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Nick Wayne
Nick Wayne
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Nicholas Wayne Finley (born July 10, 2005) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Nick Wayne. He is a member of The Matriarchy stable, is a former one-time AEW World Trios Champion, and is also the youngest champion in AEW history, having won the trios belt at 19 years old. He also makes appearances in AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is the current ROH World Television Champion in his first reign. He is also the youngest to hold this championship.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (2018–2023)

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Wayne began wrestling during childhood, being trained by his father Buddy Wayne.[1][2] He debuted at a Invasion Championship Wrestling show on April 27, 2018, at the age of 12.[3]

On July 31, 2022 at Ric Flair's Last Match, Wayne faced Jonathan Gresham, Alan Angels and Konosuke Takeshita in a Four Corners match to determine the #1 contender to the Progress World Championship, where Gresham won the match.[4]

On April 8, 2023, Wayne won the DEFY World Championship after defeating Swerve Strickland.[5] He successfully defended the championship on two occasions[6][7] before being defeated by Kenta on June 4, ending his reign at 56 days.[8]

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2023–present)

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On February 12, 2022, Wayne was offered an All Elite Wrestling (AEW) contract by longtime friend Darby Allin during DEFY Wrestling's 5th Anniversary event.[1][9]

After turning 18 years old, Wayne made his debut for the promotion on the July 12, 2023 episode of Dynamite, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, losing to Swerve Strickland.[10][11][12] On September 21, Wayne made his debut for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) on that day's episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling, unsuccessfully challenging Katsuyori Shibata for the ROH Pure Championship.[13]

At WrestleDream on October 1, Wayne turned on Allin to side with Christian Cage during Cage's and Allin's match for the AEW TNT Championship, turning heel in the process.[14] Wayne joined Cage's stable The Patriarchy with Luchasaurus (later renamed to Killswitch) and was dubbed as "The Prodigy" by Cage[15][16] At Full Gear, The Patriarchy lost to Adam Copeland, Sting and Allin in a six-man tag team match.[17] On the December 23 episode of Collision, Cage announced that Wayne's mother, Shayna, has joined The Patriarchy as "The Matriarch" Mother Wayne.[18]

Wayne during a match in 2023

On the July 21, 2024 episode of Collision, The Patriarchy defeated the Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson and The Gunns) for the vacant AEW World Trios Championship after interference from Mother Wayne. This is Wayne's first world championship title win and also makes Wayne, at 19 years old, the youngest champion in AEW.[19] On August 25 at All In, The Patriarchy lost the AEW World Trios Championship in a four-way London ladder match to Pac and Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta), ending their reign at 37 days.[20] On the March 12, 2025 episode of Dynamite, Wayne stood up to Cage after the latter lost his AEW World Championship match at Revolution three days prior.[21] On April 17 at the Spring BreakThru episode of Collision, Wayne defeated Komander to win the ROH World Television Championship for the first time and also makes Wayne, at 19 years old, the youngest title holder. This marked Wayne's first ever singles championship in a major promotion.[22] On July 11 at Supercard of Honor, Wayne successfully defended his title against Titán.[23] After Christian and Wayne failed to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship from The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) at All In: Texas on July 12, 2025, Wayne (along with Kip Sabian) turned on Christian and attacked him, thus disbanding The Patriarchy. [24] On the July 16 episode of Dynamite, The Partriachy was renamed to "The Matriachy".[25] In August 2025, it was reported that Wayne had suffered a broken foot and would be out of action.[26][27]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2025–present)

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On April 5, 2025 at New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)'s Sakura Genesis event, Wayne was announced as a participant in the 2025 Best of the Super Juniors tournament.[28] Wayne was placed in B Block and finished with 8 points, most notably scoring a win over reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado but failed to advance to the grand finals.[29]

