Mike Mondo

Michael Brendli (born March 26, 1983) is an American professional wrestler.

He is best known for his time in WWE as Mike Mondo and Mikey as a member of The Spirit Squad.

After training at the Critical Mass Wrestling School, he debuted in June 2002 and began working for several independent promotions as Mike Mondo, Livewyre, or El Livewyre.

He debuted in June 2002, and wrestled on the independent circuit, both in New York and in New Jersey.

Brendli first became known as "Livewyre", occasionally competing under a mask as "El Livewyre".

Most of his early success was in the New York Wrestling Connection promotion, where he had a nine-month undefeated streak.

His earliest success came in the New York Wrestling Connection promotion, where he won the NYWC Heavyweight Championship on two occasions between 2003 and 2005.

Competing as "Livewire" Mike Mondo he won the NYWC Heavyweight Championship from "Superstar" Dickie Rodz on June 7, 2003, holding it for approximately two months, until he vacated it.

Brendli was also competing in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) during this time, making his debut in September 2003.

He appeared in several dark matches prior to the television tapings against wrestlers including Tank Toland, Joey Matthews, and Carly Colón.

In February 2005, he signed a contract with WWE, and was assigned to the OVW developmental territory.

There, he formed The Spirit Squad faction with four other wrestlers.

On March 26, 2005, he defeated Joey Matthews to win the NYWC Heavyweight Championship for the second time, and later successfully retained the championship against Mikey Whipwreck.

Mondo lost the championship to Matt Striker on April 30, after holding it for just over a month.

Brendli signed a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) developmental contract in February 2005, and was assigned to OVW full-time.

First he acted as a manager, then became a full-time wrestler and a member of the Bolin Services faction led by Kenny "The King Maker" Bolin.

He competed in a tournament for the OVW Television Championship, but lost in the first round to Alexis Laree.

Embarrassed by losing to a female wrestler, Mondo issued an open challenge to any woman backstage, and a result, lost to Victoria.

In late summer 2005, Mondo feuded with Brent Albright after attacking Albright during a match with Da Beast and injuring his eye.

Albright obtained revenge on Mondo, however, defeating him by submission at the television tapings on September 7.

Throughout the end of 2005, Mondo continued to team with various members of Bolin Services, mainly Johnny Jeter and Da Beast.

In December 2005, Mondo debuted a character, where he pretended to be a luchadore, and competed under a mask as "El Mondo".

He won several dark matches using the El Mondo gimmick, before losing to CM Punk in a televised match.

In late 2005, Mondo joined the Spirit Squad, a faction of five wrestlers using the in-ring personas of male cheerleaders, as Mikey.

Brendli has described being in the Spirit Squad as "the most fun" he's had in his career.

The Spirit Squad debuted on the Raw brand in January 2006, and quickly won the World Tag Team Championship in April.

They held the championship for seven months, before losing it in early November.

They were taken off television in late 2006.

Mikey and Kenny began appearing in dark matches and at live events using the Spirit Squad gimmick, and on January 2, 2006, Mikey lost to Chavo Guerrero.

On January 23, 2006, they had their WWE television debut as a group, appearing on Raw and helping Jonathan Coachman win a Royal Rumble qualifying match against Jerry "The King" Lawler by distracting Lawler and performing cheers for Coachman.

They later became a part of the ongoing scripted feud between WWE chairman Mr. McMahon and Shawn Michaels.

The heel (villainous) McMahon brought in the Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple handicap matches.

They also wrestled in the tag team division, and on April 3, on Raw, Mikey and Kenny defeated Kane and The Big Show to win the World Tag Team Championship, with help from the other Spirit Squad members.

He returned to OVW in 2007, before being moved to the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) territory in September.

He competed in FCW until his WWE release in June 2008.

He then returned to the independent circuit, and later returned to OVW, where he won both the OVW Television Championship and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in 2009.

He went on to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship for the first time in mid-2010 and the second time in early 2011.

Brendli began training at the Critical Mass Pro Wrestling wrestling school during his freshman year of college.

He also appeared in Major League Wrestling (MLW) in a tag team with fellow Squad member Kenny Dykstra during 2019.

He also worked in Ring of Honor and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).