Brief Introduction of Wes Lee
Deveon Everhart Aikens, professionally known as Wes Lee, is an accomplished American professional wrestler celebrated for his high-flying, agile in-ring style. He first gained significant recognition on the independent circuit and in Impact Wrestling under the name Dezmond Xavier. As a founding member of the popular stable, The Rascalz, he captured the attention of fans and promotions alike. His career soared to new heights upon signing with WWE, where he competed on the NXT brand. In WWE, he became a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion as part of the duo MSK and held the NXT North American Championship, boasting the longest reign in the title’s history at 269 days. Lee is known for his breathtaking athleticism and innovative offense, which have made him a standout performer and a fan favorite throughout his career.
Wes Lee Overview
| Full Name | Deveon Everhart Aikens |
| Date of Birth | November 2, 1988 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 36 |
| Birthplace | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler |
| Husband/Wife | Erica Marie (m. 2020) |
| Family | Information not publicly available |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million |
Early Life and Education of Wes Lee
Born Deveon Everhart Aikens in Dayton, Ohio, Wes Lee’s early life was marked by a passion for athletics, despite facing physical limitations. As a child, he was diagnosed with a heart murmur, which prevented him from participating in many traditional sports like football and basketball. Undeterred, the young Aikens channeled his energy into self-taught acrobatics and tumbling. He and his neighborhood friends would use old mattresses to practice flips and other dynamic movements, which laid the foundation for his future high-flying wrestling style. This early, unconventional training honed his athletic abilities and fostered a love for performance. His interest in professional wrestling grew, and inspired by the acrobatic maneuvers he saw on television, he began to emulate them, famously ignoring the “Do Not Try This At Home” warnings. Before embarking on his wrestling career, Lee also served in the United States Air Force, a period of his life that instilled discipline and resilience. Details regarding his formal education beyond this are not widely publicized.
Wes Lee’s Career
Independent Circuit and Early Success (2011-2020)
Deveon Aikens began his professional wrestling journey in 2011, adopting the ring name Dezmond Xavier. He quickly made a name for himself on the independent circuit with his remarkable agility and captivating performances. In 2015, he formed a formidable tag team called Scarlet and Graves with Zachary Wentz, achieving significant success by winning the Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) World Tag Team Championships twice. His singles career also flourished, as he captured the WC Sideshow Championship at WrestleCircus and the DTU Alto Impacto Championship in the Mexican promotion Desastre Total Ultraviolento. In 2017, he and Wentz secured the All American Wrestling (AAW) Tag Team Championship. Their success continued in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), where they won the PWG World Tag Team Championships in April 2018 and held them for a record-setting 1025 days.
Impact Wrestling and The Rascalz (2017-2020)
In 2017, Xavier signed with Impact Wrestling (then known as Global Force Wrestling). He made an immediate impact by winning the GFW Super X Cup tournament that same year. In 2018, Xavier, along with Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel, and Myron Reed, formed the popular stable known as The Rascalz. The group was known for their exciting, fast-paced matches and charismatic “clubhouse” vignettes. During his time in Impact, Xavier’s ring name was often shortened to “Dez.” The Rascalz became a fan-favorite act and a staple of the X-Division and tag team scenes, consistently delivering high-octane performances until their departure from the company in late 2020.
WWE (2020–2025)
In December 2020, Aikens and his long-time tag team partner Zachary Wentz signed with WWE and were assigned to the NXT brand. Aikens was renamed Wes Lee, and Wentz became Nash Carter, with their team being called MSK. They debuted in the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, which they went on to win. This victory catapulted them into the title picture, and at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, MSK won the vacant NXT Tag Team Championship. They would capture the titles for a second time in 2022.
Following the dissolution of MSK, Wes Lee transitioned into a singles competitor. After a period of finding his footing, he won the vacant NXT North American Championship in a thrilling five-man ladder match at NXT Halloween Havoc in October 2022. This marked his first singles title in WWE. Lee’s reign as champion was historic; he held the title for a record 269 days, defending it against a diverse array of challengers in highly acclaimed matches. His reign ended in July 2023 at the hands of “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio following interference from The Judgment Day. After returning from a significant back injury in 2024, Lee briefly reunited with The Rascalz in NXT before shockingly turning on his stablemates. He later formed a new faction, The High Ryze, acting as a leader and “gatekeeper of NXT” before his release from the company on October 10, 2025.
Wes Lee Personal Life & Family
Wes Lee, whose real name is Deveon Everhart Aikens, is married to Erica Marie. The couple tied the knot in 2020 after being in a long-term relationship. Erica Marie has a background in performance herself, having been a former NBA dancer and cheerleader. She has since transitioned into modeling, acting, and singing, and also works as a dance and pole fitness instructor. She is actively involved with Bella Entertainment as an talent supervisor and is the chief of production at Thesis Dance. Lee has often credited his wife for being a positive influence in his life, stating she helped him evolve as a person and saved him from a dark path. The couple does not have any children as of current reports. Outside of his wrestling persona, Lee is known for his dedication and athleticism, which is partly attributed to his time in the U.S. Air Force prior to his wrestling career. Information about his parents or other family members is not publicly disclosed.
