Evan Golden (wrestler)
Robert Evan Lee Cox (born September 29, 2000), better known by the ring name Evan Golden, is an American professional wrestler currently performing for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). A second generation wrestler, he is the son of Eddie Golden and the third member of the Golden wrestling family.[1]
| Evan Golden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Robert Evan Lee Cox |
| Born | September 29, 2000 Asheville, North Carolina, United States[2] |
| Parent(s) | Eddie Golden (father) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Evan Golden |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[3] |
| Billed weight | 209 lb (95 kg)[3] |
| Billed from | Asheville, North Carolina[3] |
| Trained by | Eddie Golden[3] E. Z. Money[1][3] Jeff Connelly[3] |
| Debut | December 18, 2021[3] |
Early life
[edit]Robert Evan Lee Cox was born on September 29, 2000, in Asheville, North Carolina.[3][2] His father, Eddie, worked as a professional wrestler, touring the Southeast.[4] Cox attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College where he graduated a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and the International Thespian Society.[5]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Early career (2021–2022)
[edit]Golden debuted on December 18, 2021, for the Asheville-based promotion Uprise Pro Wrestling, accompanied to the ring by his father, Eddie.[4][6] Golden was provided training from his dad alongside E.Z. Money and Jeff Connelly. Golden defeated Connelly in a student vs teacher match on October 22, 2022 at a fundraising event.[7][8]
National Wrestling Alliance (2023–present)
[edit]Early appearances (2023–2024)
Golden unsuccessfully challenged Kerry Morton for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in Mountain City, Tennessee on May 17, 2023. Immediately after the match, Golden tagged alongside Jeff Paul against Morton and Bryan Montgomery in an impromptu tag team match.[9][10]
Golden competed at SOM Live and the National Wrestling Alliance's Monsters of the Midway event on July 28, 2023. Golden retained the SOM Hybrid Championship against Victor Andrews, Blade Gibson, and Jackson Black.[11] Golden retained the championship in a defense against Kirk Cazana on August 8, 2023.[12]
NWA-JCP Southeast (2024–present)
On February 9, 2024, Golden debuted for National Wrestling Alliance Joe Cazana Promotions Southeast, the official southeastern territory for the NWA. Golden teamed alongside Michael Gabriel as The Guiding Light in a losing effort to The Country Gentlemen, AJ and KC Cazana.[13][14][15]
Golden and Gabriel returned to NWA-JCP on May 10, 2024 at Showdown at Sunbright, revealing Sal Rinauro as their new manager. The Guiding Light, now accompanied by Rinauro, faced Gustavo and JeMiale. Golden and Gabriel emerged victorious after Golden blinded JeMiale with an eyerake, allowing Rinauro to burn JeMiale with a fireball from the Book of Gabriel. After stealing the victory, Golden and Gabriel remained at ringside for Rinauro’s match with Tyler Shoop. Golden attempted to use the Book of Gabriel fireball on Shoop, but the fire did not take shape, allowing Shoop to throw Rinauro into the book and execute a schoolboy pin. After the loss for Rinauro, a tense argument ensued before Golden and Rinauro made up.[16]
On June 1, 2024, Golden competed at the NWA Back to the Territories tapings of Powerrr, where he was defeated by Wayne Moxxi in a dark match. Moxxi defeated Golden with a springboard elbow drop.[17] On June 14, Golden and Gabriel challenged The Zenith (JR Miller and TDT) to a match at NWA-JCP Showcase Series: Back to the Basics in Decatur, Tennessee. Golden and Gabriel lost the match after Gabriel failed his attempt to cheat.[18] On August 29, The Guiding Light debuted for the third official territory, NWA Kross Fire. At the event, JaMiale recruited Rabbit Rogue and challenged Golden and Gabriel to a tag team match in response to the fireball incident. Golden and Gabriel emerged unsuccessful after a double roll up.
