Travis David Tomko (born March 23, 1976) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from 2003 to 2006 under the ring name Tyson Tomko, with New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 2006 to 2008 under his real name, and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) between 2006 and 2010 under the mononymous name Tomko. Championships held by Tomko include the IWGP Tag Team Championship and TNA World Tag Team Championship.
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2006)
Ohio Valley Wrestling (2002–2003)
Tomko was signed to a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) developmental contract in April 2002 and assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) to sharpen his skills.
Raw (2003–2006)
In July 2003, Tomko began working dark matches for the Raw brand. He then began to work in Japan. Tomko and Bernard joined Masahiro Chono's BLACK faction and would eventually defect to RISE. The pair won G1 Tag League 2007 by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi and Koji Kanemoto.
At Wrestle Kingdom in Tokyo Dome II, Tomko and Bernard defeated The Steiner Brothers. They lost the titles on February 2, 2008, to Great Bash Heel members Togi Makabe and Toru Yano. Tomko was released early in March 2008 after NJPW decided not to renew his contract. NJPW were struggling financially and could not afford to keep him going. They did however, re-sign his tag team partner Giant Bernard.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2006–2008)
Christian's Coalition (2006–2007)
thumb|Tomko (left) with [[Christian Cage in August 2007.]]
On the November 23, 2006 episode of TNA Impact!, Tomko made his debut in a run-in during a NWA World Heavyweight Championship number one contender's match between Christian Cage and Sting, attacking Sting and siding with Cage, once again acting as Christian's enforcer.
Styles and Tomko defeated LAX on the November 1 edition of Impact! to retain the TNA Tag Team title. At Against All Odds Tomko cost Christian the world title, then reluctantly aligned with Kurt Angle, following Styles' example so they could stay partners - with no intention of being a team player to the point of becoming a lapdog again. This team would disband shortly thereafter when Geddon turned face and changed his ring name back to René Bonaparte. On July 30, 2009, Bonaparte defeated Arma in Tomko's final Hustle appearance. He made his in-ring return on the December 17 edition of Impact!, where he, A.J. Styles, Kurt Angle, Abyss and Bobby Lashley defeated Scott Steiner, Doug Williams, Brutus Magnus, Dr. Stevie and Raven. On the January 14 edition of Impact! Tomko turned heel as he was revealed as the man who had attacked Styles multiple times during the past three months, successfully scoring a match for Styles' TNA World Heavyweight Championship later that night as a result. However, Styles defeated him to retain the title. On the February 4 edition of Impact!, Tomko lost to Kurt Angle in an 8 Card Stud Tournament Qualifying match. On the March 4 edition of Impact!, Tomko lost to Jeff Jarrett. On the March 22 edition of Impact!, Tomko was defeated by Rob Terry in a match for the TNA Global Championship. He was seen in a group of heels Eric Bischoff had directed to remove Abyss' mask, and on the May 13 edition of Impact!, Tomko lost to Orlando Jordan via submission which turned out to be his last match in TNA. On August 19, 2010, Tomko's profile was placed in the alumni section on TNA's official website.
Independent circuit (2013–2016)
On September 4, 2013, Tomko made his debut in Ring Warriors, where he claimed to be the next Ring Warriors Grand Champion. The following week, Tomko defeated Michael Sain. On November 2, 2013, Tomko challenged Bruce Santee for the NWA FUW Bruiserweight Championship, but the match ended in no contest. On February 1, 2014, Tomko wrestled Francisco Ciatso at the USA PRO WRESTLING 20th Anniversary Show in Orlando, Florida. Tomko won by disqualification when Ciatso introduced a chair into the match. On January 21, 2016, Tomko made a tweet on Twitter that he his returning to the ring. Tomko faced Locke and QT Santee at FHW Wrestling in Palm Beach, Florida. on January 22, 2016. On February 13, 2016, Tomko faced Tommy Vandal at Independent Championship Wrestling in Miami, Florida. On February 22, 2016, Tomko faced James "The Kid" Sabin at Florida Hardcore Wrestling and ended up in a disqualification when Sabin hit the referee with the chair.
Other media
Tomko appeared in the video games TNA iMPACT! and TNA iMPACT!: Cross The Line as a playable character, as well as having various WWE action figures produced by Jakks Pacific.
Personal life
Prior to his wrestling debut, Tomko served as a bodyguard to nu metal band Limp Bizkit. He appeared in their 2000 music video for "My Generation."
Tomko owns a gym in Delray Beach, Florida, called Purlife Fitness Center, where ex-WWE wrestler Giovanni "Romeo" Roselli also works, an organic restaurant called PurLife Cafe, and a property investment company called Coastal Properties Investment Group (Coastal P.I.G.) in Florida Keys, Florida.
Championships and accomplishments
thumb|Tomko (left) with [[A.J. Styles as TNA World Tag Team Champions in March 2008.]]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Giant Bernard
- Nikkan Sports
- Best Tag Team Award (2007) <small>with Giant Bernard</small>
- Nu-Wrestling Evolution
- NWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Seven
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 25 of the top 500 wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2008
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with A.J. Styles
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Worst Worked Match of the Year (2004) <small>vs. Stevie Richards at Unforgiven</small>