Personal life

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Wayne is a third generation wrestler, being the son of Buddy and Shayna Wayne, and the grandson of Moondog Ed Moretti.[1][30][9] Buddy Wayne died at the age of 50 on June 17, 2017 from a heart attack.[31][32]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Nick Wayne (born Nicholas Wayne Finley; July 10, 2005) is an American professional wrestler signed to (AEW), where he competes as a member of the stable The Matriarchy alongside Mother Wayne and . Known as "The Prodigy," Wayne is a third-generation wrestler, the son of the late and grandson of "Moondog" Ed Moretti, and he holds the distinction of being the youngest champion in AEW history after winning the at age 19. He is also the reigning (ROH) World Television Champion, a title he captured at age 19, making him the youngest singles champion in both AEW and ROH history. Born in Seattle, Washington, Wayne grew up immersed in professional wrestling due to his family's legacy; his father, Buddy Wayne (Steve Finley), operated the Buddy Wayne Academy and trained him from a young age before passing away in 2017 when Nick was 11 years old. He began performing in matches as early as age 12 in Canada and the Pacific Northwest independent scene, making his professional debut at age 12 and quickly gaining attention for his technical skill and athleticism. At 16, Wayne signed an apprenticeship contract with AEW in February 2022 but delayed full-time involvement until after graduating high school. Wayne made his AEW television debut on July 12, 2023, losing to , but soon aligned with , adopting a persona and contributing to The Patriarchy's success, including their reign. Prior to AEW, he competed on the independent circuit, winning titles such as the DEFY and with Jordan Oliver, and participated in high-profile events like in 2022. In 2025, at age 19, he became the youngest wrestler to compete in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's tournament and defeated to win the on April 17 during the Spring Breakthru episode of . Standing at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm), Wayne's rapid rise has positioned him as a key figure in AEW's future.

Early life and background

Family heritage

Nick Wayne was born Nicholas Finley on July 10, 2005, in Seattle, Washington, to professional wrestler (real name ) and Shayna Wayne. was a veteran independent wrestler primarily active in the circuit, where he competed for promotions such as Championship Wrestling USA and trained under figures like and Ole Olson starting in 1985. He operated the School of Wrestling from his home in , providing early exposure and informal training to his son Nick from a young age in a household immersed in . passed away from a heart attack on June 17, 2017, at the age of 50, leaving a lasting influence on the local wrestling community. Through his mother Shayna, Nick Wayne is the grandson of Ed Moretti, better known as Ed Moretti, a regional wrestler who adopted the iconic "Moondog" gimmick popularized by promotions like NWA and in the 1970s and 1980s. Shayna Wayne, raised in a wrestling environment alongside her father figure Ed Moretti, has played a supportive role in the family's involvement with the industry, including facilitating Nick's early connections to the profession. As a third-generation wrestler, Nick Wayne grew up in a wrestling-centric household that shaped his initial immersion in the sport, with both parents and grandfather contributing to an environment rich in industry knowledge and traditions from the scene. This heritage provided him with unparalleled early access to training resources and a deep familial legacy in independent promotions.

Training and initial involvement

Nick Wayne began his wrestling training at the age of nine under the guidance of his father, , at the family-run Buddy Wayne Academy in , near . The academy offered classes three times a week, immersing young Wayne in the environment from an early age. His early development focused on a high-flying style, drawing from his father's teachings that emphasized agility, technical fundamentals, and the physical conditioning necessary for a young athlete. Prior to any formal matches, Wayne gained pre-debut exposure by participating in informal sessions and exhibitions at local wrestling events around age 12, which helped build his confidence and ring awareness. Wayne's dedication was deeply motivated by his father's legacy in the scene, with the young wrestler expressing in interviews that his commitment stemmed from a desire to honor that heritage. "Everything I do is for ," Wayne stated, crediting Buddy for instilling professionalism and passion for the sport. Following family discussions after Buddy's passing in 2017, Wayne resolved to pursue wrestling full-time, marking the transition from training to competitive involvement.

