Rainmaster

Michael Anthony Byers (born September 19, 1981 in Oakland, California), better known by his ring name Rainmaster, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his work with Soul Wrestling Incorporated, where he is a two-time SWI World Champion, a two-time SWI World Tag Team Champion with his kayfabe brother (and real-life cousin) Edgemaster and Frankie Starr, and a one-time SWI North American Champion, making him the company's sixth Triple Crown Champion. Rainmaster is well-known for his high-flying moveset despite his stature. He was inducted into the SWI Hall of Fame in 2016.

Personal life and early career
Michael was born to Brian and Holly Byers. He is the younger brother of Paul and the cousin of Ken. Upon graduating high school, Michael met his girlfriend, fellow transfer student Kiara, on a trip to Japan, where they spent a year. Michael and Kiara began dating in 2003, with Michael proposing to her during Betrayal 2009. The two married on March 8, 2010. Kiara gave birth to their son Allen Joseph on October 29, 2011.

Michael began training in Japan, making his debut in 2003 as Rainmaster. He worked some trial matches for New Japan Pro Wrestling, and later returned to the country during SWI's tour in August 2005. In late 2005, Rainmaster competed for the short-lived Kritical Wrestling Alliance spin-off Nihongo Resuringu Pro, losing a match to "Dragon Eyes" Mishuna for the NRP Junior Weight Championship. In 2005, Rainmaster also competed for the Interactive Wrestling Network, winning the IWN Network Championship before the company folded that year.

Master Brothers, SWI World Champion, and Trinity (2005 - 2008)
Rainmaster, accompanied by Kiara, made his debut on the first show, teaming with Edgemaster as The Master Brothers to defeat The Sheriff and Tony Jones. The team entered a battle royal the following week to crown new SWI World Tag Team Champions, but were eliminated by The Ministry, who would win the match. The Masters faced The Ministry for the titles on July 27, but were defeated. On October 5, The Master Brothers defeated the Ministry for the tag team titles, but lost the belts back to the Ministry in a street fight three weeks later. The Masters had once more chance to win the titles the following week, but were defeated.

The brothers began focusing more on their singles careers, with Rainmaster focusing on the SWI World Championship. The Master Brothers reunited in mid-2006, frequently teaming with their brother Soulmaster. The following month, Rainmaster defeated Chris Cool to advance in a World title tournament. His semifinal match against SP Robertson (which was the 2006 Match of the Year winner at the SWI Awards) ended in a draw, but Jonathan Rembrandt added both men to the match at Broken Chains. At the event, Rainmaster pinned Necrosphere to win the SWI World Championship.

On the following episode of Apocalypse, Edgemaster defeated Necrosphere to earn a World title match at Destiny Fulfilled with Soulmaster serving as the guest referee. Rainmaster lost the title that night, following an unseen low blow and a Sharpest Edge from the top rope. Rainmaster, wanting revenge on his brother, faced him for the title in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Beginning Anew, but was defeated when Kiara attempted to resolve their differences, distracting Rainmaster long enough for Edgemaster to hit him with a chair and then use the Sharpest Edge for the retain. Rainmaster began teaming with SP Robertson while watching his brother's World title matches from the rafters.

Rainmaster then joined SP Robertson, Overkill, and Perro Loco in facing Edgemaster, Frankie Starr, Arn Allen, and Yoshiro Atoshi in the first ever Harbor Cage match at Renewal. After making it to the final four, Rainmaster fell to the mat and allowed Edgemaster to pin him, turning heel. Although SP won the match for his team, Rainmaster, Frankie and Edgemaster attacked SP after the match. The three then formed the group Trinity on the following episode of Apocalypse, with Edgemaster's mentor Luthrion joining them later on. After briefly feuding with XS3, Rainmaster and Trinity set their sights on The Ministry, wanting to take them out to establish their dominance. Edgemaster and Rainmaster defeated The Ministry at Disasterpiece in a match where the losing team had to disband.

On August 11, Rainmaster and Frankie Starr won the SWI World Tag Team Championship from the Calgary Cowboys, making it Rainmaster's second time with the title. The two lost the titles to Waylon Kenney and Kelsey Phoenix at Betrayal. At Kill or Be Killed: The Final Chapter, Rainmaster teamed with Frankie and Joey McFarlane in a losing effort against Necrosphere, XS3, and CK Miles. Rainmaster continued teaming with Trinity during SWI's Underground Era, while unsuccessfully challenging for every title.

