8 Stupid Questions with Cody O'Neill

Name:The Suntan Superman Cody O'Neill

Years Pro:7

Height:5'4"

Weight:177 1/4 lbs.

Home town:Burnsville MN

1. How did you get your start in pro wrestling?2 of my friends went to an indy show(MPW) in Owatonna i think it was and met the one and only Sheriff Johnny Emerald. We went to the St.Louis Park camp and tried out. I started training with sheriff and shifty. Then trained with Arik Cannon and I am proud to say that I am his F1RST student!(Kaos Vs Arik Cannon 10/19/2003 MPW)

2. You used to get chants of “umpa lumpa”. Do you think that Johnny Depp was a better Willy Wonka than Gene Wilder?I loved Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. He was very good in that movie and treated the umpa lumpa's better it seemed. (Cody O'Neill on his way to the ring 6/17/2007 F1rst Wrestling)

3. Who was your favorite pro wrestler before you got into pro wrestling?Like everyone else I was a huge Hogan fan. After I was in the biz guys like muta,marafuji,Chris Daniels, mike modest,Donovan Morgan, and nick dinsmore were a few that I enjoyed. (Cody O'Neill Vs Matt Sydal aka Evan Borne 11/27/2004 MPW)

4. The word “insane” is tattooed on your back. Do you think you have to be insane to be a pro wrestler? Yes I do think that! Barbedwire, light tubes, thumbtacks, and cage matches you tell me! (tattoos 10/25/2004 MPW locker room)

5. You’re the father of a young boy, are there any kids shows you like to watch with him?Everything on Nick Jr. playdate I love. We are both pretty entertained with Spongebob,Pirates trilogy,Batman, and disney/pixar movies. (Cody O'Neill VS V2 aka Ryan Cruz 9/12/2004)

6. Do you remember that one match against Kid Krazy where you got knocked out?Very little but I do. I remember knowing that I got knocked out and getting into the ring again and thinking I could remember all the spots...... Boooooooyyy was I wrong! Word to all wrestlers do not finish that match after getting knocked out just take the count out! (Cody O'Neill VS Kid Krazy 11/14/2004 MPW)

7. Who would you rather be stuck on a deserted island with, Scarlett Johansson, Ashton Kutcher or John Herder? You would at least have something in common with all three as they all have twin siblings like you do.Ashton Kutcher. I just think that he and I would get along great and not have a dull moment even though we would be on a deserted island. Man if that were true my tan would look great. (Cody & Cory O'Neill VS Aaron Corbin 4/4/2009 AWF)

8. You say that you are retiring from pro wrestling soon. Why and what will you miss?I am retiring because I am beat up and I am done putting my body through the pain for such little $$$, it just doesn't make sense. I will miss the boys the most. There are some guys that are a joy to be around and others that are pricks and will never get that the biz is not just about them. I'll miss all my fans especially the kids, kids are what make life go from in the ring and more importantly when I get home and that's the big reason for leaving the biz, no one can pay me enough to spend time away from my son and wife! (O'Neill with fan sign 11/27/2004) Editors note: O'Neill's last match is scheduled for June 19th for F1rst Wrestling at First Ave. His opponent is Arik Cannon.

Up to the big leagues with bad names

One of the great things about photographing independent pro wrestling is seeing some of the men and women make it up to the 'big leagues', WWE or TNA. In the last month or two I've seen two wrestlers who I first saw 4-5 years ago wrestling in high school gyms or national guard armory's.
Back in April of 2004 I was at ring side in St. Paul, MN when Matt Sydal made his ROH debut against Delirious. The photos here are from the next night in Chicago Ridge, IL. On June 3rd, 2008 Matt made his WWE debut now wrestling as Evan Bourne.
The name change is a little goofy. Sydal was more unique then Bourne. Go ahead and do a search of both those names. The top searches for Bourne are from the Matt Damon movies.
Mickie Knuckles wrestled in the first round of the Ted Petty Invitational back in 2003. There was a spot open because someone had to cancel and Knuckles wanted that spot. The spot she took was the one with Ian Rotten, her trainer, as the opponent. Knuckles didn't make it past the first round but she put up one hell of a fight.
The second night of the tournament Knuckles wrestled Rain. She won that match. A few weeks ago Knuckles debuted with TNA but with a new first name, Moose. It was brought to my attention that a moose knuckle is the male version of a camel toe. Once again, another stupid name choice by those who give out names.

ROH Chicago Ridge, IL6/23/2007

Ring of Honor returned to the Forntier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, Il last Saturday to tape their second ppv. The first have of the card was taped for the ppv but the whole card will be availible on DVD after the ppv airs. There was a womens tag team match after intermission but I was unable to get out to ring side to photograph it.

Davey Richards & Roderick Strong & Rocky Romero defeated Erick Stevens & Matt Cross & Delirious when Richards pinned Cross. After the match Austin Aries came to the ring from the crowd to attack Romero, Richards and Strong. Aries then signed an ROH conctract.
Claudio Castagnoli beat Matt Sydal. After the match Larry Sweeny came out to offer Sydal a contract.
Naomichi Marufuji beat BJ Whitmer.
Brent Albright defeats Pelle Primeau. Primeau may have the 'best in the class' trophy but he was no match for Albright in this match that lasted less then 2 minutes.
Takeshi Morishima defeated Jimmy Rave. This was a pretty short match.
Nigel McGuinness beat Chris Hero.
ROH tag team champions, the Briscoes, defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico to retain the belts.
'Scrapiron' Adam Pearce came out and challenged anyone to come out. ROH champion Takeshi Morishima came out to answer the challenge. Morishima pinned Pearce to retain the title.
KENTA defeated Bryan Danielson.

ROH St. Paul,MN 8/25.2006

Ring of Honor made their return to St. Paul, MN after 2 and a half years. The first time they were at the St. Paul Armory the WWE was in town the same night just 10 blocks away at the Xcel center. This time the turn out must have been better because a return date was annouced for April 2007. An earlier date to go along with the next Chicago Ridge date was not available.
The Briscoe Brothers beat Irish Airborn in the opening match.
Homicide beat Jimmy Jacobs w/Lacey.
Colt Cabana & Davey Richards beat The Embassy.
Fallen Angel Christoper Daniels pinned Claudio Castognoli.
Taking the same spot they had on the first St. Paul show in their ROH debut Matt Sydal beat Delirious.
ROH tag team champs Austin Aries & Roderick Strong retained their titles against BJ Whitmer & Somoa Joe when Strong pinned Joe.
ROH World/Pure champion Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuinness ended in a 60 minute time limit draw. This was a 2 out of 3 falls match and each wrestler had one fall.

Two years ago today 4/24/2004 ROH in Chicago, IL

Ring of Honor made their Chicago Ridge, IL debut on this day two years ago. In this photo you can see Matt Sydal do a shooting star press on to a group of wrestlers. This was my second ROH card that I photographed as the night before they were in St. Paul, MN for their Midwest debut.

2005 IWA MS TPI

9/23/05 Hammond, IN. The IWA MS Ted Petty Invitational. Matt Sydal ( the winner of the tourny) Vs El Generico. But the interesting thing here is the people in the back ground. Check out the old guy with the walker trying to get out of the way.