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Matthew Adams (born 26 September 1988) is an Australian professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Buddy Matthews. He is a former one-time AEW World Trios Champion. Adams also makes appearances on the independent circuit and is best known for his time with WWE where he performed under the ring name Buddy Murphy (later shortened to Murphy).

Key Information

Prior to joining WWE, Adams wrestled primarily in his native Australia under the ring name Matt Silva, appearing with promotions such as Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW) and Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW). In 2013, he relocated to the United States to work for WWE, starting out in its developmental territory NXT. During his time in NXT, he formed a tag team with Wesley Blake that won the NXT Tag Team Championship on one occasion, making him the first Australian national to win a championship in WWE. In 2018, Adams was moved to WWE's main roster, appearing on 205 Live; he won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship later that year. He was moved to SmackDown in April 2019 and then to Raw in October 2019, where he aligned himself with Seth Rollins, leading to the duo winning the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship. Adams was released from WWE in June 2021, and subsequently started wrestling for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Major League Wrestling as "Buddy Matthews". He then made his debut for All Elite Wrestling in February 2022.

Early life

[edit]

Matthew Adams was born on 26 September 1988 in Melbourne, Victoria. He attended Berwick Secondary College, where he graduated in 2006.[8]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (2007–2013)

[edit]

Adams was trained by Carlo Cannon.[6] He made his debut on 8 September 2007 as "Matt Silva", at Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW), where he teamed with Jacko Lantern to defeat Adam Brooks and Diaz.[9] He won the PCW State Championship by defeating Danny Psycho on 3 December 2010.[10][11] He was also a mainstay in Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW), where he won the MCW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Slex on 28 January 2012.[12] He held the championship for 293 days.[13]

WWE (2013–2021)

[edit]

Blake and Murphy (2013–2017)

[edit]
Main article: Blake and Murphy

On 17 March 2013, Adams signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory NXT. On 23 November, he debuted as Buddy Murphy at an NXT house show, teaming with Sawyer Fulton and Troy McClain against Angelo Dawkins, Colin Cassady, and Wesley Blake. On 15 May 2014 episode of NXT, he teamed with Elias Samson in a losing effort against The Ascension.[14]

In August 2014, Murphy formed a tag team with Wesley Blake. On 14 August episode of NXT, they were defeated in the first round of a number one contender tag team tournament by The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara).[15] For the rest of 2014, they lost multiple matches to The Lucha Dragons and The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch).[16][17][18][19] Also in October 2014, they lost a number one contender tag team battle royal, being eliminated by The Ascension.[20]

Murphy (left) and Blake as NXT Tag Team Champions in May 2015

On 21 January 2015 episode of NXT, Blake and Murphy defeated The Vaudevillains and quickly challenged The Lucha Dragons to a title match. On 28 January episode of NXT, Blake and Murphy defeated the champions to win the NXT Tag Team Championship, making Murphy the first Australian to hold a championship in WWE.[21] At NXT TakeOver: Rival, Blake and Murphy, now billed simply by their surnames, defeated the Lucha Dragons in a rematch for the title.[22] Following that in March, Blake and Murphy began a feud with Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady, who were intent on capturing the tag titles.[23] Blake and Murphy attempted to woo Carmella on several occasions.[24] On 13 May episode of NXT, Blake and Murphy distracted Carmella during her match with Alexa Bliss, causing her to lose.[25] At NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, during Amore and Cassady's NXT Tag Team Championship match against Blake and Murphy, Alexa Bliss came out mid-match and attacked Carmella and Amore, ensuring the win for Blake and Murphy.[26] After making several successful title defences, Blake and Murphy lost the championships to the Vaudevillians at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, ending their reign at 219 days.[27][28]

Murphy at WrestleMania 32 Axxess in 2016

On 18 May 2016 episode of NXT, after losing to Austin Aries and Shinsuke Nakamura, Bliss and then Blake walked away from Murphy, teasing a split for the team.[29] On 1 June episode of NXT, his ring name was reverted to Buddy Murphy, where he was defeated by Tye Dillinger.[30] On 15 June episode of NXT, Blake and Murphy reunited, but after a miscommunication between the two, they were defeated by TM-61 (Nick Miller and Shane Thorne).[31] The following week, Murphy announced himself as a singles competitor by interrupting Shinsuke Nakamura, leading to a match with Nakamura, which Murphy lost.[32] On 4 January 2017 episode of NXT, Murphy teamed with Tye Dillinger to defeat Bobby Roode and Elias Samson, and this turned out to be Murphy's last televised appearance in NXT, before being called up to main roster.[33]

