Eugene Alan Snisky (born January 14, 1970) is an American actor and retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Gene Snitsky, who is best known for his time spent with World Wrestling Entertainment. He played college football at the University of Missouri and was on the pre-season roster in 1995 for the Birmingham Barracudas of the Canadian Football League. Early life Snitsky attended Panther Valley High School where he played football. While in high school, Snitsky played as a punter. During his senior year, he was named All-State. Upon graduating in 1988, Snitsky signed a full scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played under offensive lineman coach and future Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid. After playing for the Missouri Tigers, Snitsky attended training camps with the goal of playing professional football. He eventually signed with the San Diego Chargers. During training, Snitsky re-aggravated a shoulder injury that was previously misdiagnosed from his college years. The injury effectively ended his NFL aspirations. Professional wrestling career Early career Snisky trained with the Allentown, Pennsylvania-based World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) and competed in the promotion under the name "Mean" Gene Snitsky. He won the tag-team championship along with his partner Robb Harper as the Twin Tackles, under a football gimmick. When he entered singles competition, he won the WXW Heavyweight Championship. In 2013, Snitsky was inducted into the WXW Hall of Fame. World Wrestling Entertainment Developmental territories (2003–2004) Snisky had a tryout match with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) the day after winning the WXW Championship on October 20, 2003 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at a Raw taping. Snisky, wrestling as Gene Snitsky, was defeated by fellow WXW wrestler "Smooth" Tommy Suede. It was following this match that he was signed to a developmental deal and sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). Snisky wrestled in OVW as "Mean" Gene Mondo (a name inspired by "Mean" Gene Okerlund), the brother of Mike Mondo. Debut and Heat mainstay (2004–2006) He made his WWE debut on the September 13, 2004 edition of Raw against Kane in a no-disqualification match. As Kane, a heel at the time, prepared to injure Snitsky, he was distracted by Lita, who was (kayfabe) pregnant with Kane's child. Snitsky would use the distraction to hit Kane from behind with the chair, causing Kane to fall on Lita, and causing Lita to miscarry her unborn baby. When interviewed about