Ariya Daivari Bio
Ariya Daivari (Persian: آریا داوری; born April 11, 1989) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he also works as a coach, and is a member of The Premier Athletes stable. Standing 178 cm tall and weighing 86 kg, he is best known for his time in WWE’s Cruiserweight Division. Over the course of his career, he has also performed for Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Global Force Wrestling, and Impact Wrestling’s India project Ring Ka King.
Early Life and Background
Ariya Daivari was born on April 11, 1989, in Plymouth, Minnesota, in the United States. He grew up in the same Minneapolis suburb where he would later attend Wayzata High School. Of Iranian-American heritage, he has sometimes incorporated spoken Persian into his in-ring performances, giving his character a distinctive cultural flavor.
During his high school years, Daivari built a strong athletic foundation in both Taekwondo and amateur wrestling. That blend of striking and grappling experience would later shape his approach to professional wrestling. His older brother, Dara Daivari (better known to fans as Khosrow Daivari or simply Daivari), had already begun wrestling, which gave Ariya a direct line into the business.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Daivari’s path into professional wrestling was shaped largely by his family connection and his willingness to learn from established veterans. He was trained in the ring by his brother Shawn Daivari, as well as by fellow wrestler Arik Cannon. He also supplemented that instruction with sessions alongside Shelton Benjamin and former WWE star Ken Anderson, picking up the small habits and psychology that define a complete performer.
He made his professional debut on September 26, 2006, at a Midwest Pro Wrestling Academy event held at the iconic First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis. Throughout the next decade, he worked the U.S. independent circuit, building a reputation with appearances in Ring of Honor, Global Force Wrestling, and Impact Wrestling’s India-based Ring Ka King. Those years on the independents gave him the polish he needed when WWE came calling in 2016.
Ariya Daivari Career
Early Career (2006–2015)
For nearly a decade after his 2006 debut, Ariya Daivari honed his craft on the American independent scene. He wrestled regularly on the Midwest circuit while making select appearances for national promotions such as Ring of Honor. His matches in ROH helped introduce him to a broader audience and gave him experience working in front of larger crowds.
Daivari’s first brush with WWE came in 2013, when he wrestled a non-televised match for SmackDown at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The following year, he participated in a tryout at the WWE Performance Center, putting himself on the company’s radar. By 2016, he had built a strong enough résumé to earn a coveted spot in a WWE tournament.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic and Main Roster (2016–2018)
On June 13, 2016, Daivari was announced as a competitor in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. He was eliminated in the first round on June 23, 2016, by Ho Ho Lun, but the tournament served as his official introduction to WWE. On the October 10, 2016 episode of Raw, he made his main roster debut as a heel in the cruiserweight division, losing by submission to Cruiserweight Champion T. J. Perkins. He spent the rest of 2016 on the pre-show circuit, teaming with Tony Nese and Drew Gulak in losing efforts to teams featuring Cedric Alexander, TJ Perkins, and Rich Swann.
By mid-2017, Daivari was pursuing the Cruiserweight Championship, confronting Akira Tozawa on Raw and trading wins with Neville on 205 Live. When Enzo Amore won the Cruiserweight Championship later that year, Daivari aligned with Amore as a member of the heel faction The Zo Train, alongside Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, and Noam Dar. The group disbanded in January 2018 after Amore’s release from WWE. Daivari entered the subsequent tournament for the vacant title but lost in the first round to the debuting Buddy Murphy on the February 6, 2018 episode of 205 Live.
WWE Return and 205 Live Run (2018–2021)
At WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, Daivari teamed with his brother Shawn Daivari, insulting four Saudi Arabian prospects before being driven out of the ring by Mansoor. After an extended break to recover from an unspecified injury, he returned on the November 28, 2018 episode of 205 Live, joining Hideo Itami in an attack on a local competitor. He then accompanied Itami to the ring and interfered on his behalf until turning on him on the January 29, 2019 episode of 205 Live, the same day Itami requested his release from WWE.