Professional wrestling career

Early independent career (2018–2022)

Nick Wayne made his professional wrestling debut on April 27, 2018, at the age of 12, during an Invasion Championship Wrestling event in , where he competed in short bouts against significantly older opponents. These early matches focused on basic fundamentals and adapted high-flying maneuvers suitable for his youth and limited experience, allowing him to gain initial ring time while minimizing risk. Building on the foundational training from his father, , at the Buddy Wayne Academy, he quickly transitioned to regular appearances in Canadian promotions between ages 12 and 14. As Wayne expanded into the independent scene around age 14, he competed in regional promotions such as local events and small-card shows, honing his skills through consistent bookings. His DEFY Wrestling debut in September 2021, teaming with Cody Chhun against the DEFY Champions, marked a notable step, showcasing his resilience and aerial ability against established competitors. Other key early bouts included multi-man matches and tournaments against indie veterans, where he emphasized quick spots and defensive wrestling to build credibility despite his age and size. Starting as a , Wayne underwent substantial physical development during his mid-teens, growing to 6'1" and 162 pounds by age 17, which enabled a broader moveset incorporating more power-based elements alongside his high-flying style. Throughout this period, Wayne navigated significant challenges, including balancing rigorous travel schedules with high school demands, often missing classes for shows and completing makeup work upon return. Minor injuries from the physical toll of performing against adults were common, requiring careful management to sustain his development as a . These obstacles tested his determination, yet he proved his legitimacy through persistent performances, earning respect in regional circuits by age 17.

Rise on the independent circuit (2022–2023)

In 2022, Nick Wayne gained significant national exposure on the independent circuit through appearances in prominent promotions such as (GCW) and DEFY Wrestling, where his high-flying style, characterized by innovative dives like the springboard and top-rope hurricanranas, drew praise from fans and peers. He teamed regularly with Jordan Oliver as The Express, showcasing seamless aerial sequences in matches across the U.S. indie scene, including a standout performance against at GCW's I Never Liked You event in August 2022. This period marked Wayne's transition from regional talent to a recognized prodigy, with appearances in tournaments like the 2023 Super Strong Style 16 hosted by , where he advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Kid Lykos on May 28, 2023. Wayne's tag team success peaked on March 31, 2023, when he and Oliver captured the GCW Tag Team Championship by defeating Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin (The Motor City Machine Guns) at GCW's Worst Behavior event in Toronto, Ontario. The duo held the titles for 142 days, defending against teams like John Wayne Murdoch and Reed Bentley on April 15, 2023, at GCW's I Can't Feel My Face, emphasizing Wayne's versatility in blending high-flying offense with ground-based teamwork. This reign solidified their status as a top indie act and highlighted Wayne's rapid ascent at age 17. Prior to his title win, Wayne had competed in high-profile bouts against international stars like on December 17, 2022. A pivotal achievement came on April 8, 2023, at DEFY's The Realest event in Seattle, Washington, where Wayne defeated to win the DEFY World Championship, becoming the youngest champion in the promotion's history at 17 years old. He held the title for 56 days, successfully defending it against challengers like Gringo Loco and Arez in a triple threat match on May 7, 2023, before losing to KENTA on June 3, 2023. During his reign, Wayne headlined multiple DEFY shows. By mid-2023, Wayne's indie accomplishments generated substantial buzz, culminating in his ranking of 147th in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 singles wrestlers for 2023, a significant jump from 212nd the previous year. Interviews portrayed him as a generational talent, with his final independent runs—including GCW defenses and DEFY appearances—serving as a prelude to his full-time transition to major promotions after signing an official contract with in July 2023 upon turning 18.

All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor (2023–present)

