This past Wednesday night on AEW Dynamite , we saw the debut of Nick Wayne. The son of Buddy Wayne, a wrestler in the Pacific Northwest who would also become a trainer and a regular for Bryan Alvarez’s Figure Four Daily podcast in that website’s early days. His grandfather from his mother’s side was also a wrestler, making Nick Wayne a third-generation wrestler.
The young star’s debut on All Elite Wrestling was nearly two years in the making, as he was first offered an AEW contract by Darby Allin during a DEFY Wrestling event back then, with the stipulation that he could sign it when he turned 18. Which was in fact, this past Tuesday.
The Arrival
Nick Wayne lost to Swerve Strickland during his debut for AEW, however, it was far from his first major match, let alone his first match with Swerve. The two have faced off many times in different independent promotions. And Wayne comes to AEW with nearly two years worth of experience in the ring, having traveled to England for Rev-Pro Wrestling and PROGRESS Wrestling.
Traveled to Japan for DDT. Has wrestled in the US for many notable indies like the already mentioned DEFY Wrestling and Game Changer Wrestling. He’s had many notable opponents like Swerve, Christopher Daniels, Joey Janela, KENTA, Darby Allin, Alex Zayne, and Will Ospreay. He comes in with far more experience than one would expect for someone fresh off his high school graduation.
The Great Potential of “The Prodigy”
What makes Nick Wayne such a prospect? Well, after what was already listed and having watched his national TV wrestling debut, and knowing that he’s just fresh off of high school, it’s the long-term investment in his development. A similarly sought-after talent happened to be none other than the current AEW World Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, MJF.
Lauded for his great mic skills and ring IQ at such a radically young age, before AEW signed him. Then enter Nick Wayne. Who is far younger than MJF and shows the same levels of development. Signed already to AEW, if he’s so good now? Imagine how much better he will be in five years. Or 10. And still have so much time ahead of him. Nick Wayne will without a doubt be a wonderful to watch “slow burn” of a talent.
More must-reads: