Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page | |
---|---|
DDP in 2016 | |
Birth name | Page Joseph Falkinburg[1] |
Born |
[2] Point Pleasant, New Jersey[2] | April 5, 1956
Residence | Atlanta, Georgia |
Spouse(s) |
Kimberly Page (m. 1991; div. 2005) Brenda Nair (m. 2015) |
Children | 2 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Diamond Dallas Page[2] |
Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[3] |
Billed weight | 248 lb (112 kg)[3] |
Billed from | The Jersey Shore[3] |
Trained by |
Jake Roberts[2] WCW Power Plant[2] |
Debut | November 18, 1991[4] |
Dallas Page[1] (born Page Joseph Falkinburg;[1] April 5, 1956), better known by his ring name Diamond Dallas Page (DDP), is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, fitness instructor, motivational speaker and actor.[2] In the course of his wrestling career, which spanned two decades, Falkinburg has wrestled for mainstream wrestling promotions World Championship Wrestling (WCW),[2] the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE),[2] and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[2]
Falkinburg first broke into the wrestling business in 1988, as a manager in the American Wrestling Association,[2] where he worked for nine months before signing with WCW in 1991. There, he continued as a manager until late 1991, when he became a wrestler.[2] Over a decade in WCW, Falkinburg became a three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion,[2] two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion,[2] four-time WCW World Tag Team Champion[2] and one-time WCW World Television Champion. He is the fourth WCW Triple Crown Champion,[2] and the only United States Heavyweight Champion to defend the title in a pay-per-view main event, defeating Bret Hart at World War 3 1998.
After WCW was sold in 2001, Falkinburg signed with the WWF where he made his pay-per-view debut in the main event of July's Invasion show, and went on to become a one-time WWF European Champion and one-time WWF World Tag Team Champion. Due to a series of injuries, he allowed his contract with the company to expire in 2002.[2] He worked for TNA from 2004 to 2005, challenging for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Destination X 2005.
Early life
Page Joseph Falkinburg, the eldest of three children, was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, the son of parents of German descent, Sylvia (née Seigel) and Page Falkinburg Sr.[5][6] Falkinburg was raised by his father during his early years, after his parents divorced. The name "Dallas" came from his love of the Dallas Cowboys.[7] His brother, Rory, and sister, Sally, were raised by their maternal grandmother.[7] Falkinburg lived with his father from the ages of three to eight. His father took him, at eight years old, to live with his grandmother, who raised him. Falkinburg admitted in his autobiography he is dyslexic.[5] He had many challenges hit him throughout his childhood and educational years.[7] DDP attended St. Joseph's High School (now Monsignor Donovan High School) in Toms River, New Jersey for his freshman and second years, spending his first season on the JV basketball team and making the varsity squad as a sophomore.[8] He transferred to Point Pleasant Boro High School in Point Pleasant, where he was a star basketball player with the Point Pleasant Boro High School Panthers.[6] He attended Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina briefly before leaving school to work full-time.
Professional wrestling career
Early years and American Wrestling Association
Falkinburg ran a nightclub in Fort Myers, Florida called "Norma Jeans" (known for its Pink Cadillac) while he was working as a wrestling manager in the American Wrestling Association (AWA).[9] He started managing in 1988, where he handled Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka), a team he led to the AWA World Tag Team Championship on March 19.[10] Badd Company, was often accompanied by female valets known as the "Diamond Dolls" (Tonya, Jennifer and Torri). During his time in the AWA, Falkinburg also managed Colonel DeBeers,[11] Curt Hennig and Madusa Miceli as the leader of the Diamond Exchange stable.[2] He worked for the AWA at 12 dates over a period of nine months, where they filmed all the television shows in one day. He also worked as a color commentator in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), soon renamed Professional Wrestling Federation (PWF), where he worked alongside Gordon Solie, before finally debuting as a professional wrestler. Falkinburg's first pro match occurred in May 1989 against Dick Slater.
