The Blade Bio
Jesse Guilmette, known professionally as The Blade, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Born on June 3, 1980, in Buffalo, New York, he has built a career spanning more than two decades across multiple wrestling promotions. Guilmette has performed under various ring names including Braxton Sutter and Pepper Parks, establishing himself as a versatile competitor particularly known for his tag team work.
Throughout his wrestling journey, Guilmette has competed for major organizations including Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Heartland Wrestling Association. His most notable partnerships include teaming with The Butcher in AEW as The Butcher and the Blade, and his work with Cherry Bomb in independent promotions. He has captured championships including the CZW World Tag Team Championship and multiple HWA titles.
Early Life and Background
Jesse Guilmette was born in Buffalo, New York, and developed an interest in professional wrestling during his formative years. He began his training under Les Thatcher, who provided him with the fundamental skills and techniques necessary for a career in the wrestling industry. This training laid the groundwork for what would become a extensive career spanning multiple decades.
Before making his mark on larger promotions, Guilmette worked with WWE in squash matches under his legal name. During these early appearances, he faced established wrestlers including The Boogeyman, Vladimir Kozlov, and Shad Gaspard. These opportunities provided him with valuable experience performing at the highest level of professional wrestling early in his career.
Guilmette’s personal life has intersected with his professional career in significant ways. On September 21, 2013, he married Laura Dennis, a fellow professional wrestler known by ring names including Cherry Bomb, Allie, and The Bunny. The couple has worked together in various promotions and storylines throughout their careers. Guilmette has also become an advocate for mental health awareness, speaking openly about his struggles with mental health and anxiety.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Jesse Guilmette began his professional wrestling career in 2000 with the Heartland Wrestling Association under the ring name Pepper Parks. His debut came on July 27, 2000, when he teamed with Chet Jablonski as The A Squad, facing Astin Ambrose and JJ Duquesne. This early partnership would shape his future as a tag team specialist in the wrestling industry.
His time in HWA proved to be highly successful. On June 26, 2001, Parks captured the HWA Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Matt Stryker. He continued to climb the ranks and on January 1, 2006, won the tournament finals for the vacant HWA Heavyweight Championship against Jon Moxley. Although he lost the title to Moxley in May 2006, he regained it on November 11, 2006, defeating Chad Collyer in a title versus career match. His second reign lasted 28 days before he vacated the championship and departed from HWA.
Following his success in HWA, Guilmette expanded his reach to other NWA-affiliated promotions throughout 2007. He competed for NWA Empire, NWA Upstate, and NWA New York, capturing the NWA Empire Heavyweight Championship on May 19, 2007, by defeating Brodie Lee. On October 20, 2007, he also won the vacant NWA National Heavyweight Championship, further establishing his reputation as a singles competitor on the independent circuit.
The Blade Career
Early Career (2000–2015)
Guilmette’s early career was defined by his work in the independent circuit, particularly with Heartland Wrestling Association and NWA-affiliated promotions. Beyond his HWA and NWA accomplishments, he began appearing for Empire State Wrestling in January 2010. Although he lost his debut match to Freddie Midnight, he would go on to win the ESW Tag Team Championship with Kevin Grace on September 11, 2010. The team held the titles until June 4, 2011, when they were defeated by The Rochester Wrecking Crew.
In 2015, Guilmette and his wife Cherry Bomb made their debut for Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion at the ninth event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They appeared at the next four HOH events, engaging in a notable feud with Dreamer and Mickie James. This period helped establish Guilmette’s presence on the East Coast independent scene and set the stage for his opportunities with larger promotions.
Ring of Honor Breakthrough (2007, 2012–2015)
Guilmette first appeared for Ring of Honor on April 13, 2007, defeating Mitch Franklin in a dark match. His official ROH debut came several years later on June 30, 2012, when he faced Adam Cole in a losing effort. This marked the beginning of his regular appearances for the promotion over the next several years.
In February 2013, Parks returned to ROH, challenging former ROH World Tag Team Champion Charlie Haas but falling short in his attempt. He continued to compete throughout 2014 and 2015, facing notable competitors including Roderick Strong. His final appearance for Ring of Honor came on September 26, 2015, at the ROH Reloaded Tour, where he was defeated by Caprice Coleman.
Combat Zone Wrestling Highlights (2012–2016)
Guilmette’s tenure with Combat Zone Wrestling began on September 8, 2012, at the annual Down with the Sickness event, where he defeated Kekoa. Over the next four years, he became a regular performer for the promotion known for its hardcore wrestling style. In 2015, Parks and his wife Cherry Bomb aligned with BLK Jeez to form the villainous stable known as TV Ready.
The most significant achievement of his CZW career came on December 12, 2015, at the seventeenth annual Cage of Death event. TV Ready defeated Dan Barry and Sozio to capture the CZW World Tag Team Championship. The team held the titles until May 14, 2016, when they lost to Da Hit Squad at Prelude to Violence 2016. This match marked Parks’ final appearance for CZW as he transitioned to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Impact Wrestling Era (2015–2018)
Guilmette first appeared for Impact Wrestling through their One Night Only pay-per-view events in 2015 under his Pepper Parks ring name. He competed against notable opponents including Kenny King, Jay Rios, and Drew Galloway. On March 23, 2016, Impact Wrestling announced that Guilmette had signed a contract with the company, marking a significant step in his career.
