Orange Cassidy Bio
James Cipperly, known professionally as Orange Cassidy, is an American professional wrestler, trainer and producer signed to All Elite Wrestling. He performs with a deliberately relaxed persona that became a defining act within AEW and on the independent circuit.
Cassidy has worked across independent promotions and in AEW since his 2019 debut with the company, earning multiple title reigns and a reputation for an idiosyncratic, slow-paced in-ring style that contrasts with his athletic ability.
Early Life and Background
James Cipperly was born on May 4, 1984, in the Stewartsville section of Greenwich Township, Warren County, New Jersey. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 2002.
He later attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2007. His education and early years in New Jersey preceded a full-time commitment to professional wrestling.
Cipperly has kept his private life low-profile; public records and reporting focus mainly on his wrestling career, training roles and creative work inside promotions rather than personal family details.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Cipperly began wrestling in 2004, initially performing under the ring name JC Ryder and later adopting masked and unmasked personas. He trained with established instructors including Chris Hero, Mike Quackenbush, Mr. Strongko and Skayde, a background that rooted him in technical and independent-style wrestling.
Early parts of his career included tag team work and regional touring. He spent significant time with Chikara, wrestling as Fire Ant in the Colony stable and later appearing unmasked as Orange Cassidy in Chikara storylines and as a trainer at the promotion’s Wrestle Factory school.
On the independent circuit Cassidy developed the laid-back, nonchalant character that would later define his mainstream breakout. He used the Orange Cassidy name in various promotions before signing with AEW in 2019.
Orange Cassidy Career
Early Career (2004–2006)
Cipperly debuted on March 13, 2004, working for Ground Breaking Wrestling (GBW) as JC Ryder and teaming with Danny Rage. The pair captured the GBW Tag Team Championship in January 2005 and won the titles again in April 2006.
Through 2004–2006 he also competed for several regional promotions, including the Eastern Wrestling Alliance and Valley Wrestling Alliance, gaining experience in tag and singles competition that prepared him for a longer tenure in promotions such as Chikara.
Chikara and Independent Breakthrough (2005–2016)
In Chikara Cipperly wrestled under a mask as Fire Ant and later worked unmasked as Orange Cassidy. As Fire Ant he was part of the Colony, a group that won the Campeonatos de Parejas once and the King of Trios tournament twice, accomplishments that established him in the independent scene.
He also appeared in other Chikara storylines, including membership in The Gentleman’s Club faction, and served as a trainer at Chikara’s Wrestle Factory. Those years combined in-ring work with coaching and character development that shaped his later success.
All Elite Wrestling Breakthrough (2019–present)
Cassidy debuted for All Elite Wrestling on May 25, 2019, at Double or Nothing and signed with AEW in August 2019. He allied with the Best Friends stable and later represented that group’s ties to Japanese and international talent, including appearances linked to New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
In AEW he engaged in high-profile feuds and gimmick matches that raised his profile. Notable rivalries have included Pac and Chris Jericho, with the Mimosa Mayhem match against Jericho at All Out among the moments that highlighted his character-driven appeal. He also competed in multi-man ladder and casino matches for title opportunities.
Cassidy captured AEW’s All-Atlantic Championship on October 12, 2022, marking his first championship in AEW; the title was later renamed the AEW International Championship. He became the title’s first two-time holder after regaining the belt at Title Tuesday, and his first reign remains the longest in the championship’s history at 326 days. Cassidy has also worked as a producer for AEW while continuing to compete at a main-program level.
Wrestling Style and Strengths
Orange Cassidy’s in-ring persona is defined by deliberately slow movement, deadpan facial expression and understated offense, often labeled “sloth style.” The character conceals considerable athleticism; when the match accelerates Cassidy displays standard wrestling offense, quick counters and a capacity for surprising, crisp strikes and aerial maneuvers.
Notable Matches and Milestones
Signature moments include the Mimosa Mayhem win over Chris Jericho at All Out, the long AEW International Championship reign, and high-profile matches against Pac, Will Ospreay and Jon Moxley. His crossover media appearance on Netflix’s Floor is Lava in 2022 added mainstream visibility beyond wrestling audiences.
Orange Cassidy Career Wins
Cassidy’s verified championship accomplishments span independent promotions and AEW. He is a two-time AEW International Champion, held the All-Atlantic/International title across two reigns including the record-long first reign, and achieved tag and tournament successes earlier in his career.
AEW Highlights
In All Elite Wrestling Cassidy won the All-Atlantic Championship, which was later renamed the AEW International Championship. He has defended the title against a wide range of challengers and regained the belt to become its first two-time holder before dropping it in March 2024.
Independent and Chikara Achievements
On the independent circuit and in Chikara he won the Campeonatos de Parejas once and was part of teams that won Chikara’s King of Trios tournament twice. He also held the GBW Tag Team Championship on two occasions early in his career.
Orange Cassidy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records and reporting identify Cassidy’s upbringing in Stewartsville, New Jersey, and show an early focus on education and regional wrestling work. There is no widely reported professional wrestling lineage tied to his family; his development came through formal training schools and independent promotions.
Personal Life
Cipperly completed high school at Phillipsburg High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He maintains a low public profile about personal relationships; publicly available information emphasizes his training, coaching roles and media appearances rather than private family details.
2025 Season Performance
In early 2025 Cassidy defeated Roderick Strong on the February 19 episode of Dynamite to earn a shot at the AEW International Championship, but he failed to win the title the following week. In April 2025 reports indicated a possible torn pectoral that put him out of action for an undetermined period.
Cassidy returned to AEW television on the September 24 episode of Dynamite and later participated in a Blood and Guts match on November 12 as part of a winning team. He was also announced as a participant in the 2025 Continental Classic. Through the year Cassidy balanced in-ring work with backstage producing duties while returning from injury and re-establishing momentum on AEW programming.
