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			{{short description\|Professional wrestling tag team}}
	The Headbangers were the tag team of ] & ] in the WWF (now WWE). As the name of the team implied, their ] was that they were a pair of ], complete with ] related T-shirts and piercings. The team first debuted on WWF TV as the Sisters of Love, proteges of manager ] who dressed as nuns. The gimmick was short-lived, but they kept the skirts when they became the Headbangers, and later had T-shirts with the words, "Real men wear skirts." They eventually realized that they sucked, and that only Rowdy Roddy Piper knew how to wear a skirt (Kilt in his case), so they took them off WWF programming, it was about time anyway, have they since been seen in a popular wrestling ring?..thanks to God..no.
			{{Infobox Wrestling team
			\|article_name = The Headbangers
			\|type = T
			\|members = Mosh<br />Thrasher
			\|names = The Flying Nuns<br />The Guardians of Truth<br />'''The Headbangers'''<br />The Sisters of Love<br />The Spiders
			\|former_members =
			\|image = Mosh&thrash.jpg
			\|caption = ] (left) and ] (right) posing with fans
			\|weights = {{convert\|488\|lb\|kg\|abbr=on}}<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book\|title=WWE Encyclopedia\|last1=Shields\|first1=Brian\|last2=Sullivan\|first2=Kevin\|page=\|publisher=]\|year=2009\|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0\|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/127}}</ref>
			\|years_active = 1994–2000<br />2011–present
			\|hometown = Monastery in the Himalayas, ]
			\|trainer =
			\|debut = 1994<ref name=owow>{{cite web\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/h/headbangers.html\|title=The Headbangers\|work=Online World of Wrestling\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref>
			}}
			'''The Headbangers''' are a ] ] consisting of ] (Charles Warrington) and ] (Glenn Ruth). They are currently signed to WWE as ambassadors.

			As the name of the team implies, their ] is that they are a pair of ], complete with ] related T-shirts, kilts, piercings, goatees, shaved heads, and black ].
	== Profile ==
	*Debut: 1996
	*Notable Feuds: ], ]

	==~~Signature Moves~~==		==History==
			===Beginning (1994–1996)===
	*] ('''Thrasher''')
			They were both trained by ] in New Jersey in the early 1990s. Warrington and Ruth teamed up in 1994 as the Spiders in their home state, New Jersey, for the ]. They made an ] appearance in June 1994, losing to ] (] and ]). Also they worked for ] (USWA) feuding with the Rottens and ]. They had a brief stint in Dallas for the NWA in 1995. Later that year they moved down to Tennessee in ] (SMW). It was there that they changed their gimmicks to the Headbangers. Their slogan was "Real men wear skirts." During their time in SMW, they feuded with The ] (] and ]) and ] (] and ]), and later sided with ] and ] in their feud with ] over the ]. By the end of the year, SMW folded and they returned to ]. In December 1995, they debuted as jobbers in the WWF as the Spiders, the Arachnoids, and even used their real names. On an episode of '']'' they got a World Tag Team Title shot against the Smoking Gunns. Afterwards, they continued working for the USWA and the ].
	*] ('''Mosh''')
	*] ('''Powerbomb / leg drop combo''')

			===World Wrestling Federation (1996–2000)===
	== Titles ==
	*HWA Tag Team title
	*ICW Streetfight Tag Team title
	*NEWF Tag Team title (3)
	*MECW Tag Team title
	*]
	*MCW Tag Team title
	*]

			==== WWF Tag Team Champions====
	{{WorldTagTeamChampions}}
			The team debuted on WWF television on the November 24, 1996 episode of '']'' under their Headbangers gimmick defeating ] and
			]. Shortly after that, they began wearing ]s' clothing and billed as the Flying Nuns (a play on the ]), Sister Angelica and Mother Smucker. They were also humorously billed as hailing from a monastery in the Himalayas. On an episode of '']'', ] showed up to manage the Nuns. After the Nuns defeated ], Love renamed them the Sisters of Love.<ref name=wwf1997>{{cite web\|title=1997\|work=The History of WWE\|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm\|access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> The gimmick was short-lived, but they kept the skirts when they returned to being The Headbangers in January 1997.<ref name=wwf1997/><ref name=slam>{{cite web\|last=Baines\|first=Tim\|title=Bangers a smash: Eccentric, yes, but WWF tag team caught up in fun\|work=SLAM! Wrestling\|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/oct18_wwf1.html\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101013203/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive/oct18_wwf1.html\|url-status=usurped\|archive-date=January 1, 2013\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref> They later had T-shirts with the phrase "Real men wear skirts" and occasionally wore ]s over their shirts.<ref name=masculinity>{{cite book \| last=Oppliger \| first=Patrice \| author-link = Patrice Oppliger \| title = Wrestling and hypermasculinity \| year = 2004 \| publisher = McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers \| location = Jefferson, North Carolina \| page = 115 \| isbn = 9780786481361 }}</ref> The duo often carried a ] to the ring, and on one occasion, Mosh ] during an ].<ref name=wwf1997/>

