Joey Ryan (wrestler)
A polarizing indie wrestling showman who turned a comedic mustache-and-suspenders gimmick into a viral, audience-participation phenomenon.
Born 1979 (age 47)·American inactive professional wrestler·Birthday: November 7·Generation X
Biography
Joey Ryan carved out a unique and contentious niche in professional wrestling not through pure athleticism, but through a brazen, meta-theatrical character. Emerging from the Southern California indie scene, he transformed into a smarmy, mustachioed 'King of Sleaze' whose entire act revolved around an absurd, superhuman resistance to low blows. His 'Dick Flip' move, where he'd hurl opponents using his groin, became a bizarre viral signature. Ryan leveraged this notoriety to co-found Bar Wrestling, a popular Los Angeles promotion known for its party atmosphere. His style was a deliberate satire of wrestling tropes and a vehicle for maximum crowd interaction, making him a must-see curiosity. While his in-ring career ended abruptly amidst industry-wide allegations in 2020, his influence on the presentation of comedy and audience engagement in independent wrestling remains a discussed, if complicated, part of its modern history.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Joey was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Joey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Joey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded and was the face of Bar Wrestling, a successful independent promotion in Los Angeles known for its unique venue and atmosphere.
- His 'Dick Flip' maneuver and overall gimmick gained massive viral attention, transcending typical wrestling audiences.
- Appeared for major promotions like Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor, bringing his unorthodox character to national TV.
- Created the 'Kings of Wrestling' tag team with Candice LeRae, becoming a notable act on the independent circuit.
Did You Know?
He worked as a writer and producer for the YouTube Premium series 'Wayne'.
He is a trained actor who studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
His wrestling gimmick was partially inspired by 1970s adult film stars.
He once wrestled a match where his mustache was officially on the line.
“The most devastating move in wrestling is a well-placed distraction and a firm grip.”