In 1990, Dallas received a tryout with the WWF as an announcer, but wasn't offered a job.[9] At WrestleMania VI, he drove Rhythm and Blues (The Honky Tonk Man and Greg Valentine) to the ring in his pink Cadillac.[2] At this time, he was virtually unknown in the World Wrestling Federation.[12] When FCW went out of business, Falkinburg was still involved in the club business until Dusty Rhodes returned to World Championship Wrestling. Rhodes started booking and brought Falkinburg in on a small contract in early 1991.[2]
World Championship Wrestling
Managing the Freebirds and the Diamond Mine (1991–1992)
Falkinburg came to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1991 as manager of The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Michael P.S. Hayes).[2][13] Falkinburg managed the Freebirds to a shot at the NWA World Tag Team Championship where they defeated Doom (Butch Reed and Ron Simmons) on February 24. Before that match took place, Falkinburg unveiled the stable's new road manager, Big Daddy Dink, formerly known as Oliver Humperdink, who interfered in the match. During this match, Falkinburg introduced the Diamond Dolls. Falkinburg added Scott Hall to the stable under the name of Diamond Studd.[2] Falkinburg also worked as a color commentator for WCW with Eric Bischoff.[2] With rumors that the WCW wanted to take the Diamond Studd away from Falkinburg,[9] he decided to take the advice of Magnum T.A. and begin to wrestle himself. He headed to the WCW Power Plant where Buddy Lee Parker, The Assassin, and Dusty Rhodes trained the 35-year-old rookie. He debuted as a wrestler in a tag team match later that year. With the Diamond Studd, he faced Kevin Sullivan and his partner. He was relegated to the "jobber" list. He made his wrestling pay-per-view debut at Starrcade in 1991, teaming with Mike Graham in a losing effort to Jushin Thunder Liger and Bill Kazmaier.[2] In regards to this period, he stated:
“ | [Bischoff] gave me the job as I was a good example of work ethic, passion and someone that cares about the business. Since they wouldn't really book me, I went down to the WCW Power Plant every day I wasn't working. That's how you adapt to adversity. Even when I started to make it, I still kept going back. Until I was on the road 260 days a year-plus, I was still going to that Power Plant. For five years I went there, because that's how long it took me to get to the top.[14] | ” |
Falkinburg continued wrestling and brought other wrestlers into his stable, The Diamond Mine, such as Scotty Flamingo (Raven) and Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash).[15][16] The relationships between DDP, Flamingo, and Vegas were used in many angles over the following months. Falkinburg went in the corner of Scotty Flamingo, at Clash of the Champions XXI on November 18, 1992, when Flamingo fought Johnny B. Badd in a worked boxing match. Flamingo won this bout with a little help from Falkinburg who filled Flamingo's glove with water. The following year, after Studd and Flamingo left the stable, Falkinburg teamed with Vinnie Vegas as the Vegas Connection.[15] However, the team was disbanded shortly after its debut when Falkinburg suffered a torn rotator cuff in a match against Tex Slazenger and Shanghai Pierce toward the end of 1992 and was later fired, while Nash left WCW for the World Wrestling Federation.[9][13]
Singles competition and feud with Randy Savage (1994–1997)
Falkinburg determined to continue improving his character, sought the help of Jake Roberts who advised him on the psychological aspects of the business.[13] After his injury had healed, Falkinburg returned to WCW television in 1994, with his wife Kimberly[13] as the Diamond Doll, and an on-screen bodyguard,[13] Max Muscle. He held open arm wrestling challenges to win Kimberly, but Max always helped him win or arm wrestled for him. He was also involved in an angle where he was said to have supposedly amassed the sum of 13 million dollars through victories in arm wrestling competitions, a fortune that he would later lose. He also had a long feud with Dave Sullivan because Sullivan gave Kimberly gifts (and largely because Falkinburg was defeated by Sullivan in one of the arm wrestling contests, which earned him a date with Kimberly).[2] At Fall Brawl, Falkinburg won his first championship when he defeated Renegade for the WCW World Television Championship.[2] In the build-up to his first title defense at Halloween Havoc, there was growing dissension between Falkinburg and Kimberly. Johnny B. Badd defeated Falkinburg for the TV title and again at World War 3 on November 26, winning Kimberly's freedom from DDP.[2] At Uncensored on March 24, 1996 The Booty Man with Kimberly as The Booty Babe defeated Diamond Dallas Falkinburg in a Loser Leaves Town match.[2]
Falkinburg returned on the edition of May 18, 1996 of WCW Saturday Night as a tweener defeating Billy Kidman. On May 19, Falkinburg participated in the Lord of the Ring Tournament (Battle Bowl) at Slamboree. Falkinburg was victorious when he defeated The Barbarian with two Diamond Cutters. The winner was to be the number one contender for the World Title which at that time was held by The Giant.[2] However, he never received the title shot that he earned that night. Page was feuding with Eddie Guerrero when the New World Order (nWo) was formed. Since Nash and Hall were both former partners of Page, they assisted him in his matches in the tournament being held for the vacant US Title. Believing their help was not appreciated, however, Hall and Nash attacked him during the tournament finals, therefore handing the belt to Guerrero.