Shawn Dean McBride (born February 19, 1986) is an American

professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

. He is signed to

All Elite Wrestling All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is an American professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It is owned and operated by Shahid Khan, Shahid and Tony Khan, with the latter serving as President (corporate title), president an ...

(AEW), where he performs under the

ring name A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...

Capt. Shawn Dean and is a member of

Shane Taylor Promotions Mark Shepherd (born December 31, 1985), better known by the ring name Shane Taylor, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Shane Taylor Promotions stable. He also performs in ...

and its sub-group The Infantry. McBride also works behind the scenes in AEW as the Extras Coordinator.

Early life

McBride was born in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

at the Osteopathic Hospital in Hyde Park on February 19, 1986. The third child of six, McBride had a large family that grew up in

Englewood, Chicago Englewood is a neighborhood and community area located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is also the 68th of the 77 community areas in the city. At its peak population in 1960, over 97,000 people lived in its approxim ...

, a part of the city known for its rough surroundings. Dean’s parents did their best to provide and it was the influence of his father telling him stories of

Ric Flair Richard Morgan Fliehr (born February 25, 1949), known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American retired professional wrestler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair's career spanned 50 years. He is ...

that initially sparked his interest in

professional wrestling Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...

. After graduating from Hyde Park High School in 2004, McBride joined the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

and was stationed in

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. It had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Virginia, third-most populous city ...

aboard the aircraft carrier . After completing his military service, McBride attended

Chicago State University Chicago State University (CSU) is a Historically black colleges and universities, predominantly black (PBI) public university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It includes an honors program for undergraduates and offers bachelor's and master ...

, studying

criminal justice Criminal justice is the delivery of justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes. The criminal justice system is a series of government agencies and institutions. Goals include the rehabilitation of offenders, preventing other ...

Professional wrestling career

Training (2017–2020)

In 2017, McBride began his professional wrestling career under the ring name Shawn Dean and wrestled mainly in the

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

and

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

area for AR Fox's promotion WAA4 and ACTION Wrestling.

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2020–present)

Dean made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the March 31, 2020 episode of

AEW Dark ''AEW Dark'', or simply ''Dark'', is an American professional wrestling streaming television program that was produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), running from October 8, 2019, to April 25, 2023, on AEW's YouTube channel. ...

, losing to

Shawn Spears Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981), better known by his ring name Shawn Spears, is a Canadian Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and trainer. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE NXT, NXT WWE brand extension, ...

. On the June 3 episode of

AEW Dynamite ''AEW Dynamite'', also known as ''Wednesday Night Dynamite'' or simply ''Dynamite'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American Professional wrestling promotion, promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It air ...

, Dean made his televised AEW debut where he was defeated by

Brian Cage Brian Christopher Joseph ButtonTony Khan Antony Rafiq Khan (born October 10, 1982) is an American businessman, sports executive, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the founder, co-owner, president, CEO, executive producer, and head booker of All Elite Wrestling ...

announced that Dean had officially signed with the company. With his promotion as a full-time wrestler, Dean also began working behind the scenes under the job title Extras Coordinator. On the January 5, 2022 episode of

, Dean defeated MJF by disqualification after

CM Punk Phillip Jack Brooks (born October 26, 1978), better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw (WWE brand), Raw brand. Regarded as ...

interfered in the match and hit Dean with the GTS, earning himself his first televised win. On the April 6 episode of AEW Dynamite, Dean defeated Shawn Spears thanks to a distraction caused by Punk. The following week, Dean defeated MJF once again by

countout Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

after Wardlow chased MJF out of the ring and caused him to get counted out.

The Infantry (2023–present)

In 2023, Dean formed a tag team with Carlie Bravo known as The Infantry in

Ring of Honor Ring of Honor (ROH) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. The promotion was founded by Rob Feinstein on February 23, 2002, and was operated by Cary Silkin from 2004 until 2011; the promotion was subs ...

making their debut on the inaugural episode of

ROH on Honor Club ''Ring of Honor Wrestling'' (also known as ''ROH Honor Club TV'', and often shortened as ''ROH Wrestling TV'', ''ROH TV'', ''ROH TV on HonorClub'', or ''ROH on HonorClub'') is an American professional wrestling television series produced by Rin ...

on March 3, losing to The Kingdom. On the June 22 episode of ROH on Honor Club, The Infantry earned their first win as a team when they defeated The Kingdom after help from Trish Adora who became the third member of The Infantry. On the July 6 episode of ROH, Dean and Bravo teamed with Adora in a six person tag team match, where they were defeated by The Kingdom and

Leyla Hirsch Leyla Hirsch (; born September 27, 1996) is a Russian-born American professional wrestler. She is best known for her tenure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). Before joining AEW in 2020, Hirsh was active on ...

