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Robert Thomas Conway Jr.[2] (born November 28, 1972), is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Conway is also known for his work with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he is a former two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Key Information

He is also a seven-time Tag Team Champion, becoming a three-time World Tag Team Champion with Sylvain Grenier as part of La Resistance in the WWE and four-time NWA World Tag Team Champion once as part of The IronGodz with Jax Dane and three-times as part of The Iron Empire with Matt Riviera in the NWA. He is currently the only wrestler to have held the NWA World Heavyweight and NWA World Tag Team Championships simultaneously.

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Ohio Valley Wrestling (1997–2000)

[edit]

Rob Conway began his career in Memphis Championship Wrestling (MCW) and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), teaming with Nick Dinsmore under the names Limited Edition (MCW), the Borkcin Brothers, and the Lords of the Ring (OVW).[2] While in OVW, he and Dinsmore were also members of Kenny Bolin's Bolin Services along with The Prototype, Bull Buchanan, and Mark Henry.[2] As the Lords of the Ring, Conway and Dinsmore won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on 10 occasions and captured the MCW North American Tag Team Championship once. On April 28, 1999, Rob Conway defeated his partner Nick Dinsmore to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship, but lost it back to him the next week. Conway won the OVW Heavyweight Championship a second time on August 17, 1999, pinning Damaja. He lost the title to Rico Constantino on November 10, regaining it on September 6, 2000, with another victory over Dinsmore.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

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Early appearances (2000–2003)

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Conway had dark matches previously with Kurt Angle and Headbanger Mosh, then known as Beaver Cleavage. Conway's TV debut in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was on the May 20, 2000, episode of Jakked, where he was defeated by Bull Buchanan.[4] Over the next three years, Conway appeared in tryout matches on Velocity and Sunday Night Heat, losing to wrestlers such as A-Train, Randy Orton, and The Hurricane.[5]

In a match taped for the July 17, 2003 episode of SmackDown!, Rob Conway and Nick Dinsmore appeared under masks as "Los Conquistadores", losing to Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman.[6] On July 27, at Vengeance, Conway once again competed as the masked Conquistador, this time with Johnny Jeter as his partner, as part of the APA Bar Room Brawl.[7]

La Résistance (2003–2005)

[edit]
Main article: La Résistance

Conway made his proper debut for the company on the August 18, 2003, episode of Raw, planted in the audience dressed as an American airman.[8] After Conway was "harassed" by the heel tag team La Résistance (Sylvain Grenier and René Duprée), he was invited into the ring by The Dudley Boyz, who were then feuding with La Résistance.[8] While "celebrating" with the Dudley Boyz and waving the American flag, Conway suddenly hit them both with the flagpole, revealing himself to be a member of La Résistance.[8] The trio feuded with several tag teams, including the Dudley Boyz, Hurricane and Rosey, and Garrison Cade and Mark Jindrak. When Grenier suffered a back injury in October 2003, Dupree and Conway held the group together until the March 15, 2004 edition of Raw when Grenier returned. The trio did not last long after that, however, as Dupree was drafted to SmackDown! on March 22, 2004, during the Draft Lottery.

Conway making his entrance at a house show in 2005

Grenier and Conway, however, continued to team together as La Résistance on Raw. With American-Franco hostility subsiding, the WWE ceased billing the team as being from France and instead promoted them as being haughty French Canadians who carried the flag of Quebec to the ring, with Grenier often singing the Canadian national anthem and Conway becoming known as Robért Conway, the French version of his name. The team held the World Tag Team Championship three times. Their first title reign came when they defeated Chris Benoit and Edge on the May 31, 2004 edition of Raw in Grenier's home town of Montreal, Quebec.[9] The team dropped the belts to the same team of Benoit and Edge at Taboo Tuesday on October 19 when, even though Edge walked out on Benoit, Benoit was able to defeat La Résistance by himself.[10] It was not long before La Résistance reclaimed the tag team gold for the second time on the November 1 edition of Raw, defeating Chris Benoit after Edge walked out on Benoit again.[11] This time La Résistance did not hold the title as long as their last reign; they lost the belts two weeks later on Raw when they faced the team of William Regal and Eugene as well as Tajiri and Rhyno.[12]

In a 3-Way Elimination match, they dropped the title to Regal and Eugene. Their third, and final, Tag Team Title reign began at a Raw brand house show on January 16, 2005, in Winnipeg, Manitoba when they defeated Regal and Jonathan Coachman—Regal's actual partner, Eugene, had been injured and Coachman was selected to be his fill in partner, though Regal never tagged him in—to win the belts.[2] La Résistance dropped the belts again a few weeks later on the February 7, edition of Raw, from Tokyo, Japan, to William Regal and his new tag team partner Tajiri.[13]

