Justin Gabriel Then and Now

Justin Gabriel Then

Phillip Paul Lloyd, born on March 3, 1981, in Cape Town, South Africa, is a prominent professional wrestler known by his ring name Justin Gabriel. 

His early life was deeply rooted in wrestling, thanks to his family’s involvement in the sport. 

Lloyd’s father, a South African promoter and wrestler known as The Pink Panther was a significant influence on his career. 

His grandfather was also involved in combat sports, having been a professional boxer and amateur wrestler. 

Growing up, Lloyd was immersed in wrestling from a young age, often practicing in the backyard of his home where two rings were set up for training. 

Tragically, during his final year of high school, Lloyd witnessed his father being shot and killed, a traumatic event that profoundly affected him. 

Shortly after this tragedy, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue further training and opportunities in professional wrestling.

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Justin Gabriel Wrestling Career

Lloyd’s wrestling career began in earnest when he made his professional debut at the age of 16, initially wrestling under the ring name P. J. Black. 

His early career saw him teaming with Ray Leppan at Pure Juice in South Africa. 

After a period of training in the UK with Frontier Wrestling Alliance and making appearances in International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom, he debuted for World Wrestling Professionals (WWP) in 2005. 

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At WWP, Lloyd achieved notable success, including becoming the inaugural World Cruiserweight Champion in 2007.

In 2008, Lloyd signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), marking a significant step in his career. 

He trained with Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE’s developmental territory, and won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship and the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship. 

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In 2010, he was featured on the first season of WWE NXT as Justin Gabriel, where he finished in third place. 

Gabriel’s WWE career was highlighted by his time with The Nexus and The Corre, and he won the WWE Tag Team Championship three times with Heath Slater.

Following his WWE tenure, Gabriel transitioned to other promotions. In 2015, he briefly appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and won the King of the Mountain Championship. 

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He later joined Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2018, competing in various high-profile matches and feuds, including challenges for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship. 

In 2022, he participated in the tournament for the vacated Impact X Division Championship, continuing his presence in the professional wrestling landscape.

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Justin Gabriel Wrestling Competition

• World Wrestling Professionals (WWP)
  • Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
• Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW)
  • FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time, with Kris Logan)
  • FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times, with Heath Slater)
  • NXT (Season 1, finished 3rd)
• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) / Global Force Wrestling (GFW)
  • King of the Mountain Championship (1 time)
• Ring of Honor (ROH)
  • NWA World Heavyweight Championship (challenger)
  • ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (challenger)
• Impact Wrestling
  • Impact X Division Championship (challenger)

Justin Gabriel Now

As of 2024, Justin Gabriel, now known in the wrestling world as P. J. Black, is a 43-year-old South African-American professional wrestler with a career that has evolved significantly since his early days. 

Born Phillip Paul Lloyd, he initially gained recognition under the ring name Justin Gabriel during his time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 

His WWE tenure was marked by notable achievements, including winning the WWE Tag Team Championship three times with partner Heath Slater and competing prominently in the first season of WWE NXT, where he finished in third place.

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After departing from WWE, Gabriel transitioned to other wrestling promotions. 

He made a notable impact in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he won the King of the Mountain Championship, and later joined Ring of Honor (ROH). 

In ROH, he was challenged for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, further solidifying his reputation in the wrestling industry.

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Currently, Gabriel is wrestling under the ring name P. J. Black, a moniker he adopted to continue his career outside of WWE. 

His work has included appearances in various promotions and continuing to compete at a high level. 

Despite the changes in his ring name and the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, Gabriel’s legacy as a skilled and versatile performer remains strong. 

His journey from a second-generation wrestler, trained by his father, to a prominent figure in the global wrestling scene showcases his enduring talent and adaptability in the sport.

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