{{short description|French professional wrestler (born 1983)}} {{Infobox professional wrestler | birthname = Mikael Vierge | image = | caption = |height = {{height|ft=6|in=4}}<ref name="wwe bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/marcus-louis|title=Marcus Louis|publisher=WWE|accessdate=10 September 2015}}</ref> |weight = {{convert|245|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="wwe bio"/> |billed = Bordeaux, France<ref name="wwe bio"/> | debut = December 17, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706031356/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4000 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |title=Marcus Louis |work=CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database |last=Kreikenbohm |first=Philip |access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref> | retired = | names = Baron Dax<br />Marcus Louis<ref name="wwe bio"/><br />Mikael Vierge<br />Pierre Marceau<ref name=TFP/> | trainer = Darren Burridge<br />WWE Performance Center | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|7|11}} }} '''Mikael Vierge''' (born July 11, 1983) is a French professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances in the United States with WWE developmental brand NXT under the ring name '''Marcus Louis''' and in Impact Wrestling under the ring name '''Baron Dax'''.
== Professional wrestling career ==
=== Early career (2005–2013) === Vierge was trained by Darren Burridge.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} He debuted on December 17, 2005 for Irish Whip Wrestling working as Pierre Marceau.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
With a background in kickboxing, he formerly wrestled as 'The French Paradoxx', Pierre Marceau.<ref name=TFP>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/sport/other-sports/sligo-hosts-top-wrestling-tournament-27526595.html|title=Sligo hosts top wrestling tournament|first1=Colm|last1=Marren|work=Irish Independent|publisher=The Sligo Champion|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Laparde|first1=Patric|title=The Top 10 prospects in NXT|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/04/28/21633886.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117231949/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/04/28/21633886.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2015|website=Canoe.ca|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> The earliest documented instance of Marceau's involvement in professional wrestling was when he accompanied 'the Snakeman' Vic Viper to a match for Irish Whip Wrestling (IWW) on 17 December 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg0U8R8cC9o|last1=Katraz|first1=Bam|title=Red Vinny vs Gonzo De Mondo vs Vic Viper vs George Mcfly (December 2005)|website=YouTube|accessdate=15 September 2015}}</ref><!-- WHILE YOUTUBE IS NOT USUALLY A RELIABLE SOURCE, THE UPLOADER BAM KATRAZ IS A WRESTLER FROM THE COMPANY IWW: IRISH WHIP WRESTLING PER https://www.webcitation.org/6bYClM1Cz?url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/other-sports/balbriggan-wrestler-to-face-wwe-star-27763778.html --> In 2006, Marceau continued to wrestle in IWW,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/sport/other-sports/sligo-wrestler-looks-forward-to-home-performance-27526698.html|title=Sligo wrestler looks forward to 'home' performance|work=Irish Independent|publisher=The Sligo Champion|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref> as well as in ACWA.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Adam|title=Irish Whip Wrestling announces talent-trading agreement - the full info|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1159553263.shtml|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Adam|title=Funking Conservatory report from July 30, Stro & grand marshall, IWW|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1154461322.shtml|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> While with IWW, Marceau wrestled at the Combined Clubs in Balbriggan, Ireland, along with future WWE wrestlers Drew Galloway and Sheamus O'Shaunessy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Hebert|url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/other-sports/sheamus-is-on-top-of-the-world-27798974.html|title=Sheamus is on top of the world|work=Irish Independent|publisher=Fingal Independent|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>
=== WWE === ====NXT (2013–2016)==== Marceau was documented to have been with WWE since September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Belmont|first1=Hugh|title=Videos WWE: Pierre Marceau; luchador francés en Centro de Desarrollo WWE, hace promo NO PG|url=http://superluchas.com/2013/09/28/videos-wwe-pierre-marceau-luchador-frances-en-centro-de-desarrollo-wwe-hace-promo-no-pg|publisher=SuperLuchas|accessdate=13 September 2015|language=Spanish}}</ref> WWE describes him as having formerly played rugby, been in the French military riot police and worked in a psychiatric prison.<ref name="wwe bio"/> As Marcus Louis, he made his television debut on the 12 February 2014 episode of ''NXT'', tagging with Jason Jordan in a loss to Luke Harper and Erick Rowan of the Wyatt Family.<ref>{{cite web|title=Looking at the WWE & TNA won/loss records: Week 7|first1=Darren|last1=Bongiovanni|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=83580|accessdate=15 September 2015|publisher= Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref>
