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SoCal Uncensored
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SoCal Uncensored (SCU) was an American professional wrestling stable that consisted of Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky.

Key Information

Daniels and Kazarian formed a tag team during their time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Describing themselves as "The World Tag Team Champions of the World", they won the TNA World Tag Team Championship twice. After a feud with A.J. Styles, they became known as Bad Influence, and remained with the promotion until 2014.

After leaving TNA, both signed with Ring of Honor (ROH), where they worked as The Addiction, winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship twice. Later, Scorpio Sky joined the team, forming a stable known as SoCal Uncensored (SCU). During this time, the trio were ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions, and Kazarian and Sky were ROH World Tag Team Champions.

The trio left ROH in 2019 and signed with AEW, where Kazarian and Sky became the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions. Daniels and Kazarian resumed their partnership in March 2020, after Sky began focusing on singles competition in early 2020 and then formed a heel tag team with Ethan Page in March 2021. In another pursuit for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, Daniels and Kazarian imposed a stipulation on themselves that if they lost a match, they would disband. This came in May 2021 when they lost a championship match to reigning champions The Young Bucks.

History

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Bad Influence/The Addiction (2011–2017)

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Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

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Fortune (2011)
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Christopher Daniels and Kazarian were first united in TNA as members of the stable Fortune in 2011. Kazarian had been one of the first two founding members of Fortune alongside A.J. Styles from the group's formation in 2010,[6][7] while Daniels would make his second return to TNA to join Fortune in their feud against Immortal after Styles was injured heading into the 2011 Lockdown pay-per-view.[8] After Lockdown went by with Fortune defeating Immortal in the Lethal Lockdown main event,[9] Daniels was confirmed as a member of Fortune,[10] and he and Kazarian, who was X-Division Champion at the time and would lose it about a month later, would continue on in that capacity for the next few months. This would lead up to Destination X on July 10, TNA's first ever all X Division pay-per-view, where Kazarian would defeat Samoa Joe while Daniels would face Styles in the main event, with Styles emerging victorious.[11] For weeks after this, Daniels would begin talking to Styles on an unknown matter for a number of weeks, heading into Hardcore Justice, where A.J., Daniels, and Kazarian would defeat three members of Immortal in a tag match.

Kazarian as Suicide posing next to Daniels, who once played the character

Soon after this, it was revealed that Daniels wanted a rematch of their Destination X encounter, which Styles finally granted on the September 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, where Daniels managed to pick up the win. After the match, however, Daniels refused to shake hands with Styles.[12] On the September 22 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels refused to return the favor and give Styles a rematch, which eventually led to a brawl between the two. When the two were finally separated from each other by Kazarian, Daniels kicked Styles in the groin, completing his heel turn and leaving Fortune.[13] Two weeks later it was announced that, at Daniels' request, he and Styles would face each other at Bound for Glory in an "I Quit" match.[14] On October 16 at Bound for Glory, Daniels submitted in the "I Quit" match after being threatened with a screwdriver, but continued the feud by attacking Styles after the match.[15] On the October 27 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels entered a feud with Rob Van Dam after hitting him with a toolbox during a match between the two and thus losing via disqualification.[16] This feud would involve Van Dam stopping Daniels from using a screwdriver in a match against Styles on the November 10 episode of Impact Wrestling,[17] as well as two straight pay-per-view losses to Van Dam on November 13 at Turning Point[18] and on December 11 at Final Resolution.[19]

TNA World Tag Team Champions (2012–2013)
[edit]
Daniels and Kazarian, dressed as William Wallace, mocking fans in Scotland

Daniels then returned to his rivalry with A.J. Styles, managing to convince Kazarian to turn on him on the January 5, 2012 episode of Impact Wrestling, effectively putting the nail in the coffin of the now defunct Fortune.[20] On the February 9 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels defeated Styles in a singles match with help from Kazarian, who was now showing signs that Daniels was holding something over his head and had forced him to turn on Styles against his will.[21] On March 18 at Victory Road, Daniels and Kazarian were defeated in a tag team match by Styles and Mr. Anderson.[22] The rivalry continued on April 15 at Lockdown, where the two duos were on opposing teams in the annual Lethal Lockdown match. Styles' and Anderson's team, led by Garett Bischoff, ended up defeating Daniels' and Kazarian's team, led by Eric Bischoff.[23]

During Styles' absence from Impact Wrestling, Daniels and Kazarian set their sights on the TNA World Tag Team Championship, attacking champions Magnus and Samoa Joe on the April 26 episode.[24] On the May 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Kazarian revealed that he originally aligned himself with Daniels to keep him from revealing Styles' secret, but changed his mind after learning what the secret was. Daniels then revealed the secret, a series of photographs insinuating a relationship between Styles and TNA president Dixie Carter.[25] Three days later at Sacrifice, Daniels and Kazarian defeated Magnus and Samoa Joe to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship for the first time.[26] Later in the event, Daniels and Kazarian cost Styles his match with Kurt Angle, who afterwards turned on the two, saving Styles from a beatdown.[26] On May 31, Daniels main evented a live episode of Impact Wrestling, losing to Styles in a singles grudge match. After the match, Daniels and Kazarian attacked both Styles and Angle, who attempted to make the save, before rolling an audio of a phone conversation to prove an affair between Styles and Carter. The tape was abruptly cut short by Carter ending the show.[27] On June 10 at Slammiversary, Daniels and Kazarian lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Styles and Angle.[28]

