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Rodney Mack
Rodney Mack
Rodney Mack
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Rodney Begnaud (born October 12, 1970) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, better known by the ring name Rodney Mack. He is signed to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he performs under the ring name Damage as a member of Blunt Force Trauma, and is a former NWA World Tag Team Champion. He is best known for his time with WWE.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

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Training and independent circuit (1998–2002)

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After training with the Junkyard Dog, Begnaud made his professional wrestling debut in 1998 as Redd Dogg, and began competing for Southwestern independent promotions.[2]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (2000)

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After working on the independent circuit, Mack signed on with Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2000, making his debut as a member of Da Baldies, a stable of members who all had bald heads.[5][6][7]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)

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After ECW's closure, Begnaud was signed by World Wrestling Entertainment and was assigned to their developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. While in OVW, Begnaud formed a tag team with Shelton Benjamin called The Dogg Pound. Together, The Dogg Pound won their first and only Southern Tag Team Championship on July 17, 2002.[8] Begnaud, under his Redd Dogg ring name, then made his televised WWE debut on the January 16, 2003 episode of SmackDown!.[9] He was placed alongside John Cena in an enforcer role, replacing Bull Buchanan, who was betrayed by Cena.[10] After only one appearance on the SmackDown! brand, Begnaud was immediately moved over to the Raw brand and was subsequently renamed Rodney Mack.[10] He made his Raw debut by attacking D'Lo Brown on an episode of Sunday Night Heat, with Theodore Long switching his managerial services from Brown to Mack.

Mack restarted Theodore Long's Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises stable, which eventually turned into a group of African Americans who worked a race angle in which they felt they were victims of racism and were being held down by "The Man". Jazz later joined the group in April. As part of the race angle, Mack often competed in a "White Boy Challenge" on Raw, where he would proceed to squash white wrestlers. During this time, Mack formed a tag team with Christopher Nowinski. Nowinski's inclusion within the stable, despite him being white, was explained by Nowinski claiming that he was also held down by "The Man" because of his intelligence. Together, Mack and Nowinski found some success as a tag team, their most notable victory being against the Dudley Boyz at Bad Blood on June 15. Mack's undefeated streak in the White Boy Challenges was ended on June 23 when he was defeated by Goldberg in under 30 seconds.[11] The team of Mack and Nowinski continued until Nowinski suffered an injury and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, which subsequently resulted in his retirement soon after.[12]

To replace Nowinski, Theodore Long announced that Mark Henry would become Mack's new tag team partner. Despite only being a team for short while, Mack and Henry were fairly successful and scored some upset victories over some prominent tag teams.

In November 2003, Mack suffered a knee injury which prevented him from wrestling.[13] He was supposed to return to action between March and June 2004, but was sent back to OVW and worked Raw dark matches throughout June and July 2004. Mack made his return to WWE television on July 26, 2004, where he participated in an over the top rope battle royal for an opportunity to compete for the World Heavyweight Championship.[14]

On November 4, Mack was released from his contract along with a few others, including his wife Jazz.

Return to the independent circuit (2005–2007)

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After his release, Begnaud began competing on the independent circuit, most prominently for in NWA Cyberspace.[15] In late 2005, Begnaud and Jazz opened Dirtysouth Championship Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Louisiana.[2] However, DCW would be renamed Downsouth Championship Wrestling due to copyright issues in early 2006 before ceasing operations in early 2007.[2]

Return to WWE (2006–2007)

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On September 15, 2006, it was reported on WWE.com that Begnaud, along with Marty Jannetty and Brad Armstrong, had been hired by WWE.[16] He started wrestling at ECW house shows on September 30, 2006.[2] On January 18, 2007, Mack along with several other superstars (including his wife Jazz) were again released by WWE.[17]

Second return to the independent circuit (2007–2008, 2011–present)

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After leaving WWE, Begnaud would make sporadic appearances on the independent circuit under his Rodney Mack ring name before winning the All-American Wrestling Tag Team Championship with Heidenreich on May 18, 2008 after defeating Latinos Locos.[2][18][19] However, the title was vacated soon after due to interference in the original title match.[18][20]

After a 3 year hiatus due to the birth of his twins,[21] on June 11, 2011, Begnaud wrestled for the first time in three years and, under his Rodney Mack ring name, he defeated Brad Michaels in a match for NWA Oklahoma.[22] Exactly six months later, Mack defeated Faroh of Phunk to win the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Championship, his first championship in over nine years. On February 10, 2012, Mack wrestled Scot Summers for the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship, but was unsuccessful in regaining the title.[22] Following this, Mack would go on to lose the NWA Mississippi Heavyweight Title to Cale Conners on March 18.[23] Mack made an appearance at a Southeast Championship Wrestling charity event in Greenville, Mississippi.

