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Dante Chen
Dante Chen in an NXT live event in 2024
Birth nameSean Tan Li Hao
Born (1996-01-20) January 20, 1996 (age 28)
Singapore
Alma materITE College West[1]
Republic Polytechnic[1]
Ring name(s)Dante Chen[2]
Kaiser Trexxus
Trexxus[1]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Billed weight197 lb (89 kg)[1]
Billed fromSingapore
Trained byVadim Koryagin[1]
Andruew Tang[1]
WWE Performance Center[1][2]
DebutFebruary 2013

Sean Tan Li Hao (born January 20, 1996) is a Singaporean professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand, under the ring name Dante Chen. He is best known for being the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian wrestler to sign with the WWE.[3][4]

Early life

Sean Tan Li Hao was born in Singapore on January 20, 1996.[5] As a child, he was introduced to professional wrestling through the WWE video games, by his elder brother. After becoming a fan of the games he began to watch WWE, and eventually fall in love with professional wrestling.[6] Tan wanted to become the first Singaporean professional wrestler but was shocked to find out that Andruew Tang had already claimed this title. After running into Tang at a gym, he learned of Singapore Pro Wrestling and eventually joined as a trainee in 2013.[7] At first, Tan's parents were not supportive of his wrestling desire as they believed it was violent, however after learning of Tan's success they eventually became supportive.[8] From 2015 to 2017, Tan served in the Singapore Armed Forces for two years as part of his national service commitments.[8][9] He studied business at ITE College West, and subsequently studied for a diploma in health management and promotion at Republic Polytechnic in 2020.

Professional wrestling career

Singapore Pro Wrestling (2013–2021)

Early career and Onslaught (2013–2016)

Tan joined Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW) in January 2013, as a trainee after running into SPW founder Andruew Tang at a gym.[7] He trained under SPW founders Tang and Vadim Koryagin. Tan debuted under the ring name Trexxus on 31 January at SPW New Year Rumble, facing Sebastian Turini. His debut was after just 4 weeks of training, earning him the national record for the fastest debut. Trexxus held that record for over 9 years until it was beaten by Varun Khanna in 2022.[10] In 2014 he teamed with Tang, forming a tag team known as Onslaught. The duo won the inaugural SPW Tag Team Championship, defeating MK & Affi at SPW: Breakthrough.[11] Onslaught defended their title against Bit Man and Ho Ho Lun at SPW Prove 3. On 10 May 2015, Onslaught was forced to relinquish their tag team championships due to Trexxus's national service commitments.[9] The duo were joined by Destroyer Dharma, who become an ally of Trexxus.[12]

SPW Southeast Asian Champion (2017–2018)

In 2017, tensions rose with his tag team partner, Tang. The two faced each other in January, and Tang lost his SPW Southeast Asian Championship to Trexxus at SPW Unchained In Changi, becoming the youngest ever SPW SEA Champion, at just 21 years old.[13] In March, Trexxus defeated Jason Lee at SPW: Painfully Famous, retaining his championship. In October, Trexxus defeated Masahiro Takanashi to retain his championship. In December, Trexxus defeated EK Baki, retaining his championship once again.[14] In February 2018, Trexxus faced Lokomotiv, however the match ended in DQ after Trexxus used his title belt to strike Lokomotiv. GM Carl Hella restarted the match, but this time it was a chairs match, which resulted in Lokomotiv defeating Trexxus, to win his SEA championship.[15]

Championship pursuits and final feuds (2018–2021)

In 2018, Trexxus teamed with Tang and Aiden Rex to defeat the trio of Pete Dunne, Wolfgang and Mark Davis in a 3 on 3 match.[16] In his final years in SPW, he chased the SPW SEA Championship many times, participating in rivalries with Aiden Rex and The Statement.[17] Trexxus attempted to win the SEA belt for the second time at SPW Atonement in a four way against Jake de Leon, Lokomotiv and Tang, however, Tang won the bout. In 2019, he took part in a 6-man tag team match alongside Tang, and Da Butcherman where they faced Cima, Shaolin Monk and world-renowned wrestler, Kenny Omega.[18][19] Later that year Trexxus and Da Butcherman lost to Tang, in a three-way for the SEA title at SPW Suplex City.[20] In February 2020, Trexxus faced Aiden Rex in his final live SPW match.[21] At SPW Prove: Alive & Kicking #1, Dharma turned on Onslaught, teaming with Aiden Rex to defeat Tang and Trexxus.[22] In May 2021, at SPW Prove: Alive & Kicking #5, Trexxus wrestled his final match in SPW in a SPW Southeast Asian Title vs Career Match against The Statement, where he was ultimately defeated after a long and grueling match, officially exiting the promotion after nearly 9 years.[23][24]