On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels entered the 2012 Bound for Glory Series, taking part in the opening gauntlet match, from which he eliminated both Styles and Angle, before being eliminated himself by James Storm.[29] On the June 21 episode of Impact Wrestling, Styles and Carter proved that Daniels and Kazarian had been lying about their relationship by producing a pregnant woman named Claire Lynch, whom they had been helping overcome her addictions.[30] The following week, Kazarian teased dissension with Daniels, claiming that he had been lied to. However, in the main event of the evening, Kazarian revealed that he was still on Daniels' side, when the two defeated Styles and Angle, after Kazarian hit Styles with a steel chair, to regain the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Following the win, Daniels admitted that Styles and Carter had told the truth about Claire, but claimed that they had left out the part about Styles being the father of her unborn baby.[31] On July 8 at Destination X, Daniels was defeated by Styles in a Last Man Standing match.[32] On the August 8 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels and Kazarian, billing themselves as "The World Tag Team Champions of the World",[33] made their first televised defense of the TNA World Tag Team Championship, defeating Devon and Garett Bischoff.[34] Daniels' participation in the 2012 Bound for Glory Series ended on the following episode of Impact Wrestling with a loss against A.J. Styles, leaving him outside a spot in the semifinals.[35] As a result of the win, Styles also earned a paternity test, which revealed that Claire was not pregnant at all. The storyline ended with Claire, through her attorney, revealing Daniels' and Kazarian's plot to blackmail Styles with her fake pregnancy.[36] On September 6 as part of the first "Championship Thursday", Daniels and Kazarian successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez.[37] Three days later at No Surrender, Daniels and Kazarian made another successful title defense against previous champions, Styles and Angle.[38] On October 14 at Bound for Glory, Daniels and Kazarian lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Guerrero and Hernandez in a three-way match, which also included Styles and Angle.[39] Daniels and Kazarian received their rematch on November 11 at Turning Point, but were again defeated by Guerrero and Hernandez.[40] On December 9 at Final Resolution, Daniels defeated A.J. Styles in what was billed as their "final match", after hitting Styles with his own Styles Clash finisher.[41]

Extraordinary Gentleman's Organization (2013–2014)
[edit]
Kazarian and Daniels signing autographs

Daniels and Kazarian then dubbed their tag team Bad Influence and began a rivalry with James Storm after he defeated Kazarian at Final Resolution,[41] and again on the January 3, 2013 episode of Impact Wrestling.[42] On January 13 at Genesis, Daniels defeated Storm in a number one contenders match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[43] Daniels received his title shot on the January 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, but was defeated by defending champion Jeff Hardy.[44] On March 10 at Lockdown, Bad Influence unsuccessfully challenged Austin Aries and Bobby Roode for the TNA World Tag Team Championship in a three-way match, also involving Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez.[45] In April, Daniels and Kazarian began teasing a Fortune reunion to battle the Aces & Eights stable, however, this plan was foiled by Styles and Roode both turning down offers to join them.[46][47] Bad Influence faced Aries and Roode in a number one contenders match on the May 9 episode of Impact Wrestling, however, the match ended in a no contest after special guest referee James Storm superkicked Daniels and Aries and walked out on the match.[48] On June 2 at Slammiversary XI, Bad Influence failed to capture the TNA World Tag Team Championship from Guerrero and Hernandez in a fatal four-way elimination match, which also included Aries and Roode and was won by Gunner and James Storm.[49] On the June 13 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels and Kazarian defeated Gunner and Storm in a non-title match to qualify for the 2013 Bound for Glory Series.[50] While Daniels started off the series with seven points with pinfall victory over Hernandez,[51] Kazarian would go on to lose all of his beginning matches.[51][52] On the July 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, Kazarian and Roode defeated Daniels and Aries in a tag team match, with Kazarian pinning his Bad Influence partner for the win, to qualify for the BFG series gauntlet match later in the evening. During the match, however, Kazarian was the first man eliminated by Styles.[53]

On the August 8 episode of Impact Wrestling, Daniels and Kazarian faced off in a BFG series match, but despite teasing tension earlier in the night, got themselves intentionally counted out to each gain two points in the tournament. Afterwards, Daniels and Kazarian allied themselves with Roode to form a new force, intended for one of the three to win the Bound for Glory series.[54] With each other's help, both Kazarian and Roode picked up twenty points each in the BFG series on August 15 at Impact Wrestling: Hardcore Justice, with Kazarian winning a four-way ladder match and Roode winning a four-way tables match.[55] The following week, the trio labelled themselves the Extraordinary Gentlemen's Organization (EGO) and Roode and Kazarian went on to defeat TNA World Tag Team Champions Gunner and James Storm in a non-title match. EGO would also try to recruit Roode's former tag team partner Austin Aries but Aries answered their offer by attacking Daniels and costing him his BFG series match. At TNA No Surrender 2013, Roode was defeated by Magnus, and later, EGO interfered and attacked both Styles and Magnus in the finals. At the next edition, EGO defeated Mafia. Since then, the trio teamed up very rarely, as they were in different storylines – Kazarian and Daniels began feuding with Eric Young and Abyss, while Roode was in the TNA World Title Tournament. At TNA Turning Point, Roode defeated longtime rival James Storm in a Florida Death Match to advance in TNA World Title Tournament while Bad Influence insulted Abyss' brother Joseph Park.

