Sami Callihan

At 36 years old, Sami Callihan has this physical status:

Samuel Johnston (born September 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler and promoter best known by the ring name Sami Callihan.

He has joined Impact Wrestling, where he is the current Impact World Champion in his first appearance.

He also wrestled for Lucha Underground under the ring name Jeremiah Snake, as well as on the independent circuit. He has worked for many independent businesses around the country.

He found the most success in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) and Major League Wrestling (MLW), but he has also competed for Dragon Gate USA, Evolve, Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Full Impact Pro, and All American Wrestling.

He competed in CZW Iron Man Championship, the CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship, and the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship, as well as the 2012 Best of the Best tournament.

He appeared in NXT from 2013 to 2015, most notably under the ring name Solomon Crowe.

The Wrestling Revolver is also a wrestling promotion run by The Wrestling Revolver.

Personal life

Johnston married fellow Impact wrestler Jessicka Havok on June 20, 2021 (on the latter's 35th birthday).

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Professional wrestling career

Callihan became a member of "The Crew" group, which also included Jon Moxley, Dick Rick, and Pepper Parks, just short of his debut. Callihan began wrestling for the Heartland Wrestling Association, and he has faced wrestlers including Chad Collyer and Nigel McGuinness. He participated in the 2008 Young Lions Tournament in Chikara, but did not win the tournament. With victories over Chris Hero, Eddie Kingston, and 2 Cold Scorpio, he advanced to the finals of the 2008 Ted Petty Invitational Tournament. He qualified for the HWA Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match, also involving Drake Younger, but losing to Jake Crist on September 28, 2008. He was eliminated by HWA Heavyweight Champion Jake Crist in the Thanksgiving Eve eight-man tag team elimination match on November 26, 2008. Jake Crist defeated him in a rematch on October 1, 2008. Callihan made it to the final of the first Heartland Cup tournament against Jake Crist in 2011.

Callihan began wrestling for IPW as "Cannonball Sami" until late 2006, when he went back to Sami Callihan. At the 2007 Insane Insane 6th Anniversary Exhibition Callihan received recognition for qualifying against Dustin Rayz, xOMGx, and Louis Linaris, but lost in the first round to Diehard. After a controversial double pin in a four-way match for the title involving Ricochet and Shiima Xion, Uprising Callihan began feuding with IPW Junior Heavyweight Champion Billy Roc in 2008. In a losing battle against Dustin Rayz and Lou Roberts' "The Messiahs of a New Age" next month, both Legally Insane Callihan and Roc teamed up next month. Callihan and Roc will face each other in their first singles match at Heatstroke, which resulted in a time limit draw. Callihan and Roc competed in a Pure Rules match, which resulted in a no contest, and the pair met in a ladder match in which Callihan defeated Roc for the IPW Junior Heavyweight Championship. Callihan defeated Q Skillz, CJ Otis, and Justin Andrews en route to the final, where he lost the Junior Heavyweight Championship to Aaron Williams in the IPW Super Junior Heavyweight Championship. Callihan would not appear on IPW again until 2009 at Reign of the Insane Stage 2 8th Anniversary of losing to James Avery. He defeated Toby Klein at the JC Bailey benefit show on May 18, 2010. In 2011, Callihan returned to IPW for the first time. At the IPW Showdown in Naptown, Callihan defeated Kyle O'Reilly, and later that night formed an alliance with IPW World Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Jacobs, saving him from an attack by Dustin Rayz and Sweet Lou Roberts. Keep the Faith Callihan will compete in a four-way match involving Jake Crist, A. R. Fox, and Zack Sabre Jr. with Fox winning the competition. Callihan defeated Jake Crist in the vacant IPW World Heavyweight Championship on June 18, at Revelations. Callihan held the title until Insane Intentions, when he lost it to Jake Crist in a triple threat match that also involved B. J. Whitmer.

