Justin Credible Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 9, 2024
Justin Credible Then
Peter Joseph “PJ” Polaco, better known by his ring name Justin Credible, was born on October 16, 1973, in Waterbury, Connecticut, United States.
Polaco’s journey into professional wrestling began in 1992 when he traveled to Alberta, Canada, to train at the prestigious Hart Brothers Training Camp.
Although the camp was nominally run by Keith Hart, Polaco was mainly trained by his future tag team partner, Lance Storm, and fellow wrestling star Chris Jericho.
Both Jericho and Storm had completed the program the year before, and they played a significant role in shaping Polaco’s early development as a wrestler.
After completing his training, Polaco wrestled unpaid under the name P.J. Walker and worked with New England–based wrestling promotions, setting up rings and honing his craft before making his mark on the bigger stage.
Justin Credible Wrestling Career
Polaco’s first major exposure came when he began working as an enhancement talent for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1993.
His debut match took place on the March 1, 1993, episode of Monday Night Raw, where he lost to Lex Luger.
Despite sporadic appearances, Polaco’s time as an enhancement talent gave him valuable exposure, including a surprise win over Irwin R. Schyster on Raw.
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In 1994, Polaco signed a full-time contract with WWF, where he was given the character Aldo Montoya, the “Portuguese Man O’ War,” inspired by his Portuguese heritage.
His first televised win as Montoya came on November 14, 1994, against The Brooklyn Brawler.
Despite being part of notable storylines and events, including the Royal Rumble and In Your House, Polaco’s character was often criticized, with his mask being likened to a “jockstrap” by fellow wrestlers.
In 1997, Polaco joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) under the guidance of Paul Heyman, who rebranded him as Justin Credible.
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ECW allowed Polaco to showcase his true potential, and he enjoyed a significant career resurgence, including a lengthy feud with Tommy Dreamer and Raven.
Polaco became one of the promotion’s top stars, forming a successful tag team called The Impact Players with Lance Storm and winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship twice in 2000.
He also captured the ECW World Heavyweight Championship at the CyberSlam event, cementing his place as a major player in the wrestling world.
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Following ECW’s closure in 2001, Polaco briefly returned to the WWF and later competed in several independent promotions, including Ring of Honor and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
He also had a brief stint with WWE in 2006 during the revival of the ECW brand.
Throughout his career, Justin Credible became known for his resilience, work ethic, and ability to adapt to different wrestling environments, making a lasting impact on the wrestling industry.
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Justin Credible Wrestling Competition
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE)
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- Ring of Honor (ROH)
- Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- Independent Wrestling Promotions (various)
- International Wrestling Association (IWA)
- Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS)
- Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)
- Evolve Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG)
- Chikara
- Major League Wrestling (MLW)
- National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
- Hardcore Roadtrip
- Northeast Wrestling (NEW)
- Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW)
Justin Credible Retirment
In 2015, Peter Polaco, best known as Justin Credible, officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling.
His final match took place on November 20, 2015, at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event, where he faced his long-time rival Tommy Dreamer.
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This match symbolized the culmination of a storied career, as Credible and Dreamer had shared many intense battles during their time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
Polaco’s retirement reflected the toll that years of grueling matches had taken on his body and the end of an era for a wrestler who had been a prominent figure in the wrestling world for over two decades.
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Justin Credible Now
At 50 years old, Peter Polaco, better known by his ring name Justin Credible, remains a celebrated figure in the world of professional wrestling.
Although officially retired, his legacy, especially through his work with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), continues to be influential.
Polaco first gained prominence in the WWF during the mid-1990s under the persona Aldo Montoya, the “Portuguese Man O’ War.”
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While the character did not reach the heights of main-event stardom, it laid the foundation for what would become one of his most successful and iconic runs in wrestling.
Justin Credible truly found his footing in ECW, where he became one of the promotion’s most recognizable and accomplished stars.
His aggressive, no-nonsense persona and in-ring skill made him a formidable competitor, earning him the ECW World Heavyweight Championship and multiple tag team titles alongside Lance Storm as part of The Impact Players.
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His feuds with ECW legends such as Tommy Dreamer, Raven, and The Sandman helped define the rebellious and hardcore spirit of ECW during its heyday.
Despite ECW’s eventual closure, Justin Credible’s contributions to the company have made him a lasting part of wrestling history.
Today, while Justin Credible no longer competes regularly, he remains active in the wrestling business, appearing at conventions, special events, and independent shows.
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His presence in the wrestling community serves as a reminder of his enduring impact, and his experience is often sought after for advice, training, and commentary within the industry.
Though retired from full-time competition, Justin Credible’s legacy as one of ECW’s top stars continues to resonate with fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
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FAQs
Justin Credible (Peter Polaco) is from Waterbury, Connecticut, United States.
Justin Credible is retired from full-time wrestling but remains active in the wrestling industry, making appearances at conventions and independent shows.
Justin Credible is not known for playing music professionally; his career is primarily in professional wrestling.
Yes, Justin Credible was associated with the Kliq, an influential backstage group in WWE, during his time in the company. He was mentored by Razor Ramon (Scott Hall), a key member of the Kliq.