P. J. Black

Phillip Paul Lloyd, known to fans as P. J. Black and to WWE audiences as Justin Gabriel, is a retired South African professional wrestler. Born March 3, 1981, in Cape Town, he made his ring debut at 16 and spent nearly three decades in the business, earning a reputation as one of the most electrifying high-flyers of his generation. He is best remembered for his WWE run, where he won the Tag Team Championship three times with Heath Slater and played a key role in the Nexus and Corre factions. After leaving WWE, he continued wrestling on the independent circuit and had a brief TNA stint, adding the King of the Mountain Championship to his resume.

Lloyd's style blended acrobatic offense with crisp technical work, and his signature 450 splash became a fan favorite. Beyond wrestling, he's known for his daring BASE jumping hobby, which nearly cost him a finger in 2017. Now retired, he remains a respected figure in the wrestling community, celebrated for his athleticism and longevity. [edit]

Growing up in Cape Town, Lloyd was surrounded by wrestling from birth. His father, Paul Lloyd Sr., performed as The Pink Panther in South Africa's vibrant wrestling scene, and young Phillip often watched his dad work the crowds. He started training seriously as a teenager, learning the ropes directly from his father, with additional guidance from Alex Shane and Mark Sloan.

At 16, he stepped into the ring for the first time, competing in South Africa and the United Kingdom. His early years were marked by rapid improvement and a growing reputation as a high-flying standout. In the early 2000s, he made history by becoming the inaugural WWP World Cruiserweight Champion in World Wrestling Professionals, a title that put him on the map internationally.

Outside wrestling, Lloyd pursued modeling, winning first place in the Male Fitness Model Search held by FAME SA and placing well in other competitions. He also developed a passion for BASE jumping, a hobby that would later test his resilience in a dramatic way. These diverse interests shaped a performer who was as comfortable in front of a camera as he was in the ring. [edit]

Lloyd's big break came in 2008 when he signed with WWE and joined Florida Championship Wrestling. There, he captured the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Kris Logan and the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, proving he could carry both a division and a title.

In February 2010, he was announced as part of the inaugural season of NXT under the name Justin Gabriel, with Matt Hardy as his mentor. He made an immediate impact by becoming the first rookie to pin a pro on the show, defeating William Regal in his debut. He finished third overall in the competition, behind Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett.

After NXT, Gabriel joined Barrett's villainous faction The Nexus. On October 25, 2010, he and Heath Slater won the WWE Tag Team Championship from John Cena and David Otunga. They held the titles for nearly two months before losing them, but regained them twice more, making them three-time champions by 2011. Gabriel later joined The Corre before leaving WWE in 2015.

Post-WWE, he made a brief TNA appearance in 2015, winning the TNA King of the Mountain Championship during a GFW crossover. He continued wrestling on the independent circuit under the P. J. Black name, finally retiring in recent years. [edit]

Lloyd is best known for his high-flying, dynamic in-ring style, highlighted by his signature 450 splash. As Justin Gabriel, he was a standout in WWE's tag team division, and his work with Heath Slater earned him a dedicated following. Fans appreciated his athleticism and the risk-taking energy he brought to every match. While he wasn't a main-event star, his consistency and memorable moments made him a respected figure in the wrestling community. [edit]

P. J. Black commands a global audience defined by the longevity of his career rather than ubiquitous mainstream recognition. His public profile remains substantial within professional wrestling circles, yet he does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list according to iFANN evaluations. The Global Fame Engine has assessed his standing and determined that he is not ranked among the world's most famous individuals at this time. While his tenure as Justin Gabriel in WWE generated significant attention during the early NXT era, the broader fanbase lacks a formalized name or organized structure. No specific fandom designation exists for his supporters, and research confirms no documented rituals, charity drives, or viral campaigns associated with his name. His digital presence operates primarily through personal branding channels where he promotes individual philosophies rather than fostering an organized community. Consequently, his legacy rests on verified career milestones and high-profile injuries from extreme sports rather than mythological lore or crowd-driven folklore.[edit]

Phillip Paul Lloyd maintains a reputation for extreme athleticism beyond the ring, notably as an avid BASE jumper who suffered a severe accident in 2017 resulting in the loss and subsequent reattachment of part of a finger. Throughout his three-decade career, he utilized various monikers including The Bunny, Justin Angel, Paul Lloyd Jr., and Darewolf, with his Twitter handle @darewolf333 reflecting his adventurous spirit. He holds the distinction of being the first rookie to pin a professional wrestler on the inaugural season of NXT. Additionally, Lloyd won the Male Fitness Model Search by FAME SA before his full-time wrestling ascent. A frequently cited incident in his biography involves the June 2017 BASE jumping crash that broke his leg and necessitated finger surgery, an event often recounted to highlight his dedication to risk outside the squared circle. More recently, disclosures in September 2024 revealed he was recovering from what he termed the worst injury of his life, projecting a six-month rehabilitation period. These physical trials underscore a narrative of resilience that complements his in-ring acrobatics and multiple championship reigns across independent promotions.[edit]

Lloyd is a second-generation wrestler. His father, Paul Lloyd Sr., was a well-known South African performer under the ring name The Pink Panther, and he served as Lloyd's primary trainer. Details about his mother, siblings, and his own family life are not publicly documented. Lloyd was born and raised in Cape Town, where he developed his love for wrestling and adventure. [edit]

Lloyd's career was shaped by several key figures. His father, Paul Lloyd Sr., trained him and inspired his wrestling journey. In WWE, he teamed with Heath Slater to win the Tag Team Championship three times, and he was mentored by Matt Hardy on NXT. He also worked alongside Wade Barrett in The Nexus and The Corre, and won the FCW Tag Team Championship with Kris Logan. [edit]

There is no documented public dating history for P. J. Black. He has kept his personal life private, and no confirmed relationships, engagements, or marriages have been reported in the available sources. As of 2026, his relationship status remains unknown. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, P. J. Black's net worth is estimated at $1 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects earnings accumulated over a career spanning more than two decades in professional wrestling. Primary income streams include his WWE salary during the main roster run from 2010 to 2015, followed by appearances in FCW and various independent circuits. Additional revenue sources encompass his brief tenure in TNA, modeling work secured early in his career, and per-appearance fees from independent promotions. His financial standing has grown steadily through consistent industry participation and multiple championship victories. Although he did not achieve mega-star status comparable to some peers, his longevity and sustained employment have ensured a comfortable economic position.[edit]

Throughout his career, P. J. Black won several championships, though he never received major industry awards. His most notable accomplishments include winning the WWE Tag Team Championship three times with Heath Slater, the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship, and the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Kris Logan. He also won the TNA King of the Mountain Championship in 2015 and was the inaugural WWP World Cruiserweight Champion. [edit]