Shane Taylor Bio
Mark Shepherd (born December 31, 1985), better known by the ring name Shane Taylor, is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is the leader of the Shane Taylor Promotions stable. He also performs in AEW’s sister company, Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is a one-third of the reigning ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions. He is also a former ROH World Television Champion.
Early Life and Background
Shepherd grew up in a tough neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, a reformed drug dealer who often confronted drug dealers and intervened in fights outside the family home, did not want his son to follow a similar path and encouraged him to pursue higher education. The wrestler has stated that those formative lessons shaped his discipline and work ethic inside the ring.
He studied business management in college, graduating in 2009. During his university years, Shepherd also played American football, an experience that helped him develop the physical conditioning and team-oriented mindset that later defined his wrestling style. In addition, he practiced boxing for roughly two decades, building the striking background that would later influence his in-ring persona.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and competing at around 143 kilograms, Shepherd eventually channeled his athletic background into professional wrestling. He is married and has children, and he has credited his family with providing stability throughout his long career on the road.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Shepherd made his professional wrestling debut in 2007, beginning his career on the independent circuit. Over the following years, he honed his craft with promotions such as International Wrestling Cartel, Pro Wrestling eXpress, Pro Wrestling Rampage, and VIP Wrestling, working to establish himself as a dominant powerhouse.
His physical presence, combined with his boxing and football foundation, made him a natural fit for hard-hitting matches. By building a reputation across multiple independent promotions, Shepherd positioned himself for an opportunity on the national stage. That chance arrived in late 2014, when he made his first appearance with Ring of Honor, one of the most respected wrestling promotions in the United States.
Shane Taylor Career
Early Career (2007–2014)
From 2007 onward, Shepherd worked the American independent wrestling scene, learning the craft through weekly matches and longer tours. He wrestled for International Wrestling Cartel, Pro Wrestling eXpress, Pro Wrestling Rampage, and VIP Wrestling, gradually refining the powerhouse style that would later define his career. These years allowed him to develop the in-ring psychology, conditioning, and promo skills needed to compete at a higher level.
By 2014, Shepherd had built a strong reputation as a hard-hitting big man on the independents. His path to Ring of Honor began on November 15, 2014, when he debuted in a dark match at Glory By Honor XIII, losing to J. Diesel. He returned in April 2015 for another dark match against the Romantic Touch, and by that summer, he was working full-time storylines with the promotion.
Ring of Honor Breakthrough (2015–2018)
In May 2015, Taylor began teaming with Keith Lee, and the duo dubbed themselves the Pretty Boy Killers in September 2015. They faced notable teams including the Washington Bullets, the All Night Express, and War Machine, building a reputation as one of ROH’s most physical tag teams. At Field of Honor in August 2016 and All Star Extravaganza VIII the following month, the Pretty Boy Killers competed for the right to challenge for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Following Keith Lee’s departure from ROH, Taylor joined The Rebellion alongside Rhett Titus, Kenny King, and Caprice Coleman in 2017. The faction disbanded after a loss to Search and Destroy at Best in the World, but Taylor continued to climb the singles ranks. He signed his first ROH contract in January 2017, and by the end of 2018, he had earned an exclusive deal with the promotion.
Taylor’s singles push gained momentum in late 2017, when he defeated Cheeseburger to become the number one contender for the ROH World Television Championship. He competed for the title at Final Battle in December 2017, and although he did not win, he had positioned himself as a top contender in the division.
Television Champion Era (2019)
At War of the Worlds in May 2019, Taylor defeated Jeff Cobb in a Four Corner Survival match to win the ROH World Television Championship. He successfully defended the title against Bandido at Best in the World in June 2019, and against Tracy Williams at Summer Supercard in August 2019, establishing himself as a fighting champion.
At Death Before Dishonor XVII in September 2019, Taylor retained his title in a four-way match against Dragon Lee, Flip Gordon, and Tracy Williams. A storyline aired that same month in which ROH ended his contract due to criticism over his booking, adding a real-life layer to his on-screen persona. Taylor defended the title in the United Kingdom on ROH’s Honor United tour in October 2019, before finally losing the championship to Dragon Lee at Final Battle in December 2019.
