Dante Chen

Sean Tan Li Hao Bio

Sean Tan Li Hao, known to wrestling fans by the ring name Dante Chen, is a Singaporean professional wrestler signed to WWE performing on the Evolve brand. Born on January 20, 1996, in Singapore, he holds the distinction of being the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian wrestler to sign with WWE, a milestone that has made him a pioneering figure in the region’s professional wrestling landscape. Active since 2013, Chen has built a reputation for resilience and adaptability, competing across multiple WWE brands and remaining one of the most prominent wrestling talents to emerge from Southeast Asia.

Raised in Woodlands, Singapore, Sean Tan Li Hao was introduced to professional wrestling as a child when his elder brother brought home WWE video games, sparking a fascination that would shape his entire career trajectory. He attended Assumption English School for his secondary education, and later earned a certificate in Business from ITE College West. From 2015 to 2017, he fulfilled his national service obligations in the Singapore Army, after which he went on to earn a diploma in Health Management and Promotion from Republic Polytechnic in 2020. Throughout these formative years, his dedication to wrestling never wavered, even as his parents initially expressed concern over the physical demands of the sport.

Path to Professional Wrestling

Sean Tan Li Hao’s path into professional wrestling began in January 2013 when he crossed paths with Andruew Tang, founder of Singapore Pro Wrestling, at a gym in Singapore. Impressed by his enthusiasm, Tang invited Tan to train, and after just four weeks of preparation, he made his professional debut under the ring name Trexxus at SPW New Year Rumble on January 31, 2013, facing Sebastian Turini. That remarkably rapid debut set a national record for the fastest debut in Singaporean professional wrestling, a mark that stood for over nine years. Though his parents were initially reluctant to embrace his wrestling ambitions, they eventually came around after witnessing his sustained commitment and passion for the craft.

Tan quickly established himself as a rising star within Singapore Pro Wrestling, forming the tag team Onslaught with Andruew Tang in 2014. The duo captured the inaugural SPW Tag Team Championship by defeating MK and Affi at SPW: Breakthrough, successfully defending the titles against Bit Man and Ho Ho Lun at SPW Prove 3 before relinquishing them in May 2015 due to Tan’s national service commitments. During his SPW tenure, he also developed a significant rivalry with Destroyer Dharma, who eventually turned on Onslaught, teaming with Aiden Rex to defeat Tang and Trexxus. In January 2017, Tan achieved a defining career moment when he defeated his former tag partner Andruew Tang at SPW Unchained In Changi to become the youngest SPW Southeast Asian Champion at age 21. He defended the title successfully multiple times that year against Jason Lee, Masahiro Takanashi, and EK Baki, before losing the championship to Lokomotiv in February 2018 under controversial circumstances. His nearly nine-year SPW run ended in May 2021 when he lost a Title vs. Career match to The Statement at SPW Prove: Alive and Kicking, closing that chapter of his career on his way to the global stage.

Sean Tan Li Hao Career

Early Career (2013–2021)

From his debut in 2013 through 2021, Sean Tan Li Hao built his career almost entirely within Singapore Pro Wrestling under the ring name Trexxus. Over nearly a decade, he became one of SPW’s most decorated and enduring competitors, capturing the SPW Tag Team Championship and the SPW Southeast Asian Championship, while engaging in some of the promotion’s most memorable rivalries. His matches against established international talent such as Pete Dunne, Wolfgang, and Mark Davis in 2018 demonstrated his ability to hold his own against higher-caliber opponents. He also competed in high-profile encounters involving Kenny Omega and Cima, further raising his profile across the Asian independent wrestling scene. His final years in SPW were defined by persistent attempts to reclaim the SEA Championship in matches against Aiden Rex, Lokomotiv, Jake de Leon, and The Statement, cementing his legacy as one of the promotion’s all-time greats.

WWE Breakthrough (2021–Present)

In 2019, Sean Tan Li Hao received an invitation to attend WWE tryouts in Shanghai, where he competed alongside fellow Singaporean wrestlers Andruew Tang and Alexis Lee. His performance was compelling enough to earn immediate recruitment, making him the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian wrestler signed to WWE. He officially joined the company in 2021 and made his WWE debut on September 22, 2021, on the NXT brand under the ring name Dante Chen, defeating Trey Baxter in his first match on NXT 2.0. He followed that with a debut on the 205 Live brand on October 1, 2021, where he defeated Malik Blade, quickly establishing himself as a competitive presence across WWE’s developmental platforms.

Chen continued to build momentum throughout 2023, making his Main Event debut on March 13 in a match against Cedric Alexander, and forming an alliance with Boa in April of that year. Though the tag team partnership produced only one match before Boa’s release in May 2024 ended the alliance, Chen remained focused on his singles career. On February 16, 2024, he made his main roster debut on SmackDown in a high-profile squash match against Bron Breakker, a significant milestone that placed him on WWE’s flagship Friday night show. On July 16, 2024, he competed in his first championship match on NXT, challenging Ethan Page for the NXT Championship, marking another career milestone. In August 2024, Chen further broadened his reach by making his Total Nonstop Action Wrestling debut on Impact! as part of WWE’s partnership with TNA, participating in an Ultimate X qualifying match. In June 2025, WWE announced that Chen had signed with the Evolve brand, and he made his Evolve in-ring debut on July 23, 2025, facing Edris Enofé.