Nick Wayne made his (AEW) in-ring debut on the July 12, 2023, episode of , where he faced in a losing effort, marking his official signing to the promotion at age 18 following an earlier apprenticeship deal at 16. Shortly after, Wayne aligned himself with , joining the stable alongside Cage and Killswitch (formerly ), where he was portrayed in storyline as Cage's "adopted son" following the real-life death of his father, , in 2017. This dynamic fueled intense promos, including Cage's controversial insults toward Wayne's late father, blending personal tragedy with faction loyalty and leading to key feuds against wrestlers like and the Death Riders. As a core member of the , Wayne contributed to the stable's dominance, participating in high-profile rivalries that highlighted his role as the young protégé evolving under 's manipulative guidance. In 2024, tensions simmered as Wayne occasionally showed signs of independence, such as standing up to after the latter's loss at in March 2025, though the group remained intact for major pushes. The faction's storyline peaked with a betrayal at All In Texas on July 12, 2025, where Wayne, alongside and Mother Wayne (Shayna Wayne in storyline), turned on , citing him as a liability, shifting Wayne toward solo opportunities and a new alliance dynamic. Wayne's major achievement in AEW came on July 20, 2024, during an episode of Collision, when the defeated the Bang Bang Gang ( and ) to win the vacant , making Wayne the youngest champion in company history at age 19. The trio held the titles for 36 days, successfully defending against teams like the Hardys and Private Party in multi-man bouts that showcased Wayne's growing in-ring reliability, before losing the belts to the Death Riders on August 25, 2024, at All In . Transitioning more prominently to (ROH) in early 2025, Wayne captured the from on April 17, 2025, during at the Spring Breakthru event, again becoming the youngest singles champion in ROH history with a Prodigy Plex submission victory after an 11-minute high-stakes match. As of November 2025, Wayne remains the reigning champion, having defended the title successfully against challengers including on August 15, Titán at Supercard of Honor on October 1, and in a match on July 25, establishing a reign focused on proving his main-event potential beyond faction support. From 2024 to 2025, Wayne's AEW and ROH arcs emphasized his evolution from enforcer to independent contender, featuring solo pushes in tag and singles matches, including pursuits of contention with before the split. His overall record in ranked AEW matches stands at 21 wins and 18 losses, reflecting consistent booking in midcard feuds and multi-person bouts that highlight his transition to a main roster mainstay. In adapting to the televised environment, Wayne has blended his signature high-flying acrobatics—such as springboard dives and hurricanranas—with technical submissions like the Prodigy Plex, allowing for more versatile performances in structured TV storylines.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2025)

In early 2025, Nick Wayne embarked on his first international excursion to (NJPW) through the ongoing partnership between (AEW) and NJPW, marking a significant step in his career development. Announced as a participant in the (BOSJ) 32 tournament during the event on April 5, 2025, Wayne became the youngest competitor ever to enter the prestigious junior heavyweight tournament at age 19. Wayne made his in-ring NJPW debut on May 10, 2025, during Night 1 of the BOSJ 32 tournament in , defeating SHO via the Prodigy Plex in 10:43 to earn his first two points. Assigned to the ten-man alongside competitors such as El Desperado, MAO, , YOH, Titan, , , Kevin Knight, and SHO, Wayne showcased his high-flying style throughout the round-robin format. His tournament record stood at 4 wins and 5 losses for 8 points, highlighted by an upset victory over former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado on Night 3 (May 14, 2025), where he secured the pinfall after a competitive exchange emphasizing aerial maneuvers. Other notable performances included a quick 6:46 win over on Night 6 (May 18, 2025) with Wayne's World, but setbacks against on Night 8 (May 22, 2025) via Bloody Cross, MAO on Night 10 (May 25, 2025) by submission, and Titan on Night 12 (May 29, 2025). Despite finishing outside the top three in —behind YOH, El Desperado, and MAO with 12 points each—Wayne's participation garnered strong fan reception for his athletic displays and resilience against established Japanese . In a pre-tournament interview, he expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating it was a dream to represent AEW and ROH on the global stage while adapting to NJPW's rigorous style. Post-tournament, Wayne reflected that the experience exceeded expectations, noting, "I couldn't ask for a better experience... the schedule's consistency felt so good," and highlighted cultural adjustments like the demanding travel and match frequency across 13 bouts in 22 days. This exposure elevated his profile internationally, positioning him as a rising talent in the junior division. Wayne made one additional NJPW appearance at the BOSJ 32 finals on June 1, 2025, teaming with MAO, El Phantasmo, and Shota Umino in an 8-man tag team match, where they defeated TMDK (Robbie Eagles, Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa, and Zack Sabre Jr.). An injury announced in August 2025 sidelined him from further NJPW commitments, including a planned tag match at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event on August 24, 2025, where he was replaced by Killswitch. His 2025 excursion underscored the benefits of the AEW-NJPW alliance, opening avenues for continued cross-promotional opportunities.