Cruiserweight Champion (2018–2019)

[edit]
Murphy performing Murphy's Law (pumphandle Death Valley driver) on Cedric Alexander during his Cruiserweight Championship celebration in April 2018

In early 2018, Murphy lost about 25 pounds and asked to compete on the 205 Live brand.[34] On 20 February episode of 205 Live, he made his debut as a participant in the Cruiserweight Championship tournament, defeating Ariya Daivari in the first round but lost to Mustafa Ali in the quarterfinals.[35] On 27 March episode of 205 Live, Murphy defeated TJP, Akira Tozawa, Kalisto in a fatal four-way match for a future shot at the Cruiserweight Championship. On 10 April episode of 205 Live, Murphy attacked new WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander from behind, starting a feud between the two.[36] However, Murphy failed his mandatory weigh-in and was removed from the match and the 205 Live roster until he met the weight requirement. On 8 May episode of 205 Live, Murphy defeated Ali in a rematch from their Cruiserweight Championship tournament quarterfinal match.[37]

He started a storyline where he had to lose weight, challenging Alexander for the title on 29 May episode of 205 Live, where he failed to win the title.[38] The following week, he had a match with Mustafa Ali that ended in a no-contest after both men were attacked by Hideo Itami,[39] who won a triple threat match against both men the following week.[40] On 3 July episode of 205 Live, he lost to Ali in a No Disqualification match.[41] He then went on to form a tag team with Tony Nese and they subsequently feuded with Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik, Lince Dorado and Kalisto).[42] On 6 October at Super Show-Down in his hometown of Melbourne, Murphy defeated Alexander to win the Cruiserweight Championship, his first singles title in WWE, the first Australian man to accomplish this feat.[43]

Murphy subsequently retained the title against Mustafa Ali at Survivor Series and Alexander at TLC, respectively.[44][45] On 27 January 2019, Murphy successfully defended his title in a fatal four-way match against Akira Tozawa, Kalisto and Hideo Itami at the Royal Rumble Kickoff Show after pinning Itami.[46] On 17 February, Murphy retained his title against Tozawa at Elimination Chamber.[47] At the WrestleMania 35 Kickoff Show, he lost his title to former partner Tony Nese, ending his reign at 183 days. Prior to this loss, Murphy had been undefeated in televised singles matches dating back to July 2018.[48] On 9 April episode of 205 Live, Murphy was again defeated by Nese in a rematch for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.[49]

Murphy in 2018

Brand switches (2019–2020)

[edit]

On 16 April, Murphy was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the Superstar Shake-up.[50] He participated in the 51-Man Battle Royal at Super ShowDown, but was unsuccessful.[51][52] On 30 July episode of SmackDown, a stack of scaffolding fell onto Roman Reigns backstage. Murphy was shown in the background of the event.[53] The following week, Reigns confronted Murphy about his involvement in the event. After being physically intimidated by Reigns, Murphy revealed that Rowan was Reigns' mystery attacker.[54] At SummerSlam, Murphy defeated Apollo Crews by disqualification, after Rowan attacked him mid-match.[55] On 19 August, Murphy was announced as one of sixteen competitors in the King of the Ring tournament.[56] Murphy faced Mustafa Ali in the first round on 27 August episode of SmackDown Live, where he was eliminated.[57]

On 14 October, Murphy was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2019 draft.[58] Over the following weeks, Murphy developed a winning streak, defeating the likes of R-Truth,[59] Cedric Alexander,[60] Akira Tozawa,[61] Matt Hardy,[62] and Zack Ryder.[63] He entered in a 20-man battle royal at Crown Jewel on 31 October to determine who would face AJ Styles for the United States Championship later in the night, but he failed to win.[64] Murphy engaged in a feud with Aleister Black towards the end of 2019. However, he lost to Black at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs,[65] the 30 December episode of Raw[66] and the 13 January 2020 episode of Raw.[67]

Storyline with Seth Rollins (2020–2021)

[edit]

Starting 2020, Murphy began to work with Seth Rollins under the character of his disciple,[68] winning the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship.[69] On 7 February, his ring name was shortened back to simply Murphy after he requested when WWE producer Michael Hayes told him the name Buddy sounds too friendly.[70][3][71] Murphy and Rollins successfully defended their titles against The Street Profits at Super ShowDown on 27 February,[72] but eventually lost the titles to them in a rematch on 2 March episode of Raw. Their reign ended at 42 days.[73] Murphy and Rollins failed to reclaim the championship from the team at Elimination Chamber six days later.[74]

