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Matthew Rehwoldt
Matthew Rehwoldt
Matthew Rehwoldt
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Matthew Thomas Rehwoldt (born October 7, 1987) is an American color commentator and professional wrestler. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as a color commentator, alongside Tom Hannifan. He is also known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Aiden English.

Key Information

Rehwoldt debuted on the independent circuit in 2009. In 2012, he signed a development contract with WWE[11] and was assigned to the farm territory Florida Championship Wrestling and later to NXT. In NXT, he formed a tag team called The Vaudevillains with Simon Gotch, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship.[12] They were called to WWE's main roster in 2016, but the team ended in 2017 when Gotch was released. English was then paired with Rusev, formed a tag team named Rusev Day.[13] In 2019, he became a color commentator on 205 Live and NXT UK.[14] After being released from WWE in 2020, Rehwoldt began wrestling for Impact Wrestling and on the independent circuit under both his real name and the ring name Matt Morris.[4]

Outside of wrestling, Rehwoldt started the "Rough Cuts" social media campaign for unfinished art and the "Wrestling With Whiskey" project on YouTube.[15]

Early life

[edit]

Matthew Thomas Rehwoldt was born on October 7, 1987 in Chicago, Illinois, where he developed an interest in acting at an early age. By the age of 20, he had appeared in over 20 stage productions. After graduating from Lyons Township High School, he studied acting (with a focus on stage combat) at Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts.[9]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Independent circuit (2009–2012)

[edit]

While attending college, Rehwoldt trained as a professional wrestler. He made his professional wrestling debut on July 24, 2009 at an IWA Mid-South event under the ring name Matt Morris, defeating TJ Panic.[5] He wrestled for promotions such as Chicago Style Wrestling, where he formed a tag team named "The Ryte Stuff" with Barry Ryte.[3]

WWE (2012–2020)

[edit]

Developmental territories (2012–2014)

[edit]
English in March 2014

Rehwoldt signed a contract with WWE in early 2012, and was assigned to its developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he began using the ring name "Aiden English," debuting on March 1, 2012 as part of an 8-man tag team match. He made his televised debut on the March 15, 2012 taping of FCW television,[16] airing on April 15, 2012, teaming with Audrey Marie in an intergender tag team match against Rick Victor and Paige.[11]

After WWE rebranded FCW as NXT in 2012, English's television debut took place on the June 27 episode of the rebooted NXT taped at Full Sail University, losing to Leo Kruger. English was used primarily as a jobber throughout the rest of the year, losing to wrestlers including Bray Wyatt, Ryback, and Big E Langston.[17][18][19] He scored his first televised win on the September 18, 2013 episode of NXT, defeating Michael Q. Laurie.[20]

A week later, on the September 25 episode of NXT, English sang a parody version of the "Major-General's Song" from the musical The Pirates of Penzance while approaching the ring. He subsequently began singing before, during and after his matches, while also establishing himself as a heel.[9][21] Throughout the year, English scored wins over Jason Jordan and Camacho.[22][23] In the beginning of 2014, English began a feud with Colin Cassady, losing to him on the January 1 episode of NXT in a sing-off but defeating him in several matches.[24][25][26][27]

The Vaudevillains (2014–2017)

[edit]
Main article: Vaudevillains

In June 2014, English formed a tag team with Simon Gotch, known as the Vaudevillains.[28] The duo turned face when they feuded with Blake and Murphy. The feud escalated to NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, where the Vaudevillains defeated Blake and Murphy to win the NXT Tag Team Championship.[12] On the November 11 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains lost the title to Dash and Dawson, ending their reign at 61 days.[29] On the November 25 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains faced Dash and Dawson in a rematch for the title in a losing effort. On the December 23 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains competed in a four-way tag team match against Blake and Murphy, The Hype Bros, and Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, won by Gable and Jordan. On the March 16, 2016 episode of NXT, the Vaudevillains were defeated by Gable and Jordan, later known as American Alpha, in a #1 contenders match for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

English (right) with Simon Gotch in April 2016

On the April 7, 2016 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains made their main roster debut as heels, defeating the Lucha Dragons.[30] On the April 11 episode of Raw, the Vaudevillains were announced as one of the teams to participate in the #1 contenders tournament for the WWE Tag Team Championship, where they defeated Goldust and Fandango in the first round later that week on SmackDown and The Usos on the April 18 episode of Raw in the semi-finals.[31][32][33] At Payback, the Vaudevillains faced Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in the finals of the tournament. The match resulted in a no-contest due to a legit concussion by Amore, and the Vaudevillains were declared number one contenders.[34] At Extreme Rules, the Vaudevillains received their shot at the titles against The New Day in a losing effort.[35] At Money in the Bank, The Vaudevillains competed in a Fatal 4-way tag team match also involving Enzo and Cass and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for the titles in a losing effort.

