Elias Samson
Quick Facts
Biography
Jeffrey Daniel Sciullo (born November 22, 1987) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs in their developmental territory NXT under the ring name Elias Samson.
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2008–2013)
Sciullo wrestled extensively on the independent circuit for various promotions in the Northeastern USA, primarily for the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) under the ring name Logan Shulo. While in the IWC, Shulo won the promotion's Super Indy Championship and World Heavyweight Championship.
WWE
NXT (2014–present)
In early 2014, Sciullo was signed to a developmental deal by WWE under the ring name Elias Samson. He made his NXT debut at April 24, 2014 tapings, working as an enhancement talent and teaming with Buddy Murphy in a losing effort against The Ascension. Samson was then used sporadically on television throughout 2014 and early 2015, mostly appearing as enhancement talent to wrestlers such as Baron Corbin. In August 2015, Samson debuted a new drifter musician character in a match taped prior NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, approaching the ring with a guitar before being defeated by a returning Bull Dempsey. Samson then entered the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, where he was paired with Tucker Knight, but the two were eliminated from the tournament by Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson.
In late 2015, vignettes began to air hyping Samson's official debut. On the December 23, 2015 special episode of NXT at NXT TakeOver: London in London, England before TakeOver went live on the WWE Network on December 16, 2015, Samson re-debuted while retaining his drifter musician character, defeating Bull Dempsey with a diving elbow drop. In the following weeks on NXT, Samson defeated John Skyler, Corey Hollis, Steve Cutler and Jesse Sorensen. On March 23, 2016 episode of NXT, Samson suffered a loss to Johnny Gargano. After the match Samson attacked Gargano, but Apollo Crews came in to make the save, after which Samson went out of the arena. Later it was announced that these two will face each other at NXT TakeOver: Dallas. On the April 6 episode of NXT, Samson lost to Apollo Crews in which the match was aired on tape delay after being filmed at NXT Takeover: Dallas. Following his loss in Dallas, Samson started a losing streak, first losing to Shinsuke Nakamura on the May 4 edition of NXT and to Finn Bálor on the May 11 episode.
On the November 16th episode of NXT, Samson made his return to NXT, defeating Nathan Cruz.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Diving elbow drop - 2016
- Snap swinging neckbreaker - 2016
- Rolling cutter - 2016 - present
- Nicknames
- "The Drifter"
- "Heavy Metal Jesus"
- "The Frontman"
- "King of Song Style"
- Entrance themes
- "Darkside of the Road" by Ol' Style Skratch (NXT; April 24, 2015- December 16, 2015)
- "Drift" by CFO$ (NXT; December 23, 2015 – present)
Championships and accomplishments
- International Wrestling Cartel
- IWC Super Indy Championship (1 time)
- IWC World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him 203 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016
- ^ "Cagematch title listings".
- "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 1, 2016.