Christopher John Nowinski (born September 24, 1978 in Arlington Heights, Illinois) is an author and a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment. Nowinski is renowned for being WWE's first Harvard alumnus, as he graduated with a B.A. in sociology. Following his wrestling career, he wrote Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, which examined the long-term effects of head trauma among athletes. Shortcut: WP:-( Vandalism is indisputable bad-faith addition, deletion, or change to content, made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia. ... Shortcut: WP:-( Vandalism is indisputable bad-faith addition, deletion, or change to content, made in a deliberate attempt to compromise the integrity of the encyclopedia. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Chris_nowinski. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Incorporated Village in 1836. ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Incorporated Village in 1836. ... An author is any person(s) or entity(s) that originates and assumes responsibility for an expression or communication. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... A bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...

Wrestling career

Nowinski was one of the three finalists on WWE's first series of Tough Enough, which Maven Huffman won. After failing to win the competition, Nowinski made appearances in independent promotions before finally being hired by WWE and entering its developmental territories. Nowinski competed as Chris Harvard, capitalizing on his status as an alumnus of Harvard University. Nowinski made his first major independent appearance in London, England for the Frontier Wrestling Alliance promotion at its Lights Camera Acton show on December 14, 2001. Nowinski competed in its main event teaming up with Alex Shane to defeat Drew McDonald and Flash Barker.^[1] Though this was the only show Nowinski did for the promotion, he regards it as the best promotion he has ever worked for outside of WWE.^[2][3] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Frontier Wrestling Alliance (FWA) is Europes highest profile professional wrestling promotion, based in the United Kingdom. ... is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Drew McDonald is a Scottish professional wrestler, who has wrestled throughout the United Kingdoms independent circuit since the early 1980s // Career McDonald first got into wrestling when friend of his who ran a school in Perth for wayward kids was promoting a wrestling show to make funds for...

On the June 10, 2002 edition of RAW, Christopher Nowinski debuted in WWE, helping William Regal beat Bradshaw in a WWE European Championship match. Nowinski and Regal formed a short-lived team, helping each other win matches. On the June 17, 2002 edition of RAW, Christopher Nowinski defeated Spike Dudley in his WWE in-ring television debut. In October 2002 Nowinski began a feud with his former Tough Enough teacher Al Snow, with Nowinski defeating his former teacher on a few occasions. Late in November 2002, Nowinski brought Maven Huffman into this feud saying he shouldn't have won Tough Enough. In December 2002, Nowinski formed a short-lived tag team with D'Lo Brown. This duo defeated Al Snow and Maven on two occasions, one being on the December 8, 2002 edition of WWE Heat and again on the December 9, 2002 edition of RAW. The following week on RAW (December 16, 2002) Nowinski defeated Maven by pulling Maven's tights. Nowinski and D'Lo then went on to feud with Test and Stacy Keibler, a feud which Maven briefly involved himself in. June 10 is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Darren Kenneth Matthews (born May 10, 1968) is an English professional wrestler, better known by his ring name William Regal. ... John Charles Layfield, known by his current ring name John Bradshaw Layfield or JBL (born November 29, 1966), is an inactive American professional wrestler. ... The WWE European Championship belt The WWE European Championship is an inactive title competed for in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Accie A.C. Connor (born October 22, 1972), is a professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, DLo Brown (also written D-Lo Brown). ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... WWE Heat (formerly known as WWE Sunday Night Heat) is a professional wrestling show for World Wrestling Entertainment, showcasing talent from the Raw roster with lower-card matches. ... December 9 is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Andrew Test Martin (born Andrew J. Martin on March 17, 1975) is a Canadian professional wrestler, who is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name Test. ... Stacy Keibler (born October 14, 1979) is an American actress, former professional wrestler and manager for World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

