Colt Cabana Bio
Scott Colton (born May 6, 1980), better known by the ring name Colt Cabana, is an American professional wrestler, color commentator, and podcaster. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a wrestler and coach, and he performs the same duties for AEW’s sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). Cabana has held multiple championships across independent and major wrestling promotions, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA National Heavyweight Championship, establishing himself as one of the most recognizable figures on the independent wrestling circuit for more than two decades.
Early Life and Background
Scott Colton was born into a Jewish family in Deerfield, Illinois, on May 6, 1980. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and later attended Western Michigan University, where he played on the football team for one season. Colton graduated in 2002 with a degree in business marketing, balancing his academic commitments with the early stages of his wrestling training.
While at Western Michigan University, Colton became friends with fellow student Matt Cappotelli, who would later participate in WWE Tough Enough. The two shared a common interest in professional wrestling, an interest that would shape Colton’s future career path. His exposure to the regional wrestling scene during his college years helped him decide to pursue professional wrestling as a full-time vocation after graduation.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Colton was trained by Ace Steel and Danny Dominion, two respected figures in the Chicago independent wrestling scene. He adopted the ring name Colt Cabana and began competing for Steel Domain Wrestling throughout 2000 and 2001 in St. Paul, Minnesota, often teaming with or facing rival and later friend CM Punk. These early years in the Midwest independent circuit allowed him to hone his craft and develop his comedic, character-driven style of wrestling.
Cabana broke into Ring of Honor (ROH) early in the promotion’s history, quickly establishing himself as CM Punk’s rival before joining with Punk and Ace Steel to form the Second City Saints faction. The trio became one of the most popular acts in ROH, and Cabana’s work in the promotion set the stage for his rise on the national independent wrestling scene.
Colt Cabana Career
Early Career (2000-2001)
Cabana’s earliest documented work came in Steel Domain Wrestling, where he competed regularly in 2000 and 2001. During this period, he developed a strong working relationship with CM Punk, with the two frequently teaming and facing each other in matches. Their matches helped establish both men as rising stars in the Midwest independent wrestling circuit.
Ring of Honor Breakthrough (2002-2007)
Cabana joined ROH in the early 2000s and became one of the promotion’s foundational stars. He and CM Punk became two-time ROH World Tag Team Champions, and Cabana engaged in memorable rivalries with Homicide and ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson. On August 13, 2005, Cabana defeated Punk in a two out of three falls match in their hometown of Chicago, in what was supposed to be Punk’s last ROH match before going to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Between August 2005 and April 2006, Cabana was involved in a brutal feud with Homicide, which featured Cabana being strangled with a metal coat hanger, bleeding from numerous chair shots, having Drāno poured down his throat, and getting his head crushed between a ladder. On April 1, 2006, in Chicago, Cabana finally got his revenge and earned the respect of Homicide after a Chicago Street Fight, which saw the feud settled with a handshake and an embrace.
On April 3, 2007, it was revealed that Colton had signed a WWE developmental contract and was to begin working for Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE’s developmental territory. His time in ROH cemented his reputation as a top-flight performer capable of both serious wrestling and comedy-driven matches.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2005-2009)
In 2005 and 2006, Colton wrestled a number of preliminary matches in World Wrestling Entertainment, starting out on its Heat and Velocity shows. After signing a WWE developmental contract in April 2007, he was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he won the OVW Television Championship on October 31, 2007, and became a two-time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion.
On the August 15, 2008, episode of SmackDown, Colton made his WWE main roster debut as Scotty Goldman, losing to The Brian Kendrick. A show starring Colton premiered on WWE.com as What’s Crackin’?, later renamed Good as Goldman, on January 14, 2009. Colton was released from his WWE contract on February 20, 2009, the same day that his final match for WWE, a loss to Umaga, aired on SmackDown.
Return to the Independent Circuit (2009-2020)
On February 21, 2009, Colton made his return to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and on March 6, 2011, he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Adam Pearce at the NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood television tapings. He lost the title to The Sheik on April 23, 2011, in Jacksonville, Florida, but regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on April 8, 2012, by defeating Adam Pearce, before re-losing it to Pearce on July 21.