Callihan made his Pro Wrestling Syndicate debut on May 29, 2009, where he lost a four-way match involving Xavier, Monsta Mack, and champion Trent Acid. Callihan was a participant in the PWS Majestic Twelve Championship Tournament on August 10, 2010. He and Dan Maff defeated Adam Cole and Bandido Jr. in the first round and advanced to defeat Maff in the second round. Danny Demanto was pinched by Callihan in the final, but Devon Moore followed him. Callihan defeated Dan Maff, then defeated Devon Moore to win the PWS Heavyweight Championship on May 27, 2011. Kevin Matthews, Maff, Danny Demanto, Velvet Sky, and Mick Foley were among the run-ins in the PWS Heavyweight Championship match. He continued to defend the championship against Colt Cabana, Jay Lethal, and The Great Muta.

Callihan made his Ring of Honor debut at Escalation on November 11, 2008, in a losing fight involving Go Shiozaki, Rhett Titus, and Grizzly Redwood. On the inaugural episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet, Callihan lost to Kenny King on March 21.

Callihan made his CZW debut at "Summer School" on June 14, 2008. He took the Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Battle Royal at the 2008 Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Exhibition. He defeated LuFisto to earn a spot in the main event at Cage Of Death X.

Callihan beat Jon Dahmer at the Decade of Destruction show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 14, 2009; it was supposed to be Dahmer versus E.M.O. but it was changed to E.M.O. Callihan was arguing with CZW leadership and requesting a title match as he appeared in the Arena's video screens. Management denied his request and instead informed him that if he defeated Dahmer, he would have a championship match whenever he wanted. Callihan was branded "Olive" by Callihan, who was subsequently threatening E.M.O. He was playing in the match against Dahmer, which he won after being distracted by the debuting Jon Moxley who was fleeing from safety through the crowd. Callihan and Moxley were partners in the CZW Iron Man Champion Brain Damage and his Cult Fiction tag team partner Deranged had lost a match to The H8 Club later today, and it would be announced later that night. He brought a referee with him, and after Callihan branded him, the referee suspended an immediate match, which Callihan won to become the new champion. Callihan revealed on Eye for an Eye that the competition would now be branded the "CZW New Horror Championship." Callihan lost the championship to Elemento Fantastico on June 13, 2009. Callihan won the CZW Ultraviolent Underground Championship on October 25, 2009, but the callihan lost the title the same day to Thumbtack Jack. In a losing match against Switchblade Conspiracy partner Jon Moxley, Callihan was seated for a match for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship on April 10, 2010. Callihan defeated Adam Cole for the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship in November 2011. Callihan won the Best of the Best XI tournament in April. At 5 o' Mayo, he lost the title to Drake Younger. Callihan won the title for the second time in a 60-minute Ultraviolent Rules Iron Man match on July 14, 2012, but A. R. Fox lost it the same day to A. R. Fox. Callihan was promoted to head of CZW's creative staff in July 2017, as part of a behind-the-scenes promotion.

He left CZW on April 15, 2018 after a lack of understanding with the company's new direction.

Callihan made his Evolve 3: Rise or Fall in a thrilling competition against Adam Cole on May 1, 2010. Callihan defeated Arik Cannon via submission on July 23, a second victory over Callihan. Zack Sabre Jr., Brodie Lee, A. R. Fox, Bobby Fish, and Dave "Fit" Finlay were all matched against wrestlers, including Zack Sabre Jr., Brodie Lee, A. R. Fox, Bobby Fish, and Dave "Fit" Finlay at Evolve 9: followed. Callihan appeared in a tournament on April 5, 2013, where he advanced to the finals before losing to A. R. Fox.

Callihan made his Dragon Gate USA debut on July 24, 2010, losing to Jimmy Jacobs in a dark match. Callihan was shot in his first appearance during the year's series, when he and Arik Cannon walked out on a six-way match on April 3, 2011. Callihan and Cannon announced that they would form the D.U.F. later in the case. (Dirty Ugly Fucks) and defeated The Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis and Kory Chavis) in their first match together. Callihan and Arik Cannon were joined by Pinkie Sanchez on June 5 at Enter The Dragon 2011, gaining a big victory over Open the Dream Gate Champion Masaaki Mochizuki and Susumu Yokosuka.