WWE (2021–present)

NXT (2021–present)

In 2019, Tan was invited for WWE tryouts in Shanghai, alongside Andruew Tang, and Alexis Lee. During the tryout, Tan appeared on WWE social media stating he wanted to one day be a WWE Hall of Famer.[25] He was recruited immediately after the tryouts, but only went to Orlando, Florida, in April 2021 after he had completed his studies and a delay due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Tan debuted on September 22, 2021 on the NXT brand under the ring name Dante Chen, winning his first match against Trey Baxter on the newly renamed show, NXT 2.0 . Dante Chen debuted on the 205 Live brand on 1 October 2021, winning his first match on the show and second in WWE against Malik Blade. Chen was absent from WWE television for 4 months due to a leg injury and his father's passing.[26] After returning in 2022, Chen was attacked by Duke Hudson, thus starting a feud with him.[27] He feuded with Hudson during the first months of 2022,[28] ultimately losing in their singles match.[29] Chen made his debut on NXT Level Up against Javier Bernal in March 2022.[30] Chen continued on NXT Level Up, participating in a feud with Bodhi Hayward, where he won the first match in March, and lose the second in April.[31][32] Over the course of April and May, Chen lost six matches in a row, to various wrestlers including, Xyon Quinn and Sanga.[33] In an effort to win, Chen formed a tag team with Javier Bernal in May, however the duo lost all three of their tag matches, extending his losing streak to nine in a row.[34][35] On the July 8 edition of NXT Level Up, he defeated Myles Borne, ending his losing streak.[36] However, Chen lost to the debuting Axiom the following week.[37] Despite this, on the August 5 edition of NXT Level Up, Chen teamed with Guru Raaj against Bryson Montana and Damaris Griffin, where he picked up his first tag team victory in NXT.[38] In October at an NXT Live Event, Chen dressed up as Rhea Ripley, going viral on social media as he competed in the Halloween Battle Royal Royal.[39][40] On the November 29 edition of NXT, Chen was defeated by Dijak.[41] On the following week's episode of NXT, he was defeated Dabba-Kato in the latter's return match.[42]

On 13 March, Chen made his debut on Main Event, where Cedric Alexander defeated him.[43] Throughout 2023, Chen served as the "gatekeeper" of NXT Level Up, facing the majority of debuting talent on the show, facing the likes of Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp, Charlie Dempsey, Scrypts and many others while also teaming with Boa several times.[44][45] On October 24 at NXT: Halloween Havoc Night 1, Chen was defeated by Lexis King in King's first televised WWE match.[46] Ever since then, Chen has appeared in vignettes alongside Boa, and on the November 7 episode of NXT, he began to sport the same face paint as the latter, confirming their alliance in the process.[47] However, the alliance never made it to television, as eventually Boa was released in May, 2024.[48] Chen returned to Main Event, defeating Tavion Heights and losing to Akira Tozawa.[49][50] On 16 February, Chen made his main roster debut losing to Bron Breakker on SmackDown, thus making him the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian overall to wrestle on the WWE main roster and on SmackDown.[51][52][53] Chen returned to NXT on the May 21 episode alongside his seemingly new manager, Robert Stone.[54] Chen would score an upset victory over Lexis King, thus restarting their feud from late 2023.[55] On the following week, Chen would defeat King once again, this time in less than two minutes. Following the match, King unleashed an attack on Chen.[56] On the June 4 episode of NXT, Chen blindsided King, leading to the announcement of WWE's first Singapore Cane match in over a decade to take place between them on the following week's episode.[57][58] King would ultimately defeat Chen in the Singapore Cane match, ending the feud.[59] On the July 16 episode of NXT, Chen fought his first championship match against NXT Champion Ethan Page but failed to win the title.[60]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2024–present)

On the August 8, 2024 episode of TNA Impact!, Tan made his Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) debut as Dante Chen as part of WWE's partnership with TNA. He participated in the Ultimate X qualifying match which was won by The Rascalz's Zachary Wentz which also involved KC Navarro.[61]

Personal life

Tan's favorite wrestler is Shawn Michaels, and people used to refer to him as "Sean Michaels" after he would introduce himself.[6] Tan says he does not have a specific dream match, instead his dream match is any match for a championship and his current goal is to become NXT Champion.[62] However, Tan has said that he enjoys the work of The Miz[63] and wishes to have a match with him.[64][65]