			Throughout 1997, The Headbangers (who were ]), ] with The Godwinns, as well as ] and ], often finding themselves on the losing end. They faced ] during their surprise return match on February 24 to a double ]. At ], The Headbangers won a ] for a shot at the ]. The team was seen on ]'s ] in June, which re-aired on WWF programming.
	{{prowrestling-stub}}

	]
			The Headbangers won the vacant Tag Team title at ] after Mosh pinned ], thanks to ] by ].<ref name=wwftag>{{cite web\|title=W.W.W.F./W.W.F./W.W.E. World Tag Team Title\|work=Wrestling Titles\|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-t.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=Ground Zero\|work=Pro Wrestling History\|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#17\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=WWF IYH:Ground Zero\|last=Gutschmidt\|first=Adam\|work=Online Onslaught\|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/ooldtyme/20050706.shtml\|access-date=2008-01-13\|url-status=usurped\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207233452/http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/ooldtyme/20050706.shtml\|archive-date=2011-12-07}}</ref> Mosh and Thrasher would lose the titles to the Godwinns at ] in October. They faced ] in their debut match as a team on October 20 and frequently challenged them into the following the year for the Tag Team title.
	]

			The two are seen backstage playing with ]'s son, Blade, in the ] ] '']''. The footage depicts events from the previous year.

			Both Mosh and Thrasher entered the ] and both lasted over 10 minutes before Mosh was eliminated by ] and Thrasher by Steve Austin.<ref>{{cite web\|title=WWF Royal Rumble 1998\|work=Hoffco Inc.\|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/rr98.html\|access-date=2008-01-03\|archive-date=2009-01-23\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123113712/http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/rr98.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 17, 1998, The Headbangers won the ] from ], which aired on the February 23 edition of Raw Is War. They lost the belts the following month to ]. They feuded with ] and the ] throughout the year and become the first ] on August 18 defeating Jimmy Cicero and Julio Sanchez in the finals of a tournament.<ref name=mcw>{{cite web\|title=Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title\|work=Wrestling Titles\|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/md/mcw/mcw-t.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref>

			====Split and reunion====
			The Headbangers were both meant to compete in the ], but Thrasher suffered a (legitimate) knee injury and was shelved while Mosh was (kayfabe) attacked backstage by ] as a way to write both men off television. While Thrasher was injured, Mosh would be repackaged as Beaver Cleavage and then Chaz, performed in singles competition and began having problems with his on-screen girlfriend, ].<ref name=owwchaz>{{cite web\|title=Wrestler Profiles: Chaz Warrington\|work=Online World of Wrestling\|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/chaz.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref> He was ] arrested on an episode of '']'' in September after Komlos claimed he ].<ref name=owow/><ref name=owwchaz/> After Chaz's match on October 5, Glenn Ruth (Thrasher) showed GTV footage of Mariana applying makeup to create the effect of wounds.<ref name=owow/><ref name=wwf1999>{{cite web\|title=1999\|work=The History of WWE\|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/99.htm\|access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> This proved her accusations false, and The Headbangers subsequently reunited. They then took on a gimmick where they dressed as the opponents that they feuded with, such as the ] and ]. The duo later turned heel and began to dress in ], which included wearing breast cones.

			Mosh entered in the ] alone eliminated by ];<ref>{{cite web\|title=Royal Rumble 2000\|work=Pro Wrestling History\|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#00\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref> however, The Headbangers continued performing in tag team and singles matches.<ref name=wwf2000>{{cite web\|title=2000\|work=The History of WWE\|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/00.htm\|access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> Both men participated in the ] ] at ] where Thrasher held the title for ] defeating ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=W.W.F./W.W.E. Hardcore Title\|work=Wrestling Titles\|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-hc.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|title=WrestleMania PPV Cards\|work=Wrestling Information Archive\|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfwm.htm\|access-date=2008-01-03\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231214118/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/wwf/wwfwm.htm\|archive-date=2007-12-31}}</ref> The team continued battling the likes of ] and ] until July 2000.<ref name=wwf2000/> After being together for six long years, they separated, and Mosh joined ] as Chaz to form Lo Down.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Tag Team List\|work=Wrestling Information Archive\|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/tagteams.htm\|access-date=2008-01-03\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225182330/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/tagteams.htm\|archive-date=2007-12-25}}</ref> Thrasher focused on his singles career and was taken off WWF TV and the main roster later that month.

