Mike Bailey Bio
Émile Charles Baillargeon-Laberge, better known by the ring name “Speedball” Mike Bailey, is a Canadian professional wrestler born on July 16, 1990, in Laval, Quebec. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and competing at a billed weight of around 174 pounds, Bailey has built a reputation as one of the most exciting high-flyers in the modern independent and international wrestling scenes. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he competes as one-half of the tag team JetSpeed alongside Kevin Knight.
Across nearly two decades in the ring, Bailey has performed for promotions across Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe, capturing championships and tournament victories on multiple continents. He is a former three-time TNA X Division Champion, a two-time IWS World Heavyweight Champion, and a winner of several prestigious tournaments, including the 2023 Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) Battle of Los Angeles and the 2021 British J-Cup. He also performed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and DDT Pro-Wrestling, cementing his status as a globally recognized competitor.
Early Life and Background
Émile Charles Baillargeon-Laberge was born and raised in Laval, Quebec, a city just outside Montreal. Growing up in a French-speaking Canadian household, he developed an interest in professional wrestling at a young age, drawn to the athletic and theatrical blend that the sport demands. Laval’s proximity to Montreal’s vibrant wrestling community gave him early exposure to live events and local training resources that would later shape his career path.
Bailey began training in professional wrestling as a teenager, balancing his education with the demanding physical preparation required to enter the squared circle. He trained at local gyms and wrestling schools in Quebec, where he learned the fundamentals of mat-based wrestling, high-flying maneuvers, and ring psychology. His commitment to the craft led him to debut professionally while still a teenager, signaling his seriousness about pursuing wrestling as a full-time career.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Baillargeon-Laberge made his professional wrestling debut on January 6, 2006, at a Fédération de Lutte Québecoise house show, originally working under the name Mike Sydal. His early years were spent largely on the Canadian independent circuit, where he faced seasoned veterans and learned to adapt his in-ring style to a variety of opponents. He began incorporating the nickname “Speedball” during this period, a moniker that reflected his fast-paced, athletic approach to matches.
He debuted for the Montreal-based promotion International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) on October 1, 2009, and soon established himself as a rising talent in Eastern Canada. In 2010, he expanded his reach by working for Capital City Championship Combat (C4) in Ottawa, where he would eventually capture the C4 Championship. His performances in Canada caught the attention of international promotions, setting the stage for opportunities in the United States, Japan, and Europe. In March 2016, Bailey was banned from entering the United States for five years due to visa complications, a setback that forced him to focus his career on promotions in Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom during that span.
Mike Bailey Career
Early Career (2006–2014)
From 2006 to 2014, Bailey honed his craft on the independent circuit, working for promotions such as IWS, C4, and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). In C4, he teamed with Kevin Steen to win the C4 Tag Team Championship in 2011 and later captured the C4 Championship in 2013. In IWS, he won the IWS World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in 2014 by defeating The Green Phantom at Scarred 4 Life. These early accomplishments established him as a reliable main-event draw in Canadian wrestling.
During this period, Bailey also made appearances in CZW, where he competed for titles and earned a place in the 2015 Best of the Best tournament. His willingness to face top-flight competition and his consistent performances made him a sought-after opponent across multiple promotions. He also made his Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) debut in February 2015, quickly adapting to the promotion’s fast-paced style and reaching the finals of the Battle of Los Angeles tournament that same year.
DDT Pro-Wrestling Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Bailey debuted for DDT Pro-Wrestling on August 1, 2016, and quickly became a central figure in the promotion’s junior division. In October 2016, he won the DNA Grand Prix, defeating Kazusada Higuchi in the finals and earning a one-way plane ticket to New York, which he famously refused and gave to Higuchi instead. That December, he captured the KO-D Tag Team Championship for the first time by teaming with Konosuke Takeshita. He won the KO-D Tag Team Championship for a second time in July 2018, partnering with Mao as part of the Moonlight Express.
Bailey’s work in DDT showcased his ability to blend athletic high-flying with strong storytelling, earning him acclaim from Japanese wrestling fans. He also won the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship during a D-Oh Grand Prix 2019 tournament show in late 2018. His success in DDT opened doors to other Japanese promotions and further international opportunities, reinforcing his standing as a global wrestling talent.
Independent Circuit Expansion (2015–2020)
Beyond DDT, Bailey competed extensively for promotions such as Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), and Progress Wrestling. In wXw, he participated in the 16 Carat Gold tournament in 2016, 2017, and 2018, consistently delivering strong performances. In RevPro, he won the 2021 British J-Cup, defeating Kid Lykos in the first round and Luke Jacobs in the final. He also won the SWE Tag Team Championship with Mao as the Moonlight Express in 2019.
Despite the five-year U.S. entry ban that began in 2016, Bailey remained active internationally, traveling between Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Europe. He won the CZW Best of the Best tournament in 2015 and returned to PWG after his ban lifted, reaching the finals of the 2022 Battle of Los Angeles. He also captured the C4 Championship for a second time in 2021 and won the C4 Underground Championship that same year.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2021–2024)
Bailey signed with Impact Wrestling (later known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, or TNA) on October 31, 2021, after a match against Josh Alexander at Destiny Wrestling’s Raising Hell. He made his televised debut at the Hard To Kill pre-show in January 2022, winning a four-way match. In June 2022, he captured the Impact X Division Championship for the first time at Slammiversary, winning a six-man Ultimate X match.