La Résistance repeatedly attempted to regain the gold (mainly on Heat) from Regal and Tajiri in a number of different matches but fell just short each time.[14][15] During their "last shot" the team thought they had won back the title only to have the decision reversed by referee Mike Chioda due to La Résistance not pinning the legal man. The match was restarted but La Résistance lost the match and their last chance against Regal and Tajiri in a normal tag team contest. The team was given one more chance at Regal and Tajiri, only this time during a Tag Team Turmoil match including five teams—La Résistance, Regal and Tajiri, The Heart Throbs (Romeo Roselli and Antonio Thomas), Simon Dean and Maven, and Rosey and The Hurricane, at Backlash.[16] During the match La Résistance managed to eliminate the champions, but were defeated by the last remaining team (and winners of the match) Hurricane and Rosey.[16]

Singles competition (2005–2006)

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The team split in mid-May after repeatedly quarreling over which of them was the superior wrestler.[17] Grenier and Conway went into singles competition with announcers claiming that the members of La Résistance were trying to "one up" each other in singles matches without the other man in their corner. This saw Conway defeat a jobber and Val Venis, while Grenier was defeated by both Venis and Chris Jericho. Both men competed in a triple threat match against Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin for the title; Benjamin won the match not long after the La Résistance members began to argue and fight with each other.[18] This altercation led to a main event match for the June 12 Heat (taped on June 6) in which Rob Conway portrayed the heel, and defeated Grenier.[19] On June 30, 2005, Grenier was a last minute trade in the 2005 WWE Draft, sending him to SmackDown! while Conway stayed on the Raw brand. Conway then began wrestling in singles competition on both Heat and Raw.

Conway wrestling Eugene in October 2005

On the July 17, 2005 edition of Heat Conway brought back his original identity of Rob Conway, making his new gimmick a narcissistic heel and developing a new appearance (similar to Buff Bagwell) including a biker hat, sunglasses, a mustache, see through tights, and a new haircut. He began referring to himself as "The Con-Man" Rob Conway.[2] During the WWE Homecoming edition of Raw, Conway interrupted a segment involving a number of WWE Legends. After disrespecting the legends, they assaulted him.[20] Conway, seeking retaliation, then went on to have matches against a number of legends, picking up wins over Doink the Clown, Greg Valentine (by disqualification), and Koko B. Ware.[21]

During this time he would go on to begin feuding with Eugene, a big fan of the legends who stuck up for them.[21][22] At the Taboo Tuesday pay-per-view, Conway teamed with Tomko to face Eugene and a legend (as voted for by the fans).[23] Jimmy Snuka beat out Kamala and Jim Duggan in the voting to become Eugene's partner and picked up the win after a Superfly Splash ending Conway's winning streak.[23] On the next Raw, Conway attempted to take the Intercontinental Championship from Ric Flair, but came up short when he was locked in Flair's figure four leglock.[24]

After losing to Flair, Conway went on a long losing streak, losing almost every match he was in through the rest of the 2005 and the start of 2006. Conway went back to competing on Sunday Night Heat making few appearances on Raw and losing on every occasion. On the April 10, 2006 edition of Raw, Conway debuted a slightly changed look, including longer hair, no mustache, and blonde highlighted hair, in a loss to Rob Van Dam.[25] Conway finally broke his losing streak for one night only on the May 12, 2006 edition of Heat when he won a mixed tag team match with Victoria against the team of Viscera and Torrie Wilson.[26] It was short lived, however, as the next week he was defeated by Jim Duggan, restarting his losing streak but starting a short program with Duggan and his protege Eugene.[27] At the start of August, Conway dropped the Con-Man Gimmick as he stopped wearing sunglasses and his ego dropped. From this point on, Conway was used as a tweener who was desperate to pick up a victory over anyone possible but failed every time he tried.

Return to OVW and Raw (2006–2007)

[edit]

On the November 15 edition of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), Conway made a surprise appearance, teaming with Sylvain Grenier to reform their old stable, La Résistance.[28] The reformed team defeated Cody Runnels and Shawn Spears to earn a shot at the OVW Southern Tag Team Titles.[28] The team, however, lost the title match.[29]

After months of losing, Conway appeared on the January 1, 2007 edition of Raw.[30] Conway proceeded to make a New Year's resolution and vowed that he would not lose another match and if he did he would quit Raw.[30] His opponent was the Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, but he was pinned after 21 seconds.[30] After WWE Chairman Vince McMahon entered the ring and (instead of letting him quit Monday Night Raw) fired him.[30] On May 11, 2007, WWE officially announced that Conway was released from his WWE contract.[31]

Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2011)