On May 21, 2016, Mack defeated Scott McKenzie to become the AIWF Southwest Champion in Athens, TX.[24] Through 2016 and 2017, Mack mainly competed for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). In 2018 and in 2019 he has primarily appeared for Anarchy Championship Wrestling.[24]

On August 26, 2023, under a mask with the ring name Damage, Mack won the NWA World Tag Team Championship as one half of Blunt Force Trauma by defeating La Rebelión at night one of the NWA 75th Anniversary Show.[25]

Mixed martial arts

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Begnaud, under his Rodney Mack ring name, made his mixed martial arts debut on June 7, 2008, knocking out Joe Nameth by ground-and-pound in 21 seconds in the first round.[26][27] He lost his second match with Andrew Staples via submission by a rear naked choke.[28]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
2 matches 1 win 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By submission 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–1 Andrew Staples Submission (rear-naked choke) Gladiator Promotions: Summer Knockouts August 8, 2008 1 4:38 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Win 1–0 Joe Nameth TKO (punches) USA MMA: Lafayette vs. The World June 7, 2008 1 0:21 Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.

Personal life

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Mack is married to pro wrestler Jazz

In 2003, Mack appeared as a playable character in the video game WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain.[29]

He is married to fellow former WWE wrestler Carlene "Jazz" Moore.[2] In November 2008, the couple had twin girls named Summer and Skye.[30]

Begnaud also runs a professional wrestling school with his wife called "The Dogg Pound".[31]

In July 2016, Begnaud was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that wrestlers incurred traumatic brain injuries during their tenure and that the company concealed the risks of injury. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE.[32] US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed the lawsuit in September 2018.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rodney Mack

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Rodney Begnaud (born October 12, 1970), better known by the ring name Rodney Mack, is an American professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, and trainer. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, he trained under his uncle, WWE Hall of Famer Junkyard Dog, before debuting in 1997 and competing across various promotions. Mack gained prominence in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) during its final months as a member of the stable Da Baldies, followed by a stint in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2002 to 2004, where he performed primarily on the SmackDown brand and was managed by his wife, wrestler Jazz. After leaving WWE, he ventured into mixed martial arts, compiling a professional record including two bouts, and later returned to wrestling in independent circuits, including as Damage in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Along with Jazz, Mack operates the Dogg Pound Championship Training facility, focusing on developing new talent.

Early life

Family background and upbringing

Rodney Begnaud, known professionally as Rodney Mack, was born on October 12, 1970, in . He grew up in the region, with biographical accounts associating his early life with the local bayou environment. Begnaud is the nephew of professional wrestler Sylvester , better known as the , a WWE Hall of Famer who trained him in the fundamentals of . Limited public details exist regarding his or specific childhood circumstances, though his familial connection to provided early exposure to the wrestling industry.

Military service

Begnaud enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1988 at the age of 17. His service preceded his entry into , during which he underwent training that informed his later athletic pursuits, though specific details on deployments, rank, or duration remain undocumented in available records. Begnaud has been identified as a former Marine in wrestling media profiles, aligning with enlistment patterns for individuals of his era who often committed to four-year active-duty terms. No public accounts detail combat experience or post-service honors, reflecting the limited primary sourcing on this aspect of his background relative to his wrestling career.

