Shelton Benjamin - wrestler nicknamed Golden Standard

Shelton Benjamin is an American wrestler, most popular during his time in the WWE federation. Very interesting career history of the famous athlete. This is the path of his unceasing struggle, ups and downs. So, who is Benjamin Shelton? In the article you will find the answer to this question.

Introduction to wrestling

Benjamin Shelton was born in the city of Orangeburg (USA) in 1975. In college, the boy was actively engaged in collegiate wrestling and athletics. For these two sports Shelton won several championships. Wrestling, the young man began studying at the second year of secondary school. Benjamin twice won the heavyweight title in competitions among students. Then the athlete entered the Lasseni Community College (Susanville, California). Here the future wrestler also showed himself. He became the NJCAA champion in track and field athletics in the 100 meter race and in the collegiate struggle.

After college Benjamin Shelton entered the University of Minnesota. Thanks to his athletic merits, the young man received a wrestler's scholarship. After completing her studies, Shelton remained working as an assistant coach in his alma mater. Few know, but at the time Benjamin was working with Brock Lesnar, who in the future will be his team-mate in Ohio Valley Wrestling (a wrestling company). At that time, the hero of this article thought about the passage of the selection for the next Olympic Games. But then I decided to take up the fight professionally.

Contract with WWF

In 2000, Shelton Benjamin received an offer from the World Wrestling Federation. A young man without hesitation signed a contract with WWF, which sent him to OVW. It was here that Shelton formed his own team. Benjamin's partner was his university friend Brock Lesnar. They played together for a long time and three times (in February, July and October 2001) defended their champion title among the southern OWV teams. After that, Lesnar went to the main squad of fighters, and Shelton teamed up with Redd Begnaud. In 2002, they won the title of the strongest team in the south.

WWE

In January 2003, Shelton Benjamin entered the WWE sports and entertainment program SmackDown. The wrestler performed alongside Charlie Haas. Olympic champion Kurt Engle became their mentor. The resulting alliance was called Team Angle. On January 2, 2003, their debut match against Chris Benoit and Edge took place. According to the plot, Shelton played the role of heal (negative character). Team Angle was able to win the champion's title only a month after the first battle. But then again lost to his rivals.

In June 2003, Haas and Benjamin confronted Engle and left the team. Now their duet was called The World's Greatest Tag Team. July 3, they were able to regain their belts. Thus, Charlie and Shelton for the second time won the title of team champions. In September, they again lost to opponents. This was because Benjamin injured the knee during the match. The fighter recovered in just a month and, along with Haas, appeared on the show "WrestleMania XX".

From 2004 to 2007, Benjamin was an intercontinental champion. He won the title three times. In March 2004, Shelton was invited to the Raw program to participate in the WWE Draft. Here in duels with the strongest fighters, the wrestler performed at a very decent level.

In one of the matches (as part of the Heat TV program), Benjamin broke his arm and went out for a while. The athlete returned to the ring only in the autumn of 2004. Shelton became the strongest fighter among the most famous wrestlers. But sometimes there were defeats. For example, in the debut match of Benjamin on Raw, when he fought against Carlito. In late 2006, the hero of this article, along with ex-partner Charlie Haas, celebrated the victory over the Super Crazy. Soon there was an official reunion of the team The World's Greatest Tag Team.

New image

In 2007, Shelton Benjamin decided to change his fighting style. The wrestler took the nickname Golden Standard, began wearing costumes of the color of precious metal and repainted in a blonde. He performed quite successfully, becoming the champion of the United States. Benjamin repeatedly defended this title. But in March 2009 he still lost his belt to the enemy. Then followed a series of matches in which Shelton then won, then lost. In April 2010, WWE freed the wrestler from the contract.

Japan

Now you know who Benjamin Shelton is. Since 2012, the fighter cooperates with the Japanese wrestling federation. He has already become a team champion there many times.