In May, Murphy and Rollins started a feud with Rey Mysterio and his family, as well as Aleister Black.[75][76] At Payback, Murphy and Rollins lost to Mysterio and his son Dominik Mysterio, after Murphy accidentally kicked Rollins, costing them the match.[77] On 15 September episode of Raw, Rollins attacked Murphy after Murphy cost Rollins in a steel cage match against Dominik,[78] leading to Murphy getting closer with Rey Mysterio's daughter, Aalyah.[79] As part of the 2020 Draft in October, Murphy was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[80] The storyline continued when after Aalyah kissed Murphy.[81] On 13 November episode of SmackDown, Murphy turned on Rollins, thus turning him face.[82] Murphy defeated Rollins the following week on SmackDown to end the feud.[83] The love storyline between Murphy and Aalyah was dropped shortly after, and Murphy was taken off television.[84] Murphy returned on 5 March 2021 episode of SmackDown, trying to reunite with Seth Rollins against Cesaro to which Rollins rebuffed. Murphy then lost a match against Cesaro. Murphy's last WWE appearance took place on 9 April 2021, WrestleMania Edition of SmackDown in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal having been eliminated by King Corbin. On 2 June 2021, Murphy was released from his WWE contract.[85]

Independent circuit (2021–present)

[edit]

On 16 October 2021, a video aired during NJPW Strong announcing that Murphy, now going by "Buddy Matthews", would make his New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut at the Battle in the Valley event on 13 November.[86] At the event, he lost to Kazuchika Okada.[87] On 21 January 2022, Matthews wrestled for Major League Wrestling (MLW) at their Blood & Thunder event, losing to TJP.[88]

In 2022, Matthews returned to Melbourne City Wrestling in the Ballroom Brawl event, winning the right to face Mitch Waterman for the MCW World Heavyweight Championship. Matthews then defeated Mitch Waterman to win his second MCW World Heavyweight Championship, at The House Always Wins event.[89]

All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)

[edit]
Main article: House of Black / Hounds of Hell

Matthews made his debut for All Elite Wrestling on 23 February 2022 episode of Dynamite aligning himself with Malakai Black and Brody King of the House of Black. After his debut, AEW president Tony Khan announced Matthews's signing with the company.[90] At Revolution on 5 March 2023, The House of Black defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson) to become the AEW World Trios Championship.[91] In the summer of 2023, Matthews feuded Andrade El Idolo on Collision, which concluded in a ladder match for Andrade's mask, where Matthews lost.[92] House of Black lost the trios titles to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn at All In in August 2023.[93]

Murphy (bottom) surrendering the AEW World Trios Championship in August 2023.

On 1 May 2024 episode of Dynamite, Matthews unsuccessfully challenged Adam Copeland for the AEW TNT Championship.[94] On 15 June episode of Collision, the House of Black won a #1 contenders' match for The Patriarchy's AEW World Trios Championships. After the match, Patriarchy leader Christian Cage appeared on the titantron and revealed that they had attacked Matthews with a con-chair-to, turning the entire House of Black stable face for the first time.[95] On 25 August at All In, the House of Black participated in the ladder match for the AEW World Trios Championships, but failed to win.[96]

On 22 January 2025 episode of Dynamite, a vignette aired of King, Matthews and Julia Hart silently kicking Black out of the group and as leader, stating "that they are done living in the shadows and that it is time to honor themselves with no leaders, no masters, no gods".[97] On 25 January episode of Collision, the group was renamed to the "Hounds of Hell".[citation needed] On 15 February at Grand Slam Australia, Matthews unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the AEW Continental Championship.[98] After the match, Matthews revealed that he had suffered an ankle injury during his entrance, leaving him out of action indefinitely.[99][100]

Other media

[edit]

Adams as Buddy Murphy made his video game debut as a playable character in WWE 2K16 (as a downloadable character) and also appears in WWE 2K17, WWE 2K20 and WWE 2K22.[101] He appeared on an episode of the reality show Total Divas in January 2018.[102][103]

Personal life

[edit]

Adams was engaged to American professional wrestler Alexis Cabrera, better known by the ring name Alexa Bliss.[104] It was reported that the two ended their engagement in September 2018, but still remain friends.[105]

