Joshua Bruns (born March 5, 1993) is an American
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
, better known by his ring name Josh Briggs. He is signed to
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
where he performs on the
NXT brand
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...
. He was a one-time and the final
NXT UK Tag Team Champion.
Bruns previously performed for
the original Evolve promotion, where he was a one-time and the final
Evolve Champion at the time of the original promotion's closure.
Early life
Bruns played football at
UMass after two years at
Glendale Community College in Arizona.
Professional wrestling career
WWE (2020–present)
Teaming with Brooks Jensen (2020–2023)
On August 31, 2020, it was reported that Briggs had signed a contract with
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
, following the company's purchase of
Evolve in July. On October 7, WWE announced that he had reported for training at the
Performance Center, alongside five other professional wrestlers from Evolve.
On July 6, 2021, Briggs was announced to be a part of the 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament. On the July 27 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs was defeated by
Carmelo Hayes
Christian Brigham (born August 1, 1994) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Carmelo Hayes. He ...
in the first round. On the ''NXT 2.0'' premiere on September 14, Briggs formed a tag team with the debuting
Brooks Jensen
Benjamin Buchanan (born August 21, 2001) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Brooks Jensen. He is a former one-time and the final NXT UK Tag Team Champion.
Buchanan ...
and faced
Imperium
In ancient Rome, ''imperium'' was a form of authority held by a citizen to control a military or governmental entity. It is distinct from '' auctoritas'' and '' potestas'', different and generally inferior types of power in the Roman Republic a ...
(
Fabian Aichner and
Marcel Barthel) in a losing effort, establishing themselves as
faces
The face is the front of the head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may affect the ...
. On the January 18, 2022 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs and Jensen competed in the
Dusty Rhodes Men's Tag Team Classic, but were eliminated by eventual winners the
Creed Brothers (Brutus and Julius) in the first round. On the April 12 episode of ''NXT'', they took part in a five-team
gauntlet match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Gimmick, gimmick matches" in the Glossary of professional wrestling terms, jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick m ...
for the vacant
NXT Tag Team Championship
The NXT Tag Team Championship is a men's Professional wrestling championship, professional wrestling tag team championship created and promoted by the United States, American professional wrestling promotion, promotion WWE. It is defended on NXT ...
, but failed to win. On the June 22 episode of ''
NXT UK
''NXT UK'' was a professional wrestling television programme that was produced exclusively in the United Kingdom by the American promotion WWE. It aired on BT Sport and 5Action (previously known as Paramount Network). In the United States, the ...
'', Briggs and Jensen defeated
Dave Mastiff
David Minton (born 21 July 1984) is an English professional wrestler. He is most known for his time in WWE, where he performed on its NXT UK brand under the ring name "Bomber" Dave Mastiff.
Professional wrestling career
Mastiff debuted in 200 ...
and Jack Starz,
Mark Andrews and
Wild Boar
The wild boar (''Sus scrofa''), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a Suidae, suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The speci ...
, and
Die Familie (
Teoman and Rohan Raja) in a
Fatal 4-Way elimination match to win the vacant
NXT UK Tag Team Championship, making them the first and only non-European tag team to win the titles.
Singles competition (2023–2024)
On the December 27, 2023 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs, Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley agree to go their separate ways splitting up the team. On the January 16, 2024 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs received an endorsement from
John "Bradshaw" Layfield
John Charles Layfield (born November 29, 1966), better known by the ring name John "Bradshaw" Layfield, is an American professional wrestling color commentator, retired professional wrestler and former American football, football player. He is s ...
in a backstage segment. The following week, Briggs took on
Trick Williams
Matrick Mondre Belton (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on its NXT brand, under the ring name Trick Williams. He also makes appearances in WWE's partner promotion Total Nonstop Acti ...
in a losing effort. After the match, Briggs attacked Williams with a clothesline, thus turning
heel
The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.
Structure
To distribute the compressive forces exerted ...
for the first time in his WWE career. On the February 6 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs seemingly consoled his former partner Jensen about having to work alone, only to then badmouth him and tell him to grow up, thus cementing his heel turn. On the February 20 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs defeated Jensen in a singles match and consoled him after by saying "I did this for you, I love you man", turning back into a face once again. At
NXT Roadblock, Briggs would try to talk Jensen out of taking a match with
Oba Femi
Isaac Odugbesan (born April 22, 1998) is a Nigerian professional wrestler and former shot putter. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Oba Femi and is the current NXT C ...
but Jensen was persistent on facing Femi and would be ultimately defeated the following week with Briggs watching at ringside. At
NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, Briggs failed to win the
NXT North American Championship
The NXT North American Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It is defended as the secondary men's championship of NXT, the promotion's developmental brand. The current champi ...
from Femi in a
triple threat match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a storyline. ...
which also include
Dijak. On the July 9 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs reunited with Jensen after Briggs vouched for Jensen, who had been trespassing the WWE Performance Center on tapings of ''NXT'' after being (
kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe (pronounced ) is the portrayal of staged events within the industry as "real" or "true", specifically competition, rivalries, and relationships between participants. The term has evolved to become a code word ...