At Bound for Glory, Bad Influence were defeated by Young and Park in a Gauntlet match. After being eliminated, both attacked Park and made him bleed. The same night, Abyss appeared and attacked Bad Influence. Over the following weeks, Bad Influence mocked Park and tried to reveal his true identity. On the December 5 episode of Impact Wrestling, Bad Influence revealed Park's Law Firm was closed 13 years ago. On the December 12 episode of Impact Wrestling, Bad Influence were defeated by Park and Eric Young, when Young made Park bleed. On the December 26 episode of Impact Wrestling, Bad Influence were defeated again by Park in a Monster's Ball match. On March 2, 2014, Bad Influence were part of a group of TNA wrestlers that took part in Wrestle-1's Kaisen: Outbreak event in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Junior Stars (Koji Kanemoto and Minoru Tanaka) in a tag team match.[56] On March 9, 2014 at TNA Lockdown, Bad Influence along with Chris Sabin were defeated by Wrestle-1's The Great Muta, Sanada, and Yasu in a six-man interpromotional tag team steel cage match.[57] On April 12, 2014, at TNA One Night Only's X-Travaganza 2 event Bad Influence were defeated by The Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards) in the EC3 Invitational Ladder match where the winners received $25,000. This was Daniels' last TNA appearance, as he announced his departure from TNA on April 23.[58] Kazarian also left TNA following May 10.[59]

Independent circuit (2013–2019)

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While Bad Influence were in TNA, they appeared in other promotions. On April 29, 2013, Bad Influence were defeated by The Young Bucks at Quintessential Pro Wrestling.[60] Two days later, they wrestled in Puerto Rico for World Wrestling League, Bad Influence and Bobby Roode were defeated by Adam Pearce, James Storm and Samoa Joe in a main event dark match.[61] On January 24, 2014, Bad Influence appeared at Big Time Wrestling's Battle Royal, where they defeated The Ballard Brothers (Shane Ballard & Shannon Ballard).[62] On April 5, 2014, Kazarian and Daniels returned to the independent circuit at Dragon Gate USA's Mercury Rising in a Dark Main Event defeating the Open The United Gate Champions The Bravado Brothers. The same day they defeated OI4K at the CZW WrestleCon.[63] On June 6, 2014, Bad Influence made their debuts in Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore at HOH 4, defeating Outlaw Inc. (Eddie Kingston and Homicide).[64] On June 7, 2014, Bad Influence returned to House of Hardcore at HOH 5, defeating Petey Williams and Tony Nese.[65] On June 14, 2014, at HOH 6, Bad Influence was defeated by The Young Bucks.[66] On August 29, Daniels and Kazarian unsuccessfully challenged The World's Cutest Tag Team (Candice LeRae and Joey Ryan) for the PWG World Tag Team Championship in a three-way match, which also included the Inner City Machine Guns (Rich Swann and Ricochet).[67]

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2015)

[edit]

On November 9, 2015, it was announced that The Addiction would be a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's 2015 World Tag League.[68] On November 21, 2015, The Addiction made their debut defeating Juice Robinson and Tiger Mask.[69] The Addiction finished the tournament with a record of three wins and three losses, failing to advance from their block.[70]

Ring of Honor (2014–2017)

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On May 18, 2014, it was announced that Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian would debut as a team in Ring of Honor.[71][72] At Best in the World on June 22, 2014, Daniels and Kazarian unsuccessfully challenged reDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish) for the ROH World Tag Team Championship. On July 18, Daniels and Kazarian returned to ROH, defeating Adam Cole and Jay Lethal.[73] On July 19, Daniels and Kazarian defeated War Machine (Hanson and Raymond Rowe), The Briscoe Brothers (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe), and The Decade (Roderick Strong and Jimmy Jacobs) in a four-way tag team match to become number one contenders for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.[74] At Field of Honor, they received their ROH Tag Team title shot, but they were defeated by reDRagon after interference from The Decade, beginning a feud between the teams. On September 6, 2014, billed as The Addiction, Daniels and Kazarian defeated Strong and Jacobs.[75]

On November 23, 2014, The Addiction were defeated by reDRagon in the 2014 Tag Wars Tournament finals which also included A. C. H. & Matt Sydal and The Briscoes.[76] On March 1, 2015, at ROH 13th Anniversary Show, The Addiction were defeated by The Kingdom (Michael Bennett and Matt Taven) in a three-way tag team match that also included a partnerless Karl Anderson. On April 4, 2015, The Addiction defeated reDRagon to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship, revealing themselves along with Chris Sabin as the villainous masked group known as KRD, turning heel in the process. On September 18, 2015, at All Star Extravaganza VII, Daniels and Kazarian lost the tag team titles to Bennett and Taven in a three-way tag team match also involving The Young Bucks.

In 2016, Sabin and Alex Shelley reformed their team The Motor City Machine Guns and began a feud with The Addiction. On May 9, 2016, at War of the Worlds, The Addiction defeated War Machine to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship for the second time.[77] On September 30, 2016, at All Star Extravaganza VIII, The Addiction lost the ROH World Tag Team Championship to The Young Bucks in a three-way ladder match that also included The Motor City Machine Guns.[78]

In early 2017, The Addiction began feuding with Bullet Club, turning face in the process. On February 11, 2017, Kazarian seemingly turned on Daniels and joined Bullet Club;[79] however, on March 10, Kazarian turned on Bullet Club and Adam Cole, revealing that his betrayal was a ruse designed to trick Cole all along, helping Daniels become the ROH World Champion for the first time in his career.[80] On December 15, at Final Battle, The Addiction lost against War Machine.[81]

SoCal Uncensored (2017–2021)

[edit]

Ring of Honor (2017–2018)

[edit]

At Final Battle in December 2017, Scorpio Sky joined Daniels and Kazarian, becoming known as SoCal Uncensored.[81] They chose the name SoCal Uncensored in homage to the website SoCalUncensored.com, which has been a staple of the Southern California pro-wrestling scene since the 1990s. They asked for and were granted permission from the website to use the name.[82]

On night one of the March 2018 16th Anniversary Show, SCU defeated The Hung Bucks (Adam Page, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) to win the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Championship.[83] On night one of War of the Worlds, they dropped it to The Kingdom (Matt Taven, T. K. O'Ryan and Vinny Marseglia), ending their reign at 61 days.[84] On October 14, at Glory By Honor XVI, Kazarian and Sky won the ROH World Tag Team Championship in a three-way match involving The Briscoe Brothers and the Young Bucks. On December 14, at Final Battle, Kazarian and Sky dropped the titles back to the Briscoes in a Ladder War, also ending their reign at 61 days.[85] The next day, SoCal Uncensored left ROH.,[86] and Christopher Daniels would wrestle one more match in 2019.

