Joshua Norman Lomberger (born November 25, 1980), is a professional wrestling personality from Schererville, Indiana who appears on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) television under the name of Josh Mathews. Josh was a runner-up to Maven and Nidia in the first Tough Enough in 2001. Despite being quite small, Josh held his own on the show, impressing trainer Al Snow with his commitment to making it in the business.
| Josh Lomberger | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1980 Sea Isle City, New Jersey |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name | Josh Mathews |
| Billed height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Billed weight | 143 lb (65 kg) |
| Trained by | Al Snow, Tazz, Ivory |
Lomberger gained some in-ring experience on the independent circuit and in the X Wrestling Federation, which was run by former WWE manager Jimmy Hart. Although he did not win the first "Tough Enough" competition, Josh was eventually hired by the WWE as an announcer/interviewer for the SmackDown! brand and was an announcer on Velocity.
Mathews was given some limited ring-time on SmackDown! when JBL slapped Josh Mathews for not showing some respect to his chief of staff Orlando Jordan when he was interviewing him. He later offered and was accepted to be Booker T's temporary partner for a tag team match at Smackdown! Eventually Booker T and he won that match.
He was later assaulted by Orlando Jordan and requested from General Manager Theodore Long that he be given a one-on-one match against Jordan. This was partially due to Booker T's insistence. Booker wanted to be at ringside during the Mathews-Jordan match, as JBL would no doubt be present, and would give Booker T an excuse to beat down JBL before their match at Survivor Series. Mathews would once again emerge victorious against Orlando Jordan, with some considerable help from Booker T.
In the past, Mathews also was assaulted in the ring by Heidenreich and was spat in the face by Carlito with an apple, for trying to act "cool" when he was not. He was also attacked by Kurt Angle and possessed by The Undertaker on the December 9, 2005 edition of Friday Night SmackDown! while interviewing Randy Orton.
Mathews was a commentator on WWE Velocity. He also handles the occasional backstage interview and fills in as commentator or ring announcer on Smackdown! when needed. Later in his career, Josh interviewed former WWE referee Tim White to set up a Hell in the Cell match later in the evening. In the interview White explained that the match ruined his life by giving him injuries and even contributing to his IBS. White then attempted to commit suicide, but was unsuccessful. This started a WWE.COM exclusive storyline in which White tried to commit suicide a different way each week, while Mathews tried to stop him. In the last WWE.COM exclusive video, White, during a "Celebration of Life" party, turned the tables and killed an unsuspecting Mathews with a shotgun. Josh then disappeared from WWE television, which in turn, started rumors that he had been fired. WWE quickly dismissed the rumors by saying Mathews was still on board. Currently, Josh can be seen on International Editions of the The WWE Experience. He has yet to be seen on his assigned show, Friday Night Smackdown! since the "killing". Josh Mathews can still be seen on WWE Afterburn. He hosted the WWE Fantasy Weekly Webcast for week 3 of season 8 of the WWE Fantasy Salary Cap game.
Quotes
- "Let the bodies hit the floor on Saturday night!"
- During the ECW One Night Stand 2005 build up when ECW wrestlers appeared on Velocity in reference to the Drowning Pool song "Bodies" which was used for the PPV.
- "Its breaking down on Velocity!"
- During Velocity usually when all the participants of a tag match get in the ring at once and attack each other.
- In reference to Jamie Noble
- "[Wrestler's Name]'s spending more time on the canvas than Picasso!"
- Usually talking about a jobber while he's getting severely beaten up.
- "Mr. White, that's not wise!"
- Repeated whenever he catches Tim White trying to commit suicide.
- "I'm gonna go get help!"
- Repeated after he catches Tim White trying to commit suicide
- "Billy Kidman's about to pull the R-button on his Gamecube!"
- Josh exclaims this when Billy Kidman attempts his finishing manuever, the Shooting Star Press.
- "My grandfather doesn't stay up late enough to watch Velocity to know what the hell you're talking about!"
- Josh ranting against Steve Romero for his old references that only older people understand what Romero is talking about.
- "Sanchez Ramirez"
- Josh's nickname for his WWE Velocity broadcast partner, Steve Romero.
- "Shannon "All That And" Moore"
- Josh's nickname for Shannon Moore
- "Jamie "By God" Noble"
- Josh's nickname for Jamie Noble
Kayfabe injuries and insults
- Getting slapped in the head by JBL
- Getting phyically bullied by Orlando Jordan
- Being powerslammed by Heidenreich
- Getting attacked, Angle Slammed and having the ankle lock applied to on him by Kurt Angle
- Getting slapped in the face by Sable, while she was in a food fight with then Smackdown! GM, Stephanie McMahon.
- Getting an apple spat at him by Carlito
- Getting physically shoved by Tim White in several Lunch Time Suicides, while he was trying to kill himself.
- Getting shot in the shoulder with a rifle by Tim White
- Being possessed by The Undertaker
- Being forced by Queen Sharmell to kiss King Booker's hand during a press confrence
Personal life
Josh is married to former WWE television host Rue DeBona. He has a brother who auditioned for WWE Tough Enough 2.
Has a desisned tattoo on one of his arms.