Wikipedia

Authors of Pain

TheAuthors of Pain(AOP) are aprofessional wrestlingtag teamconsisting ofAkamandRezar,withPaul Elleringas their manager. They are currently signed toWWE,where they perform on theNXTandRawbrandsas members ofThe Final Testamentstable. In WWE, they are formerone-timeRaw Tag Team Championsandone-timeNXT Tag Team Champions.

Authors of Pain
Akam(left) andRezar(right) withPaul Ellering(back, on ring apron) in April 2018
Tag team
MembersAkam/ Sunny Dhinsa
Rezar/ Gzim Selmani
Paul Ellering(manager)
Name(s)AOP
Authors of Pain
Legion of Pain
Billed heightsAkam: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Rezar: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Combined
billed weight		620 lb (280 kg)
Akam (290 lb), Rezar (330 lb)
DebutJune 8, 2016
Years active2016–2020
2023–present

Akam and Rezar first teamed up in June 2016, paired with manager Paul Ellering in WWE's thendevelopmental leagueNXT.They won theDusty Rhodes Tag Team Classicin 2016, leading to them winning the NXT Tag Team Championship. In April 2018, Akam and Rezar were promoted to theRawbrand, withDrake Mavericktaking over as their manager and the team's name officially shortened to AOP. AOP took a hiatus in early 2019 and returned later that year, but without Maverick as their manager and later becoming enforcers toSeth Rollinsuntil their release from the company in September 2020. They re-signed with WWE in 2023, and made their televised return in January 2024, once again aligning themselves with Ellering, as well as withKarrion KrossandScarlettstarting a stable called The Final Testament.

History

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WWE (2016–2020)

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NXT Tag Team Champions (2016–2018)

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The team of Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani made their televisedNXTdebut asheelson June 8, 2016 atNXT TakeOver: The End,attackingAmerican Alpha(Jason JordanandChad Gable) after they had lost theNXT Tag Team ChampionshiptoThe Revival(Scott DawsonandDash Wilder).Paul Elleringappeared on the ramp following the assault, signalling his association with the two.[1]

The Authors of Pain, accompanied byPaul Ellering,asNXT Tag Team Championsin February 2017

On June 15 episode ofNXT,Dhinsa and Selmani, now going by the ring names of Akam andRezarrespectively, and the team officially named the Authors of Pain won their first televised match and were accompanied by Ellering.[2]On November 19, the duo won the 2016Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic,defeatingTM-61in the tournament final atNXT TakeOver: Toronto.On the January 11, 2017 episode ofNXT,they assaulted#DIY(Johnny GarganoandTommaso Ciampa) after they retained the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Revival.[3]AtNXT TakeOver: San Antonio,they won theNXT Tag Team Championshipby defeating #DIY.[4]On the March 1 episode ofNXT,The Authors of Pain defended their titles against #DIY in a rematch, which ended in a no contest after The Revival interfered and attacked both teams. They retained the titles atNXT TakeOver: Orlandoby both defeating #DIY and The Revival in atriple threat elimination matchafter eliminating both teams.[5]AtNXT TakeOver: Chicago,the duo participated in the first-everladder matchfor the NXT Tag Team Championship against #DIY, which they won.[6]

On the July 26 episode ofNXT,the two were set to compete, but their opponents were attacked bySAnitYbefore the match began. They then brawled withAlexander WolfeandKillian Dain,disposing of the two before a staredown.[7]Two weeks later, SAnitY called out The Authors of Pain, who were attacked byEric Youngas they made their way down the ramp. Young zip-tied Rezar to the barricade, allowing SAnitY to beat down Akam. Rezar eventually made his way to the ring, but was ultimately attacked as well.[8]AtNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III,The Authors of Pain lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to SAnitY, who were represented by Wolfe and Young after the latter replaced Killian Dain mid-match, marking their first loss in NXT.[9]AtNXT TakeOver: WarGames,the Authors of Pain turnedfaceas they teamed withRoderick Strongin aWarGames matchagainst SAnitY andThe Undisputed Era(Adam Cole,Kyle O'Reilly,andBobby Fish), who won the match. AtNXT TakeOver: Philadelphia,The Authors of Pain unsuccessfully challenged The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship. In what was their last match in NXT, they again challenged The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship in atriple threat matchalso involving the team of Strong andWWE United Kingdom ChampionPete DunneatNXT TakeOver: New Orleans,where they failed to win after Strong turned on Dunne and joined The Undisputed Era, allowing them to retain the titles.

