Niko Vance
{{short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Niko Vance
| birth_name = Skylor Clinton
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|1|15}}
| birth_place = Prescott, Arizona, United States
| height = {{convert|6|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|240|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| billed = Prescott, Arizona
| trainer = WWE Performance Center
| debut = May 13, 2023
}}
Skylor Clinton (born January 15, 1999) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performing on the NXT brand under the ring name Niko Vance and is a member of The Culling stable.
Early life
Skylor Clinton was born on January 15, 1999, in Prescott, Arizona. He attended Prescott High School, where he excelled in football as a running back. During his senior year, Clinton rushed for 1,440 yards and 21 touchdowns on 188 carries and also threw four touchdown passes. His outstanding performance earned him All-Division III Honorable Mention and First Team All-Division III Section IV honors. Notably, he became the first player from Prescott to earn an FBS scholarship.{{Cite web|url=https://nauathletics.com/sports/football/roster/skylor-clinton/5037|title=Skylor Clinton - Football|website=Northern Arizona University Athletics}}
= University of Wyoming (2015) =
Clinton joined the Wyoming Cowboys as a defensive end but did not record any playing time.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/wyoming/season/2015-football/targets/?PositionGroup=1|title=Wyoming 2015 Quarterback Prospects|website=247Sports}}
= Mesa Community College (2016) =
Clinton would then transfer to Mesa Community College where he transitioned to wide receiver, catching 23 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns. He notably had a three-catch, 100-yard game in the season finale, the Valley of the Sun Bowl against Lackawanna College.{{Cite journal|url=https://mesatbirdsports.com/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/20161203wpk3vm|title=Aguirre grabs Valley of the Sun Bowl game-winner; Mesa defeats Lackawanna 48-42 in Double-Overtime|date=December 3, 2016|via=mesatbirdsports.com}}
= University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) (2017–2019) =
Clinton would then spend three seasons with the UAB Blazers football team, appearing in nine games across the 2018 and 2019 seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://uabsports.com/sports/football/roster/skylor-clinton/6919|title=Skylor Clinton - Football|website=UAB Athletics}}
= Northern Arizona University (2020) =
Clinton would then play as a tight end for Northern Arizona University, appearing in five games during the season.
Throughout his academic career, Clinton was recognised as a Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Award recipient in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://nauathletics.com/sports/2021/4/23/full-list-of-2020-21-golden-eagle-scholar-athletes|title=Full List of 2020-21 Golden Eagle Scholar-Athletes|website=Northern Arizona University Athletics}}
Professional wrestling career
= WWE =
== Developmental territories (2023–2024) ==
Clinton signed a trainee deal with WWE in late 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-signs-15-new-athletes-following-tryouts-summerslam|title=WWE signs 15 new athletes following tryouts during SummerSlam|first=Akash|last=Dhakite|date=November 11, 2022|website=www.sportskeeda.com}} He made his in-ring debut at an NXT live event on May 13, 2023, teaming with Kale Dixon in a losing effort against Boa and Dante Chen.{{Cite web|url=https://locksresults.com/2023/05/13/wwe-nxt-live-event-results-from-sebring-fl-5-13-23/|title=WWE NXT Live Event Results from Sebring, FL (5/13/23)|date=May 13, 2023}}
He made his televised debut on the September 5, 2024, episode of Main Event under his real name, facing Dante Chen in a losing effort.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/09/12/wwe-main-event-tv-results-9-4-dante-chen-vs-stylor-clinton-ends-with-a-dual-chop-to-the-chest-malik-blade-vs-riley-osborne-with-acrobatics-and-flips/|title=WWE MAIN EVENT TV RESULTS (9/4): Dante Chen vs. Stylor Clinton ends with a dual chop to the chest, Malik Blade vs. Riley Osborne with acrobatics and flips}} Shortly after, he began appearing on NXT Level Up, debuting on the September 13, 2024, episode against Luca Crusifino.{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/leightys-nxt-level-up-review-9-13-24/|title=411MANIA|website=Leighty’s NXT Level Up Review 9.13.24}}
== The Culling (2024–present) ==
On November 12, 2024, Vance made his debut on NXT aligning himself with Shawn Spears and Brooks Jensen, establishing himself as a heel in the process.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1519705-niko-vance-debuts-on-11-12-wwe-nxt|title=Niko Vance Debuts On 11/12 WWE NXT|first=Colin|last=Tessier|date=November 13, 2024}}
Vance would have his first bout in NXT on January 21, 2025, teaming with Brooks Jensen to defeat The D'Angelo Family (Luca Crusifino and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/niko-vance-competes-first-televised-match-wwe-nxt|title=Niko Vance Competes In First Televised Match On WWE NXT | Fightful News|website=www.fightful.com}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=29168 Niko Vance's profile at Cagematch.net]
- [https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/skylor-clinton Niko Vance's profile at The SmackDown Hotel]
{{WWE personnel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clinton, Skylor}}
Category:Sportspeople from Arizona
Category:Players of American football from Arizona
Category:American football tight ends
Category:University of Wyoming alumni
Category:University of Alabama at Birmingham alumni
Category:Northern Arizona University alumni