American Alpha: Who are the WWE Smackdown new boys?
Get the lowdown on Chad Gable and Jason Jordan...
By David Ruse
Last Updated: 03/08/16 2:29pm
American Alpha have arrived on WWE Smackdown.
The effervescent tag team, comprised of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, gained hordes of fans on NXT and kicked off their main-roster careers with a win over The Vaudevillains on Tuesday night.
But what else do you need to know about the duo, one of whom possesses Olympic experience? Read on to find out more about the new additions...
Name: American Alpha
Members: Chad Gable, Jason Jordan
Twitter handles: @WWEGable, @JasonJordanJJ
Finishing move: Grand Amplitude
NXT debut: 2015
Smackdown debut: 2016
Olympic experience?
Yes - and at London 2012, no less. Gable, competing under his real name Charles "Chas" Betts, qualified for the 84kg category in Greco-Roman Wrestling and swept into the first-round proper with a win over Keitani Graham of the Federated States of Micronesia. That was as good as it got, though, as he suffered a narrow defeat to Cuba's Pablo Shorey in the next phase. Gable was therefore unable to match countryman and wrestling legend Kurt Angle by striking gold at the Olympics - Angle winning top honours at Atlanta 1996 in the 100kg freestyle event.
When did Gable switch to WWE?
The Olympian inked a deal with WWE in late 2013 before making his NXT television bow in January 2015 as a solo competitor. Gable soon earmarked Jordan as a potential tag partner, though the latter was initially reluctant to team up, describing Gable at the time as "quite annoying". Jordan finally gave in and his tandem with Gable got off to the best possible start, with the duo knocking off Elias Samson and Steve Cutler in their debut match.
Tell us more about Jason Jordan
Like Gable, the Illinois native carries plenty of amateur grappling experience. He wrestled at the Big Ten Conference - the oldest athletic conference in America - during his stint at India University, while he went 35-0 during his senior season to earn him the ranking of second-best wrestler in the nation. Such was Jordan's impact, India University honoured him by painting his face into the wall of their campus gym in 2010.
When did he join the big leagues?
Jordan was offered a WWE deal in 2010 but chose to complete his college degree before signing it. The amateur standout eventually headed to WWE's then developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, before switching to NXT. Early success was not forthcoming, though, with Jordan struggling to make a major impact, both on his own and while teaming with Tye Dillinger.
Jordan's tag-team with Gable seems to work?
It certainly does. After defeating Samson and Cutler, the duo went on to make waves in the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, reaching the quarter-finals following victories over British Superstar Neville and Solomon Crowe and then The Hype Bros, Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley. Their run came to an end when they were outgunned by Rhyno and Baron Corbin in the semi-finals, but they soon became firm fan favourites.
How good did it get?
Jordan and Gable topped the NXT tag ranks earlier this year, beating The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) at NXT TakeOver: Dallas to claim the brand's twin titles for the first time. Their reign would only last 68 days - Dash and Dawson regaining the straps at NXT TakeOver: The End - but they would record a number of notable wins, including over Enzo Amore and Big Cass, in that time.
Move to the main roster
Jordan and Gable's electric in-ring work at NXT's base in Florida alerted the higher-ups in WWE, with the pair signed by Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan during the recent WWE Draft. McMahon and Bryan were probably also attracted to Gable and Jordan's charisma and connection with the crowd - NXT fans often singing 'Gable' to Kurt Angle's theme music and Gable's 'Ready, Willing and Gable' rally towels becoming a must-have accessory. Even Angle is a fan, telling The World According To Wrestling: "I've watched them wrestle and they're really good." Smackdown fans should soon come to the same realisation.
Watch WWE Smackdown, every Tuesday night at 1am on Sky Sports 5.
