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WWE Producer, Adam Pearce, was given a specific set of instructions on the latest episode of SmackDown from WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. The instructions were clear; get a signature from Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, and Bray Wyatt heading into the triple threat match on Sunday at Payback.
Throughout the rest of the episode, we saw Pearce attempting to track down each participant in the match with varying degrees of difficulty in obtaining the signatures. As the episode ended, we saw Pearce finally get a signature from Reigns, who was seated next to Paul Heyman.
Over the last several months, the WWE Universe has seen Pearce have an increased on-screen role on the Blue brand. With his presence on screen, he has almost felt like a de facto authority figure. While he has been a welcomed part of storylines, many fans are asking where did Pearce come from and how did he come to be featured on WWE programming.
Pearce's abilities as a performer have been showcased in the last three episodes of SmackDown in particular. Aside from his duties performed on the latest episode, Pearce has also been the head of the WWE's security team in their efforts to thwart attacks from RETRIBUTION. He was also instrumental in the final moments of the SmackDown episode which featured Wyatt being thrown off of a loading dock onto the concrete floor.
Pearce's insistence on the ambulance carrying Wyatt to a medical facility added to the emotions of the moment. The look on his face when The Fiend emerged from the ambulance provided a dramatic moment for the WWE Universe. As he stood in awe, The Fiend looked more powerful and supernatural than he ever has.
In this article, Pearce's background and the road to WWE will be discussed. Pearce is a professional wrestling lifer and has devoted his career as an in-ring performer, trainer, booker and more.
#5 Pearce started wrestling prior to his high school graduation
Shortly before his high school graduation, Adam Pearce made his professional wrestling debut on May 16,1996. Following his debut match, Pearce began wrestling for independent wrestling promotions across the state of Wisconsin.
His career would see him branch out to surrounding states, including Michigan where he began wrestling for Northern States Wrestling Alliance. Pearce's early time in professional wrestling would be a precursor for his lengthy in-ring career.
Adam Pearce began professional wrestling training in 1995 after being diagnosed with Acute Muscular Compartment Syndrome, which forced him to have surgery and undergo intense physical therapy. Pearce met with professional wrestling trainers Sonny Rogers and Randy Ricci during his rehabilitation. After competing as a two-sport athlete in high school, playing both football and baseball, Pearce stopped playing sports following his diagnosis.
His in-ring career would span 18 years, mostly on the independent professional wrestling scene where he excelled throughout his career.
#4: Pearce was a part of WWE previously
Adam Pearce, just one year into his professional wrestling career, was presented with the opportunity to be a part of WWE in 1997. At the time, the World Wrestling Federation, primarily used Pearce as an enhancement talent.
In an interview posted on WWE.com, Pearce discussed how he was introduced to the world of WWE.
“When WWE came through the area, Chief Jay Strongbow would get a hold of Sonny and say he needed a crew of guys.”
During the WWF days, Pearce would go on to face The Nation of Domination and the Truth Commission. With only a little over a year in professional wrestling, the opportunity offered Pearce an experience many wrestlers weren't offered.
“It was a hugely important part of my life and development. To get that experience and see how the machine worked at the time, at 18 years old, is incredible. I think back now on how lucky I was.”
Pearce would move on to pursue opportunities on the independent wrestling scene in 2000.
#3: Pearce twice turned down opportunities to go to WCW
Adam Pearce, following his three-year off and on tenure with the WWF, would be presented with an opportunity to head down south and join World Championship Wrestling (WCW). One of the instrumental influences in Pearce working in the WWF, Terry Taylor, went to WCW and his interest in Pearce followed.
Pearce attended the WCW Power Plant, where he impressed trainers. As a result, Pearce was offered the opportunity to go to Atlanta and offered a developmental contract in 1999. Pearce would decline the offer and spoke of his decision in his interview with WWE.com.
“I just wasn’t mature enough at that point to pack up and move to Atlanta. Plus, I was engaged at the time, and the family of my bride-to-be, who I didn’t end up marrying, was completely against the idea of their daughter moving from Chicago to Atlanta with some punk wrestler kid. It wasn’t the right time, so I declined politely.”
In 2000, Pearce was offered another opportunity to sign with WCW but declined due to the environment of the company at the time.
#2: Pearce had a prominent run in Ring of Honor
Adam Pearce debuted for Ring of Honor in September 2005. Pearce debuted at the promotion's Glory by Honor IV event, leading to a lengthy run with the company.
During his time with ROH, Pearce worked with fellow wrestling lifer Jim Cornette and the two were involved in a storyline in which Pearce was unhappy about not receiving title opportunities or quality opponents. The two would move past their differences to join forces against Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW).
Following their battles with CZW, Pearce would go on to be involved in prominent matches against some of professional wrestling's most notable names. He would go on to have matches with or against the likes of Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan), Homicide, and current IMPACT Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards.
Pearce becomes booker
In 2008, Pearce would become the head booker for the promotion. While he continued to compete in the ring occasionally, his primary role was that of a backstage figure. He would leave ROH in August 2010.
#1: Pearce was a 5-time NWA Heavyweight Champion
Throughout Adam Pearce's journey through professional wrestling, he competed across the world and worked in promotions of various sizes. In 2006, he got the opportunity in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
During a tumultuous time for the promotion, the establishment of a champion that could restore the prestige of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship was desperately needed. After several feuds in the promotion, Pearce would defeat Brent Albright to capture the title in 2007.
A title that was once held by wrestling legends such as Sting, Ric Flair, and Dusty Rhodes was now in the possession of Pearce. In his interview with WWE.com, he would discuss the importance of the NWA in professional wrestling.
“I understand the argument that when Crockett sold to Ted Turner, it was the end of the NWA. In reality, it wasn’t, but on that mainstream level, it was. It continued to exist and helped a lot of people, including me.”
In a nod to previous champions, he would go on to be a fighting champion. During his five title reigns, he would defend the belt across the globe.
“The normal independent wrestler isn’t getting on a plane and being gone four to five days a week. I was always in Mexico and Canada. I’m not patting myself on the back, but I worked hard.”
