American professional wrestler
Todd James Smith (born March 3, 1984) is an American
professional wrestler . He is currently signed to
WWE , where he performs on the
Raw
brand under the
ring name Ivar . He is in a tag team with
Erik called
The Viking Raiders .
He is also known under the ring name Hanson , which he used from 2013 to 2019. Smith and Raymond Rowe (now known as Erik), have been a regular
tag team since 2014, initially under the name War Machine, then later War Raiders, The Viking Experience, and currently The Viking Raiders. Smith and Rowe have held tag team championships on two continents, being two-time
IWGP Tag Team Champions in Japan and having won the
ROH World Tag Team Championship , the
NXT Tag Team Championship , and the
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship in the United States.
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2001–2013)
Trained by
Killer Kowalski , Smith made his debut in 2001.
[4] For the next several years, he worked for a number of
independent
professional wrestling promotions throughout
New England , most notably
New England Championship Wrestling and
Chaotic Wrestling . Well known for his tag team background, he was part of The Trendsetters with
Max Bauer and Pretty Psycho with Psycho. He and Brian Milonas were also the head instructors at the Chaotic Wrestling training facility in
North Andover, Massachusetts .
[7]
[8]
Handsome Johnny in 2008
Smith appeared on
Velocity on December 17, 2005, losing to
Doug Basham . The following year, on September 15, 2006, he appeared on
SmackDown as Todd Hansen in a losing effort to
Sylvester Terkay .
[1]
[3]
On February 16, 2008, Smith defeated Brandon Locke for the
NECW Television Championship in
Quincy, Massachusetts . The title was vacated on April 22, 2008, due to an injury Smith suffered in a title defense. On June 1, 2008, Smith became the champion again after defeating Chase Del Monte in a tournament final held at Suffolk Downs. In late 2008 a series of vignettes featuring Smith began to air during Chaotic Wrestling live events and on the web, showed Handsome Johnny discovering himself on a trip abroad and lead to the introduction of "The Duke of Elegance" Don Chesterfield into Chaotic storylines. Smith also used this character for the Eastern Wrestling Alliance as well as Front Row Wrestling. In NECW, he changed his ring name in 2010 to "Handsome" Johnny Hayes.
Ring of Honor (2013–2017)
Smith made his ROH debut on July 27 a losing effort in a four-corner survival also featuring Brian Fury, Kongo, and
Vinny Marseglia .
[9] A few months after this, he was announced as the eighth participant in the 2014 edition of the
Top Prospect Tournament .
[10] He defeated
Cheeseburger and
Andrew Everett in the opening rounds before going on to win the tournament at Wrestling's Finest by defeating
Raymond Rowe in the final.
[11] As a result, he earned an
ROH World Television Championship match against reigning champion
Tommaso Ciampa at the
12th Anniversary Show , but was unsuccessful.
He then formed a tag team with Raymond Rowe known as War Machine. On April 11, 2014, Hanson and Rowe both signed contracts with ROH.
[12] On August 22, 2015, War Machine defeated
Killer Elite Squad (
Davey Boy Smith Jr. and
Lance Archer ) in a non-title match and afterwards challenged them to a match for their
GHC Tag Team Championship , a title owned by the Japanese
Pro Wrestling Noah promotion.
[13] War Machine received their title shot in Japan on September 19, but were defeated by the Killer Elite Squad.
[14] On December 18 at
Final Battle , War Machine defeated
The Kingdom (
Matt Taven and
Michael Bennett ) to win the
ROH World Tag Team Championship .
[15] They lost the title to
The Addiction (
Christopher Daniels and
Frankie Kazarian ) on May 9, 2016, at
War of the Worlds .
[16] War Machine's final appearance with ROH was on December 16, 2017.
[17]
Japan (2015–2018)
On September 14, 2015, Hanson and Rowe made their Japanese debuts for
Pro Wrestling Noah , teaming with
Takashi Sugiura in a six-man tag team main event, where they defeated
Suzuki-gun (
Davey Boy Smith Jr. ,
Lance Archer , and
Minoru Suzuki ).
[18] This led to a match five days later, where War Machine unsuccessfully challenged Smith and Archer for the
GHC Tag Team Championship .
[19]
In November 2016, War Machine made their debut for
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) by entering the
2016 World Tag League .
[20] They finished the tournament on December 7 with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.
[21]
On April 9, 2017, at
Sakura Genesis 2017 , War Machine defeated
Tencozy (
Hiroyoshi Tenzan and
Satoshi Kojima ) to win the
IWGP Tag Team Championship .