) released from WWE, to get his job back. Moments later, Jensen was seen attacking
Je'Von Evans
Malachi Jeffers (born April 28, 2004) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Je'Von Evans on the NXT brand. He was previously known under the ring name Jay Malachi on the independent cir ...
backstage. On the following week, Jensen was defeated by Evans. After the match, Jensen attacked Evans and was stopped by Briggs, to which Jensen challenged Briggs to a
No Disqualification match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a storyline. ...
where Jensen won after interference from
Shawn Spears
Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981), better known by his ring name Shawn Spears, is a Canadian Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and trainer. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE NXT, NXT WWE brand extension, ...
.
Teaming with Yoshiki Inamura (2024–present)
After his excursion to
Pro Wrestling Noah, Briggs formed a tag team with Noah's
Yoshiki Inamura
is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is signed to Pro Wrestling Noah. He is also making appearances for WWE on their NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2 ...
. On the November 12 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs and Inamura entered a
battle royal
Battle royal (, also battle royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules, where the winner is the one who registers the most wins. In recent times, the term has been ...
for a
NXT Tag Team Championship
The NXT Tag Team Championship is a men's Professional wrestling championship, professional wrestling tag team championship created and promoted by the United States, American professional wrestling promotion, promotion WWE. It is defended on NXT ...
match opportunity but they failed to win the match. On the February 11, 2025 episode of ''NXT'', Briggs and Inamura defeated
No Quarter Catch Crew
No Quarter Catch Crew (NQCC) is an American professional wrestling stable that performs in WWE on the NXT brand. The group currently consists of Charlie Dempsey, Tavion Heights, and Wren Sinclair. Dempsey is a former two-time NXT Heritage Cup ...
(
Myles Borne
David Bostian III (born May 25, 1999) is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Myles Borne on the NXT brand. He is the only partially deaf wrestler to be employed by WWE.
Early life
Bostian ...
and
Tavion Heights) and Hank and Tank (
Hank Walker
Joseph Sculthorpe (born June 11, 1998) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler and former American football, football player. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under ...
and
Tank Ledger
Joseph Spivak (born October 11, 1999) is an American professional wrestling, professional wrestler and former American football, football player. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under ...
) in a triple threat tag team match for a NXT Tag Team Championship match at
NXT Vengeance Day but failed to win the titles. On the May 6 episode of ''NXT'', Inamura inadvertently eliminated Briggs in the 25-man battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the
NXT Championship
The NXT Championship is a men's professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion, promotion WWE, defended as the top men's championship of NXT (WWE brand), NXT, the promotion's Farm team, de ...
and was eliminated as well. After the match, Inamura announced that he would be returning to Japan, disbanding his tag team with Briggs and ending his excursion in WWE.
At
NXT Battleground on May 25, Briggs and Hank and Tank defeated The Culling (
Brooks Jensen
Benjamin Buchanan (born August 21, 2001) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Brooks Jensen. He is a former one-time and the final NXT UK Tag Team Champion.
Buchanan ...
,
Niko Vance,
Shawn Spears
Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981), better known by his ring name Shawn Spears, is a Canadian Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and trainer. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE NXT, NXT WWE brand extension, ...
) in a six-man tag team match. After the match, The Culling attacked Briggs and Hank and Tank. They were saved by a returning Inamura, who reunites with Briggs in the process.
Pro Wrestling Noah (2024)
In July 2024, it was announced that Bruns, as Josh Briggs, would be one of two NXT representatives (the other being
Tavion Heights) to enter
Pro Wrestling Noah's
N-1 Victory tournament.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Alpha-1 Wrestling
Alpha-1 Wrestling (A1) is a Canadian independent professional wrestling promotion based out of Hamilton, Ontario. The promotion was founded by Ethan Page in 2010 after he grew tired of inviting his family to see him in bars commenting "I just ...
**
A1 Zero Gravity Championship (1 time)
*
Chaotic Wrestling
Chaotic Wrestling, stylized as CHAOTIC, is an American independent wrestling promotion, which has been operating throughout New England since 2000; with its current home base in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Chaotic Wrestling is known for p ...
**
Chaotic Wrestling New England Championship (
1 time)
**Chaotic Wrestling New England Title Tournament (2017)
*
Evolve
**
Evolve Championship (
1 time, final)
*Monster Factory Pro Wrestling
**MFPW Network Championship (1 time)
*Northeast Championship Wrestling
**Ox Baker Memorial Cup (2017)
*''
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
''
**Ranked No. 175 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''
PWI 500
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
'' in 2020
*UFO Wrestling
**UFO Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Beau Douglas
*
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
**
NXT UK Tag Team Championship (
1 time, final) – with
Brooks Jensen
Benjamin Buchanan (born August 21, 2001) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Brooks Jensen. He is a former one-time and the final NXT UK Tag Team Champion.
Buchanan ...
**
NXT Year-End Award (1 time)
*** Match of the Year (
2024
The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...
) –
vs. Oba Femi
Isaac Odugbesan (born April 22, 1998) is a Nigerian professional wrestler and former shot putter. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Oba Femi and is the current NXT C ...
and Dijak at NXT Stand & Deliver
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Briggs, Josh
1993 births
Living people
21st-century male professional wrestlers
21st-century American professional wrestlers
American male professional wrestlers
Glendale Gauchos football players
Evolve Champions
NXT UK Tag Team Champions
Professional wrestlers from Massachusetts
UMass Minutemen football players
Professional wrestlers from Arizona