Darius Martin
{{Short description|American professional wrestler (born 1999)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Darius Martin
|image = Darius Martin, December 2022 (cropped).jpg
|caption = Martin in December 2022
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|09|20}}{{Cite episode |title=Top Flight stays high |episode-link= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KZdPWA_bMo&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling |access-date=6 February 2024 |series=Hey! EW |series-link= |first=RJ |last=City |network= |station= |date=4 February 2024 |season= |series-no= |number= |minutes= |time= |transcript= |transcript-url= |quote= |trans-quote= |via= |language=}}
|birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
|family = Dante Martin (brother)
|names = {{ubl|Air Wolf|Darius Martin}}
|height = 6 ft 1 in
|weight = 189 lbs
|billed = Minneapolis, Minnesota
|trainer = Ken Anderson
|debut = 2016
|retired =
}}
Darius Martin (born September 20, 1999) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He also makes appearances for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). He performs alongside his younger brother Dante Martin and Leila Grey as part of the stable Top Flight.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Andrew |title=Top Flight signs with All Elite Wrestling |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2020/11/23/top-flight-signs-with-all-elite-wrestling/ |website=POSTWrestling |access-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029184527/https://www.postwrestling.com/2020/11/23/top-flight-signs-with-all-elite-wrestling/ |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |date=November 23, 2020}}
Professional wrestling career
= Independent circuit (2016–2020) =
Darius Martin along with his brother Dante received his training from The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling in Minnesota by Ken Anderson and they made their professional wrestling debut in 2016 as the tag team "Top Flight".
Prior to AEW, Martin wrestled for Ireland's Over the Top Wrestling, AAW Wrestling based in Illinois, Game Changer Wrestling, and Black Label Pro.
= All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2020–present) =
On the October 27, 2020 episode of Dark, Top Flight made their All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut where they lost to Evil Uno and Stu Grayson of the Dark Order. On the November 18 episode of Dynamite, Top Flight fought the Young Bucks in a losing effort. On November 23, it announced that they had signed with the company.{{Cite web|last=Tees|first=David|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-dark-102720-results-live-coverage-discussion-7pm-est|title=AEW Dark 10/27/20 Results: Hikaru Shida, Dark Order, SCU, Team Taz, Darby Allin & More In Action!|date=October 27, 2020|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=Fightful}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-dynamite-111820-results-live-coverage-and-discussion-8pm-est|title=AEW Dynamite 11/18/20 Results: NWA Women's Title Match, Death Triangle Reunites & More!|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=Fightful}}{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AEW/status/1330978268674187273|title=Welcome to the team... #TopFlight Darius & Dante Martin are #AllElite|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=Twitter}} In February 2021, Darius was sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament thus taking him out of action and leaving Dante on his own as a singles competitor.{{Cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/darius-martin-undergoes-acl-surgery|title=Darius Martin Undergoes ACL Surgery|date=April 23, 2021|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=Fightful}}
On the March 2, 2022 episode of Dynamite, Darius made his return alongside his brother in the tag team Casino Battle Royal reuniting with his brother Dante, where he would last until the end being eliminated by Matt Jackson.{{Cite web|last=Wilkins|first=Rob|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-dynamite-results-3222-adam-cole-and-redragon-vs-adam-page-john-silver-and-alex-reynolds|title=AEW Dynamite Results For 3/2/22 Adam Cole and reDRagon vs. Adam Page, John Silver, and Alex Reynolds|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=March 5, 2022|website=Fightful}} The return to action was short-lived as in April 2022 Darius was injured in a serious car accident.{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aews-darius-martin-out-six-to-nine-months-after-nasty-car-accident|title=AEW's Darius Martin out six to nine months after nasty car accident|access-date=21 April 2023|website=f4wonline.com|date=May 5, 2022|author=Ian Carey}} During this time, Dante once again continued as a singles competitor.