Tan lived in Singapore for 25 years until 2021, when he relocated to Orlando, Florida after being signed by WWE.[66]

Tan's father, Patrick Tan died on 8 November 2021, resulting in him taking an absence from WWE television.[26][67]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ho, Serene (2 August 2021). "Once an introvert, he is now Singapore's first WWE wrestler". The New Paper. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kwek, Kimberly. "Combat sports: Singapore's first WWE wrestler Sean Tan wins on debut". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2021-09-22. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Sean Tan, 25, becomes first Singaporean wrestler to join WWE". CNA. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  4. ^ Auto, Hermes (2021-08-02). "Wrestling: Sean Tan is first Singaporean wrestler to join WWE | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  5. ^ "Dante Chen WWE | News, Rumors, Pictures & Biography | Sportskeeda WWE". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  6. ^ a b SPW Trexxus Interview | WWE Payback Review | AEW All Out Predictions, retrieved 2022-08-09
  7. ^ a b AEW Double or Nothing Review | Fallout from SPW Trexxus vs Statement: Career vs Title, retrieved 2022-08-09
  8. ^ a b The Story Of Dante Chen: Singapore's First Ever WWE NXT Signing, retrieved 2022-08-09
  9. ^ a b Trexxus, retrieved 2022-12-03
  10. ^ Varun Khanna v Meta, retrieved 2022-08-14
  11. ^ a b "Metropolitant's Fitspiration – Andruew Tang". Metropolitant. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  12. ^ Destroyer Dharma Pro-Wrestling Debut, retrieved 2022-04-28
  13. ^ Unchained in Changi Main Event for Southeast Asian Championship: Statement (c) v Trexxus, retrieved 2022-04-28
  14. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Events Database » SPW Wrestle The Odds III".
  15. ^ SPW Repentless: Lokomotiv v Trexxus (c), retrieved 2022-04-28
  16. ^ The Main Event Of SPW Triple Thrill: SPW VS The World, retrieved 2022-10-31
  17. ^ "Dante Chen - Matches - CAGEMATCH".
  18. ^ FULL MATCH Kenny Omega CIMA Shaolin Monk VS The Statement Trexxus Butcherman | SPW Klash Of Kings, retrieved 2022-04-26
  19. ^ "SPW Klash of Kings Review". The Worked Shoot. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  20. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Events Database » SPW Suplex City".
  21. ^ FULL MATCH Trexxus VS Aiden Rex | SPW No Guts No Glory, retrieved 2022-10-29
  22. ^ Onslaught vs Aiden rex & Mystery Partner | Tag Team Match | SPW Prove Alive and Kicking, retrieved 2022-12-03
  23. ^ "SPW Prove: Alive and Kicking #5 - Match Card - CAGEMATCH".
  24. ^ Trexxus vs The Statement | SEA Heavyweight Championship Match| SPW Prove Alive and Kicking, retrieved 2022-04-28
  25. ^ "As day three of the #WWEChina Tryout wraps up, @kona_reeveswwe talks about what he looks forward to on the final day in Shanghai! #NXT". WWE NXT - Instagram. July 17, 2019.
  26. ^ a b Dante Chen has pushed himself to return to NXT 2.0 after injury: WWE NXT, Jan. 18, 2022, retrieved 2022-08-09
  27. ^ Guru Raaj vs. Duke Hudson: WWE NXT, Jan. 25, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  28. ^ Dante Chen plans on calling out Duke Hudson: WWE Digital Exclusive, Feb. 1, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  29. ^ Dante Chen vs. Duke Hudson: WWE NXT, Feb. 22, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  30. ^ Dante Chen vs. Javier Bernal: NXT Level Up, March 4, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  31. ^ Dante Chen vs. Bodhi Hayward: NXT Level Up, March 18, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  32. ^ Dante Chen vs. Bodhi Hayward: NXT Level Up, April 22, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  33. ^ "Dante Chen: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  34. ^ Dante Chen & Javier Bernal vs. Channing Lorenzo & Troy Donovan: NXT Level Up, May 6, 2022, retrieved 2022-06-05
  35. ^ Edris Enofé & Malik Blade vs. Dante Chen & Javier Bernal: NXT Level Up, June 3, 2022, retrieved 2022-06-05