			Glenn Ruth was released from the WWF in December 2000, after working several months in their developmental territory ] in Memphis, and Charles Warrington was released from the WWF in August 2001.

			===Criticism by WWE===
			Years after their departure from the company, The Headbangers have borne the brunt of criticism by ] media. One example can be found in a 2007 article in '']'' about the history of WWE champions. The article criticized wrestlers who are considered not worthy of winning a belt they held. The Headbangers were included in this article for their supposedly poor ] reign.<ref>'']'', June 2007</ref> The article suggested that the team had the titles by default since it was "in between the eras of ] and the ]."

			WWE's ''Raw 15th Anniversary'' magazine also includes a list of 15 superstars who "overstayed" their welcomes in the company. This has The Headbangers at #2, behind only ].<ref>{{cite web\|title=Tons Of News: Christy, Steiner, Hassan, Too Cool', Kennedy
			\|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/212153-tons-of-news-christy-steiner-hassan-too-cool-kennedy\|date=2008-01-06\|access-date=2016-06-03\|work=WrestleZone}}</ref> However, in 2010 WWE added the team to their "Where Are They Now?" section of WWE.com.<ref>{{cite web\|title=WWE: Superstars > Where Are They Now > Catching up with the Headbangers\|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wherearetheynow/headbangerspart1\|date=2010-06-13\|access-date=2010-06-13\|work=WWE}}</ref>

			===Independent circuit (2011–present)===
			Mosh and Thrasher reunited on the independent circuit in 2011. They are members of the ] roster. They wrestled for ] multiple times. On August 12, 2011, The Headbangers were in the battle royal won by ]. On December 17, 2011, The Headbangers defeated Necro Butcher and Mad Man Pondo. December 31, 2011, The Headbangers lost to Shockwave The Robot and 2 Tuff Tony. The Headbangers then lost two ten-man tag team matches while teaming with Bull Pain, Jake Manning and Colt Cabana.<ref name="onlineworldofwrestling.com">{{cite web\| url = http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/h/headbangers/\| url-status = dead\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021122156/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/h/headbangers/\| archive-date = 2012-10-21\| title = Headbangers - Online World of Wrestling}} </ref>

			Mosh and Thrasher appeared on the ] ] ] on June 24, 2012 as the masked tag team Guardians of Truth, managed by the ]. They lost to the ]. Later on, the two would unmask themselves and go on to compete as The Headbangers. They then competed on the Independent Circuit. In March 2013, both Headbangers were present during a '']'' taping. On June 18, 2013, The Headbangers defeated The South Side Playaz Club (Craig Steele and Joe Hardway) at PWS Dream on 6th Anniversary iPPV.

			The Headbangers made their debut for Championship Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) competing in a triple threat match at Wrestlefest 2015. In 2016 they made their debut for Fighting Evolution Wrestling. On March 31, 2017 they defeated ] at Fighting Evolution Wrestling in Orlando, Florida. Later that same year they went Australia to wrestle for World Series Wrestling and feuded with ].

			In October 2023, the Headbangers appeared on the ] pay-per-view ], losing a tag match to The Southern 6 (] and Alex Taylor).<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Hetfield \|first1=James \|title=NWA Samhain PPV Results From Cleveland, OH 10/28/2023 \|url=https://www.pwmania.com/nwa-samhain-ppv-results-from-cleveland-oh-10-28-2023 \|website=PW Mania \|date=29 October 2023 \|access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref>

			===Return to WWE (2016)===
			The duo made their first appearance as a team in WWE since 2000 on the August 30, 2016 episode of ''SmackDown Live'' as heels and participants of the ] tournament, losing against ] and ] in the first round.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Johnson\|first1=Mike\|title=FORMER WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS SAY THEY WILL RETURN TO WWE ON SMACKDOWN THIS TUESDAY\|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/104333/former-wwf-tag-team-champions-say-they-will-return-to-wwe-on-smackdown-this-tuesday.html?p=1\|publisher=PWInsider\|date=August 26, 2016\|access-date=August 27, 2016}}</ref> They returned on the November 1 episode of ''SmackDown'', losing to ] in a ] qualifying match. Then they were seen again on the November 15 900th episode of ''SmackDown'', teaming with other heel tag teams.