He later began a relationship with fellow Australian wrestler Demi Bennett, known professionally as Rhea Ripley.[106] They married in June 2024.[107]

Adams has a background in extreme sports, particularly bungee jumping, rock climbing, and swimming with great whales.[108][109] He is a supporter of his hometown Australian rules football club, the Carlton Football Club; his WWE ring name is a reference to former Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy.[110][34]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Murphy is a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Buddy Matthews

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Buddy Matthews (born Matthew Adams; September 26, 1988) is an Australian wrestler currently signed to (AEW), where he competes as a member of the dark stable alongside and . Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 197 pounds, Matthews is known for his agile, high-impact style and signature finisher, , earning him the nickname "The Best Kept Secret" during his earlier career. Hailing from , Victoria, he began training at age 19 and debuted on the Australian independent circuit in 2007, wrestling for promotions such as Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) and (MCW) under names like Matt Silva before gaining international attention. Matthews signed with World Wrestling Entertainment () in 2013 and was assigned to its developmental brand NXT, adopting the Buddy Murphy. There, he formed the tag team Blake and Murphy with , winning the on January 28, 2015, in a match that marked the second-longest reign in the title's history at 206 days. Called up to the main roster in 2018 as part of the cruiserweight division, he captured the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on October 6, 2018, at the Super Show-Down event in , holding the title for 183 days before losing it to at on April 7, 2019. In 2020, Murphy aligned with , winning the Raw Tag Team Championship with him on January 20, 2020, though their reign lasted only 25 days; he was released by on June 2, 2021, amid company-wide talent cuts. Following his WWE departure, Matthews returned to the independent scene, including appearances for (NJPW), before debuting for AEW on the February 23, 2022, edition of after signing with the promotion earlier that month. He joined shortly after, contributing to the faction's dominant presence in AEW's tag and trios divisions, and won the inaugural with Black and King on March 5, 2023, at the Revolution pay-per-view event. As of November 2025, Matthews is signed to AEW but sidelined by an ankle injury requiring surgery in August 2025, continuing as a member of , while also maintaining a high-profile , including his marriage to fellow wrestler on June 23, 2024.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Matthew Adams, professionally known as Buddy Matthews, was born on September 26, 1988, in , Victoria, . He grew up in the Melbourne area, including suburbs like Tullamarine, where he balanced early interests with everyday life. From a young age, Adams harbored dreams of athletic achievement at the iconic , initially aspiring to play before discovering his passion for . In high school, during , he publicly declared his ambition to become a professional wrestler when asked about future career goals, though his teacher dismissed it as unrealistic. Details about Adams' family background, including his parents and any siblings, remain private and have not been publicly disclosed in interviews or profiles.

Training and initial wrestling exposure

Matthews, born Matthew Adams in , , on September 26, 1988, began formal at age 19 in 2007 under Carlo Cannon at the Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW) academy in , one of 's premier schools. The academy provided rigorous instruction in fundamentals like mat work, aerial techniques, and ring psychology, preparing him for a professional career. PCW's program emphasized athletic development, and Adams balanced with part-time jobs despite weekend commitments that often led to employment challenges.

Professional wrestling career

Early career in Australia (2007–2013)

Matthew Adams, better known by his ring name Matt Silva, debuted in professional wrestling in 2007 with Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW) in , . His first match occurred on a PCW Slam event, where he teamed with Jacko Lantern to defeat Adam Brooks and Diaz in a tag team bout. Over the next four years with PCW through 2011, Silva established himself as a reliable midcard competitor, participating in various singles and matches while honing his in-ring style against local talents. A career highlight came on December 3, 2010, at PCW Xmas Chaos, when he captured the PCW State Championship by defeating Danny Psycho, though he dropped the title back to Psycho just eight days later. Expanding beyond PCW, Silva competed in several other Australian independent promotions during this era. In Pro Wrestling Alliance (PWA) from 2008 to 2010, he debuted in a losing effort in a six-way scramble match against Lightning Luke on January 3, 2008, and later challenged unsuccessfully for the PWA A1GP Championship against at PWA Unbreakable. He joined (RCW) in 2010, winning his debut match alongside Adam Brooks against GD Grimm and Jacko Lantern on October 2, and challenging for the RCW Heavyweight Championship in a loss to Jacko Lantern on January 24, 2011; his final RCW appearance was a defeat to GD Grimm at RCW 100 on April 6, 2013. Brief stints in other groups included Slam Factory Wrestling and Wrestling Rampage in 2010, where he secured a win over Mike Petersen in his last match there, and a 2012 appearance in Explosive Pro Wrestling, triumphing in a six-man contest. Silva's most significant achievements occurred in (MCW), where he debuted on October 16, 2010, with a victory over Sean O'Shea. On January 28, 2012, at MCW Vendetta, he defeated Slex to win the MCW Heavyweight Championship, marking his first major singles title in the promotion. He successfully defended the belt three times during a reign that lasted 293 days, including a rematch win over Slex, before losing it to Mike Petersen at MCW Worlds Collide. His final MCW match before departing for was a loss to Adam Brooks on April 13, 2013. These accomplishments in MCW solidified Silva's reputation as a top prospect on the .