[edit]

Conway debuted in Juggalo Championship Wrestling at the event Hardcore Hell.[32] Per storyline, he announced that he was a master of submissions and a wrestler for hire.[32] That night, Conway submitted three different opponents to showcase his skills.[32] Two weeks later, he was hired by Breyer Wellington to face JCW Heavyweight Champion Corporal Robinson, but was defeated.[33] Conway then participated in Juggalo Championship Wrestling's first internet pay-per-view Hatchet Attacks, where he submitted Sal the Man of a Thousand Gimmicks.[34] At Up in Smoke, Conway was hired by Sabu's manager Charlie Brown to attack 2 Tuff Tony.[35] After Rhino scared off Sabu and Conway, a tag team match was scheduled between the two and Rhino and Tony at St. Andrews Brawl.[35]

National Wrestling Alliance

[edit]

NWA World Heavyweight Champion (2013–2015)

[edit]
Conway during an event for New Japan Pro-Wrestling in May 2014

On March 16, 2013, Conway defeated Kahagas to win the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World Heavyweight Championship.[36] Through NWA's working relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Conway appeared via video at New Japan's March 23 event announcing that he would be taking part in the promotion's April 7 Invasion Attack event. He was then challenged to a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship by Satoshi Kojima.[37] Conway made his debut appearance for New Japan on April 5, when he, accompanied by NWA president Bruce Tharpe, had an in-ring confrontation with Kojima.[38] Two days later, Conway defeated Kojima, following interference from Tharpe and fellow NWA wrestler Jax Dane, to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[39][40] On April 20, Conway successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Chris Masters in Houston, Texas, after which he was presented a new title belt.[41] On June 22, Conway returned to New Japan at Dominion 6.22, where he successfully defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Manabu Nakanishi.[42][43]

Conway would show up in a video on September 5, 2013, at NJPW IPPV at the Korauken Hall to challenge Jyushin Thunder Liger to a future title match. Liger came out after the video and accepted the challenge.[44] On September 29 at Destruction, Conway defeated Liger to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[45][46]

On November 9, Conway returned to NJPW at Power Struggle, where he and Jax Dane defeated K.E.S. (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer) and Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) in the first fall of a two-fall three-way match to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship, making Conway a double champion and the first wrestler to simultaneously hold both the World Heavyweight and World Tag Team Championships.[47][48] From November 23 to December 7, Dane and Conway took part in New Japan's 2013 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of three wins and three losses, failing to advance to the semifinals.[49][50] Conway was pinned in only one of his team's three losses, which led to his defeater, Satoshi Kojima, challenging him to a rematch for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[51]

On January 4, 2014, at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome, Conway lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Kojima.[52][53]

The following day, Conway pinned Kojima following a distraction from Bruce Tharpe and a low blow, when he and Dane successfully defended the NWA World Tag Team Championship against Tencozy.[54] Conway and Dane returned to New Japan on April 6 at Invasion Attack 2014, where they lost the NWA World Tag Team Championship to Tencozy.[55][56] On April 12, Conway received a rematch for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship during New Japan's trip to Taiwan, but he was again defeated by Kojima.[57] The following day, Conway and Dane also failed in their attempt to regain the NWA World Tag Team Championship from Tencozy.[58] Conway also failed to regain the title alongside Wes Brisco on May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena.[59][60] On June 2, Conway defeated Satoshi Kojima in Las Vegas to regain the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.[61] Conway and Dane returned to New Japan in November to take part in the 2014 World Tag League.[62] The team finished second to last in their block with a record of three wins and four losses.[63] Conway returned to NJPW on February 11, 2015, at The New Beginning in Osaka, where he and Chase Owens defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger and Hiroyoshi Tenzan in a tag team match.[64] Three days later at The New Beginning in Sendai, Conway lost the NWA World Heavyweight Championship to Tenzan.[65] Conway's profile has been removed from NJPW's official website.

Championship pursuits (2014–2017)

[edit]

On February 22, 2014, Conway pinned Eric Draven in Madison, Indiana to win the NWA Supreme Heavyweight Championship. He would hold this title until May 9, 2014, when he was defeated by Draven in a rematch at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana.[66] On February 22, 2015, in Seymour Indiana Rob Conway defeated Eric Draven for the NWA Supreme Heavyweight Championship. On June 20, 2015, Conway defeated both Tim Storm and All That Alan Steele to become the NWA Mid-South Unified Heavyweight Champion.[67]

On October 10, 2015, Conway was defeated by Greg Anthony in a double title match losing the NWA Mid-South Unified Heavyweight Championship.[68] On December 4, 2015, Conway teamed with Matt Riviera teaming under the name The Iron Empire defeating The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Sigmon) to win the NWA World Tag Team Championships. On March 3, 2016, Rob Conway defeated Texas Outlaw to begin Conway's second reign as NWA Supreme Champion.[69]