Feud with Edgemaster, second World title reign, and various feuds (2009 - 2011)
In January 2009, Rainmaster returned with his signature look in an interview with Trinity, who then turned on Rainmaster and kicked him out of the group. Rainmaster and SP Robertson lost a 3-on-2 handicap match to Trinity at Beginning Anew: The Rebirth. Rainmaster continued to feud with Edgemaster, defeating him in a Last Man Standing match, following interference from Frankie Starr and a moonsault off a ladder to the stage below. The match was named SWI's 2009 Match of the Year. Rainmaster then reunited with Frankie, defeating Edgemaster and Luthrion at Rise of the Forces. Rainmaster competed for the SWI World Championship in a six-way ladder match, but lost when he took out Edgemaster. The two temporarily ended their feud in a steel cage match two weeks later, which Edgemaster won.

Rainmaster challenged for the World title at Renewal, losing to Joey McFarlane. Rainmaster challenged again against Mr. Besser and Necrosphere at Unholy Confessions, but lost when Besser pinned Necrosphere. Rainmaster finally defeated Besser at Betrayal to win his second SWI World Championship. Before the match, Rainmaster legitimately proposed to Kiara on-screen, which she accepted. Rainmaster then defended the title against Mr. Besser at Kill or Be Killed and Joey McFarlane at Broken Chains. At Destiny Fulfilled, Rainmaster defeated Edgemaster in a Loser Leaves SWI match to retain the title, ending their feud once and for all. The feud was also voted as SWI's Feud of the Year.

Rainmaster lost the title to Frankie Starr the following month at Beginning Anew in a match involving Luthrion. After losing a rematch at Challenging Adversity and being eliminated from the Versus the World match at Disasterpiece, Rainmaster spent the rest of 2010 and most of 2011 teaming with Frankie.

Team Attitude, winning the Triple Crown, and departure (2011 - 2012)
On June 4, 2011, following a loss to The Monstourage for the SWI World Tag Team Championship, Rainmaster and Frankie went their separate ways. Rainmaster was sneak attacked by someone the following week, with all fingers pointing to Frankie, who later came out to cost Bad Attitude Inc. their match against CK Miles and Thunder Train. Rainmaster attacked Frankie in retaliation for the sneak attack. Rainmaster joined forces with Bad Attitude Inc. and Lisa Cross, feuding with CK, Train, and Justine Vaine for the next two months. "Team Attitude" defeated "Team CK" in a steel cage match at Unholy Confessions. Rainmaster's feud with Frankie continued, and Rainmaster won a dog collar match against Frankie two weeks later on Apocalypse.

Rainmaster, fearing his time in SWI was coming to an end, defeated Blackwolf on October 15 to win the SWI North American Champion, becoming the sixth Triple Crown Champion. Rainmaster lost the title to Frankie at Broken Chains, then lost a 2/3 tables match for the title at Destiny Fulfilled. On the following episode of Apocalypse, Rainmaster announced his departure from the company, claiming he had done all he had wanted to do in the company and had chosen to bow out gracefully. Rainmaster and Edgemaster appeared on the December 21, 2013 episode of Apocalypse, as a part of the World Champions Panel. Rainmaster then appeared at Independence 10, helping XS3 and others fight off various SWI wrestlers. On June 4, 2016, he was announced as an inductee into the SWI Hall of Fame. He competed in one final match at RewindMania, teaming with Trinity in a winning effort against Worldwide Truth & Freedom.

In wrestling

 * Finishing moves
 * ​Black Rain (Spinebuster with jackknife pin) (2007 - 2012)
 * Rain Drop (Tombstone Piledriver) (2005 - 2012)
 * Shooting star press (only used three times)
 * Trademark moves
 * Crossbody to outside
 * Double leg takedown
 * Drop toe hold
 * Headbutt
 * Jumping elbow drop
 * Raining DDT (Arm wrench followed by a kick to the midsection and a DDT)
 * Rear naked choke
 * Ropewalk axe handle
 * Single leg crab
 * Snap suplex
 * Spiral leg drop
 * Springboard split-legged moonsault
 * STF
 * Thundercanrana (Diving hurracanrana)
 * Thunderstruck (Jumping roundhouse kick)
 * Tornado DDT out of the corner​
 * Managers
 * ​Kiara
 * Luthrion
 * Nicknames
 * ​"The Elemental Warrior"
 * Entrance themes
 * "Moonlight" by Kamelot (June 8, 2005 - May 27, 2007; January 25, 2009 - January 7, 2012)
 * "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana (June 2, 2007 - January 1, 2009)

Championships and accomplishments

 * Interactive Wrestling Network
 * ​IWN Network Champion (1 time)
 * Soul Wrestling Incorporated
 * ​SWI World Championship (2 times)
 * SWI World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Edgemaster (1) and Frankie Starr (1)
 * SWI North American Championship (1 time)
 * SWI Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
 * Sixth Triple Crown Champion
 * Wrestler of the Year 2009
 * Feud of the Year 2009 - Rainmaster vs. Edgemaster
 * Match of the Year 2009 - Rainmaster vs. Edgemaster, Challenging Adversity