SOUL SHOOTERS
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The Soul Shooters, "Poison" Appollo Starr and Drew "Tha Don" Johnson hail from the Buffalo, New York and the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, respectively, and are what the late Gorilla Monsoon would call "tag team specialists".
The combination of these two athletes, the six-foot-four powerhouse Johnson and the mat technician and martial artist Starr hearken back to teams like The Road Warriors; The Hart Foundation; The Midnight Express; and The British Bulldogs, among others, and they wouldn't have it any other way.
The Soul Shooters, Drew "Tha Don" Johnson and "Poison" Appollo Starr are familiar with the thrill of winning championships. have won championship gold every place they've competed. Johnson has traveled to every corner of the globe, and absorbed the different wrestling styles, adding them to his own. He is a former AAU National Champion in both Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling, as well as an All State middle linebacker in football so if you want to bring it to the mat with Drew, figuring the six-foot-four giant can be neutralized once he's off his feet, be prepared to be out-wrestled. Since teaming with Appollo, his speed and agility have vastly improved. He has put many of his opponents out cold with his Mafia Kick and his Roaring Elbow, and he moves so quick and fluidly across the ring that many opponents claim to have never seen it coming. But don't think that he's had to sacrifice any of his power for speed, as his Soul Stretch is nearly impossible to escape and has led to many submission victories for the team. After a brief stint in college, Drew joined the Army where he served as a Military Police officer and an unarmed self defense trainer, trained in Kempo Karate, Submission Wrestling, and Pancrase, serving stateside as well as overseas. "College is great, but it just wasn't for me," recalls Drew. "I liked the military's dedication to fitness, and the comradeship I found with the other soldiers in my unit. I didn't feel the same thing in college, everyone was doing their own thing, concerned about their own futures, their own careers. Once I got into wrestling, I re-discovered the things I missed in the Army". Drew "Tha Don" Johnson started his career getting trained in Cincinnati by wrestling legend and trainer of champions, Les Thatcher, as well as Cody Hawk and Matt Stryker where he would meet his future tag team partner. Johnson is on his way to being another feather in the cap of Thatcher, and it is only a matter of time before this big man's name is used in the same breath as other legends of the sport. Like Drew, "Poison" Appollo Starr comes from a military background, as well. With both of his parents in the military, Appollo had the chance to travel all over the world. "My parents taught me a lot about self-defense. They sent me to marital arts schools to learn self-defense. I didn't mind, I was eager to learn new things. Moving around as much as we did, being able to learn new things kept me occupied". Appollo studied various styles of Martial Arts, Karate, Pancrase, Kickboxing, and submission wrestling. "If Mixed Martial Arts had existed in its current form when I was training, I probably would have done that. I was always looking to test myself, to be the best". Appollo's fitness goals and martial arts background eventually brought him to his involvement in professional wrestling. "Wrestling had what I had been searching for in martial arts. Not just the athletic conditioning, but the sheer physicality". "Poison" Appollo Starr made his start being trained by Jimmy Killillia and American Kickboxer, and as his experience grew, he moved his way west to the doors of Les Thatcher, where he met Drew, and the two men immediately clicked and decided to form a team. Appollo took his already above average shoot skills and with Thatcher's aid turned them into a deadly arsenal of submission holds and knockout strikes, while Drew taught Appollo how to make the best use of his frame for power moves. Thatcher recognized their capacity for greatness and harnessed it. Like all the greatest tag teams, Thatcher taught them how to work as one, and how to make up for their individual shortcomings by learning from one another. Appollo is deceivingly quick and strong and not afraid to lock up with anyone, no matter their size. His stocky frame and low center of gravity allows him to use leverage against larger foes and power against smaller ones. His "Toxic Shock" finisher is as impossible to escape as his tag team partner's "Soul Stretch". Their training sessions with Thatcher were so intense, they had trouble finding guys who would train with them. However, their discipline and edict of play the way you work has led this powerful and unique duo to much success in the squared circle. These two pure athletes train and push each other very hard. Their training sessions are equally intense whether its against each other or a sparring partner. Look for them to go far. If The Soul Shooters have it their way, they want to go down in the history books as the greatest tag team ever in professional