On July 19 at the 2016 WWE draft, the Vaudevillains were drafted to SmackDown in the tenth round of picks. In August, a tag team tournament for the newly created WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship was set up by SmackDown general manager Daniel Bryan and SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon, where the winners of the tournament would be crowned the inaugural champions. On the August 30 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains would compete in the first round match of the tournament, where they were defeated by The Hype Bros. On the November 8 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains were defeated by Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) in a qualifying match for a spot in Team SmackDown at Survivor Series. On the January 31, 2017 episode of SmackDown, the Vaudevillains, along with five other teams, answered an open challenge set by American Alpha, where a brawl between all six teams ensued before being broken up by referees and officials. At Elimination Chamber, the Vaudevillains competed in a tag team turmoil match for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship, where they were eliminated by Heath Slater and Rhyno. At WrestleMania 33, English competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Mojo Rawley. On April 5, 2017, English's partner Simon Gotch was released from WWE.[36]

Rusev Day (2017–2018)

[edit]

Following the team's disbandment, English returned to singing prior to his matches.[37] In May 2017, he entered into a feud with Tye Dillinger, losing to him at Backlash.[38] At Battleground on July 23, English once again faced Dillinger, this time in a winning effort.[39]

English (right) with Rusev at WrestleMania 34

In September, English allied with Rusev during a rivalry Rusev had been having with Randy Orton. After losing to Orton at SummerSlam, Rusev issued a rematch to Orton following a match with English, which Orton had won. English distracted Orton and allowed Rusev to pick up the victory in nine seconds, the same time that Orton had defeated Rusev in at SummerSlam.[40] The following week, Rusev held "The Pride of Bulgaria Celebration," and was praised by the mayor of his hometown. English sang a song to commemorate the occasion. During the song, Orton appeared and delivered RKOs to both English and Rusev.[41] From there on out, crowds began chanting "Rusev Day" during Rusev's matches, and he and English would become one of the company's most popular acts, despite their placement as villains.[42][43]

Throughout the rest of the year, Rusev and English wrestled as a tag team, participating in a fatal four-way tag team match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at Clash of Champions also involving The New Day, Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin, as well as the champions The Usos.[44] They were unsuccessful in winning.[45] On January 28, 2018, English entered the 2018 Royal Rumble match, but was eliminated by Finn Bálor.[46] At WrestleMania 34, English entered the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but was the first person eliminated; Matt Hardy would eventually win the match.[47] English would re-appear later in the night with a freshly shaved head to manage Rusev in his fatal four-way match against Randy Orton, Jinder Mahal and Bobby Roode, but Rusev was unsuccessful as he was pinned by Mahal.[48] Later, throughout the summer, English and Rusev established themselves as fan favorites.

In July 2018, English started a feud with Rusev when, on the July 24 episode of SmackDown Live, English accidentally knocked Lana out.[13] The following weeks, English interfered in the matches between Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega and Rusev and Lana, turning back to a heel in the process.[49][50][51] The feud escalated when, on the September 18 episode of SmackDown Live, English attacked Rusev with a microphone and alluded to Lana and he having an affair.[52] The storyline concluded on October 9, when it was revealed in a video that English made romantic advances towards Lana, to which she deflected.[53] On the October 23 episode of SmackDown Live, Rusev defeated English, ending their feud.[54]

Color commentator (2019–2020)

[edit]

