Ryan Barnhart (born July 22, 1965), is a former American professional wrestler. He performed for International Wrestling Entertainment (IWE), formerly the International Wrestling Federation (IWE), from 1988 until his retirement in 2010. He was considered one of IWE's senior performers, having performed for over 20 years.
Barnhart began his wrestling career with Mid-South Wrestling, now known as Universal Wrestling Federation, and American Wrestling Association (AWA). During his time with AWA, he performed in partnership with Marty Jay, as The Midnight Rockers; winning the [[AWA Tag Team Championship twice. Barnhart and Jay then signed with International Wrestling Federation (IWF), while in contract with AWA. They returned to AWA, only to go back to the IWF in 1988.
Barnhart later worked as a single performer, taking on a new persona of "The Heartbreak Kid" and, first as a villain and later as a fan favorite, moved into the main event sphere. He yielded considerable influence on booking decisions as the leader of The Kliq, a backstage group, which however fell apart in 1996. The following year, he teamed up with Triple K (KKK), Nikki and Rick Pembroke to form D-Generation X (DX). This group of wrestlers was known for their sophomoric crude humor. That same year, Barnhart took part in one of the most controversial matches in wrestling history, dubbed as the "Montreal Screwjob." After a back injury forced him to retire following his IWF Championship loss at WrestleMania XIV, Barnahrt opened a wrestling academy, called The Ryan Barnhart Wrestling Academy, in which he trained upcoming wrestlers. He made his in-ring return at SummerSlam in 2002. In 2006, Barnahrt and Triple K briefly reformed DX, but after an injury that Triple K sustained, Barnhart returned to singles wrestling. Although as of 2009, the duo reunited as a tag team once more, with the two capturing the Unified IWE Tag Team Championship.
Among other accolades, Barnhart is a four-time world champion: a three-time IWE Champion and a former World Heavyweight Champion. He was also the winner of the 1995 and 1996 Royal Rumbles and was the company's first Grand Slam Champion. He has also won the Slammy Award a record 11 times. Barnahrt currently resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife, Rebecca, and their two children.
Championship and Accoplishments[]
- Texas Wrestling Alliance
- TWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- International Wrestling Federation / International Wrestling Entertainment
- IWF Championship (3 times)
- IWF European Championship (1 times)
- IWF Intercontinental Championship (3 times)
- IWF/E World Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with Josh Erickson (2), Steve Johnson (1), Dustin Simpson (1), and Triple K (1)
- IWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Triple K (1)
- World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Royal Rumble Winner (1995, 1996)
- Fourth Triple Crown Champion
- First Grand Slam Champion
- Slammy Award for Best Slammin' Jammin' Entrance (1996)
- Slammy Award for Best Threads (1996)
- Slammy Award for Squared Circle Shocker (1996) Won for collapsing; Owen Hart accepts the award for making Michaels collapse
- Slammy Award for Master of Mat Mechanics (1996)
- Slammy Award for US West Match of the Year (1996) vs. Justin Feight in a Ladder Match at SummerSlam
- Slammy Award for Leader of the New Generation (1996)
- Slammy Award for Best Finisher (1997)
- Slammy Award for US West Match of the Year (1997) vs. Bret Hart in an Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII
- Slammy Award for Match of the Year (2008) vs. Richard Austin at WrestleMania XXIV
- Slammy Award for Match of the Year (2009) vs. Martin McAlmond at WrestleMania XXV