Prince Nana

American professional wrestler and manager (born 1979)

This article is about the wrestler. For the footballer, see Prince Nana (footballer).

Prince Nana

Nana at a Ring of Honor show in 2011

Birth name| Nana Osei Bandoh
Born|  (1979-08-01) August 1, 1979 (age 44)
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)| Nana[1]
Prince Nana
Billed height| 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[2]
Billed weight| 235 lb (107 kg)[2]
Billed from| Ghana, West Africa[2]
Trained by| Angel Medina
Vito LoGrasso[2]
D-Von Dudley[2]
Johnny Rodz[2]
Mr. Fabian Street[2]
Debut| 1996[2]

Nana Osei Bandoh (born August 1, 1979), better known by his ring name Prince Nana, is an American professional wrestler and manager of Ghanaian descent. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is the on-screen manager for Swerve Strickland. He claims that he is an Ashanti prince.[3][4]

## Early life

[edit]

Although Nana was born in the United States, he claims that he is the son of an Ashanti tribe member with royal heritage and the heir to the throne of Ashanti in Ghana. When Nana was three, his family relocated to Ghana for five years, returning so that Nana could be educated in America. As a teenager, he relocated to New York City in America as an exchange student. In 1992, at the age of twelve, Nana watched WrestleMania VIII, and was inspired by the WWF Championship match between "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Ric Flair to become a wrestler. A year later, he wrote to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF; renamed WWE in 2002) and asked their advice as to which professional wrestling school he should attend. The WWF recommended that he train under Larry Sharpe in New Jersey, but Nana felt that Sharpe's school was too far away. Instead, Nana became a photographer for Johnny Rodz, who operated Gleason's Gym in New York. Nana worked for Rodz until he turned eighteen, when Rodz began training him as a wrestler.

## Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Nana debuted in 1996, wrestling in a church in Spanish Harlem.[3][5][6][7]

Nana worked regularly for the East Coast Wrestling Association in Delaware and USA Pro Wrestling in New York, as well as making appearances with the WWF and with Pro Wrestling ZERO1-MAX in Japan.

### Ring of Honor (2002–present)

[edit]

In 2002, he joined the upstart Ring of Honor promotion, where in 2004 he formed a heel stable known as The Embassy. In storylines, Nana used his wealth gained from the taxes of people of Ghana to hire wrestlers to wrestle his opponents and rivals. Under his management, John Walters defended his ROH Pure Championship and Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley and Abyss won the Trios Tournament in 2006. He remained with Ring of Honor until September 2006, when he gave his notice.[8]

On October 24, 2008, in Danbury, Connecticut, Nana made a surprise return to Ring of Honor, saying he had no more riches or crown and just wanted a job, before he was dragged away by security. The next night, Nana made an appearance at Ring of Honor's Edison, New Jersey show where he was removed in the same fashion. The next time ROH was in Edison on January 17, 2009, Nana again appeared, only to be dragged away by security. He would then be featured in segments on the ROH Video Wire. In a March edition of the Video Wire, Nana revealed that he had regained his riches due to President Obama's stimulus package, and had been directing Bison Smith's attacks on ROH wrestlers. On March 20, at the ROH show in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Nana declared that he had officially reformed the Embassy, with himself, Bison Smith and Ernie Osiris.[9] The next day in New York City they were joined by the returning Jimmy Rave. Other members of the stable came to include Claudio Castagnoli, Joey Ryan, Erick Stevens, Shawn Daivari and Necro Butcher, but by October 2010 all of them, except Osiris, had left the group. On January 22, 2011, Nana debuted the latest version of the Embassy, consisting of Ernesto Osiris, Mia Yim, R.D. Evans, and Tommaso Ciampa, who would take over Jimmy Rave's former role as Nana's number one wrestler.[10] The following April and June, both Dave Taylor and Rhino made appearances representing the Embassy.[11][12] On the July 28 episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling, The Embassy disbanded, when Ciampa turned on Nana, after R.D. Evans had revealed his deal with Truth Martini, which had cost Ciampa the ROH World Television Championship.[13]

On Monday, June 3, 2013, Nana received a tryout with WWE. Nana commented on the tryout on Facebook, writing, "Great day with the WWE...The future may be bright....Fools."