Awards and Achievements of Wes Lee
- WWE
- NXT North American Championship (1 time) – Longest reign at 269 days.
- NXT Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Nash Carter.
- Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2021) – with Nash Carter.
- Impact Wrestling
- GFW Super X Cup (2017).
- Turkey Bowl (2018) – with Alisha Edwards, Fallah Bahh, KM, and Kikutaro.
- Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG)
- PWG World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Zachary Wentz.
- Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)
- CZW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Zachary Wentz.
- All American Wrestling (AAW)
- AAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Zachary Wentz.
- The Wrestling Revolver
- PWR Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Zachary Wentz.
- One Night Tag Team Tournament (2018) – with Zachary Wentz.
- Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU)
- DTU Alto Impacto Championship (1 time).
- WrestleCircus
- WC Sideshow Championship (1 time).
- Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling (XICW)
- XICW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Aaron Williams, Dave Crist, Kyle Maverick, Trey Miguel, and Zachary Wentz.
Wes Lee Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Wes Lee’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. His primary source of income has been his career as a professional wrestler. During his nearly five-year tenure with WWE, performing on the NXT brand, he would have earned a substantial salary, which was reported to have been renewed in April 2024. His income in WWE was supplemented by merchandise sales and appearances in WWE-branded video games, including being a featured character in WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, and WWE 2K24. Prior to joining WWE, Lee earned income from his time in Impact Wrestling and various independent promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), where he was a top-tier performer and champion. Following his WWE release, his future income will depend on his contracts with new promotions on the independent circuit or with other major companies like TNA or AEW.
Legacy and Influence
Wes Lee has built a legacy as one of the most dynamic and innovative high-flying wrestlers of his generation. His in-ring style, characterized by breathtaking agility and high-risk maneuvers, has not only entertained fans but also inspired a new wave of wrestlers. His lengthy and record-setting reign as the NXT North American Champion is a significant part of his legacy, establishing him as a credible and fighting champion who consistently delivered memorable matches. Beyond his individual accolades, Lee was a cornerstone of two influential stables: The Rascalz and MSK. With The Rascalz, he helped redefine tag team wrestling in Impact Wrestling and the independent scene with their undeniable chemistry and creative offense. In NXT, as part of MSK, he quickly reached the pinnacle of the tag division, winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and the NXT Tag Team Championships twice. Even in his later NXT run as the leader of The High Ryze, he took on a mentorship role, helping to elevate new talent. Lee’s ability to connect with the audience and his consistency as a top-level performer have solidified his reputation as a reliable and respected figure in modern professional wrestling.
Interesting Facts about Wes Lee
- Before becoming a professional wrestler, Wes Lee served in the United States Air Force.
- As a child, he had a heart murmur, which prevented him from playing many sports.
- He and his tag team partner Zachary Wentz (Nash Carter) held the PWG World Tag Team Championships for 1,025 days, one of the longest reigns in the promotion’s history.
- He is featured as a playable character in the video games WWE 2K22 (as DLC), WWE 2K23, and WWE 2K24.
- His 269-day reign as NXT North American Champion is the longest in the title’s history.
- He won the GFW Super X Cup tournament in Impact Wrestling in 2017.
- He learned many of his early acrobatic skills by practicing on old mattresses in his neighborhood with friends.
Controversies
Wes Lee’s career has been largely free of major public controversies. On-screen, his character has been involved in several notable storylines, including the abrupt end of his tag team MSK and a heel turn in 2024 where he betrayed his long-time friends and Rascalz stablemates, Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel, after a failed attempt to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. This storyline turn was a significant character shift but is confined to the narrative of professional wrestling. His departure from WWE in October 2025 was part of a larger round of talent releases by the company and was not attributed to any specific disciplinary issue or controversy on his part.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram (@weslee_wwe) – Over 150,000 followers.
- Twitter (X) – Information not disclosed.
- YouTube – Not publicly available.
Final Words about Wes Lee
Wes Lee stands as a testament to perseverance and electrifying talent in the world of professional wrestling. From overcoming a childhood heart condition to serving his country and then conquering multiple wrestling promotions, his journey is one of dedication. His career is highlighted by record-breaking championship reigns, particularly his historic run as the NXT North American Champion, and his influential role in popular tag teams like MSK and The Rascalz. Though his time with WWE concluded in late 2025, his impact on the NXT brand is undeniable. Known for his incredible athleticism and connection with the audience, Lee’s in-ring prowess and consistent performances have solidified his place as a beloved and respected figure. With a 30-day non-compete clause following his WWE departure, the wrestling world eagerly anticipates his next move, with many speculating a return to TNA/Impact Wrestling, a debut in AEW, or ventures in Japan, where his high-flying style would be a natural fit. Wes Lee’s legacy is that of a groundbreaking performer who consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in a wrestling ring, and his future in the industry remains incredibly bright.