Professional wrestling career

Training and early independent circuit (1998–2002)

Begnaud, born Rodney Begnaud II on October 12, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana, began his professional wrestling training under Rod Price and the late prior to his debut. He completed approximately two years of preparation before entering the ring, focusing on foundational techniques suited to his athletic background from service. Begnaud debuted professionally in 1998 under the Redd Dogg (sometimes stylized as Red Dogg), initially competing in independent promotions across the , including territories in and surrounding regions. His early matches emphasized a brawler style, leveraging his 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pound frame for power-based offense, though specific bout records from this era remain sparsely documented outside regional circuits. By 2000, after establishing a presence on these independents, he transitioned toward larger opportunities, wrestling under variations like Badd Dogg in select events. This period laid the groundwork for his subsequent stints in major promotions, with Begnaud honing his in-ring through consistent territorial work amid the fragmented independent scene of the late 1990s.

Extreme Championship Wrestling stint (2000)

Begnaud signed with in mid-2000 under the ring name Redd Dogg, debuting as a member of the faction Da Baldies, a group of bald-headed wrestlers portraying aggressive street toughs. The stable, which featured performers such as Angel, , and , engaged in brawls typical of ECW's hardcore environment, often using weapons like staple guns in matches. Redd Dogg primarily appeared in untelevised house shows during his tenure, accumulating losses against midcard competitors. Notable bouts included defeats to on June 30, 2000, HC Loc on July 1, 2000, and on July 21 and August 5, 2000. He continued wrestling for the promotion into late 2000, including a match at the ECW Battle Creek event on October 20. Lacking significant television exposure or push amid ECW's financial deterioration, his role remained limited to faction support and preliminary contests before the company's bankruptcy in April 2001.

World Wrestling Entertainment tenure (2002–2004)

Rodney Begnaud, performing as , joined in 2002 through its developmental system, including stints in prior to his main roster appearances. His initial televised WWE appearance came on the January 16, 2003, episode of SmackDown!, billed as Redd Dogg and positioned as an enforcer supporting in backstage segments. By mid-February 2003, he shifted to the Raw brand, reemerging under the Rodney Mack name with attorney as his manager. Mack's Raw in-ring debut occurred on February 17, 2003, where he defeated via pinfall. Under Long's guidance, Mack adopted a racially charged persona, issuing weekly "White Boy Challenges" on Raw, in which he dominated short matches against undercard Caucasian wrestlers to assert supposed racial superiority in the ring. Notable victories in this included pins over White Boy Evans on April 21, 2003, and other enhancement talents throughout spring 2003. He secured additional wins against midcard competitors like Goldust on April 7, 2003, and Christian on April 21, 2003, but suffered defeats to established stars such as Booker T on April 14, 2003, Kane on April 28, 2003, and on May 5, 2003. Throughout 2003, Mack's role emphasized enhancement bouts, with losses to top talents including Goldberg on July 14, 2003, and on July 7, 2003, alongside sporadic victories like over on September 8, 2003. A in November 2003 sidelined him temporarily. Upon returning in early 2004, Mack resumed action on Raw, defeating Maven on February 2, 2004, and Rico on February 9, 2004, while dropping matches to on January 19, 2004, and Test on February 16, 2004. In 2004, Mack's storyline incorporated his real-life wife, Jazz (Carlene Begnaud), who served as his on-screen manager alongside Long, amplifying the confrontational heel dynamic through her interference and promos. The pairing maintained momentum via dark matches and house shows but yielded limited television prominence. Mack and Jazz were released by WWE on November 4, 2004.

Independent circuit returns and WWE rehire (2005–2007)

Following his release from on November 4, 2004, Mack resumed wrestling on the independent circuit, with his first post-WWE appearance occurring on February 5, 2005, in a six-man match. Throughout 2005, he competed in various promotions, including NWA Cyberspace Wrestling Federation events such as a March matchup against Nick Berk and a June 24 disqualification victory over Slyck Wagner Brown that led to a subsequent street fight booking. On December 17, 2005, at DCW Holiday Havoc, Mack defeated The Cecilia Posse in a "White Boy Challenge" bout. In 2006, Mack re-signed with on September 15, initially serving as a trainer for developmental talent while performing on a part-time basis with the revived ECW brand. He debuted in ECW house shows on September 30, 2006, marking his return to programming after nearly two years away. This stint emphasized backstage training roles over prominent in-ring storylines, with limited televised exposure. Mack's WWE contract ended with his release on January 18, 2007, alongside several other performers including his wife , concluding his brief rehiring period.