On September 9, 2016, The Iron Empire were defeated by The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Sigmon) losing the NWA World Tag Team Championships.[70] The next day, on September 10, 2016, The Iron Empire regained to championship to become two time NWA World Tag Team Champions defeating The Heatseekers.[71] They lost the title to Kazushi Miyamoto and Rob Terry in Tokyo, Japan on February 23, 2017.[72] On May 12, 2017, Rob Conway defeated Josh Lewis (wrestler) to win his first NWA United States Championship in Hanover, Indiana at NWA Supreme Rebelution 2017. On May 27, 2017, Rob would lose the United States title to Josh Lewis in Madison Indiana.[73]

On June 17, Rob Conway pinned Johnny Knockout in a 3 way Dance in West Harrison, Indiana. This victory made Conway the first ever "BOTB" Heavyweight Champion.

On July 14, Rob teamed up with Josh Lewis to win the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championships from Custom Made (Eric Draven and Roger Malcolm) at NWA Supreme in Madison, Indiana.[74] On August 18, 2017, Rob Conway and Josh Lewis lost the NWA Mid America tag team championship to Custom Made. When Eric Draven struck Josh Lewis with a chain.

Return to WWE (2018)

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In September 2018, Conway started working at the WWE Performance Center as a guest trainer.[75] His friendship with fellow OVW graduate Randy Orton helped get him the job.[76]

Independent circuit (2017–present)

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In 2020, he has wrestled significantly less than he has in past years. He has wrestled matches for AWA Supreme Wrestling and New Focus Wrestling.[77][78]

Personal life

[edit]

Rob graduated from Indiana's New Albany High School in 1990 where he was a standout basketball player. He later played basketball at the now defunct Graceland College in New Albany. Following college, Rob sold fitness equipment and worked as a personal trainer in the Southern Indiana/Louisville area. He broke into wrestling after driving past the old Danny Davis arena in Jeffersonville, Indiana in 1997. After walking in and watching what he considered out of shape guys wrestle, he thought he would give it a try. Rob stated in a 2004 Indianapolis Monthly article that within five minutes of being in the ring, he knew this was what he wanted to do. Based on the appearance of the local wrestlers, he thought it would only take six months to make it to the WWE (then WWF); it eventually took him six years.[citation needed]

Other media

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Rob Conway appears as a playable character in WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006.[79]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Conway (left) with Sylvain Grenier celebrating with the World Tag Team Championship

References

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

Rob Conway

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Thomas Conway Jr., known professionally as Rob Conway, is an American professional wrestler and actor best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2003 to 2007, where he formed the tag team La Résistance with Sylvain Grenier and won the World Tag Team Championship three times. As a prominent figure in the wrestling industry, Conway later became a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, holding the title in 2013 and recapturing it in 2014 while serving as a key representative for the revitalized National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Conway began his wrestling career in 1997 after training under Danny Davis at the (OVW) promotion, where he quickly rose to prominence by capturing the multiple times in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Signed by in 2003, he debuted on the Raw brand as a member of La Résistance, portraying a pro-French faction that capitalized on anti-American sentiment during the era, leading to successful feuds with teams like Edge and . After the team disbanded in 2005, Conway transitioned to a singles competitor, competing in mid-card matches and briefly adopting gimmicks such as the "Conquistador," before his release from in May 2007. Beyond WWE, Conway's career extended to various independent promotions and international tours, including stints with (NJPW), where his NWA title reign facilitated cross-promotional opportunities. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in the action film (2010) as a Dutch customs agent and more recently in Hindsight 2020 (2024). In 2018, Conway returned to WWE as a guest coach at the Performance Center, sharing his expertise with developmental talent.

Early life and training

Childhood and family background

Robert Thomas Conway Jr. was born on November 28, 1972, in New Albany, Indiana. He spent much of his formative years in New Albany, where he developed ties to the region's culture and community. He graduated from New Albany Senior High School in 1990, where he excelled as an athlete, particularly in basketball as a guard for the Bulldogs, contributing significantly to key victories during his senior year. Conway grew up in an environment that fostered active lifestyles through school sports and community activities, reflecting the blue-collar values prevalent in New Albany. Although specific details about his parents' professions remain private, the area's industrial heritage and emphasis on likely influenced his early development, channeling his energy into competitive pursuits that built discipline and endurance—qualities that would later define his professional path. He is the uncle of professional wrestler Sean Conway. His upbringing highlighted the importance of in everyday life. From a young age, Conway was captivated by , frequently watching matches on television and attending live events featuring promotions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and (USWA) until his high school years. This exposure introduced him to the spectacle and athleticism of the industry, with him idolizing charismatic figures such as for their high-flying style and showmanship. He also fondly recalled viewing (NWA) programming, which sparked a lifelong appreciation for traditional wrestling storytelling and territorial roots. These early influences, paused briefly during his focus on sports from 1988 to 1996, reignited his passion in the mid-1990s, setting the stage for his entry into formal training.

