Matrick Mondre Belton (born May 26, 1994) is an American

professional wrestler Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...

and former professional football player. He is currently signed to

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...

where he performs on the

NXT NXT may refer to: Professional wrestling * '' WWE NXT'', a professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that began in 2010 ** NXT (WWE brand), WWE's Florida-based brand and former developmental territory * '' NXT UK'', the British spi ...

brand A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's good or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create an ...

under the

ring name A ring name is a type of stage name 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, or projecting ...

Trick Williams. He is a former one-time NXT Champion, one-time NXT North American Champion and the winner of the

2023 Events Predicted and scheduled events * January 1 ** In the United States, books, films, and other works published in 1927 will enter the public domain, assuming there are no changes made to copyright law. ** Croatia will adopt the eu ...

Men's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Football career

Belton played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

for the Hampton Pirates in 2013 before transferring to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2014 to 2016. He caught 11 passes for 121 yards during his college career, all of which came in 2015. He went undrafted in 2017 and spent time as an assistant coach and student-teacher intern at Airport High School in West Columbia, South Carolina in the fall of 2017. He then played in

The Spring League The Spring League was an American football developmental league and scouting event (pro showcase) that played from 2017 to 2021 and was founded by Brian Woods. Aimed at professional athletes but not paying a salary or expenses, the league's go ...

in 2018 and attended the

Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The team plays ...

rookie minicamp on a tryout basis in May 2018.

Professional wrestling career

WWE (2021–present)

Debut and Trick Melo Gang (2021–2024)

On February 24, 2021, Belton signed a

developmental contract In Major League Soccer, in addition to the senior roster, each team can carry a developmental roster of a certain number of young players whose contracts do not count against the salary cap. The allowable size of developmental rosters has varied t ...

with

and was assigned to the

WWE Performance Center The WWE Performance Center is the official professional wrestling school system of the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. The promotion currently operates two Performance Center locations, which serve as training facilities for WWE wre ...

and subsequently the

. Later that year, he made his first appearance on the September 14 episode of ''

'' under the

Trick Williams as an ally of Carmelo Hayes, attacking Duke Hudson before his match, establishing himself as a

heel The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower Human leg, leg. Structure To distribute the compressive for ...

and forming the Trick Melo Gang. Williams made his in-ring debut on the October 5 episode of ''NXT'', teaming with Hayes in a fatal four-way elimination tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship, which was won by MSK (

Nash Carter Zachary Green (born April 29, 1994) is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Nash Carter and in Impact Wrestling under the ring name Zachary Wentz (or simp ...

and

Wes Lee Deveon Everhart Aikens (born November 2, 1988) is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Wes Lee, and is the current NXT North American Champion in his first reign ...

). In 2022, Williams feuded with Lee, defeating him at ''NXT'': The Great American Bash on July 5, but lost to him in a rounds match on the August 9 episode of ''NXT''. Williams and Hayes turned face on the April 4, 2023 episode of ''NXT'' after

Bron Breakker Bronson Parmar Rechsteiner (born October 24, 1997) is an American professional wrestler and former American football player. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Bron Breakker and is the current NXT ...

turned heel by attacking them. On the August 1 episode of ''NXT'', Williams told Hayes that they needed to part ways so he could achieve his own accomplishments, amicably breaking up the Trick Melo Gang. At ''NXT'': Heatwave on August 22, Williams lost to Ilja Dragunov. On the September 26 episode of ''NXT'', Williams became the number one contender to the

NXT North American Championship The NXT North American Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It is primarily defended as the secondary men's championship of the NXT brand division, the promotion's developmental ...

by defeating

Axiom An axiom, postulate, or assumption is a statement that is taken to be true, to serve as a premise or starting point for further reasoning and arguments. The word comes from the Ancient Greek word (), meaning 'that which is thought worthy or f ...

, Dragon Lee and Tyler Bate in a

fatal four-way match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

. Four days later at NXT No Mercy, Williams defeated "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio to win the title. Two days later, Williams made his debut appearance on ''

Raw Raw is an adjective usually describing: * Raw materials, basic materials from which products are manufactured or made * Raw food, uncooked food Raw or RAW may also refer to: Computing and electronics * .RAW, a proprietary mass spectrometry dat ...