In January 2019, it was announced that English would join the commentary team of 205 Live beginning on January 22, 2019, replacing Percy Watson, while still also participating on SmackDown.[55] On April 4, English lost to Kassius Ohno at WrestleMania Axxess, in a match that aired on WWE Worlds Collide on April 14.[56] This would become his final match in the company. On November 1, 2019, English appeared as a guest commentator on SmackDown, as part of a commentary team filling in for Michael Cole and Corey Graves.[57][58] On April 15, 2020, English was released from his WWE contract due to the budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.[59]

Independent circuit (2020–present)

[edit]

After his WWE release, he began to work on the independent circuit under his real name. On September 17, 2020, Rehwoldt had his first match on the independent circuit for Zelo Wrestling where he defeated Nick Brubaker.[60]

Impact Wrestling/Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2021–present)

[edit]

At Slammiversary, on July 17, 2021, a vignette aired promoting Rehwoldt's arrival to Impact Wrestling.[61] At Homecoming, Rehwoldt made his debut as part of the Homecoming tournament, teaming with Deonna Purrazzo to defeat Hernandez and Alisha Edwards in the first round, Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green in the semi-finals, and Decay (Crazzy Steve and Rosemary) in the finals to become the Homecoming King and Queen.[62][63][64]

In early 2022, Rehwoldt would join the commentary team regularly, replacing D'lo Brown.[65][66]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2021–2022)

[edit]

At NJPW Resurgence, Rehwoldt made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut as part of the English commentary team. Rehwoldt made his debut for the August 20, 2021 airing of NJPW Strong in a match against Alex Coughlin under the ring name "Matt Morris".

Other media

[edit]

Rehwoldt, as Aiden English, appears in five video games, WWE SuperCard,[67] WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, and WWE 2K19.[68]

He frequently appeared on Xavier Woods' UpUpDownDown[69] YouTube channel, where he played video games together with several other wrestlers.

Aside from his professional wrestling career, English started the campaign "Rough Cuts" on social media, where people share their unfinished art on Twitter or Instagram. Also, in 2018, he started the project "Wrestling With Whiskey," where, under his real name, he uploads videos of Whiskey tastings, Q & A's etc. on the project's YouTube channel.[15] He does stream via Twitch using the username DramaKingMatt.[citation needed]

Personal life

[edit]

In December 2014, Rehwoldt became engaged to fellow professional wrestler Shaul Guerrero, the daughter of Eddie Guerrero and Vickie Guerrero.[70] They were married in Florida on January 3, 2016.[10]

Rehwoldt is a fan of The Best Show with Tom Scharpling, calling the show in April and May 2011 when it was still broadcast on WFMU.[71]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

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

Matthew Rehwoldt

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Rehwoldt (born October 7, 1987) is an American professional wrestling color commentator and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under his real name. Best known by his ring name Aiden English during an eight-year tenure with WWE from 2012 to 2020, Rehwoldt gained prominence as one half of the vaudeville-themed tag team The Vaudevillains alongside Simon Gotch, with whom he won the NXT Tag Team Championship once in 2015. After transitioning to commentary roles in WWE and a brief in-ring stint upon joining TNA in 2021—where he also captured the Impact Homecoming King & Queen Tournament—he retired from active wrestling in 2022 to focus exclusively on broadcasting. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Rehwoldt developed an early interest in acting and performance, appearing in over 20 stage productions by age 20. He attended Columbia College Chicago, graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a specialization in stage combat, certified by the Society of American Fight Directors. Following his education, Rehwoldt trained for professional wrestling and debuted on the independent circuit in late 2011 under the ring name Matt Marquee, competing for promotions in Illinois. Rehwoldt signed a developmental contract with in January 2012 and was assigned to its (FCW) territory, where he adopted the Aiden English persona as a refined, operatic character. In NXT, he paired with to form The in 2013, blending old-school wrestling with theatrical flair; the duo defeated Blake and Murphy to claim the on August 22, 2015, holding it for 81 days. Promoted to 's main roster in late 2015, The Vaudevillains competed on SmackDown, though injuries and creative shifts led to their dissolution by 2016; Rehwoldt then pursued a singles career, feuding with wrestlers like before shifting to commentary for the cruiserweight brand 205 Live in 2019. released him on April 15, 2020, amid widespread talent cuts. In TNA (formerly Impact Wrestling), Rehwoldt debuted as a wrestler on July 31, 2021, winning the Homecoming King & Queen Tournament that night alongside . He wrestled sporadically thereafter, but announced his in-ring retirement on August 6, 2022, to prioritize commentary duties. Since January 2022, he has served as TNA's primary color commentator, partnering with to call major events like Bound for Glory and ; the duo re-signed multi-year extensions in August 2025. Rehwoldt is married to fellow wrestler and ring announcer , daughter of the late , since January 3, 2016.

