Matt Wiese
Matthew Robert Wiese (born September 22, 1971) is an American retired professional wrestler and actor. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed on its SmackDown brand under the ring name Luther Reigns.
Also recorded as Matthew Wiese · Luther Reigns · Matthew R. Wiese · Luther Robert Anoai
Matt Wiese

paddynapper · LUTHER REIGNS · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Name
- Luther Reigns
- Birth Name
- Matthew Robert Wiese
- Born
- 22 September 1971
- Birthplace
- New York City, U.S.
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- professional wrestler · actor
- Education
- Arizona State University
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Matthew Robert Wiese (born September 22, 1971) is an American retired professional wrestler and actor. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed on its SmackDown brand under the ring name Luther Reigns.
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Note VALÉORINE
Matt Wiese (born 1971) is an actor, film actor and professional wrestler, among other activities, of American nationality. The actor was born in New York City. Matt Wiese was educated at Arizona State University. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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wikidata · Q1079325 · wikipedia · Luther Reigns
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Luther Reigns • Ring Names — Horshu Inspector Impact Inspector Max Impact Luther Reigns • Birth Name — Matthew Robert Wiese • Height — 6 ft 5 in • Weight — 285 lb • Born — 22 September 1971 • Birthplace — New York City, U.S. • Billed — Phoenix, Arizona • Trainer — Navajo Warrior WCW Power Plant • Debut — 1997 • Retired — September 16, 2006
World Championship Wrestling (1997–1998)
World Championship Wrestling (1997–1998)
In 1996, Wiese tried out for the Power Plant, World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s professional wrestling school. Upon completing his training, Wiese started his wrestling career as an enhancement talent in WCW in 1997 using the ring name Horshu. He was among six wrestlers who "auditioned" for an anti-New World Order faction called Piper's Family on the March 3, 1997 episode of Monday Nitro, spearheaded by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. After being tested in a 30-second impromptu match with Piper, Wiese was quickly defeated via sleeper hold after attempting to use dirty tactics to defeat Piper.
AWA Superstars of Wrestling (1999–2003)
AWA Superstars of Wrestling (1999–2003)
After his stint in WCW, Wiese made his way to Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) for more training. He then debuted in AWA Superstars of Wrestling as Horshu, winning their World Heavyweight Championship and holding the title for a total of nine months. However, he was stripped of the title due to missing mandatory title defenses, and left the promotion shortly afterwards.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2003–2005)
World Wrestling Entertainment (2003–2005)
In June 2003, he signed a developmental contract from World Wrestling Entertainment and was sent to wrestle in their then-developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) under the ring name Inspector Max Impact. After a few non-televised matches before Raw in 2003 and 2004, Wiese was promoted to the main roster in April 2004 under the name Luther Reigns, where he became the "assistant" to then-SmackDown! general manager Kurt Angle. Reigns made his in-ring debut on the June 17 episode of SmackDown!, defeating Funaki. He made his pay-per-view debut at The Great American Bash on June 27, defeating Charlie Haas in a singles match. Reigns and Angle introduced the newly drafted Mark Jindrak as a new member of their team during their tag team match against Big Show and Eddie Guerrero in September. The two assisted Angle in his feuds and helped him win most of his matches. On October 3 at No Mercy, Reigns lost to Guerrero. At Survivor Series on November 14, he took part in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series elimination match with Jindrak, Angle and Carlito Caribbean Cool, losing to Guerrero, Big Show, John Cena and Rob Van Dam. Reigns, Jindrak and Angle then lost to Big Show in a handicap match at Armageddon on December 12. • Illustration — Reigns and Mark Jindrak at a house show in January 2005 Their faction split in February 2005 as Reigns and Jindrak went off on their own to feud with The Undertaker. At No Way Out on February 20, Reigns lost to The Undertaker. After Reigns and Jindrak lost to The Undertaker in a "Double Jeopardy" handicap match on the February 24 edition of SmackDown!, they briefly argued before coming to blows and had to be pulled apart by officials. The following week, they failed to win the WWE Tag Team Championship from Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. After the match, Jindrak tried to help Reigns up to his feet, but Reigns smacked Jindrak in response. The two argued until Jindrak knocked Reigns out with a left hook. Reigns lost to Jindrak on the March 10 episode of SmackDown!, effectively ending their team. • Illustration — Reigns in April 2005 After this, Reigns resumed his feud with Big Show after saying that Big Show embarrassed the SmackDown! brand at WrestleMania 21 when Show lost to Akebono in a sumo match. Reigns unsuccessfully tried to tip over a Jeep to prove he was stronger than Show, who then successfully tipped the Jeep over. On April 7, in his final appearance on SmackDown!, Reigns lost to Big Show. Reigns then wrestled mainly on Velocity until he requested and was granted his release from WWE on May 11, 2005.