'' as the new NXT North American Champion. However, on the October 3 episode of ''NXT'', Williams lost the title back to Mysterio after interference from Mysterio's

Judgment Day The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Reckoning, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, Doomsday, Day of Resurrection or The Day of the Lord (; ar, یوم القيامة, translit=Yawm al-Qiyāmah or ar, یوم الدین, translit=Yawm ad-Dīn, ...

stablemates, ending his reign at three days and marking it the shortest reign in the title's history. Williams made his ''

Main Event In sports, a card lists the matches taking place in a title match combat-sport event. Cards include a main event match and the undercard listing the rest of the matches. The undercard may be divided into a midcard and a lower card, according to ...

'' debut on the October 16 taping in a losing effort against Chad Gable. On the October 17 episode of ''NXT'', Williams was slotted into the

triple threat match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

between Hayes, Dijak and Baron Corbin to make it a

for a NXT Championship opportunity against Dragunov at ''NXT'': Halloween Havoc, causing a rift between Williams and Hayes. Before the match started, Williams was found attacked backstage and taken to a hospital. Hayes then defeated Dijak and Corbin for the title opportunity. At Night 2 of Halloween Havoc on October 31, Williams returned and cost Hayes the NXT Championship match. On the November 14 episode of ''NXT'', he defeated Joe Coffey to qualify for the

Iron Survivor Challenge Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

NXT Deadline NXT Deadline (stylized as DEADL1NE) was a professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held primarily for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand division. The event took place on Satur ...

. At the event on December 9, Williams won the men's

to earn an NXT Championship match against Dragunov at ''NXT'': New Year's Evil on January 2, 2024. At the event, it was announced that Dragunov was not medically cleared to wrestle. Instead, Hayes put Williams in a match against

Grayson Waller Matthew Farrelly (born 21 March 1990) is an Australian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Grayson Waller. Before signing to WWE, he previously wrestled on the independent ...

with his Iron Survivor Challenge title match on the line, which he won after interference from Kevin Owens. On the January 16 episode of ''NXT'', Dragunov returned from injury and informed Williams that their title match would take place at NXT Vengeance Day. At the same time, Williams and Hayes defeated Edris Enofé and Malik Blade in the first round of the

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is an annual professional wrestling tag team tournament held by the American promotion WWE, and is featured on its NXT brand, having first been established in 2015. In subsequent years, wrestlers from the NXT UK and ...

. Williams made his '' SmackDown'' appearance debut on January 26, saving Hayes from a beatdown by A-Town Down Under (Waller and

Austin Theory Austin White (born August 2, 1997) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and Bodybuilding, bodybuilder. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw (WWE brand), Raw WWE brand extension, brand under the ring ...

). On the January 30 episode of ''NXT'', Williams and Hayes defeated

Latino World Order The Latino World Order (abbreviated lWo or LWO) was a professional wrestling stable that existed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1998 and 1999 led by Eddie Guerrero. The name of the stable was invented by Jason Hervey and was inspired by ...

Joaquin Wilde Michael Paris (born October 5, 1986) is a American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Smackdown brand, under the ring name Joaquin Wilde. He is a member of Legado Del Fantasma. Paris began his career in 2004, ...

and Cruz Del Toro to advance to the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

"Whoop That" Era (2024–present)

At NXT Vengeance Day on February 4, Williams and Hayes lost to Baron Corbin and

in the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Later that night, Williams failed to win the NXT Championship from Dragunov. After the match, Hayes attacked Williams with a steel chair, ending their partnership. On the following episode of ''NXT'', Hayes revealed that he was the one who attacked Williams back in October 2023. At ''NXT'': Roadblock on March 5, Williams' entrance music was used by

Tony D'Angelo Joseph Arriola (born June 9, 1995) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Tony D'Angelo. Professional wrestling career On the October 5, 2021 episode of NXT, Ariola ma ...

to distract Hayes during their match to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Championship at NXT Stand & Deliver. After D'Angelo defeated Hayes, Williams made his return and attacked Hayes. The following week on ''NXT'', Williams challenged Hayes to a match at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, which Williams won. Prior to the event, Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative

Shawn Michaels Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965), better known by his ring name Shawn Michaels, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative. Widely regarded as one of ...