Shane Taylor Promotions Era (2020–Present)
In late 2019, Taylor formed the stable Shane Taylor Promotions with Jasper Kaun, Moses Maddox, and Ron Hunt. The group continued to grow in 2020 and 2021, with Taylor defeating Jay Briscoe at Final Battle in December 2020, and STP capturing the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship in February 2021 by defeating MexiSquad. They defended the titles at Best in the World in July 2021 and later lost them to The Righteous at Final Battle in December 2021.
After ROH went on hiatus under AEW’s ownership, Taylor returned at Final Battle in December 2022, teaming with JD Griffey in a loss to Swerve in Our Glory. He won a tournament to earn a shot at the ROH World Television Championship but lost to Samoa Joe at AEW’s All Out pay-per-view in September 2023. Taylor then reformed STP with Lee Moriarty, and over the following year, expanded the faction with Anthony Ogogo and The Infantry.
Style and Strengths
Taylor wrestles in a classic powerhouse style, using his size, strength, and background in boxing and football to dominate opponents. His signature moves include the Marcus Garvey Driver, a package piledriver; the Taylor Made, a front powerslam; the Unprovoked Violence, a running lariat; and the Welcome to the Land, a fire thunder driver. His matches typically emphasize strikes, throws, and methodical pacing designed to wear down challengers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Taylor’s career is his 2019 ROH World Television Championship victory over Jeff Cobb at War of the Worlds, followed by successful defenses against Bandido and Tracy Williams. Equally significant was the formation of Shane Taylor Promotions, which became the first ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions under his leadership in 2021. His 2025 victory with The Infantry at Death Before Dishonor further cemented the faction’s place atop ROH’s tag division.
Shane Taylor Career Wins
Shane Taylor’s verified championship accomplishments include the ROH World Television Championship, which he won in 2019 and defended multiple times across the United States and the United Kingdom. He has also held the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, first as part of Shane Taylor Promotions in 2021, and again in 2025 alongside The Infantry.
Ring of Honor Highlights
At War of the Worlds in May 2019, Taylor captured the ROH World Television Championship from Jeff Cobb in a Four Corner Survival match. He defended the title against Bandido at Best in the World and against Tracy Williams at Summer Supercard before losing it to Dragon Lee at Final Battle in December 2019.
In February 2021, Taylor, Kaun, and Moses won the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship from MexiSquad. The trio held the titles for most of 2021 before losing to The Righteous at Final Battle. On August 29, 2025, at Death Before Dishonor, Taylor teamed with The Infantry to defeat Sons of Texas and reclaim the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining ROH, Taylor worked on the American independent circuit, where he built a strong reputation with promotions such as International Wrestling Cartel, Pro Wrestling eXpress, Pro Wrestling Rampage, and VIP Wrestling. While detailed independent title histories are not fully verified, his performances during this period helped him earn a national opportunity with Ring of Honor in 2014.
Shane Taylor Family
Family Background and Wrestling Lineage
Shane Taylor’s wrestling journey was shaped heavily by his Cleveland upbringing. His father, a reformed drug dealer who would confront drug dealers outside the family home, pushed his son toward education and away from street life. That push toward discipline directly influenced Taylor’s decision to study business management and ultimately pursue a career in professional wrestling.
Personal Life
Shepherd is married and has children, and he has often spoken about the importance of family in balancing the demands of life on the road. His wife and children have remained a grounding force throughout his travels with Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling. Beyond wrestling, his long background in boxing and football continues to influence how he trains and prepares for matches.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a defining year for Shane Taylor and the expanded Shane Taylor Promotions stable. On August 29, 2025, at Death Before Dishonor, Taylor teamed with members of The Infantry to defeat Sons of Texas, capturing the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. The victory marked a major return to championship gold for the faction after a transitional period following ROH’s acquisition by AEW.
Taylor has continued to lead STP as one of the most prominent factions on the ROH roster, working alongside Lee Moriarty, Anthony Ogogo, and The Infantry. The group’s growing influence has made them a central part of ROH’s tag team division and a key presence on AEW programming.
Looking ahead, Taylor appears firmly positioned as a featured singles and tag team competitor within both ROH and AEW. With the Six-Man Tag Team Championship back in hand and a deep, established faction behind him, his momentum entering the rest of 2025 suggests he will remain a central figure in both promotions’ storylines.
