Haito" (sometimes spelled "Hyeeto") only days after their last ECW match.[35] The duo reprised their "Orient Express" gimmick but could not use the name since the WWF owned the trademark to it. The two men wrestled a couple of matches together[36][37] but they never achieved any notoriety in WCW. Badd Company / The Orient Express finally split up for good by the end of 1994.[9]

Later Career (1994–2001)

[edit]

After leaving ECW and WCW in 1994, Diamond worked for IWA in Puerto Rico. Later that year he worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as Max Moon but the costume was yellow. Also, he began working in the independent circuit. In 1996 he worked for American Wrestling Federation as Kato.

Diamond worked for Jerry Lawler's promotions in Memphis for the United States Wrestling Association in 1997 where he held the USWA World Tag Team Championship alongside Steven Dunn.[7] After USWA folded in September 1997, Diamond worked for IWA Mid-South for a couple of months in late 1997 where he feuded with Bull Pain.

After the IWA Mid-South, he worked for "Music City Wrestling" until a torn triceps muscle put him out of action for six months in 1998.[3] He worked for Power Pro Wrestling from 1998 to 1999.

Diamond had set up an agreement to join Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Academy.[3] Diamond also wrestled for the Texas Wrestling Alliance under the name of "Venom", holding the TWA title twice[38] and also being involved in Shawn Michaels return to wrestling after a 1998 back injury that was thought to have put a permanent end to his wrestling career. When Michaels handed the wrestling academy to head trainer Rudy Gonzalez, Diamond and his family moved to Tampa then to Winnipeg where Diamond opened up a wrestling school called "Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy," while helping out his terminally ill father.[3] Diamond return for two show at WWF house shows as the TWA champion defeating Funaki on September 18 and 19, 1999 in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. On April 4, 2000, he lost to Shawn Michaels in a Hardcore Street Fight. Diamond worked for Canadian Wrestling Federation in Winnipeg from 2000 to 2001.

Diamond retired from active competition in 2001 to focus on the wrestling academy.

Return to ECW (1997–1998)

[edit]

Diamond made his return to Extreme Championship Wrestling in September 1997. His role was more of a jobber losing to Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, Spike Dudley and Justin Credible. He had a feud with Al Snow. Diamond defeated Snow at "Fright Fight", but lost to him at Ultimate Jeopardy and Better Than Ever. The feud continued into 1998 with Snow getting the majority of the wins due to his Head gimmick getting over.

Return to Wrestling (2005–2008, 2013)

[edit]

In 2005 Diamond returned to action for the first time in four years. His only active involvement has been Rocket City Wrestling in Huntsville, Alabama, wrestling sometimes twice, as Diamond and as Max Moon[39] while also being involved in the booking. He reunited with Tanaka for the first time in 12 years on March 25, 2006, for Blue Water Championship Wrestling in Port Huron, Michigan as they lost to Kevin Baker and Michael Barnes. They continued teaming until their last match on April 18, 2008, defeating Joshua Masters and Kennedy Kendrick for All-Star Wrestling Florida in Port Richey, Florida. Then Diamond was inactive from wrestling.

Diamond wrestled his last match on June 3, 2013 teaming with Jeff McAllister losing to Hoodlum and Mercury Yaden for Rocky Pro Wrestling in Aurora, Colorado.

Personal life

[edit]

In May 2012, he began working for the Decatur Parks and Recreation Department.[40] He was married to Lisa Motley, who sometimes worked as his valet Cherry Velvet.[1] They have two children (Kiana and Quentin).[1] Quentin played goalie (like his father) in Huntsville for Bob Jones High School's top ranked soccer team and in April 2015 signed an athletic scholarship to play at Tennessee Wesleyan College.[41] He is currently married to Dawn Doyle.

