Jonathon David Emminger[1] (born November 8, 1983) is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring names Johnny Prime and Lucky Cannon. He is best known for his appearances for WWE, where he performed on the second and fifth seasons of NXT, while also working in the promotion's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he held the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship.

Lucky Cannon
Cannon at an FCW event in 2010
Birth nameJonathon David Emminger
Born (1983-11-08) November 8, 1983 (age 41)
New Iberia, Louisiana, U.S.[1]
Spouse(s)Christine Emminger
Children2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Jason Cannon[1]
Johnny Prime[1]
Jon Emminger[1]
Lucky Cannon[1][2]
Johnny Emminger
Billed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[2][3]
Billed weight257 lb (117 kg)[2]
Billed fromNew Port Richey, Florida[2]
Trained byFlorida Championship Wrestling
Debut2008
RetiredNovember 2011

Early life

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Emminger played football as a quarterback in high school for Ridgewood High School in New Port Richey, Florida.[4]

Some pro wrestling sources claim that Emminger played in the Arena Football League and the St. Louis Rams, but no online football databases or newspaper articles prove that Emminger played football at any level outside of high school.

During Season 2 of NXT, Cannon claimed in 2004, that he was struck in back of the head with a pipe and was in a coma for 3 weeks.

In early 2011, Cannon was arrested for impersonating a police officer and was released on bail. According to Cannon, the charges were later dropped.[5]

Professional wrestling career

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World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

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Florida Championship Wrestling (2008–2011)

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In 2008, Emminger signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), the company's developmental territory.[1] On July 12, 2008, Emminger began wrestling as Johnny Prime, and teamed with Lupe Martinez in a loss to Sinn Bowdee and Jack Gabriel.[6] He wrestled mainly in tag team matches, and met with some success the following month, when he teamed with Kafu to defeat Jack Gabriel and Ian Richardson, and with Imani Lee to defeat Tyrone Jones and Vic Adams.[7][8] He also competed in mixed tag team matches, teaming up with Tiffany to gain a victory at the expense of Stu Bennett and Alicia Fox in September.[9] He then forayed into singles match, competing against Caleb O'Neil, TJ Wilson, Gavin Spears, and Mike Kruel.[10][11][12][13] In late 2008, he entered a feud with Byron Saxton and his stable, the Saxton Conglomerate, and faced the members of the Conglomerate in several matches.[14][15][16] During the course of this feud Kaleb O'Neal began teaming with Prime in order to help him out, however, O'Neal later turned on Prime and joined the Conglomerate.[17][18]

In early 2009, Prime entered into several one-off tag teams. He teamed with Scotty Goldman to defeat Kaleb O'Neal and Lawrence Knight, and with Joe Hennig to defeat The Dudebusters (Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft).[19][20] In March, April, and May, he feuded with Alex Riley, losing to him in a singles match at the March 13 television tapings.[21] He gained a measure of revenge on March 26, when he teamed with Johnny Curtis and Tyler Reks to defeat Riley, Mr. Tarver and Ian Richardson in a six-man tag team match.[22] The following month, in an eight-man tag team match, Prime, Ricky Ortiz, Eric Escobar and Sheamus O'Shaunessy defeated Riley, Justin Angel, Drew McIntyre and D.H. Smith.[23] The feud also expanded to include Riley's valet, Beverly, with Prime teaming up with Angela to defeat Riley and Beverly.[24] To end the feud, Prime teamed with Tyler Reks and Sheamus O'Shaunessy to beat Riley, McIntyre, and Lance Hoyt.[25] For the remainder of the year, Prime competed sporadically, wrestling against Drew McIntyre, Vance Archer, Curt Hawkins, and Gabriel.[26][27][28][29] He also lost a triple threat match, also involving Joe Hennig and Johnny Curtis, when Curtis pinned him.[30]

At the beginning of 2010, Prime was still only competing sporadically, but defeated Joe Doering at the February 25 television tapings.[31] At the next television taping in March however, he lost to Doering, who had been renamed Drake Brewer.[32] On February 3, 2011, in a match made by General Manager and Cannon's new associate Maxine and with help from special guest referee Brett DiBiase, Cannon defeated Bo Rotundo to win the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, just moments after Rotundo had defeated Mason Ryan for the championship.[33] Cannon's and Maxine's group was later joined by Aksana and Damien Sandow.[34] Cannon lost the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship back to Rotundo on May 19.[35]

NXT (2010–2011)

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On June 1, 2010, it was announced that Emminger would be participating in the second season of NXT, under the name “Lucky” Cannon, with Mark Henry as his mentor.[36][37] He made his in-ring debut on the June 15 episode, teaming with Henry in a loss to Michael McGillicutty and Kofi Kingston. Following the match, another WWE Pro Cody Rhodes insulted Cannon, leading to the former accepting a challenge match against the latter for the following week.[38] On the June 22 episode of NXT, Cannon lost a five-minute challenge match to Rhodes, being pinned after approximately four minutes.[39] The following week, Cannon won the keg carry challenge, earning immunity from elimination. Later that night, Cannon teamed with McGillicutty and Kaval against Alex Riley, Eli Cottonwood and Titus O'Neil, which his team won when Kaval pinned Riley, giving Cannon his first win on NXT, and he was ranked fifth on the NXT poll.[40] He retained his fifth-place ranking in the next poll on July 27.[41] On August 9 the rookies appeared in a six-man tag team match on Raw, in which Cannon teamed with Kaval and Percy Watson in a loss to McGillicutty, Husky Harris and Alex Riley.[42] The next night on NXT, Cannon's team won a rematch. Later that night, Cannon was eliminated from the competition when his ranking slipped to sixth.[43] Cannon returned for the season finale of NXT on August 31, where he and the other eliminated rookies attacked the winner Kaval.[44]