Championships and accomplishments

All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor titles

Wayne's first major title in All Elite Wrestling came as part of The Patriarchy faction, aligning with Christian Cage and Killswitch to capture the AEW World Trios Championship. On July 20, 2024, at AEW Collision in Arlington, Texas, The Patriarchy defeated Bang Bang Gang (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson) in a unification match to become the inaugural Undisputed AEW World Trios Champions, combining the AEW and ROH versions of the title. This victory marked Wayne as the youngest competitor to win the AEW World Trios Championship at 19 years old, highlighting his rapid ascent within the promotion. The reign lasted 36 days, during which The Patriarchy made two successful defenses, including against The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta) on AEW Dynamite. The titles were lost on August 25, 2024, at All In in London, England, in a fatal four-way London Ladder match against Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, and Wheeler Yuta), Bang Bang Gang, and House of Black, where PAC retrieved the belts for the win. In Ring of Honor, Wayne achieved another milestone by winning the ROH World Television Championship on April 17, 2025, during the Spring BreakThru episode of AEW Collision in Boston, Massachusetts, defeating Komander via pinfall with his finishing move, the Prodigy Plex. At 19 years old, this made Wayne the youngest singles champion in the combined history of AEW and ROH, surpassing previous records and solidifying his status as a prodigy. As of November 15, 2025, Wayne's reign remains ongoing, spanning 212 days with at least five successful defenses, including retaining against Titán at ROH Supercard of Honor on July 11, 2025, and Willie Mack on July 31, 2025. These victories, often with interference from The Patriarchy, underscored Wayne's role in the faction's dominance across both promotions while emphasizing his technical prowess and high-flying style in title matches.

Independent circuit achievements

Nick Wayne's early independent circuit success began with his capture of the 5CC Wrestling Championship on July 31, 2021, when he won a five-way elimination match to become the promotion's inaugural champion at the age of 15. He held the title for 210 days, defending it successfully against challengers such as Adrian Quest on January 17, 2022, before vacating it upon transitioning to larger promotions. This reign marked Wayne as a standout talent in the indie scene, showcasing his technical prowess and high-flying ability in five-sided ring matches unique to 5CC Wrestling. In (GCW), Wayne teamed with Jordan Oliver as The East West Express, a partnership formed in 2022 that emphasized their contrasting styles—Oliver's hard-hitting grapples complementing Wayne's aerial acrobatics. On March 31, 2023, they defeated ( and ) at GCW's Joey Janela's Spring Break 7 event to win the . The duo held the titles for 142 days, making notable defenses including against Los Mazisos (Ciclope and Miedo Extremo) and international teams like MAO and El Desperado during the All Star Junior Festival. Their reign ended on August 20, 2023, when they lost to Toru Sugiura and at GCW Homecoming Part Two, but the teamwork solidified their status as one of GCW's top tag units. Wayne's most prominent singles achievement came in DEFY Wrestling, where he became the youngest DEFY World Champion ever by defeating on April 8, 2023, at DEFY The Realest in Seattle, Washington. At 17 years old, he held the title for 56 days, retaining it in triple-threat defenses against Arez and Gringo Loco on May 5, 2023, at DEFY The Juice, and against on May 13, 2023, at DEFY Vertigo. His reign concluded on June 3, 2023, at DEFY Your Nightmare, when KENTA defeated him via low blow and Go 2 Sleep to claim the belt. These victories highlighted Wayne's ability to compete against established stars, earning him recognition as a prodigy. Beyond titles, Wayne's indie work garnered accolades, including a #212 ranking in the 2022 (PWI) Top 500 wrestlers, underscoring his rapid rise. These accomplishments, achieved primarily between 2021 and mid-2023, built a strong resume that facilitated his transition to , positioning him as a key young talent on the independent scene.

References

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