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2021)

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On January 3, 2019, it was announced that SoCal Uncensored would be taking part in a rally for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), confirming their involvement with the company.[87][88][89] On the October 30 episode of Dynamite, Kazarian and Sky defeated the Lucha Brothers to become the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions.[90] In their first defense of the Tag Team Championship, Sky and Kazarian defeated both the Lucha Brothers and Private Party at Full Gear on November 9.[91] Sky and Kazarian would lose the Tag Team Championship to Kenny Omega and "Hangman" Adam Page at Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea Part Deux: Second Wave.[92] Since then, Sky has mainly focused on singles competition, while Daniels and Kazarian focused on tag team competition. On the September 30, 2020, episode of Dynamite, Sky once again teamed up with Kazarian to unsuccessfully challenge FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.[93] Over the next few months, Daniels and Kazarian began focusing on the AEW World Tag Team Championship, and Kazarian made the ultimatum that they would split as a team if they lose a match again. Meanwhile, Sky pursued the AEW TNT Championship, winning the Face of the Revolution ladder match at Revolution to challenge Darby Allin for the title,[94] but was unsuccessful in winning it on Dynamite, and post-match, Sky turned heel by getting Allin into a submission hold and refusing to let go.[95] On the March 29, 2021 episode of the Wrestling with the Week podcast, which Sky cohosts, Daniels and Kazarian made a guest appearance and Sky confirmed that they were still a group.[96] However, it was around this time that Sky had begun tagging with Ethan Page, which put his status as a member of SCU in doubt. On the May 12 edition of Dynamite, SCU lost an AEW World Tag Team Championship match to The Young Bucks, thus ending the team.

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
SoCal Uncensored (SCU) was an American active from 2017 to 2021, composed of , , and . The group drew inspiration from the independent wrestling scene, emphasizing a laid-back, veteran persona that resonated with fans through humorous vignettes on the Being the Elite series. Initially positioned as heels in (ROH), SCU quickly transitioned to fan favorites due to their in-ring chemistry and relatable antics, achieving multiple championships across promotions before disbanding amid creative frustrations in (AEW). SCU formed on December 15, 2017, at ROH's event in New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom, where Daniels and Kazarian—longtime partners since 2012 under the guises of in (TNA) and in Impact Wrestling—recruited to complete the trio. The stable debuted by attacking popular acts like and , targeting ROH's six-man division shortly after its inception in 2016. Their early momentum built on Daniels and Kazarian's established rapport, with adding athletic flair; the group captured the ROH World Six-Man Championship on March 9, 2018, defeating Hangman and at the ROH 16th Anniversary Show in , . Later that year, on October 14, 2018, at ROH's Glory By Honor XVI event in , , Kazarian and dethroned The and the Guerrillas of Destiny in a three-way to win the , holding it for 61 days in a reign marked by high-profile defenses against teams like . In January 2019, SCU signed multi-year contracts with the newly formed AEW, departing ROH amid the promotion's declining stability and aligning with the upstart company's emphasis on tag team wrestling. The trio maintained their comedic edge in AEW storylines, with Daniels pursuing singles opportunities while Kazarian and Sky solidified their partnership. Their crowning achievement came on October 30, 2019, at AEW's Full Gear pay-per-view in Baltimore, where Kazarian and Sky defeated Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fénix (The Lucha Brothers) in a ladder match to become the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions, ushering in the title's history with an 83-day reign that elevated the division's profile. SCU's run in AEW included notable feuds with elite tag teams, but internal tensions surfaced as Daniels was underutilized, leading to a self-imposed stipulation in early 2021: the group would disband after Kazarian and Daniels suffered their next tag team loss. The stable's dissolution occurred on May 12, 2021, during an episode of in Washington, D.C., when Daniels and Kazarian lost to by pinfall, ending SCU after over three years of collaboration. Post-breakup, Sky aligned with to form , while Daniels and Kazarian briefly reunited as a before Kazarian returned to TNA (rebranded Impact Wrestling) in early 2023, later expressing regret over the split and criticizing AEW's booking of the group. On November 13, 2025, Kazarian won the . SCU's legacy endures as one of the most entertaining and accomplished stables of the late , blending veteran savvy with innovative storytelling that influenced AEW's landscape.

