[7] Arndt continued his football career at Division III (NCAA) Salisbury University, playing linebacker and safety for the Sea Gulls from 2007 to 2009.

By chance, WWE executive Triple H also started training with DeFranco; Arndt, a lifelong fan of professional wrestling, made a compilation video of himself doing various exercises and cutting a promo.

[7][13] On May 22, 2013, Amore debuted on NXT television as a heel, portraying an Italian American who is described as a "stereotypical cocky, Jersey Shore loudmouth" and an "outsized version of the man playing the part",[7] where he was squashed by Mason Ryan.

[14] On the July 3 episode of NXT, Amore went on to form an alliance with Colin Cassady,[15] who had also lost to Ryan,[16] and they named themselves "the realest guys in the room".

[22] According to fellow wrestler Simon Gotch, who at the time was also signed to NXT, Amore "broke his own leg trying to counter a wristlock.

At NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, Amore and Cassady faced Blake and Murphy for the title in a losing effort after interference from Alexa Bliss.

[31] A week later on SmackDown, Amore and Cassady defeated The Ascension in a tournament to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Later, Cass claimed he was not cleared to wrestle, so Amore teamed with Big Show in a match against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, which they won.

On the September 5 episode of 205 Live, Amore earned a title opportunity against Neville, winning a Fatal five-way elimination match also involving Cedric Alexander, The Brian Kendrick, Gran Metalik and Tony Nese.

This decision was made because of 205 Live's lack of success; Vince McMahon thought a "strong" character as Amore would improve the brand, making him the core of the show.

He also showed a signed clause by General Manager Kurt Angle that if any cruiserweight touched him, they would lose their title opportunities.

[41] However, he regained the title in the rematch at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on October 22, via an illegal thumb shot to the eye behind the referee's back.

He stood on his seat, causing a disruption, and was eventually removed from the venue by security as well as banned from future events at the Staples Center.

[50][51] Arndt, alongside former tag team partner William Morrissey, appeared at the G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden.

Following a tag team match involving Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent, the two jumped the barricade and attacked several wrestlers.

[53] On June 15, Arndt, under the ring name nZo, debuted for Northeast Wrestling (NEW), accompanying Morrissey, now known as CaZXL, in his match against Jon Moxley.

He subsequently changed his ring name to Real1 and worked as a heel in feuds against the likes of Jacob Fatu, KC Navarro and Mance Warner.

Fightful reported that Arndt was refusing most angles pitched to him, including a scheduled match against Alexander Hammerstone for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at Battle Riot V on April 8, 2023.

[61] Under the stage name Real1, Arndt began pursuing a career as a rapper in May 2018, releasing his first song titled "Phoenix" through WorldStarHipHop on May 28, 2018.

[65] On March 31, 2020, Arndt released Certified G Series: Zo's Exotic Quarantine Music, the first mixtape under the Real1 Entertainment label.

[67][68][69] Before their employment with WWE, Arndt met William Morrissey, while playing basketball together at the Cage of Manhattan, New York, nearly ten years before reuniting on NXT in July 2013.

[71] Arndt was in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler and New Jersey native Gionna Daddio, who currently performs in WWE as Liv Morgan.

[73] On January 22, 2018, the Phoenix Police Department confirmed that Arndt was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault that was reported to authorities in October 2017.

[80] Soon afterward, a friend of Sheahan came forward publicly to admit that allegations had been falsified, presenting a text conversation as evidence.