Phil Vibert

Philip Bertrand Déodat Jean-François Vibert (born 27 April 1965), best known as Phil Vibert, is a Magisterian politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Magisteria from 10 June 2014 to 10 June 2019, and is the founder and leader of Red Revolution, a left-wing populist political party. Vibert has run two times in elections for president of Magisteria in 2014 and 2019, but was defeated each time in the second round of voting. Before becoming a full-time politician, he was heavily involved with professional wrestling; beginning his career as a colour commentator before becoming nationally known for running the cult promotion DAVE.

Born in Annesia City, Federal Capital Territory, Vibert graduated from the National People's University with a degree in political science in 1985 and began his tenure in professional wrestling as a photographer for the Magisterian Wrestling Federation (MWF) until becoming a colour commentator in 1989. In 1996, Vibert departed from the MWF thanks to creative disagreements with the company's owner, Allen Packer. Vibert's departure was followed with his acquisition of Danger And Violence Extreme (DAVE), and used his vision to transform the regional promotion into the beloved cult phenomenon known today.

Vibert has sporadically appeared on-screen for DAVE, often as a colour commentator. In 2002, Vibert adopted the gimmick of playing as a villainous, egomaniacal boss who barely cares about the well-being of his employees and often treats wrestlers positioned in the lower card badly.

After DAVE filed for bankruptcy in 2007, Vibert would disappear from the public eye for 2 years before resurfacing as a left-wing political commentator in 2009, hosting the now-renowned Vibert's Voice. Since then, he has established a reputation as one of the most respected political commentators and analysts of all time. Vibert founded the Red Revolution (PVRR) in September 2009. He was the party's candidate in the 2014 presidential election, in which he came in second, receiving 30.88% in the first-round vote and was successful to qualify for the second round where he faced MDP candidate Peter Garrett. He lost the second round to Peter Garrett, with 47.24% of the vote compared to Garrett's 52.76%. After his election loss, PVRR and the MDP agreed to form a coalition government and Peter Garrett appointed Phil Vibert as the prime minister.

He ran for a second time in 2019, again coming in second, garnering 40.08 million votes. He lost once again in the runoff vote, receiving 47.62% of the vote compared to Sullivan's 52.38%.

Early life
Vibert was born on 27 April 1965, in Annesia City, Federal Capital Territory, the only son of Geraldine (née Jakeman) and Matthias Vibert; who were from Italian-Jewish ancestry. Vibert attended Philadelphia Provincial High School, graduating in 1981. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the National People's University in 1986.

Magisterian Wrestling Federation (1986-1996)
After graduating from the National People's University, Vibert joined the Magisterian Wrestling Federation (MWF) briefly as a photographer, and later as an on-air interviewer. In 1991, he was promoted into the colour commentator status and as well getting appointed as a member of the creative team. His time as a member of the creative team, according to him, was a stressful affair as majority of the team wanted to build a traditional, family-friendly wrestling brand, while Vibert wanted to take on a new genre as he believed traditional wrestling was antiquated.

As time went on, disagreements arose as Vibert - now appointed the Head of Creative - and Packer constantly clashed over the direction of the company. As a result, Vibert walked out from the MWF in late 1996.

Danger And Violence Extreme (1997-2007)
After departing MWF, he initially attempted to form a new promotion until he was approached by Buddy Gaines, offering him to acquire the then-fledging DAVE. In April 1997, Vibert officially became the owner of DAVE and brought in MWF women's wrestler Heidi Hyde. Vibert then used his original vision for the MWF to launch DAVE into national prominence; matches regularly featuring weapons (including the frequent use of tables and fire) and revolving around adult-themed storylines. Albeit a mixed reception from critics, the product fostered a cult-like following. Though the hardcore style was the main focus, DAVE under Vibert also showcased various international styles of professional wrestling ranging from Mexican lucha libre to Japanese puroresu.