Background

Daniels and Kazarian's early partnership (2011–2017)

Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian first teamed up as part of the Fortune stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2011, aligning under the Immortal faction led by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Daniels joined the group on the March 31 episode of Impact Wrestling, bringing his veteran experience to complement Kazarian's established role as a founding member since the stable's inception in 2010. Their early partnership was solidified through intra-stable dynamics and defenses against rivals, including a notable clash with Team 3D (Brother Devon and Brother Ray) on the July 12, 2011, episode of Impact Wrestling, where Daniels and Kazarian contributed to Fortune's dominance in multi-man matches. This collaboration highlighted their seamless in-ring chemistry, characterized by Daniels' technical precision and Kazarian's high-flying agility, setting the stage for their independent tag team pursuits. The duo's TNA tenure peaked with their first TNA World Tag Team Championship reign, captured on May 13, 2012, at Sacrifice, when they defeated Magnus and Samoa Joe in the main event. As part of Fortune's remnants, they rebranded as Bad Influence in late 2012, adopting a cocky heel persona with signature antics like mocking opponents and self-proclaimed "World Tag Team Champions of the World" promos. This era featured intense feuds, notably against Austin Aries and Bobby Roode (the Dirty Heels), culminating in multiple unsuccessful challenges for the titles, including a three-way match at Lockdown on March 10, 2013. Bad Influence secured their second TNA World Tag Team Championship on November 21, 2013, at Turning Point, winning a four-way elimination match against the defending BroMans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz), the Dirty Heels, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Hernandez; they held the belts until March 2, 2014, when they lost to The Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards). These reigns underscored their versatility in high-stakes tag division bouts, blending athleticism with storyline-driven heel work. Transitioning to Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2014, Daniels and Kazarian debuted as The Addiction on May 17 at War of the Worlds, immediately positioning themselves as title contenders with their polished tandem offense and winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship from reDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish) in a co-promoted event with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The Addiction's reign lasted 490 days until September 18, 2015, featuring key defenses such as against The Time Splitters (KUSHIDA and Alex Shelley) at Best in the World on June 22, 2014, and The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Michael Bennett) at Death Before Dishonor XIII on July 24, 2015, emphasizing quick tags and signature moves like the "Celebrity Death Drop" and "Flux Capacitor." This period in ROH solidified their status as a premier tag team, blending TNA-honed showmanship with ROH's hard-hitting style. Amid their major promotion runs, Daniels and Kazarian made sporadic appearances on the independent circuit from 2013 to 2017, including (PWG) events where they challenged for the against The World's Cutest Tag Team ( and Joey Ryan) in a three-way match on August 29, 2014, at Night 1 of the , though unsuccessful. These outings, along with joint matches at PWG's 2014 that built their chemistry, reinforced their adaptability and enduring partnership, paving the way for future collaborations without delving into three-man dynamics. They also ventured internationally with a brief in November 2015, competing in the World Tag League tournament as , facing teams like Bullet Club's and on November 24 and finishing with a 3-3 record in Block A.

Scorpio Sky's independent career (pre-2017)

began his professional wrestling career in the independent scene in 2002, following training at the Revolution Pro Rudos Dojo starting in late 2002 under instructors including , Mr. Excitement, and Disco Machine. His early matches took place in promotions such as Alternative Wrestling Show (AWS) and (EWF), where he established himself as a versatile performer capable of competing in both singles and formats. In 2005, Sky made his debut with (PWG), becoming a mainstay over the next several years and participating in high-profile events that contributed to the promotion's reputation for intense, athletic matches. In PWG, Sky engaged in notable rivalries that highlighted his in-ring skills, including a 2007 feud with Joey Ryan that culminated in a reinstatement match where Sky emerged victorious, allowing him to continue competing in the promotion. He also appeared in other independent promotions like (CZW), debuting there in events such as Night of Infamy 3 in November 2004 as part of multi-man matches, and later in Best of the Best tournaments. Sky's independent run included stints in EVOLVE, where he competed in singles bouts against rising talents, further showcasing his adaptability across regional scenes. These experiences helped him gain recognition as a reliable draw in the SoCal indie circuit, often praised for elevating undercard matches through his consistent performances. Sky's first major exposure outside SoCal came with sporadic appearances in (ROH) starting in 2010, but he returned more regularly as a singles competitor in 2013–2014, with a notable match on October 26, 2013, in a competitive loss that positioned him as an up-and-coming threat. A key moment occurred in 2014 when he challenged ROH World Champion in a non-title singles match, losing via submission but earning respect for his resilience against one of the promotion's top stars. In contrast to the veteran of and , Sky's solo endeavors emphasized his role as a rising independent talent seeking breakthroughs in larger promotions. Internationally, gained exposure through a 2006 tour of , wrestling for promotions like 1PW and IPW:UK, which broadened his style and fanbase. He briefly entered (TNA) in 2012 under the ring name Mason Andrews, competing in matches and dark matches during tryouts, though his run ended after a short stint without a full contract. By 2016, Sky focused on independent bookings, including tryout opportunities with TNA that did not lead to a return. He had previously held the (CWFH) Heritage Championship, with reigns from 2013 to 2014 in high-stakes defenses. Throughout his pre-2017 independent career, developed a signature wrestling style blending athletic high-flying maneuvers with technical , highlighted by his finishing move, the Scorpio Splash—a 450-degree splash from the top rope. This approach, combined with his ability to tell stories in the ring, positioned him as a well-rounded performer ready for stable integration in major promotions.

Formation and Ring of Honor era (2017–2018)

Stable formation in ROH

SoCal Uncensored (SCU) officially formed as a three-man stable in (ROH) on December 15, 2017, at in New York City's , when aligned with and —formerly known as —by attacking members of following a six-man tag team title match. Daniels and Kazarian, longtime partners since 2012 with roots in independent wrestling, had been seeking a third member to pursue ROH's World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The group's motivations stemmed from frustration with ROH's creative booking and a desire for greater autonomy, allowing them to express unfiltered opinions on the indie circuit's challenges, such as grueling tours and perceived slights against their home region. This anti-authority stance was amplified through promos targeting The , positioning SCU as rebellious heels intent on disrupting the promotion's while drawing on their shared indie roots for authenticity. The stable's name, revealed in early January 2018 via ROH programming and , paid homage to the SoCal Uncensored website that chronicled Southern California's wrestling scene, symbolizing their commitment to raw, uncensored expression. Sky's inclusion marked the trio's first official teaming on November 17, 2017, at , where they faced in a losing effort, but it solidified their unit ahead of . Internally, Daniels served as the strategic leader, leveraging his experience to guide the group's direction; Kazarian acted as the physical enforcer, handling brawls and intimidation; and Sky provided aerial athleticism as the high-flyer, adding speed and unpredictability to their matches. This dynamic not only enhanced their in-ring versatility but also fostered a cohesive identity rooted in mutual respect from years on the California independents, setting the stage for their rapid rise in ROH.

