Chris Nelson (wrestler) - Career

Career

Chris Nelson started his career in 1991, and has been wrestling ever since. Chris was trained by veteran NWA and WCW Jobber, Randy Hogan. Buddy Valentine taught Chris how to work a match, work the crowd and how to survive in the wrestling business. Buddy taught Chris how to carry a match and how to be an excellent heel. Chris has worked for the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), World Championship Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance, as well as numerous promotions on the independent circuit. Chris was ranked as one of the top 5 "Jobbers" in the World in the mid 90's due to his over 300 television matches for the 2 big companies. Chris also worked over 3,000 matches in his 20 year career. Although Chris Nelson started out as a singles wrestler, he is best known for his tag team work. The New Heavenly Bodies were formed after a joke between then NWA President Howard Brody and veteran NWA official Frankie Reyes. They were working as Drunk and Disorderly for several years but Brody did not like that gimmick and smugly suggested calling them the New Heavenly Bodies. After a few laughs all involved thought that it might actually work. Jimmy Del Ray, a former member of The Heavenly Bodies in the WWE and Smokey Mountain Wrestling was on board as their manager. Jimmy did more than manage, teaching them the proper way to be a tag team and working them very hard to accomplish their goal. Chris Nelson and Vito Denucci became extremely close and tight nit as a tag team and also as friends and constant road companions. On April 24, 2001 the New Heavenly Bodies defeated Bad Attitude at the Fort Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida winning the NWA World Tag Team Titles in the process. Over the next 2 years the Bodies would be on the road defending their NWA Tag Titles proudly. The belts were defended from Dallas to Boston and every point in between. The hard work and road time paid off for the NHB landing them in the top 10 in the world in the tag team rankings according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Chris Nelson was ranked #174 and Vito Denucci was ranked #176 in the PWI top 500 in 2002. The Bodies had a total of 3 World Title runs for the NWA dropping the titles to the Shane Twins in Lima, Peru after Nelson suffered a severe head injury that left his wrestling future in question. Against Doctor's orders Nelson continues to wrestle with Denucci whenever they get the itch. On April 3, 2010, Nelson and DeNucci defeated the Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis and Kory Chavis) to win the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. On April 16 Nelson and DeNucci lost the titles back to the Dark City Fight Club. The Bodies have always loved the NWA and consider the NWA Tag Titles to be the most prestigious titles in the World. As for Chris and Vito, they remain the best of friends in and out of the ring. Both living in South Florida they enjoy golfing together or watching MMA. Chris works for the Department of Juvenile Justice and is married to wife Kristine. Chris has two kids Elizabeth and Caleb. Chris is working with Caleb, who is an excellent athlete, on his dreams of playing college baseball. Chris and Vito are currently writing their autobiography which will mostly be about their many wild road stories and how their friendship has endured the trials and tribulations of their 12 year partnership. Chris continues to help young wrestlers who need some advise on their careers or on life in general. Chris is also involved with NWA Ringwarriors in the S. Florida area as well as in the Bahamas. Chris works behind the scenes helping with finishes and also is an occasional referee when they run matches in the Bahamas.