In mid-2013, Nana was given the new on-screen role of ROH Talent Scout.[14] In late 2014, Nana formed yet another version of the Embassy with Moose, Stokely Hathaway and Veda Scott, which was later disbanded.[15]

Nana was the manager of Donovan Dijak, after he sent him some envelopes every time he wrestled, until he finally departed from The House of Truth that took place on February 25, 2016 episode of ROH tapings.[16]

On July 23, 2022, at Death Before Dishonor, Prince Nana returned and announced he had purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises and reformed The Embassy, with Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona.[17] The trio would go on to defeat the team of Alex Zayne, Blake Christian and Tony Deppen during the preshow.[18] At Final Battle, Cage, Liona and Kaun, defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys, to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships, under Nana's guidance.[19] This victory marked the first time in his 20-year history with the company that Prince Nana had managed his Embassy clientele to ROH gold.

### All Elite Wrestling (2023–present)

[edit]

On the April 7, 2023 episode of AEW Rampage, Prince Nana began managing Swerve Strickland as a part of Mogul Embassy, formerly 'The Embassy' in ROH, after Strickland announced he was merging his 'Mogul Affiliates' stable with The Embassy.

On April 21, 2024 at Dynasty, Strickland defeated Samoa Joe to win the AEW World Championship. This marked the first time that Prince Nana had managed an Embassy client to any singles championship, and specifically to a world championship. On the May 8 episode of Dynamite, Mogul Embassy was disbanded after Brian Cage, Toa Liona, and Bishop Kaun attacked Strickland. Despite this, Prince Nana continued to manage Strickland.

## Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

* CyberSpace Wrestling Federation
* CSWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sonjay Dutt
* East Coast Wrestling Association
* ECWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[2]
* ECWA Mid Atlantic Championship (2 times)[2]
* New York Wrestling Connection
* NYWC Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with MEGA[2]
* Pro Wrestling Illustrated
* PWI ranked him #311 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2010[20]
* USA Pro Wrestling
* USA Pro New York State Championship (2 times)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Nana". Ring of Honor. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Prince Nana". OnlineWorldOfWrestling.com. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
3. ^ a b Clevett, J. (May 31, 2005). "Nana an honorable Prince". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2007. "I was born in the U.S., but when I turned three we went back to Ghana for five years. I came back to go to school. My Father is part of the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, West Africa with Royal Heritage. I am part of that because of my relation to the existing chiefs of the Ashanti tribe. If my uncle is to pass away, because he is the chief uncle, legally I will be the next King."`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. ^ "Prince Nana at Cagematch.net". Retrieved May 23, 2007.
5. ^ Clevett, J. (May 31, 2005). "Nana an honorable Prince". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2007. "...it was the classic feud between Randy "Macho Man" Savage and Flair that culminated at Wrestlemania 8 that changed his life."`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
6. ^ Clevett, J. (May 31, 2005). "Nana an honorable Prince". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2007. "A year later I was looking into schools and I wrote to the WWE, who told me to go to Larry Sharpe's school. It was too far away because I was living in New York City as an exchange student from Ghana. After a few months I found Gleason's gym on Front Street. I started as a photographer for Johnny Rodz..."`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
7. ^ Schwan, B. (2005). "Ten Questions With Prince Nana". WrestlingClothesline.com. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
8. ^ Clevett, J. (May 31, 2005). "Nana an honorable Prince". Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2007.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
9. ^ "10/24 ROH in Danbury, CT. Results & Discussion". October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
10. ^ Martin, Adam (2011-01-23). "Spoilers: 1/22 ROH HDNet tapings in Philadelphia". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
11. ^ Caldwell, James; Radican, Sean (2011-04-02). "ROH Internet PPV report 4/2: Caldwell & Radican's ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live ROH PPV from Atlanta". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
12. ^ Radican, Sean (2011-06-26). "Radican's "Best in the World" internet PPV report 6/26: Ongoing "real-time" coverage of live PPV from New York City". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
13. ^ Namako, Jason (2012-07-28). "ROH on Sinclair Results - 7/28/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
14. ^ "Final Battle: Ring of Honor World Tag Team Title Match". Ring of Honor. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
15. ^ Caldwell, James (2014-12-07). "Caldwell's ROH Final Battle 2014 PPV results 12/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live PPV from New York City". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
16. ^ 2/27 Ring of Honor TV Taping Results from Las Vegas, NV - PWInsider.com
17. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (July 23, 2022). "Prince Nana Announces He's Purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises At ROH Death Before Dishonor". Fightful. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
18. ^ "ROH Wrestling.com Death Before Dishonor 2022 Results".
19. ^ "The Embassy Win ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles At ROH Final Battle 2022".
20. ^ ""PWI 500": 301–400". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 2010-07-27. Retrieved 2010-07-31.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prince Nana.