Johnston fought in a dark match for WWE on October 23, 2012, in which he was defeated by Johnny Curtis. Johnston was discovered to be doing medical checks for the promotion in April 2013, and Dragon Gate USA announced on May 27 that Johnston had signed with WWE.

Solomon Crowe, WWE's latest wrestling name, debuted for WWE's NXT on August 29, 2013, defeating Xavier Woods at a live event. He would not be allowed to appear on televised episodes of NXT for more than a year, instead being limited to live performances or dark matches during television tapings. Crowe played a hacker, stole the arena lights with a tablet computer, and assaulted Kalisto at a live event on December 6, 2013. Crowe defeated Sylvester Lefort in his NXT television debut on February 28, 2014, but the match was supposed to air on March 6, 2014, but it was not intended to air. Johnston sustained a chipped tibia during a tag team match against Kalisto in August 2014; the injury did not necessitate surgery and he was able to return to the ring in November. Crowe wrestled a number of dark matches on NXT, one against returning Brian Kendrick in late 2014.

WWE teasers for Crowe's television debut appeared on January 28, 2015 from the NXT's January 28, 2015 episode. Crowe made his television debut as a human on February 18th's episode of NXT, blaming CJ Parker. He defeated Bull Dempsey in his first televised match on NXT's March 4 episode.

WWE revealed on November 24, 2015 that Johnston had been fired from his WWE contract.

Callihan made his Pro Wrestling Guerrilla debut on April 21, 2012. In a losing match in the first round of the Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Championship Tournament, he teamed with Roderick Strong to face 2 Husky Black Guys (El Generico and Willie Mack). Callihan challenged PWG World Champion Kevin Steen to a championship match later that day, but Callihan lost the match. He was defeated by Michael Elgin at PWG's nine-year anniversary celebration, Threemendous III, on July 21. He won his first match at the 2012 Battle of Los Angeles in September, defeating Willie Mack and advance to the quarterfinal round, where he defeated T. J. Perkins. He lost to eventual champion Adam Cole in the semi-finals. He was victorious over Drake Younger at Mystery Vortex on December 1, 2019. Callihan and Younger were announced as the top of three match series after the match, determining the top ten contenders for the PWG World Championship. Callihan fought Younger in a non-tournament knockout or submission-only match at the 2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Championship Tournament, which took place on January 12, 2013. Callihan was losing the game when he called out, tying the score. Callihan suffered in the third match, a Guerrilla Warfare match, on March 22, 2013, when he was defeated by Younger in the third match. Callihan wrestled his PWG farewell match, a 60-minute Iron Man match in which he barely beat longtime rival Adam Cole for the PWG World Championship, losing the match by five points to five.

Callihan returned to PWG on December 11, 2015, defeating Drew Gulak. Callihan defeated Trevor Lee at PWG Lemy on January 2, 2016. At the first round of the Battle Of Los Angeles 2016, Jack Evans, Roderick Strong, Marty Scurll, and Cody Rhodes all started a losing streak. Callihan returned along with the debuting OI4K (Jake & Dave Crist), but The Superkliq defeated Only Kings Understand Each Other on February 18, 2017 (Adam Cole and The Young Bucks). Callihan, a former colleague of PWG Head Like A Cole, will win by a narrow margin over former rival Adam Cole on May 19. Callihan defeated Matt Sydal last month at Man On the Silver Mountain. Callihan was eliminated by Jeff Cobb in the first round of the 2017 Battle of Los Angeles.

Callihan was announced as a participant in the 2017 World Tag League in New Japan, where he would compete with Juice Robinson. The team, nicknamed "Death Juice," came in second place in their block with a total of four victories and three losses, but did not progress to the finals.

After being cut from WWE, Johnston returned to the independent circuit on November 28, 2015, transforming into his Sami Callihan role, where he appeared at the All American Wrestling's Windy City Classic XI event. Eddie Kingston, the new AAW Heavyweight Champion, was stabbed.

He returned to Rockstar Pro Wrestling on December 4, 2015 to face and defeat long-time friend Jake Crist at the Killer XMas iPPV.