Biography

Early life

Matthew Rehwoldt was born on October 7, 1987, in , . He grew up in the nearby suburb of La Grange, where he developed an early fascination with after discovering WWE's Monday Night Raw in grade school, despite his family lacking at the time. This exposure ignited his passion for the dramatic and theatrical elements of the sport. Rehwoldt's parents played a key role in shaping his path, discouraging him from pursuing wrestling immediately after high school and instead insisting he attend college to gain a formal education. Agreeing to their terms, he enrolled at to study , viewing it as a way to hone skills that could complement his wrestling ambitions. At Columbia, Rehwoldt immersed himself in and entertainment, graduating in 2010 with a BA in . His studies emphasized under instructor David Woolley, which transformed him from a shy performer into someone comfortable engaging audiences. Following graduation, he appeared in notable productions such as The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity and the Lyric Opera of Chicago's , fostering a deep interest in dramatic performance that influenced his later wrestling persona. Following graduation, Rehwoldt transitioned to by training at .

Personal life

Rehwoldt married professional wrestler and valet Shaul Marie Guerrero on January 3, 2016, in . Shaul is the daughter of the late professional wrestler and his widow, . The couple welcomed a daughter in the summer of 2021. Rehwoldt pursued theater and drama during his youth, earning a degree in from in 2010, where he specialized in . These interests have continued as hobbies beyond his wrestling career, reflecting his early nickname "Drama King" and his ongoing involvement in performance arts. Rehwoldt developed a strong enthusiasm for whiskey collecting and tasting, beginning around 2017 as a way to explore flavors beyond his initial mixed drinks. He has built a personal collection featuring rare bourbons and scotches, often sharing blind tastings and reviews to refine his palate, and maintains a dedicated online presence for whiskey discussions.

In-ring wrestling career

Independent circuit (2009–2012)

Rehwoldt began his professional wrestling training in 2009 at the Wrestling Academy under veteran trainer , a Chicago-based promoter and wrestler known for his work with independent promotions like . Daniels, who debuted in 1997 and has trained notable talents including , provided foundational instruction in the local scene. He made his in-ring debut in late 2011 on the Illinois independent circuit under the Matt Marquee. Early matches focused on building fundamentals through regional events, establishing Rehwoldt as an emerging talent in the Midwest wrestling community. Key promotions during this period included All American Wrestling (AAW), Freelance Wrestling, and , where he competed regularly in the area. Notable work included tag team partnerships with trainer , showcasing coordinated offense in multi-man es, as well as singles feuds against local competitors like regional heels and technicians that honed his in-ring psychology.

WWE developmental (2012–2014)

Matthew Rehwoldt signed a developmental contract with in early 2012 and was assigned to its (FCW) territory. He debuted in FCW on March 2, 2012, under the ring name Aiden English, teaming with in an eight-man that ended in defeat against Kevin Hackman and Leo Kruger, among others. English made his televised FCW debut on the April 8, 2012 episode, partnering with in a mixed lost to Paige and Rick Victor. Following WWE's rebranding of FCW to NXT later in , English transitioned to the new developmental brand, where he continued to refine his in-ring skills amid the territory's shift to a more structured television format taped at . During this period, he competed in several notable bouts, including losses to established talents like in settings, which helped build his technical foundation while testing his adaptability against rising prospects. English's NXT television debut occurred on the June 27, episode (NXT 123), where he fell to Leo Kruger in a singles match. In NXT, English developed his aristocratic heel persona, drawing from his legitimate theater background to portray a pompous "Drama King" who treated wrestling as a mere platform for artistic superiority. This gimmick incorporated elaborate entrances featuring self-composed singing and poetic recitations mocking opponents, emphasizing his character's disdain for the "uncultured" athleticism of . Rehwoldt later reflected that the character evolved over roughly a year in Orlando, allowing him to amplify his real-life performative traits into a heel dynamic where English viewed himself as an elite artiste slumming it in the ring. English began laying the groundwork for work in late 2013 and early 2014, interacting with fellow NXT performer —initially presented under a classic wrestling archetype—during house shows and training sessions, which foreshadowed their formal . Throughout 2013 and 2014, he actively participated in NXT house shows across , facing off against a rotating roster of developmental talent to hone his character delivery and match psychology in front of live crowds.

