Matt Menard Bio
Matt Menard, better known by his ring name “Daddy Magic,” is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs alongside longtime partner Angelo Parker. Born on December 7, 1983, in Châteauguay, Quebec, Menard began his professional wrestling career in 2003 and has spent more than two decades working across the North American independent circuit, WWE’s developmental system, and AEW. He is widely recognized for his energetic in-ring style, sharp promo work, and comedic timing that has made him a fan favorite throughout his career.
Menard first gained mainstream attention as one half of the tag team originally billed as 2.0, later renamed 3.0, and eventually known in WWE as Ever-Rise. Across promotions, he has captured multiple tag team championships and held the IWS World Heavyweight Championship as a singles competitor. Within AEW, Menard has also occasionally worked as a commentator in addition to his duties as an active wrestler.
Early Life and Background
Matt Menard was born on December 7, 1983, in Châteauguay, Quebec, Canada, a suburb located just outside Montreal. Growing up in a French-speaking region with a deep wrestling tradition, Menard was exposed to both American and Japanese professional wrestling from an early age. The proximity of Montreal to a thriving independent wrestling scene gave him easy access to live events during his formative years.
Details about Menard’s family life and formal education are not widely documented in public sources. What is known is that he developed a passion for professional wrestling during his late teenage years and committed himself to training for a career in the squared circle before reaching his twentieth birthday. His early interest in tag team wrestling, in particular, would shape the trajectory of his professional path.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Menard began training for professional wrestling in the early 2000s, making his in-ring debut in 2003. His earliest documented work came through the Montreal-based International Wrestling Syndicate, where he teamed with Shane Matthews under the name 2.0 beginning in June 2004. The promotion, founded in Quebec, gave Menard and Matthews a platform to develop their craft as a cohesive unit.
From the start, 2.0 positioned themselves as heels, leaning on entertaining promos and comedic antics to stand out. Their work in IWS quickly caught the attention of Philadelphia-based Chikara, where they debuted on February 25, 2006, as part of the promotion’s 2006 Tag World Grand Prix. The exposure to multiple independent promotions during these formative years allowed Menard to refine his skills against a wide variety of opponents.
Matt Menard Career
Early Career (2003-2005)
Matt Menard launched his professional wrestling career in 2003, working the independent circuit in and around his home province of Quebec. By June 2004, he had joined International Wrestling Syndicate as part of the tag team 2.0 alongside Shane Matthews. The duo initially worked as fan-favorite faces before turning heel in January 2005 at a co-promoted event with Northern Championship Wrestling.
The early years of 2.0 in IWS were defined by a steep learning curve and a series of championship pursuits. On March 26, 2005, the team received their first shot at the IWS Tag Team Championship but fell short in a four-way match. A rematch on July 9, 2005, in Philadelphia ended in victory by countout, which did not result in a title change. These close finishes helped establish 2.0 as a credible tag team on the rise within the promotion.
Chikara Breakthrough (2006-2015)
2.0 made their Chikara debut on February 25, 2006, taking part in the Tag World Grand Prix before enduring a long losing streak in the promotion. The team’s fortunes finally changed on April 25, 2009, when they defeated Incoherence to pick up a rare victory, later ending an extended drought of points. After adopting a biker gimmick as The Badd Boyz and then merging back into a single act, the duo was rebranded as 3.0 in March 2010, with Menard adopting the ring name Scott “Jagged” Parker.
The breakthrough for 3.0 came on March 24, 2012, in Vaughan, Ontario, when they defeated F.I.S.T. to win the Campeonatos de Parejas, Chikara’s tag team championships, in the main event of the promotion’s first-ever Canadian event. Their first reign lasted just 36 days, but the team reclaimed the titles on February 10, 2013, by defeating The Young Bucks, and successfully defended them against the Devastation Corporation and The Batiri before losing to Pieces of Hate in June 2013. Beyond tag team gold, Menard also captured the IWS World Heavyweight Championship as Big Magic on December 2, 2017, at IWS’s Season’s Beatings event.
WWE Run (2016-2021)
Menard and his partner made their WWE developmental debut on April 27, 2016, appearing on NXT under their real names of Jeff Parker and Matt Lee and losing to The Revival. After a tryout at the WWE Performance Center in September 2016 and an earlier appearance on Raw as enhancement talent in April 2018, the duo officially signed with WWE in early 2019. On the September 4, 2019, episode of NXT, they were rebranded as Chase Parker and Matt Martel, later adopting the team name Ever-Rise.