* Ring of Honor profile
* Prince Nana at IMDb
* Prince Nana's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database

* v
* t
* e

All Elite Wrestling

Personnel|

| Men's division|

* Aaron Solo
* Action Andretti
* Adam Cole
* Adam Copeland
* "Hangman" Adam Page
* Alex Reynolds
* Angélico
* Angelo Parker
* Anthony Bowens
* Anthony Ogogo
* AR Fox
* Ari Daivari
* Austin Gunn
* Bandido
* Big Bill
* Billy Gunn
* Bishop Kaun
* The Blade
* Blake Christian
* Boulder
* Brandon Cutler
* Brian Cage
* Brody King
* Bryan Danielson
* Bryan Keith
* Buddy Matthews
* The Butcher
* Cash Wheeler
* Chris Jericho
* Christian Cage
* Chuck Taylor
* Claudio Castagnoli
* Colt Cabana
* Colten Gunn
* Danhausen
* Daniel Garcia
* Dante Martin
* Darby Allin
* Darius Martin
* Dax Harwood
* Dralístico
* Dustin Rhodes
* Eddie Kingston
* Evil Uno
* Griff Garrison
* Hologram
* Hook
* Isiah Kassidy
* Jack Perry
* Jay Lethal
* Jay White
* Jeff Jarrett
* John Silver
* Johnny TV
* Jon Moxley
* Josh Woods
* Juice Robinson
* Katsuyori Shibata
* Kazuchika Okada
* Keith Lee
* Kenny Omega
* Killswitch
* Kip Sabian
* Komander
* Konosuke Takeshita
* Kota Ibushi
* Kyle Fletcher
* Kyle O'Reilly
* Lance Archer
* Lee Johnson
* Lee Moriarty
* Malakai Black
* Mark Briscoe
* Mark Davis
* Marq Quen
* Marshall Von Erich
* Matt Menard
* Matt Sydal
* Matt Taven
* Matthew Jackson
* Max Caster
* Mike Bennett
* Miro
* MJF
* Nicholas Jackson
* Nick Comoroto
* Nick Wayne
* Orange Cassidy
* Ortiz
* Pac
* Penta El Zero M
* Peter Avalon
* Powerhouse Hobbs
* Preston Vance
* Rey Fenix
* Ricky Starks
* Rocky Romero
* Roderick Strong
* Ross Von Erich
* Rush
* Sammy Guevara
* Samoa Joe
* Satnam Singh
* Scorpio Sky
* Serpentico
* Shane Taylor
* Swerve Strickland
* Toa Liona
* Tony Nese
* Trent Beretta
* Wardlow
* Wheeler Yuta
* Will Ospreay
* Zack Knight

|

Women's division|

* Abadon
* Anna Jay
* Athena
* Billie Starkz
* Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
* Deonna Purrazzo
* Diamante
* Emi Sakura
* Harley Cameron
* Hikaru Shida
* Jamie Hayter
* Julia Hart
* Kamille
* Kiera Hogan
* Kris Statlander
* Leila Grey
* Leyla Hirsch
* Madison Rayne
* Mariah May
* Marina Shafir
* Mercedes Martinez
* Mercedes Moné
* Nyla Rose
* Penelope Ford
* Queen Aminata
* Red Velvet
* Riho
* Ruby Soho
* Saraya
* Serena Deeb
* Skye Blue
* Tay Melo
* Taya Valkyrie
* Thunder Rosa
* Toni Storm
* Willow Nightingale
* Yuka Sakazaki