The Vaudevillains (2014–2017)

In June 2014, Matthew Rehwoldt, performing as Aiden English, teamed up with to form The Vaudevillains in WWE's NXT brand, adopting a distinctive gimmick inspired by performers. The duo portrayed sophisticated, old-timey entertainers complete with bow ties, canes, and elaborate promos delivered in archaic language, emphasizing , strength, and theatrical flair to set themselves apart in the tag division. The Vaudevillains made their official in-ring debut as a team on the June 19, 2014, episode of NXT, defeating Angelo Dawkins and Travis Tyler with English securing the pinfall via their signature move, the whirling dervish neckbreaker. This victory launched their rapid ascent, as they quickly established themselves as cunning heels through a series of dominant performances against teams like and . Their unique presentation resonated in NXT, blending comedy with technical prowess, and they captured the for the first time on December 11, 2014, at : R Evolution by defeating in the main event, ending the champions' 126-day reign. The ' initial title reign lasted until February 11, 2015, when they lost the belts to Blake and Murphy at : Rival amid interference from their manager . Undeterred, they pursued redemption throughout 2015, engaging in high-profile feuds that showcased their strategic and in-ring chemistry. A pivotal rematch at : Brooklyn on August 22, 2015, saw them reclaim the NXT from Blake and Murphy, holding the titles for 81 days with defenses against teams including The and a non-title win over and Colin Cassady. This second reign solidified their status as NXT's premier tag team, though it ended on November 11, 2015, when they were defeated by The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson) on NXT television. Following their NXT success, The Vaudevillains transitioned to the main roster in early 2016, debuting on the April 7 episode of SmackDown with a over The , signaling their arrival as a calculated threat in the Tag Team division. They entered the Tag Team No. 1 Contender's Tournament on Raw, defeating established teams like on April 18 and advancing to the finals against and Big Cass at on May 1; however, the match ended in a no-contest due to Amore's legitimate injury, granting them a direct title opportunity. At Extreme Rules on May 22, 2016, The Vaudevillains challenged The New Day for the Tag Team but fell short in a hard-fought contest, marking their closest pursuit of main roster gold. Throughout mid-2016, The Vaudevillains maintained momentum with key rivalries against The Dudley Boyz, whom they bested in a tables match on the June 21 episode of Main Event, and The , culminating in a contentious loss on October 4 SmackDown that highlighted growing frustrations within the team. Their old-timey persona began to evolve into a more ruthless edge, planting seeds of discord as English increasingly took the spotlight with his dramatic vignettes and singing entrances, while Gotch's brute force complemented but occasionally overshadowed the dynamic. By early 2017, internal tensions escalated, leading to individual opportunities for English, including a high-profile loss to on the March 13 episode of Raw. The partnership effectively dissolved on April 5, 2017, following Gotch's release from , after which English briefly transitioned into a managerial role alongside Rusev.

Rusev Day (2017–2018)

