Thomas Joseph Lawlor, better known as Tom Lawlor (born May 15, 1983) is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist. He's currently signed with New Japan Pro-Wrestling under his real name and is best known for competing in MLW since the 2017 revival up until 2021, where he won the MLW World Heavyweight Championship one time. In addition, he also won the Battle Riot in 2018 and the Opera Cup in 2020 during his time with the promotion.
He made his professional wrestling debut in 2014, having trained previously before his MMA debut and even made a WWE tryout. He also competed in selected independent circuit promotions such as Prestige Wrestling and All Star Wrestling. He even managed reDRagon once for the joint Ring of Honor/New Japan Pro Wrestling PPV War of the Worlds.
As a MMA fighter, he was part of Ultimate Fighting Championship from 2008 to 2018 and held a record of 6 wins and 5 losses. His MMA retirement match took place in Professional Fighters League's fifth event, winning against Jordan Young via unanimous decision before leaving his gloves in the center of the mat. This decision was made in order to dedicate himself as a full-time wrestler from now on.
Filthy Tropes
- The Ace: Is the only fighter in MLW to win their world heavyweight championship, the inaugural Battle Riot in 2018, and the Opera Cup in 2020.
- Always Someone Better: He is this to Low Ki, as of now with three matches between them, Lawlor has come out of all three the victor.
- Arch-Enemy: In MLW, he and Team Filthy feuded against The Stud Stable, Low Ki and by extension Promociones Dorado, Sami Callihan, Jimmy Havoc, Contra Unit, the Von Erichs, ACH.
- Ascended Fanboy: Prior to transitioning from Mixed Martial Arts to Pro Wrestling, Lawlor was already a huge fan.
- Beard of Evil: Depending on whenever he is a face or heel.
- Defeating the Undefeatable: Ended Low Ki's 15 year undefeated streak in the promotion and for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship.
- Finishing Move: Ground Octopus and the Rear Naked Choke.
- Heel–Face Revolving Door: Debuted as a heel for MLW, turned face during his feud with Low Ki and being betrayed by Simon Gotch and ended up a heel once more after he betrayed the Von Erichs and stayed as that before leaving the promotion.
- He currently competes as a tweener in NJPW.
- It's All About Me: His reason for betraying the Von Erichs came down to him being jealous of the attention the Von Erichs got— attention that he believes was stolen from him.
- Power Stable: Lawlor is the leader of Team Filthy.
- Put on the Bus: Lost a casket match to King Muertes in MLW to explain his departure from the promotion.
- Red Baron: "Filthy".
- Sanity Slippage: Frequent 3-on-1 beatdowns from the original three members of CONTRA, having his hair forcibly cut and being paranoid over the increasing popularity of the Von Erichs led to Filthy Tom going off the deep-end, turning heel and reforming Team Filthy.
- Take That!: On an episode of Pulp Fusion, he called CM Punk a nerd since he couldn't win a MMA fight.
- Traumatic Haircutt: Got his head shaved by CONTRA after one of their beatdowns. For some reason he has kept it that short since then.
- Ur-Example: He's the inaugural NJPW Strong Openweight champion after winning the 2021 New Japan Cup USA.
- Villain Episode: MLW Filthy Island (a parody of UFC Fight Island), served as an unofficial event hosted by Team Filthy, where he and his fellow teammates booked themselves as both competitors and commentators taking place in Hawaii with a rope-less ring, emulating the MMA feel, and sponsoring SPAM. There's even a disclaimer made by MLW regarding the event:"MLW has no affiliation with Filthy Island and assumes any liability if Filthy Island turns out to be a fraudulent business venture."
