Chris Mordetsky, better known by his stage name Chris Masters, was born on January 8, 1983 in Santa Monica, California, is a professional wrestler who performs for World Wrestling Entertainment on its RAW brand.
Career
Mordetsky was Mr. California Bodybuilding Champion and began his wrestling training in Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), which is where John Cena among others were discovered by WWE talent scouts, before being given a development contract to train in WWE's farm territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
When Mordetsky was finally called up to the main roster WWE showed promo style introductory videos outlining him as The Masterpiece — touting him as having a body so perfect, it would appear he was sculpted out of stone.
"The Masterpiece" Chris Masters (as he was now known) made his RAW debut as a heel in a match against Steven Richards. During the match, Masters broke Richards' nose (orbital bone). Richards was out of action after having facial reconstructive surgery, but returned to end the feud with Masters, losing a second match.
Masters' next RAW appearance saw him claim that his Master-Lock hold is unbreakable, and he even went as far as to start the Master-Lock Challenge putting up $1,000 of his own money for any person who could break out of the hold. For weeks all challengers failed; even such notable wrestling stars as Sgt. Slaughter, Tajiri, Val Venis, and Rosey failed to break the hold. Masters increased the offered reward each week up to $20,000 and sometimes even thrown in a bonus. For example, on May 16, 2005 while in Omaha, he offered $6,000 and a one-way ticket to anywhere in the US claiming "Anywhere is better than Omaha, Nebraska."
On July 18, 2005, after defeating 400 pounder Rosey in the Masterlock Challenge, Masters stated "it doesn't matter how big they are!", this saw The Big Show come to the ring and ask to take the challenge, but Masters refused and left the ring. A feud between the two was hinted at for a couple of weeks but never came to be.
After interrupting a promo by WWE icon Shawn Michaels, Masters started a feud with him. In a tag team with Carlito against Michaels and Ric Flair, Masters gained a big submission victory by using the Master Lock on a bloodied Ric Flair, who had been attacked by Carlito earlier in the evening.
On the September 5, 2005, edition of RAW, Shawn Michaels became the longest-lasting competitor to take the Master Lock Challenge. Despite Michaels's best efforts Masters still won the challenge after releasing the hold, hitting Michaels with a chair and re-applying the manuever. At WWE Unforgiven Masters had his first televised defeat, losing to Michaels in a singles match.
On October 21, 2005, Chris Masters invaded WWE Friday Night SmackDown! with Edge the pair attacked Rey Mysterio, this invasion earned both men a match at Taboo Tuesday where Masters and Edge's replacement Gene Snitsky would team up in a loss against Rey Mysterio and Matt Hardy.
Chris Masters had his first WWE Championship match on the November 28, 2005 edition of WWE RAW. It was a Triple Threat Submission Match with Kurt Angle vs. John Cena. Chris Masters was smashed by John Cena by a chair and John Cena retained the title forcing Masters to tap out to the STF.
Masters portrayed the role of a baliff during the mock trial for General Manager Eric Bischoff on the December 5, 2005 edition of RAW, with WWE owner Vince McMahon as judge. Upon being called to the stand to testify for Bischoff's defense, he was asked to give his name, which he did. He was immediately accused of perjury and disqualified as a witness, as McMahon broke kayfabe and stated Masters' real name as being Chris Mordetsky.
In wrestling
Nicknames
- "The Living, Breathing Statue"
- "The Matrix"
- "Superfreak"
- "Work of Art"
- "The Masterpiece"
- "Roman General"
Previous manager(s)
Signature and finishing maneuvers
- The Master Lock / Pumping (Iron) Cross (Swinging full nelson submission)
- Double axe handle attack
- Millitary press slam
- Delayed vertical suplex
- Torture rack / Argentine neckbreaker
Championships and accomplishments
- 1-time OVW Southern Tag Champion (with Brent Albright)