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Paul Diamond

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Thomas Boric (born May 11, 1961), better known by his ring name Paul Diamond, is a Croatian-Canadian retired professional wrestler renowned for his tag team success in the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly as one half of Badd Company in the (AWA) alongside , with whom he captured the in 1988. Born in , (then part of ), Boric immigrated to as a child, growing up in , , before moving to the ; he initially pursued soccer, playing professionally for the in the North American Soccer League, but transitioned to wrestling after training under the Malenko family in . Diamond debuted in 1985 in Texas All Star Wrestling, quickly forming the tag team American Breed with Nick Kiniski and later American Force with a young , securing multiple Texas All Star Tag Team Championships early in his career. He then joined the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), where as Badd Company with , he won the International Tag Team Championship multiple times between 1986 and 1987. His breakthrough came in the , where Badd Company, managed by , feuded with top teams like The Midnight Rockers and The Fabulous Freebirds, holding the AWA tag titles for much of 1988 and defending them in high-profile matches, including against at a WWE Network-archived event. The team disbanded after the 's decline. In 1990, Diamond joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) as the masked Kato, partnering with Tanaka in the Orient Express heel faction, which emphasized their international personas and engaged in rivalries with teams like The Legion of Doom; the gimmick evolved briefly into the short-lived Max Moon character in 1993, featuring a futuristic spacesuit, before he departed due to creative differences. Post-WWF, he competed in promotions such as the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), winning the USWA World Tag Team Championship with Steven Dunn in 1997, and later in Texas Wrestling Alliance (TWA), where he held the TWA Heavyweight Championship twice under the ring name Venom, and in the Canadian Wrestling Federation (CWF), where he won the CWF Heavyweight Championship as Paul Diamond in 2000. His final in-ring match occurred in 2013, after which he retired from active competition. Since retiring, Diamond has focused on training the next generation of wrestlers, operating the Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy and Rocket City Wrestling in , where he resides with his wife, Lisa Motley (occasionally used as valet Cherry Velvet), and their two children. In 2025, he gained attention for selling custom Max Moon action figures to support his wife's ongoing treatment following her fourth surgery. Throughout his career, Diamond was recognized for his technical allrounder style, standing at 6'1" and weighing around 230 pounds, and he occasionally appeared in non-wrestling roles, such as valeting or managing.

Early years

Early life

Thomas Boric, better known by his ring name Paul Diamond, was born on May 11, 1961, in , (present-day ), to ethnic Croatian parents. At the age of 13, Boric and his family immigrated to , where they settled in , . The move marked a significant transition for the young Boric, who adapted to life in a new country as part of an immigrant family navigating the challenges of relocation. In , Boric spent his childhood and teenage years immersed in the local community, attending schools and gradually embracing Canadian culture. Growing up in a close-knit , he developed an early fascination with , particularly soccer, which was heavily influenced by his father's enthusiasm for the game and desire for his son to pursue it as a career path. This familial encouragement laid the groundwork for Boric's initial athletic pursuits in the years ahead.

Professional soccer career

Thomas Boric, known professionally in wrestling as Paul Diamond, began his professional soccer career as a after a standout collegiate tenure at . Selected sixth overall in the North American Soccer League (NASL) college draft by the expansion Boomers, Boric signed his first professional contract with the team. However, the Boomers folded prior to the start of the outdoor season, leaving him without competitive play that year, though he appeared in one indoor league match during the 1980-81 winter season, logging 1 minute without recording a win or shutout. Following the Boomers' collapse, Boric was acquired by the , where he spent the remainder of his professional career from to 1984, competing in both the NASL's outdoor and indoor divisions. As a backup goalkeeper behind starters like Winston DuBose and Perry Yip, his playing time was limited; he made 15 appearances across three seasons, totaling 1,271 minutes, with no wins, losses, or ties recorded, and one . Notable moments included his NASL outdoor debut on April 24, , against the Toronto Blizzard, where the score was 1-1 in regulation but the Rowdies lost 1-2 in , and a brief appearance in the 1984 season amid the league's final year. Injuries further hampered his progress, including a torn in his right knee early in the campaign that required rehabilitation and sidelined him for extended periods. The physical demands of professional soccer, compounded by recurring injuries and inconsistent opportunities as a reserve player, presented significant challenges for Boric. With the NASL folding after the 1984 season due to financial instability, he faced limited prospects in North American professional soccer. By 1985, Boric transitioned to , leveraging his athletic background from years of training under local coaches in his hometown of , , where he had honed his skills in amateur leagues prior to college. This shift marked the end of his brief but promising soccer tenure, during which he appeared in 16 total professional matches.