Daivari defeated Cedric Alexander on March 23, 2019, and then beat Oney Lorcan on April 23, 2019, to become the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship. He failed to capture the title from Tony Nese at Money in the Bank 2019. In late 2019, he began a feud with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott that he never won, and by 2020 he was wearing white pants and a Gucci belt to the ring. He took a long hiatus in 2020 before returning in August, forming the “205 Live OG’s” alliance with Tony Nese. On June 25, 2021, he was released from his WWE contract.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2021–Present)
Daivari made his All Elite Wrestling debut on November 12, 2021, on AEW Rampage, losing to Dante Martin. He returned to the AEW brand on June 28, 2022, on AEW Dark, defeating Caleb Konley. Beyond performing, he also serves as a coach for AEW, helping develop talent behind the scenes. He is currently a member of The Premier Athletes stable on the AEW roster.
Other Promotions and Stints
Daivari debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling in September 2021, facing Alex Zayne on Night 1 of NJPW Showdown and teaming with Lio Rush to take on El Phantasmo and Chris Bey on Night 2. He returned to NJPW Strong on June 18, 2022, scoring a victory over Delirious. He also made his debut for the National Wrestling Alliance on April 16, 2022, facing NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis in a losing effort. In April 2022, he was briefly rehired by WWE as a producer before resuming his coaching role with AEW.
Style and Strengths
Daivari blends his Taekwondo striking base with traditional grappling, making him well-suited to the fast-paced cruiserweight style. He is known for his tactical mind and willingness to use underhanded tactics, fitting his role as a calculating heel. His background in amateur wrestling gives him a strong foundation in mat-based exchanges, while his cultural persona adds a memorable layer to his character work.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most notable moments, Daivari competed in the 2016 WWE Cruiserweight Classic, performed at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble alongside his brother, and became the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Championship in 2019. His transition to AEW in 2021 and his role as a coach there mark a new chapter in his career, while his video game appearances in WWE 2K19, 2K20, and 2K22 extended his reach to a wider audience.
Ariya Daivari Career Wins
Across promotions, Ariya Daivari has built a steady résumé of wins on the independent circuit, in WWE’s cruiserweight division, and in promotions such as NJPW Strong and AEW. While he has not captured a major singles title in WWE, he has recorded meaningful victories over Cedric Alexander, Oney Lorcan, Caleb Konley, and Delirious, and has remained a reliable mid-card performer and tag team competitor throughout his career.
WWE Highlights
Daivari’s WWE tenure produced several notable wins, including victories over Neville via count-out on 205 Live, Cedric Alexander in March 2019, and Oney Lorcan in April 2019, the latter earning him a Cruiserweight Championship opportunity at Money in the Bank. Although he did not win the title, his pre-show efforts alongside Tony Nese and Drew Gulak established him as a consistent team player during the 2016 Survivor Series cycle.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of WWE, Daivari defeated Delirious in NJPW Strong and Caleb Konley on AEW Dark, adding international wins to his résumé. His work on the U.S. independent circuit through promotions like Ring of Honor and Midwest Pro Wrestling laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Ariya Daivari Family
Family Background and Wrestling Lineage
Wrestling runs deep in the Daivari family. Ariya’s older brother, Dara Daivari, is also a professional wrestler, best known for his time in WWE under the names Khosrow Daivari and Daivari. Ariya was trained in part by his brother Shawn Daivari, who also teamed with him at WWE Greatest Royal Rumble, making them one of the few real-life brother pairings to compete together on a WWE premium live event stage. Their shared Iranian-American heritage has also influenced Ariya’s in-ring character.
Personal Life
Daivari attended Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, and is of Iranian-American descent, often incorporating spoken Persian into his wrestling persona. Outside the ring, he is known to take on coaching responsibilities with AEW, mentoring younger talent as part of his ongoing contribution to the business.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Ariya Daivari continues his dual role as an in-ring performer and coach in All Elite Wrestling. As a member of The Premier Athletes stable, he remains a steady presence on AEW’s mid-card scene, contributing to the brand’s deeper roster. His experience in the cruiserweight division gives The Premier Athletes a tactical edge in fast-paced matchups.
While specific match results for 2025 are not yet documented in the verified record, Daivari’s recent activity in AEW Dark and other programming suggests he will continue to be a regular on the promotion’s weekly shows. His coaching duties also place him in a unique position to influence emerging AEW talent throughout the year.
Fans can expect Daivari to balance competitive matches in The Premier Athletes with his behind-the-scenes coaching responsibilities. With more than 18 years of professional wrestling experience, he remains a valuable veteran presence for AEW as the promotion continues to expand its roster in 2025.