Tag team and six-man achievements in ROH

Following the formation of SoCal Uncensored (SCU) in late 2017, the stable regained significant momentum in (ROH) through an intense feud with The Briscoe Brothers, which escalated into repeated challenges for the ROH World Tag Team Championships throughout 2018. This rivalry showcased SCU's cohesion as a unit, with Kazarian and particularly standing out in high-profile encounters against the veteran champions. The feud peaked in a grueling Ladder War IX at on December 14, 2018, where SCU defended their tag titles in a triple threat match but ultimately lost to The Briscoes, with also involved. On March 9, 2018, at the ROH 16th Anniversary Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, SCU—Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky—defeated The Hung Bucks (The Young Bucks and Adam Page) in a Las Vegas Street Fight to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships, marking their first collective title as a trio. The group held the championships for 61 days, successfully defending them in notable multi-man matches, including a ladder match victory over The Young Bucks and Flip Gordon at Supercard of Honor XII on April 7, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their reign concluded on May 9, 2018, at the ROH/NJPW Global Wars event in Lowell, Massachusetts, where they dropped the titles to The Kingdom (Matt Taven, TK O'Ryan, and Vinny Marseglia). Building on this success, Kazarian and captured the ROH World Tag Team Championships on October 14, 2018, at the ROH/NJPW Global Wars event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, defeating The Briscoes and in a match. As representatives of SCU, they maintained the belts for 61 days, with key defenses including a successful title retention against Team CMLL (Guerrero Maya Jr. and Stuka Jr.) on ROH television in December 2018. The duo also competed in a non-title loss to and at on November 4, 2018, in . The duo's run ended at the aforementioned ladder match, solidifying their status as top contenders in ROH's tag division. SCU further demonstrated their versatility in the 2018 tournament, where Daniels advanced through the early rounds to reach the final six-man elimination match on November 3, 2018, before being eliminated by the eventual winner, . Amid these accomplishments, underlying storyline tensions emerged in late 2018 due to speculation about the group's future outside ROH, yet these were addressed within ROH narratives, allowing SCU to conclude their tag and six-man pursuits on a high note.

All Elite Wrestling era (2019–2021)

Transition to AEW and initial storylines

SoCal Uncensored departed in early 2019 after their contracts expired at the end of 2018, following a successful run that included multiple and six-man championship reigns. The group, consisting of , , and , signed multi-year contracts with , with the deal reported on January 7, 2019. This move marked a significant transition for the veteran stable, allowing them to bring their established chemistry and experience to the newly formed promotion. SCU made their AEW debut at the inaugural Double or Nothing pay-per-view event on May 25, 2019, defeating the Strong Hearts (CIMA, T-Hawk, and El Lindaman) in a six-man tag team match on the pre-show. Their initial storylines in AEW positioned the trio as anti-establishment veterans, drawing on their decades of combined experience to challenge the promotion's influx of younger, high-flying talent. This dynamic was highlighted in multi-man tag team matches throughout the summer and fall of 2019, including a loss to Best Friends and Private Party at Fyter Fest on June 29, 2019, and building tension with the Lucha Brothers through competitive encounters that emphasized SCU's technical prowess and veteran savvy. In AEW, group dynamics evolved with Scorpio Sky receiving a prominent singles push alongside the stable's tag team focus, as Kazarian and Sky entered the tournament for the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Championship. SCU's first pay-per-view main card appearance came at All Out on August 31, 2019, where they secured a victory over Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt) in a six-man tag team match, solidifying their role as credible challengers. Their promos reinforced the "Uncensored" moniker, portraying the group as outspoken mentors unafraid to critique the industry and share hard-earned wisdom with AEW's rising stars. Prior to the October 2, 2019, debut episode of Dynamite, SCU defeated Jurassic Express in a dark match rematch that showcased their adaptability to AEW's fast-paced style. These early narratives established SCU as a foundational act in AEW, blending tag team cohesion with individual spotlights while feuding against agile opponents to highlight generational contrasts.