In late January 2003, Nowinski went back to singles action when D'Lo received the managerial services of Theodore Long and formed a race angle. Christopher Nowinski participated in the 2003 Royal Rumble, entering third, being eliminated second by Rey Mysterio, and suffering a concussion in the process. From this point, Nowinski worked matches with the Ohio Valley Wrestling WWE developmental territory and was used as a jobber on RAW and WWE Heat. In late March 2003, Nowinski began a feud with Scott Steiner, with Steiner winning each of their matches. On the April 14, 2003 edition of RAW, Steiner made a patriotic speech during which Nowinski informed Steiner that "his 3 minutes were up" as 3-Minute Warning came out and squashed Steiner. Over the next few weeks, Nowinski aligned himself with 3-Minute Warning and Rico to continually crush Steiner. This lasted a few weeks before 3-Minute Warning began their own feud with Steiner. Nowinski remained on HEAT for the next few weeks. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Promotional poster of Royal Rumble 2003, featuring Triple H. Royal Rumble 2003 was the sixteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event from World Wrestling Entertainment. ... For his uncle, the original Rey Mysterio, see Rey Misterio, Sr. ... Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. ... A job is professional wrestling slang referring to a performer who loses a match. ... Scott Carl Rechsteiner (born July 29, 1962), better known by his ring name, Scott Steiner, is an American professional wrestler. ... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 3-Minute Warning (also spelled Three Minute Warning) was a professional wrestling tag team on World Wrestling Entertainments RAW brand consisting of Matt Anoai (as Rosey) and Eddie Fatu (as Jamal). ... In professional wrestling, a squash is an extremely one-sided match; one performer dominates the other and quickly defeats him with virtually no resistance. ... Rico Tomhas Constantino (born October 1, 1961) is a former professional wrestler who competed for World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

On the May 26, 2003 edition of RAW, Christopher Nowinski helped Rodney Mack defeat Bubba Ray Dudley in a "White Boy Challenge" and joined Theodore Long's group "Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises", a group of African Americans who worked a race angle in which they portrayed themselves as being victims of racism and being held down by the "White Man". This group included Theodore Long, Rodney Mack, and Jazz. Nowinski's former tag team partner D'Lo Brown was an original member of the faction but was kicked out and attacked by Rodney Mack after a few weeks because, after a month of victories, he lost his first match under Long's management. Brown was released from his WWE contract a week later. Nowinski helped with Long's race angle and formed a tag team with Rodney Mack, starting a feud with the Dudley Boyz. This duo defeated the Dudley Boyz at Bad Blood 2003. is the 146th day of the year (147th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rodney Begnaud (born on October 12, 1972) is a professional wrestler. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Team 3D is a professional wrestling tag team of Brother Ray (Mark Lamonica), Brother Devon (Devon Hughes), and on occasion the team becomes a stable with Brother Runt (Matt Hyson). ... WWE Bad Blood (originally Badd Blood) was a World Wrestling Entertainment-produced professional wrestling pay-per-view event that took place, usually, in June and was the successor of the King of the Ring pay-per-view. ...

Nowinski suffered from post-concussion syndrome in June 2003, having sustained a concussion in a house show match in Hartford, CT. He performed for three more weeks before the increasing symptoms became so great that he was forced to take an extended absence. After a full year of post-concussion symptoms he chose to retire from wrestling. Post-concussion syndrome, also known as postconcussive syndrome or PCS, is a set of symptoms that a person may experience for weeks, months, or even years after a concussion, a mild form of traumatic brain injury. ... Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is the most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury. ...

He now does public appearances for WWE and pens a column for "SmackDown! Your Vote". On December 12, 2005, Nowinski made his first appearance in some time on WWE programming (SmackDown! Your Vote campaign vignettes notwithstanding), when he briefly tried to convince Vince McMahon that he should be made the new general manager of RAW. is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 25, 1945) is an American wrestling promoter, occasional professional wrestler, on-screen personality, former play-by-play announcer, and film producer. ...

In wrestling

• Finishing and signature moves
  • Honor Roll (Rolling double underhook suplex)
  • Harvard Buster (Forward Russian legsweep)
  • Eye gouge

• Signature illegal object
  • Facemask

An honors student is a student recognized for achieving high level grades. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Attacking maneuvers in the kayfabe of professional wrestling are mainly used to wear down an opponent for a submission hold or as a set up for a throw. ...