Darius returned once more on the November 16, 2022 episode of Dynamite, teaming with Dante and AR Fox, to challenge Death Triangle, for the AEW World Trios Championship, in a losing effort.{{cite web | url=https://theovertimer.com/2022/11/aew-dynamite-results-death-triangle-defeat-ar-fox-top-flight-to-retain-aew-world-trios-championships-the-elite-to-return-at-full-gear-11-16/ | title=AEW Dynamite Results: Death Triangle Defeat AR Fox & Top Flight to Retain AEW World Trios Championships, the Elite to Return at Full Gear (11/16) | date=November 16, 2022 }} On the November 13 edition of Rampage, Top Flight unsuccessfully challenged FTR for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-rampage-live-results-ftr-vs-top-flight-roh-tag-team-title-match|title=AEW Rampage live results: FTR vs. Top Flight ROH Tag Team title match|access-date=21 April 2023|website=f4wonline.com|date=November 25, 2022|author=Joseph Collins}} On December 10, at Final Battle, Top Flight made their debuts for AEW's sister company Ring of Honor, defeating The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) on the pre-show.{{cite web | url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/12/10/roh-final-battle-zero-hour-pre-show-results-jeff-cobb-vs-mascara-dorada-matt-taven-and-mike-bennett-vs-top-flight-dante-martin-and-darius-martin-willow-nightingale-vs-trish-adora-and-angelo/ | title=ROH Final Battle Zero Hour pre-show results: Jeff Cobb vs. Mascara Dorada, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett vs. "Top Flight" Dante Martin and Darius Martin, Willow Nightingale vs. Trish Adora, and Angelo Parker and Matt Menard vs. Cheeseburger and Eli Isom | date=December 10, 2022 }} Darius competed in his first AEW singles match on the December 21 edition of Dynamite losing to Jon Moxley. Following this on the December 23 edition of Rampage, Top Flight once again teamed with AR Fox, where they won the $300,000 Three Kings Christmas Casino Trios Battle Royal, where the brothers lastly eliminated ROH World Champion, Claudio Castagnoli.{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1147788/aew-rampage-holiday-bash-live-coverage-1223-300000-three-kings-christmas-casino-trios-battle-royale-tbs-title-eliminator-match-and-more/ | title=AEW Rampage: Holiday Bash Results (12/23) - $300,000 Three Kings Christmas Casino Trios Battle Royale, TBS Title Eliminator Match and More | date=December 23, 2022 }} Due to this, Top Flight entered a short feud with the Blackpool Combat Club, in which Moxley and Castagnoli were members, losing to members of the group over the following weeks. Top Flight achieved their first win over the BCC on the January 16 edition of AEW Dark, defeating Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta, in a three-way tag-team match also involving, The Butcher and the Blade, after Dante pinned The Blade. On the January 18 edition of Dynamite, Top Flight defeated the Young Bucks in an upset victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-young-bucks-vs-top-flight-two-title-matches|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Young Bucks vs. Top Flight, two title matches|access-date=21 April 2023|website=f4wonline.com|date=January 18, 2023|author=Ryan Howard}} In April 2023 at Supercard of Honor, Dante Martin suffered a severe leg injury, stalling the team's momentum once more.{{cite web|first=Ian|last=Carey|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/ring-of-honor/dante-martin-released-from-hospital-following-roh-supercard-of-honor-injury|title=Dante Martin released from hospital following ROH Supercard of Honor injury|website=F4WOnline.com|access-date=July 18, 2023|date=April 2, 2023}}
During the time of his brother's injury, Martin feuded with The Kingdom causing him to form an alliance with Action Andretti, after he saved him from a post-match attack at the hands of Mike Bennett.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/ring-of-honor-tv-results-4-13-23/ | title=Ring of Honor TV Results 4/13/23 | date=April 14, 2023 }} The following week, the duo teamed against The Kingdom, but lost.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/ring-of-honor-tv-results-4-20-23/ | title=Ring of Honor TV Results 4/20/23 | date=April 20, 2023 }} On May 18, the duo faced Taven and Bennett in a Fight without Honor rematch, where Martin and Andretti defeated the duo, ending their feud.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/ring-of-honor-tv-results-5-18-23/ | title=Ring of Honor TV Results 5/18/23 | date=May 19, 2023 }} On June 15, Martin and Andretti teamed with AR Fox to challenge The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun) for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships, but the trio was defeated.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/ring-of-honor-tv-results-6-15-23/ | title=Ring of Honor TV Results 6/15/23 | date=June 15, 2023 }} The trio teamed on Dynamite, facing off against Sammy Guevara, Minoru Suzuki and Chris Jericho, but were defeated once again.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-dynamite-results-6-21-23/ | title=AEW Dynamite Results 6/21/23 | date=June 21, 2023 }} On July 22, Martin and Andretti made their debut on AEW Collision, losing to Bullet Club Gold (Jay White and Juice Robinson).{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-collision-results-7-22-23/ | title=AEW Collision Results 7/22/23 | date=July 22, 2023 }}