Late career (2005–2006)
Late career (2005–2006)
Following his departure from WWE, Wiese operated a salon and attempted to become a real estate salesman. In mid-2005, Wiese returned to wrestling as Horshu for Ultimate Pro Wrestling (JPW), unsuccessfully challenging Tom Howard for the UPW Heavyweight Championship. On October 13, Horshu lost to The Patriot in a match for Impact Zone Wrestling, before defeating Sheik Hussein in an impromptu match in his debut for Scott Norton's Wild West Championship Wrestling on June 17. He returned to WWCW on September 16, where he wrestled Aaron Aguilera to a no contest after Norton interfered. Later that night, Horshu teamed with Heidenreich in a losing effort to Norton and Aguilera in what turned out to be Wiese's final match.
Filmography
Filmography
• The Girl Next Door (2004) as Mule • True Legend (2009) in an uncredited role • Spring Break '83 (2010) as Horseshoe • Let's Be Cops (2014) as Pupa's Rival
Television
Television
• The Jenny Jones Show (2003) in episode "From Geek to Bad Ass Physique" • My Bare Lady (2006) in episodes "Floodlights and Catfights" and "Cattle Call" as himself • Heroes (2008) in episodes "Dying of the Light" and "Angles and Monsters" as Milosh • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2009) in episode "Disarmed and Dangerous" as Vinnie Mingus
Personal life
Personal life
Wiese has worked as a bodyguard, including for the AVN pornography convention in Las Vegas, and performed tour security for touring rock bands. On April 19, 2010, it was reported that Wiese had suffered a stroke in December 2009. Wiese stated that he believed his steroid use, which began during his time at Arizona State University, and the painkiller addiction he developed from wrestling were contributing factors to the cause of the stroke. On April 10, 2015, several media outlets reported that Wiese, along with Russ McCullough and fellow WWE alumnus Ryan Sakoda, had filed a class action lawsuit against WWE, alleging, among other things, that "the WWE has known for years... the brutality in the ring has resulted in dementia, Alzheimer's disease and a lot more". The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE. The lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant in March 2016.
Championships and accomplishments
Championships and accomplishments
• AWA Superstars of Wrestling • AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) • Pro Wrestling Illustrated • Ranked No. 80 of the best 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004
Identity
Identity
Matt Wiese is recorded as professional wrestler and actor.

Luther Reigns @ Adelaide, South Australia 'Smackdown' house show on the 10th of April '05
Krystal from Adelaide, Australia · Luther Reigns
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Luther Reigns”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1079325: Matt Wiese
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.WWE. Luther Reigns bio.
- 2.Driscoll, Eugene. WWE star survives own SmackDown. The News-Times. February 28, 2005.
- 3.Kreikenbohm, Philip. Luther Reigns. Cagematch.net.
- 4.This Week in The WCW - 3/1/97 - 3/3/97. DDTDigest.com.
- 5.Keller, Wade. 6/17 WWE Smackdown review: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. June 17, 2004.
- 6.WWE. The Great American Bash 2004 results.
- 7.Keller, Wade. 9/23 WWE Smackdown review: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" analysis of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. September 23, 2004.
- 8.WWE. No Mercy 2004 results.
- 9.WWE. Survivor Series 2004 results.
- 10.WWE. Armageddon 2004 results.
- 11.Keller, Wade. Keller's 2/3 WWE Smackdown Review: Ongoing 'virtual time' analysis of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. February 3, 2005.
- 12.Keller, Wade. Keller's SmackDown Report 2/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. February 11, 2005.
- 13.Keller, Wade. Keller's 2/17 WWE Smackdown Review: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. February 17, 2005.
- 14.WWE. No Way Out 2005 results.
- 15.Keller, Wade. Keller's 2/24 Smackdown Review: Ongoing "virtual time" analysis of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. February 24, 2005.
- 16.Keller, Wade. Keller's 3/3 WWE Smackdown Report: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. March 3, 2005.
- 17.Keller, Wade. Keller's SmackDown Report 3/10: Ongoing "virtual time" analysis of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. March 10, 2005.
- 18.Keller, Wade. Keller's SmackDown Report 3/24: Ongoing "virtual time" analysis of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. March 24, 2005.
- 19.Keller, Wade. Keller's SmackDown Report 3/31: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of broadcast. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. March 31, 2005.
- 20.WWE. New Champ is here. April 7, 2005.
- 21.Keller, Wade. WWE News: Former Kurt Angle bodyguard, Luther Reigns, released by WWE. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. May 11, 2005.
- 22.Keller, Wade. WWE News: Quotes from Reigns about his departure, Cena appearances, ECW PPV in UK. Pro Wrestling Torch. TDH Communications Inc. May 12, 2005.
- 23.Kreikenbohm, Philip. Luther Reigns (p.2). Cagematch.net.
- 24.Jaffer, Murtz. WWE News: Interesting Note On Luther Reigns. Inside Pulse. August 22, 2004.
- 25.Quizon, Derek. Former WWE star Luther Reigns recovering from stroke in Glendale. The Arizona Republic. April 19, 2010.
- 26.WWE Wrestlers Sue -- We're Badgered, Brutalized and Brain Damaged. TMZ.com. April 10, 2015.
- 27.Bieler, Des. Dozens of wrestlers sue WWE over CTE, effects of traumatic brain injuries. Chicago Tribune. July 19, 2016.
- 28.AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Title. Wrestling-Titles.com.
- 29.Internet Wrestling Database. Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2004.
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