World Tag Team Championship reign and feuds

SoCal Uncensored (SCU) achieved their pinnacle in (AEW) by capturing the inaugural on October 30, 2019, during an episode of , where and defeated The (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fénix) in the tournament final. served as the cornerman for Kazarian and Sky, providing strategic guidance and interference prevention during the high-stakes match that solidified SCU's status as foundational figures in AEW's division. This victory marked the culmination of their transition from , where they had built a reputation as a cohesive unit blending technical prowess and charisma. During their 83-day reign, Kazarian and Sky made three successful defenses, showcasing the depth of AEW's emerging tag team landscape. Their first defense came on November 9, 2019, at Full Gear, in a three-way match against The Lucha Brothers and Private Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen), retaining via pinfall after Sky's assisted cutter on Penta El Zero Miedo. Four days later, on November 13, 2019, episode of Dynamite, they defended against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara of The Inner Circle, securing the win when Kazarian rolled up Jericho following a distraction by Daniels. The third defense occurred on December 18, 2019, Dynamite, against The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), a highly anticipated clash between veteran friends; SCU retained after hitting their signature "SCU Later" double-team finisher on Matt Jackson. The reign concluded on January 21, 2020, aboard Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise (aired January 22 on ), when and "Hangman" Adam Page dethroned Kazarian and in a 19-minute contest, with Page pinning Sky after the One-Winged Angel. Post-title, SCU shifted focus to multi-man matches, engaging in a heated rivalry with that highlighted the stable's resilience amid external pressures. This feud intensified after The Dark Order's repeated interferences, leading to a loss for Kazarian and Sky against and on the February 29, 2020, pre-show at . The antagonism peaked at on May 23, 2020, in a six-man tag match where Daniels, Kazarian, and Sky fell to , , and Grayson, further straining group dynamics as Sky pursued individual opportunities. Sky's growing emphasis on singles competition intertwined with SCU's narrative, exemplified by his loss to (MJF) on the August 5, 2020, episode of , where MJF submitted Sky with the Salt of the Earth armbar after Wardlow's interference. This match underscored Sky's potential as a standalone star, contributing to internal tensions within SCU as Daniels and Kazarian advocated for unity while Sky balanced group loyalty with personal ambitions. By mid-2020, these frictions manifested in subtle on-screen discord, such as during a July 8, 2020, six-man loss to and Cabana, where miscommunications hinted at the stable's evolving challenges without immediate dissolution.

Legacy and disbandment

Final matches and self-imposed disbandment

As 2021 progressed, SoCal Uncensored's group dynamic shifted due to individual career developments, leading to fewer collective appearances on AEW programming. Scorpio Sky's transition to a singles competitor intensified following his victory in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at AEW Revolution on March 7, 2021, which granted him a future shot at the AEW World Championship and highlighted his potential as a solo star. Concurrently, Christopher Daniels balanced in-ring duties with his ongoing responsibilities as AEW's Head of Talent Relations, a position he assumed in 2019, which increasingly limited his availability for stable commitments. This left Frankie Kazarian and Daniels to represent SCU primarily as a tag team, setting the stage for their high-stakes challenge against the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), whom SCU had previously dethroned in May 2020. The culmination of SCU's run occurred on the May 12, 2021, episode of , where Daniels and Kazarian faced for the in a match carrying a self-imposed : a loss would result in the immediate disbandment of SCU. The bout, held in , featured intense back-and-forth action, including Daniels suffering a bloody face from a superkick by Matt Jackson. ultimately retained the titles by pinning Kazarian with their signature BTE Trigger maneuver after 18 minutes, enforcing the stipulation and ending SCU as an active unit effective that date. In the emotional aftermath, Daniels and Kazarian delivered a backstage promo on the May 19, 2021, episode of , reflecting on SCU's journey from its 2017 formation in to its AEW triumphs, including their 2020 tag team title reign, and emphasizing the personal bonds forged among the members. The segment underscored the stable's lasting impact on but confirmed no immediate plans for reunion or revival, marking a definitive close to their partnership.

Post-SCU activities of members

Following the disbandment of SoCal Uncensored in 2021, shifted focus to a backstage role with (AEW), serving as Head of Talent Relations while continuing to wrestle sporadically in non-title matches. In this capacity, Daniels contributed to talent scouting and development, drawing on over 30 years of industry experience, though he stepped away from full-time in-ring competition by late 2024 as his contract expired. He briefly considered retirement amid health evaluations in 2023 but continued occasional appearances before announcing his in-ring retirement on the January 22, 2025, episode of due to medical advice at age 54; however, he renounced the retirement the following night and remains with AEW in his executive position. Frankie Kazarian departed AEW in January 2023 after requesting not to renew his , allowing him to return full-time to (TNA, formerly Impact Wrestling) as a singles competitor. He had made guest appearances in TNA as early as 2021 while under AEW , but his post-departure focus emphasized solo pursuits, including a successful X-Division beginning October 7, 2022, when he defeated Mike Bailey at TNA Bound for Glory via submission. Kazarian held the title for six days before invoking Option C to challenge for the , relinquishing the X-Division belt on October 13, 2022. In 2023, he participated in brief matches with former partners but prioritized his individual legacy, competing in high-profile singles feuds and maintaining a persona centered on his veteran status. On November 13, 2025, Kazarian defeated Mike Santana to win the , becoming the sixth Grand Slam in TNA history. Scorpio Sky transitioned to a full-time singles career in AEW after SCU's end, aligning with the stable's Ethan Page as Men of the Year and capturing the AEW TNT Championship for a second time on April 27, 2022, by defeating Sammy Guevara in a ladder match on Dynamite. His 70-day reign emphasized aggressive heel tactics but ended against Wardlow on July 6, 2022; Sky has not pursued tag team opportunities since, instead focusing on individual storylines. An injury hiatus sidelined him from late 2022 through much of 2023–2024, compounded by creative setbacks, during which he made limited independent appearances but no AEW TV matches after September 2023. Sky returned to AEW television on July 5, 2025, answering an open challenge on Collision in his home state of California, portraying a refreshed heel character amid a positive fan response. Members of SCU have occasionally referenced the stable's camaraderie in later promos, highlighting its influence on their teamwork ethos without pursuing a revival. For instance, Kazarian has nodded to SCU's bonds during TNA segments emphasizing his tag team history, underscoring the group's lasting impact on his career narrative.