Professional wrestling career

Early independent promotions (1985–1988)

Paul Diamond, born Tom Boric in , , transitioned from a professional soccer career with the to in 1985, seeking to leverage his athletic prowess in a new arena. He trained under the Malenko family in that year, honing his skills in the fundamentals of the industry. Adopting the Paul Diamond, Boric made his debut in Texas All-Star Wrestling (TASW) later in 1985. In TASW from 1985 to 1986, Diamond built local popularity through a mix of singles bouts and opportunities, establishing himself as a versatile performer capable of high-flying maneuvers and technical wrestling. He engaged in early singles feuds, including standout matches that showcased his agility against opponents like local heels, helping to cultivate a fanbase in territories. In TASW, Diamond first teamed with Nick Kiniski as American Breed, winning the . A pivotal moment came when he partnered with to form the team American Force; the duo were awarded the TASW by on September 1, 1985, in , . This success highlighted Diamond's rising stock in the promotion, though the partnership was short-lived as he sought broader exposure. These experiences solidified his reputation as a reliable worker, blending athleticism with charismatic presence to draw crowds in smaller venues. Diamond moved to the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in mid-1986, where he teamed up with to form the cocky Badd Company, portraying arrogant outsiders who belittled American competitors with their brash attitudes and coordinated offense. Managed initially without a prominent figure, the duo's dynamic emphasized Tanaka's striking prowess complementing Diamond's aerial style, making them a formidable unit in Memphis territory storylines. They quickly ascended by challenging established teams, positioning themselves as disruptive forces in the tag division. Key events in the CWA from 1986 to 1988 revolved around Badd Company's pursuit and defenses of the CWA/ International Tag Team Championship, which they won multiple times amid intense rivalries. On December 15, 1986, in Memphis, they defeated and Akio Sato in a stretcher match to claim the titles for the first time as a team. They won the titles again in January 1987 from The Sheepherders (Luke Williams and Butch Miller). On May 9, 1987, Diamond and Tanaka defeated in a handicap match, and on May 25, 1987, they defeated and . These encounters elevated the team's profile through repeated title changes and sold-out houses.

American Wrestling Association (1988–1990)

In 1988, Paul Diamond and , having initially teamed as Badd Company in the Continental Wrestling Association, transitioned to the (AWA) under the management of . The duo quickly established themselves as a dominant , known for their coordinated offense, martial arts-inspired moves, and Page's high-energy promos that highlighted their "B-A-D-D Badd Company" persona, complete with flashy leather outfits and the theme song "Bad Company" by the rock band of the same name. This positioned them as arrogant villains, drawing significant from audiences through Page's interference and the team's cocky in-ring taunts. On March 19, 1988, in , , Badd Company captured the by defeating the reigning champions, The Midnight Rockers ( and ), in a match that showcased their technical prowess and opportunistic tactics. They held the titles for 371 days, mounting several successful defenses against notable challengers, including the Rock 'n' Roll RPMs (Mike Davis and Tommy Lane) on September 19, 1988, and the Guerrero brothers ( and ) via disqualification on January 20, 1989. Key rivalries defined their reign, particularly an intense feud with The Midnight Rockers that featured fast-paced, high-stakes matches emphasizing athleticism and betrayal angles involving Page's meddling. Additional storylines pitted them against local favorites like Greg Gagne and DJ Peterson in the AWA's Team Challenge Series format, where Badd Company's underhanded strategies amplified their heat and contributed to the promotion's storytelling. Badd Company's dominance elevated the 's tag division, blending international flair with American wrestling staples and drawing national television exposure on shows like AWA Championship Wrestling. Their reign ended on March 25, 1989, in , when they lost the titles to The Olympians ( and ) in a hard-fought upset. Post-title, the team continued feuds with powerhouses like The Destruction Crew ( and ), including a steel cage match loss on August 4, . As the grappled with financial woes and declining attendance in , Badd Company disbanded amid the promotion's turmoil; Tanaka departed first for the World Wrestling Federation, while Diamond's final AWA appearance came at on April 7, , teaming with The (Greg Gagne) to defeat The Destruction Crew in a steel cage match for the co-promoted . Their tenure left a lasting impact, revitalizing the tag scene during a transitional era for the territory.

