[Daniel Garcia] Bio
Daniel Garcia (born September 17, 1998) is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is a member of the Death Riders faction and is a former AEW TNT Champion and former Ring of Honor Pure Champion.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Garcia was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 17, 1998. He attended Buffalo State College and graduated with a communications degree.
In January 2019 Garcia suffered a serious car crash in which he broke both legs after the vehicle he was riding in hit black ice. He returned to the ring about six months after the accident and resumed his ascent on the independent circuit.
Path to NASCAR
Garcia began formal wrestling training under Brandon Thurston and Pepper Parks before debuting on the independent scene in 2017. He worked regularly for regional promotions and built a reputation as a technically skilled performer.
Early appearances on national television included matches for WWE on 205 Live in 2018 and an appearance on NXT in 2021. Those outings were brief but helped expose him to larger audiences and larger promotions took notice.
[Daniel Garcia] Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Daniel Garcia debuted in 2017 after training and spent the next several years developing his in-ring style across independent promotions. He became a regular for Limitless Wrestling and captured the Limitless World Championship in 2021, a notable milestone on his early résumé.
During this period Garcia honed a technical approach and established the bridging Sharpshooter as a finishing hold. He combined mat-based technique with character work that later informed his transition to larger promotions.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Garcia debuted for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) in 2021 and raised his profile significantly by winning the annual Battle of Los Angeles tournament in January 2022. The BOLA victory positioned him among rising independent stars and led to a run at the promotion’s top title.
In May 2022 Garcia defeated Bandido to win the PWG World Championship and defended the title against multiple challengers while PWG remained active. As of August 2023, PWG went on hiatus, creating uncertainty around the promotion’s title picture, though Garcia’s PWG accomplishments remain part of his record.
All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor (2020–present)
Garcia first appeared on All Elite Wrestling programming on Dark in September 2020 and was signed to AEW in October 2021. Early in AEW he aligned with 2point0 and later joined the Jericho Appreciation Society, a faction led by Chris Jericho that promoted a sports entertainment philosophy.
Garcia’s run in AEW and Ring of Honor featured several high-profile moments. On September 7, 2022, he defeated Wheeler Yuta to win the Ring of Honor Pure Championship and held the title for 94 days before losing it back at Final Battle. He also engaged in a public feud with the Blackpool Combat Club that included a notable exchange with Bryan Danielson.
Across 2023 and into 2024 Garcia challenged for the AEW International Championship and reached the finals of the Blind Eliminator tag tournament alongside Sammy Guevara. After the Jericho Appreciation Society dissolved, Garcia teamed again with Matt Menard and Angelo Parker and produced notable trios work, including challenges for the AEW World Trios Championship.
In late 2024 Garcia re-signed with AEW and defeated Jack Perry at Full Gear to capture the AEW TNT Championship, his first title inside the company. He made several successful defenses during the reign before losing the TNT Championship to Adam Cole at Dynasty on April 6, 2025, ending a 134-day run as champion.
Death Riders Era (Present)
On the September 10 episode of Dynamite Garcia turned heel by attacking Darby Allin and aligning with Jon Moxley, joining the Death Riders stable. The Death Riders later competed in high-profile matches including a Blood and Guts encounter in which they were defeated.
Following his TNT Championship loss Garcia entered programs against tag teams and established veteran opponents such as FTR, engaging in multi-man and tag scenarios that have kept him prominently featured on AEW television.
Driving Style and Strengths
Garcia is widely described as a technical wrestler who blends submission-based offense with mat wrestling. His bridging Sharpshooter, rechristened the Dragon Tamer, is a signature finishing hold and was pivotal in his upset victory over Bryan Danielson. Garcia also incorporates showmanship, including a dance-based taunt, into his character work.
Notable Races and Milestones
Career milestones include winning the 2022 Battle of Los Angeles, capturing the PWG World Championship, winning the Limitless World Championship, holding the Ring of Honor Pure Championship, and a successful run as AEW TNT Champion. His victory over Bryan Danielson and his Full Gear TNT title win rank among his high-profile moments.
[Daniel Garcia] Career Wins
Daniel Garcia’s championship résumé spans independent and national promotions, highlighted by title wins in PWG, Ring of Honor, Limitless Wrestling, and All Elite Wrestling. Those championships reflect a steady progression from regional standout to a regular presence on AEW cards.
AEW Highlights
Garcia’s most prominent AEW achievement is capturing the AEW TNT Championship at Full Gear, followed by a 134-day reign that included defenses against established opponents. He has regularly featured on Dynamite and pay-per-view events and has competed for other AEW titles.
ROH Achievements
On September 7, 2022, Garcia won the Ring of Honor Pure Championship, a title that showcased his technical skills and was part of a notable program with Wheeler Yuta and the Blackpool Combat Club.
PWG and Other Wins
Garcia won the 2022 Battle of Los Angeles and captured the PWG World Championship by defeating Bandido in May 2022. On the independent scene he held the Limitless World Championship in 2021 and collected other regional titles and tournament victories that advanced his career.
[Daniel Garcia] Family
Personal Life
Garcia graduated from Buffalo State College with a communications degree. His recovery from a severe 2019 car accident that broke both legs and his return to the ring roughly six months later are publicly documented events in his personal history.
[2025] Season Performance
The 2025 season included the end of Garcia’s TNT Championship reign when he lost the title to Adam Cole on April 6, 2025. That title loss set up a series of feuds, including an extended program with the veteran tag team FTR and other prominent AEW acts.
Garcia and partner Nigel McGuinness were unsuccessful against FTR at Double or Nothing on May 25, and Garcia competed for the vacant TNT Championship in a four-way at All In on July 12 but failed to recapture the gold. Later in the year he turned heel and joined the Death Riders, shifting his on-screen direction toward a stable-based storyline.
Through mid and late 2025 Garcia remained a featured performer on AEW programming. The season emphasized character evolution, faction dynamics, and continued in-ring refinement as Garcia balanced singles goals with faction-based storytelling and new rivalries.