wrestling. The Soul Shooters are two hard hitting, jive talking, submissions specialist. From the South Side of Chicago, IL and the rough streets of Buffalo, NY emerge two of the most charismatic, athletic, and versatile, up and comers the sport of Pro Wrestling has seen in a long time. Drew “Tha Don” Johnson and “Poison” Appollo Starr are Super Stars just waiting for their break. There is no doubt that these two are headed straight for the top. Drew Johnson started his career by getting trained by wrestling legend Les Thatcher, Cody Hawk and Matt Stryker. Thatcher has also trained Indy Stars Matt Stryker, BJ Whitmer, Nigel McGuiness, Cody Hawk, and NWA TNA Super Stars Chad Collyer and Shark Boy. Johnson is following right along in their footsteps to wrestling stardom. This former AAU National Champion in both Freestyle and Greco Roman can mat wrestle with the best of them. His big powerful frame makes it hard for any foe to maintain an advantage. He has put many of his opponents out cold with his Mafia Kick and his Roaring Elbow. You’ll be hard pressed to find any one who can escape the Soul Stretch. Appollo Starr made his start by being trained by Jimmy Killillia and American Kickboxer. Appollo’s drive for greatness led him to the doors of the HWA and Les Thatcher. Appollo took his already above average shoot skills and turned them into a deadly arsenal of submission holds and knock out strikes. He is deceivingly quick and is not afraid to lock up with anyone no matter the size. His stocky frame and low center of gravity allows him to use leverage against a larger foe and power against a smaller one. Just like his partner's Soul Stretch, the Toxic Shock is virtually impossible to escape. They train and push each other very hard. Their training sessions against each other are so intense that they have trouble finding guys who will train with them more than once. These two guys are the real deal!! Appollo was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Because of his family's military background he calls the whole world home. Appollo was a three year varsity football player in high school. Appollo studied various styles of Martial Arts, Karate, Pancrase, Kickboxing, and submission wrestling, in pursuit of his eventual goal of becoming a complete Professional Wrestler. Appollo was trained first by Jimmy Killkilia. Later he began a more "style specific" training with American Kickboxer. Through various travels, he has trained with Cody Hawk, Matt Stryker, and Chad Collyer in order to perfect his craft. During this quest, Appollo has met up with Drew Johnson, former AAU National Free Style and Greco Roman Champion, and have formed the combination known as the Soul Shooters. Together with their commitment to excellence they push each other to goals never before seen in both Mixed Martial Arts and Pro Wrestling. Aquil S Nunn (born on April 20, 1974 in Buffalo, NY),better known by his ring names "Poison" Appollo Starr and Q Skillz is an American professional wrestler. Appollo has wrestled for several well-known independent wrestling promotions such as Ring Of Honor (ROH), Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Ohio Valley Wrestling(OVW), Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA), NWA-Wildside, IWA-Midsouth and Insanity Pro Wrestling (IPW) as well as appearing as an extra on Smackdown for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He won the 2004 Extreme 8 by defeating Menace, Matt Stryker and Colt Cabana. He has gained significant popularity as one half of The Soul Shooters with Drew "Tha Don" Johnson aka Dru Skillz. There finishing move, The Soul Bomb is a combination Powerbomb and Leg Lariat off the top rope. Starr debuted in Penn York Wrestling on April, 21st 2001 as one half of The Hot Shots, initially teaming with GQ Blaze and later with Justin Fury. Starr defeated "El Vato" Jose Guererro for the EWF Cruiserweight Championship on December 22, 2001 , it was his first of many titles. In November 2004, Starr formed The Terror Tribe with "Tsunami" Fuji Brown and "The Big O" Osyris. On March 20, 2004 Osyris left The Tribe giving a speech stating that he lost his way over the past six months Then Tsunami and Apollo Starr come out and tells Osyris that he is a loser and dropped the ball. The Terror Tribe then attacked Osyris. On March 27, 2004 Drew Johnson joined The Terror Tribe by turning on Osyris during a tag team match. The Soul Shooters were formed shortly thereafter. At the IWF Unleashed show on June 27th, 2003 in Detroit MI, he wrestled Scotty Vortekz, in a earn your spot match. Appollo has said several times that this is his favorite match ever. Starr also formed a tag teams with Hyzaya and Scotty Vortekz known as The Nubian Dragons and Team RAAGE respectively. Appollo has also been a memember of the Ultimate Horsemen and is a current member of Rush Wrestling Enterprises. On August 29, 2009 at Insanity Pro Wrestling's "Reign Of The Insane: Stage 2" 8th Anniversary show "Poison" Appollo Starr w/ Mr. Rodney Rush beat IPW World Champion Scotty Vortekz to win the title continuing the longest running feud of Appollo's career. "Poison" Appollo Starr has made appearances