RJ City
| RJ City | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 July 1988 Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | RJ City RJ Metropolis |
| Billed height | 6'2 |
| Billed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Debut | 2006 |
RJ Skinner, better known by the ring name RJ City, is a Canadian/American semi-retired professional wrestler, and current television personality working as an on-screen interviewer signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[1] He previously worked on the independent circuit.[2]
RJ City began hosting pre-show segments alongside Renee Paquette on June 25, 2023, at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.[3][4] He also hosts several shows on AEW's YouTube channel including Hey! (EW).[5][6]
Professional Wrestling Career[edit]
Skinner began training to be a professional wrestler after graduating high school. His trainers were John Rambo and Johnny Wave. His first match was an unpaid dark match against Joey Valentyne on August 19, 2006. After the short match, both competitors were squashed by a larger, unnamed wrestler. Skinner was an active in-ring competitor on the independent wrestling circuit. He has also wrestled matches in IWC, Impact, and Ring of Honor. He notably appeared on Impact Wrestling in 2018, teaming with David Arquette.[7]
When asked about his current professional wrestling career status in an interview with Fightful, Skinner has stated that he is not retired, along with the following: "I just got paid more to do other things in wrestling that's not wrestling, not that I won't. There is an argument that when I wrestle, I'm not wrestling."[8]
Wrestling Titles[9][10] and Rankings[edit]
| Title | Duration |
| CW Heavyweight Championship | 0 (+ ?) days |
| DWW Championship | 140 days |
| ESW Heavyweight Championship | 189 days |
| ESW Interstate Championship | 371 days |
| ESW Tag Team Championship | 965 days |
| GCW National Championship | 951 days |
| GCW Ontario Independent Championship | 18 days |
| Greektown Cup Championship | 235 days |
| IWC Super Indy Championship | 308 days |
| IWC World Heavyweight Championship | <1 day |
In 2008 and 2009, RJ City earned Most Improved Wrestler of the Year by Ontario Indy Awards. From 2011 to 2022, RJ City was ranked among Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers, ranking from 226 to 387[11][12].
Feud with David Arquette[edit]
Skinner is best known for his feud, and eventual tag-team partnership, with actor and former WCW Heavyweight Champion, David Arquette. In late 2018, Arquette had expressed an interest in making an in-ring wrestling return and began training with Peter Avalon. Arquette's wrestling comeback was documented in You Cannot Kill David Arquette. Ben Joseph, a writer and fan of RJ City, suggested Arquette follow RJ City on Twitter. After several Twitter exchanges with Arquette, Skinner called out Arquette on his weekly YouTube live stream, RJ Makes Coffee in his Underwear. The two exchanged insults on Twitter in both videos and tweets and Skinner slapped Arquette at the red carpet premier for 350 Days, further publicizing their ongoing feud[13]. Behind the scenes, Skinner helped train and mentor Arquette and the two became close friends[14]. On July 15, 2018, the two faced off in a match for the promotion Championship Wrestling From Hollywood (CWFH) with Skinner taking the win. The two then wrestled as a tag team, sometimes referred to as Arquette City, until their final match together on New Year's Day 2020, which resulted in a win for the duo[15].
Other Media and Appearances[edit]
RJ Makes Coffee in His Underwear[edit]
RJ is the illustrious host of the weekly YouTube series RJ Makes Coffee in his Underwear where he prepares and drinks coffee in his underwear. Skinner initially joked about the idea for the show on Twitter and following encouragement from professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer, began the series in February of 2018[16]. RJ engages in humorous and candid conversations with subscribers in the live chat and often discusses various topics, including wrestling, pop culture, and personal anecdotes. The informal setting and RJ's unique charm make the show entertaining and relatable, as he interacts with viewers and shares his morning routine in a relaxed, down-to-earth manner. Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mario Cantone have notably appeared on the series.[17] Rootless Coffee Co. now sells RJ City Coffee called Hi, Anxiety,which features the dark roast favored by Skinner.
Celebrity Family Feud[edit]
In Season 7 Episode 7 of Celebrity Family Feud, Skinner competed as part of Team Arquette, which also consisted of professional wrestlers David Arquette, Jack Perry, Peter Avalon, and Dalton Castle[18]. Team Arquette competed against Team Reubens consisting of Paul Reubens, Jackée Harry, Joe Manganiello, Drew Carey, and S. Epatha Merkerson. Team Arquette took the win with Arquette and Skinner dominating the Fast Money portion. The episode aired on July 25, 2021.
More Content with RJ City[edit]
Skinner hosted a weekly podcast called More Content with RJ City where he delved into various topics, often related to childhood memories, contemporary reflections, and experiences with anxiety. The podcast aired live on Spotify Live (previously called Spotify Greenroom) and premiered on March 1, 2021. Skinner produced a total of 50 episodes.
WWE Digital Content[edit]
Skinner also produced various digital content for WWE from 2020-2021, appearing primarily as a host and interviewer. Skinner participated in pay-per-view watch alongs and wrote sketches for WrestleMania After Dark with RJ City, which premiered on WWE's YouTube channel immediately following WrestleMania 37. He also made regular appearances on The Bump, where he had a recurring segment called Wednesday Morning Wake-Up, where he interviewed WWE Superstars and celebrities. Skinner engaged with WWE Superstars in humorous and entertaining interviews, adding a unique flair by providing a blend of comedy and insight, making his segments popular among fans.
