Erick Rowan

Erick Rowan Bio

Joseph Ruud, known professionally as Erick Rowan, is an American professional wrestler born November 28, 1981, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 315 pounds, Ruud has established himself as a dominant force in professional wrestling through his imposing physical presence and powerful in-ring style. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Erick Rowan and became a member of several prominent factions, most notably The Wyatt Family.

Ruud began his wrestling career in 2003 after training with Eddie Sharkey. He initially competed on the independent circuit under the ring name Thoruf Marius before gaining international experience in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah. This overseas training helped refine his skills and prepared him for a future career on the global stage. His journey took a significant turn when he signed with WWE in 2011, marking the beginning of his rise to mainstream recognition.

Early Life and Background

Joseph Ruud was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the small town of Montrose. He comes from a predominantly Norwegian background, with his ancestors having emigrated from Nannestad, Norway. His heritage also includes German ancestry. During his high school years, Ruud demonstrated versatility as both a singer and a football player, showcasing talents that extended beyond athletics.

After graduating from high school, Ruud attended the University of Minnesota Morris, where he continued to pursue his passion for football. This period of his life provided him with valuable experiences that would later translate into his professional wrestling career. His background in team sports contributed to his understanding of cooperation and strategy, elements that would prove essential in tag team competition.

Ruud’s personal interests outside of wrestling include music and film. He is an avid fan of heavy metal music, particularly death metal, with favorite bands including Amon Amarth, Korpiklaani, Children of Bodom, and Cannibal Corpse. His passion for music extends to performance, as he plays guitar and writes songs in his spare time. He also enjoys horror movies, which aligns with the darker characters he has portrayed throughout his wrestling career.

Path to Professional Wrestling

Ruud’s journey into professional wrestling began in 2003 when he started training under Eddie Sharkey, a respected trainer in the Midwest wrestling scene. He adopted the ring name Thoruf Marius and began competing for various regional promotions across the Midwest. This early period of his career allowed him to develop his fundamental skills and gain valuable experience in front of live audiences.

In 2007, Ruud received a significant opportunity when he was invited to train at the Pro Wrestling Noah dojo in Japan. This experience proved transformative, as he lived, trained, and competed in the Japanese wrestling system. During his time in Japan, he participated in both tag team and singles matches, learning different styles and techniques that would enhance his overall wrestling abilities.

Ruud returned to the United States in 2008 and began competing for F1rst Wrestling, a Minnesota-based promotion. His most notable rivalry during this period was with Big Brody Hoofer, with the two exchanging victories across multiple events. This independent circuit experience helped Ruud build his reputation and eventually caught the attention of WWE scouts, leading to his signing with the company in February 2011.

Erick Rowan Career

Early Career (2003-2012)

After signing with WWE in 2011, Ruud was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, the company’s developmental territory at the time. He adopted the ring name Erick Rowan and made his television debut in August 2011, defeating Kenneth Cameron. Initially managed by Byron Saxton and accompanied by James Bronson, Rowan competed in both singles and tag team matches while developing his character and in-ring style.

When FCW was rebranded to NXT Wrestling, Rowan made his NXT debut on December 12, 2012, as a follower of Bray Wyatt. Wyatt introduced Rowan as his “second son,” establishing him as a member of the newly formed Wyatt Family alongside Luke Harper, who was designated as Wyatt’s “first son.” This alliance marked the beginning of Rowan’s most recognizable character work and set the stage for his rise to the main roster.

NXT Breakthrough (2012-2013)

Rowan formed a tag team with Luke Harper within The Wyatt Family structure. The duo quickly established themselves as a dominant force in the NXT tag team division. They scored early victories against teams including Percy Watson and Yoshi Tatsu, building momentum toward championship contention. Their physical style and intimidating presence made them formidable opponents for any team in the division.

Harper and Rowan entered the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament and advanced through the opening rounds with victories over Percy Watson and Yoshi Tatsu, followed by Bo Dallas and Michael McGillicutty. Although they were defeated in the tournament finals by Adrian Neville and Oliver Grey, they continued their pursuit of the titles. On May 8, 2013, Harper and Rowan defeated Adrian Neville and Bo Dallas to win the NXT Tag Team Championship, marking Rowan’s first professional wrestling title.

During their championship reign, Harper and Rowan successfully defended their titles against Corey Graves and Kassius Ohno. The Wyatt Family also competed in six-man tag team matches, defeating Neville, Graves, and Ohno in a notable encounter. Their reign lasted until July 17, 2013, when they lost the championships to Neville and Graves. This period in NXT established Rowan as a legitimate tag team competitor and prepared him for the main roster.

WWE Main Roster Era (2013-2020)

The Wyatt Family made their main roster debut on the July 8, 2013 episode of Raw, assaulting Kane in a memorable segment. Rowan made his in-ring debut on July 26, teaming with Harper to defeat Tons of Funk. The Wyatt Family embarked on feuds with prominent teams including The Shield and The Usos. Rowan and Harper challenged for the WWE Tag Team Championship at Money in the Bank and Battleground, though they were unsuccessful in capturing the titles.

In late 2014, The Wyatt Family dissolved as the members pursued singles careers. Rowan joined Team Cena at Survivor Series 2014, turning face in the process. He feuded with his former partner Luke Harper and Big Show before reuniting with The Wyatt Family in 2015. Rowan suffered a torn bicep in June 2015, which sidelined him for several months. He returned in October 2015 as part of the reformed Wyatt Family, competing against teams including The Brothers of Destruction and ECW Originals.