Entry into wrestling

Prior to entering professional wrestling, Conway had an athletic background in high school at New Albany High School in , where he played a key role on the 1990 team that achieved notable success, including a victory over Damon Bailey's Bedford North Lawrence team in state competition. His family's longstanding support for his athletic pursuits from childhood encouraged Conway to explore after high school. In 1997, he began training under at the facility in , which served as a key training ground before its affiliation with major promotions. Conway made his professional debut later that year on the independent circuit in and nearby regions, competing primarily as a emphasizing submission holds and mat-based maneuvers. Early in his career, he adopted the ring name "Ironman" Rob Conway to highlight his endurance and work ethic in matches.

Professional wrestling career

Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental years (1997–2000)

Rob Conway began his professional wrestling career in 1997 after training at the (OVW) school under , initially serving as a babyface jobber in OVW's early independent era. As OVW transitioned toward its role as a developmental territory for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1999, Conway's role evolved from enhancement talent to a more prominent mid-card competitor, honing his technical wrestling skills through rigorous daily training focused on fundamentals like mat work, submissions, and storytelling to prepare for potential main roster opportunities. Early in his OVW tenure, Conway formed a successful tag team with Nick Dinsmore, known as the Lords of the Ring, which experimented with aristocratic gimmicks and captured the on March 18, 1998, by defeating and Trailer Park Trash in a final. This partnership soon dissolved into a heated rivalry, with Conway turning in 1999 and engaging in key singles feuds against Dinsmore, including high-profile matches that showcased their contrasting styles—Conway's power-based offense versus Dinsmore's technical prowess. Their bouts, often for the , became staples of OVW programming, highlighting Conway's rise as a credible singles threat. Conway's breakthrough came in the heavyweight division when he defeated Dinsmore on April 28, 1999, to win the for a brief 9-day reign, only to lose it back on May 7. He recaptured the title on August 17, 1999, by pinning Damaja, holding it for 85 days through defenses against challengers like Dinsmore and others until dropping it on November 10. In 2000, amid intensified WWF developmental oversight, Conway won the championship a third time on September 6 by defeating Dinsmore in , and defended it successfully in several matches before losing it to Dinsmore on October 25, marking the end of his foundational OVW period.

World Wrestling Entertainment tenure (2000–2007)

Conway signed with the in 2000, following his time in developmental territories, and began appearing in dark matches and on secondary shows such as Jakked and . His televised debut occurred on the May 20, 2000, episode of Jakked, where he lost to in a singles match. Over the next three years, Conway competed primarily on the roster and in untelevised bouts, establishing himself as a reliable midcard performer without a prominent storyline push. In May 2003, Conway was repackaged as part of the La Résistance stable, initially joining and as a French sympathizer with an anti-American gimmick, complete with waving the French flag and mocking U.S. patriotism. By August 18, 2003, Conway had transitioned to teaming exclusively with Grenier under the La Résistance name, debuting on Raw by attacking the while disguised as American servicemen. The duo quickly rose in the tag division, capturing the World Tag Team Championship for the first time on May 31, 2004, by defeating and Edge on Raw. They lost the titles to the same team on September 13, 2004, at Raw, but regained them on November 1, 2004, in a rematch. La Résistance's third and final reign began on January 16, 2005, when they defeated and The Coach on Raw, holding the belts until February 7, 2005, when they dropped them to Eugene and Regal. During this period, the faction feuded prominently with teams like the and participated in high-profile events, including a handicap tables loss to the Dudleys at in September 2003. Following the 2005 on June 30, which sent Grenier to SmackDown while Conway remained on Raw, Conway shifted to singles competition, adopting the cocky "Con Man" persona. He engaged in midcard feuds, notably defeating Eugene on the September 26, 2005, episode of Raw by destroying Eugene's doll, and beating on the August 1, 2005, episode of Raw. Conway also briefly pursued the in late 2005, competing in contender matches but failing to secure a title opportunity. His singles run included a mix of victories and losses, highlighting his technical wrestling style but yielding no championship success on the main roster. By mid-2006, amid a string of losses on Raw—including a quick defeat to Jeff Hardy on January 1, 2007—Conway was sent back to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) for further development and to serve as a mentor to younger talent. During this stint, he teamed occasionally with former partner Grenier and competed in title matches, such as challenging for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on November 20, 2006. Conway's WWE contract was terminated on May 11, 2007, as announced by the company, marking the end of his seven-year tenure.

