Trick Williams

American professional wrestler
Trick Williams
Birth nameMatrick Mondre Belton[1][2]
Born (1994-05-26) May 26, 1994 (age 29)[1]
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Trick Williams[3]
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[3]
Billed weight240 lb (109 kg)[3]
Billed fromColumbia, South Carolina[3]
Trained byCombat Zone Wrestling Academy[4]
WWE Performance Center[5]
DebutOctober 5, 2021[5]

Matrick Mondre Belton (born May 26, 1994) is an American professional wrestler and former football player. As a wrestler, he is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Trick Williams and is the current NXT Champion in his first reign. He is a former one-time NXT North American Champion and the winner of the 2023 Men's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Football career

Belton played college football 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.[6] 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 in 2018 and attended the Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp on a tryout basis in May 2018.[7]

Professional wrestling career

WWE (2021–present)

NXT debut and Trick Melo Gang (2021–2024)

On February 24, 2021, Belton signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to the WWE Performance Center and subsequently the NXT brand.[2] Later that year, he made his first appearance on the September 14 episode of NXT under the ring name Trick Williams as an ally of Carmelo Hayes, attacking Duke Hudson before his match, establishing himself as a heel and forming the Trick Melo Gang.[8] 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 and Wes Lee).[9] 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.[10][11]

Williams and Hayes turned face on the April 4, 2023 episode of NXT after Bron Breakker turned heel by attacking them.[12] 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.[13] At NXT: Heatwave on August 22, Williams lost to Ilja Dragunov.[14] On the September 26 episode of NXT, Williams became the number one contender to the NXT North American Championship by defeating Axiom, Dragon Lee and Tyler Bate in a fatal four-way match.[15] Four days later at NXT No Mercy, Williams defeated "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio to win the title.[16] Two days later, Williams made his debut appearance on Raw as the new NXT North American Champion.[17] However, on the October 3 episode of NXT, Williams lost the title back to Mysterio after interference from Mysterio's Judgment Day stablemates, ending his reign at three days and marking it the shortest reign in the title's history.[18] Williams made his Main Event debut on the October 16 taping in a losing effort against Chad Gable.[19]

On the October 17 episode of NXT, Williams was slotted into the triple threat match between Hayes, Dijak and Baron Corbin to make it a fatal four-way match 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.[20] At Night 2 of Halloween Havoc on October 31, Williams returned and cost Hayes his NXT Championship match.[21] On the November 14 episode of NXT, he defeated Joe Coffey to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline.[22] At the event on December 9, Williams won the men's Iron Survivor Challenge to earn an NXT Championship match against Dragunov at NXT: New Year's Evil on January 2, 2024.[23] That day, it was announced that Dragunov was not medically cleared to wrestle. Instead, Hayes put Williams in a match against Grayson Waller with his Iron Survivor Challenge title match on the line, which he won after interference from Kevin Owens.[24] 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.[25] Williams made his SmackDown debut on January 26, saving Hayes from a beatdown by A-Town Down Under (Waller and Austin Theory).[26] On the January 30 episode of NXT, Williams and Hayes defeated Latino World Order's Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro to advance to the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.[27]

NXT Champion (2024–present)

At NXT Vengeance Day on February 4, Williams and Hayes lost to Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker 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.[28] On the following episode of NXT, Hayes revealed that he was the one who attacked Williams back in October 2023.[29] At NXT: Roadblock on March 5, Williams' entrance music was used by Tony D'Angelo 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.[30] The following week on NXT, Williams challenged Hayes to a match at NXT Stand & Deliver, which was made official a few days later.[31][32] Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels later announced that the match will be the main event, making Hayes and Williams the first two black men to main event NXT Stand & Deliver and a NXT PLE, and the first two black men to main event a PLE since The Rock and Booker T at SummerSlam in 2001.[33][34] Williams went on to defeat Hayes at the event on April 6.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37] At Spring Breakin', Williams defeated Dragunov to capture the NXT Championship for the first time in his career.[38]

Personal life

Belton is currently in a relationship with professional wrestler Anriel Howard, who also competes in WWE as part of the NXT brand under the ring name Lash Legend.[citation needed]

Championships and accomplishments

Luchas de Apuestas Record

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Trick Williams (NXT career) Ilja Dragunov (championship) Orlando, Florida Spring Breakin' Night 1 April 23, 2024