In September 2017, Matthew Rehwoldt, performing as Aiden English, transitioned into a managerial role as Rusev's during a "Pride of Bulgaria" celebration segment on . English served as the , introducing dignitaries and singing a rendition of the to honor Rusev's recent victory over . The segment culminated with the mayor of declaring as "Rusev Day," prompting English to lead enthusiastic chants of the phrase, which quickly caught on with the audience despite initial boos. The alliance evolved into a dynamic, with English occasionally competing alongside Rusev while primarily handling promos and entrances, often belting out operatic praises or satirical songs to build hype. By early , the group expanded into a incorporating Lana (Rusev's on-screen wife), particularly in mixed matches, such as their run where they declared "Ravishing Rusev Day" after a victory. Key segments highlighted the comedic absurdity, including declarations that every day—and specific holidays like —belonged to Rusev, which went viral on through fan memes, hashtags, and amplifying the catchphrase's ironic patriotism. English's in-ring involvement remained limited to tag team bouts supporting Rusev, such as their non-title win over The Bar (Cesaro and ) on SmackDown in September 2018, earning a SmackDown opportunity against The New Day at . These matches emphasized English's interference tactics and dramatic flair rather than extended wrestling, allowing the stable's entertainment value to shine. A notable feud in 2018 involved Randy Orton during Rusev's pursuit of the United States Championship, highlighted by English's interference in a Fatal 4-Way match on SmackDown where Orton retained the title against Rusev, English, and ; English delivered passionate promos accusing Orton of disrespecting Rusev's heritage. The stable's peak popularity manifested in widespread crowd chants at major events, including the 2018 where fans drowned out other entrances with "Rusev Day" calls, underscoring their unexpected fan-favorite status despite no championship wins for Rusev in this pursuit. Hints of dissolution emerged in late amid Rusev's accumulating injuries, including a shoulder issue that sidelined him, leading to internal tensions; English's growing spotlight in promos foreshadowed his eventual turn on Rusev in September, effectively ending the . This period honed English's mic skills, paving the way for his later shift to broadcasting.

Post-WWE matches (2020–2022)

Following his release from on April 15, 2020, amid budget cuts related to the , Matthew Rehwoldt took an initial hiatus from in-ring competition. The period allowed him time to reflect on his career, but he returned to wrestling later that year on the independent circuit under his real name. Rehwoldt made his post-WWE in-ring debut on September 17, 2020, at Zelo Pro Wrestling's "On Weed Street" event in Chicago, Illinois, where he defeated Nick Brubaker by disqualification. Over the next two years, he competed sporadically in promotions such as Zelo Pro Wrestling, Independent Wrestling Expo, and (TNA, formerly Impact), often in singles and bouts that showcased his technical style and showmanship, including as part of the The System with Eddie Edwards. For example, on August 7, 2021, at Independent Wrestling Expo 5, he defeated Lou Gotti in a competitive singles match. These appearances highlighted a more mature performer compared to his earlier indie days, with Rehwoldt emphasizing storytelling and character work in smaller venues. His independent schedule overlapped briefly with international tours, including stints in . In 2021, Rehwoldt made brief in-ring returns for TNA Wrestling, debuting on July 31 at the event in the King & Queen Tournament. Teaming with , they defeated Hernandez and in the first round and Decay (Crazzy Steve and ) in the final to win the tournament. He wrestled sporadically thereafter, including as part of the The System with Eddie Edwards, but announced his in-ring on August 6, 2022, to prioritize family life and focus on his growing commentary career. He expressed gratitude for his wrestling journey but noted feeling more fulfilled outside the ring, effectively ending a sporadic comeback period that saw him wrestle in fewer than 20 matches across promotions from 2020 to 2022. As of November 2025, he has not returned to in-ring competition.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2021–2022)

Transitioning to in-ring competition, Rehwoldt debuted under the ring name Matt Morris on the August 20, 2021, episode of , taped at the NJPW Los Angeles Dojo. In his opener, Morris defeated in an 8-minute singles match as part of the "Coughlin Challenge Series," showcasing a hard-hitting style that earned him a spot in the villainous stable despite Coughlin's recruitment attempt. Morris continued on the program with a main event loss to Hikuleo on the September 3, 2021, BBQ episode, lasting nearly 10 minutes in a contest highlighting his resilience against the Tongan wrestler's power-based offense. Later, on October 15, 2021, he faced NJPW veteran in another singles bout, submitting to the Stone Pitfall after a grueling exchange that emphasized NJPW's strong style. These appearances allowed Rehwoldt to adapt his persona to the NJPW environment, dropping operatic elements from his days in favor of a straightforward, aggressive competitor aligned with Team Filthy's ethos. Rehwoldt's NJPW run extended into 2022 with two final singles matches on tapings for in USA tour. On January 15, 2022, competing as Matt Rehwoldt, he lost to via sudden death overtime in a 20-minute limit draw turned contest, demonstrating improved technical against the high-flyer. His last appearance came on February 19, 2022, against , where he was pinned following a in a match that underscored the physical demands of NJPW's junior heavyweight division. Over the course of 2021–2022, Rehwoldt competed in five televised matches on , primarily in singles competition at the . This stint provided exposure to NJPW's global audience through streaming on NJPW World, blending his in-ring outings amid concurrent independent wrestling appearances in the United States.