Early independent circuit and Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2007–2011)

Following his release from WWE on May 11, 2007, Rob Conway transitioned to the independent wrestling circuit, seeking to reestablish himself outside the major promotion's structure. Initial bookings included appearances in NWA Pro Wrestling, where he defeated Don Juan on July 7 in Houston, Texas, and teamed with Adam Pearce to defeat Los Luchas the following day. He also competed in the ECWA Super 8 DVD Tournament on November 10, advancing to the first round before losing to Matt Logan. These early outings highlighted Conway's efforts to secure consistent work amid the post-WWE landscape, with additional scattered matches in regional promotions reflecting the challenges of rebuilding momentum. From 2008 to 2010, Conway focused on Midwest independent tours, returning to (OVW) after it became an independent entity following the end of its WWE developmental agreement. There, he adopted the "The Con-Man" persona, characterized by anti-hero promos that emphasized his cunning and resilience, a carryover from his WWE days. Drawing from his WWE experience as part of La Résistance, Conway frequently competed in tag matches, including forming the Iron Men stable with to challenge teams like The Insurgency in intense bouts such as a September 2008 steel cage no-contest. This period featured sporadic bookings across promotions like OVW and other regional groups, underscoring the transitional nature of his career as he navigated inconsistent opportunities. Conway debuted in Juggalo Championship Wrestling (JCW) on March 9, 2011, winning a four-way match against Brian Poder, Scarry Terry, and Pat Packer. His JCW run gained prominence at the Gathering of the Juggalos in August 2011, where he entered the Legends and Icons battle royal alongside wrestlers like Zach Gowen, Brutus Beefcake, and ICP affiliates, though the match was won by Gowen. Conway engaged in notable feuds with ICP-associated talents, including a best-of-three series with Rhino—defeating him on May 4 before losing the decisive match on May 17—and a December 17 handicap loss to 2 Tuff Tony and Butler Geeves. These encounters, often held at high-energy events tied to the Insane Clown Posse's fanbase, provided Conway with exposure in a niche promotion during a time of career reevaluation marked by varied independent commitments.

National Wrestling Alliance era (2012–2017)

In 2012, Rob Conway began aligning himself with the (NWA), appearing in events for affiliated promotions such as NWA Battle of the Belts, where he competed in multi-man matches that showcased his veteran skills against rising talents. His prior experience positioned him as a reliable performer, quickly elevating him to main event status within the NWA's territorial system. By early 2013, Conway had emerged as a top contender, substituting for an injured to challenge reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion at the NWA's "A Monster's Ball" event in , . On March 16, 2013, Conway defeated Kahagas to capture the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, marking his first world title reign in the promotion and solidifying his role as a flagship competitor. Conway's initial reign lasted 294 days, during which he made numerous defenses across NWA territories in the United States, emphasizing the promotion's traditional structure of regional bookings. A highlight was his international exposure through cross-promotional ties with (NJPW), including successful defenses against challengers like at NJPW's event in 2013, which generated interest in further NJPW-NWA collaborations. On November 3, 2013, while still the heavyweight champion, Conway teamed with as The IronGodz to win the from the Midnight Express ( and ), becoming the only wrestler to simultaneously hold both NWA world titles. This dual championship run ended on January 4, 2014, at NJPW's , when Conway lost the heavyweight title to in Tokyo, though he and Dane retained the tag titles briefly afterward. Conway regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on June 2, 2014, defeating Kojima at the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, to begin his second reign of 257 days. He continued defending the title in various NWA-affiliated shows, including victories over opponents like Crimson (Krimson) in mid-2014, while also pursuing tag team success; he later captured additional NWA World Tag Team Championship reigns with partners such as Dane, contributing to his status as a four-time tag champion overall in the promotion. The second reign concluded on February 14, 2015, with a loss to Hiroyoshi Tenzan at NJPW's The New Beginning in Sendai, Japan, amid ongoing territorial defenses that highlighted Conway's endurance as the "Ironman." From 2015 to 2017, Conway remained active in NWA bookings, competing for regional titles and winning the NWA United States Championship on May 12, 2017, against Josh Lewis at NWA Supreme's Rebelution event in Hanover, Indiana. His tenure ended later that year following the NWA's ownership transition to Billy Corgan's Lightning One, Inc., on October 1, 2017, which shifted the promotion from a licensing model to a centralized entity and prompted changes in talent alignments.