NXT tenure (2013–2017)

Murphy signed a developmental contract with in March 2013 and was assigned to its NXT brand. He made his in-ring debut as Buddy Murphy on November 23, 2013, at an NXT in , where he teamed with Sawyer Fulton and Troy McClain in a losing effort against Angelo Dawkins, Colin Cassady, and . Throughout 2014, Murphy competed primarily in matches, partnering with various wrestlers including Samson and ; a notable televised appearance came on the May 15 episode of NXT, when he and Samson lost to The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor). In August 2014, Murphy began regularly teaming with after Blake abandoned his cowboy persona, marking the official formation of the duo known as Blake and Murphy. Their first match together aired on the August 14 episode of NXT, a first-round loss to The (Sin Cara and Kalisto) in a tournament for the . The team gained momentum through consistent victories, culminating in their first televised win on the January 21, 2015, episode of NXT against The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and ). This positioned them for a title opportunity, and on the January 28 episode of NXT (taped January 15), Blake and Murphy defeated to capture the , beginning a 206-day reign. During their championship run, they defended the titles against teams such as at : Rival on February 11, 2015, and The Vaudevillains multiple times, including a successful defense on the April 29 episode of NXT. In May 2015, aligned with the champions at : Unstoppable on May 20, serving as their valet and adopting a heel persona to aid in their defenses. The reign ended on August 22, 2015, at : Brooklyn, when they lost the titles to The Vaudevillains in a match also involving . Following the title loss, Blake and Murphy, still managed by Bliss, attempted to regain the championships but were unsuccessful in rematches and contention bouts throughout late 2015 and early 2016. Tensions arose within the group, leading Bliss to abandon Blake and Murphy on the May 18, 2016, episode of NXT after a loss to Shinsuke Nakamura and Austin Aries, effectively disbanding the trio. The tag team continued briefly before splitting, with Murphy turning face and defeating Blake in a No Disqualification match on May 17, 2017, at an NXT house show. Transitioning to singles competition in mid-2016, Murphy showcased improved athleticism in bouts such as his , 2016, loss to on NXT, a match praised for highlighting his potential as a high-flyer. He accumulated wins over midcard opponents like Tye Dillinger and Andrade "Cien" Almas in house shows and dark matches, building toward greater opportunities. Murphy earned his first and only match on March 9, 2017, at a house show in , but lost to champion via submission. This period solidified Murphy's reputation as a reliable performer in NXT, though he did not capture any singles gold before his tenure concluded in 2017.

Main roster and cruiserweight division (2018–2021)