He went on to become a three-time TNA X Division Champion, with his second reign beginning in 2023 and his third at Victory Road in September 2023. His TNA run featured memorable defenses against competitors such as Trey Miguel, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Zachary Wentz. His final TNA title reign ended in November 2024 when he lost to Moose, and his profile was subsequently removed from the promotion’s website, signaling the end of his TNA tenure.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023)
On April 27, 2023, Bailey was announced as a participant in New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Best of the Super Juniors 30 tournament, competing in the A Block. He scored 14 points, topping the block and advancing to the semi-finals, where he was defeated by Master Wato. In August 2023, he won the One-Night All Star Jr. USA tournament in Philadelphia, defeating Francesco Akira in the semi-final and Kevin Knight in the final.
Bailey also challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and the NJPW World Television Championship in 2023, falling short in both attempts. His performances in NJPW further established him as a credible threat in junior heavyweight wrestling on the global stage.
All Elite Wrestling (2025–Present)
On February 22, 2025, a video aired on AEW Collision teasing Bailey’s debut in All Elite Wrestling. He made his official debut on the March 12, 2025 episode of Dynamite, defeating The Beast Mortos in the semi-final of the AEW International Championship eliminator tournament. The following week, he and Ricochet both pinned Mark Davis to earn a three-way title match against Kenny Omega at Dynasty, where Omega retained.
After Double or Nothing 2025, Bailey formed the tag team JetSpeed with Kevin Knight. The duo challenged for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All In and All Out but were unsuccessful on both occasions. On November 24, 2025, Bailey was announced as a participant in the 2025 Continental Classic, placed in the Gold League.
Style and Strengths
Mike Bailey is widely regarded as one of the most athletic and high-flying wrestlers in the industry, known for his rapid pace, innovative offense, and exceptional conditioning. His style incorporates a blend of martial arts strikes, springboard maneuvers, and lightning-fast combinations that overwhelm opponents. He is equally effective in tag team competition, where his timing and chemistry with partners like Kevin Knight have made JetSpeed a credible threat in AEW’s tag division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bailey’s most notable achievements are his three TNA X Division Championship reigns, his 2015 CZW Best of the Best victory, his 2016 DDT DNA Grand Prix win, his 2021 British J-Cup triumph, and his 2023 PWG Battle of Los Angeles victory. His debut in AEW in March 2025 and subsequent formation of JetSpeed marked a new chapter in his career, bringing his global profile to an even wider audience.
Mike Bailey Career Wins
Mike Bailey has accumulated championships and tournament victories across a wide range of promotions throughout his nearly two-decade career. From his early days in the Canadian independent scene to his current run in All Elite Wrestling, he has consistently delivered memorable performances and earned accolades in multiple countries.
TNA / Impact Wrestling Highlights
Bailey is a three-time TNA X Division Champion, with reigns that began at Slammiversary 2022, continued through 2023, and culminated in a third title win at Victory Road in September 2023. His X Division work featured high-profile defenses against a variety of competitors and helped elevate the division’s profile during his tenure.
Independent and International Highlights
In the independent circuit, Bailey captured the IWS World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, the C4 Championship on two occasions, and the CZW Best of the Best tournament in 2015. In Japan, he won the DDT DNA Grand Prix in 2016 and the KO-D Tag Team Championship twice. In the United Kingdom, he won the 2021 British J-Cup, and in the United States, he won the 2023 PWG Battle of Los Angeles.
Other Wins & Performances
Bailey also captured the SWE Tag Team Championship with Mao as the Moonlight Express and the Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship in DDT Pro-Wrestling. He has been a finalist in multiple tournaments, including the 2015 and 2022 PWG Battle of Los Angeles, demonstrating his consistency at the highest levels of competition.
Mike Bailey Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mike Bailey was born Émile Charles Baillargeon-Laberge in Laval, Quebec, Canada. Limited public information is available about his parents or early family life, as he has largely kept his pre-wrestling personal background private.
Personal Life
Bailey is non-binary and uses both he/him and they/them pronouns. He became engaged to American professional wrestler Veda Scott in November 2020, and the two were married in May 2022. He was also the subject of the documentary film Keep It Kayfabe, which had its world premiere at San Diego Comic-Con.
2025 Season Performance
Mike Bailey’s 2025 has been defined by his transition to All Elite Wrestling, where he debuted in March and quickly established himself as a top contender. His debut win over The Beast Mortos and subsequent challenge for the AEW International Championship at Dynasty signaled AEW’s confidence in his star power. The formation of JetSpeed with Kevin Knight added a new dimension to his in-ring work and gave him a consistent platform within the promotion’s tag team division.
Although JetSpeed fell short in their bids for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at All In and All Out, the team remained a focal point of AEW programming through the fall. Bailey’s announcement as a participant in the 2025 Continental Classic in November positioned him for another high-profile singles run, with the Gold League offering a path to a major title opportunity.
Looking ahead, the Continental Classic represents an opportunity for Bailey to capture singles gold in AEW and further cement his legacy on one of wrestling’s largest stages. With his combination of experience, athleticism, and international credibility, he remains a strong contender in any tournament or title picture he enters.