He made his official Impact debut on the June 7, 2016, edition under the name Braxton Sutter, defeating Bill Callous in his first singles match. Sutter competed at Slammiversary 2016 against James Storm and engaged in a notable feud with Rockstar Spud that culminated in an Empty Arena, No Turnbuckles match on September 15, 2016, which Sutter won to end their rivalry.
In 2017, Sutter became involved in a storyline with Maria Kanellis-Bennett and Allie, which eventually saw him reject Laurel Van Ness during a wedding ceremony on the February 23 episode. He formed alliances and continued competing in the X Division throughout the year. In March 2018, Sutter turned heel and departed from Impact Wrestling on April 26, 2018, bringing an end to his three-year tenure with the promotion.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2019–Present)
Jesse Guilmette made his All Elite Wrestling debut on the November 27, 2019, episode of AEW Dynamite as The Blade. Alongside The Butcher and his real-life wife Allie, he attacked Cody Rhodes, establishing himself as a heel character. On the December 11 episode of Dynamite, The Butcher and The Blade defeated Q. T. Marshall and Cody Rhodes. It was later revealed that MJF had hired them to further his feud with Cody.
In March 2020, The Butcher and The Blade feuded with the Jurassic Express, which led to them ending their alliance with MJF. During the summer, they began working with the Lucha Brothers and eventually formed a group led by Eddie Kingston. However, the alliance dissolved on November 18, 2020, when The Butcher and The Blade sided with Kingston while the Lucha Brothers reunited with Pac.
Following AEW Revolution, The Butcher and The Blade ended their partnership with Kingston and allied themselves with Matt Hardy, joining the Hardy Family Office faction. On March 17, 2021, they made their debut match with HFO, teaming with Hardy and Private Party to defeat Bear Country and Jungle Express. In September 2021, ranked as the number one contenders, they unsuccessfully challenged the Lucha Brothers for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
Style and Strengths
The Blade has established himself as a reliable tag team competitor throughout his career. His experience across multiple wrestling styles, from traditional to hardcore, has made him a versatile performer. He has demonstrated the ability to adapt to different roles, from villainous factions to team partnerships. His wrestling career shows particular strength in tag team dynamics, with successful partnerships across various promotions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Guilmette’s career includes several significant milestones including his CZW World Tag Team Championship victory as part of TV Ready in 2015. His transition from the independent circuit to major promotions like Impact Wrestling and AEW represents his career progression. His signing with Impact Wrestling in 2016 and his debut with AEW in 2019 stand as major career moments. His various championship reigns in HWA and NWA promotions also highlight his consistent performance throughout two decades in professional wrestling.
The Blade Career Wins
Jesse Guilmette has achieved championship success across multiple promotions throughout his wrestling career. His victories include heavyweight and tag team championships, demonstrating his versatility as both a singles and tag team competitor.
Heartland Wrestling Association Highlights
During his six-year tenure with Heartland Wrestling Association, Guilmette captured multiple championships. He won the HWA Cruiserweight Championship on June 26, 2001, defeating Matt Stryker. He also held the HWA Heavyweight Championship on two separate occasions, first winning it in January 2006 and regaining it in November 2006 before vacating the title in December of that year.
Combat Zone Wrestling and NWA Wins
In Combat Zone Wrestling, Guilmette achieved his most significant tag team victory when TV Ready won the CZW World Tag Team Championship on December 12, 2015. Throughout 2007, he also secured the NWA Empire Heavyweight Championship by defeating Brodie Lee and won the vacant NWA National Heavyweight Championship in October 2007. Additionally, he captured the ESW Tag Team Championship with Kevin Grace in September 2010.
The Blade Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jesse Guilmette married Laura Dennis on September 21, 2013. Dennis is also a professional wrestler known by various ring names including Cherry Bomb on the independent circuit, Allie in Impact Wrestling, and The Bunny in All Elite Wrestling. The couple has worked together in wrestling promotions and has been part of storyline partnerships throughout their careers.
Personal Life
Beyond his wrestling career, Guilmette has become an advocate for mental health awareness. He has been open about his personal struggles with mental health and anxiety, using his platform to raise awareness about these important issues. His advocacy work adds another dimension to his public persona beyond his accomplishments in the ring.
2025 Season Performance
The Blade continues his tenure with All Elite Wrestling as part of the roster. His role within the promotion has evolved since his 2019 debut, with various alliances and storyline developments. Throughout his time in AEW, he has participated in tag team competition and been involved in faction storylines including the Hardy Family Office.
His professional wrestling career spanning more than two decades demonstrates his longevity in the industry. From his beginnings in Heartland Wrestling Association to his current position in AEW, Guilmette has maintained a consistent presence across multiple promotions. His experience and versatility make him a valuable member of the AEW roster as he continues his wrestling journey into 2025 and beyond.