  36. ^ O'Connor, John (July 9, 2022). "7/8 NXT Level Up results: O'Connor's review of Malik Blade and Edris Enofe vs. Bryson Montana and Damaris Griffin, Arianna Grace vs. Yulisa Leon, and Myles Borne vs. Dante Chen". Prowrestling. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  37. ^ Tessier, Colin (July 19, 2022). "Axiom Debuts On 7/19 WWE NXT 2.0, Beats Dante Chen". Wrestlezone. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  38. ^ "NXT Level Up results: Aug. 5, 2022". WWE. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  39. ^ Taylor, Sanchez (2022-10-30). "Watch NXT's Dante Chen Imitate Rhea Ripley's WWE Entrance (VIDEO)". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  40. ^ Datta, Soumik. "[Watch] Male WWE Superstar cosplays as Rhea Ripley during recent live event; Ripley reacts". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  41. ^ Dijak returns to the ring with hard justice for Dante Chen: WWE NXT, Nov. 29, 2022, retrieved 2022-12-03
  42. ^ Savage, Amanda (2023-02-08). "PHOTO: Gruesome Aftermath Of Hard Hitting WWE NXT Match". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  43. ^ Mango, Anthony (2023-03-14). "WWE Main Event Results SPOILERS from March 13, 2023". eWrestlingNews.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  44. ^ Winnard, Liam (2023-03-14). "NXT Star Makes WWE Main Roster Debut". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  45. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » Dante Chen » Matches » 2023".
  46. ^ "Lexis King Gets the Win in WWE NXT Debut at Halloween Havoc". WWE. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  47. ^ Kilbane, Lyle (2023-11-08). "New WWE Tag Team Confirmed". TJRWrestling.net. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  48. ^ Tessier, Collin (2023-05-03). "NValentina Feroz, Boa, And More NXT Talent Released By WWE". WrestleZone. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  49. ^ "411MANIA". Leighty’s WWE Main Event Review 1.18.24. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  50. ^ Cox, James (2024-02-18). "WWE Main Event results: Dante Chen vs. Akira Tozawa". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  51. ^ Lo, Jay (2024-02-24). "Pro wrestler Dante Chen becomes 1st S'porean to debut on WWE SmackDown". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  52. ^ Koh, Sarah (2024-02-24). "Sean Tan becomes first Singaporean to wrestle on WWE Friday Night SmackDown". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  53. ^ "Wrestler Dante Chen, 28, is first S'porean to debut on WWE SmackDown". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  54. ^ Adamson, Dave (2024-05-22). "WWE Star Demands Investigation Into Match Result". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  55. ^ Carrier, Steve (May 21, 2024). "Robert Stone's potential new client following star's release from WWE". Ringside News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  56. ^ "WWE's Dante Chen says it's his chance to represent family & culture as the 1st S'porean superstar". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  57. ^ "WWE wrestler Dante Chen will be 1st S'porean to compete in a S'pore Cane match". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  58. ^ "Dante Chen and Lexis King battle in a Singapore Cane Match". WWE. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  59. ^ "Lexis King Shows Off Battle Scars From His Singapore Cane Match On NXT". Yahoo Entertainment. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  60. ^ Moore, John (July 16, 2024). "NXT TV results (7/16): Moore's review of The Rascalz vs. Gallus, Oba Femi vs. Duke Hudson for the NXT North American Title, Je'Von Evans vs. Brooks Jensen". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  61. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 8, 2024). "Mike Bailey And Zachary Wentz Qualify For Ultimate X Match At TNA Emergence | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  62. ^ Singapore's First WWE Superstar Dante Chen Discusses NXT 2.0, Training At the PC & WWE 2K22, retrieved 2022-08-09
  63. ^ G, Joey (2022-06-29). "Dante Chen Reveals His Favorite Era Of WWE, Says He Enjoys The Work Of The Miz". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  64. ^ "411MANIA". Dante Chen Hopes To Have a Match With The Miz. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  65. ^ a b "Dante Chen Was Awestruck By The Miz's NXT 2.0 Appearance, Wants To Wrestle Him | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  66. ^ Tim chats with Singapore's first WWE Wrestler - Sean Tan (a.k.a. Dante Chen) | WATCH: Tim's interview with Singapore's very first WWE wrestler, Sean Tan a.k.a. Dante Chen. They talked about meeting and learning from wrestling... | By ONE FM 91.3 | Facebook, retrieved 2022-08-09
  67. ^ "Dante Chen - Facebook". November 23, 2021.
  68. ^ a b "Dante Chen - Titles - CAGEMATCH".
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