Ariya Daivari Bio
Ariya Daivari (born April 11, 1989) is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is a member of The Premier Athletes stable and also serves as a coach for the promotion. Daivari is best known for his time in WWE’s Cruiserweight Division and for appearances across Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance.
Early Life and Background
Ariya Daivari was born in Plymouth, Minnesota, on April 11, 1989, and attended Wayzata High School. He is Iranian-American and has incorporated spoken Persian into his in-ring presentations and character work. During his youth he competed in amateur wrestling and trained in Taekwondo, foundations that informed his early in-ring approach.
Daivari trained for professional wrestling with multiple mentors. His early instruction included work with his brother Shawn Daivari and independent trainer Arik Cannon, and he also worked with Shelton Benjamin and Ken Anderson during his development. He made his professional debut on September 26, 2006, in the Midwest independent scene.
Ariya Daivari Career
Early Career (2006–2016)
Daivari built his reputation on the independent circuit across the United States after his 2006 debut. He performed for a variety of promotions, gaining experience with Ring of Honor and making appearances for Global Force Wrestling and Impact Wrestling’s India project, Ring Ka King. Those years established him as a polished mid-card competitor capable of working a range of styles and developing character work that combined athletic striking and technical wrestling.
Across the independent ranks Daivari developed a steady resume of televised and live-event work that positioned him for larger opportunities. His blend of combat-sports background and ring psychology made him a frequent opponent for rising stars and established talents on regional cards.
WWE Breakthrough (2016–2021, 2022)
Daivari’s profile rose significantly after his appearance in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic in 2016, where he competed in the tournament representing the cruiserweight field and was eliminated in the first round by Ho Ho Lun. He made his main-roster debut the same year on the October 10, 2016 episode of Raw as part of the cruiserweight division, losing to Cruiserweight Champion T. J. Perkins in a televised outing.
During his WWE run Daivari was involved in the Cruiserweight program on 205 Live and aligned at times with heel factions, including a period supporting Enzo Amore’s group known as “The Zo Train.” He pursued the Cruiserweight Championship on multiple occasions, including a number one contender run in April 2019 and a title match at Money in the Bank. WWE released Daivari from his contract on June 25, 2021; he later returned to WWE in April 2022 as a backstage producer.
New Japan Pro Wrestling (2021–2022)
Daivari expanded his international profile with appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2021 and 2022. He was announced for New Japan Showdown events in September 2021 and later returned to NJPW Strong, where he recorded a victory over Delirious on June 18, 2022. Those shows broadened his work against a wider mix of international opponents and styles.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2021–present)
Ariya Daivari made his All Elite Wrestling debut on November 12, 2021, appearing on AEW Rampage against Dante Martin. He returned to AEW programming on the June 28, 2022 episode of AEW Dark with a victory over Caleb Konley. Beyond in-ring competition, Daivari is listed as a coach for AEW and is part of The Premier Athletes stable, combining an on-screen role with backstage coaching responsibilities.
In AEW Daivari has worked both televised matches and dark/house-show assignments, contributing to talent development while continuing in-ring activity. His AEW appearances have showcased his veteran experience and his utility as both a performer and a trainer within the company structure.
Driving Style and Strengths
Daivari’s in-ring style reflects his background in Taekwondo and amateur wrestling: a mix of striking, quick counters and technical sequences. He frequently uses spoken Persian to add character depth and relies on ring psychology developed through years on the independent scene and in major promotions. His coaching role also highlights a strength in fundamentals and preparing younger talent for televised matches.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key moments in Daivari’s career include his participation in the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic, his main-roster Raw debut in October 2016, and his sustained run on 205 Live. He took part in WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble event and has made multiple televised returns to prominent programs. Outside the ring, Daivari appears as a playable character in WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20 and WWE 2K22, marking his presence in mainstream wrestling media.
Ariya Daivari Career Wins
Daivari’s career record includes numerous singles and tag victories across independent promotions and televised appearances, but there are no major singles championships or long-term title reigns listed in the provided records. His career highlights are defined more by consistent television roles, tournament participation and cross-promotional appearances than by a catalog of major championship wins.
Ariya Daivari Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ariya Daivari comes from a wrestling family. His brother Shawn Daivari is also a professional wrestler who has worked in major promotions. The family background contributed to Ariya’s early exposure to professional wrestling and to his decision to pursue training and a career in the sport.
Personal Life
Daivari attended Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he participated in amateur wrestling before transitioning to professional training. He is publicly identified as Iranian-American and sometimes incorporates Persian language and cultural references into his character work. No additional personal-family details are listed in the provided records.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025 Ariya Daivari is signed to All Elite Wrestling as a competitor and coach and is presented on AEW programming as part of The Premier Athletes stable. His role blends in-ring appearances with behind-the-scenes coaching and talent development duties, a dual position that continues to shape his contributions to the promotion.
For the 2025 season Daivari’s outlook centers on balancing sporadic competitive matches with coaching responsibilities. His experience across WWE, NJPW, Ring of Honor and independent promotions supports a steady role on AEW cards and in the training room, where he continues to work with younger performers and fill utility roles on televised and non-televised events.