			==Championships and accomplishments==
			*'''Atomic Revolutionary Wrestling'''
			:*ARW Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web\| url = https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=3341\| url-status = dead\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328215504/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=3341\| archive-date = 2019-03-28\| title = ARW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} </ref>
			*'''Coastal Championship Wrestling'''
			:*CCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
			*'''Fighting Evolution Wrestling'''
			**FEW Tag Team Championship (2 times, current)<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=162744\|title=FEW Halloween Fallout\|website=Cagematch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\| url = https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=179645\| url-status = dead\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201109232535/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=179645\| archive-date = 2020-11-09\| title = FEW Autumn Brawl 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} </ref>
			*'''Figure Wrestling Federation'''
			**FWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web\| url = https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=5186\| url-status = dead\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211126142132/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=5186\| archive-date = 2021-11-26\| title = FWF Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} </ref>
			*''']'''
			**] (])<ref>{{cite web\|title=Heartland Wrestling Association Tag Team Title\|work=Wrestling Titles\|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/oh/hwa/hwa-t.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref>
			*'''Heroes And Legends Wrestling'''
			** HLW Tag Team Championship (1 time, current)<ref>{{cite web\| url = https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=314360\| url-status = dead\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211004113802/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=314360\| archive-date = 2021-10-04\| title = HLW Heroes & Legends XV « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database}} </ref>
			*''']'''
			**] (1 time)
			*'''Insane Championship Wrestling'''
			**ICW Streetfight Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref name=owow/>
			*'''Main Event Championship Wrestling'''
			**MECW Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref name=owow/>
			*''']'''
			**] (])<ref name=mcw/>
			*''']'''
			**] (])<ref>{{cite web\|title=N.W.A. World Tag Team Title\|work=Wrestling Titles\|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-t.html\|access-date=2008-01-03}}</ref>
			*'''New England Wrestling Federation'''
			**NEWF Tag Team Championship (3 times)<ref name=owow/>
			*'''Texas Wrestling Alliance'''
			**TWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web\|title=Texas Wrestling Alliance Title Histories\|work=Wrestling Information Archive\|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/twatit.htm\|access-date=2008-01-03\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165404/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/other/twatit.htm\|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref><ref name=F4W0701>{{cite web \| url=http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/day-pro-wrestling-history-july-1-ric-flair-stripped-wcw-title-von-erichs-win-wccw \| title=On this day in pro wrestling history (July 1): Ric Flair stripped of WCW title, Von Erich win WCCW Tag titles \| date=July 1, 2015 \| access-date=February 11, 2017 \| first=Brian \| last=Hoops \| publisher=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online}}</ref>
			*'''World Wrestling Association'''
			**WWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref name="Titles">{{cite book \| author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will \| title=Wrestling Title Histories \| publisher=Archeus Communications \| year=2000\|edition=4th \| isbn=0-9698161-5-4 }}</ref>
			*''']'''
			**] (]) – Thrasher
			**] (])<ref name=wwftag/>
			*'''Wrestling For Charity'''
			**WFC Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=171750\|title=WFC WrestleMayhem\|website=Cagematch}}</ref>

			==See also==
			* ]

			==References==
			{{Reflist}}

			==External links==
			*

			{{World Tag Team Championship (WWE)}}
			{{NWA World Tag Team Championship}}

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Headbangers, The}}
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]
			]

Latest revision as of 07:08, 21 December 2024

Professional wrestling tag team Professional wrestling tag team

The Headbangers
Mosh (left) and Thrasher (right) posing with fans
Tag team
Members	Mosh Thrasher
Name(s)	The Flying Nuns The Guardians of Truth The Headbangers The Sisters of Love The Spiders
Combined billed weight	488 lb (221 kg)
Hometown	Monastery in the Himalayas, New Jersey
Debut	1994
Years active	1994–2000 2011–present

The Headbangers are a professional wrestling tag team consisting of Mosh (Charles Warrington) and Thrasher (Glenn Ruth). They are currently signed to WWE as ambassadors.

As the name of the team implies, their gimmick is that they are a pair of metalheads, complete with heavy metal related T-shirts, kilts, piercings, goatees, shaved heads, and black face paint.

