Born in the charming city of Waterbury, Connecticut, a place that would later shape the trajectory of his life, a first-generation Portuguese American, with roots that would influence his journey and character.
As a young man, he embarked on a professional wrestling career in 1992, on his 19th birthday, marking the beginning of a journey that would take him to the pinnacle of success.
In June 2000, he achieved a significant milestone, winning the ECW heavyweight championship of the world, a title that would cement his status as a wrestling legend, defeating the formidable Tommy Dreamer in the process.
Throughout his illustrious career, he also held the ECW world tag team championship on two occasions, alongside his partner Lance Storm, known collectively as the Impact Players, a duo that would leave an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.
In addition to his tag team success, he was an eight-time World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore champion, a testament to his versatility and adaptability in the ring.
After an illustrious career spanning over two decades, he retired from active competition in 2016, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for generations to come.
Currently, he is working on a documentary/bio, titled "Credible Recovery & Redemption," which is in production, offering a glimpse into the highs and lows of his life, both in and out of the ring.
Outside of the wrestling world, he is a devoted husband to his beautiful wife, Jill Jurecki Polaco, whom he has been married to for 22 years, and a loving father to their three children, Nicholas, Jenna, and Christian.