Chris Melendez's life is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up in New York City, Melendez felt compelled by the events of 9/11 and enlisted in the military at 17 years old, serving as an Infantryman.
While serving in Iraq, an improvised explosive device (IED) struck his platoon, and Melendez sustained multiple life-threatening injuries, including the loss of his left leg. Combat Medics struggled to resuscitate him three times before he was stabilized.
Transition to Professional Wrestling
In 2009, Melendez began working in film and television production as a Motion Picture Studio Mechanic. He then began training at a small professional wrestling school in Brooklyn, New York, called The Doghouse.
Melendez was then introduced to Total Nonstop Action wrestlers Ken Anderson (a former Army veteran himself) and Bully Ray through the Wounded Warrior Project. They were impressed by Melendez's physical conditioning and attitude.
Debut of War Hero Chris Melendez on IMPACT WRESTLING (Aug 27, 2014)
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TNA/Impact Wrestling Career
Melendez made his in-ring debut in his hometown of New York City on August 5, 2014, where he defeated The BroMans member DJ Z. On September 17, 2014, at No Surrender, Chris Melendez defeated Kenny King.
MVP and Kenny King offered Melendez to join them. After Melendez declined, King berated Melendez for refusing to join them and attacked him, referring to Melendez as a “peg leg.” King then demanded a referee. MVP's distractions allowed Kenny King to strike from behind as the bell sounded.
King dominated the match, capitalizing on his pre-match antics. Chris hit King with a Fisherman's Suplex. MVP then interfered and Mr. Anderson rushed back into the ring. MVP charged toward Anderson, but Melendez blindsided MVP and sent him out of the ring.
On the October 22, edition of Impact Wrestling, MVP and Kenny King defeated Anderson and Melendez in the first round of the TNA tag team number one contender tournament. During the November 19 Impact Wrestling, Melendez defeated Kenny King via disqualification.
King attempted a springboard attack but Melendez used his prosthetic leg and caught him with a big boot. Melendez connected with a Fisherman's Suplex, then hoisted King onto his shoulders - MVP then interfered, viciously attacking him with a chair, causing King's disqualification leading to a hiatus from TNA.
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Melendez returned to television on the February 20, 2015 taping of Impact Wrestling taking part in a 20-man gauntlet in which he was eliminated by Bram. On March 17, episode of Xplosion, Melendez and Mr. Anderson (accompanied by Bully Ray) defeated The BroMans (accompanied by DJ Z and The Beautiful People).
On September 23, Melendez finally defeated Eric Young in a lumberjack match to get his prosthetic leg back. On January 5-7, 2016, and March 17, 2016, he wrestled his final matches with TNA Wrestling in a losing effort in the feast or fired match, losing to Eric Young at TNA Rival 2016 and winning against Beauregarde at TNA Victory Road 2016.
Post-TNA Career
After departing from TNA, Melendez debuted for Conquer Pro Wrestling on June 4 at CPW We Don't Play Fight, where he won his match against Jack Hurley. Melendez won his debut match on July 9 at Tried-N-True Pro Wrestling's TNT United We Stand event, defeating Mahabali Shera and Tony Kozina in a Three Way match.
On November 19 at TNT/GFW Road To The Gold, Melendez was eliminated by fellow TNA alumni Samuel Shaw in a Tried-N-True Title Tournament Quarter Final match. On December 9, Melendez returned to CPW, where he defeated Jack Hurley to win the CPW Heavyweight Championship for the first time.
On May 20, 2017, Melendez returned to Conquer Pro Wrestling to successfully retain the CPW Heavyweight title against his fellow then Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA) alumnus Samuel Shaw. Over a year later, on June 22, 2018, Melendez returned to CPW, where he successfully retained the brand's heavyweight title, defeating fellow Impact Wrestling alumnus Jesse Neal.
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Amateur Wrestling
2015-16 (NEOA&M): Earned All-American accolades following a fourth place finish at NJCCA Nationals.
2012 - 13 (Labette): Member of the 2013 NJCAA National Championship Team at Labette. Competed exclusively in open tournaments at 141 lbs. Went 7-5 on the year. His only placing came at the OCU Open where he went 4-2 enroute to a 4th place finish.
Broken Arrow High School: Attend Broken Arrow HS where he was a member of four team titles. Placed at the Oklahoma Class 6A Tournament his senior year 132 lbs. (2012).
Football Career
2024: Third Team Freshman All-American honors from Phil Steele College Football Yearbook. One of only nine CAA players selected to an All-American defensive team this season. First Seawolf to receive Freshman All-American recognition from Phil Steele since Tyler King in 2021. Appeared in all 12 games during Stony Brook’s turnaround season. Led all team newcomers with 18 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Scored a scoop-and-score touchdown in the victory over Stonehill and recorded his first career sack. Posted a career-high four tackles vs.
AT EAST ISLIP: Staying on Long Island, Regis was named the New York State Player of the Year this past season. Two-time First-Team All-State selection and has won the Hansen Award, Burnett Award and Zellner Award, with all three honoring top players in Suffolk County. Won the 2023 State Championship and compiled a 51-1 record in the 2022-23 wrestling season.
2008: Played and started in the first seven games of the season before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Led the team in passing with 1,163 yards. Completed 127 of 190 passes (66.8%) and threw four scoring strikes. Posted his best game of the year against Albany, completing 27 of 38 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown. Completed 25 of 33 passes for 265 yards against Rhode Island. Connected on 17 of 28 attempts for 130 yards in his Hofstra debut at Connecticut. Was fourth on the team in rushing with 272 yards on 106 carries and five touchdowns. Picked up a season-best 65 yards on nine carries in his final outing of the season at Maine. Recorded 54 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries at Bucknell, and 48 yards and two scores on 12 rushes at Stony Brook. Posted a season-high 22 rushes for 49 yards and one touchdown against Rhode Island.