In February 2018, Murphy made his main roster debut on 205 Live, competing in a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, though he was eliminated by Mustafa Ali. Over the following months, he established himself as a top contender in the cruiserweight division, securing victories on 205 Live and occasionally appearing on SmackDown. His breakout moment came on October 6, 2018, at WWE Super Show-Down in Melbourne, Australia, where he defeated champion Cedric Alexander to win the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in his hometown, marking his first singles title in WWE and ending Alexander's 181-day reign. Murphy's 183-day reign as champion was highlighted by successful defenses against challengers including Tyler Breeze, Mike Kanellis, and Cedric Alexander on episodes of 205 Live and at events like Survivor Series 2018, where he retained in a triple threat match against Alexander and Kalisto. His title run elevated the cruiserweight division's profile, with Murphy praised for his athleticism and in-ring performances that drew comparisons to high-flying specialists. The reign concluded on April 7, 2019, at WrestleMania 35's kickoff show, where he lost the championship to Tony Nese in a closely contested match lasting over 12 minutes, ending his time as the focal point of 205 Live. A rematch on the April 9 episode of 205 Live saw Murphy defeated again, solidifying Nese as champion. Following the title loss, Murphy transitioned toward the broader main roster during the 2019 Superstar Shake-up, being assigned to SmackDown where he debuted with a series of vignettes positioning him as "The Best Kept Secret." On the brand, he competed in high-profile matches, including a loss to Roman Reigns on August 13, 2019, and advanced in the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Andrade on the August 20 episode, though he was eliminated by Baron Corbin in the semifinals. The 2019 WWE Draft on October 14 saw Murphy selected by Raw in the fourth round, where he embarked on an undefeated streak, defeating opponents like R-Truth, Zack Ryder, and Cedric Alexander in consecutive weeks. This momentum led to a feud with Aleister Black, culminating in a loss to Black at TLC on December 15, 2019, in a tables, ladders, and chairs match. In early 2020, Murphy aligned with Seth Rollins as part of his "Monday Night Messiah" faction on Raw, serving as Rollins' primary disciple and tag team partner. The duo captured the Raw Tag Team Championship from the Viking Raiders on January 20, 2020, in a match that showcased Murphy's growing role in main event storylines. They retained the titles against the Street Profits at Super ShowDown on February 27 but dropped them on the March 2 episode of Raw after interference from Kevin Owens, ending their 43-day reign. Murphy continued as Rollins' enforcer through mid-2020, involved in feuds with the Mysterio family, including a street fight victory over Dominik Mysterio on September 7, 2020. The 2020 WWE Draft on October 9 assigned Murphy to SmackDown, where he remained aligned with Rollins initially before branching into a controversial storyline with the Mysterios, including an on-screen kiss with Aalyah Mysterio on October 30 that drew real-life backlash. By late 2020 and into 2021, tensions within the Rollins alliance escalated, leading to a betrayal by Murphy on November 13, 2020, aiding the Mysterios against Rollins, and a subsequent loss to Rollins on November 20 in their final major singles match together. Murphy's main roster run concluded with sporadic appearances on SmackDown and 205 Live before his WWE release on June 2, 2021.

Release and independent circuit (2021–2022)

On June 2, 2021, WWE announced the release of Matthews from his contract, along with several other performers, as part of a series of roster cuts that year. His final televised appearance had been on the April 9, 2021, episode of SmackDown in the Memorial , which won. Subject to a 90-day , Matthews refrained from competing until early September 2021. Matthews quickly re-entered the ring on the independent circuit, primarily in the United States, showcasing his athleticism in singles and multi-man matches across various promotions. His first post-WWE bout occurred on September 11, 2021, at Pro Wrestling Paradise (PPW) VIII in Brodheadsville, , where he defeated Facade and JT Dunn in a three-way match. Later that month, on September 18, he wrestled to a no-contest at an independent event, highlighting his continued physicality despite the layoff. In October, Matthews secured victories over opponents like Chip Day at American Wrestling Entertainment (AWE) on and Chandler Hopkins at 16 on October 16, demonstrating his adaptability in shorter, high-intensity indie formats. November 2021 marked a high-profile international appearance for Matthews, as he debuted for (NJPW) at the event on November 13 in , losing to in a 16-minute singles match. This bout, part of NJPW's Strong brand expansion, positioned him against established talent and drew attention to his post-WWE prospects. Later that month, on November 20, he won against Jason Hotch at Pale Pro Wrestling's Blast Off 2021 in , , and on November 27, he fell to (Aleister Black) at WrestleCade 2021 in , in a match that underscored ongoing connections with former WWE colleagues. On December 11, Black defeated him again at House of Glory's For the Glory event in . Into 2022, Matthews continued indie bookings while aligning with emerging opportunities. On January 21, he competed for (MLW) at their Blood & Thunder event, though details of the outcome remained low-profile amid his transitional phase. He made his (PWG) debut at the tournament in January, advancing past () in the first round before a disqualification loss to in the second round on January 30, followed by a defeat to Mike Bailey in the third. These performances across promotions like PPW, NJPW, PWG, and others—where he amassed a strong win record in non-title contests—helped rebuild momentum, culminating in his full-time move to later that year.

