Ricky Vega
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| Ephraim Vega | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Machete, Ricky Vega |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Billed weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Trained by | Johnny Rodz, Marty Jannetty, Ted DiBiase |
| Debut | July 16, 2001 |
Ephraim Vega is an American professional wrestler most recently known for his short work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Machete (not to be confused with fellow wrestler Joey Machete), and in independent promotions under the name Ricky Vega.
[edit] Career
Vega played football in high school, but an injury prevented him from playing college football. After attending a business school and working in financing, Vega decided to become a professional wrestler. He was introduced to wrestling trainer Johnny Rodz on July 16, 2001. After training under Rodz, he debuted on the Pennsylvanian independent circuit under his real name, working for promotions such as World Xtreme Wrestling, Gladiator Championship Wrestling where he scored his first singles win by pinning Matt Striker and Pro-Pain-Pro-Wrestling. Later he worked for World of Unpredictable Wrestling and became North American Champion by defeating The Uptown Badboy. He went on to defeat Tim Arson, "Smooth Operator" Mike Gallagher and "Pain", "Shellshock" and Sgt. Vic all members of the "Terror Squad" a heel faction of disgruntled military extremist. Vega went on to debut on WWE's Velocity against Luther Reigns as well as on dark matches. A knee injury kept him from signing with the company in 2004 and out of action until returning in August 2005 at a Coastal Championship Wrestling show were he defeated Gino Carusso.
In February 2006 at TNA Against All Odds 2006, Vega debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as "Machete", replacing Apolo as a member of the Latin American Exchange (LAX). The LAX went on to lose to The James Gang, with B.G. James pinning Machete. The LAX faced The James Gang in a rematch at at TNA Destination X 2006 on March 12, 2006, but lost once again, this time after Kip James pinned Machete. On the March 18, 2006 episode of TNA iMPACT!, Machete was thrown out of the LAX by Konnan and a reluctant Homicide who viewed Machete as fearless. He was subsequently released from TNA. Vega is currently working Florida indy's and is set to return in January under his original stage name Ricky Vega.
Vega made his return to TNA on the February 15 episode of iMPACT pushing Konnan, who is currently confined to a wheelchair due to hip surgery, to the ring for LAX's tag team match against Shark Boy and Norman Smiley.