Dante returned from injury in November 2023, reuniting Top Flight.{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=20610&page=4&year=2023 |title=Dante Martin - matches - 2023 |access-date=July 18, 2023 |website=Cagematch.net |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm}} In December 2023, Top Flight and Andretti unsuccessfully challenged The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn for the AEW World Trios Championship. In August 2024 at All In, Top Flight and Andretti were on the winning team of a 16-man tag team match. In October 2024, Top Flight and Andretti unsuccessfully challenged the Blackpool Combat Club for the AEW World Trios Championship. On the December 4 episode of Dynamite, Top Flight were eliminated by Andretti and Lio Rush during the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, teasing a split in the alliance.{{cite web |last=Russell |first=Skylar |date=December 4, 2024 |title=Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal Result; New Match Set For AEW Worlds End |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/dynamite-dozen |access-date=December 4, 2024 |work=Fightful}} On December 14 at the Winter is Coming special of Collision, Top Flight were defeated by Andretti and Rush.{{Cite web |title=411MANIA |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/lio-rush-action-andretti-earn-tag-title-match-aew-collision/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Lio Rush and Action Andretti Earn Tag Title Match on AEW Collision |language=en-US}}
Championships and Accomplishments
- All Elite Wrestling
- Casino Trios Royale (2022) – with AR Fox and Dante Martin
- Canadian Wrestling Elite
- CWE Canadian Unified Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1902|access-date=21 April 2023|website=Cage Match|title=CWE Canadian Unified Junior Heavyweight Championship}}
- Chikara
- Rey de Voladores (2018){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5151|access-date=21 April 2023|website=Cage Match|title=Rey de Voladores 2018}}
- F1RST Wrestling
- F1RST Wrestling Wrestlepalooza Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2651|access-date=21 April 2023|website=Cage Match|title=F1RST Wrestling Wrestlepalooza Championship}}
- GALLI Lucha Libre
- Copa Valadores (2019){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=250662|access-date=21 April 2023|website=Cage Match|title=Rey de Voladores 2019}}
- Glory Pro Resurgence
- Glory Pro Resurgence Championship (1 time){{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3778|title=Glory Pro Resurgence Championship|website=Cage Match}}
- Glory Pro Wrestling
- United Glory Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Angel Dorado{{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=19862&page=11|title=United Glory Tag Team Championship|website=Cage Match}}
- Gateway to Glory Tournament (2018){{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=4873|title=Gateway to Glory Tournament|website=Cage Match}}
- Heavy on Wrestling
- HOW Undisputed Championship (2 times){{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2228|title=HOW Undisputed Championship
|website=Cage Match}}
- Independent Wrestling International
- IWI Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Angel Dorado{{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3950|title=IWI Tag Team Championship|website=Cage Match}}
- Pro Wrestling Battleground
- PWB Battleground Championship (1 time){{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3755|title=PWB Breakout Championship|website=Cage Match}}
- PWB Breakout Championship (1 time){{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3756|title=PWB Breakout Championship|website=Cage Match}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 343 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021{{cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=19862&page=12|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated|website=Cage Match}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=19862|wrestlingdata=35676|iwd=darius-martin-13929}}
{{All Elite Wrestling}}
{{Casino Battle Royale winners}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Darius}}
Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:All Elite Wrestling personnel
Category:American male professional wrestlers