Thomas Matera (born December 13, 1978) is an American professional wrestler and personal trainer, better known by his ring name Antonio Thomas. He is best known for his stint with World Wrestling Entertainment on the Raw brand as one half of The Heart Throbs under the ring name Antonio.
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2001–2004)
Matera made his debut in late 2001 under the name Antonio Thomas, and quickly became a mainstay on the New England independent circuit. Over the next few years, he wrestled for several promotions, including New England Championship Wrestling, Chaotic Wrestling, and the Eastern Wrestling Alliance (EWA). They went on to participate in a Tag Team Turmoil match for the World Tag Team Championship at the 2005 Backlash pay-per-view, although they were unsuccessful.
The Heart Throbs, who have portrayed heels, mainly appeared on the Raw B-show, Heat. They had short-lived feuds with Eugene and William Regal, The Hurricane and Rosey, and V-Squared (Val Venis and Viscera). The Heart Throbs returned to the promotion on November 18, losing to 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty in a tag team match.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007)
On March 11, 2007, Thomas and Roselli appeared at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Destination X pay-per-view as Christy Hemme's mystery team. Renamed "The Heartbreakers", they lost to The Voodoo Kin Mafia (B.G. James and Kip James).
Japan (2008, 2010)
Thomas has wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Thomas and Akebono were defeated by Rene Dupree and Big Daddy Voodoo. Ryota Hama, Masayuki Kono and Shuji Kondo defeated Masakatsu Funaki, Akebono and Antonio Thomas.
Italy (2012)
On September 12, 2012, he has been nominated as head trainer for the Italian promotion Rome Wrestling Academy.
Other media
Matera appeared on the September 7, 2008 edition of Sox Appeal. He was on the wrestling observer live show.
Personal life
Matera is a certified personal trainer, and plans to obtain a Master's degree in Exercise Science and Strength and Conditioning.
- EWA New England Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- EWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Johnny Heartbreaker
- New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2019
- No Limit Pro Wrestling
- NWA Liberty States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Wrestling Federation of America
- WFA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)