Brief WWE return and ongoing independent work (2018–present)

In September 2018, Conway made a brief return to as a guest coach at the Performance Center in , where he shared his expertise with developmental talent during a week-long session arranged through his connections, including . This non-competitive role marked his first official involvement with the company since his 2007 release, highlighting his transition toward mentorship in the industry. Following this WWE stint, Conway experienced a resurgence on the independent circuit, particularly in Midwest-based promotions such as the (AWA) and Battle on the Border (BOTB), where he captured multiple titles including the AWA Central States Heavyweight in 2018. He also competed in events for promotions like Wrestling (NFW) and Championship Wrestling (UCW), defeating notable opponents such as to win the UCW Heavyweight in September 2018. By 2023, his activity included victories in NFW anniversary-style shows, such as a win over Nick Depp in October. Into 2024 and 2025, Conway appeared in high-profile multi-man tags, including a reunion with former La Résistance partners René Duprée and at NEW's Hat City Havoc in April 2024, and was booked for World Classic Professional Big Time Wrestling's (WCPBTW) Slam-O-Ween event on October 25, 2025, featuring autographs, photos, and in-ring participation alongside legends like and Sharkboy. As a seasoned performer, Conway has adapted to a veteran role on the indies, often mentoring younger wrestlers through advice on conditioning and ring psychology, as seen in his 2025 OVW Academy spotlight where he emphasized physical preparation for aspiring talent. His entrances frequently incorporate fitness themes, reflecting his status as an IFBB Pro bodybuilder, with displays of strength and ironman branding to engage crowds. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted his bookings in 2020 and 2021, limiting him to sporadic appearances amid widespread event cancellations, but by late 2022, he shifted to more selective engagements in established regional circuits. As of November 2025, this approach focuses on high-profile indies that leverage his experience for draw, with his NWA World Heavyweight Championship legacy from prior years continuing to attract promoters seeking recognizable names.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Rob Conway has maintained a private stance on much of his personal life. As of 2018, he was married to Billie and resided in . No publicly available details regarding children or other relationships have emerged from interviews or media profiles. This discretion extends to transitions in his career, such as his 2007 release from and subsequent moves to independent promotions and the NWA.

Fitness and bodybuilding pursuits

Alongside his ongoing wrestling career, Conway transitioned into competitive in the late , focusing on the Men's Physique division. He earned his IFBB Pro card by winning the overall Men's Physique title at the 2017 NPC Midwestern States Championships. As an IFBB Pro, he competed in several professional events, including a 16th-place finish at the 2018 IFBB Muscle Pro and a 14th-place finish at the 2019 IFBB San Jose Championships. Conway has maintained strong affiliations with fitness promotions in , including participation in posing clinics and events organized by Team Hornback and Kentucky Muscle. His involvement in the regional bodybuilding scene underscores a commitment to promoting physical conditioning in his home state, where he trained extensively during his early wrestling days at . Conway integrates rigorous fitness principles into his overall lifestyle, drawing from his pre-wrestling experience selling fitness equipment and working as a in the Louisville area. In interviews, he emphasizes structured diet regimens, such as limiting carbohydrates to 60 grams per day while consuming 300 grams of protein to achieve a lean 206-pound physique during his tenure. These practices not only supported his in-ring performance but also aided injury recovery; for instance, after sustaining a PCL tear and , he relied on and rehabilitation protocols informed by techniques to return to selective independent wrestling bookings.

Other media

Film and television appearances

Conway's foray into acting began after his full-time wrestling tenure with ended in 2007, with him pursuing auditions in the late that capitalized on his athletic build and on-camera presence from . His breakthrough role came in the 2010 action film , directed by , where he portrayed Dutch Customs Agent #2 in a brief but memorable supporting capacity during international pursuit scenes. In the years following, Conway appeared in select independent projects. He returned to WWE-produced media in a non-wrestling capacity with a cameo in the 2024 sketch comedy series Hindsight 2020, playing a Wealthy Man in a satirical segment reflecting on past events.