Professional wrestling style, persona, and reception
[edit]
Golden utilizes the somersault neckbreaker as his finisher, known as the Afterburner. Golden inherited the finisher from his trainer E.Z. Money, who innovated the move in ECW and WCW. Golden occasionally employs a diving neckbreaker variation of the move called the Super Afterburner. Golden also inherited the Pendulum of Pain from Money, a rocking horse Boston crab.[19] Golden uses a variety of different moonsault variations, most notably the top rope moonsault and the standing moonsault.[3]
Golden has donned a flamboyant vogue since the beginning of his career, popularizing concepts such as illuminating jackets and body glitter. Golden has received acclaim for his work as a heel, often instigating fans and provoking spectators at ringside. Golden has utilized his promo abilities to host his own talk show, 24 Karat Gold, using the platform to initiate matches and trash talk.[20]
Music career
[edit]On March 19, 2020, Golden debuted his first single as a musician on streaming platforms.[21] Golden released the following single, "Walk", a year later.[22] Golden released his third single titled "Jet Lag" in collaboration with MecHeoN on May 28.[23] Golden released his fourth single titled "Huntin' for Myself" alongside James Tate on July 10, 2021.[24][25]
Other media
[edit]Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GM Universe | Video game debut | [26] |
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Up Now / Vapor"[27] | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "Walk"[28] | 2021 | |
| "Jet Lag"[23]
(featuring MecHeoN) | ||
| "Huntin' for Myself"[24]
(featuring James Tate) | ||
| "Keep Asking"[29] | ||
| "Mad"[30] | ||
| "Ride"[31] | ||
| "Chasing You"[32] | ||
| "Watching"[33] | ||
| "Snowstorm"[34] | ||
| "Love Again"[35] | 2022 | |
| "Man of the Year"[36]
(featuring MecHeoN) | ||
| "It's Christmas Time Again"[37] | ||
| "Dreams"[38]
(featuring James Tate) |
2023 | |
| "Homesick"[39] | ||
| ”Deeper”[40] | 2024 |
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]
- American Pro Wrestling
- APW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Gabriel
- Beside the Ring Wrestling
- BTR Championship (1 time, current, inaugural)[41]
- SOM Live
- SOM Hybrid Championship (1 time)[42]
- SOM East Tennessee Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- SOM East Tennessee Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with KC Cazana and Michael Gabriel
- SOM Awards (1 time)
- Breakout Star of the Year (2023)
- Southern Pride Championship Wrestling
- SPCW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
References
[edit]- ^ a b Saalbach, Axel. "Evan Golden on Wrestlingdata.com". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ a b "Evan Golden". MusicBrainz. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Kriekenbohm, Philip. "Evan Golden". Cagematch.
- ^ a b Solowrestling (March 20, 2022). "Entrevista exclusiva a Evan Golden: 'El propósito del wrestling es hacer feliz a la gente'". solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ @evantheblonde (June 9, 2021). "Robert Evan Cox - Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville NC #theNSLS @theNSLS" (Tweet). Retrieved December 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Evan Golden vs Brandon Paradise, retrieved December 27, 2021
- ^ Evan Golden vs. Jeff Connelly for the Rocky Top Heavyweight Championship, retrieved October 27, 2022
- ^ Peters, CY (October 25, 2022). "Professional wrestlers help local man raise money for kidney". www.elizabethton.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- ^ Kerry Morton vs Evan Golden - NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship (FULL MATCH), retrieved May 21, 2023
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Cagematch - Beside the Ring Event". Cagematch.
- ^ Kriekenbohm, Philip. "SOM Monsters of the Midway 2023".
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "SOM 5:05 Live 06.08.2023".
- ^ Jones, Daniel. "NWA JOE CAZANA PROMOTIONS SE event Friday February 9th". Netpro Studios Pro Wrestling Training School LLC. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ Kriekenbaum, Philip. "NWA JCP Southeast #2 - The Best Of Both Worlds: Part 2".
- ^ "NWA Territories & Results". National Wrestling Alliance. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "JPWA on Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "NWA Powerrr #172 - Back to the Territories Card". Cagematch.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "NWA JCP Back to the Basics on Cagematch". Cagematch.
- ^ Saalbach, Axel. "EZ Money - Facts @ Wrestlingdata.com". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Berry, Vinny (May 25, 2024). "Evan Golden". ProWrestlingWire. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Evan Golden". Spotify. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ "Evan Golden - Walk". iHeart. March 19, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Jet Lag". Spotify. May 28, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Release "Huntin' for Myself (feat. James Tate)" by Evan Golden". MusicBrainz. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Huntin' for Myself (feat. James Tate) - Single by Evan Golden". July 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Roster". GM UNIVERSE INFOPAGE. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Up Now, March 18, 2020, retrieved July 18, 2022
- ^ "Walk - Single by Evan Golden". March 19, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Keep Asking by Evan Golden". July 17, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Mad - Single by Evan Golden". October 1, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Ride - Single by Evan Golden". October 5, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "Chasing You - Single by Evan Golden". October 8, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Evan Golden – Watching, retrieved February 8, 2024
- ^ "Snowstorm - Single by Evan Golden". December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Love Again, February 14, 2022, retrieved July 18, 2022
- ^ Man of the Year by Evan Golden, September 6, 2022, retrieved September 11, 2022
- ^ "Release "It's Christmas Time Again" by Evan Golden - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ Evan Golden - Dreams (feat. James Tate) | iHeart, February 8, 2023, retrieved February 10, 2023
- ^ "Homesick by Evan Golden on Apple Music".
- ^ Deeper - Single by Evan Golden on Apple Music, October 25, 2024, retrieved October 25, 2024
- ^ "KID KASH RETURNS TO THE RING, 8/31 BESIDE THE RING RESULTS FROM TN | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Elliot, Scott. "SOM Results". School of Morton. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
External links
[edit]
- Evan Golden on Twitter
- Evan Golden on Instagram
- Evan Golden on Facebook
- Evan Golden at YouTube
- Evan Golden at IMDb
- Evan Golden discography at MusicBrainz
- Evan Golden's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com