Evolve Era (2025–Present)

In 2025, Sean Tan Li Hao transitioned to WWE’s Evolve brand, a move announced by Evolve Prime Minister Stevie Turner on the June 25 episode of Evolve, where Chen’s signing was confirmed. This new chapter represents an exciting phase in his WWE career, as Evolve has historically served as a launching pad for emerging talent seeking to make a significant impact. Chen’s debut match on the brand came on July 23, 2025, against Edris Enofé, marking the start of what promises to be a competitive run in this new environment. As a landmark signing for Evolve and a continued representative of Southeast Asian wrestling excellence, Chen carries both personal and regional significance into this era of his career.

Style and Strengths

Sean Tan Li Hao brings a well-rounded skill set shaped by nearly a decade of in-ring experience across the Asian independent circuit before arriving at WWE. His early years in Singapore Pro Wrestling gave him a strong technical foundation, while his time competing against visiting international talent honed his adaptability in the ring. His physical profile, standing at 183 centimeters and weighing 98 kilograms, suits him well for the dynamic style WWE demands. Chen has cited Shawn Michaels as his favorite wrestler and has expressed admiration for The Miz, pointing to a preference for charismatic, performance-driven wrestling that connects with live audiences.

Notable Events and Milestones

Sean Tan Li Hao’s career is distinguished by several historic milestones. He set the national record for the fastest debut in Singaporean professional wrestling when he stepped into the ring after just four weeks of training in January 2013. He became the youngest SPW Southeast Asian Champion in history when he won the title at age 21 in January 2017. Most significantly, his WWE signing in 2021 made him the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian wrestler ever signed to WWE, a landmark achievement for professional wrestling in the region. His main roster SmackDown debut in February 2024 and his first NXT Championship match in July 2024 further cemented his standing as a trailblazer for future generations of wrestlers from Southeast Asia.

Sean Tan Li Hao Career Wins

Sean Tan Li Hao’s career wins span his time in Singapore Pro Wrestling, where he achieved his most significant championship victories, and his ongoing run in WWE. In SPW, he captured the Tag Team Championship as part of Onslaught and became the youngest-ever SPW Southeast Asian Champion, defeating Andruew Tang in January 2017. In WWE, he has recorded wins on NXT 2.0 and 205 Live, establishing himself as a consistent competitor since his 2021 debut. Across both promotions, his body of work reflects a career defined by persistence and historic breakthroughs.

SPW Highlights

In Singapore Pro Wrestling, Sean Tan Lihao’s most notable championship victory came in 2014 when he and Andruew Tang, as the tag team Onslaught, defeated MK and Affi to become the inaugural SPW Tag Team Champions. They successfully defended the titles before relinquishing them in May 2015 due to Tan’s military service obligations. His most prestigious singles achievement came in January 2017 when he defeated Tang at SPW Unchained In Changi to capture the SPW Southeast Asian Championship at just 21 years old, making him the youngest champion in the title’s history. He successfully defended the championship three times that year against Jason Lee, Masahiro Takanashi, and EK Baki. His final SPW match came in May 2021 in a Title vs. Career match against The Statement, which he lost, ending his nearly nine-year tenure with the promotion.

Other Wins and Performances

In WWE, Sean Tan Li Hao opened his main roster career with a victory over Trey Baxter on his NXT 2.0 debut on September 22, 2021, followed by a win against Malik Blade on his 205 Live debut on October 1, 2021. Beyond championship victories, his in-ring performances have included memorable encounters with visiting international talent during his SPW years and competitive outings on WWE Main Event, SmackDown, NXT, and TNA Impact. His participation in WWE’s partnership with TNA in August 2024 and his ongoing work on the Evolve brand continue to expand his competitive resume at the highest levels of the industry.

Sean Tan Li Hao Family

Family Background and Wrestling Legacy

Sean Tan Li Hao was born and raised in Singapore as the son of Patrick Tan. His elder brother played a pivotal role in his introduction to professional wrestling, bringing home WWE video games that ignited the young Tan’s passion for the sport. His parents were initially hesitant about his decision to pursue professional wrestling, concerned about the physical nature of the profession. However, they eventually came to support his ambitions after witnessing his consistent dedication and the progress he made in his training and career. The family’s support became particularly meaningful during his early years in SPW, when he was still establishing himself as a competitor.

Personal Life

Beyond the ring, Sean Tan Li Hao has lived in Orlando, Florida, since relocating from Singapore in 2021 following his WWE signing, a move that marked a significant transition in his personal and professional life. He had called Singapore home for 25 years prior to that move. Tragedy struck in November 2021 when his father, Patrick Tan, passed away on November 8, just months after his son had achieved his dream of signing with WWE. Tan has cited Shawn Michaels as his favorite wrestler and has expressed admiration for The Miz, noting that he would like to compete against him in the ring. He also served in the Singapore Army from 2015 to 2017 before completing his education at Republic Polytechnic with a diploma in Health Management and Promotion in 2020.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Sean Tan Li Hao as he competes on WWE’s Evolve brand following his signing announcement on June 25, 2025. This move positions him on a platform designed to showcase emerging talent and provide new opportunities for growth within WWE’s ecosystem. His Evolve debut took place on July 23, 2025, in a match against Edris Enofé, marking the beginning of his competitive work on the brand. As Evolve Prime Minister Stevie Turner formally announced his signing, Chen enters this new phase as both a representative of Southeast Asian wrestling excellence and a developing talent with nearly a decade of professional experience. The 2025 season will be closely watched as he seeks to make an immediate and meaningful impact on the Evolve roster while continuing to serve as an inspiration for aspiring wrestlers across Southeast Asia.