World Wrestling Federation (1990–1993)

Paul Diamond signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1990, initially appearing in preliminary matches before transitioning to a more prominent role. He debuted as Kato, a masked Japanese warrior character, in the tag team The Orient Express alongside , managed by ; Diamond had substituted for the injured Akio Sato during a house show match against , impressing officials with his chemistry alongside his former Badd Company partner . Under Fuji's guidance, The Orient Express feuded with powerhouse teams including the Legion of Doom and Demolition, capitalizing on Fuji's dual management of Demolition to create tension in multi-team storylines. A highlight of their run came at Survivor Series 1990, where The Orient Express joined Sgt. Slaughter and Boris Zhukov as The Mercenaries in a losing effort against The Alliance (Nikolai Volkoff, Tito Santana, and The Bushwhackers) in an elimination match. The team maintained momentum into 1991 with consistent television appearances and bouts, showcasing Diamond and Tanaka's agile, high-flying style against larger opponents. In early 1992, following Pat Tanaka's departure from the WWF, Diamond continued briefly as Kato in singles competition and a short-lived reformatted pairing with the returning Sato, but the team dissolved quickly amid shifting creative directions. Diamond then transitioned to the singles gimmick of Max Moon, a cybernetic space warrior from the year 2993, originally conceived by as "The Comet Kid" or "Relampago" before 's exit due to backstage disagreements and exhaustion from the character's demands. Diamond assumed the role after proving he could fit the elaborate $13,000 costume, which featured a with jetpack, steam-shooting gauntlets, and smoke effects designed to evoke a futuristic aesthetic inspired by Japanese . However, the cumbersome outfit led to significant challenges, including frequent malfunctions such as the smoke effects failing mid-match and logistical difficulties in assembling and transporting the multi-piece armor, which limited its effectiveness and contributed to the gimmick's brief tenure. As Max Moon, Diamond debuted on the inaugural episode of Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993, challenging for the Intercontinental Championship in a losing effort, highlighted by acrobatic exchanges including a . His only pay-per-view appearance under the gimmick occurred at Royal Rumble 1993, entering the 30-man match at number 8 and being eliminated shortly after by Ted DiBiase. The Max Moon run ended abruptly later in 1993, with Diamond departing the WWF amid the gimmick's impracticality and rumors of internal conflicts, including unverified reports of personal issues involving other wrestlers' relationships.

Mid-1990s promotions (1993–1994)