On the 8 May 2014 episode of ''NXT'', Louis formed an alliance with Sylvester Lefort as two French characters representing 'the Legionnaires', and later participated unsuccessfully in a 20-man battle royal for a NXT Championship title shot.<ref>{{cite web|last=James|first=Justin|title=James's WWE NXT report 5/8 - Week 97: Battle Royal for a NXT Title title shot, Women's Title tournament continues, Triple H appearance, Exotic Express; Overall Reax|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_78282.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> On the 26 June episode of ''NXT'', Lefort and Louis attempted to attack Colin Cassady, who was saved by Enzo Amore.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Justin|first1=James|title=James's WWE NXT report 6/26 – Week 104: RVD faces NXT champion Neville, Summer Rae, Overall Reax|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_79275.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> This was a continuation of Lefort's feud with Amore and Cassady back in September 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last1=James|first1=Justin|title=WWE NXT report 9/11: Paige defends Women's Title|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_73296.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref>
At NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way in September 2014, Lefort lost to Amore, and was thus supposed to lose his hair as per the match stipulation. However, Lefort ran away and Louis instead lost his hair and eyebrows via Amore and Cassady's hair removal cream.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Howell|first1=Nolan|title=Neville shocks, defies odds at NXT Takeover: Fatal 4 Way|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/09/11/21935396.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425131836/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2014/09/11/21935396.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 25, 2016|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|website=Canoe.ca|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Zimmerman|first1=Zack|title=9/11 WWE NXT Takeover II Live Coverage|url=http://prowrestling.net/article.php?38856|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> Louis initially persisted in his alliance with Lefort, hiding his lack of hair with headgear and a wig, only to lose to Amore in a singles match on the 25 September episode of ''NXT'' when his baldness was exposed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/50909|title=WWE NXT results - 9/25/14 (NXT tag title main event)|last1=Namako|first1=Jason|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> On the 16 October episode of ''NXT'', Lefort accidentally knocked off Louis' wig, this led to Louis snapping and attacking Lefort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51248|title=WWE NXT results - 10/16/14 (Kidd vs. Zayn)|last1=Namako|first1=Jason|publisher=Wrestleview|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref> On the 30 October 2014 episode of ''NXT'', Louis' character, now without entrance music, began screaming "You did this to me!" This coincided with Louis defeating Lefort in a singles match.<ref name=beatLefort>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.net/article.php?39559|title=10/30 Zim's WWE NXT Coverage|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|first1=Zack|last1=Zimmerman|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref> This storyline led to Louis' character turning crazy,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zimmerman|first1=Zack|title=11/6 Zim's WWE NXT Coverage|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/article.php?39647|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> being described as a "baldy Kane version 2.0" by the ''Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chiverton|first1=George|title=Chiverton's NXT scouting report: New NXT Rankings following Takeover, plus Evaluation of Takeover fall-out|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_82425.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref>
On the 27 November 2014 episode of ''NXT'', Louis lost to Tyler Breeze, who constantly taunted Louis as being ugly.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Zimmerman|first1=Zack|title=11/27 Zim's WWE NXT Coverage|url=http://prowrestling.net/article.php?39930|publisher=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> This led to a storyline where Louis could not be found,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Witner|first1=Marcus|title=WWE NXT TV Report: Finn Balor & Hideo Itami vs. Tyson Kidd & Tyler Breeze|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe-news/40239|publisher=Wrestling Observer|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> only to resurface in January 2015 stalking Breeze from afar.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Witner|first1=Emerson|title=WWE NXT TV Report: Finn Balor vs. Curtis Axel|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/40873|publisher=Wrestling Observer|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> Yet the storyline with Breeze was dropped when Louis returned months later in June, still bald and deranged, tagging again with Jason Jordan in a loss to the Vaudevillains.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Witner|first1=Emerson|title=WWE NXT 6-3 results & TV Report: William Regal's BIG announcement, Finn Balor vs Rhyno|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe-news/42868|publisher=Wrestling Observer|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=James|first1=Justin|title=WWE NXT report 6/3 - Week 164: Balor vs. Rhyno main event|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_85424.shtml|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=18 September 2015}}</ref> On the 12 August 2015 episode of ''NXT'', Louis lost to NXT Champion Finn Bálor in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe-news/44048|title=WWE NXT August 12 TV results: Bayley vs Becky No. 1 contender's match, Finn Balor vs. Marcus Louis?|author=Witner, Emerson|publisher=Wrestling Observer|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>
He then wrestled a string of tag team matches during the rest of the 2015 summer winding down toward the October month and into the fall season. Victories included winning a match with Sawyer Fulton and Solomon Crowe against Bull Dempsey, Mojo Rawley and Tucker Knight on October 30 and a win against Oscar Vasquez on December 3.