Raw Tag Team Champions (2018–2019)

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On the April 9 episode ofRaw,The Authors of Pain, along with Paul Ellering, made their main roster debut as heels, defeatingHeath Slater and Rhyno.[10]After the match, Akam and Rezar ended their partnership with Ellering by pushing him away and leaving him ringside as they returned backstage.[11]The Authors of Pain entered a brief feud with Titus Worldwide (Titus O'NeilandApollo Crews), defeating them on the August 20 episode ofRawto end their feud.[12]On the September 3 episode ofRaw,The Authors of Pain, now under the shortened name of AOP, were accompanied to the ring byDrake Maverick,who announced himself as their new manager.[13]

On the November 5 episode ofRaw,AOP defeatedSeth Rollinsin ahandicap matchto win theRaw Tag Team Championship.[14][15]AtSurvivor Series,they defeatedSmackDown Tag Team ChampionsThe Barin an interbrand match.[16][17]The following night onRaw,AOP suffered an upset loss to the team ofBobby RoodeandChad Gable,marking their first loss on the main roster.[18]On the December 10 episode of Raw, they lost their tag titles to Roode and Gable in a three-on-two handicap match that also involved their manager Maverick, ending their reign at 35 days.[19]After this, the team went on hiatus due to Akam having knee surgery in January 2019.[20]Maverick would subsequently go in his own direction, maintaining his duties as the205 LiveGeneral Managerand then chasing after the24/7 Championshipintroduced in May.[21]AOP returned during the 51-ManBattle RoyalatSuper ShowDownon June 7, but they were both eliminated during the match.[22]

On the September 16 episode ofRaw,AOP, without Maverick, returned in a vignette, where they called out the tag team division for being soft and weak and announced their intentions of returning.[23]The following week, they would attackHeath SlaterandNo Way Josebackstage.[24]During the2019 WWE draft,AOP went undrafted, becoming free agents and able to choose which brand to sign with, however, three days after the draft's conclusion, AOP signed with Raw to remain on the brand.[25]

Seth Rollins' enforcers (2019–2020)

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After they made their in-ring return on the November 25 episode ofRaw,they allied withSeth Rollinsand later,Buddy Murphy.[26][27][28]However, they had their last appearance on the March 9 episode ofRaw,[29][30]since on March 10, Rezar suffered a biceps injury, therefore putting the team on hiatus,[31]And on September 4, both Akam and Rezar were released from their WWE contracts.[32][33]

Independent circuit (2022)

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In May 2022, Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani, now known asLegion of Pain,announced the launch of their professional wrestling promotion, Wrestling Entertainment Series (WES). The promotion's first event was booked for June, but it was delayed until July until it was cancelled. The promotion stated that several wrestlers wouldn't appear as the reason.[34]Nia JaxandAiden English,who were booked to appear on the show, criticized the promotion.[35]

Return to WWE (2022–present)

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Main article:The Final Testament

According to a report from Sean Ross Sapp ofFightfulon August 30, 2023, the Authors of Pain had been re-signed with the WWE in 2022 prior to the return ofVince McMahonas chairman in January 2023 and they were in the internal travel list as of May.[36][37]They returned as part of a stable,The Final Testament,along withKarrion Kross,[38]appearing onSmackDown:New Year's Revolution,attacking The Pride (Bobby LashleyandThe Street Profits(Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)).[39][40]The two stables wrestled at Night 2 ofWrestleMania XL,where The Final Testament lost in aPhiladelphia Street Fight.[41]The Authors of Pain also wrestled onNXT,facingAxiomandNathan Frazerfor theNXT Tag Team Championshipat Week 2 ofSpring Breakin',where they lost after interference fromNew Catch Republic(Pete DunneandTyler Bate).[42]

Other media

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Akam and Rezar made theirvideo gamedebut as playable characters with Paul Ellering appearing as their manager inWWE 2K18,they also appear as playable characters inWWE 2K19,WWE 2K20andWWE 2K Battlegrounds.