Callihan returned to Cage of Death XVII on December 12, 2015, defeating David Starr.

Callihan returned to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in the first night of All-Star Weekend, where he defeated Drew Gulak.

During the 2016 Super Strong Style 16 tournament, Callihan debuted for PROMESS Wrestling, defeating Matt Cross in the first round and losing to Tommy End in the quarterfinals.

Callihan defeated John Skyler in the Premiere Wrestling Xperience World Heavyweight Championship on May 21, 2016.

Callihan returned to Fight Club: PRO on July 8, 2016 at the "Rage Against The Death Machine" event. He later defeated Trent Seven to win the vacant championship after making it his mission to give the Fight Club: PRO Championship world championships aspires.

Callihan defeated Evander James in the Crown Jewel Championship at House of Glory on June 8, 2018, during the "Temperature Rising" exhibition. After being struck with a low blow to deliberately disqualify himself, he retained the title at their "High Intensity 7" show on August 17 against Low Ki. Bully Ray appeared and powerbombed Callihan after the match.

Callihan fought King Cuerno and Flamea in a dark match on January 10, 2016. Callihan committed to appear in the third season of Lucha Underground in March 2016. He made his debut in an interview with Ivelisse's boyfriend Jeremiah Crane on October 5, 2016 in Lucha Underground. Following Ivelisse's match, Crane assaulted Marty Martinez and Mariposa this week. Crane competed in Aztec Warfare III, finishing fourth in the first but not the first to be eliminated by Matanza Cueto. Crane will then qualify for the Battle of the Bulls tournament after defeating A. R. Fox, Killshot, and Mariposa in the first round. Crane competed in an elimination-in-a-way tie, being disqualified by the eventual champion, Willie Mack, in the finals of the tournament. Crane appeared on Aztec Warfare IV on the first episode of season 4 of the Aztec Warfare, but was eventually defeated by Pentagon Dark on the first episode of season 4 in the Aztec Warfare. Mil Muertes put him in a casket after Ivelisse bloodied him later that season. He will reprise on Episode 9, now under the new name of Jeremiah Snake, as a member of the Reptile Tribe, alongside Daga, Drago, and Kobra Moon in a losing battle against Aerostar and the Worldwide Underground (Johnny Mundo, PJ Black, and Taya). The Reptile Tribe of Killshot, The Mack, and Son of Havoc were among the episodes to win the Lucha Underground Trios Championship. Ultima Lucha Cuatro, the season finale, was ended, and the series was cancelled.

Callihan appeared in his first match for Major League Wrestling (MLW) on October 5, 2017, the first match since 2004. He lost a match to Montel Vontavious Porter at One Shot at the festival. He went from a big focal point of their weekly show MLW Fusion from 2018 to 2019. Callihan began working as a senior agent for Major League Wrestling at some point in 2018. Callihan lost a Loser Leaves MLW match against Mance Warner in June 2019.

Callihan made his debut for Impact Wrestling as a villain by intervening in a 5150 Street Fight for the World Tag Team Championship, assisting Ohio Versus Everything (Dave and Jake Crist) to defeat Santana and Ortiz of The Latin American Xchange (LAX) on November 5, 2017. Callihan and the Crist Brothers formed Ohio Versus Everything (oVe), where they began a rivalry with LAX. Callihan will light a fire in the face of Konnan after a face to face summit on December 14 in Impact. On the 2018 edition of Impact, oVe will face LAX in a Barbed Wire Massacre match, where they lost the match, bringing an end to the feud. Callihan was appointed as the leader of oVe shortly after. Callihan made his pay-per-view debut for Impact at the Redemption festival on April 22, 2018 in which oVe defeated Eddie Edwards, Moose, and Tommy Dreamer in a House of Hardcore match. Callihan and Pentagón's hair was shaved off by the Lucha Brothers during a long feud in the summer of 2018. On the August 23 episode of Impact, a Mexican Death match that Callihan won, Callihan and Pentagón fought again. Brian Cage joined the Lucha Brothers in the feud, extending the rivalry between the two teams. This culminated in a oVe Rules match pitting oVe against Cage and the Lucha Brothers at Bound for Glory, which the oVe won after Callihan pinned Cage. Callihan won his first title shot in Impact Wrestling against Cage on November 15th, which Callihan missed.