RJ City: Wrestling Raconteur Documentary[edit]
In 2021, Skinner was the subject of RJ City: Wrestling Raconteur, a Fight Network documentary that explored his life and career, delving into his journey in the wrestling industry, highlighting his unique blend of wrestling and entertainment. The documentary showcases his witty personality, his experiences in and out of the ring, and his ability to captivate audiences with both his athletic and storytelling skills. Through interviews and behind-the-scene footage, the documentary provides and in-depth look at Skinner's multifaceted career and his contributions to the world of wrestling.
You Cannot Kill David Arquette Documentary[edit]
Skinner played a significant supporting role in the 2020 documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette as David Arquette's friend and wrestling partner. He is featured prominently throughout the film, providing guidance and support to Arquette as he navigated the challenges of re-entering the wrestling world. Skinner helped train Arquette, offering both technical advice and moral support. Their camaraderie and interactions added depth to the documentary, showcasing Skinner's role as a mentor and collaborator in Arquette's journey to regain credibility and respect in professional wrestling. Skinner has a consulting producer credit in the film.[19]
The Cynical Crafter[edit]
From 2016-2019, Skinner was the host of CBC Life's The Cynical Crafter, a YouTube series where he brought a humorous and often sarcastic perspective to crafting projects with his comedic commentary and playful antics which appealed to a broader audience beyond traditional craft enthusiasts.
Splatalot![edit]
Skinner played the character of Gildar, a narcissistic viking, on the syndicated children's obstacle-based game show Splatalot! that originally aired on Canadian Television from 2011-2013. Gildar's role was that of a Defender, whose job was to protect the castle and challenge the contestants, known as the Attackers, who are trying to conquer various obstacles. Skinner's character brought humor and a playful yet competitive spirit to the show, engaging in banter with both the contestants and fellow Defenders while trying to thwart the Attackers' progress.
Popular Culture[edit]
RJ City is known to have received a Rock Bottom from Elmo with many memes circulating on the internet.
Filmography[20][edit]
In addition to appearing in multiple professional wrestling promotions online and on television, Skinner has acted in series and films. Skinner is an ACTRA union member.[21] In 2014, Skinner won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Children's Nonfiction for his role as Gildar in Splatalot!.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | RJ City: Wrestling Raconteur | Self/RJ City |
| 2020 | You Cannot Kill David Arquette | Self/RJ City |
| 2016 | The Masked Saint | Iceman |
| 2015 | Murdoch Mysteries (1 episode) | The Gladiator |
| 2013 | Club Utopia | Steve (Bouncer #1) |
| 2012 | My Babysitter's a Vampire (1 episode) | Egyptian Guard #1 |
| 2011 | The Big Smoke | Wrestler |
| 2011 | Monster Brawl | Mummy & Werewolf |
| 2011-2013 | Splatalot! (series regular) | Gildar |
References[edit]
- ^ Hetfield, James (May 16, 2024). "AEW Announces New YouTube Series Hosted By Renee Paquette And RJ City - PWMania - Wrestling News". Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Djeljosevic, Danny (October 27, 2023). "10 Things AEW Fans Should Know About RJ City". TheSportster. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Wolstanholme, Danny (June 25, 2023). "AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door 2023 Results 6/25: Danielson Vs. Okada & More". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "RJ City: Pro wrestling and entertainment's rising star". June 27, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Jon Moxley: Take Twitter Off Your Phone. Throw It In The Garbage. We Don't Need Twitter | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Hetfield, James (May 16, 2024). "AEW Announces New YouTube Series Hosted By Renee Paquette And RJ City - PWMania - Wrestling News". Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "RJ City talks David Arquette, showtunes, and climbing the stairway to obscurity - Slam Wrestling". November 17, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ "RJ City: I'm Not Retired, I Just Got Paid More To Do Other Things In Wrestling That's Not Wrestling | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "RJ City". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ [cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=7788&page=11 "RJ City Titles"]. Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "RJ City Awards". Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "PWI Ratings for R.J. City". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "David Arquette Pimp Slapped at Movie Premiere". TMZ. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "RJ City talks David Arquette, showtunes, and climbing the stairway to obscurity". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "RJ City". Cagematch: The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- ^ "RJ City talks David Arquette, showtunes, and climbing the stairway to obscurity - Slam Wrestling". November 17, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Upton, Felix (July 21, 2020). "Randy Orton Offers To Put In A Good Word To Get RJ City Into WWE NXT". Ringside News. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ Crowley, Liam (July 23, 2021). "AEW Stars Jungleboy, Peter Avalon Appearing On Celebrity Family Feud". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "RJ Skinner | Actor, Producer". IMDb. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "RJ Skinner | Actor, Producer". IMDb. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ LLC, Stage 32. "R.J. Skinner - R.J.'s Bio, Credits, Awards, and more". Stage 32. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)