Bradley Cain (born September 8, 1970 ^[1]) is an American professional wrestler, better known as Lodi, who competed for World Championship Wrestling from 1997 to 2000.

Profile

• Height: 5'10" (177.8 cm)
• Weight: 220lbs (99.8 kg)
• Birthday: September 8, 1970
• Hometown: Asheboro, North Carolina
• Trained By: C.W. Anderson
• Professional Debut: 1997
• Previous Identities: Brad Cain, Brad Kane, Idol, Rave, Razen Cain, Skank, Lodi, Lodi Lane
• Previous Manager(s): Miss Hancock
• Quotes: "Lodi Rules!"
• Finishing/Signature Move(s): Sign-Off (DDT), Brainbuster, Rocker Dropper, Triple German Suplex, Lodi-ed Glove (punch with loaded glove)
• Collective noun describing fanbase: Lodettes and Lodites

Career

After graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Political Science, Bradley Cain was originally a bodybuilder, working as such for seven years before training as a wrestler under Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni C.W. Anderson. He debuted in 1997, and wrestled on the independent circuit before being signed by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He was briefly sent to the WCW Power Plant to train before making his first WCW appearance at World War III on November 23, 1997 under the name Lodi (an acronym of the surname of Billy Idol, who he was thought to resemble). Lodi was introduced as a member of Raven's Flock in order to replace the injured Stevie Richards. Cain's in-ring debut was on WCW Nitro on December 8, 1997 against Chris Benoit, to whom he lost. He would accompany his fellow Flock members to ringside carrying a variety of signs, which he would display to the audience at intervals. The signs were generally intended to be humerous and variously furthered angles, antagonised the audience, promoted the Flock and made inside jokes aimed at other wrestlers. They often bewailed the small amount of televison time devoted to the Flock, or their poor win / loss record. The Flock eventually disbanded at the September 13, 1998 Fall Brawl, and Lodi disappeared from WCW television several months later after suffering a fractured ankle while wrestling Psicosis .

The West Hollywood Blondes

In June 1999 Lenny Lane persuaded Cain to team with him as the "West Hollywood Blondes", a homosexual Californian duo with pink trunks and flamboyant haircuts who were later revealed to be brothers. The name was a reference to the Hollywood Blondes, a popular tag team of the early 1990s consisting of Steve Austin and Brian Pillman. The Blondes were highly controversial, and their depiction of homosexuals was protested by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Entertainment Media Director Scott Seomin wrote in a letter sent to Turner Network Television (TNT) president Brad Siegel "The character of Lenny is presented with the intention to incite the crowd to the most base homophobic behavior." Seomen later stated "the audience's reaction [to Lenny and Lodi being physically attacked by other wrestlers] gives permission to viewers to do harm to gay people in a very literal way -- it's appalling." TNT quickly acceded to the demands of GLAAD, removing Lenny and Lodi from the active roster for six months ^[2]. It is rumoured that the bad press caused by the incident was a determining factor in the firing of Eric Bischoff as Vice-President of WCW by Ted Turner. ^[3]

The Blondes returned as "Standards and Practices", a team intended to lampoon the censorship of TNT. They failed to regain their earlier notoriety, however, and were released from WCW in 2000. Cain believes that his addiction to painkillers and drinking habit at this time was responsible for the loss of his job. ^[4]

Lenny and Lodi teamed up again on the indepedendent circuit, wrestling for the World Wrestling Allstars. They were scheduled to appear with Jeff Jarrett's Total Nonstop Action promotion, but Cain was injured. He was sidelined from wrestling for sixteen months while recovering from neck surgery, and Lenny Lane formed a new tag team, the "Rainbow Express", with Bruce . Lodi now competes for All-Star Championship Wrestling (ACW) and Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW), and is also a wrestling trainer.

Cain's potential as a serious wrestler remains largely untapped, as he has spent much of his career in the shadow of other wrestlers, or wrestling comedy matches.

Personal Life

Despite portraying homosexuals on television, Cain describes himself and his partner Lenny as "pretty much straight as nails."

Cain is a former drug addict, and was addicted to GHB and painkillers for seven years.

On May 17, 2004 Cain lost a numer of personal possessions when his apartment building burnt down.

Cain is a personal fitness trainer and operates a studio named Your FLEX Appeal in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Championships/Accomplishments

• 1-time NWA Mid-Atlantic Hardcore Champion
• 1-time TCW Hardcore Champion

References

• [1] - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128876// - IMDB biography
• [2] - http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/1999-10-12 - IMDB Article WCW Bars Gay Wrestlers
• [3] - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/tv/features/daily/wrestling101299.htm - Washington Post Article
• [4] - http://www.lodirulz.com/interviews.html - Interview with Cain

External Links

• Official site
• Signs brought to ringside by Lodi
• Cain's training facility