[2] After demonstrating the benefits of the nWo, they asked him to join. He responded by giving them Diamond Cutters on January 25, 1997 at Souled Out, starting a face turn and a feud with the nWo.[2] Soon after, Page began a feud with recent nWo recruit "Macho Man" Randy Savage.[2] On an episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Savage, aided by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, attacked Page and spray-painted "nWo" on his back. A few weeks later at Uncensored, Savage and Miss Elizabeth "broke" (a worked shoot) by revealing to the world that Page and Kimberly were, in fact, married. Savage then proceeded to beat up Page, ensuring a future match between the two. At Spring Stampede, in Page's first pay-per-view main event, he and Savage battled in a match where Page emerged victorious, but it was the not the end of conflict between the two.[2] A few months later at The Great American Bash, they squared off again in an anything goes, lights out match. This match ended with Savage defeating Page with help from (then) Tag Team Champion Scott Hall.[2] At Bash at the Beach, Scott Hall and Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Curt Hennig. Curt Hennig, who Diamond Dallas Page had recruited personally to join WCW and team with him, turned on DDP during the match.[2] Hennig defeated Diamond Dallas Page in a Grudge match at Road Wild.[2] At Fall Brawl, Page teamed with Lex Luger to defeat Scott Hall and Randy Savage in a No Disqualification match.[2] Page even dressed up as masked wrestler La Parka and beat Savage. Around this time, Page also started fighting nWo leader, Hollywood Hogan. Page and Savage battled for the last time at Halloween Havoc. The match was billed as a Las Vegas Sudden Death match, where Savage pinned Page after Hogan, dressed as Sting, came out and hit Page with a baseball bat in his already "injured" midsection, resulting in Savage picking up the win.[2] On an episode of Nitro shortly after Halloween Havoc, Page fought Hogan, but was again beaten down by the nWo.
United States Heavyweight Champion (1997–1998)
At Starrcade, Page won the United States Heavyweight Championship from Curt Hennig.[2] The following year at Uncensored, Page defended the title in a Triple Threat, Falls Count Anywhere contest against Chris Benoit and Raven, putting Raven through a table with a Diamond Cutter to retain the belt. Page later lost the title to Raven at Spring Stampede.[2] Later in the year, Page tagged with Karl Malone against Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman at Bash at the Beach, losing due to interference.[2] Page tagged with late night talk show host Jay Leno at Road Wild, where they defeated Hogan and Eric Bischoff.[2]
At Fall Brawl, Page won the WarGames main event, and got a World title shot against the undefeated Goldberg at Halloween Havoc. Page did not win the match,[2] but the match was voted WCW Magazine's "Match of the Year" 1998. Halloween Havoc ran slightly longer than expected resulting in a number of cable companies blacking out the end of the Hogan versus Warrior match and all of the DDP versus Goldberg contest. WCW decided to air the Goldberg versus DDP title bout in its entirety on the edition of October 26 of Nitro, which proved immensely popular in the ratings and resulted in a ratings win for Nitro over Raw – the last win Nitro ever had. Despite this setback in the World title picture, Page rebounded this same following night of Halloween Havoc, on the edition of October 26 of Nitro, with a win over Bret Hart to capture the United States Heavyweight Title. The two headlined the following month's World War 3, in a title match which Page won.[17] Page lost the title to Hart on the edition of November 30 of Nitro in a No Disqualification match, when he was assaulted by The Giant.[18]
WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1999–2001)
Page became WCW World Heavyweight Champion in April 1999, at Spring Stampede when he defeated Sting, Hogan, and Ric Flair for the title in a Four Way Dance with "Macho Man" Randy Savage as Special Guest Referee. Page pinned Flair after giving Flair the Diamond Cutter.[2] Page began to have a change in attitude, fans quietly began to start booing Page and he quietly turned heel. During the match, Page knocked Goldberg out with brass knuckles and repeatedly struck his leg with a steel chair as it was propped against the ring stairs, then taunted the fans by saying "boo me now" repeatedly. He only stopped when Kevin Nash, an ally of Hogan's who was angry at Page for (kayfabe) injuring Hogan's knee during the match at Spring Stampede, came back from injury and chased him away.
On April 26, 1999, Page lost and regained his title in the span of two hours. Sting challenged him to defend his title in the first hour of that night's Nitro and defeated him to regain the title he had lost had a year earlier. This ended Page's reign at 15 days, but he gained an opportunity to get the title back ninety minutes later. Nash came to the ring and made a challenge for a four-way match for the title, and the just-dethroned Page joined defending champion Sting and Goldberg in the match. Page regained the world title by using a foreign object to hit Nash and take the win and regain the title without actually defeating the reigning champion.[2] Nash became the number one contender shortly after and vowed to get revenge on Page for his friend Hogan, culminating in a match at Slamboree in May. Page originally retained the world championship after Savage interfered and hit Nash, but the match was ordered to continue by Eric Bischoff and Nash pinned Page to win the title after a powerbomb.[2] Page dropped out of the title picture shortly thereafter.
Shortly after Slamboree, Page entered into an alliance with fellow New Jerseyan Bam Bam Bigelow and won the WCW World Tag Team Championship from then champions Perry Saturn and Raven on May 31, thanks to Chris Kanyon turning heel on former ally Raven and costing the team the championships. Page, Bigelow, and Kanyon became known as the Jersey Triad and through their alliance with WCW "President for Life" Ric Flair took advantage of the Freebird Rule in their subsequent matches (meaning any combination of the three could defend the championship). The Triad held the titles until June 10, when Saturn and Chris Benoit (now stablemates in The Revolution) took the title from them. They regained the belts at The Great American Bash three days later, and lost them to Harlem Heat at Road Wild in August.[2] Later that night, Chris Benoit defeated Diamond Dallas Page to retain the United States title.[2] The group broke up shortly thereafter and Page began feuding with Hogan again, joining Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner in a team effort to take on Hogan, Sting, and Goldberg. Soon after that feud ended Page turned into a hero again and feuded with both Kanyon and Bigelow before the year ended.
In 2000, with WCW under new management, Page earned a shot at the vacant WCW World Championship Belt at Spring Stampede against Jeff Jarrett. In a surprise twist, Page's wife, Kimberly, turned on Page and helped Jarrett become the new WCW World Champion.[2] Page got the better of Jarrett on the edition of April 24 of Nitro, where he defeated Jarrett in a steel cage match to become WCW World Heavyweight Champion for the third time, then lost the title to his tag partner, actor David Arquette, three days later on Thunder; the rules stated that whoever got the pin would win the title, and Arquette pinned Jarrett's partner, Eric Bischoff. Page attempted to win the title back at Slamboree later that month in a triple cage match against Arquette and Jarrett, but lost after Arquette hit him with a guitar. Page then entered a feud with Mike Awesome, who defeated him in an Ambulance Match at The Great American Bash after Kanyon turned on Page.[2]
Page took some time off shortly after this, but returned in late 2000 as a full-time wrestler. After Page came back he formed a tag team with Kevin Nash called The Insiders, and the team won the tag team championship on November 26 at Mayhem by defeating Perfect Event (Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo).[2] The team was temporarily stripped of the titles but won them back at Starrcade defeating Stasiak and Palumbo again. Page and Nash lost the titles to Palumbo and Sean O'Haire at Sin in January and broke up shortly thereafter. After his tag team run Page briefly feuded with the returning Kanyon, which saw Kanyon defeat Page at SuperBrawl Revenge, and Page defeating Kanyon the following night on Nitro, ending their feud. Page then moved into the World Championship picture again by facing Scott Steiner. Their feud hit a climax at WCW's final PPV Greed, saw Page's final match in WCW and a semi-burial type defeat as he passed out in Steiner's finisher, The Steiner Recliner.[2]
World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (2001–2002)
When WCW was purchased by WWF owner Vince McMahon in 2001, Page was one of the few major WCW stars (along with Booker T and Buff Bagwell) who accepted buyouts of their AOL Time Warner contracts in order to immediately sign with McMahon. He debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on the edition of June 18, 2001 of Raw when he unveiled himself as the stalker of The Undertaker's wife, Sara.[2] Page revealed he didn't care about Sara; he only did it to make an impact and wanted to take on the biggest dog in the yard. Page soon joined the Alliance during the WCW Invasion.[2] At King of the Ring, he fought The Undertaker in an unsanctioned brawl that was never announced as an official match.
Page and Chris Kanyon reunited on the edition of August 6, 2001 of Raw when Kanyon helped Page attack The Undertaker backstage. Three days later on edition of August 9, 2001 of SmackDown!, Page and Kanyon defeated the APA to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.[2]
The feud with the Undertaker went on for the best part of three months and ended when Undertaker and Kane defeated Page and Kanyon at SummerSlam on August 19, 2001 in a Steel cage match for the WWF Tag Team Championship, where Page got injured which kept him out of action until late October 2001.[2]
He became known for his catchphrase "Yo! It's me, it's me, it's DDP!" While Page was injured he developed a new gimmick in September 2001 to become a motivational speaker, something he did in real life, in what came to be known as his Positively Page character. The name came from the title of his autobiography that was published during his WCW days. The character, who Page developed after attending the Tony Robbins Results 2000 seminar in October 2000, involved Page constantly smiling and acting optimistic, with his trademark phrase "That's not a bad thing... that's... a good thing".
