Brian Christopher Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 11, 2024
Brian Christopher Then
Brian Christopher Lawler, born on January 10, 1972, in Memphis, Tennessee, was destined to enter the world of professional wrestling given his family’s deep roots in the industry.
His father, Jerry Lawler, is a renowned wrestling legend and a key figure in the sport’s history.
Brian’s journey into wrestling began early, and his initial foray into the ring was as one-half of the masked tag team “The Twilight Zone” alongside Tony Williams.
Under the ring names Nebula and Quasar, the duo made their mark before unmasking and continuing their careers separately.
Brian’s early years in wrestling were marked by a series of local promotions and regional successes, establishing his presence under the moniker “Too Sexy” Brian Christopher.
His feuds with notable wrestlers such as Jeff Jarrett and Bill Dundee, along with his work in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), set the stage for his later achievements.
His partnership with various wrestlers, including The Rock (then known as Flex Kavana) and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert, further showcased his versatility and growing reputation in the wrestling world.
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Brian Christopher Wrestling Career
Brian Christopher’s career took a significant turn in 1997 when he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Adopting the ring name “Too Sexy” Brian Christopher, competed in the light heavyweight division and participated in a tournament for the Light Heavyweight Championship, which was ultimately won by Taka Michinoku.
Brian’s career in the WWF saw him team up with Scott “Too Hot” Taylor, forming the tag team Too Much, and later, Too Cool, alongside Rikishi.
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The trio became highly popular and successful, capturing the WWF Tag Team Championship in May 2000.
Their entertaining performances and feuds with notable factions, including the McMahon-Helmsley Faction, cemented their place in wrestling history.
However, the team’s run ended when Rikishi turned on his partners following a major storyline involving Stone Cold Steve Austin.
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After a brief stint in the WWE and a release in 2001, Brian continued his wrestling career with various promotions, including World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA) and NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA), where he formed the Next Generation group with David Flair and Erik Watts.
Brian returned to WWE in 2004 but was released shortly after.
He made sporadic returns and reunions with his old tag team partners in subsequent years, with his final matches taking place in 2017 before retiring from active competition.
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Brian Christopher Wrestling Competition
- United States Wrestling Association (USWA)
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF)/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA)
- NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA)
- Independent Circuit
- Hulkamania Let the Battle Begin Tour (2009)
- Big Time Wrestling (2017)
- Georgia Premier Wrestling (2017)
Brian Christopher Now
Brian Christopher Lawler, known in the wrestling world as Brian Christopher, experienced a tragic end to his life on July 29, 2018.
At the age of 46, Lawler was found hanging in his cell at the Hardeman County jail in Tennessee.
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The circumstances surrounding his death were deeply distressing, leading to an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike.
Following his discovery, Lawler was transported to the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis.
Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted an inquiry into the incident, which confirmed the cause of death.
This event marked a somber conclusion to the life of a man who had made significant contributions to professional wrestling through his dynamic performances and memorable character work.
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