Joe E. Legend

Joe E. Legend
Legend in 2019
Birth nameJoseph Edward Hitchen[1]
Born (1969-09-02) September 2, 1969 (age 55)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spouse(s)
Svenia Hitchen
​
(m. 2003)​
[1]
Children2[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Billy Johnson[3]
Bluto Belushi[3]
Dragon[3]
Joe E. Legend
Joe Legend
Joe Sampson[3]
Just Joe[3]
Legend[3]
Master Joe Storm[3]
Nord[3]
XL-Legend[3]
Joe X-Legend[3]
Joe Ace[3]
Joe Megalodon[3]
Billed height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[4]
Billed weight252 lb (114 kg)[4]
Billed fromToronto, Canada, Canada
Glasgow, Scotland (as Nord)
"Parts Unknown" (as Dragon)
Trained byRon Hutchison[3]
Sweet Daddy Siki[3]
Debut1992[2]

Joseph Edward Hitchen[1] (born September 2, 1969)[4] is a Canadian retired professional wrestler and trainer, known under his ring name Joe E. Legend. He also wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) from 2000 to 2001 under the ring name Just Joe.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1992–1997)

Joe Legend began wrestling in Canada before becoming a part of the successful tag team Sex and Violence with Sexton Hardcastle in the Detroit area. His debut match was against Zakk Wyld (Keith Assoun) in Brampton. Ontario in 1992. During 1997, Sex and Violence were a part of a bigger gang which was known as THUG Life, which was composed of Legend, Hardcastle, Christian Cage, Zakk Wyld, Bloody Bill Skullion and Rhino Richards. Among his catchphrases used was "Heroes come and heroes go, but legends live forever!"

Touring Europe (1998–present)

Hitchen later competed under XL Legend in the Catch Wrestling Association which is based in Germany. He later teamed with Rhino Richards to win the vacant World Tag Team Championships by defeating Rico de Cuba and August Smisl on October 10, 1998, in Hanover, Germany. The title was vacated in October 1998 when Rhino Richards left the promotion after signing with Extreme Championship Wrestling. After his departure from the WWF in the spring of 2001, Legend found success in Germany and England.

In April 2005, he was one of the lead trainers of Celebrity Wrestling in the United Kingdom on ITV. This Saturday evening reality show saw celebrities learn wrestling and compete in challenge matches. After a few weeks the program was set to be cancelled, but instead was moved to Sunday morning to finish its final episodes.

He can now be found wrestling in and around the United Kingdom for promotions such as All Star Wrestling, working regular shows at Butlins holiday parks after throwing out an open challenge to potential rivals for his Pan Pacific and GSA heavyweight titles. He has also toured Wales for both Orig Williams and Alan Ravenhill.

During his time in the now defunct Frontier Wrestling Alliance he wrestled for the FWA British Heavyweight Championship in a five-way match at The Champions Series Final on January 5, 2006, in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, England, but was defeated by Hade Vansen.

Hitchen also has wrestled in many other countries around the continent, countries such as Denmark, Poland, Italy, France, Portugal, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Greece. Overall, he wrestled in more than 24 countries around the world.

In 2014, in February he lost to David Hart Smith in a DWA/PWF match in Germany. Then he lost to Andrei Ivanov in Pro Wrestling Showdown in the Netherlands. In March he lost to Wolfgang in Premier British Wrestling. In April and May he competed in German organizations Deutsche Wrestling Allianz, German Hurricane Wrestling, Westside Xtreme Wrestling and Power of Wrestling.[5]

World Wrestling Federation (2000–2001)

After a few try-out matches, Joe got signed in early 2000. He made his TV debut on the August 8, 2000 episode of Heat where he lost to WWF Light Heavyweight Champion Dean Malenko. He scored victories over Gangrel, Joey Abs, Brooklyn Brawler and Essa Rios. He competed as Just Joe in the WWF before he was released from his contract in March 2001. When he was in the WWF, his gimmick was that of a messenger who tried to stir the pot.[6]

Touring the United States (2003–2004)

During his time in the United States, Hitchen competed in the Puerto Rican International Wrestling Association under the ring name Nord. On March 8, 2003, he captured the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship by defeating Glamour Boy Shane in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. He lost the championship to Chicano in Bayamón, Puerto Rico on April 19 the same year.

He returned to America in 2004 to compete in the Nashville, Tennessee-based Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. During his time in TNA as part of the Red Shirt Security, he won the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Kevin Northcutt. They held the belts from January 28, 2004 to February 4 of the same year.

Russian and Japanese promotions (2006–2010)

Hitchen made his debut in Russia as he competed at Independent Wrestling Federation's Wrestliada 2006 in Moscow, Russia, under the ring name Joe Legend.[7] At the July 28, 2007 event he defeated Volcano to become the first IWF World Champion. During his reign he defeated Raven to retain the championship.[8]

In August 2006, he worked for Pro Wrestling NOAH on their Shiny Navigation Tour, and in April 2007, he worked on the Spring Navigation tour.[9] From July to September 2010, he toured with Pro Wrestling Zero1 working the likes of Masato Tanaka, Shinjiro Otani, Ikuto Hidaka, and Sylvester Terkay.

World Wrestling Professionals (2007–2014)

Joe E. Legend tours annually with World Wrestling Professionals (WWP), a South African promotion currently airing on a nationally broadcast network. He also acts as their scouting agent, having been responsible for bringing Mikey Whiplash, Angelico and Murat over to WWP. Joe Legend worked for WWP in 2007 and 2008 and returned in 2009.