. On the September 21 episode of ROH, The Infantry teamed with

Willie Mack Willie McClinton Jr. (born January 5, 1987) is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Willie Mack, currently appearing in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling, Major League Wres ...

to challenge for the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Titles against

Brian Cage Brian Christopher Joseph ButtonBishop Kaun and

Toa Liona Bruce Orlando Leaupepe (born January 30, 1991) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Toa Liona and is one-half of the tag team Gates of Agony. He also wrestles fo ...

Mogul Embassy Mogul Embassy, formerly simply the Embassy, was a villainous professional wrestling stable. Formed by Prince Nana in Ring of Honor (ROH) in 2004, in 2022 the Embassy also began appearing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). In 2023, the Embassy merg ...

but were unsuccessful in capturing the titles. On the March 9, 2024 episode of

AEW Collision ''AEW Collision'', also known as ''Saturday Night Collision'' or simply ''Collision'', is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). It airs live every Saturday at 8 p.m. ...

, The Infantry confronted FTR and teased the possibility of facing FTR in the tournament for the vacant AEW World Tag Team Titles as both teams shook hands and showed respect to one another. The following week on Collision, The Infantry defeated

Brody King Nathan Troy Blauvelt (born March 17, 1987), better known by his ring name Brody King, is an American professional wrestler, singer, and actor. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of the Hounds of Hell and is a form ...

and

Buddy Matthews Matthew Adams (born 26 September 1988) is an Australian professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Buddy Matthews and is a member of the stable Hounds of Hell. He is a former one-time AEW World Trios Cha ...

House of Black The Hounds of Hell, formerly known as the House of Black, is a professional wrestling stable, performing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The group consists of Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart. The group was formerly led by Malakai Bl ...

thanks to help from

Mark Briscoe Mark Pugh (born January 18, 1985) is an American professional wrestler best known as Mark Briscoe. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH), where he made a name teaming with his brother Jay as the Briscoe Brothers. ...

, earning their first televised win as a team and qualifying for the AEW World Tag Team Title tournament. They fought FTR in the quarter-finals of the tournament on the March 30th episode of Collision but were defeated. At

Supercard of Honor Supercard of Honor was the first Supercard of Honor professional wrestling event produced by Ring of Honor (ROH), which took place on March 31, 2006 at Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. As with other Supercard of Honor events, it to ...

, The Infantry took on The Undisputed Kingdom (

Matt Taven Matthew Marinelli (born March 20, 1985), known by his ring name, Matt Taven, is an American professional wrestler and wrestling trainer. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is one- ...

and Mike Bennett) for the

ROH World Tag Team Championship The ROH World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling World Tag Team Championship, world tag team championship contested for in the United States, American professional wrestling promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). The current champions are D ...

but were unsuccessful. At Death Before Dishonor, The Infantry (with Trish Adora) defeated

Griff Garrison Garrett Griffith is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH) under the ring name Griff Garrison. He is a member of The Frat House stable. Early life Garrison was ...

and Anthony Henry (with

Maria Kanellis Mary Louis Kanellis-Bennett (born February 25, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, manager, promoter, singer and model. She is best known for her tenures in WWE, TNA, All Elite Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. Outside of wrestling, she ...

) in a tag team match.

Shane Taylor Promotions alliance (2024–present)

On the October 31, 2024 episode of ''

ROH Wrestling ''Ring of Honor Wrestling'' (also known as ''ROH Honor Club TV'', and often shortened as ''ROH Wrestling TV'', ''ROH TV'', ''ROH TV on HonorClub'', or ''ROH on HonorClub'') is an American professional wrestling television series produced by Rin ...

'', The Infantry joined

. On July 3rd, 2025 edition of ROH HonorClub, The Infantry defeated Top Flight to become No.1 Contenders for ROH Tag Team Championship.

Championships and accomplishments

*Georgia Premier Wrestling **GPW Southern States Championship (1 time, current) *Naptown All Pro **NAP Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) - with Carlie Bravo *Southern Honor Wrestling **SHW Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) - with Carlie Bravo

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Dean, Shawn 1986 births 21st-century male professional wrestlers 21st-century American professional wrestlers All Elite Wrestling personnel African-American professional wrestlers American male professional wrestlers Living people Professional wrestlers from Illinois Chicago State University alumni