announced that the match would be the main event, making Hayes and Williams the first two black men to main event NXT Stand & Deliver and a NXT premium live event, and the first two black men to main event a WWE premium live event since The Rock and

Booker T Booker T or Booker T. may refer to * Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), African American political leader at the turn of the 20th century ** List of things named after Booker T. Washington, some nicknamed "Booker T." * Booker T. Jones (born 1944) ...

at SummerSlam in 2001. On the following episode of ''NXT'', Williams called out Dragunov to challenge him for the NXT Championship. Dragunov agreed to a title match at ''Spring Breakin on the condition that Williams leave NXT if he loses, which Williams accepted. In a NXT Stand & Deliver rematch on the April 16 episode of ''NXT'', Williams defeated Hayes in a steel cage match despite interference from Hayes' security team to end their feud. On Week 1 of ''Spring Breakin''', Williams defeated Dragunov to capture the NXT Championship for the first time in his career. On Week 2 of ''Spring Breakin, Williams declared that his NXT Championship reign will be known as the Whoop That Era.

The Meta-Four Meta-Four is a professional wrestling Stable (professional wrestling), stable that performs in WWE on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand. The stable is led by Israelis, Israeli-Scottish people, Scottish Noam Dar and includes Swiss ...

Lash Legend Anriel Howard (born May 6, 1997) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE where she performs on its NXT brand under the ring name Lash Legend. She is also a former college and professional ( WNBA) basketball player. Profess ...

appeared and revealed that the stable has a secret that will derail his title reign. On the May 7 episode of ''NXT'' in a ''Supernova Sessions'',

Noam Dar Noam Dar (; born 28 July 1993) is an Israeli-Scottish professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, and is a record setting two-time NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion. He also wrestles for Scottish promotion Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW ...

revealed that in a match between them that was won by Williams, Dar's leg was under the ropes which should have broken the pinfall and called Williams a fraud. Dar proceeded to attack Williams shortly after Legend revealed that she was having a relationship with Williams. On the following week, Dar was found attacked by an unknown assailant. Later that night, Williams assisted Je'Von Evans defeat

Oro Mensah Oliver Sauter (born 9 May 1995) is a Swiss professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT (WWE brand), NXT WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Oro Mensah. Professional wrestling career Early career (2012–201 ...

, and a partnership between Williams and Evans was formed. On the May 28 episode of ''NXT'', Williams and Evans defeated Gallus' Joe Coffey and

Mark Coffey Mark Coffey (born February 13, 1990) is a Scottish professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is the younger brother of Joe Coffey and the pair occasionally tag team together as The Coffey Brothers. ...

in a tag team match. After the match, Williams was attacked by a debuting

Ethan Page Julian Micevski (born September 20, 1989), better known by his ring name Ethan Page, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is a member of The Firm. Page is best known for his work in Impact ...

, who revealed himself as the one who attacked Dar previously and Mensah earlier that night. On the following week, Legend broke up with Williams. Later that night, Page officially signed with NXT, whose contract also contains a NXT Championship match at NXT Battleground where Williams successfully retained his title. At NXT Heatwave, Williams lost the title to Page in a

also involving Evans and

Shawn Spears Ronnie William Arneill (born February 19, 1981) is a Canadian professional wrestler and professional wrestling trainer currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Shawn Spears, where he is a current member of The Pinnac ...

, the former of whom Page pinned, ending his reign at 75 days.

Other media

Trick Williams made his

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

debut as a playable character in '' WWE 2K23'' as a DLC and has since appeared in '' WWE 2K24''.

Championships and accomplishments

* '' Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' ** Ranked No. 213 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the '' PWI 500'' in 2023 *

** NXT Championship ( 1 time) **

( 1 time) ** Men's Iron Survivor Challenge (

)

''Luchas de Apuestas'' Record

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Trick 1994 births Living people Players of American football from Columbia, South Carolina African-American professional wrestlers American football wide receivers South Carolina Gamecocks football players Sportspeople from Columbia, South Carolina Professional wrestlers from South Carolina American male professional wrestlers 21st-century male professional wrestlers NXT Champions NXT North American Champions The Spring League players Hampton Pirates football players High school football coaches in South Carolina