Joel Gertner, a distinguished and accomplished American professional wrestling personality, has made a lasting impact on the industry through his multifaceted career as an announcer, color commentator, and manager.
Notably, his most notable and enduring affiliation has been with Extreme Championship Wrestling, a prominent professional wrestling promotion, from 1995 to 2001, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's identity and aesthetic.
The illustrious career of Gertner in the realm of professional wrestling unfolded in 1992, when at the tender age of 17, he embarked on a journey that would forever alter the landscape of his life. It was during this pivotal moment that he made his debut, donning the persona of "Joey Jaguar," a heel announcer of considerable notoriety.
As "Joey Jaguar," Gertner's character was notorious for issuing veiled threats to the wrestlers, a tactic that inevitably led to his downfall. His words, laced with malice and hostility, would often prove to be his undoing, as he would subsequently find himself on the receiving end of a merciless beating.
This recurring pattern of behavior, wherein Gertner's character would engage in provocative banter, only to be subsequently punished for his actions, served as the foundation upon which his wrestling persona was built. And so, his career in professional wrestling was marked by a delicate balance of bravado and vulnerability, as he navigated the complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined his time in the ring.
Gertner's educational journey commenced at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York, where he spent his formative years acquiring a solid foundation in academics.
As he transitioned to higher education, Gertner enrolled at Cornell University in 1993, eager to further his knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects.
However, as his professional wrestling career began to take off, Gertner's academic pursuits started to take a backseat. The demands of his wrestling bookings increasingly clashed with his academic schedule, ultimately leading him to make the difficult decision to drop out of Cornell in the spring of 1996.
Despite falling just one year short of earning a bachelor's degree, Gertner's wrestling career continued to flourish, and he went on to achieve great success in the world of professional wrestling.
As he pursued his academic endeavors at Cornell, it is noteworthy that Gertner simultaneously devoted a significant amount of time and energy to his extracurricular activities, specifically focusing on his role at the university's radio station.
Gertner's journey with Extreme Championship Wrestling commenced during the sweltering summer of 1995, marking the onset of his tenure as a ring announcer. It was approximately around this pivotal juncture that Shane Douglas' influence led Gertner to transform into a heel persona, prompting him to adopt a provocative and antagonistic demeanor.
As he began taunting and ridiculing the babyface wrestlers during their introductions, Gertner's actions frequently instigated a strong sense of indignation and righteous fury within the faces, often prompting them to seek retribution against him.
Noted for his peculiar behavior, Gertner was subsequently assigned the role of color commentator by the dynamic duo of Taz and Bill Alfonso, in a deliberate effort to offset the perceived prejudice exhibited by Joey Styles, the established announcer.
Noteworthy was Gertner's ingenious habit of crafting engaging introductions, which often incorporated clever limericks teeming with subtle yet tantalizing sexual innuendos, thereby captivating the audience and establishing himself as a fan favorite.
Gertner's impressive career trajectory continued to unfold as he seamlessly transitioned into a management role, expertly guiding the esteemed The Dudley Boyz, while simultaneously showcasing his remarkable ring announcing skills. This multifaceted endeavor earned him the prestigious and memorable nickname "Studley Dudley," a testament to his remarkable versatility and dedication to his craft.
The Dudley Boyz, a legendary tag team in the world of professional wrestling, squared off against The Eliminators in a thrilling match for the coveted ECW World Tag Team Championship at Barely Legal.
Tommy Dreamer, also known as Gertner, played a pivotal role in a six-man tag team match at the 1998's Heat Wave event, where he engaged in a verbal sparring match with the head ECW referee, John Finnigan. Gertner's taunts and insults towards Finnigan escalated the tension, leading to a dramatic turn of events in the match.
As the action unfolded, Gertner found himself in a precarious situation, hung upside down in the tree of woe. Finnigan seized the opportunity to exact revenge, delivering a swift and vicious blow to Gertner's face using a steel chair. Despite the intense "injury," Gertner persevered and continued to lead The Dudley Boyz, a formidable tag team, to a record-breaking eight ECW Tag Team Title reigns.
The Dudley Boyz's impressive title reigns came to an end when they decided to depart the ECW promotion and join the WWE. Gertner's impressive in-ring career and leadership skills played a significant role in The Dudley Boyz's success, cementing his place in the annals of ECW history.
As the Dudleys bid their farewell, Paul Heyman's protégé, Joey Gertner, seized the opportunity to embark on a new venture, joining forces with the esteemed commentator, Joey Styles, to form a dynamic broadcasting duo on ECW on TNN. This marked a significant turning point in Gertner's career, as he underwent a transformation from a heel to a fan favorite, and in doing so, found himself at odds with the enigmatic Cyrus, representing The Network.
As his feud with Cyrus intensified, Gertner discovered an unexpected ally in his broadcast partner, the one-time rival, Joey Styles, who had long since set aside their differences to form a formidable partnership, with Gertner's newfound popularity as the catalyst for their unlikely alliance.
The animosity between Gertner and Cyrus reached a boiling point at Anarchy Rulz, ultimately resulting in a highly anticipated one-on-one showdown between the two adversaries.
Mike Gertner's tenure with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) came to a close on April 4, 2001, marking the end of an era for the professional wrestling promotion. On the occasion of ECW's final pay-per-view event, Guilty As Charged, Gertner made a lasting impression, commencing a promo that would be etched in the memories of fans forever. However, his poignant speech was abruptly interrupted by Cyrus and Da Baldies, who launched a vicious attack on the unsuspecting Gertner.
In a dramatic turn of events, Gertner would later reappear during the main event, exacting revenge on his tormentors by targeting Cyrus and ultimately playing a pivotal role in Rob Van Dam's decisive Van Terminator maneuver on Jerry Lynn.