Rowan participated in several high-profile matches during this period, including a six-second loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 32, which became the quickest match in WrestleMania history. In 2016, he was drafted to SmackDown as part of the WWE Draft. After a rotator cuff injury that required surgery, Rowan returned in April 2017. The Wyatt Family disbanded again when Bray Wyatt was moved to Raw, leading to a brief rivalry between Rowan and Harper.

The Bludgeon Brothers Era (2017-2018)

In October 2017, Rowan returned to television aligned once again with Luke Harper. The duo was dubbed The Bludgeon Brothers, with Rowan’s ring name shortened simply to “Rowan.” They adopted a more aggressive, destructive persona and quickly established themselves as dominant forces on the SmackDown roster. Their return match in November 2017 saw them defeat The Hype Bros, and they continued their momentum with a decisive victory over Breezango at Clash of Champions.

The Bludgeon Brothers set their sights on the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, interfering in title matches involving The Usos and The New Day. At WrestleMania 34 in April 2018, The Bludgeon Brothers defeated The Usos in a triple threat match that also included The New Day to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. This victory marked Rowan’s first main roster championship.

During their championship reign, The Bludgeon Brothers successfully defended their titles against The Usos at the Greatest Royal Rumble, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson at Money in the Bank, and Team Hell No at Extreme Rules. They lost the championships to The New Day on August 21, 2018, ending their reign at 135 days. The following day, it was announced that Rowan had suffered a torn right bicep, requiring surgery and another extended absence from television.

Style and Strengths

Rowan’s wrestling style is characterized by his imposing size and physical power. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds, he utilizes his strength to overpower opponents with slams, clotheslines, and power moves. His background in football contributes to his athletic ability and understanding of leverage. In tag team competition, Rowan has demonstrated excellent chemistry with partners like Luke Harper and Daniel Bryan, using coordinated attacks and isolation strategies to wear down opponents.

Notable Events and Milestones

Rowan’s career includes several memorable moments and milestones. His match with The Rock at WrestleMania 32, though lasting only six seconds, became part of WrestleMania history. He has won tag team championships in both NXT and on WWE’s main roster, showcasing his ability to succeed at different levels of the company. His involvement in The Wyatt Family, one of WWE’s most popular and enduring factions, established him as a recognizable figure in professional wrestling. His ability to reinvent his character, from Wyatt Family follower to Bludgeon Brother to ally of Daniel Bryan, demonstrates his versatility as a performer.

Erick Rowan Career Wins

Erick Rowan has achieved significant success in tag team competition throughout his career. His championship victories include the NXT Tag Team Championship and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, making him a proven tag team specialist in WWE. These accomplishments highlight his ability to work effectively with partners and contribute to successful teams.

NXT Highlights

Rowan won his first professional wrestling championship on May 8, 2013, when he and Luke Harper defeated Adrian Neville and Bo Dallas for the NXT Tag Team Championship. This victory marked a significant milestone in his career, validating his development as a wrestler and tag team competitor. The reign lasted approximately two months before they lost the titles to Neville and Corey Graves. This championship run established Rowan as a rising star in WWE’s developmental system.

Main Tag Team Highlights

At WrestleMania 34 in April 2018, Rowan, as part of The Bludgeon Brothers with Luke Harper, defeated The Usos and The New Day to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. This represented Rowan’s first main roster title victory. The team held the championships for 135 days, successfully defending against top tag teams. In May 2019, Rowan formed an alliance with Daniel Bryan, and the duo defeated The Usos for the vacant SmackDown Tag Team Championship, giving Rowan his second reign with the title. They held the championships for 68 days before losing to The New Day in a triple threat match.

Erick Rowan Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Joseph Ruud comes from a family with Norwegian heritage. His ancestors emigrated to the United States from Nannestad, Norway, and he also has some German ancestry. This cultural background has remained an important part of his identity, even leading to his appearance on the Norwegian reality television show “Alt for Norge” in 2010. On the show, he competed in challenges related to Norwegian history and culture for the opportunity to reunite with distant Norwegian relatives.

Personal Life

Joseph Ruud has been married to his wife Leah since 2019. He has one child from a previous marriage. Outside of wrestling, Ruud maintains an active lifestyle and pursues various creative interests. He plays guitar and writes songs, demonstrating his artistic side beyond his wrestling persona. His passion for heavy metal music has led to multiple appearances in music videos for the band Amon Amarth, further connecting his personal interests with his public career.

2025 Season Performance

Joseph Ruud returned to WWE in June 2024, reprising his Erick Rowan character as a member of The Wyatt Sicks, a new stable led by Uncle Howdy. The group made their debut on the June 17 episode of Raw, with Rowan sporting a rabbit mask reminiscent of the Ramblin’ Rabbit character from Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House segment. This return marked a significant moment for Ruud, coming after his previous release from WWE in April 2020 and subsequent time on the independent circuit and in All Elite Wrestling.

The Wyatt Sicks engaged in their first major feud against American Made, consisting of Chad Gable and the Creed Brothers. Rowan made his in-ring return alongside stablemates Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, defeating American Made in August 2024. The feud culminated in a Street Fight victory for The Wyatt Sicks in September 2024. The stable was later drafted to the SmackDown brand, though television appearances were temporarily paused due to an injury to Uncle Howdy.

Looking toward 2025, The Wyatt Sicks returned to television on the May 23, 2024 episode of SmackDown, attacking Street Profits, Fraxiom, and DIY. This aggressive re-debut signaled the stable’s intention to establish themselves as a dominant force on SmackDown. With Ruud’s experience and established presence in WWE, coupled with the fresh direction of The Wyatt Sicks storyline, the 2025 season presents opportunities for significant character development and memorable feuds as the stable continues to build momentum on the SmackDown brand.