All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)

Matthews signed with (AEW) in early 2022 and made his in-ring debut on the February 23 episode of , where he aligned himself with and joined the stable following an attack on PAC of . The faction, which also included , quickly established itself as a dominant force in the promotion's tag and trios divisions, with Matthews contributing to their dark, supernatural-themed persona through intense, high-impact performances. In 2022, engaged in a prominent feud with , culminating in a for the inaugural at , where they fell short despite Matthews' aggressive style shining in multi-man bouts. The group continued to build momentum through victories on and Rampage, including wins that highlighted Matthews' technical prowess and aerial abilities, often partnering with against teams like The Gunn Club. By late 2022, Julia Hart joined the stable, expanding its influence and leading to mixed-tag opportunities where Matthews defended the group's territory against rivals like . House of Black captured the AEW World Trios Championship for the first time on March 5, 2023, at , defeating The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks) in a hard-fought contest that lasted over 20 minutes and featured Matthews executing key maneuvers like the Murphy's Law. They held the titles for 108 days, defending successfully against challengers such as Gunns & Juice Robinson and Best Friends, before dropping them to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn on the June 21 episode of in a four-way match also involving Blackpool Combat Club. This reign solidified Matthews' role as a cornerstone of the division, with his contributions earning praise for elevating the trios format through athletic spots and faction storytelling. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Matthews remained a key member of , participating in ongoing narratives involving internal tensions and external rivalries, such as clashes with The Elite and rematches at events like and Full Gear. He also competed in singles competition, notably facing top stars like on the January 8, 2025, episode of , where his resilience in a losing effort underscored his status as a reliable midcard performer. Teaming with , Matthews secured a victory over the Gates of Agony on the January 25, 2025, Collision, continuing the stable's dominance. On February 5, 2025, Matthews and suffered a tag team defeat to and on Dynamite, but continued wrestling shortly after. He challenged for the against at the February 15 Grand Slam event, losing the match but injuring his ankle during his entrance, which forced him to complete the bout compromised. The injury, initially downplayed, worsened over months, leading to on August 7, 2025, to repair damage and restore mobility. As of November 2025, Matthews remains sidelined from in-ring action, sharing a positive recovery update indicating daily progress but continued restrictions in ankle mobility and lingering numbness, with no specific return timeline announced, while persists without him in key storylines.

Personal life

Relationships and marriage

Buddy Matthews was previously engaged to fellow wrestler , whom he dated from 2015 to 2018 after meeting during their time in WWE's NXT brand. The couple announced their engagement in January 2017 but ended it amicably in September 2018, remaining friends thereafter. Matthews and Ripley first encountered each other on the Australian in the early . Their paths crossed again in WWE around 2021—Matthews performing as Buddy Murphy—amid Ripley's ascent in the women's division, but their romantic relationship began in 2022, shortly after Matthews' WWE release and his signing with (AEW). The pair, both Orlando-based at the time, bonded over shared Australian roots and the demands of , often sharing glimpses of their partnership through joint workouts and travel on . Matthews proposed to Ripley in August 2023 during a beach outing in , which she announced on with a photo of the moment. They married on June 23, 2024, in a private ceremony, followed by a joint post three days later featuring the couple in black attire against a red neon "Til Death" sign, captioned simply "Til Death." The wedding drew congratulations from peers, including and , highlighting the couple's prominence across promotions. Despite working for rival companies—Ripley as a top star and Matthews in AEW—they have emphasized mutual support, with Ripley describing their dynamic as a source of strength in a 2024 podcast interview. As of 2025, the couple continues to navigate their inter-promotional marriage while maintaining separate careers.

Residence and hobbies

Buddy Matthews resides in , where he shares a luxurious home with his wife, . The property features amenities such as a pool, home gym, game room, and personal arcade machine, reflecting their shared commitment to fitness and . In late 2024, the couple purchased an additional house, though its location remains undisclosed in public records. Outside of wrestling, Matthews maintains an interest in adventure sports, including , , and swimming with whales, activities that highlight his thrill-seeking background. He and Ripley also prioritize physical training as a mutual , having constructed a 5,000-square-foot home gym equipped with professional-grade equipment to support their athletic lifestyles.