His return televised match was on November 3, 2001 at Rebellion losing to Big Show. After the Alliance lost at Survivor Series DDP along with the rest of the alliance members kayfabe lost their jobs. Page eventually returned as a fan favorite and won his job back by defeating The Big Bossman on the edition of January 17, 2002 of SmackDown! and also competed in the Royal Rumble match on January 20, 2002 but did not win it.
Page became the European Champion on the edition of January 31, 2002 of SmackDown, when he defeated Christian, a former follower of his positive "philosophy."[2] At WrestleMania X8, Page retained the title in a rematch. However, he lost the title to William Regal on an episode of SmackDown that aired March 19.[2] At age 46, he had nagging injuries, including a neck injury he suffered in a match with Hardcore Holly on the April 18, 2002 episode of SmackDown, so his WWE contract was allowed to expire.[2]
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004–2005)
On April 1, 2004, Diamond Dallas Page announced his return to the ring. After working for several independent promotions, he debuted with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling on November 12, feuding with Raven and Erik Watts.[2] At Turning Point, DDP defeated Raven, and at Final Resolution (2005), Page competed in a three-way elimination match which was won by Monty Brown. On the February 4 edition of Impact!, Page and Monty Brown defeated The Naturals, then on the February 11 edition, Page defeated Chris Candido. At Against All Odds, Page and Brown defeated Team Canada (Bobby Roode and Eric Young). Page received an NWA World Heavyweight Championship title shot on March 13, 2005 at Destination X, but was defeated by reigning champion Jeff Jarrett when Monty Brown turned heel and hit Page with the Pounce.[2] On the March 18 edition of Impact!, Page and Sean Waltman defeated Lex Lovett and Buck Quartermain, and on April 15, Page and Waltman faced The Outlaw and Monty Brown in a losing effort. At Lockdown, DDP teamed with B.G. James and Waltman to defeat Jeff Jarrett, Monty Brown and The Outlaw in a Lethal Lockdown match. At Hard Justice, Page and Ron Killings faced Monty Brown and The Outlaw where they were defeated in what was Page's final match in TNA. Page left TNA shortly thereafter.
Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2009)
On August 9, 2009, Diamond Dallas Page made a special appearance with JCW aligning himself with the jWo. He hit his trademark Diamond Cutter finisher on Trent Acid late in the match. Page retired from the ring shortly thereafter.
Return to WWE (2011–present)
In late 2010, Page agreed to work on a DVD for WWE, titled The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro, after being approached on the project due to his ties to WCW.
Page hosted the DVD, which was released on June 7, 2011. On the June 27 edition of Raw, Page made an appearance promoting this DVD with Booker T.
In 2012, Page appeared on WWE Classics on Demand in Legends of Wrestling Roundtable: Renegades along with Jim Ross, Michael P.S. Hayes, Roddy Piper, and Gene Okerlund. Page also appeared alongside Kevin Nash and X-Pac at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on March 31, 2012. On July 2, 2012, Page made an appearance on Raw, where he hit a Diamond Cutter on Heath Slater. He also appeared at Raw 1000, accompanied by other WWE Legends, during Slater's match with Lita.
On January 6, 2014, Page again appeared on Raw, along with a number of other legends, as part of the show's "Old School" theme. On April 5, 2014, Page inducted his wrestling mentor and noted DDP Yoga practitioner Jake Roberts into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of WWE's WrestleMania XXX weekend festivities.[19]
Page made a one-night return on January 25, 2015, when he competed in the Royal Rumble match as a surprise entrant, at number 14. He hit Diamond Cutters on Stardust, Bray Wyatt and Fandango from the top rope. He was eliminated by Rusev.[20] At WrestleMania 32 he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal but was eliminated by Konnor.
