Josh Lomberger (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Josh 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.

Career

Josh was a runner-up to Maven and Nidia in the first WWE Tough Enough in 2001. Despite being quite small, Josh held his own on the show, impressing trainers Al Snow and Tazz with his commitment to making it in the business. Despite not winning the first Tough Enough competition, he has actually lasted longer in World Wrestling Entertainment than any other contestant from the various seasons of the series.

After Tough Enough, Lomberger gained some in-ring experience on the independent circuit and in the X Wrestling Federation, which was run by former WWF manager Jimmy Hart. Although he did not win the first Tough Enough competition, Josh was eventually hired by World Wrestling Entertainment as an announcer/interviewer for the SmackDown! brand and was an announcer on WWE 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 on an episode of Smackdown! Booker T and he won ultimately 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 him. Booker T 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 2004. Mathews would once again emerge victorious against Orlando Jordan, with some considerable help from Booker T. He also tried to help Booker in his WWE Title match at Survivor Series 2004, but was given a Clothesline from Hell by JBL for his efforts.

In the past, Mathews has been assaulted in the ring by Heidenreich and was spat in the face by Carlito with an apple, for trying to act "cool." 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.

Lunchtime Suicide

At Armageddon 2005, Josh interviewed former WWE referee Tim White to set up a Hell in a 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 irritable bowel syndrome. White then attempted to commit suicide, but was unsuccessful. This started a WWE.com exclusive storyline called "Lunchtime Suicide" in which White tried to commit suicide a different way each week, while Mathews tried to stop him. In the final episode, White, during a "Celebration of Life" party, turned the tables and shot an unsuspecting (and drunk) 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, however, he has not been seen on Friday Night SmackDown! since the shooting.

Recent Work

Josh Mathews can still be seen on International Editions of the The WWE Experience, and WWE Afterburn. He hosted the WWE Fantasy Weekly Webcast for week 3 of season 8 of the WWE Fantasy Salary Cap game. He also filled in for an absent Todd Grisham on a summer 2006 episode of RAW. On November 19, 2006, his name was removed from the SmackDown superstar list on WWE.com.

It has been reported that Josh's recent duties are involved with the WWE 24/7 video on demand cable service.

On December 13, 2006, Josh was legitimately punched in the mouth by Finlay during the Armageddon 2006 press conference, drawing blood. The incident was unplanned and Josh was reportedly very upset over the incident afterwards.

On the March 9, 2007 edition of Heat, Mathews was heard commentating alongside Jonathan Coachman substituting for Todd Grisham. On Heat that night, they claimed that Grisham was on vacation.

On April 1, 2007 Josh Mathews and Maria hosted the Wrestlemania 23 preshow on WWE.com

On the April 20 and April 27, 2007 edition's of Heat, Mathews filled in at commentary alongside Jack Korpela in the European tour due to the fact that Todd Grisham filled in for Lillian Garcia as ring announcer who had undergone surgery.

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 many times by Queen Sharmell to kiss King Booker's hand during press conferences.
Getting knocked out by Finlay during the 2006 Armegedon press conference.

Personal life

Josh is married to former WWE television host Rue DeBona. He has a brother who auditioned for WWE Tough Enough 2.

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