A-1 (wrestler)


Alastair Charles Ralphs is a Canadian professional wrestler and former bodybuilder, better known by his ring name, A-1. He is best known for his appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling from 2004 to 2007 as part of Team Canada.

Early life

Ralphs was born in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, and relocated to Dunnville, Ontario at the age of five. He later moved to Windsor, Ontario to attend the University of Windsor.

Professional wrestling career

Border City Wrestling (2001–2005)

Alastair Ralphs was trained by Scott D'Amore in the Can-Am Wrestling School, and debuted in D'Amore's Border City Wrestling promotion in 2001. After spending three years as an undercard talent, Ralphs became A-1, a cocky, arrogant heel, forming an alliance with Johnny Swinger. He defeated D'Lo Brown for the BCW Heavyweight Championship on December 12, 2004, in Belleville, Michigan at "A Night of Appreciation for Sabu".
On January 23, 2005, at New Year's Revolution, Ralphs interrupted the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, complaining that he was being overshadowed by older wrestlers. Scott D'Amore responded with a jibe aimed at Ralph's previous career as a bodybuilder, leading to a brawl between Ralphs and D'Amore. Following a distraction from Jade, A-1 was able to powerbomb D'Amore through a table. Ralphs went on to retain the heavyweight title in a match with Abyss, using Abyss's own chain to knock him unconscious.
Ralphs lost the BCW Heavyweight Championship to Bobby Roode on July 22, 2005. In the course of his reign as champion he faced well-known veterans such as Jim Neidhart and King Kong Bundy.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2004)

On the November 27 episode of WWE Velocity, A-1 and Robbie McAllister lost to Luther Reigns and Mark Jindrak. On the November 28 episode of Sunday Night Heat, A-1 lost to Viscera.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004–2007)

On July 16, 2004, Ralphs appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, losing to Sabu. He reappeared on March 13, 2005 as a member of Team Canada, replacing the injured Johnny Devine at Destination X 2005 and teaming with Bobby Roode, Eric Young and Petey Williams to face Chris Harris, James Storm, B.G. James and Konnan. He wrestled on TNA Impact! throughout April and May 2005, teaming with other members of Team Canada or accompanying them to the ring. At Hard Justice on May 15, Ralphs took part in the Gauntlet for the Gold. He entered at number six and was eliminated by The Outlaw and B.G. James. at No Surrender, Team Canada defeated The Naturals and Lance Hoyt in a six man tag team match. at Sacrifice, Team Canada defeated America's Most Wanted and The Naturals in an Eight-man tag team match. At Unbreakable, Team Canada competed in a Four-way elimination tag team match for the NWA World Tag Team Championship which was won by The Naturals. at Bound for Glory, Team Canada defeated 3Live Kru. at Genesis, Team Canada lost to 3Live Kru in a 6-Sided Stick Fight. at Turning Point, Team Canada defeated 3Live Kru and Kip James. on the December 31
episode of Impact, A-1 lost to Rhino. on the Final Resolution Preshow, Team Canada defeated Jay Lethal, Kenny King, and Lance Hoyt. on the January 21 episode of Impact, Team Canada defeated Ron Killings, Lance Hoyt and Shark Boy. on the Against All Odds preshow, A-1 lost to Ron Killings. on the February 18 episode of Impact, A-1, Petey Williams and Bobby Roode lost to Ron Killings and Team 3-D in a six man tag team match. on the February 25 episode of Impact, A-1 and Bobby Roode defeated The James Gang. at Lockdown, Team Canada lost to Team 3D in a Six Sides of Steel Anthem match.
On the May 11, 2006, episode of TNA Impact!, Larry Zbyszko asked Team Canada coach Scott D'Amore for assistance in his feud with Raven. D'Amore eventually agreed to help Zbyszko rid TNA of Raven, and nominated A-1 to face Raven in a match at TNA Sacrifice 2006 in May 2006, a match that A-1 lost. on the Slammiversary preshow, Team Canada defeated The Naturals. On the June 29, 2006, episode of Impact!, TNA Management Director Jim Cornette disbanded Team Canada.
A-1 soon began wrestling sporadically, facing Ron Killings in the pre-show of the Hard Justice pay-per-view and against Eric Young at the No Surrender pay-per-view, losing both times. He also took part in the Kevin Nash Open Invitational X-Division Gauntlet Battle Royal at Bound for Glory, despite not being a part of the X-Division. He was eliminated by both Maverick Matt and Kazarian.
A-1 was released by TNA on February 23, 2007.

Independent circuit (2007–present)

After leaving TNA, A1 wrestled on the independent circuit in Canada and the United States.
After being inactive from 2009-2015, A-1 quietly returned to a Border City Wrestling show in January 2015. He has since been an active member of their roster. Since returning, A-1 has also made appearances for UCW in Michigan and Greektown Pro Wrestling in Toronto.
On October 14, 2017, A1 unsuccessfully challenged Eli Drake for the Impact Global Championship in a match for Border City Wrestling. The match later aired as part of an Impact One Night Only special Canadian Clash.

Impact Wrestling (2018–present)

He returned to Impact Wrestling on March 3, 2018, at the Impact One Night Only special March Breakdown pay-per view, where he teamed with Allie defeating the team of Braxton Sutter and KC Spinelli.
On June 1, 2018, A1 returned making appearance on Xplosion taping in a tag team match teaming with El Reverso losing to the team of Kongo Kong and Matt Sydal. The following night he once again taped a tag team match for Xplosion teaming with Moose defeating Austin Aries and Phil Atlas.

Personal life

Ralphs has a son named Vitali.

Championships and accomplishments