Independent circuit and semi-retirement (2008–present)

Following his second departure from WWE in 2007, Mack returned to the in 2008, initially teaming with Heidenreich before transitioning to singles competition, primarily in southern United States promotions. In 2009, he held the NWA Elite Heavyweight Championship, retaining it in matches such as a street fight victory over Carson on March 6 and a win against Xtian Blake on March 11. Mack's schedule remained sporadic during the , reflecting a semi-retired status with selective bookings. Appearances included events for Anarchy Championship Wrestling in 2018 and 2019, as well as an independent show on August 28, 2020. On February 18, 2023, he lost to in a "loser leaves town" match for Texas Wrestling Alliance. From 2022 onward, Mack adopted the Damage and aligned with the (NWA), forming the Blunt Force Trauma with Carnage. On August 27, 2022, Damage defeated Da Pope in a pre-show match at NWA's 74th Anniversary Show. The team captured the on August 26, 2023, at the - Night 1, defeating Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 450. They defended the titles in a tables match against and on October 28, 2023, at , among other challenges in 2023 and 2024, maintaining a mixed record of approximately eight wins and seven losses in NWA events during this period. This NWA run represents his most consistent activity in recent years while continuing freelance independent work.

Mixed martial arts career

MMA fights and record

Rodney Mack, competing under his real name Rodney Begnaud in the division, pursued a brief professional in 2008, amassing a record of one win and one loss, both by first-round stoppages. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing approximately 240 pounds, Mack debuted on June 7, 2008, at the USA MMA: Lafayette vs. The World event, defeating Joe Nameth via TKO from punches just 21 seconds into the opening round. His sole subsequent fight came on August 8, 2008, at Gladiator Promotions: Summer Knockouts, where he submitted to Andrew Staples via rear-naked choke at 4 minutes and 38 seconds of the first round, marking the end of his MMA endeavors. The following table summarizes Mack's professional MMA bouts:
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTimeEvent
June 7, 2008Joe NamethWinTKO (punches)10:21USA MMA: Lafayette vs. The World
August 8, 2008Andrew StaplesLossSubmission (rear-naked choke)14:38Gladiator Promotions: Summer Knockouts

Personal life

Marriage and family

Rodney Begnaud, known professionally as Rodney Mack, is married to fellow professional wrestler Carlene Begnaud, who performs under the ring name Jazz. The couple met through the wrestling industry and have maintained a longstanding partnership both personally and professionally. They reside in Lafayette, Louisiana. In June 2008, Begnaud and his wife announced they were expecting their first child. The couple later welcomed twin daughters, Summer and Skye, in November 2008. Their daughters have shown interest in wrestling, training under their parents and others in the industry as of 2021.

Business ventures and training academy

Rodney Mack co-founded and operates the Dogg Pound Dojo, a training academy in , , alongside his wife, (Carlene Begnaud). Established around 2021, the school focuses on developing aspiring wrestlers through structured programs emphasizing fundamentals, in-ring psychology, and performance skills. The academy is located at 9747 Culebra Road and holds sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with Mack and Jazz serving as primary head trainers. The Dogg Pound Dojo functions as the official developmental training center for several wrestling organizations, including the (NWA), TSW Plus, and Dogg Pound Championship Wrestling. This affiliation supports talent pipelines for independent promotions, with the school partnering on events and wrestler recruitment, such as collaborations with Dallas-based promoters to enhance regional wrestling accessibility. Mack's involvement extends to promoting matches under the Dogg Pound Championship Wrestling banner, featuring academy trainees and established performers. Beyond training, Mack has leveraged his wrestling background to mentor through clinics and guest coaching opportunities, including stints at facilities like the , though these are occasional rather than core business operations. The ventures represent Mack's transition into wrestling education and promotion following his in-ring career, prioritizing practical skill-building over entertainment spectacle.