DDP Yoga
Page developed a yoga fitness program initially called Yoga for Regular Guys Workout or YRG after recovering from ruptures to his L4/L5 discs in 1998 and discovering the health benefits of yoga through his former wife, Kimberly.[21] His favorite kind of yoga (according to his "Yoga for Regular Guys" book published in 2005) is "Power Yoga," an American-style version of "Ashtanga Style" yoga. Page worked with Doctor of Chiropractic Dr. Craig Aaron, the "Yoga-Doc"[22] and developed the Yoga for Regular Guys Workout.[2]
Page developed the book into a series of workout videos titled DDP YOGA (formerly YRG). DDP Yoga was featured in a video about Arthur Boorman in May 2012.[23] The story was picked up by the mainstream media,[24][25][26] including Good Morning America.[27] The video describes the journey of Arthur Boorman, a disabled war veteran who was told by doctors he would never walk again. After 15 years on crutches,[28] Boorman lost 140 pounds in 10 months and regained the ability to walk and run without his crutches, back braces or leg braces.[29]
On February 21, 2014, Page appeared on the ABC series Shark Tank, where he declined to sell a 5% share in DDP Yoga for $200,000. He had hoped to use the money to develop a mobile app. The investors believed the company's profits ($800,000 in the previous year) would fall.[30] Page later said he sold more than $1 million worth of product in the first six days after his appearance.[31]
Lawsuits
Page is commonly associated with the "Self High Five" as well as the "Diamond Cutter" symbol, a hand gesture made by joining the thumbs and index fingers on each hand to form a diamond shape, then parting the two hands in one swift motion. He created the symbol in 1996 and later trademarked it. In December 2005, Page filed a lawsuit against rapper Jay-Z, who, he claimed, had "illegally adopted his trademark hand gesture". Page accused Jay-Z of trademark infringement, and sought a prohibitive injunction and monetary damages.[32][33] It resulted in Page dropping the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount of money. On August 31, 2010, Page filed a lawsuit against American electronica musical duo 3OH!3 for infringement of his trademarked "Diamond Cutter" hand gesture.[34][35][36]
Radio
Page also hosts a radio show titled DDP Radio.[37]
Personal life
In 2003, he had his name legally changed to Dallas Page.[1]
On December 1, 1991, Page married Kimberly. On July 3, 2004, they announced their amicable separation.[2] They officially divorced in December 2005.
In an August 2014 New York Times article, Page was described as being engaged to a woman named Brenda Nair of Smyrna, Georgia.[38][39] They married in Cancun on July 25, 2015.[40]
Page has two daughters, Brittany Page (born 1987) and Kimberly Page (born 1994).[41]
In 2016, Page created a promotional video for the Virginia Cavaliers football team, showing his support for the team.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Diamond Cutter[2] (Cutter) – sometimes from the top rope (Diamond Death Cutter), or while applying a fireman's carry or an overhead gutwrench – 1991–present
- Diamond Clash (Belly to back inverted mat slam) – 1994–1995; used as a signature move afterwards[42][43][44]
- Signature moves
- A Trip to the Diamond Mine (Tilt-a-whirl mat slam)[42]
- Diamond Bomb / Jersey Bomb (Spinning sitout powerbomb pin or a sitout powerbomb pin)[45][46][47]
- Diamond Dream (DDT) – sometimes while jumping[48][49][50]
- Clothesline[2]
- Belly-to-belly suplex[51]
- Elbow drop, with theatrics[45][47][50]
- Figure-four leglock while using the ringpost[52]
- Fireman's carry slam[51]
- Flying clothesline[43][47][49][53]
- Gutwrench gutbuster[46][51]
- Inverted atomic drop[43][44][51]
- Reverse STO[51]
- Russian legsweep[49]
- Shoulder jawbreaker[49]
- Side slam[50][51]
- Sidewalk slam[51]
- Slingshot crossbody[43][48]
- Spinning spinebuster[51]
- Swinging neckbreaker[48][49]
- Wrist-lock followed by multiple shoulder blocks[43][48]
- With Bam Bam Bigelow
- With Chris Kanyon
- Belly to back suplex (DDP) / Neckbreaker (Kanyon) combination – WWE
- Russian legsweep (Kanyon) followed by an elbow drop (DDP) with theatrics[45][47]
- Managers
- Wrestlers managed
- Badd Company (Paul Diamond and Pat Tanaka)[2][13]
- Colonel DeBeers[2]
- Curt Hennig[13]
- Madusa Miceli[13]
- Bam Bam Bigelow[2]
- Johnny Ace[2]
- Dick Slater[2]
- The Big Steel Man
- Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin, and Badstreet),[54] with Big Daddy Dink
- Diamond Studd[2]
- Vinnie Vegas[2]
- Scotty Flamingo[55]
- Nicknames
- Entrance themes
- "Glam Rock" (WCW; 1991–1992, 1994–1996)
- "Self High-Five" by J.Hart and H.Helm (WCW; 1996–2000)
- "Kevin Nash/Wolfpac Theme" (WCW; used while a part of The Insiders)
- "Dog" by FAT (WCW; 2000–2001)
- "Diamond in the Rough" by Jim Johnston (WWF/E; 2001–2002, 2012–present)
- "Spirit" by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2004–2005)
Championships and accomplishments
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz International Wrestling Institute
- Frank Gotch Award (2014)[56]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Feud of the Year (1997) vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
- Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1999)
- Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (1996)[2]
- PWI ranked him #4 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1997 and 1998
- PWI ranked him #65 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003[57]
- Swiss Wrestling Federation
- SWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[58]
- World Championship Wrestling
- WCW World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[59][60][61]
- WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[62][63]
- WCW World Television Championship (1 time)[64]
- WCW World Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Kevin Nash (2) and Kanyon and Bam Bam Bigelow (2)1[65]
- Fourth WCW Triple Crown Champion
- World Wrestling Federation
- WWF European Championship (1 time)[66]
- WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Kanyon [67]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Wrestling Maneuver (1997) Diamond Cutter
- Most Improved Wrestler (1996)
- Worst Gimmick (2001)
