(04/04/06) On Monday, April 4, a
lifelong dream came true for a Long Island native and
former NYWC Champion... Mike Mondo became a WWE champ!
Mondo, who in WWE is known simply as the
Spirit Squad's "Mikey," teamed with fellow Squad
member Kenny in a tag team title match against Kane and
The Big Show on Monday Night Raw. Kane and The Big
Show were fresh off a successful title defense against
Carlito and Chris Masters, and seemed like a shoo-in
against the much smaller and less experienced combination
of Mikey and Kenny. Early in the match, Kane
manhandled the Squad members and seemed ready to coast to
victory. But the tide turned against the Big Red
Machine when some of the other Spirit Squad members got
involved, and Mikey and Kenny quickly capitalized. A
five-man slam and a top-rope leg drop later, Kenny pinned
The Big Show and sealed the victory. Mikey and Kenny
had just become the new World Tag Team Champions!
The success of Mondo, who began training
and wrestling with the NYWC in 2002, is no surprise to
anyone who knows the new tag team champ. Mondo
quickly established himself as one of the most impressive
athletes on the indy scene, and twice was crowned NYWC
Champion. In June 2003, he moved on to Ohio Valley
Wrestling where he continued his training. And just
a little over two years later, Mondo made his official WWE
debut as part of the Spirit Squad, a group of high-energy
male cheerleaders that would eventually make history by
defeating the most dominant tag team in WWE this past
Monday.