Other on-air personnel|

* Alex Abrahantes
* Don Callis
* Jake Roberts
* Karen Jarrett
* Luther
* Maria Kanellis
* Mark Sterling
* Prince Nana
* Ric Flair
* Sonjay Dutt
* Stokely Hathaway

Stables and tag teams|

* The Acclaimed
* Bang Bang Gang
* Blackpool Combat Club
* The Butcher and the Blade
* The Conglomeration
* The Dark Order
* Alex Reynolds and John Silver
* Death Triangle
* Lucha Brothers
* Don Callis Family
* The Elite
* The Young Bucks
* FTR
* Iron Savages
* House of Black
* The Learning Tree
* The Outcasts
* Private Party
* Undisputed Kingdom
* Matt Taven and Mike Bennett
* The Von Erichs

Referees|

* Aubrey Edwards
* Bryce Remsburg
* Paul Turner
* Rick Knox
* Stephon Smith

Broadcast team|

* Alex Marvez
* Alicia Atout
* Carlos Cabrera
* Excalibur
* Ian Riccaboni
* Jim Ross
* Justin Roberts
* Lexy Nair
* Nigel McGuinness
* Renee Paquette
* RJ City
* Taz
* Tony Schiavone

Backstage personnel|

* Chris Hero
* Christopher Daniels
* Dean Malenko
* Jennifer Pepperman
* Jerry Lynn
* Jimmy Jacobs
* Kevin Matthews
* Michael Nakazawa
* Pat Buck
* Paul Wight
* Q. T. Marshall
* Ray "Glacier" Lloyd
* RD Evans
* Rebel
* Sarah Stock
* Scott Taylor
* Tony Chimel

Khan family|

* Shahid Khan
* Tony Khan

Former|

* Alumni

Programming|

* All Access
* Battle of the Belts
* Collision
* Episodes
* Television specials
* Dark
* Episodes
* Dynamite
* Episodes
* Television specials
* Elevation
* Episodes
* Rampage
* Episodes
* Television specials
* Special events
* Pay-per-view events
* All In
* All Out
* Double or Nothing
* Dynasty
* Forbidden Door
* Full Gear
* Revolution
* WrestleDream
* Worlds End

Championships|

| Men's|

* World (reigns)
* American
* Continental
* TNT (reigns)
* FTW
* Tag Team
* Trios

|

Women's|

* Women's World
* TBS

Accomplishments|

* Casino Battle Royale
* Dynamite Diamond Ring
* Tournaments
* Owen Hart Cup
* Continental Classic
* Awards

Affiliates|

| Sister promotion|

* Ring of Honor

|

Current partnerships|

* Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
* CyberFight
* DDT Pro-Wrestling
* Pro Wrestling Noah
* Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling
* Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling
* Revolution Pro Wrestling
* World Wonder Ring Stardom

Former partnerships|

* Impact Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* Oriental Wrestling Entertainment
* Pro Wrestling Wave

See also|

* AEW Plus
* Video games
* Fight Forever
* All In (2018)
* Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea
* Daily's Place
* Starrcast
* Universal Studios Soundstage 21
* Wednesday Night Wars

* v
* t
* e

Ring of Honor

Personnel|

| Men's division|

* Bishop Kaun
* Brian Cage
* Carlie Bravo
* Christopher Daniels
* Claudio Castagnoli
* Cole Karter
* Dalton Castle
* Daniel Garcia
* Dutch
* Eddie Kingston
* Griff Garrison
* Kyle Fletcher
* Lee Johnson
* Lee Moriarty
* Mark Briscoe
* Matt Taven
* Mike Bennett
* Nick Comoroto
* Shane Taylor
* Shawn Dean
* Toa Liona
* Vincent
* Wheeler Yuta

|

Women's division|

* Athena
* Billie Starkz
* Charlette Renegade
* Diamanté
* Lady Frost
* Leyla Hirsch
* Marina Shafir
* Mercedes Martinez
* Rachael Ellering
* Robyn Renegade
* Trish Adora