Ever-Rise became regulars on 205 Live and NXT, often working in a heel role. They picked up their first televised WWE victory on the June 12, 2020, episode of 205 Live, defeating Leon Ruff and Adrian Alanis, and competed in the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic before being eliminated in the first round. On June 25, 2021, both Menard and Parker were released from their WWE contracts, ending a five-year association with the company.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2021-Present)
2.0 made their All Elite Wrestling debut at the 2021 Homecoming event on August 4, 2021, teaming with Daniel Garcia in a losing effort against Jon Moxley, Eddie Kingston, and Darby Allin. The team earned their first AEW victory on the August 10 episode of AEW Dark, and on August 19, 2021, it was announced that they had signed full-time contracts with the promotion. Their addition to the AEW roster marked a new chapter in Menard’s career as part of one of the largest wrestling companies in the world.
On the March 9, 2022, episode of Dynamite, 2.0 turned on Eddie Kingston and aligned with Chris Jericho and Jake Hager to form the Jericho Appreciation Society, with Menard officially adopting the “Daddy Magic” ring name. After the JAS disbanded in 2023, Menard, Parker, and Garcia regrouped as a trio and twice challenged Billy Gunn and the Acclaimed for the AEW World Trios Championship, though they were unsuccessful on both occasions.
Style and Strengths
Matt Menard is known for his energetic in-ring style, sharp comedic timing, and ability to deliver engaging promos that entertain the audience. His tag team work with Angelo Parker is built on crisp double-team maneuvers and seamless communication, while his singles matches often feature a hard-hitting, brawling approach developed through years on the independent circuit. Menard’s character work, particularly as “Daddy Magic,” blends arrogance with humor, making him a versatile performer both in the ring and on the microphone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Matt Menard’s most notable career milestones are his two reigns as one-half of the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas, his IWS World Heavyweight Championship victory in 2017, and his full-time signing with All Elite Wrestling in 2021. His appearance at Chikara’s first Canadian event in Vaughan, Ontario, where he and Parker won the tag titles, stands as one of the defining moments of his independent career.
Matt Menard Career Wins
Throughout more than two decades in professional wrestling, Matt Menard has captured multiple championships across a variety of promotions, including tag team gold in Chikara and IWS, as well as a singles world title in IWS. The following section highlights his most significant championship victories and performances across the major promotions where he has competed.
Chikara Highlights
Matt Menard is a former two-time Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas champion, winning the tag titles alongside partner Shane Matthews, first on March 24, 2012, in Vaughan, Ontario, and again on February 10, 2013, by defeating The Young Bucks. Their second reign included successful title defenses against the Devastation Corporation and members of The Batiri before the team dropped the titles to Pieces of Hate in June 2013.
Other Wins and Performances
Menard has also held the IWS Tag Team Championship on two occasions as part of 2.0, first winning the titles in August 2005 and regaining them in July 2007. As a singles competitor, he won the IWS World Heavyweight Championship on December 2, 2017, at IWS’s Season’s Beatings event, in addition to capturing the IWS Canadian Championship during the promotion’s 2014-2019 run. In AEW, although Menard has yet to capture singles gold, he has been a consistent presence on Dynamite, Rampage, and Dark since signing in 2021.
Matt Menard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Matt Menard’s family background is limited. He was raised in Châteauguay, Quebec, and has credited his upbringing in the French-Canadian province with helping shape his passion for professional wrestling.
Personal Life
Matt Menard has kept most details of his personal life private. As of the most recent public records, there is no widely confirmed information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Matt Menard remains an active member of the All Elite Wrestling roster, continuing his tag team partnership with Angelo Parker, with whom he has shared the ring for the better part of two decades. The duo, alongside Daniel Garcia, has worked to re-establish itself as a credible threat in the AEW tag team and trios divisions after the dissolution of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Their experience and chemistry continue to make them a reliable presence on AEW programming.
Throughout the early months of 2025, Menard and Parker have made regular appearances on AEW Dark, Elevation, and Rampage, working against a rotating cast of opponents in an effort to climb the rankings. While a televised singles push has not yet materialized, the veteran duo’s role within the promotion has shifted toward veteran gatekeepers who help elevate rising talent. Their experience in long-format matches remains a valuable asset for AEW’s touring schedule.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025, Menard and Parker are expected to continue pursuing another opportunity at the AEW World Trios Championship. The team’s past challenges against Billy Gunn and the Acclaimed, combined with their established chemistry, position them as perennial contenders in the division. Fans can expect Daddy Magic to remain a steady, entertaining presence on AEW programming throughout the year.