The January 10, 2009 episode of WWP saw Joe Legend defeat PJ Black (better known as Justin Gabriel) to capture the then vacant WWP Heavyweight World Title for the first time.

His most recent appearance for WWP was on a tour of Nigeria in August 2014, where he interfered in Tornado's match, causing him to lose to Nigerian wrestler De Ultimate Commander.[10]

Pro Wrestling Showdown (2017)

Joe Legend came back 25 November 2017 (Showdown 33), defeating Alexander James in a match for a spot in the Pro Wrestling Showdown World Cup.

Unlimited Wrestling (2019)

Legend in 2022

Joe Legend joined the German based company Unlimited Wrestling in 2019, where he mostly competes in the most important matches on the card.[11]

Other media

In December 2007, Joe E. Legend became the co-host of The Main Event Radio, the official podcast of TotalWrestling.net.

In May 2009, Hitchen was announced as one of the competitors on the Turkish version of Gladiators, which began filming in September 2009.[12]

Joe E Legend has also acted in several films in France and the UK as well as taking the role of "fight choreographer" for these features. Joe is represented by Jessica Soss of V.S Films and is actively pursuing further roles in film and TV.

Personal life

Hitchen is good friends with fellow professional wrestlers Terry Gerin, Don Callis, Jay Reso, and Adam Copeland. He and his wife, Svenia Hitchen, have twin boys named Connor and Maverick.[1]

Published works

Hitchen is the co-author of Marie's World, published in June 2014 by Austin Macauley Publishers.[13]

Championships and accomplishments

Legend (right) at a wrestling live event in Arklow, Ireland in 2008
Legend in 2022
    • ABC Ultimate Championship (1 time)[14]
  • Asylum Of Wrestling Maniacs
    • AWM Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Athletik Club Wrestling
    • ACW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[15]
  • Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling
    • AGPW Continental Championship (1 time)
  • Catch Wrestling Association
  • Deutsche Wrestling Allianz
    • DWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [17]
  • Do or Die Wrestling
    • DDW International Championship (1 time)
  • Flemish Wrestling Force
    • FWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jerry Sags
  • German Stampede Wrestling
    • GSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[18][19]
  • German Wrestling Promotion
    • GWP World Championship (1 time)
    • GWP WrestlingCorner.de Championship (1 time)[20]
  • Herts And Essex Wrestling
    • HEW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • Insane Championship Wrestling
    • ICW/MWCW Mid-West Unified Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sexton Hardcastle
    • ICW Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
  • International Wrestling Association
  • Independent Wrestling Federation (Russia)
    • IWF World Championship (1 time)
  • International Catch Wrestling Alliance
    • ICWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[21]
  • LDN Wrestling
    • LDN British Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Outlaw Championship Wrestling
    • OCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sexton Hardcastle
  • Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling
    • PCW America's Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
    • Giorgio Foods Tag Team Tournament (1999) - with Jason Lee
  • Power of Wrestling
    • POW Intercontinental Championship (1 time)[22]
  • Pro Wrestling Fighters
    • PWF Buckhorn Wrestling Cup (2009)
  • Power Wrestling Entertainment
    • PWE World Championship (1 time)[23]
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • PWI ranked him #140 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2009[24]
  • Pro Wrestling Showdown
    • PWS Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[25]
  • Pro Wrestling Xtreme
    • PWX Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[26]
  • Pan Pacific Wrestling Association
    • Pan Pacific Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Scottish School Of Wrestling
    • SSW Hardcore Championship (1 time)
  • Swiss Wrestling Federation
    • SWF Powerhouse Championship (1 time)[27]
  • Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
  • World Wrestling Professionals
  • World Wrestling Superstars
    • WWS Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Wrestling-Family-Germany Promotion
    • WFG Championship (1 time)
  • YAWARA
    • YAWARA Championship (1 time)
  • Other titles
    • IMP Tag Team Championship (1 time)
    • GPW Continental Championship (2 times)
    • PPW World Super-Heavyweight Championship (1time)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Legend, Joe E. (January 22, 2011). "Joe, who the hell are you?". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Oliver, Greg (August 12, 2012). "Joe E. Legend's global resume very impressive". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Joe E. Legend « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  4. ^ a b c Oliver, Greg. "SLAM! Wrestling Canadian Hall of Fame: Joe Legend". Slam! Sports. Canoe.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  5. ^ wrestlingdata.com http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=118&bild=1&details=11. Retrieved 7 November 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[title missing]
  6. ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 166. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  7. ^ "Matches « Joe E. Legend « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  8. ^ "IWF "Danger Zone" - First ever & only one wrestling federation in Russia". eng.wrestlingfederation.ru. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Matches « Joe E. Legend « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  10. ^ "South African results – August 30 and 31". watchingtheindies.wordpress.com. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Roster". Wrestling Gym Harz. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  12. ^ Martin, Adam (25 May 2009). "Joe E. Legend on American Gladiators". Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  13. ^ "User account | Austin Macauley Publishers". www.austinmacauley.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "ABC Ultimate Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  15. ^ "Athletik Club Wrestling Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  16. ^ "catch Wrestling Association Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  17. ^ "DWA Title Histories on cagematch.net".
  18. ^ "German Stampede Wrestling". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  19. ^ "German Stampede Wrestling Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  20. ^ "German Wrestling Promotion Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  21. ^ "International Catch Wrestling Association Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  22. ^ "POW Intercontinental Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  23. ^ "PWE World Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Internet Wrestling Database - Joe E. Legend: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Ratings". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  25. ^ "PWS Heavyweight Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  26. ^ "Pro Wrestling Xtreme". onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  27. ^ "Swiss Wrestling Federation Title Histories". titlehistories.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
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