Other on-air personnel|

* Jerry Lynn
* Paul Wight
* Stokely Hathaway

Stables and tag teams|

* Bang Bang Gang
* The Butcher and the Blade
* The Dark Order
* FTR
* Renegade Twins
* The Righteous
* Shane Taylor Promotions
* Undisputed Kingdom
* Matt Taven and Mike Bennett

Broadcast team|

* Bobby Cruise
* Caprice Coleman
* Ian Riccaboni
* Lexy Nair

Management|

* Tony Khan

Historic|

* Alumni
* Adam Pearce
* Cary Silkin
* Delirious
* Gabe Sapolsky
* Jim Cornette
* Marty Scurll

Programming|

| Television/streaming|

* Honor Club
* Ring of Honor Wrestling

|

Current events|

* Death Before Dishonor (2003–2019, 2021–present)
* Final Battle (2002–present)
* Supercard of Honor (2006–2011, 2013–2019, 2022–present)
* Wrestle Dynasty (2025)

Former events|

* All Star Extravaganza (2002–2016)
* Anniversary Show (2003–2021)
* Best in the World (2006, 2011–2019, 2021)
* The Big Bang! (2010)
* Boiling Point (2012)
* Border/Global Wars (2012–2019)
* Bound By Honor (2019)
* Caged Collision (2009)
* Driven (2007–2008)
* Field of Honor (2014–2016)
* Gateway to Honor (2011, 2020)
* Glory By Honor (2002–2016, 2018–2021)
* Honor for All (2021)
* Honor Rising: Japan (2016–2019)
* Honor Takes Center Stage (2011)
* Man Up (2007)
* New Horizons (2008)
* Respect is Earned (2007–2008)
* Rising Above (2007–2008)
* Showdown in the Sun (2012)
* Summer Supercard (2019)
* Survival of the Fittest (2004–2007, 2009–2012, 2014–2018, 2021)
* Take No Prisoners (2008–2009)
* Undeniable (2007)

Special events|

* All In (2018)
* Crockett Cup (2019)
* The Jay Briscoe Celebration of Life (2023)
* Sea of Honor (2018)
* War of the Worlds (2014–2019)

Championships|

| Primary|

* World
* reigns
* Women's
* reigns

|

Secondary|

* Pure
* reigns
* Television
* reigns
* Women's Television

Divisional|

* Tag Team
* reigns
* Six-Man
* reigns

Former|

* Top of the Class Trophy
* reigns
* Women of Honor
* reigns

Other accomplishments|

* Grand Slam
* Hall of Fame
* Briscoe Brothers
* Bryan Danielson
* CM Punk
* Samoa Joe
* Honor Rumble
* Survival of the Fittest
* Tournaments
* Pure Tournament
* Tag Wars Tournament
* Top Prospect Tournament
* Triple Crown

Affiliates|

| Sister promotion|

* All Elite Wrestling

|

Current partnerships|

* Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
* Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Former partnerships|

* All Japan Pro Wrestling
* Combat Zone Wrestling
* Chikara
* Dragongate
* Frontier Wrestling Alliance
* Full Impact Pro
* Global Professional Wrestling Alliance
* Jersey All Pro Wrestling
* MCW Pro Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* Preston City Wrestling
* Pro Wrestling Noah
* Pro Wrestling Zero1
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
* Revolution Pro Wrestling
* Shimmer Women Athletes
* Sinclair Broadcast Group
* The Crash Lucha Libre
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
* World Wonder Ring Stardom

Venues|

* 2300 Arena
* Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
* Manhattan Center
* Universal Studios Soundstage 21

Miscellaneous|

* ROH Dojo
* Women of Honor

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