Shane Taylor Bio
Shane Taylor, ring name of Mark Shepherd (born December 31, 1985), is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and a regular performer in Ring of Honor (ROH). He leads the Shane Taylor Promotions stable and is a former ROH World Television Champion and a ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion.
Early Life and Background
Mark Shepherd was born on December 31, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up in a difficult neighborhood. His father, a reformed drug dealer who intervened against criminal activity around the family home, encouraged Shepherd to pursue education instead of following a similar path.
Shepherd studied business management and graduated in 2009 while maintaining a long involvement in combat sports and team athletics. He practiced boxing for roughly two decades and played American football during his university years. He is married and has children.
Path to Wrestling
Shepherd transitioned from amateur combat and football into professional wrestling, training under J-Rocc, Raymond Rowe, and Ric Lieb. He made his in-ring debut on November 13, 2007, and spent the next several years developing his craft across the independent circuit.
On the indie scene he worked for promotions including International Wrestling Cartel, Pro Wrestling eXpress, Pro Wrestling Rampage, and VIP Wrestling, using both the Jack Frost and Shane Taylor ring names as he built a reputation as a physical, powerhouse performer.
Shane Taylor Career
Early Career (2007–2014)
Shepherd debuted in 2007 and spent his early career on regional independent cards, honing a style built on strength and heavy-hitting offense. During this period he established his in-ring persona and developed the signature moves that later defined his televised work.
He wrestled in a variety of singles and tag matches across the Midwest and East Coast, gaining experience against a wide range of opponents and drawing attention from larger regional promotions that scouted independent talent for national exposure.
Ring of Honor / All Elite Wrestling Breakthrough (2014–present)
Shepherd first appeared for Ring of Honor on November 15, 2014, and returned regularly beginning in 2015. He gained prominence in ROH as a tag partner of Keith Lee, forming the Pretty Boy Killers team and competing in multiple multi-team matches for tag contention.
In 2017 Shepherd signed his first contract with ROH and later joined several stables, including The Rebellion. Over the following years he became a regular on ROH shows and major events, moving from dark matches to televised programs and pay-per-view cards.
In May 2019 at War of the Worlds, Shane Taylor won the ROH World Television Championship in a Four Corner Survival match, marking his first major singles title in ROH. He defended the title through mid and late 2019 at events such as Best in the World and Summer Supercard before his reign ended at Final Battle in December 2019.
Shepherd formed the stable Shane Taylor Promotions in late 2019 with Jasper Kaun, Moses Maddox, and Ron Hunt, and the group later won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship in February 2021 when Taylor, Kaun, and Moses defeated MexiSquad. The stable has been a core element of his presentation on ROH and AEW programming.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2019–present)
Following ROH’s operational pauses and subsequent acquisition by Tony Khan, Shepherd expanded his presence within AEW while continuing to work ROH-branded events. He has appeared on AEW pay-per-view cards and took part in high-profile matches, including a televised ROH World Television Championship match against Samoa Joe at AEW’s All Out in 2023.
Shepherd reformed Shane Taylor Promotions in late 2023 and continued to refresh the stable’s roster, adding new members such as Lee Moriarty, Anthony Ogogo, and a group known as The Infantry. The stable’s alignment and title pursuits remained central to Shepherd’s storyline work across ROH and AEW in the 2023–2025 period.
Wrestling Style and Strengths
Shepherd wrestles in a powerhouse style, relying on strength-based offense and impactful finishers. His signature moves include the Marcus Garvey Driver (a package piledriver), Taylor Made (a front powerslam), Unprovoked Violence (a lariat), and Welcome to the Land (a fire thunder driver), which he uses to control matches and finish opponents.
Notable Matches and Milestones
Key milestones include his ROH World Television Championship victory in May 2019 and the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship held with Shane Taylor Promotions in 2021. He has competed on ROH and AEW pay-per-view stages and defended titles in the United Kingdom as part of ROH’s international tours.
Shane Taylor Career Wins
Shepherd’s most notable championship accomplishments include capturing the ROH World Television Championship and multiple runs as a ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion with members of Shane Taylor Promotions. Those title wins represent his primary championship pedigree at the national televised level.
Cup Series Highlights
Not applicable to professional wrestling; no Cup Series records are included.
Xfinity Series Achievements
Not applicable to professional wrestling; no Xfinity Series records are included.
Truck Series and Other Wins
In wrestling terms, Shepherd’s early career wins on the independent circuit built the foundation for his later televised title victories in ROH. He also earned tournament victories that led to title opportunities on major events.
Shane Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shepherd grew up in Cleveland; his family background and his father’s efforts to leave a life of crime informed his early choices and drive to pursue education and athletics. There is no professional racing lineage associated with his family.
Personal Life
Shepherd graduated with a degree in business management in 2009. He has a long background in boxing, and he played collegiate football. He is married and has children, and his family life has remained a private but acknowledged part of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025 Shepherd led Shane Taylor Promotions through a period of roster expansion and renewed title pursuit. He recruited Anthony Ogogo and The Infantry into the stable and used that lineup to target six-man gold and renewed presence on ROH cards presented by AEW.
On August 29, 2025, Shepherd teamed with The Infantry to defeat Sons of Texas to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, adding a prominent 2025 title to his résumé. That championship win capped a season where stable cohesion and focused booking produced tangible success for Shane Taylor Promotions and kept Shepherd prominent on ROH and AEW programming.