History

Beginning (1994–1996)

They were both trained by Larry Sharpe in New Jersey in the early 1990s. Warrington and Ruth teamed up in 1994 as the Spiders in their home state, New Jersey, for the National Wrestling Alliance. They made an Eastern Championship Wrestling appearance in June 1994, losing to The Bad Breed (Axl and Ian Rotten). Also they worked for United States Wrestling Association (USWA) feuding with the Rottens and The Eliminators. They had a brief stint in Dallas for the NWA in 1995. Later that year they moved down to Tennessee in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW). It was there that they changed their gimmicks to the Headbangers. Their slogan was "Real men wear skirts." During their time in SMW, they feuded with The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) and The Thugs (Tracy Smothers and Tony Anthony), and later sided with Jim Cornette and Terry Gordy in their feud with Brad Armstrong over the SMW Heavyweight Championship. By the end of the year, SMW folded and they returned to United States Wrestling Association. In December 1995, they debuted as jobbers in the WWF as the Spiders, the Arachnoids, and even used their real names. On an episode of Monday Night Raw they got a World Tag Team Title shot against the Smoking Gunns. Afterwards, they continued working for the USWA and the independent circuit.

World Wrestling Federation (1996–2000)

WWF Tag Team Champions

The team debuted on WWF television on the November 24, 1996 episode of Superstars under their Headbangers gimmick defeating Alex Porteau and Aldo Montoya. Shortly after that, they began wearing nuns' clothing and billed as the Flying Nuns (a play on the television show of the same name), Sister Angelica and Mother Smucker. They were also humorously billed as hailing from a monastery in the Himalayas. On an episode of Shotgun Saturday Night, Brother Love showed up to manage the Nuns. After the Nuns defeated The Godwinns, Love renamed them the Sisters of Love. The gimmick was short-lived, but they kept the skirts when they returned to being The Headbangers in January 1997. They later had T-shirts with the phrase "Real men wear skirts" and occasionally wore sports bras over their shirts. The duo often carried a boombox to the ring, and on one occasion, Mosh vomited during an interview.

Throughout 1997, The Headbangers (who were Tweeners), feuded with The Godwinns, as well as Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon, often finding themselves on the losing end. They faced The Legion of Doom during their surprise return match on February 24 to a double countout. At WrestleMania 13, The Headbangers won a four-way elimination match for a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship. The team was seen on New York's WABC-TV in June, which re-aired on WWF programming.

The Headbangers won the vacant Tag Team title at Ground Zero: In Your House after Mosh pinned Owen Hart, thanks to run-in interference by Steve Austin. Mosh and Thrasher would lose the titles to the Godwinns at Badd Blood: In Your House in October. They faced The New Age Outlaws in their debut match as a team on October 20 and frequently challenged them into the following the year for the Tag Team title.

The two are seen backstage playing with Bret Hart's son, Blade, in the 1998 documentary film Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows. The footage depicts events from the previous year.

Both Mosh and Thrasher entered the 1998 Royal Rumble and both lasted over 10 minutes before Mosh was eliminated by Kurrgan and Thrasher by Steve Austin. On February 17, 1998, The Headbangers won the NWA World Tag Team Championship from The Rock 'n' Roll Express, which aired on the February 23 edition of Raw Is War. They lost the belts the following month to The Midnight Express. They feuded with The Quebecers and the Oddities throughout the year and become the first Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions on August 18 defeating Jimmy Cicero and Julio Sanchez in the finals of a tournament.

Split and reunion

The Headbangers were both meant to compete in the 1999 Royal Rumble, but Thrasher suffered a (legitimate) knee injury and was shelved while Mosh was (kayfabe) attacked backstage by Viscera as a way to write both men off television. While Thrasher was injured, Mosh would be repackaged as Beaver Cleavage and then Chaz, performed in singles competition and began having problems with his on-screen girlfriend, Marianna Komlos. He was kayfabe arrested on an episode of Sunday Night Heat in September after Komlos claimed he hit her. After Chaz's match on October 5, Glenn Ruth (Thrasher) showed GTV footage of Mariana applying makeup to create the effect of wounds. This proved her accusations false, and The Headbangers subsequently reunited. They then took on a gimmick where they dressed as the opponents that they feuded with, such as the Dudley Boyz and Mean Street Posse. The duo later turned heel and began to dress in drag, which included wearing breast cones.