Championships and accomplishments

Major title wins

SoCal Uncensored (SCU), comprising , , and , achieved significant success in tag and multi-man divisions across promotions, with their major title wins stemming from longstanding partnerships that predated the stable's formal formation in 2017. These victories, primarily as tag teams within the group or its precursors like and , underscored the unit's cohesion and technical prowess in elevating the midcard tag scene. Prior to SCU's inception, Daniels and Kazarian, competing as in (TNA), captured the twice, laying the groundwork for their later collaborative triumphs. Their first reign began on May 13, 2012, at , where they defeated and , holding the titles for 28 days before losing them on June 10, 2012, during an episode of Impact Wrestling; this short but impactful run featured defenses against teams like , highlighting their opportunistic style. The duo's second reign commenced on June 28, 2012, on an episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating and , and lasted 108 days until losing the titles on October 14, 2012, at Bound for Glory to Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez; during this period, they made notable defenses against teams like , solidifying their status as a premier tag act. In Ring of Honor (ROH), SCU's precursor duo, The Addiction (Daniels and Kazarian), secured the ROH World Tag Team Championship on two occasions between 2015 and 2016, demonstrating their adaptability in high-stakes environments. The first reign started on April 4, 2015, at Supercard of Honor IX in San Antonio, Texas, where they upset reDRagon (Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish), reigning for 167 days with key defenses against teams such as The Kingdom and The Motor City Machine Guns, which aired on ROH television; this run ended on September 18, 2015, at All Star Extravaganza VII. Their second reign followed on May 9, 2016, at War of the Worlds in New York City, defeating War Machine (Raymond Rowe and Hanson), and lasted 144 days, featuring defenses against The Young Bucks and The Briscoe Brothers before relinquishing the titles on September 30, 2016, at All Star Extravaganza VIII due to Daniels' injury. As a full trio, SCU claimed the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship once in 2018, marking their only multi-person title win and emphasizing the stable's unified strength. They won the belts on March 9, 2018, at the 16th Anniversary Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, defeating The Elite (Cody Rhodes, Matt Jackson, and Hangman Page) in a ladder match, and held them for 61 days with defenses against teams like The Hung Bucks (Hangman Page and The Young Bucks) on ROH television; the reign concluded on May 9, 2018, at War of the Worlds '18 in Lowell, Massachusetts, against The Kingdom (Matt Taven, TK O'Ryan, and Vinny Marseglia). Later that year, Kazarian and Sky, representing SCU, captured the ROH World Tag Team Championship on October 14, 2018, at Glory By Honor XVII in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, defeating The Briscoe Brothers in a three-way match also involving The Young Bucks, reigning for 61 days with defenses showcased on ROH events before losing to Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham on December 14, 2018, at Final Battle. Transitioning to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Kazarian and Sky, as SCU, became the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions on October 30, 2019, at Full Gear in Baltimore, , defeating The (Penta El Zero M and Rey Fenix) in the tournament finals, and held the titles for 83 days. This reign included four successful defenses against challengers such as Private Party, , and Best Friends on and episodes, establishing the division's early competitive tone before dropping the belts to Kenny and Hangman Page on January 21, 2020, at . No individual singles championships were attributed to the stable's collective efforts during these periods.
ChampionshipTeamReign DatesDuration (Days)Key Event WonNotable Defenses
TNA World Tag Team Championship (1st)Daniels & KazarianMay 13, 2012 – June 10, 201228Sacrifice 2012Motor City Machine Guns
TNA World Tag Team Championship (2nd)Daniels & KazarianJune 28, 2012 – October 14, 2012108TNA Impact Wrestling (June 28, 2012)The Dudley Boyz
ROH World Tag Team Championship (1st)The Addiction (Daniels & Kazarian)April 4, 2015 – September 18, 2015167Supercard of Honor IXThe Kingdom, Motor City Machine Guns
ROH World Tag Team Championship (2nd)The Addiction (Daniels & Kazarian)May 9, 2016 – September 30, 2016144War of the Worlds 2016The Young Bucks, The Briscoe Brothers
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team ChampionshipSCU (Daniels, Kazarian & Sky)March 9, 2018 – May 9, 20186116th Anniversary ShowThe Hung Bucks (Page & Young Bucks)
ROH World Tag Team Championship (3rd)Kazarian & SkyOctober 14, 2018 – December 14, 201861Glory by Honor XVIIN/A (short reign with TV exposure)
AEW World Tag Team ChampionshipKazarian & SkyOctober 30, 2019 – January 21, 202083Full Gear 2019 (Inaugural)Private Party, Dark Order, Best Friends

Other honors and awards

SoCal Uncensored garnered recognition through various industry rankings during their tenure, highlighting their contributions as a cohesive unit in tag and trios competition. In 2020, the stable achieved a ranking of #17 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's inaugural Top 50 Tag Teams list, reflecting their strong performances in following their transition from . Scorpio Sky, a key member, was individually ranked #97 in the 2020 PWI 500, a placement attributed to the momentum generated by SCU's collective success in elevating the tag division. The group also left a mark on wrestling culture through fan engagement and structural influences. SCU popularized the energetic "SCU!" , which became a staple in live events and was prominently featured in their entrance , fostering a dedicated following among audiences. Their role as inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions helped shape the promotion's emphasis on high-quality , setting a precedent for innovative storytelling and athletic matches that influenced subsequent divisions. Members of SCU participated in notable media appearances that underscored their early involvement with AEW. In a 2019 episode of the Talk Is Jericho podcast, , , and discussed their signing with the promotion and their vision for contributing to its foundation as a fresh alternative in . Even after their 2021 disbandment, SCU continued to be referenced in AEW historical overviews, such as 2025 retrospectives on the promotion's championship lineage, where they are credited as pioneers of the tag team landscape.

References

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