[22] They lost the title to
Guerrillas of Destiny (
Tama Tonga and
Tanga Loa ) on June 11 at
Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall ,
[23] regaining it in a
no disqualification match on July 1 at
G1 Special in USA .
[24] They lost the title to Killer Elite Squad in a three-way match, also involving Guerrillas of Destiny, on September 24 at
Destruction in Kobe .
[25]
WWE (2018–present)
On January 16, 2018,
WWE announced that Hanson had signed a contract with the company and would be reporting to the
WWE Performance Center .
[4] On March 17, 2018, Hanson and tag team partner, Rowe made their NXT debut at a house show, defeating the team of Adrian Jaoude &
Cezar Bononi in their first match.
[26] On the edition of April 11, 2018 of NXT , he and Rowe, dubbed War Machine, made their TV debuts, attacking Heavy Machinery (
Otis Dozovic and
Tucker Knight ) and the team of
Riddick Moss and
Tino Sabbatelli . Two days later on the April 13, 2018 edition of NXT , they went on to defeat the team of
Danny Burch and
Oney Lorcan .
[27] [
unreliable source? ]
Throughout the beginning of the year, the team of Hanson & Rowe, now dubbed the War Raiders would continue their winning streak, by defeating several tag teams in the NXT division, including
The Mighty and Heavy Machinery.
[28] At
NXT TakeOver: WarGames , War Raiders would team up with
Ricochet and
Pete Dunne in the main event to defeat
The Undisputed Era in the eponymous
WarGames match .
[29] At
NXT TakeOver: Phoenix , War Raiders defeated the team of
Kyle O'Reilly and
Roderick Strong to win the
NXT Tag Team Championship . On April 15, 2019, they debuted on
Raw as The Viking Experience under the new ring names of Erik (Rowe) and Ivar (Hanson). The following week, their name was changed to The Viking Raiders .
[30] On September 7, 2020 episode of Raw , The Viking Raiders teamed up with
Apollo Crews and
Ricochet in an eight-man tag team match against
The Hurt Business in a losing effort, where
Cedric Alexander scored the pinfall over Ricochet. The match was forced to an abrupt ending due to Ivar suffering a legitimate cervical injury during the match.
[31]
[32] On September 14, Ivar underwent successful surgery to repair a neck injury.
[33]
[34] Ivar would return to in ring action on April 12 edition of Raw , teaming up with his tag team partner Erik going up against Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander in a winning effort.
[35] As part of the
2021 Draft , both Ivar and Erik were drafted to the
SmackDown brand .
[36]
[37]
As part of the
2023 WWE Draft , both Ivar and Erik were drafted to the
Raw
brand .
[38] On the April 9, 2024, Ivar returned to NXT to confront
NXT North American Champion
Oba Femi for the title.
[39]
Personal life
Todd Smith, along with his teammate Raymond Rowe, are
straight edge .
[40]
Other media
Ivar made his
video game debut as part of the Titans Pack of downloadable characters available for
WWE 2K19 .
[41]
Championships and accomplishments
Hanson (left) and
Raymond Rowe as the
IWGP Tag Team Champions
Hanson with the NXT Tag Team Championship
-5th place
References
^
a
b
c
d
e Caruso III, Anthony (May 27, 2013).
"Hanson living dream as pro wrestler" . The Capital Sports Report . Archived from
the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2016 .
^
a
b
c
"Hanson" .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling .
^
a
b McNamara, Andy (September 26, 2006).
"Smackdown: The King's court divided?" . Slam! Sports .
Canadian Online Explorer . Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2008 . Match 6: Sylvester Terkay w/ Elijah Burke vs. Todd Smith {{
cite web }}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
link )
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
"WWE Performance Center signs War Machine" .
WWE . Retrieved May 1, 2018 .
^
a
b
"Hanson" . WWE.
^
a
b
"Handsome Johnny" .
Chaotic Wrestling . 2008. Archived from
the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2008 .
^ Bartlett, Sean (March 23, 2007).
"Ring of fire: New England's minor-league grapplers wrestle their demons — in vinyl boots and a blaze of glory" .
The Phoenix .
^ Halen, Darrell (August 1, 2008).
"School helps young grapplers wrestle with success" . Wicked Local.
^ CageMatch (August 24, 2013).
"ROH on SBG #101" . CageMatch.
^ Ring Of Honor (December 16, 2013).