Championships and accomplishments

• World Wrestling Entertainment

• 2-time WWE Hardcore Champion (youngest ever)

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... The original WWE Hardcore Championship belt World Wrestling Entertainments Hardcore Championship was a championship defended under hardcore rules: No Disqualifications, meaning all weapons and interference are legal. ...

Writing career

In October 2006, Nowinski released a book, Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis, which details his career-ending injury and discusses the dangers of concussions in football and other contact sports. The book includes stories from NFL players as well as fellow wrestlers, with an introduction by Jesse Ventura. Later in the year, Nowinski initiated an inquiry into the suicide of Andre Waters, a 44-year old former NFL defensive back who shot himself on November 20, 2006. Waters had sustained several concussions over his career, and at Nowinski's behest, Waters' family agreed to send pieces of his brain to be tested. Dr. Bennet Omalu of the University of Pittsburgh announced that "the condition of Waters' brain tissue was what would be expected in an 85-year-old man, and there were characteristics of someone being in the early stages of Alzheimer's."^[4][5] October 2006 is the tenth month of that year and has yet to occur. ... The National Football League (NFL) is the largest and most prestigious professional American football league, consisting of thirty-two teams from American cities and regions. ... Jesse Ventura (born James George Janos on July 15, 1951), also known as The Body, The Star, The Mind, and Governor Body, is an American politician, former professional wrestler, Navy UDT veteran, actor, and former radio and television talk show host. ... Andre Waters (March 10, 1962 – November 20, 2006) was an American defensive back in the National Football League who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals from 1984 to 1995. ... In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players, who take positions directly behind the line of scrimmage. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related, doctoral/research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. ... Alzheimers disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimers, is a neurodegenerative disease. ...

Nowinski played an integral role in the discovery of the 4th case of CTE in a former NFL football player, former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Justin Strzelczyk, who was killed in a fiery automobile crash in 2004 at age 36 after a 37 mile police chase at speeds up to 100 miles per hour on the wrong side of the highway. Dr. Julian Bailes, the chairman of the department of neurosurgery at West Virginia University and the Steelers’ team neurosurgeon during Strzelczyk’s career, insisted to Nowinski over a phone conversation that he thought Strezelcyzk’s death, which was precipitated by strange behavior that some had labeled as “bipolar”, was worth looking into due to its similarities to the Andre Waters case. Nowinski contacted Dr. Bennet Omalu, who discovered the brain was still available, and Nowinski called Mary Strzelczyk, Justin’s mother, to ask for permission to Dr. Omalu to examine it for CTE. Omalu’s positive diagnosis was confirmed by two other neuropathologists.^[6][7] Dementia pugilistica, also called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), pugilistic Parkinsons syndrome, boxers dementia, and punch-drunk syndrome, is a neurological disorder which affects some career boxers and others who receive multiple dazing blows to the head. ... City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team colors Black and Gold Head Coach Mike Tomlin Owner Dan Rooney General manager Kevin Colbert League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933–1943; 1945–1949) Western Division (1944) American Conference (1950–1952) Eastern Conference (1953–1969) Century Division (1967–1969) American Football... Justin Conrad Strzelczyk (August 18, 1968 - September 30, 2004) was a former American football offensive lineman who played nine seasons in the NFL, all for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990-1998. ... West Virginia University is an institution of higher learning based in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA, with the off-site campuses of West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg, West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery, Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, and a clinical campus for...

Nowinski alerted police and the coroner of Chris Benoit, asking them to do a brain exam on Benoit's brain to see if concussions had any part in his rage and/or depression at the time of the double-homicide of his family and his suicide.^[8] Christopher Michael Benoit (IPA: ) (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler who performed in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is the most common and least serious type of traumatic brain injury. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• ChrisHarvard.net (Official Website)
• Chris Nowinski at OnlineWorldofWrestling
• Smackdown Your Vote
• ConcussionCrisis.com
• Christopher Nowinski at MySpace