It’s a big night for 18-year-old Nick Wayne as the up-and-coming pro wrestler makes his AEW debut, just two days following his birthday.

The Seattle-born star was offered an AEW contract in February 2022 when he was still 16 years old by Darby Allin, who presented him with the deal at a DEFY Wrestling show. The catch was that Wayne could not appear on AEW television until he graduates and turns 18.

Both have now happened: he graduated high school last month and turned 18 two days ago, and now he’s just hours away from the biggest night of his young wrestling career.

A video package highlighting Wayne and his journey so far aired on Dynamite last week.

Nick is the son of another professional wrestler, Buddy Wayne. Buddy trained Darby Allin, who was instrumental in getting Nick a shot in AEW.