Championship and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^"Legend, bald beauty, and snazzy dresser, Paul Ellering appears after a mysterious duo attacks American Alpha: NXT TakeOver: The End..."WWE.8 June 2016.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  2. ^Tylwalk, Nick (April 3, 2016)."NXT: Finn Balor finds out what's next".Slam! Wrestling.Canadian Online Explorer.Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2016.RetrievedJune 18,2016.
  3. ^Fiorvanti, Tim (November 19, 2016)."NXT Takeover Toronto: Match recaps and ratings".ESPN.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  4. ^Powell, Jason."1/28 Powell's NXT Takeover: San Antonio Live Review – Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bobby Roode for the NXT Title, DIY vs. Authors of Pain for the NXT Tag Titles, Asuka vs. Nikki Cross vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce for the NXT Women's Title".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedJanuary 28,2017.
  5. ^James, Justin (April 1, 2017)."NXT TAKEOVER REPORT 4/2: Ongoing coverage of event headlined with Nakamura vs. Roode live from Orlando".Pro Wrestling Torch.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  6. ^Silverstein, Adam (May 21, 2017)."NXT TakeOver: Chicago results, review -- Outstanding matches, a monster heel turn".CBS Sports.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  7. ^"NXT results, July 26, 2017: Hideo Itami puts his friendship with Kassius Ohno to sleep".WWE.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  8. ^"NXT results, Aug. 9, 2017: Fiery Zelina Vega guides Andrade" Cien "Almas to big victory and TakeOver: Brooklyn III match".WWE.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  9. ^Winter, Arya (August 19, 2017)."NXT TakeOver Brooklyn III live results: Bobby Roode vs. Drew McIntyre".Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
  10. ^Benigno, Anthony."The Authors of Pain def. Heath Slater & Rhyno".WWE.RetrievedApril 9,2018.
  11. ^Keller, Wade (April 9, 2018)."Keller's WWE Raw report 4/9: The Day After WrestleMania 34 Edition with Reigns-Lesnar and Rousey fallout".Pro Wrestling Torch.Archivedfrom the original on April 10, 2018.RetrievedApril 9,2018.
  12. ^Powell, Jason (August 20, 2018)."8/20 Powell's WWE Raw Live TV Review: The night after WWE SummerSlam, new champions Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey, Triple H appearance, Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedAugust 22,2018.
  13. ^"AOP def. Keith Thompson & Jimmy James".WWE.RetrievedSeptember 3,2018.
  14. ^Powell, Jason."11/05 Powell's WWE Raw Live TV Review: Survivor Series developments, Raw Tag Title match, Riott Squad vs. Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Natalya, Dolph Ziggler vs. Elias, Nia Jax vs. Ember Moon, Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedNovember 5,2018.
  15. ^Trionfo, Richard (November 5, 2018)."WWE RAW REPORT: WE HAVE CAPTAINS, BRAUN IS ON A QUEST FOR TREASURE, A NEW TEAM FORMS, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND MORE".PWInsider.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2019.RetrievedMay 1,2019.
  16. ^Melok, Bobby."Raw Tag Team Champions AOP def. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Bar (w/Big Show)".WWE.RetrievedNovember 18,2018.
  17. ^Powell, Jason (18 November 2018)."Powell's WWE Survivor Series live review: WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, Raw Women's Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair in a non-title match, Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins vs. U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedNovember 18,2018.
  18. ^Powell, Jason (November 19, 2018)."11/19 Powell's WWE Raw Live TV Review: The night after Survivor Series, Braun Strowman finds out when he'll get his matches with Brock Lesnar and Baron Corbin, the build to WWE TLC begins".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedNovember 20,2018.
  19. ^Powell, Jason."12/10 Powell's WWE Raw Live TV Review: Seth Rollins on Dean Ambrose and the state of Raw, Alexa Bliss hosts a Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax press conference, final hype for WWE TLC".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedDecember 10,2018.
  20. ^"Report: Akam Of The Authors Of Pain Cleared To Return To In-Ring Competition - Fightful Wrestling".fightful.
  21. ^"LESNAR CASH IN? WWE Raw 6/3/19 Full Show Review & Results | Fightful Wrestling Podcast".fightful.
  22. ^P., Leon (June 8, 2019)."There Were Actually 51 Competitors in the Super ShowDown Battle Royal, Complete List".PWInsider.RetrievedJune 12,2019.
  23. ^Powell, Jason (September 16, 2019)."9/16 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin in King of the Ring tournament finals, the Street Profits hosting a gender reveal party for Maria Kanellis's baby, the begin of the Hell in a Cell build".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedSeptember 17,2019.