Mosh entered in the 2000 Royal Rumble alone eliminated by Rikishi; however, The Headbangers continued performing in tag team and singles matches. Both men participated in the Hardcore battle royal at WrestleMania 2000 where Thrasher held the title for 43 seconds defeating Joey Abs. The team continued battling the likes of Too Cool and T & A until July 2000. After being together for six long years, they separated, and Mosh joined D'Lo Brown as Chaz to form Lo Down. Thrasher focused on his singles career and was taken off WWF TV and the main roster later that month.

Glenn Ruth was released from the WWF in December 2000, after working several months in their developmental territory Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis, and Charles Warrington was released from the WWF in August 2001.

Criticism by WWE

Years after their departure from the company, The Headbangers have borne the brunt of criticism by WWE media. One example can be found in a 2007 article in WWE Magazine about the history of WWE champions. The article criticized wrestlers who are considered not worthy of winning a belt they held. The Headbangers were included in this article for their supposedly poor Tag Team Championship reign. The article suggested that the team had the titles by default since it was "in between the eras of The Smoking Gunns and the New Age Outlaws."

WWE's Raw 15th Anniversary magazine also includes a list of 15 superstars who "overstayed" their welcomes in the company. This has The Headbangers at #2, behind only Scott Steiner. However, in 2010 WWE added the team to their "Where Are They Now?" section of WWE.com.

Independent circuit (2011–present)

Mosh and Thrasher reunited on the independent circuit in 2011. They are members of the NWA Ring Warriors roster. They wrestled for Juggalo Championship Wrestling multiple times. On August 12, 2011, The Headbangers were in the battle royal won by Zach Gowen. On December 17, 2011, The Headbangers defeated Necro Butcher and Mad Man Pondo. December 31, 2011, The Headbangers lost to Shockwave The Robot and 2 Tuff Tony. The Headbangers then lost two ten-man tag team matches while teaming with Bull Pain, Jake Manning and Colt Cabana.

Mosh and Thrasher appeared on the Ring of Honor pay-per-view Best in the World on June 24, 2012 as the masked tag team Guardians of Truth, managed by the Truth Martini. They lost to the Briscoe Brothers. Later on, the two would unmask themselves and go on to compete as The Headbangers. They then competed on the Independent Circuit. In March 2013, both Headbangers were present during a WWE Smackdown taping. On June 18, 2013, The Headbangers defeated The South Side Playaz Club (Craig Steele and Joe Hardway) at PWS Dream on 6th Anniversary iPPV.

The Headbangers made their debut for Championship Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) competing in a triple threat match at Wrestlefest 2015. In 2016 they made their debut for Fighting Evolution Wrestling. On March 31, 2017 they defeated Cryme Tyme at Fighting Evolution Wrestling in Orlando, Florida. Later that same year they went Australia to wrestle for World Series Wrestling and feuded with The Basso Brothers.

In October 2023, the Headbangers appeared on the NWA pay-per-view Samhain, losing a tag match to The Southern 6 (Kerry Morton and Alex Taylor).

Return to WWE (2016)

The duo made their first appearance as a team in WWE since 2000 on the August 30, 2016 episode of SmackDown Live as heels and participants of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament, losing against Heath Slater and Rhyno in the first round. They returned on the November 1 episode of SmackDown, losing to The Usos in a Survivor Series qualifying match. Then they were seen again on the November 15 900th episode of SmackDown, teaming with other heel tag teams.

Championships and accomplishments

Atomic Revolutionary Wrestling

ARW Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Coastal Championship Wrestling

CCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)

Fighting Evolution Wrestling
- FEW Tag Team Championship (2 times, current)
Figure Wrestling Federation
- FWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Heartland Wrestling Association
- HWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Heroes And Legends Wrestling
- HLW Tag Team Championship (1 time, current)
Independent Professional Wrestling Alliance
- IPWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Insane Championship Wrestling
- ICW Streetfight Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Main Event Championship Wrestling
- MECW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Maryland Championship Wrestling
- MCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time)
New England Wrestling Federation
- NEWF Tag Team Championship (3 times)
Texas Wrestling Alliance
- TWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Association
- WWA Tag Team Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Federation
- WWF Hardcore Championship (1 time) – Thrasher
- WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Wrestling For Charity
- WFC Tag Team Championship (1 time)

References

Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 127. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
^ "The Headbangers". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
^ "1997". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
Baines, Tim. "Bangers a smash: Eccentric, yes, but WWF tag team caught up in fun". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
Oppliger, Patrice (2004). Wrestling and hypermasculinity. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 115. ISBN 9780786481361.
^ "W.W.W.F./W.W.F./W.W.E. World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"Ground Zero". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
Gutschmidt, Adam. "WWF IYH:Ground Zero". Online Onslaught. Archived from the original on 2011-12-07. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
"WWF Royal Rumble 1998". Hoffco Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
^ "Maryland Championship Wrestling Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
^ "Wrestler Profiles: Chaz Warrington". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"1999". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
"Royal Rumble 2000". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
^ "2000". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
"W.W.F./W.W.E. Hardcore Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"WrestleMania PPV Cards". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on 2007-12-31. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"Tag Team List". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
WWE Magazine, June 2007
"Tons Of News: Christy, Steiner, Hassan, Too Cool', Kennedy". WrestleZone. 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
"WWE: Superstars > Where Are They Now > Catching up with the Headbangers". WWE. 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
"Headbangers - Online World of Wrestling". Archived from the original on 2012-10-21.
Hetfield, James (29 October 2023). "NWA Samhain PPV Results From Cleveland, OH 10/28/2023". PW Mania. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
Johnson, Mike (August 26, 2016). "FORMER WWF TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS SAY THEY WILL RETURN TO WWE ON SMACKDOWN THIS TUESDAY". PWInsider. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
"ARW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on 2019-03-28.
"FEW Halloween Fallout". Cagematch.
"FEW Autumn Brawl 2 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on 2020-11-09.
"FWF Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on 2021-11-26.
"Heartland Wrestling Association Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"HLW Heroes & Legends XV « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on 2021-10-04.
"N.W.A. World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
"Texas Wrestling Alliance Title Histories". Wrestling Information Archive. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
Hoops, Brian (July 1, 2015). "On this day in pro wrestling history (July 1): Ric Flair stripped of WCW title, Von Erich win WCCW Tag titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
"WFC WrestleMayhem". Cagematch.

External links

Cagematch profile

v t e WWE World Tag Team Champions (1971–2010)
1970s	Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler Karl Gotch and Rene Goulet King Curtis Iaukea and Mikel Scicluna Chief Jay Strongbow and Sonny King Mr. Fuji and Professor Tanaka Haystacks Calhoun and Tony Garea Dean Ho and Tony Garea Valiant Brothers (Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant) Dominic DeNucci and Pat Barrett/Víctor Rivera The Blackjacks (Blackjack Lanza and Blackjack Mulligan) Louis Cerdan and Tony Parisi Executioners (Executioner #1 and Executioner #2) Billy White Wolf and Chief Jay Strongbow Dino Bravo and Dominic DeNucci Yukon Lumberjacks (Lumberjack Eric and Lumberjack Pierre) Larry Zbyszko and Tony Garea Valiant Brothers (Jerry Valiant and Johnny Valiant) Ivan Putski and Tito Santana
1980s	Wild Samoans (Afa and Sika) Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales Rick Martel and Tony Garea Moondogs (Moondog Rex and Moondog King/Moondog Spot) Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito Chief Jay Strongbow and Jules Strongbow Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) North-South Connection (Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch) U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo) The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine) The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid) The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart) Strike Force (Rick Martel and Tito Santana) Demolition (Ax, Crush, and Smash) Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard) Colossal Connection (André the Giant and Haku)
1990s	The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) Legion of Doom (Animal and Hawk) Money Inc. (Irwin R. Schyster and Ted DiBiase) The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) The Quebecers (Quebecer Jacques and Quebecer Pierre) 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty Men on a Mission (Mabel and Mo) Headshrinkers (Fatu and Samu) Two Dudes with Attitudes (Diesel and Shawn Michaels) The 1-2-3 Kid and Bob Holly Smoking Gunns (Bart Gunn and Billy Gunn) Owen Hart and Yokozuna Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phineas I. Godwinn) Owen Hart and the British Bulldog Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin Dude Love and Stone Cold Steve Austin The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher) New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie Kane and Mankind Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker Big Boss Man and Ken Shamrock Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart Kane and X-Pac Acolytes Protection Agency (Bradshaw and Faarooq) Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) The Unholy Alliance (Big Show and The Undertaker) Rock 'n' Sock Connection (Mankind and The Rock) Holly Cousins (Crash Holly and Hardcore Holly) Al Snow and Mankind
2000s	Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) Edge and Christian Too Cool (Grandmaster Sexay and Scotty 2 Hotty) Right to Censor (Bull Buchanan and The Goodfather) The Rock and The Undertaker Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane) Two-Man Power Trip (Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H) Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Kanyon Chris Jericho and The Rock Booker T and Test Spike Dudley and Tazz Billy and Chuck Rico and Rikishi Edge and Hulk Hogan The Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) The Hurricane and Kane Chris Jericho and Christian Booker T and Goldust Lance Storm and William Regal Chief Morley and Lance Storm Kane and Rob Van Dam La Résistance (René Duprée and Sylvain Grenier) Evolution (Batista and Ric Flair) Booker T and Rob Van Dam Chris Benoit and Edge La Résistance (Robért Conway and Sylvain Grenier) Eugene and William Regal Tajiri and William Regal The Hurricane and Rosey Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch Big Show and Kane Spirit Squad (Johnny, Kenny, Mikey, Mitch, and Nicky) Roddy Piper and Ric Flair Rated-RKO (Edge and Randy Orton) John Cena and Shawn Michaels Paul London and Brian Kendrick Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly The Legacy (Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.) Batista and John Cena CM Punk and Kofi Kingston John Morrison and the Miz The Colóns (Carlito and Primo) Chris Jericho and Edge Jeri-Show (Big Show and Chris Jericho) D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H)
2010s	ShoMiz (Big Show and The Miz) The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd)