Louis wrestled only three more matches during the new year. All three matches occurred over the month of January 2016. Louis lost all three of his tag team matches. It was reported on February 5, Louis was released from the WWE.
=== Impact Wrestling (2016) === {{Main article|The Tribunal (professional wrestling)}} On March 17, 2016, Vierge and Thomas La Ruffa made their Impact Wrestling debuts during the ''Impact!'' tapings, losing to BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz). On March 23, 2016, it was announced Vierge had officially signed with Impact Wrestling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/tna-impact/2016/3/24/11301462/tna-impact-wrestling-new-signing-contract-marcus-louis-sylvestor-lefort-cherry-bomb|title=TNA signs 5 new wrestlers, including Sylvestor Lefort and Marcus Louis|last=Hanstock|first=Bill|date=2016-03-24|website=Cageside Seats|access-date=2016-04-26}}</ref> On the May 24 episode of ''Impact!'', Vierge and La Ruffa made their televised debuts under the ring names Baron Dax and Basile Baraka, attacking Grado and Mahabali Shera, and aligning themselves with Al Snow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0524/612085/tna-impact-wrestling-results/|title=TNA Impact Wrestling Results: Ladder Match, Gail's Career On The Line, EC3, More}}</ref> The following week the faction revealed their name as "'''The Tribunal'''". Dax and Baraka made their first pay-per-view appearance at Slammiversary against Grado and Shera, where they emerged victorious. On the June 14 episode of ''Impact!'', The Tribunal competed in a 4-Way match for the Impact World Tag Team Championship but failed to win the match. On the August 25 episode of ''Impact!'', Dax competed in a Battle Royal to become #1 contender for Impact World Heavyweight Championship, but failed to win the match.
At Bound for Glory, Dax competed in Gauntlet for Gold Battle Royal which was won by Eli Drake. On the October 6 episode of ''Impact!'', Dax received a title shot at the Impact Grand Championship, but was defeated by Aron Rex. On the October 20 episode of ''Impact!'', The Tribunal got received a shot at the Impact World Tag Team Championship but lost to The Hardys. On the November 10 episode of ''Impact!'', The Tribunal brutally attacked Al Snow, ending their alliance, with Mahabali Shera ultimately rescuing Snow. On December 8 episode of ''Impact!'', The Tribunal competed in their final match for Impact Wrestling where they lost a Double Strap Match to Snow and Shera. On December 10, it was reported that Dax had parted ways with Impact Wrestling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/tna-news-total-nonstop-deletion-opening-baron-dax-confirms-departure/|title=411Mania}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' **PWI ranked him #'''194''' of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|accessdate=September 1, 2016|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|3}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|6715719|Mikael Vierge}} * {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Louis, Marcus}} Category:1991 births Category:Expatriate professional wrestlers Category:French expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:French male professional wrestlers Category:Living people Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:21st-century French sportsmen