On April 1, 2016, Cabana returned to ROH at Supercard of Honor X, confronting and challenging ROH World Champion Jay Lethal. On January 1, 2017, Cabana became a commentator for Ring of Honor, replacing Nigel McGuinness. He also engaged in extensive international work, winning the 1PW Tag Team Championship in England with Darren Burridge as Team SHAG, and competing across Europe and Japan.
All Elite Wrestling (2019-Present)
After making multiple appearances for All Elite Wrestling since 2019, Cabana signed with the promotion in February 2020. He made a surprise appearance at Revolution on February 29, 2020, attacking The Dark Order, and was eventually recruited into the faction by Brodie Lee. Following Lee’s death, Cabana, alongside the rest of The Dark Order, transitioned into a fan favorite role.
On the November 2, 2022, episode of Dynamite, Cabana challenged Chris Jericho for the ROH World Championship in a losing effort. In July 2023, it was reported that Cabana had begun working backstage in AEW as a coach. Cabana returned to the ring for AEW in September 2023, forming a new tag team with Brandon Cutler, and continues to balance his in-ring work with his coaching duties.
Style and Strengths
Cabana is known for his comedic timing, charisma, and ability to adapt to both serious wrestling matches and comedy-driven encounters. His old-school Matt Classic persona, used in promotions like Wrestling Society X and Chikara, showcases his versatility and deep knowledge of professional wrestling history. In the commentary booth, he has earned praise for his articulate and entertaining analysis alongside Ian Riccaboni.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cabana’s two reigns as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, his multiple ROH World Tag Team Championship reigns with CM Punk, and his role in the formation of the Second City Saints faction stand among his most significant career achievements. His 2018 legal victory alongside CM Punk in the Amann lawsuit, and the subsequent settlement of related litigation in 2019, marked a high-profile moment outside the ring.
Colt Cabana Career Wins
Across more than two decades in professional wrestling, Cabana has accumulated championships and accolades in promotions across the United States, Europe, and Japan. His wins span major titles like the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, regional titles, and tag team championships with partners including CM Punk, Darren Burridge, and Eddie Edwards.
Major Championship Highlights
Cabana is a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, having won the title in 2011 and 2012. He is also a two-time NWA National Heavyweight Champion, a one-time RevPro British Heavyweight Champion, and a one-time JCW World Heavyweight Champion. In ROH, he won the ROH World Tag Team Championship twice with CM Punk, and he also captured the OVW Television Championship and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship twice during his time in WWE’s developmental system.
Other Wins and Performances
Cabana won the 1PW Tag Team Championship in England with Darren Burridge as part of Team SHAG, the NHPW Global Conflict Shield in Australia, and the RCW World Heavyweight Championship. He has also won the APW Worldwide Internet Championship and competed successfully in promotions across Europe, Japan, and Puerto Rico, establishing himself as a global journeyman of professional wrestling.
Colt Cabana Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Scott Colton was born into a Jewish family in Deerfield, Illinois. He attended Western Michigan University, where he played football for one season and graduated in 2002 with a degree in business marketing.
Personal Life
Colton hosts a podcast called The Art of Wrestling, which had reached 409 episodes as of September 2024. He has been a long-time friend of fellow wrestler CM Punk, with whom he has shared both professional partnerships and high-profile legal disputes that were ultimately settled in 2019.
2025 Season Performance
Cabana entered 2025 continuing his dual role with All Elite Wrestling as both an in-ring performer and a backstage coach. After returning to the ring in September 2023 and forming a tag team with Brandon Cutler, he has remained an active competitor on AEW and ROH programming, occasionally teaming with other fan favorite wrestlers and contributing to the promotions’ tag team divisions.
His commentary work alongside Ian Riccaboni has continued to be a staple of ROH broadcasts, with Cabana frequently called upon to lend his experience and wit to special events and pay-per-view broadcasts. His position as a coach within AEW has also allowed him to mentor younger talent while still maintaining a presence on screen.
Looking ahead through 2025, Cabana is expected to continue splitting his time between in-ring competition, commentary duties, and coaching responsibilities. His long-standing reputation as a locker room leader and his comedic timing make him a valuable asset across multiple areas of AEW’s operations, and he remains a beloved figure among independent wrestling fans worldwide.