Following his departure from the World Wrestling Federation in early 1993, Paul Diamond reunited with longtime partner in Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) as the Badd Company, performing primarily under their real names but drawing on their prior history for a martial arts-inspired offense. The duo debuted at ECW's Bloodfest event on October 1, 1993, where they defeated the Bad Breed ( and ) in a but later lost a number one contendership bout for the to champions and Johnny Hot Body. Over the next two months, Badd Company engaged in a heated feud with ( and ), winning a tables against them at Bloodfest's second night on October 2 before falling in a triangle steel cage involving the Bad Breed later that evening, marking Diamond's introduction to ECW's emerging hardcore style that contrasted with the more technical approach he had employed in WWF. Badd Company's ECW run continued through late 1993 with pursuits of the , recognized by ECW at the time, though they did not capture the titles during this period. At on November 13, 1993, they lost to in a high-impact tag match that highlighted ECW's emphasis on brawling and weapon use, adapting Diamond's agile high-flying from WWF tag bouts to include chair shots and barricade spots. Additional victories, such as over jobbers like Don E. Allen and Mr. Hughes at Terror at Tabor on November 12, helped build momentum, but the team disbanded by early 1994 after failing to secure gold amid ECW's shift toward more extreme elements. In parallel to his ECW commitments, Diamond pursued a singles career in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) throughout 1993, wrestling under the masked of "The Star Chaser" in Memphis-area events. On August 31, 1992, at an event in Memphis, Star Chaser defeated in a non-title singles , showcasing Diamond's versatility in shorter, crowd-pleasing bouts typical of regional Southern promotions. This USWA stint featured no major wins but provided steady work amid his tag team focus elsewhere, with Diamond competing in undercard against local talents to maintain visibility in the territory. Transitioning to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in early 1994, Diamond adopted the masked persona of Haito—a repackaged version of his prior Kato character—teaming once more with (billed as Tanaka-San) for a short-lived run. Their WCW debut occurred in dark matches, including a loss to Kevin and Dave Sullivan at Spring Stampede on April 17, 1994, followed by television appearances on where Haito fell to in a singles match on March 26, with interfering post-match. The gimmick, involving a black mask and attire, faced issues over costume rights stemming from Diamond's WWF history, leading to his quick release by WCW in mid-1994 after only a handful of untelevised and TV squash bouts.

Later independent career (1994–2001)

Following his departure from World Championship Wrestling in mid-1994, Paul Diamond returned to the independent wrestling scene in 1994, adopting the Haito persona for a tour with (NJPW). During NJPW's Summer Struggle event series, he competed in multiple matches, often partnering with wrestlers like Lord Steven Regal, facing off against prominent Japanese stars such as Jushin Thunder Liger, , and Power Warrior. This stint highlighted his technical all-rounder style in international bouts, though he did not secure any major victories during the July run. Diamond's independent work remained sporadic through the mid-1990s, with limited documented appearances as he navigated injuries and a shifting landscape of promotions. By 1997, he resurfaced in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), teaming with Steven Dunn to challenge for and win the on May 14 in West Helena, , defeating the reigning champions. The duo held the titles for 14 days before dropping them to (Recon and ) on May 28 in the same city. Their partnership emphasized Diamond's experience in , drawing on his earlier successes, against a mix of established and up-and-coming USWA talent. After the USWA folded in September 1997, Diamond continued on the Midwest independent circuit with , where he pursued the in a notable feud with champion . The title was held up after a double-pin draw on , 1997; Pain then defeated Diamond on December 9, 1997, in , to win the vacant title. These bouts showcased Diamond's resilience in singles competition against hardcore-style opponents, though he could not capture the belt. During this period, he also took on training roles, mentoring younger wrestlers on East Coast and Midwest indies to pass along his expertise from major promotions. As the late 1990s progressed, Diamond's in-ring schedule diminished, with fewer matches amid the physical toll of two decades in the business. He adopted various personas like Paul Diamond and occasional gimmick variations in regional tours, facing local talent in singles and tag formats across smaller promotions. In 2000, he returned to Canadian circuits, competing for the Canadian Wrestling Federation (CWF) in , his hometown area. There, he defeated Robby Royce to win the CWF Heavyweight Championship on October 28, 2000, in St. Boniface, , marking a high point in his later indie run. Diamond held the title for 132 days until losing it to Royce on March 9, 2001. This reign solidified his legacy in Canadian wrestling before he transitioned to semi-retirement in 2001, prioritizing his role as a trainer at his newly established wrestling academy.

Returns to major promotions (1997–1998, 2005–2013)