Other media

Video game appearances

Buddy Matthews, known professionally as Buddy Murphy during his WWE tenure, has made several appearances in the WWE 2K video game series, primarily as a playable character reflecting his NXT and main roster personas. His debut in the series came in WWE 2K16 (2015), where he was included as Murphy in the Future Stars downloadable content pack, representing his NXT tag team role alongside . This marked his introduction as a high-flying NXT competitor with moves like the finisher. He returned in WWE 2K17 (2016) as Murphy on the NXT roster, featuring updated entrances and tag team dynamics from his time as NXT Tag Team Champion. The game highlighted his aerial offense and partnership with Blake, allowing players to recreate key NXT matches. WWE 2K20 (2019) featured him as Buddy Murphy on the Raw brand, with a full moveset update reflecting his main roster debut and alliances, such as with Seth Rollins. His entrance cinematic showcased pyrotechnics and his "Best Kept Secret" persona. Matthews appeared in WWE 2K22 (2022) as Murphy in the base roster, post his WWE release, allowing players to simulate independent and AEW scenarios despite the game's WWE licensing. This inclusion preserved his WWE-era attributes like endurance and striking combos. Additionally, he was playable as Murphy in the arcade-style WWE 2K Battlegrounds (2020), a non-simulation spin-off with simplified brawling mechanics suited to his agile wrestler archetype.
Game TitleRelease YearIn-Game NameRoster/Notes
2015MurphyDLC (Future Stars Pack), NXT brand
2016MurphyBase roster, NXT brand
2019Buddy MurphyBase roster, Raw brand
2020MurphyBase roster, arcade-style
2022MurphyBase roster, post-WWE

Film and television roles

Buddy Matthews has made a few television appearances outside of scripted programming, primarily as himself or in character during promotional segments. In January 2018, he featured in the eighth episode of season 7, titled "Single in the City," where the E! reality series explored his relationship with then-fiancée amid discussions of plans with cast members including . In December 2024, Matthews appeared on the Australian current affairs The Project, entering dramatically in his House of Black wrestling attire and persona before staging an intense walkout following banter with hosts and Sarah Harris about his career and intensity, which went viral for blending reality with . Matthews has no credited roles in feature films or other scripted television series as of November 2025.

Championships and accomplishments

Major championships

Matthews first captured a major championship in WWE's developmental brand, NXT, as part of the tag team Blake and Murphy alongside . On the January 28, 2015, episode of NXT, they defeated The (Sin Cara and Kalisto) to win the in their second televised match as a unit. Their 205-day reign, which ended on August 22, 2015, when they lost to The at : Brooklyn, stands as the second-longest in the title's history at the time and featured successful defenses against teams like The and The Ascension. This run elevated Matthews' profile, showcasing his technical prowess and high-flying ability in the tag division. Transitioning to the main roster, Matthews achieved singles success by winning the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on October 6, 2018, at WWE Super Show-Down in , , defeating in his homeland before a crowd of over 70,000. As Buddy Murphy, he held the title for 183 days, defending it against challengers including , , and a match against Kalisto and on the January 28, 2019, episode of Raw. His reign concluded on April 7, 2019, at Kickoff, where he lost to in a critically acclaimed match noted for its athleticism and storytelling. This victory marked Matthews as 's first WWE main roster champion and highlighted his dominance in the cruiserweight division. Later in his WWE tenure, Matthews partnered with Seth Rollins to win the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship on January 20, 2020, episode of Raw, defeating the Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) in . Dubbed the "Monday Night Messiah" stable, their 42-day reign included defenses against teams like and Aleister Black & , emphasizing Rollins' leadership and Matthews' role as a key enforcer. Their reign ended on March 2, 2020, when they lost to on Raw. Since joining All Elite Wrestling in 2022 as part of The House of Black (with Malakai Black and Brody King), Matthews has won the AEW World Trios Championship once. The faction captured the titles on March 5, 2023, at AEW Revolution in San Francisco, defeating The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, and Nick Jackson) in a ladder match to end The Elite's inaugural reign. Their 175-day reign featured defenses against teams including The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn), as well as Best Friends and Orange Cassidy, and concluded on August 27, 2023, at All In in London when they lost to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn. This accomplishment underscores Matthews' evolution into a champion across promotions.

Other achievements and awards

In 2018, Matthews, performing as Buddy Murphy, was named Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year by for his standout performances on WWE's 205 Live brand, where he captured the WWE Cruiserweight Championship and delivered acclaimed matches against competitors like and . Matthews has received consistent recognition in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 rankings, which evaluate the top 500 male singles wrestlers worldwide based on in-ring performance, drawing power, and overall impact. His placements reflect his evolution from midcard territory in WWE's developmental system to a prominent role in All Elite Wrestling's stable. The following table summarizes his PWI 500 rankings from 2015 onward:
YearRankingChange from Previous Year
2015116Debut
2016227-111
2017335-108
2018234+101
201933+201
2020114-81
2021401-287
2022216+185
2023143+73
These rankings highlight peak acclaim in 2019, during his Cruiserweight Championship reign and main roster push.

References

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