Vibert and Hyde's creative direction created new stars, and established DAVE as the fourth major national wresting promotion in the first half of the 2000s, competing with Golden Canvas Traditional Grappling (GCTG), the Magisterian Wrestling Federation (MWF), and Pure Magisterian Wrestling Association (PMWA). DAVE folded in 2007 when it was unable to secure a new national television contract.

Early months
After disappearing from the public eye for almost 2 years, Vibert resurfaced as a left-wing populist political commentator in February 2009. He initially intended to run in the 2009 presidential election but pulled out of the race and instead endorsed The Purples' presidential candidate Marcus Fletcher, who would win the year's election.

Establishment of Red Revolution (2009)
In September 2009, Vibert founded the Red Revolution political party. Disenchanted rural voters attended his meetings in regional centres across Magisteria as he consolidated a support base for the new party. An opinion poll in July 2010 indicated that the party was attracting the support of 11 per cent of Magisterian voters and that its popularity was primarily at the expense of the Purples-NRC Alliance's base.

Red Revolution was subsequently endorsed by several parties, such as the Magisterian Democratic Party and the Labour Workers' and Greens Party.

First presidential candidacy (2014)
Vibert was the Red Revolution's candidate for the 2014 presidential election. In the first round of the vote, he took the second place with 30.88% of the vote and meant that he qualified for the second round and will face Peter Garrett. He lost the second round to Garrett, with 47.24% of the vote compared to Garrett's 52.76%.

Prime Minister (2014-2019)
Following Vibert's defeat in the election, Garrett and Vibert agreed to form an alliance between the MDP and Red Revolution. After the alliance was formed, Vibert was appointed as the 14th prime minister of Magisteria by President Garrett. He is the first person to hold the role without the need of being a Member of Parliament. He is also the first most powerful left-wing to far-left politician in Magisterian history.

Vibert is regarded as the 'most popular politician in Magisteria' due to his record-high popularity during his term as the prime minister of the country.

Second presidential candidacy (2019)
Vibert ran for president again in 2019. Just like the previous election, Vibert placed second with 40.08 million votes and then lost the second round to Louis Sullivan with 47.62% of the vote compared to Sullivan's 52.38%. His campaign positions included the intent to write a new constitution and preserve the environment.

Third presidential candidacy (2024)
On 26 November 2022, Vibert officially launched his third presidential candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. In early opinion polls, Vibert consistently maintains a wide lead in presidential surveys, making him the first publicly-declared presidential candidate in the country to attain poll ratings of over 50% from surveys since 1994.

Political views
Vibert is a socialist republican and historical materialist, inspired primarily by Martin Jean (the figurehead of Magisterian socialism) and Jean Jaurès (the founder of French republican socialism). He is a proponent of increased labour rights and the expansion of Magisterian welfare programmes. Vibert has also called for the mass redistribution of wealth to rectify existing socioeconomic inequalities. He has advocated in favor of writing a new constitution, LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, and intersectional feminism; he has advocated against war, American imperialism, Islamophobia, white supremacy and capitalism.

Legacy
Vibert's work as a promoter and booker has been praised by many wrestling fellows and critics. Former DAVE Extreme champion Eric Tyler referred to Vibert as a "genius". Another former DAVE Extreme champion Chris Caulfield called him "the most creative genius the business has ever seen". Vibert is widely regarded as one of the greatest orators in professional wrestling history.

Personal life
Vibert is openly aro-ace; aromantic and asexual. Him being aro-ace originated from an incident back in 1994, which according to him was the "last time he will experience love in his life". Vibert has two younger sisters and a younger brother; Marie-Thérèse and Marie-Madeleine (born 1968) and Robin (born 1972). Vibert has a openly transgender daughter named Samantha (born 1995), who is a transgender rights activist and the occasional co-host of Vibert's Voice.

Awards and accomplishments

 * Master Sports
 * On-Screen Personality of the Year (2002)
 * Creative Writer of the Year (2003)
 * Magisterian Sports Observer
 * Colour Commentator of the Year (1991—1993, 1995)
 * Booker of the Year (2002—2004, 2006)
 * Promoter of the Year (2004)
 * Magisterian Sports Observer Hall of Fame (Class of 2011)