Broadcasting career

WWE (2019–2020)

Following the end of the Rusev Day storyline in early 2019, Matthew Rehwoldt transitioned to a full-time role as a in , leveraging his experience in on-screen entertainment and vocal delivery from previous characters. His broadcasting debut occurred on the January 22, 2019, episode of 205 Live, where he joined play-by-play announcer and , providing heel-leaning analysis that added dramatic flair to the cruiserweight division's matches. Rehwoldt's commentary tenure expanded to include NXT UK tours, where he again paired with to cover international events and tapings, contributing to the promotion of the brand's roster during 2019 and early 2020. His style, characterized by theatrical emphasis and rooted in his prior promo work, garnered for enhancing narratives without overshadowing the action. On November 1, 2019, he made a as on SmackDown Live, filling in alongside the regular team during a period of roster adjustments. At major pay-per-view events, Rehwoldt provided commentary for select matches, including cruiserweight bouts at Survivor Series 2019, where he teamed with Byron Saxton to call undercard action and highlight emerging talents. Despite his primary focus on broadcasting, he made sporadic in-ring appearances at non-televised house shows in late 2019 and early 2020, competing in tag team matches to maintain his wrestling skills. In January 2020, he resumed color commentary duties for NXT UK, temporarily replacing Nigel McGuinness to support the brand's European expansion. Rehwoldt's WWE broadcasting career concluded with his release on April 15, 2020, as part of company-wide budget cuts amid the ; his final on-air work included the April 3 episode of 205 Live.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2021–2022)

After his WWE release, Rehwoldt debuted as an English-language for (NJPW) at the Resurgence event on August 14, 2021. He continued providing commentary for NJPW's American events and tapings through 2022, including shows on , drawing on his WWE experience to hype matches and explain storylines for international audiences. His work was well-received for its engaging style, and he balanced it with occasional in-ring appearances until his full retirement from wrestling in 2022.

TNA Wrestling (2021–present)

After a brief in-ring stint with TNA Wrestling (formerly Impact Wrestling) beginning in 2021, Rehwoldt transitioned to a full-time role in early 2022, debuting on the January 27, 2022, episode of Impact! alongside play-by-play announcer while recovered from an on-screen attack by the stable. This temporary replacement became permanent in March 2022, as TNA confirmed Brown would not return to the commentary desk, allowing Rehwoldt to pair permanently with Hannifan. The duo quickly developed strong on-air chemistry, building on their prior collaboration in developmental brands; Rehwoldt credited Hannifan's mentorship for enhancing their hype-building and storytelling, blending structured narrative beats with creative freedom unique to TNA. Their partnership has been praised for elevating match dynamics and event energy, contributing to TNA's broadcast polish. Since joining the announce team, Rehwoldt and Hannifan have provided commentary for major TNA pay-per-view events, including Slammiversary from 2022 to 2025 and Bound for Glory from 2022 to 2025. Notable moments include their coverage of Josh Alexander's successful defense of the Impact World Championship against Eric Young at Slammiversary 2022, where Rehwoldt highlighted Alexander's technical prowess and the match's tributes to TNA history. Rehwoldt has occasionally participated in light-hearted segments, such as interactions at the Spanish announce table, adding levity to broadcasts. In 2024 and 2025, Rehwoldt's role expanded with highlights including calling The Hardys' victory in a fatal four-way to regain the TNA World Tag Team Championships at 2025, emphasizing the emotional stakes and post-match interruption by Bully Ray. Following Bound for Glory events, he has co-hosted studio breakdowns and interviews with key talents like champions and rivals, dissecting outcomes on the After the Glory special in October 2025. Their coverage now extends to TNA Plus streaming service events and live tours, solidifying the team as one of TNA's longest-tenured announce pairs after contract extensions in August 2025. Rehwoldt retired from in-ring competition in August 2022 to prioritize commentary, with no wrestling appearances since.