References

  1. ^ a b c "Matrick Belton - University of South Carolina Athletics". WWE. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Largest recruit class in history reports to WWE Performance Center". WWE. February 24, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Trick Williams, WWE.com". WWE. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "Trick Williams". Cagematch. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Trick Williams, cagematch.net". cagematch.net. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ^ "Matrick Belton". Footballdb.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  7. ^ Kendall, Josh (May 3, 2018). "Matrick Belton and his NFL tryout: 'Sit down, this is kind of a wild story'". The State. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Moore, John (September 14, 2021). "9/14 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the NXT 2.0 premiere with Tommaso Ciampa vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. LA Knight vs. Pete Dunne for the vacant NXT Championship, Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis wedding, Kayden Carter and Kacy Catanzaro vs. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne, B-Fab's in-ring debut". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Moore, John (October 5, 2021). "10/5 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of MSK vs. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen vs. Zack Gibson and James Drake vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in a four-way for the NXT Tag Titles, LA Knight vs. Odyssey Jones, Mandy Rose vs. Ember Moon, Tony D'Angelo and Cora Jade debut". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Moore, John (July 5, 2022). "7/5 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Bron Breakker vs. Cameron Grimes for the NXT Title, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade for the NXT Women's Tag Titles, Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller for the NXT NA Title, The Creeds vs. Roderick Strong and Damon Kemp for the NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Moore, John (August 9, 2022). "8/9 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Santos Escobar vs. Tony D'Angelo meet for the last time, Cora Jade vs. Zoey Stark, Wes Lee vs. Trick Williams in a Rounds Match, Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Moore, John (April 4, 2023). "4/4 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout edition with Dragon Lee vs. Nathan Frazer, Dijak vs. Odyssey Jones, "Pretty Deadly" Elton Prince and Kit Wilson vs. Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Moore, John (August 1, 2023). "NXT TV results (8/1): Moore's review of the Great American Bash fallout show with Lyra Valkyria vs. Jacy Jayne, Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak, Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz vs. Elektra Lopez and Lola Vice". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 5, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Moore, John (August 22, 2023). "NXT TV results (8/22): Moore's review of Heatwave with Carmelo Hayes vs. Wes Lee for the NXT Title, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee and Lyra Valkyria, Nathan Frazer vs. Noam Dar for the NXT Heritage Cup". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  15. ^ Moore, John (September 26, 2023). "NXT TV results (9/26): Moore's review of Butch vs. Joe Coffey in the Global Heritage Invitational final, Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe in a strap match, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, Joe Gacy vs. Trick Williams, the final push for NXT No Mercy". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  16. ^ Moore, John (September 30, 2023). "NXT No Mercy results: Moore's live review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Title, Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton in an Extreme Rules match for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  17. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 2, 2023). "Trick Williams Appears On 10/2 WWE Raw, Gets Confronted By Dominik Mysterio". Fightful. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  18. ^ Moore, John (October 3, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/3): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Dominik Mysterio for the NXT North American Title, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, Tyler Bate and Butch vs. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  19. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 22, 2023). "WWE Main Event Results (10/19): Trick Williams Faces Chad Gable". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  20. ^ Moore, John (October 17, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/17): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dijak for a shot at the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Tegan Nox, Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom Battle Royal". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Moore, John (October 31, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/31): Moore's review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Championship, Dominik Mysterio vs. Nathan Frazer for the NXT North American Title, Bron Breakker vs. Mr. Stone". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Moore, John (November 15, 2023). "NXT TV results (11/14): Moore's review of Andre Chase and Duke Hudson vs. Tony D'Angelo Stacks for the NXT Tag Titles, Ridge Holland and Butch vs. OTM, Wes Lee vs. Baron Corbin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  23. ^ Moore, John (December 9, 2023). "NXT Deadline results: Moore's live review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin for the NXT Title, Iron Survivor Challenge matches, Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee for the NA Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  24. ^ Moore, John (January 2, 2024). "NXT TV results (1/2): Moore's review of New Year's Evil with Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Championship, Lyra Valkyria vs. Blair Davenport for the NXT Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  25. ^ Berge, Kevin (January 16, 2024). "WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Jan. 16". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Barnett, Jake (January 26, 2024). "WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/26): Barnett's review of the Royal Rumble go-home show, LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  27. ^ Moore, John (January 30, 2024). "NXT TV results (1/30): Moore's review of Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams meet face to face before Vengeance Day, Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vs. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semifinal match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  28. ^ Moore, John (February 4, 2024). "NXT Vengeance Day results: Moore's live review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic finals". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  29. ^ Moore, John (February 13, 2024). "NXT TV results (2/13): Moore's review of Tony D'Angelo and Channing Lorenzo vs. Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin for the NXT Tag Titles, Von Wagner and Mr. Stone vs. Noam Dar and Oro Mensah". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  30. ^ Moore, John (March 5, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/5): Moore's review of NXT Roadblock with Carmelo Hayes vs. Tony D'Angelo for a shot at the NXT Title, Kabuki Warriors vs. Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Moore, John (March 12, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/19): Moore's review of Oba Femi vs. Brooks Jensen for the NXT North American Title, Trick Williams' appearance, Shawn Spears vs. Ridge Holland, Gigi Dolin vs. Arianna Grace". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Barrasso, Justin (March 14, 2024). "Carmelo Hayes-Trick Williams Match Officially Set for Stand & Deliver - Sports Illustrated Wrestling News, Analysis and More". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  33. ^ Barrasso, Justin (March 28, 2024). "Shawn Michaels Confirms NXT Stand & Deliver Main Event". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  34. ^ Garcia, Raphael (March 30, 2024). "Trick Williams versus Carmelo Hayes at Stand & Deliver will be a historic moment". Daily DDT. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  35. ^ Powell, Jason (April 6, 2024). "NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov vs. Tony D'Angelo for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Moore, John (April 9, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  37. ^ "WWE NXT results, April 16, 2024: Trick Williams defeats Carmelo Hayes in a Steel Cage Match". WWE. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  38. ^ Varble, Aaron (2024-04-23). "Trick Williams Wins NXT Title During 4/23 Spring Breakin' Special". SEScoops | WWE News, Wrestling Analysis, Event Coverage, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  39. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2023". cagematch.net. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  40. ^ "NXT North American Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2024-01-03.

External links

  • Trick Williams on WWE.com
  • Trick Williams's profile at Cagematch.net Edit this at Wikidata, Wrestlingdata.com Edit this at Wikidata, Internet Wrestling Database Edit this at Wikidata
  • Matrick Belton at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  • v
  • t
  • e
Raw
Men's division
Women's division
Stables and
tag teams
Other on-air talent
Referees
SmackDown
Men's division
Women's division
Stables and
tag teams
Other on-air talent
Referees
Nonexclusive
Men's division
Women's division
NXT
Men's division
Women's division
Other on-air talent
  • Ava
Stables and
tag teams
Performance
Center
Men's trainees
Women's trainees
Trainers and staff
Broadcast
teamAmbassadorsProducers
and writersExecutive
personnelSee also