John Benson Williams (born June 1, 1970) is an American professional wrestler and promoter better known by his ring name Ian Rotten. He has wrestled in the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), and his own wrestling promotion .
Professional wrestling career
Early career
After becoming a fan of
Dusty Rhodes and "Superstar" Billy Graham while growing up in
Florida and Baltimore, Maryland, John Williams, began his career under the name
Johnny Lawler, the
Kayfabe illegitimate son of
Jerry Lawler. After a short stint as hockey gimmick
Zach Blades, Williams went to wrestle in the Global Wrestling Federation.
The Bad Breed
In GWF, Williams formed The Bad Breed, a
tag team with
Brian Knighton as brothers Ian and Axl Rotten, respectively. They defeated the Texas Mustangs (Bobby Duncum, Jr. &
John Layfield) for the GWF Tag Team Championship in January 1993, losing the titles shortly thereafter. In June 1994 in Extreme Championship Wrestling, the Bad Breed started a feud with The Public Enemy over the ECW Tag Team Championship, but never won the title.
Later career
The Rotten brothers briefly feuded with each other prior to Williams' termination from ECW in late 1995. He moved to
Kentucky, where he started a wrestling hotline followed by the
IWA Mid-South promotion in early 1996. IWA was controversial for its use of violent and bloody hardcore wrestling. In 2008, IWA and Williams were investigated by Indiana State Police over the violence in their shows.
In 2011, IWA shut down and was restarted by a third party, with Williams making occasional appearances.
Personal life
Williams is the father of John Calvin Glenn, known also by the ring name of J.C. Rotten.
Championships and accomplishments
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Anarchy Championship Wrestling
-
Global Wrestling Federation
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GWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Axl Rotten
-
Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
-
IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship (8 times)
-
IWA Mid-South Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Axl Rotten (2), Cash Flo (1), Tarek the Great (1) and Mad Man Pondo (1)
-
IWA Mid-South King of the Deathmatch (1997, 2001)
-
Juggalo Championship Wrestling
-
JCW Tag Team Championship (1 times) – with Lane Bloody
-
NWA New Jersey
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NWA United States Tag Team Championship (New Jersey version) (1 time) – with Blaze
-
NWA Revolution
-
NWA Revolution Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Danny McKay
-
Westside Xtreme Wrestling
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wXw World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
-
wXw Hardcore Championship (1 time)
External links