Other media

Video games and WWE appearances

Rehwoldt, performing under the ring name Aiden English, was featured as a playable character in the WWE 2K video game series from WWE 2K16, released in 2015, through WWE 2K19 in 2018. These installments included recreations of his signature moves, such as the Director's Cut, which was a key part of his in-ring arsenal during his WWE tenure. His character model and attributes were updated across each title to reflect his evolving role, from a midcard singles competitor to a tag team specialist in The Vaudevillains and later Rusev Day. In addition to the main console series, English appeared in the mobile game starting in 2014 and continuing through 2019. The game featured multiple card variants of his character, including bronze, silver, and gold tiers tied to his partnership with and his later alliance in Rusev Day with Rusev and Lana, allowing players to collect and upgrade him for virtual matches. These cards highlighted his dramatic persona and signature abilities, contributing to the game's roster depth during his active years. English also made cameo appearances in WWE Network original content, including archival segments in wrestling history and dedicated features on his tag team runs. Notably, he was profiled in the 2018 "Happy Rusev Day" collection, which compiled highlights and behind-the-scenes footage of the popular Rusev Day . He participated in non-wrestling guest spots on programming, such as segments that showcased his theatrical commentary style, enhancing his on-screen presence beyond in-ring competition. Following his WWE release in 2020, Rehwoldt has not appeared in any subsequent WWE-licensed video games or media due to standard licensing agreements that limit post-contract inclusions.

Content creation

Following his departure from in 2020, Matthew Rehwoldt launched a whiskey review series on and X (formerly ) under the handle @dramakingmatt, focusing on bourbons, scotches, ryes, and other spirits as part of his "Wrestling with Whiskey" brand. This series stemmed from his longstanding personal interest in whiskey, which he began exploring more publicly during his tenure. By 2025, the content had expanded to include discussions of international varieties, such as a May post covering Japanese whiskies alongside bourbon, rye, scotch, Irish, and Canadian options. Rehwoldt also produces gaming content on , , and Twitch through his "Drama King Matt" channels, sharing shorts and streams of titles like , which he praised as an "incredible, fun game" in early 2024 posts and interviews. He has featured sponsorships in this space, including a partnership with AdvancedGG announced in , where he promoted their products with a discount code for gamers and streamers. Since at least 2022, Rehwoldt has shared voice-over demos on social media and his YouTube channel, expressing aspirations to work in animation and commercials. Samples include commercial and animation reels uploaded in September 2025, often incorporating his wrestling persona through promo-style parodies. Rehwoldt has made guest appearances on wrestling podcasts from 2023 to 2025, discussing his career, TNA commentary role, and whiskey interests; examples include episodes of Refin' It Up in December 2023 and Windy City Slam in July 2025. By November 2025, Rehwoldt's account had grown to 262,000 followers, with whiskey-focused posts typically receiving hundreds of likes and engaging his wrestling fanbase through themed reviews.

Championships and accomplishments

WWE titles

Rehwoldt, performing as Aiden English and teamed with as The , captured his sole championship in the NXT division by winning the . The duo defeated the reigning champions Blake & Murphy at : Brooklyn on August 22, 2015, in a match that highlighted their old-time wrestling style against the high-flying challengers. This victory marked the peak of The ' push in NXT, where their vaudeville-inspired had garnered attention since debuting as a in 2014. The championship reign lasted 61 days, ending on October 21, 2015 (aired November 11, 2015), when The Vaudevillains dropped the titles to Dash & Dawson on NXT television. During this period, they successfully defended the belts once, retaining against Blake & Murphy on the episode of NXT in a rematch that reinforced their dominant portrayal. The title win represented the first and only for English, underscoring the team's brief but notable elevation within the NXT tag division before their transition to the main roster. English did not win any singles titles during his WWE tenure, though he briefly pursued the United States Championship in the 2018 tournament on SmackDown, only to be eliminated in the first round by .

Independent circuit titles

Rehwoldt's career, primarily under the ring name from 2009 to 2012, centered on , but he did not capture any documented major championships across regional promotions in the Midwest. These years built his reputation as a reliable partner and performer before his WWE developmental contract. Following his WWE release in 2020, Rehwoldt returned to the independent circuit but did not capture any major titles. In total, his early professional tenure emphasized success without formal title wins.

TNA accomplishments

Rehwoldt won the Impact Homecoming King & Queen Tournament on July 31, 2021, partnering with .

References

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