Tony Jones (wrestler) facts for kids

Anthony Jones (born April 6, 1971 – died April 11, 2024) was an American professional wrestler. He was known for wrestling in independent groups in North America. These included All Pro Wrestling, Ultimate Pro Wrestling, and Xtreme Pro Wrestling.

Tony Jones also wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) at different times. He appeared in 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2007. Many people remember him from the 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat. In this film, he appeared with his tag team partner, Mike Modest.

Early Life and Amateur Wrestling

Tony Jones was born in San Francisco, California. He finished high school at Archbishop Riordan High School in 1989. Later, he went to San Francisco State University. There, he earned a degree in broadcasting and communication.

While at university, Tony was a very successful amateur wrestler. He wrestled for five years. During this time, he won the Bay Area Freestyle Championship eight times. He also won the Bay Area Greco-Roman Championship seven times. Tony became a nationally ranked wrestler in NCAA collegiate wrestling. In 1994, he became the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Champion. He even defeated NCAA champion Stephen Neal. He also competed in tournaments with Kurt Angle, another famous wrestler.

After graduating in 1995, Tony helped coach. He was an assistant coach for the SFSU Greco-Roman freestyle wrestling team.

Professional Wrestling Career

Starting with All Pro Wrestling

In 1996, Tony Jones began training to become a professional wrestler. He trained at the APW Professional Wrestling Training Boot Camp. His trainer was Mike Modest. Other wrestlers like Donovan Morgan and Vic Grimes trained there too. Tony made his wrestling debut on January 15, 1997. His first match was against Manny "The Raging Bull" Fernandez.

Tony had some early matches against Vic Grimes. He lost to Grimes in April and June 1997. The June loss removed him from a tournament. This tournament was for the APW Universal Championship.

Tag Team Success

Tony soon found success in tag team wrestling. He formed a team called the Westside Connection with Jay Smooth. They won the APW Universal Tag Team titles on August 1, 1997. They defeated Donovan Morgan and Robert Thompson. Tony and Jay held the titles for over a month. They lost the titles to the Grimes Brothers (Vic & Little Dic Grimes) in September 1997.

Tony tried to win the titles back with Rick Turner. However, they lost to the Grimes Brothers. Later, Tony won a six-man tag team match. He teamed with Elijah Wisdom and Truth.

Tony Jones won the tag team titles again with Steve Rizzono. They defeated Robert Thompson & Chris Cole in December. When Rizzono was suspended, Tony had to give up the titles. On January 17, 1998, Tony got a chance to win them back. He chose Mike Modest as his partner. Together, they defeated Frank Murdoch and Jay Smooth.

Tony and Mike Modest formed a team called Wrestling Inc. They had a very successful time as tag team champions. They were even voted APW Tag Team of the Year in 1998. They held the titles for almost four months. They lost the titles to Frank Murdoch & Boom Boom Comini in May 1998.

Independent Wrestling and Beyond the Mat

In 1998, Tony Jones and Mike Modest were chosen for a wrestling documentary. It was called Beyond the Mat by Barry W. Blaustein. The movie showed their lives as independent wrestlers. It also showed their journey into professional wrestling. The documentary came out in 2000. It helped both wrestlers become known across the country.

After the documentary, Tony and Mike had a tryout match. This was for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in September. Later, Tony was invited to the WWF Dojo Training Camp. He trained there in November 1999.

In early 1999, Tony was part of a rivalry. It was between West Coast and East Coast wrestlers. On January 15, 2000, he won the APW Universal Heavyweight title. He defeated his former partner, Mike Modest. He lost the title to Ma'och in March.

Tony also wrestled for the Urban Wrestling Alliance in 2000. He used the name H.T.K. or Hard To Kill. In February 2000, he had a tryout match for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He also toured Japan with a wrestling group called BattlARTS. He was invited to train at the WCW Power Plant in May.

Tony returned to BattlARTS in May and June 2000. He also started wrestling for Ultimate Pro Wrestling. He had some big matches in Xtreme Pro Wrestling against Tracy Smothers. He stayed with the Urban Wrestling Alliance until it closed in December 2000.

Return to APW and Later Years

Tony Jones returned to All Pro Wrestling for a short time. On October 7, 2000, he teamed with Giant Khali. This was Khali's first wrestling match. Tony later teamed with his old rival, Robert Thompson. They were called the Original Westside Playaz. They won the tag team titles in April 2001. They lost the titles in June but won them back in September. However, Tony attacked Thompson after the match. He then left the promotion in November.

In May 2001, Tony appeared on WWF Jakked. He wrestled against Raven. He also wrestled in Midwest Championship Wrestling from August to September 2001.

Tony continued wrestling for Ultimate Pro Wrestling in 2002. He also wrestled for Pro Wrestling IRON. This group was connected to a Japanese promotion called Pro Wrestling Noah. In June 2004, he teamed with Jason Brisbane. They won a match against Lars Dauger and Ryan Drago.

In March 2007, Tony appeared on WWE television again. He wrestled Eugene on WWE Heat. Four months later, he wrestled Gene Snitsky. Tony lost both of these matches.

Death

Tony Jones passed away on April 11, 2024. He was 53 years old.

Championships and Accomplishments

• All Pro Wrestling
  • APW Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • APW Universal Tag Team Championship (5 times) - with Jay Smooth (1), Steve Rizzono (1), Mike Modest (1) and Robert Thompson (2)
  • APW Tag Team of the Year (1998) - with Mike Modest
• Ultimate Pro Wrestling
  • UPW Southern California Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 213 of the 500 top wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004