  24. ^Powell, Jason (September 23, 2019)."9/23 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of AJ Styles vs. Ricochet vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Robert Roode in a five-way for a shot at the WWE Universal Championship, Sasha Banks vs. Nikki Cross, Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin in a rematch of the KOTR final".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedSeptember 24,2019.
  25. ^"Breaking news regarding WWE Crown Jewel, free agency and the Intercontinental Title: WWE Now".WWE.October 17, 2019.RetrievedOctober 17,2019.
  26. ^Powell, Jason (November 25, 2019)."11/25 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of the night after Survivor Series edition with AJ Styles vs. a four-way winner for the U.S. Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka, Seth Rollins' town hall meeting".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedNovember 26,2019.
  27. ^Powell, Jason (December 9, 2019)."12/09 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Rey Mysterio vs. AJ Styles for the U.S. Championship, Rusev and Lana divorce, the brand's final push for the WWE TLC pay-per-view".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedDecember 13,2019.
  28. ^Powell, Jason."01/13 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Seth Rollins and AOP vs. Big Show, Samoa Joe, and Kevin Owens in a fistfight, Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Drew McIntyre, Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy, and Rusev vs. Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesnar latest appearance".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
  29. ^Benigno, Anthony."Seth Rollins, Murphy & AOP def. Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits & The Viking Raiders".wwe.WWE.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  30. ^Powell, Jason (March 9, 2020)."3/9 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Edge returning following Randy Orton's attack on Beth Phoenix, Rey Mysterio vs. Angel Garza, Drew McIntyre in action, the build to WrestleMania kicks in".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedMarch 9,2020.
  31. ^"Rezar Sustained Arm Injury During WWE Raw".Fightful.10 March 2020.
  32. ^"Akam and Rezar released".WWE.September 4, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  33. ^Defelice, Robert (September 4, 2020)."WWE Release Akam & Rezar Of AOP".Fightful.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  34. ^"Wrestling Entertainment Series cancela su primer evento en Reino Unido".6 July 2022.
  35. ^"Nia Jax desmiente su participación en el primer show de WES".5 July 2022.
  36. ^"Former WWE Tag Team May Have Secretly Been Re-Signed; Could Return to NXT Brand Soon".30 August 2023.
  37. ^"Two former champions may have secretly re-signed with WWE two years after release - Reports".31 August 2023.
  38. ^Lambert, Jeremy (December 22, 2023)."Karrion Kross Hints At Needing 'Authors' For His Proclamation On 12/22 WWE SmackDown".Fightful.RetrievedJanuary 6,2024.
  39. ^Powell, Jason (January 5, 2024)."WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/5): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns and Logan Paul's appearances, Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles for a shot at the WWE Universal Title at the Royal Rumble".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedJanuary 6,2024.
  40. ^"WWE reveals name of Karrion Kross-Authors of Pain faction".12 January 2024.
  41. ^DeFelice, Robert (April 7, 2024)."Bobby Lashley And The Street Profits Beat The Final Testament In Philadelphia Street Fight At WWE WrestleMania XL".Fightful.RetrievedApril 9,2024.
  42. ^Moore, John (April 30, 2024)."NXT TV results (4/30): Moore's review of Spring Breakin' Night Two with Oba Femi vs. Ivar for the NXT North American Title, Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. AOP for the NXT Tag Team Titles".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.RetrievedMay 1,2024.
  43. ^ab"Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2018".The Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedSeptember 4,2020.
  44. ^"NXT TakeOver: San Antonio results".WWE.January 28, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 28,2017.
  45. ^"NXT Tag Team Championship".World Wrestling Entertainment.January 28, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  46. ^"WWE Raw Tag Team Championship".World Wrestling Entertainment.November 5, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  47. ^Pappolla, Ryan (November 19, 2016)."The Authors of Pain def. TM61 to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Paul Ellering suspended above the ring in the Crash Cage".World Wrestling Entertainment.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
  48. ^Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 19, 2016)."Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2016)".Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database.RetrievedFebruary 20,2021.
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