1 Page defended the title with either Kanyon or Bigelow under the Freebird Rule.
Filmography
- First Daughter (1999) as Dirk Lindman
- Ready to Rumble (2000) as Himself
- Rat Race (2001) in a deleted scene
- Nice Guys (2005) as Sleezy Guy
- The Devil's Rejects (2005) as Billy Ray Snapper
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin (deleted scene)
- Jack's Law (2006) as Spider Benson
- Hood of Horror (2006) as Jersey
- Splinter (2006) as Detective Stiles
- Driftwood (2006) as Captain Kennedy
- Knight Fever (2008)
- Gallowwalkers (2009) as Skullbucket
- Sensory Perception (2010) as Mr. Harrington
- Pizza Man (2011) as Kryder
- Vengeance (2014)
- The Bet (2016) as Mr. Baker
Bibliography
- Genta, Larry and Page, Diamond Dallas (2000) Positively Page, ISBN 0-9679922-0-6
- Aaron, Craig and Page, Diamond Dallas (2005) Yoga for Regular Guys: The Best Damn Workout on the Planet, ISBN 1-59474-079-8
References
- 1 2 3 4 "DDP's Bio". ddpbang.com. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 "DDP's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- 1 2 3 "DDP's WWE Alumni profile". WWE. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- ↑ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=18&gimmick=Diamond+Dallas+Page
- 1 2 Positively Page: The Diamond Dallas Page Journey. Positive Publishing. 2000. ISBN 0967992206.
- 1 2 Delaney, Bonnie. "This Diamond may be literacy's best friend: Homegrown wrestling star returns to Point Pleasant to help children grapple with challenge of reading", Asbury Park Press, January 13, 1999. Accessed July 17, 2011. "Falkinburg, a native of Point Pleasant, is a professional wrestler with the World Championship Wrestling organization.... 'I was a good athlete' said the 1974 graduate of Point Pleasant High School, where he was a basketball star."
- 1 2 3 "Own Your Life" audio book on CD
- ↑ Davies, Ross. Diamond Dallas Page, p. 20. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. ISBN 0-8239-3493-4. Accessed July 17, 2011. "By ninth grade, he was a starter at St. Joseph's High School in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. In tenth grade, he made the varsity team."
- 1 2 3 4 "The Career of Diamond Dallas Page" Jan Jorgensen at the Wayback Machine (archived October 27, 2009)
- ↑ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ↑ American Wrestling Assiciation (1988-08-27). "DDP introduce Col DeBeers in his stable; Todd Becker Vs Col DeBeers /w DDP & Tonya". AWA.
- ↑ WrestleMania XIX DVD
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "DDP's bio". Wrestling Museum. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ↑ http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wherearetheynow/diamonddallaspage
- 1 2 Milner, John M. (October 21, 2005). "Kevin Nash's bio". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
- ↑ Davies, Ross. Kevin Nash, p.29
- ↑ "World War 3 1998 results". Pro Wrestling History.
- ↑ "History of the United States Championship – Bret Hart(3)". WWE. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
- ↑ http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/diamond-dallas-page-brings-ddp-131700610.html
- ↑ Caldwell, James (January 25, 2015). "CALDWELL'S ROYAL RUMBLE PPV REPORT 1/25: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Lesnar vs. Cena vs. Rollins for WWE Title, annual Royal Rumble match, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-dambrosio/yoga-master-diamond-dalla_b_5660780.html
- ↑ Dr. Craig Aaron the "Yoga-Doc"
- ↑ Never, Ever Give Up. Arthur's Inspirational Transformation! on YouTube
- ↑ "Arthur Boorman, Disabled Veteran, Walks Again After Discovering Yoga". The Huffington Post. May 4, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ↑ About.com, Arthur Boorman's Yoga Transformation.