Diamond returned to (ECW) in September 1997, taking on a mid-card role that often saw him positioned as an opponent for rising stars and established talent. During this stint, he competed in numerous house shows and television tapings across the Northeast, frequently facing defeats that highlighted the promotion's emerging roster. A notable outing occurred on October 30, 1997, when Diamond partnered with in a losing effort against The FBI (Little Guido and ) for the at an event in Plymouth Meeting, Massachusetts. His ECW appearances included a dark match loss at the pay-per-view on November 30, 1997, where teamed with Erin O'Grady to fall to and at the ECW Arena in . Throughout late 1997 and into early 1998, was involved in a series of singles matches against , losing on multiple occasions, including a television bout on December 6, 1997, and house show defeats in locations such as , and . These encounters underscored ECW's emphasis on competitive undercard action, though did not pursue major hardcore storylines during this period. His final ECW match was a loss to on February 7, 1998, in . From 2005 to 2008, Diamond made intermittent returns to established independent promotions, including the (NWA) and Canadian circuits such as the Canadian Wrestling Federation, where he competed in singles and bouts. These appearances often featured nostalgic reunions with longtime partner under their moniker, evoking their earlier success. For instance, the duo reunited on March 25, 2006, for Blue Water Championship Wrestling, and in 2008, they secured a victory over Joshua Masters and Kennedy Kendrick in Vintage All Star Wrestling on April 18. Such matches emphasized veteran dynamics without extended storylines. Diamond's last period of in-ring activity came in 2013, culminating in his retirement match on June 3, 2013, for Rocky Mountain Pro. Post-retirement, he shifted focus to mentoring the next generation through the Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy in , , which he established in 2001 to train aspiring professionals in fundamentals and ring technique.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Paul Diamond was married to Lisa Motley, who occasionally worked as his under the ring name , until her death in 2016. The couple has two children, daughter Kiana and son . Quentin pursued soccer like his father, playing as a goalie at in . Diamond later remarried Dawn Doyle. In 2025, he publicly discussed supporting his wife through her ongoing health treatments, highlighting the role of family in his post-wrestling life.

Health challenges and

In recent years, Paul Diamond's family has faced significant health challenges, particularly with his wife's ongoing battle against . She underwent a fourth in early 2025 related to complications from a failed , and continues to receive treatments to manage the condition. Diamond himself has dealt with lingering effects from wrestling injuries sustained during his career, including a broken foot and a torn groin muscle incurred while performing in tours in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These injuries, common in high-impact matches, contributed to periods of tour interruptions and long-term physical wear. To support his wife's medical expenses, Diamond engaged in philanthropic efforts by partnering with KWK Brand to sell custom action figures of his Max Moon character in 2025, with proceeds directed toward her care. This initiative highlighted his commitment to family support amid financial strains from ongoing treatments. In recent interviews, Diamond has reflected on these challenges, emphasizing family unity and career lessons in resilience. A January 2025 documentary traced his journey from Kato to Max Moon, touching on personal endurance through professional setbacks. Similarly, a July 2024 appearance discussed his wrestling path and the physical toll of the industry, underscoring themes of perseverance.