oVe entered a feud with Rich Swann, Tommy Dreamer, and Willie Mack, which culminated in Callihan defeating Mack at the Homecoming pay-per-view, but the match lost on January 11 on Impact. On the February 22 episode of Impact and in an oVe Rules match at Rebellion, Callihan will begin pursuing Swann's X Division Championship, losing him for the title. Callihan ended his feud with Dreamer by defeating him in a oVe rules match at Impact Plus, Code Red. Callihan began to climb the ranks after defeating Eddie Edwards in a Philly Street Fight at A Night You Can't Forget. Callihan would then lose to Rob Van Dam in an Extreme Rules match at Bash at the Brewery in July.

Callihan started a long feud with Tessa Blanchard about intergender wrestling, where he said that men were superior to women in the summer of 2019. The two were in their first match in Slammiversary XVII, which Callihan won. Impact announced that the match was named Match of the Year by Impact. On the July 19 episode of Impact, Callihan and Blanchard were randomly paired against Dave Crist and Treye to qualify for a crucial four-way elimination match against Eddie Edwards and Moose, Jake Crist and Wentz, and Willie Mack. Callihan and Blanchard qualified for a match at the Unbreakable World Championship, which Callihan won, advancing to the top contender for the Impact World Championship in the process.

Callihan began feuding with World Champion Brian Cage, unsuccessfully vying for the title at Bound for Glory. Callihan, on the other hand, persuaded Cage to rematch by invading Cage's house. Callihan defeated Cage in a steel cage fight to win the Impact World Championship on October 29. In a rematch between Turning Point and Rich Swann at No Surrender, he successfully defended the title against Cage before losing the title to rival Tessa Blanchard at Hard to Kill pay-per-view on January 12, 2020.

During tapings of Impact, a mysterious figure appeared on the titantron designated ICU during wrestlers matches. The ICU cut Ken Shamrock's interview with Josh Mathews on March 17. Shamrock's gaze was swarmed by the enigmatic figure who fired a fireball into Shamrock's eyes. Sami Callihan took off the mask, and it was revealed to be Sami Callihan. Callihan will get his phone and the lights will go off and he will disappear. The feud will come to an end on Unsanctioned Night 1 in which Shamrock condemned Callihan to an ankle lock. He returned to Shamrock against The North on June 30, 2020, despite a teasing face turn in the process. At Slammiversary, Shamrock and Callihan unsuccessfully challenged The North for the Impact Tag Team Championships.

Callihan was supposed to face Eddie Edwards in the Impact World Championship on August 4, but Rob Van Dam was assaulted while en route to the Ring and later succumbing to Edwards. Callihan revealed herself on Katie Forbes' photos during her photo unveiling, kicking off a rivalry with Van Dam and turning around for the first time in Impact Wrestling this week. On the September 1 episode of Impact, Callihan was victorious, but Van Dam and Katie Forbes would face off against each other, but Callihan was ultimately defeated by a post-match attack. Callihan faced Rob Van Dam in a rematch on September 22nd episode of Impact, this time RVD was victorious and thanks to Van Dam's victory, Katie Forbes was 5 minutes alone in the ring with Sami. However, Callihan called RVD outside of the Ring and gave Katie Forbes a Piledriver. Callihan turned heel and interrupted Eddie Edwards for a week before Eddie was struck by Ken Shamrock, who also turned heel in that segment.

Callihan, the Good Brothers, and Don Callis all started a professional relationship with Impact in mid-2021, after the Impact World Championship cost them several times. The feud came to an end in Slammiversary, where Callihan and Omega competed for the Impact World Championship in a No Disqualification match, a contest in which Omega would keep in the end. Callihan has suffered a broken ankle and will be out of action until the spring of 2022, according to the 20th.

Callihan returned to Moose on May 7, 2022, at the Under Siege Festival.

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