- ↑ Link Prevention.com, You Need Yoga It gave a disabled veteran his life back. What will it do for you?
- ↑ GMA, New Weight-Loss Sensation: Man Drops 100 Pounds With Diamond Dallas Page's Yoga Program.
- ↑ DDP YOGA.com, Arthur's Transformation.
- ↑ http://www.prevention.com/fitness/yoga/yoga-transforms-disabled-veteran
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page Denied On ABC's Shark Tank", by Marc Middleton, WrestlingInc.com
- ↑ http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/1122/585124/how-much-did-ddp-yoga-rake-in-after-shark-tank/
- ↑ "Trademark infringement lawsuit between DDP & Jay-Z now settled;info". wrestleview.com.
- ↑ Harris, Chris. "DIAMOND DALLAS SUES JAY-Z OVER 'DIAMOND CUTTER' HAND SIGN". MTV.com.
- ↑ Shotwell, James (September 7, 2010). "3OH!3 sued by former wrestler 'Diamond' Dallas Page". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ↑ Willett, Brian (September 6, 2010). "3OH!3 Sued by Diamond Dallas Page Over Hand Symbol". Bloginity. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ↑ "Exclusive!!! 'Diamond' Dallas Page Sues '3OH!3' For Unauthorized Use of Diamond Cutter Hand Symbol!!!". MissTilaOMG. August 31, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.ddpradio.com/ DDP Radio
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/magazine/the-rise-of-beefcake-yoga.html
- ↑ http://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/32227/Diamond-Dallas-Page-Girlfriend-Start-Breast-Cancer-Fight/
- ↑ Caldwell, James (August 18, 2015). "DDP news: Major magazine publishes DDP wedding photos". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/TheBritPage
- 1 2 World Championship Wrestling (1998-10-04). "DDP Vs. Chris Kanyon w/ The Flock". WCW Monday Nitro.
- 1 2 3 4 5 World Championship Wrestling (1997-06-15). "DDP Vs. Randy Savage". WCW Great American Bash.
- 1 2 World Championship Wrestling (1997-09-14). "DDP & Lex Luger Vs Randy Savage & Scott Hall w/ Elizabeth". WCW Fall Brawl.
- 1 2 3 4 World Championship Wrestling (1999-06-13). "Tag Team title; Jersey Triad Vs. Benoit & Saturn". WCW Great American Bash.
- 1 2 WWE WrestleMania X8 (2002): European championship; Christian Vs. DDP (c). WWE. 2002-03-17.
- 1 2 3 4 5 World Championship Wrestling (1999-07-11). "Tag Team title; Jersey Triad Vs. Benoit & Saturn". WCW Bash at the Beach.
- 1 2 3 4 World Championship Wrestling, TNT (1999-01-04). "Brian Adams vs Diamond Dallas Page". WCW Monday Nitro.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 World Championship Wrestling (1998-10-25). "DDP Vs. Goldberg". WCW Halloween Havoc.
- 1 2 3 World Championship Wrestling (1999-09-12). "DDP Vs. Goldberg". WCW Fall Brawl.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 World Championship Wrestling (1999-08-14). "US Heavyweight championship; DDP Vs. Chris Benoit(c); No Disqualification match". WCW Road Wild.
- ↑ World Championship Wrestling (1999-04-11). "Four Corners match". WCW Spring Stampede.
- ↑ World Championship Wrestling, TNT (1996-10-28). "Mike Enos vs Diamond Dallas Page". WCW Monday Nitro.
- ↑ Davies, Ross. Diamond Dallas Page. p. 31. ISBN 0-8239-3493-4.
- ↑ "Raven's profile". Obsessed With Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- ↑ Caldwell, Adam (January 22, 2012). "News: Edge to join second Hall of Fame". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2012-01-23.
- ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2010-09-15.
- ↑ "Swiss Wrestling Federation Title Historys". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's first WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign".
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's second WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign".
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's third WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign".
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's first WCW United States Heavyweight Championship reign".
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's second WCW United States Heavyweight Championship reign".
- ↑ "WCW World Television Championship history".
- ↑ "WCW World Tag Team Championship history".
- ↑ "Diamond Dallas Page's first European Championship reign".
- ↑ "Kanyon and Diamond Dallas Page's first World Tag Team Championship reign".
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Diamond Dallas Page. |
- Official website
- Diamond Dallas Page at the Internet Movie Database
- Diamond Dallas Page on WWE.com
- Where are they now? on WWE.com
- Diamond Dallas Page's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database