Championships and accomplishments

Tag team championships

Paul Diamond, primarily as part of the tag team with , achieved significant success in tag team divisions during the late 1980s, capturing multiple regional and world titles under the (AWA) banner. Their partnership emphasized high-flying maneuvers and coordinated attacks, managed initially by , which helped establish them as dominant heels in the promotion. Earlier in his career, Diamond won the TASW Tag Team three times in Texas All-Star Wrestling: once with Nick Kiniski as American Breed in 1985, and twice with as American Force between June 1985 and February 1986. Badd Company's most notable accomplishment was winning the on March 19, 1988, in , , by defeating the Midnight Rockers ( and ) in a match taped for AWA Wrestling. This victory marked their only reign with the title, lasting 371 days until they lost it to The Olympians ( and ) on March 25, 1989, in . During their extended reign, they defended the belts against prominent teams including the Rock 'n' Roll Express and the Southern Rockers, solidifying their status as AWA's top through aggressive defenses that highlighted Tanaka's strikes and Diamond's athleticism. In the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), which collaborated with the AWA, Diamond and Tanaka as Badd Company secured the CWA/AWA International Tag Team Championship four times between late 1986 and mid-1987, showcasing their early chemistry in Southern wrestling territories. Their first reign began on December 15, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee, defeating Akio Sato and Tarzan Goto. The second reign followed in January 1987, also in Memphis, after reclaiming the titles from the Sheepherders (Butch Miller and Luke Williams) in a rematch. On May 9, 1987, they won their third reign in Memphis by defeating Mark Starr in a handicap match, with Starr's partner absent. Their fourth and final reign came later that May, defeating Mark Starr and Billy Travis in Memphis, before losing to Bill Dundee and Rocky Johnson on July 6, 1987. These short but frequent reigns, often involving intense brawls and local rivalries, helped build Badd Company's reputation in the territory prior to their AWA push. Additionally, Badd Company captured the once on August 2, 1987, in , defeating and in a tournament final to claim the vacant titles. This 41-day reign ended on September 12, 1987, when they dropped the belts to ( and ) in a hard-fought match that emphasized the challengers' hardcore style. The victory provided a regional boost, allowing Diamond and Tanaka to defend against Southern stalwarts like the Rock 'n' Roll Express in key bouts. In 1997, Diamond teamed with Steven Dunn to win the on May 14 in West Helena, Arkansas, holding it for 14 days before losing to (Interrogator and Recon).
ChampionshipReignsPartnerDatesDurationKey Notes
TASW Texas Tag Team Championship3Nick Kiniski (1), (2)1985–1986VariesWon as American Breed and American Force in All-Star Wrestling.
1March 19, 1988 – March 25, 1989371 daysDefeated Midnight Rockers; lost to Olympians; multiple defenses against top teams.
CWA/ International Tag Team Championship4Dec. 15, 1986 – July 6, 1987 (across reigns)Varies (short reigns)First vs. Sato & Goto; frequent wins in Memphis; handicap and rematch victories; lost final reign to Dundee & Johnson.
1August 2, 1987 – September 12, 198741 daysTournament final win over Travis & Jarrett; lost to .
1Steven DunnMay 14, 1997 – May 28, 199714 daysWon in West Helena, AR; lost to .

Singles championships

Paul Diamond's singles career, though overshadowed by his tag team success, saw limited but notable achievements in independent promotions during the late and early . These individual title wins provided key opportunities to showcase his athleticism and high-flying style outside major organizations, helping to maintain his relevance in the wrestling landscape after his primary fame as part of teams like Badd Company and the . Diamond won the Heavyweight Championship twice as in the Wrestling Alliance, including a reign beginning in late 1999 before losing to in a bunkhouse brawl on February 4, 2000. His most prominent singles accomplishment came in the Canadian Wrestling Federation, where he captured the CWF Heavyweight Championship on October 28, 2000, defeating champion in St. Boniface, . Diamond held the title for 132 days, defending it in various Canadian independent events against regional competitors, including a successful retention in a no-holds-barred match on October 26, 2000. The reign ended on March 9, 2001, when reclaimed the belt in a rematch in St. Boniface. This victory underscored Diamond's enduring appeal in his adopted Canadian home territory, where he had built a following through consistent indie bookings. Earlier independent runs, such as a brief singles push in the United States Wrestling Association around 1993, featured competitive matches against established talents but did not yield titles. Similarly, in promotions like during 1997, Diamond challenged for heavyweight honors, including a high-profile for the vacant against on November 18, 1997, though he fell short of capturing gold. Overall, Diamond secured three singles championships across his career, a testament to his tag team focus while highlighting his versatility in sustaining bookings through solo efforts in regional circuits from to 2001.

Other achievements

Following his final in-ring match on June 3, 2013, Paul Diamond retired from active competition and has since focused on training, operating the Paul Diamond Hard Knocks Pro Wrestling Academy and Rocket City Wrestling in . Diamond was inducted into the Slam! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to Canadian . His tenure as one half of the with helped shape the portrayal of agile, martial arts-influenced tag teams in the World Wrestling Federation during the early 1990s, emphasizing coordinated strikes and high-impact offense. Over the course of his career from 1985 to 2013, Diamond participated in 963 documented matches, achieving 336 victories, 595 defeats, and 32 draws. ranked him #181 among the top 500 singles wrestlers in its 1991 PWI 500 edition and placed Badd Company (with Tanaka) at #99 in its list of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years in 2003.

References

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