"2014 Top Prospect Tournament: Participant #8" . Ring Of Honor. Archived from
the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014 .
^ CageMatch (January 25, 2014).
"ROH Wrestling's Finest" . CageMatch.
^
"Hanson & Rowe sign with ROH" .
Ring of Honor . Archived from
the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014 .
^
"Ring of Honor tag team heading to Pro Wrestling Noah" . Wrestleview. August 26, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015 .
^
"Great Voyage 2015 in Osaka" .
Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015 .
^
a
b
Meltzer, Dave (December 18, 2015).
"ROH Final Battle 2015 live results: Jay Lethal vs. AJ Styles, Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish" .
Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved December 19, 2015 .
^ Johnson, Mike (May 9, 2016).
"Bullet Club reigns supreme: ROH War of the Worlds tour coverage from Dearborn, Michigan" . Pro Wrestling Insider . Retrieved May 9, 2016 .
^ Johnson, Mike (December 19, 2017).
"Three new signings expected in new year" . Pro Wrestling Insider . Retrieved December 19, 2017 .
^
Shiny Navig.2015~第9回日テレG+杯争奪ジュニア・ヘビー級タッグリーグ戦~ .
Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on February 9, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2016 .
^
"Great Voyage 2015 in Osaka" .
Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from
the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2016 .
^
『World Tag』“初出場”外国人チーム決定!! ROHから“凶獣”ウォー・マシンが参戦!WLWからブライアン・ブレーカー&リーランド・レイスもエントリー!【WT16】 .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 4, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016 .
^
戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016 .
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 7, 2016 .
^
a
b Rose, Bryan (April 8, 2017).
"NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. Shibata" .
Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved April 9, 2017 .
^ Rose, Bryan (June 10, 2017).
"NJPW Dominion live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega" .
Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved June 11, 2017 .
^
a
b Witner, Arya (July 1, 2017).
"NJPW G1 Special live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Cody" .
Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved July 1, 2017 .
^ Rose, Bryan (September 23, 2017).
"NJPW Destruction in Kobe live results: Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson" .
Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved September 24, 2017 .
^
"WWE/NXT News: War Machine make their NXT debut" . www.sportskeeda.com . March 17, 2018.
^
"NXT Venice Live Event Results (4/13): Shayna Baszler vs Candice LeRae, The War Raiders Dominate & More!" . Wrestlezone . April 14, 2018.
^ Satin, Ryan (April 8, 2018).
"War Machine Debut New Name at NXT TakeOver Pre-Show Taping" .
^ Decker, Kyle (November 17, 2018).
"Ricochet, Dunne, & War Raiders survive the Undisputed ERA & WarGames" . Cageside Seats .
^ Decker, Kyle (January 26, 2019).
"War Raiders win the NXT tag titles in another 'Follow that!' TakeOver tag match" . Cageside Seats .
^
"WWE Raw 9/7/20 Results | Fightful Wrestling" . www.fightful.com .
^
"Ivar injured during eight-man tag match on WWE Raw" . WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results . September 7, 2020.
^
"Ivar Reportedly Set For Neck Surgery After RAW Injury" . 411 Mania .
^ @Ivar_WWE (September 24, 2020).
"Little over a week post surgery, the road to recovery has begun!!! I can't say Thank you enough to everyone for all the love and support, it has been unbelievably humbling. Better, Stronger, Healthier here I come! Two heartsPoultry legSign of the horns" (
Tweet ). Retrieved September 27, 2020 – via
Twitter .
^ Bengel, Chris (April 12, 2021).
"WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Drew McIntyre earns title shot at WrestleMania: Backlash with a twist" . CBSSports.com . Retrieved April 13, 2021 .
^
"See all the results from the 2021 Draft" .
^ Powell, Jason (October 4, 2021).
"10/4 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the WWE Draft night two, Goldberg returns, the build to WWE Crown Jewel continues" . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . Retrieved October 5, 2021 .
^
"See all the results from the 2023 Draft" . WWE. April 28, 2023.
^ Moore, John (April 9, 2024).
"NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles" . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . Retrieved April 10, 2024 .
^ Moorehouse, John (July 29, 2017).
"EXCLUSIVE: Thrown Together, War Machine Reach Championship Success" . Fightful.com . Retrieved March 18, 2018 .
^ Cole, Caitlin (December 19, 2018).
"Complete WWE 2K19 Roster" . Rumble Ramble . Retrieved April 24, 2019 .
^ Palladino, Rich (2008).
"Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title History" . Solie's Title Histories.
