Sunday, October 6, 2024
Austin Aries

Austin Aries

Born:
04/15/1978
,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Birthname:
Daniel Healy Solwold Jr.
Height & Weight:
5'9"
,
202 Ib

Titles Won:

  • TNA/Impact World Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
  • TNA X-Division Championship (6 times)
  • TNA World Tag Team Championship – with Bobby Roode
  • Impact Grand Championship
  • Gold Rush Tournament (2014)
  • X-Division Showcase (2011)
  • Fifth TNA Triple Crown Champion
  • Fifth Impact Grand Slam Champion
  • ROH World Championship (2 times)
  • ROH World Tag Team Championship – with Roderick Strong

Best known for his time with TNA/Impact Wrestling, where he is a former three-time Impact World Champion and six-time Impact X-Division Champion, as well as Ring of Honor, where he is a former two-time ROH World Champion. Also known for his stint with WWE, where he competed primarily in NXT and the Cruiserweight division on 205 Live. During an injury, he also provided color commentary. Between Impact and ROH, Aries has held 14 total championships and other numerous international/U.S. independent championships.

Aries began working with Ring of Honor in 2004, joining the Generation Next faction. He won the ROH World Tag Team Champion with his teammate Roderick Strong. At Final Battle 2004, ROH’s biggest event, defeated Samoa Joe to win the ROH World Championship, ending his 654-day reign. He would regain the title on 2009, becoming the first two-time champion.

After moving on to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Aries won the TNA X-Division Championship six times. His first reign is the longest of the title’s history, at 301 days and created the “Option C” clause; trading the title for a World Heavyweight title opportunity which he won at Destination X. He also won the World Tag Team Championship and the Impact Grand Championship, making Aries a Grand Slam Champion. After controversially walking out on Impact Wrestling following his World title loss to Johnny Impact at Bound For Glory 2018, Aries started working for Major League Wrestling.

Aries is a COVID-19 and mask denialist; he has called the virus a “scam”. During a meet-up with fans in February 2021, Aries garnered controversy by refusing to wear a face mask and encouraging his fans to refrain from doing so.

Notable Matches

vs Bobby Roode at Destination X 2012

vs Jeff Hardy at Turning Point 2012

vs Jack Evans vs Low Ki vs Zema Ion at Destination X 2011

vs Samoa Joe at Final Battle 2004

vs Jerry Lynn vs Tyler Black at ROH Manhattan Mayhem III

Notable Feuds

vs Jimmy Jacobs

vs Tyler Black

vs Bobby Roode

vs Bully Ray

Other Notable Achievements:  Defiant Championship, DEFY Wrestling Championship, EPW Heavyweight Championship, IPW:UK World Championship, MAW Junior Heavyweight Championship, MCW Light Heavyweight Championship, MIAW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times), MIW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)

NWA Midwest X Division Championship, NPW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times), NPW Cruiserweight Championship Tournament (2002), PWW Heavyweight Championship, SDW Tag Team Championship – with Ted Dixon, WSW Heavyweight Championship (2 times), XWA Xtreme Rumble (2018)