In March 2011, Cannon was selected as one of the six former NXT contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, and he received Tyson Kidd as his new Pro.[45] During this season of NXT, Cannon had changed his character to that of a flamboyant and arrogant villain; instead of participating in the challenges to earn points, Cannon turned his attentions to wooing Maryse, NXT's co-host, causing a feud between himself and Yoshi Tatsu, who was also vying for Maryse's affections.[46][47][48] Cannon managed to get Maryse's acceptance after he bought her a purse.[49][50] On the June 14 episode of NXT, Cannon was eliminated from the competition, and Maryse heaped further misery by dumping Cannon after she realised that the purse he bought for her was a fake.[51][52]

On August 8, 2011, Emminger was released from his WWE contract.[53]

Independent circuit (2011)

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On October 14, 2011, Emminger made his first wrestling appearance following his release from WWE, as he wrestled under the ring name Johnny Emminger and faced Florida Underground Wrestling (FUW) Heavyweight Champion Bruce Santee in a title match. However, Emminger was unsuccessful in winning the title due to being disqualified.[54] Emminger has not wrestled since.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Lucky Cannon". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d "Lucky Cannon bio". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  3. ^ "Atlantic University Sport". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  4. ^ "Ridgewood leaves no doubt".
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ Cooper, Tony (July 12, 2008). "July 12, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Port Richey, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  7. ^ Cooper, Tony (August 9, 2008). "August 9, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in St. Petersburg, Florida at The Midtown Youth & Family Enrichment Center". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  8. ^ Cooper, Tony (August 26, 2008). "August 26, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in New Port Richey, Florida at the Bourbon Street Night Club". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  9. ^ "September 23, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Port Richey, Florida at the Bourbon Street Night Club". Online World of Wrestling. September 23, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  10. ^ Wellington, Richard (September 30, 2008). "September 30, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  11. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (October 21, 2008). "October 21, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  12. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (October 23, 2008). "October 23, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  13. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (October 25, 2008). "October 25, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  14. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (October 30, 2008). "October 30, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  15. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (November 6, 2008). "November 6, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  16. ^ Pritchard, Andrew (November 13, 2008). "November 13, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Florida". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  17. ^ "December 18, 2008–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida at the FCW Arena". Online World of Wrestling. December 18, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  18. ^ "January 22, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida at the FCW Arena". Online World of Wrestling. January 22, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  19. ^ "January 31, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Port Richey, Florida at the USA Flea Market". Online World of Wrestling. January 31, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  20. ^ "February 5, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida at the FCW Arena". Online World of Wrestling. February 5, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
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  22. ^ "March 26, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Orlando, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. March 26, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  23. ^ "May 7, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. May 7, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
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  25. ^ "May 28, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. May 28, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  26. ^ "October 1, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. October 1, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  27. ^ "October 29, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling – Halloween Edition in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. October 29, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  28. ^ "November 5, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. November 5, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  29. ^ "December 12, 2009–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. June 5, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  30. ^ Endres, Cody (February 18, 2010). "FCW TV Report 10/18: WWE developmental TV – Vance Archer vs. Tyler Reks, Yoshi Tatsu, Joe Hennig". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  31. ^ "February 25, 2010–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. February 25, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  32. ^ "March 18, 2010–Florida Championship Wrestling – TV Tapings in Tampa, Florida". Online World of Wrestling. March 18, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  33. ^ a b "Superstar of the Week: Lucky Cannon". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  34. ^ Csonka, Larry (April 29, 2011). "FCW TV Taping Results (spoilers)". 411Mania. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
  35. ^ "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  36. ^ Bishop, Matt (June 1, 2010). "WWE NXT: Barrett wins show's first season". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^ Caldwell, James (June 4, 2010). "WWE News: NXT Results – Season Two announced, Pro & Rookie pairings revealed". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  38. ^ Bishop, Matt (June 15, 2010). "WWE NXT: Kaval, Riley make impressive debuts". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ^ Bishop, Matt (June 22, 2010). "WWE NXT: Rookies look to make impact as first poll nears". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. ^ Bishop, Matt (June 29, 2010). "WWE NXT: Surprise! First elimination on tap". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ Bishop, Matt (July 27, 2010). "WWE NXT: Second rookie goes home; New No. 1". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ Plummer, Dale (August 10, 2010). "RAW: Team WWE makes a stand". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  43. ^ Bishop, Matt (August 10, 2010). "WWE NXT: Eliminations coming fast and furious". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ Bishop, Matt (August 31, 2010). "WWE NXT: Kaval wins show's 2nd season, gets beat down". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ^ Bishop, Matt (March 9, 2011). "WWE NXT: Redemption begins for 6 former rookies". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  46. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 3/8: Alt. perspective review of Tuesday's show – debut of "new, never before seen" concept for NXT". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  47. ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Report 3/15: Alt. perspective review of Tuesday's NXT Week 2 show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  48. ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Report 3/22: Alt. perspective review of NXT Week 3, overall show Reax, who should be cut first?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  49. ^ Bishop, Matt (May 11, 2011). "WWE NXT: Regal finally gets match with Novak". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  50. ^ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 5/10/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  51. ^ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Report 6/14: Alt. perspective review of last week's show leading into Tuesday's new episode". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  52. ^ Bishop, Matt (June 15, 2011). "WWE NXT: 'Cheap loser' Cannon sent packing". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  53. ^ Martin, Adam (August 10, 2011). "NXT star appears to be released from WWE". WrestleView. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  54. ^ "FUW event on October 14, 2011".
  55. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2011". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
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