^
"Chaotic Wrestling Tag Team Title" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
^ cite web|url=
https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=14618
^
"M.W.F. Heavyweight Title (New England)" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
^
"MWF Heavyweight Title History" . Solie's Title Histories. 2005.
^
"M.W.F. Tag Team Title (New England)" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
^
"MWF Tag Team Title History" . Solie's Title Histories. 2005.
^ Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema (2006).
"NWA New England Television Title History" . Solie's Title Histories.
^
"N.W.A. Cold Front Television Title" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from
the original on April 30, 2003.
^ Westcott, Brian; Eric Roelfsema (2006).
"NWA New England Tag Team Title History" . Solie's Title Histories.
^
"C.W.A./N.W.A. New England Tag Team Title" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003. Archived from
the original on March 24, 2010.
^ Westcott, Brian (2008).
"NECW Television Title History" . Solie's Title Histories.
^
"N.E.C.W. Television Title" . Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
^ cite web|url=
https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4657&page=4&s=700
^ cite web|url=
https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=143612
^
"Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016" . The Internet Wrestling Database . Retrieved September 2, 2016 .
^ Kreikenbohm, Philip.
"VIP Limitless " Events Database " CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database" . www.cagematch.net .
^
"WCPW Tag Team Championship" . What Culture Pro Wrestling . Archived from
the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017 .
^
"NXT Tag Team Championship" . WWE . Retrieved April 2, 2020 .
^
"Raw Tag Team Championship" . WWE . Retrieved April 2, 2020 .
External links
Links to related articles
2000s 2010s 2020s
Mike Verna
Davienne
The Mecca
Brad Cashew
Aaron Rourke
Danny Miles (current)
2000s
The Damned (Mad Dog and Draven)
One Night Stand (
Ronnie D. Lishus and Edward G. Xtasy)
Spike Dudley and Kyle Storm
Little Guido Maritato and Luis Ortiz
One Night Stand (Edward G. Xtasy and
Aaron Stevens )
12 Pack (Vince Vicallo and
R. J. Brewer )
Adam Booker and Frankie Armadillo
Attrition (Mike Studd and Christian Angers)
Brian Black and Mighty Mini
The Lost Souls (Brian Buffet and Peter Mulloy)
Pretty Psycho (
Handsome Johnny and Psycho)
The Valedictorians (Billy Bax and
Rob Eckos )
The Logan Brothers (Bryan Logan and Matt Logan)
Intellectual Properties (
Max Bauer and Arch Kincaid)
Jason Blade and Kid Mikaze
Big Business (
Max Bauer and Alex Arion)
The Blowout Boys (Danny E. and Tommy T.)
Rick Fuller and
Fred Sampson
The Empire (Brian Milonas and Sledge)
Brian Fury and Mikaze
The Blowout Boys (Antonio T. and Danny E.)
2010s
The Blowout Boys (Danny E. and Vinny E.)
République (Fala and Kongo)
Matt Logan and Julian Starr
Infliction (Gino Martino and John Poe)
Brandon Locke and Scott Reed
Matt Taven and
Vinny Marseglia
Brian Milonas and Scotty Slade
The Milonas Brothers (Brian Milona and Jimmy James Milonas)
Team Friendship (Mark Shurman and Scotty Slade)
The American Destroyers (
Donovan Dijak and Mikey Webb)
The Mill City Hooligans (Bryan Logan, Chase Del Monte and Matt Logan)
The Cam-An Connection (
Anthony Greene and Cam Zagami)
The Maine State Posse (Aiden Aggro and The DangerKid)
Killanova Inc. (
Christian Casanova and Tripilicious)
Bear Country (Bear Beefcake and Bear Bronson)
Killanova Inc. (Royce Bishop and Tripilicious)
2020s
Death by Davie (Davienne and
J. T. Dunn )
The Unit (
Ace Romero ,
Alisha , Danny Miles,
J. T. Dunn , Mike Verna and Trigga The OG)
Shot Through The Heart (Love Doug and TJ Crawford)
God's Greatest Creations (Brother Steven and Decon Kayos) (current)
1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Raw
Men's division Women's division Stables and tag teams Other on-air talent Referees
SmackDown
Men's division Women's division Stables and tag teams Other on-air talent Referees
Nonexclusive
Men's division Women's division
NXT
Men's division Women's division Other on-air talent Stables and tag teams
Performance Center
Men's trainees Women's trainees Trainers and staff
Broadcast team Ambassadors Producers and writers Executive personnel See also