Championships and accomplishments

Professional wrestling titles

Mack primarily accumulated championships on the independent circuit and in WWE's developmental territory, with no major titles won during his brief stints in or World Wrestling Entertainment's main roster. His most notable recent accolade came under the masked Damage as part of the Blunt Force Trauma (with Carnage), defeating Bestia 666 and to win the on August 26, 2023, at in , ; the team held the titles for over 400 days before losing them.
PromotionTitleReign(s)Partner(s)/Notes
1 (or 2 per some records)With ; developmental title for
All American WrestlingAAW Tag Team 1With Heidenreich; won May 17, 2008, later vacated due to interference
(various territories)1As Damage with Carnage (Blunt Force Trauma)
NWA Southwest / 3Singles title
NWA 1Singles title
NWA 1Singles title; during ECW affiliation period
Allied Independent Wrestling FederationsAIWF World Heavyweight 1Singles title
Insane Hardcore Wrestling Entertainment / ExcellenceIHW Heavyweight 1Singles title
Insane Hardcore Wrestling Entertainment / ExcellenceIHWE Triple Crown 1Composite title
Lonestar Championship WrestlingLCW Heavyweight 1Singles title
Southwest Wrestling EntertainmentSWE 1With Jaykus Pliskin
Southwest Wrestling EntertainmentSWE Television 1Singles title
Championship WrestlingTCW Heavyweight 1Singles title
World Class WCR 1With Dyl Dempsey
These independent titles reflect Mack's post-WWE career focus on regional promotions, where he often wrestled as a powerhouse or tag specialist.

Other achievements

Mack was trained in by his uncle, WWE Hall of Famer (Sylvester Ritter), who mentored him in the fundamentals of the industry prior to his debut in 1998. In , Mack featured in the "5-Minute White Boy Challenge" segment on Raw, managed by , where he repeatedly overpowered opponents within the allotted time, establishing a dominant streak in the gimmick until defeated by via on the June 23, 2003, episode.

References

  1. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/rodney-mack
  2. http://www.oklafan.com/bios/view/2280/
  3. https://lionsprideproductions.com/rodney-mack
  4. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Rodney_Begnaud
  5. https://www.facebook.com/TheHannibalTV/videos/rodney-mack-on-his-mma-career/767329081653072/
  6. https://www.facebook.com/todayprowrestlinghistory/posts/rodney-mack-is-55-today-happy-birthday-mack-wrestles-in-the-nwa-as-damage-one-ha/1733635667570608/
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj5uPodVJv8
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1135906/
  9. https://wrestlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/Rodney_Mack
  10. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/rodney-begnaud--780670916682822212/
  11. https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-named-rodney/celebrity-lists
  12. https://gerweck.net/2009/11/01/rodney-mack/
  13. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/rodney-mack/
  14. https://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/rodney-mack-370.html
  15. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/da-baldies/
  16. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/rodney-mack-370.html?prom_id=5
  17. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/teddy-long-2/
  18. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/rodney-mack-370.html
  19. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/jazz
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GIP9t15jjc
  21. http://www.profightdb.com/cards/nwa/75---night-1-49430.html
  22. http://www.profightdb.com/cards/nwa/samhain-50264.html
  23. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rodney-Begnaud-33556
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRvNdL8zU9g
  25. https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/wrestling/where-is-two-time-wwe-womens-champion-jazz-now/article_a9ef583a-83b5-11e9-b690-2be49200572a.html
  26. https://people.com/parents/rodney-mack/
  27. https://metro.co.uk/2021/03/13/impact-wrestling-jazz-reveals-her-twins-training-with-thunder-rosa-14239887/
  28. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/mission-pro-wrestling/
  29. https://www.facebook.com/p/Dogg-Pound-ProWrestling-Dojo-100076236457188/
  30. https://www.instagram.com/doggpounddojo/
  31. https://www.dallasobserver.com/uncategorized/a-new-dallas-based-promoter-wants-to-make-wrestling-shows-more-accessible-for-fans-14028923/
  32. https://www.facebook.com/BookProWrestlers/posts/some-know-rodney-mack-as-the-powerhouse-who-tore-through-wwe-and-now-dominates-i/1215214520650898/
  33. https://www.instagram.com/realrodneymack/
  34. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/blunt-force-trauma-win-nwa-world-tag-team-titles-nwa-75
  35. https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/08/27/nwa-75-kamille-retains-nwa-womens-championship-four-new-champions/
  36. https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-live-wwe-raw-coverage-05-19-03-rodney-mack-theodore-long/
  37. https://aminoapps.com/c/wrestling/page/blog/the-jt-seany-mc-power-hour-raw-june-23rd-2003/a7H0_uk2ko3aQ4dNRKRPMmz3N3K5l
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