Video games and merchandise

Rob Conway made his debut as a playable character in the wrestling video game WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, released in 2005 by THQ and developed by Yuke's, where he appeared as part of the Raw roster in his La Résistance tag team attire alongside Sylvain Grenier. This inclusion highlighted his role in the stable during WWE's 2004–2005 storylines, allowing players to utilize his moveset, including finishers like the "Ego Trip." No further appearances in the SmackDown vs. Raw series or subsequent WWE 2K titles have been documented up to 2025. During his WWE tenure from 2003 to 2005, Conway was prominently featured in official merchandise lines, particularly action figures produced by under the Ruthless Aggression banner. Notable releases included the 2003 La Résistance 2-pack with , depicting their French-themed gear and berets, as well as individual figures in the Adrenaline Series 8 and Deluxe Aggression Series 4, which captured his singles run persona. These items were sold through major retailers like Toys "R" Us and contributed to the commercial tie-ins for mid-card tag teams during the Ruthless Aggression era. T-shirt merchandise tied to La Résistance was also available, featuring anti-American slogans and French flag motifs to align with their , though individual Conway-specific designs were limited. Following his WWE release in 2007, Conway continued to engage fans through independent merchandise, particularly during his NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign from 2013 to 2015. NWA-themed items, such as autographed T-shirts emblazoned with his "Ironman" moniker and championship graphics, were sold directly at events like NWA Smoky Mountain Wrestling shows and New Japan Pro-Wrestling crossovers. Additionally, ring-worn gear including trunks from his 2015 NJPW appearances was offered for sale through personal channels, emphasizing his status as NWA's flagship champion. These products helped sustain his brand on the indie circuit amid partnerships with promotions like the NWA.

Championships and accomplishments

Major world titles

Rob Conway's tenure as NWA World Heavyweight Champion marked a pivotal chapter in his career, encompassing two reigns that spanned from 2013 to 2015 and totaled 551 days as champion. His accomplishments with the title underscored the National Wrestling Alliance's efforts to restore its historical prestige during a period of revitalization, particularly through international partnerships. Conway captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time on March 16, 2013, defeating at NWA Branded Outlaw Wrestling's A event in , . He held the title for 294 days, during which he made several high-profile defenses that highlighted the belt's global reach, including successful retainments against on April 7, 2013, at NJPW's Invasion Attack and Jushin Thunder Liger on September 29, 2013, at NJPW's Destruction. During this reign, from November 2013, Conway simultaneously held the with (won November 9, 2013), becoming the first to hold both NWA world titles concurrently—a feat that exemplified his versatility as a singles and tag competitor. His reign ended on January 4, 2014, when Kojima defeated him at NJPW's in , . Conway regained the championship on June 2, 2014, defeating Kojima in the main event of the Reunion in , , becoming a two-time titleholder. This second reign lasted 257 days and featured defenses across North America and , further solidifying the NWA's collaborations with promotions like , where NJPW officials had specifically endorsed Conway as champion to facilitate joint business opportunities. The reign concluded on February 14, 2015, with a loss to at NJPW's in , . These championships represented the pinnacle of Conway's post-WWE career aspirations, as he had publicly stated that becoming NWA World Heavyweight Champion was his primary goal following his release. The title's legacy, rooted in the NWA's foundational role in since 1948, aligned with Conway's childhood admiration for the promotion, allowing him to serve as a for its modern resurgence. Outside of these reigns, Conway's other major world-level accolade is his three-time reign as World Tag Team Champion with (2004–2005). His extended defenses and cross-promotional exposure contributed significantly to the NWA World Heavyweight Championship's renewed prominence in the .

Tag team and regional championships

Conway achieved significant success in during his WWE tenure as part of La Résistance alongside , capturing the World Tag Team Championship three times: first on May 31, 2004, in , , by defeating and Edge in the main event of Raw; then on November 15, 2004; and finally on January 16, 2005, at a house show in , . Their first reign ended on June 28, 2004, with a loss to Booker T and , while the later reigns concluded in early 2005. Their run included notable encounters with members of , such as a non-title loss to and on the June 7, 2004 episode of Raw, which highlighted the intense rivalries within the tag division. In the , Conway secured the alongside on November 9, 2013, defeating Squad ( and ) at an NWA event. This reign lasted until April 6, 2014 (148 days), when they dropped the titles to and at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Invasion Attack in , . Conway held this tag title simultaneously with his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship reign, a rare double championship accomplishment that underscored his prominence in the promotion. Early in his career, Conway formed the The Lords of the Ring with Nick Dinsmore in (OVW), where they dominated the with a record 10 reigns between 1998 and 2006, beginning with their first win on March 21, 1998, over Rip Rogers and Trailer Park Trash in a final. Key victories included reclaiming the titles multiple times, such as on June 14, 2002, against and for the vacant belts, solidifying their status as OVW's premier . Conway also captured the OVW Southern Heavyweight Championship four times during this period (1999–2006), with reigns that often intersected with his tag team pursuits, contributing to his development as a versatile performer in WWE's developmental territory. Beyond OVW, Conway and Dinsmore extended their partnership to other regional promotions, winning the MCW North American Championship on April 4, 1998, in a four-way match that bolstered their early credibility on the independent scene. These regional triumphs, including defenses and high-profile matches against local talent, helped establish Conway as a reliable tag specialist capable of carrying storylines and elevating partners before his ascent to national prominence.

References

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