NWA World Tag Team Champions

1990s

Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson)
Mr. Gannosuke and Tarzan Goto
C. W. Anderson and Pat Anderson
Border Patrol (Agent Gunn and Agent Maxx)
Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard
The Brotherhood (Eric Sbraccia and Knuckles Nelson)
The Brotherhood (Knuckles Nelson and Rick Fuller)
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock)
The Brotherhood (Dukes Dalton and Knuckles Nelson)
Team Extreme (Khris Germany and Kit Carson)
Murder, Inc. (Jimmy James and Kevin Northcutt)

2000s

xXx (Curtis Thompson and Drake Dawson)
The Main Event (Reno Riggins and Steven Dunn)
Bad Attitude (David Young and Rick Michaels)
Bad Street Boys (Christian York and Joey Matthews)
Dan Factor and David Flair
New Heavenly Bodies (Chris Nelson and Vito DeNucci)
Glacier and Jason Sugarman
Disturbing Behavior (Jeff Daniels and Tim Renesto)
Shane Twins (Mike Shane and Todd Shane)
Real American Heroes (Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson)
Los Luchas (Phoenix Star and Zokre)
Skullkrushers (Keith Walker and Rasche Brown)

2010s

Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis and Kory Chavis)
The Usual Suspects (A.J. Steele and Murder One)
Kingz of the Underground (Ryan Genesis and Scot Summers)
Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer)
IronGodz (Jax Dane and Rob Conway)
Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima)
Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Sigmon)
Iron Empire (Matt Riviera and Rob Conway)
Kazushi Miyamoto and Rob Terry
Villain Enterprises (Brody King and PCO)
Wild Cards (Royce Isaacs and Thomas Latimer)

2020s

Eli Drake and James Storm
Aron Stevens and J. R. Kratos
La Rebelión (Bestia 666 and Mecha Wolf 450)
Commonwealth Connection (Doug Williams and Harry Smith)
Blunt Force Trauma (Carnage and Damage)
Knox and Murdoch (Mike Knox and Trevor Murdoch) (current)

Recognized champions in other promotions

WWF

Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson)
The Headbangers (Mosh and Thrasher)
New Midnight Express (Bodacious Bart and Bombastic Bob)

TNA

A.J. Styles and Jerry Lynn
America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)
Disciples of the New Church (Brian Lee and Slash)
Triple X (Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper and Low Ki)
Amazing Red and Jerry Lynn
Simon and Swinger
3 Live Kru (B.G. James, Konnan and Ron Killings)
Red Shirt Security (Joe Legend and Kevin Northcutt)
Abyss and A.J. Styles
Dallas and Kid Kash
D-Lo Brown and Apolo
The Naturals (Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens)
Chris Harris and Elix Skipper
Christopher Daniels and James Storm
Team Canada (Bobby Roode and Eric Young)
A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels
Latin American Xchange (Hernandez and Homicide)
Team 3D (Brother Devon and Brother Ray)

Unrecognized champions in other promotions
WCW	Miracle Violence Connection (Steve Williams and Terry Gordy) Barry Windham and Dustin Rhodes Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas Hollywood Blonds (Brian Pillman and Steve Austin) The Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson and Paul Roma)

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