for several major independant wrestling federation including Ring Of Honor's "Battle For Supremacy" on June 27th, 2008 in Dayton, Ohio losing to Pelle Primeau and Kyle Durden and again in Dayton, Ohio on April 24, 2009, wrestling Josh Raymond and Christian Able to a no contest, Combat Zone Wrestling's Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Show in South Philly, Pennsylvania on September 12, 2009 losing to Rich Swann, IWA-Midsouth on December 6, 2008 The Soul Shooters competed in the 2008 Candido Cup losing to Trik Davis & Prince Mustafa Ali and Ian Rotten & Mickie Knuckles in a 3-Way. Appollo has made several appearances for the Heartland Wrestling Association including September 26, 2009 on the Pick Your Poison show, where for the first time ever the IPW World Heavyweight Title was defended at an HWA event. When IPW Champion "Poison" Appollo Starr defeated the greatest HWA Heavyweight Champion in history, Jake Crist. Appollo has competed in several states including Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. Appollo has appeared on TV several times including matches on HWA, NWA Wildside, IPW TV, RWF TV and on WWE Smackdown as an extra. Throughout his career Appollo has held several titles including Interstate Championship Wrestling Cruiserweight Champion, Insanity Pro Wrestling Mid American Champion, Extreme Wrestling Federation Cruiserweight Champion (2x), Midwestern Champion, Hoosier Pro Wrestling Cruiserweight Champion, Colesium Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions, Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions (3x), Brew City Wrestling Tag Team Champions (2x), Insane Wrestling Federation Tag Team Champions (2x), New Era Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, Coliseum Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champions (2x), Insanity Pro Wrestling World Champion. Appollo had wrestled and teamed with many wrestling superstars including Nigel McGuinness, who he defeated in the IPW 2003 match of the year, On June 28, 2003 for New Era Wrestling in Shelbyville, Indiana Apollo Starr & Bailey Mannix & Johnny Rayz def Jerry Lynn & Van Zants. Also for New Era Wrestling in September of 2003 D'lo Brown went to a No Contest with "Poison" Appollo Starr. In May 2003 for W.A.R. Wrestling "The Real" N8 Mattson, Jimmy Jacobs and Appollo Starr beat Truth Martini, Alex Shelley, and Buddy Hanlon. On March 5, 2005 for WAR (Wrestling And Respect)'s Elite 8 Tournament in Lima, Ohio Dean "The Dream" Jablonski beat "Poison" Appollo Starr. For IWA East Coast on September 19, 2007 in Morgantown, WV The Soul Shooter's appeared at "Mayhem On Mile Ground" losing to Necro Butcher & Mad Man Pondo in a tables match. For IWF on Friday, July 14, 2006 at The American-Serbian Hall in Detroit, MI The Soul Shooters beat The Iron Saints (Sal and Vito Thomselli. CM Punk and Acid defeated Chuck E. Smooth and Appollo Starr on March 1, 2003 for RCW in LaSalle, Illinois. For RCW in May 2002 at "Retaliation" in La Salle, Illinois Vic Capri Defeated Appollo Starr. Appollo has also defeated Chad Collyer several times throughout his career. Throughout his career Appollo has sought training from the best teachers he could find. He has been trained by Jimmy Killkilia, American Kickboxer (R.A.A.G.E. Dojo), "Playboy" Vinnie Ferrari and "Cowboy" Don Adams His mutilpe finishers include The Bomb-Diggy (a pumphandle powerbomb), The Toxic Lock (a combination triangle choke & top wristlock), The Lethal Dosage (a combination Tazzmission & Camel Clutch) The Hometown Hurt (a version of the Buffalo Sleeper), The Blizzard Wizard (a reverse Shining Wizard) & The Freon Four (Appollo's version of The Nagata Lock). Appollo's catchphrase is "Recognize the name, Respect Da Skillz". Pro Wrestling Style: Traditional Pro Wrestling combined with Japanese Strong Style, Shoot Wrestling submissions, and occasional aerial assault Drew was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He was an All State middle linebacker in football, and an accomplished amateur grappler, winning the National AAU Freestyle and Greco Roman Championships. After a brief stint in college, Drew joined the Army where he served as a Military Police officer and an unarmed self defense trainer. Serving in the states as well as over seas. Drew is trained in Kempo Karate, Submission Wrestling, and Pancrase. He is a graduate of the esteemed Les Thatcher's Main Event Pro Wrestling Camp. Trained by Les Thatcher, Cody Hawk, and Matt Stryker. Through various travels in pro wrestling, Drew has trained with American Kickboxer and Malcolm Monroe Sr. During this quest, Drew has met up with Appollo Starr, a talented Martial Artist and Submission Wrestler, and have formed the combination known as the Soul Shooters. Together with their commitment to excellence they push each other to goals never before seen in both Mixed Martial Arts and Pro Wrestling. Pro Debut: October 2002 Wrestling Training: Folkstyle, Freestyle, Greco Roman, Submissions, Professional Martial Arts Training: Kemp Karate, Pancrase, Mixed Martial Arts Pro Wrestling Style: Traditional Pro Wrestling combined with Japanese Strong Style and Shoot Wrestling submissions