Damian Priest is certainly one of the more talented men on the WWE roster. He oozes charisma and, with his deep voice, he is capable of cutting spectacular promos. On top of that, he is a great worker in the ring, making him a total package to be a top WWE Superstar.
Priest has joined the main roster after graduating from NXT, and he has been impressive since joining The Judgment Day. Priest isn’t very open about his personal life. But there are certainly some very interesting facts to know about him that you can find out.
UPDATE: 2024/09/30 18:57 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA
Damian Priest is one of the best wrestlers in WWE going today. While he might no longer be World Heavyweight Champion, his reign saw him firmly establish himself among the very best in the company at the time. However, The Judgment Day’s betrayal of Priest and Rhea Ripley has opened a whole new storyline for the two of them. Priest will definitely be a major player in WWE going forward. However, there is a lot about him that many might not be aware of. Let’s get to learn more about the former World Heavyweight Champion.
Priest Has Been Competing Since 2005
His First Match Was In OTW
- Priest held titles in MFPW.
- He went by his real name and Punishment Martinez.
In the business of professional wrestling, everybody starts somewhere. For Priest, his career kicked off in the mid-2000s. His first match that he competed in was on the indies for OTW, where he defeated Nasty Nick. From there, Priest went on to compete for a number of other independent promotions before he made it to ROH in 2016.
Damian Priest Spent His Childhood In Puerto Rico
Priest Was Born In New York City
- Both of Priest’s parents are Puerto Rican.
- He moved to Dorado, Puerto Rico when he was younger.
- He has wrestled with and against Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny.
Damian Priest is of Puerto Rican descent, born to Puerto Rican parents. He spent the majority of his childhood in Dorado, Puerto Rico. Though he grew up in Puerto Rico, he wasn’t born there. Damian Priest was actually born in New York City, and he returned to the US after spending most of his early days in Puerto Rico.
He Attended The 2024 Puerto Rican Day Parade
Zelina Vega And Priest Were Both In Attendance
- The Puerto Rican Day Parade was held on June 9th this year.
- The Parade has been an annual tradition since 1958.
- It takes place on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, New York.
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is one of the biggest days in New York City. Every year on the second Sunday in June, thousands of people attend to celebrate their Puerto Rican heritage. For Priest, this year’s event was very special as he attended as the reigning and defending World Heavyweight Champion. He greeted and celebrated with numerous WWE fans and non-fans alike. In addition, Zelina Vega, another fellow Puerto Rican WWE star, attended the festivities as well.
Damian Priest’s Real Name Is Luis Martinez
Priest Has Wrestled Under Numerous Names
- Priest has gone by numerous ring names in his career.
- He wrestled as Punishment Martinez in ROH.
- His ring name was changed to Damian Priest early in his NXT career.
Damian Priest is certainly a catchy ring name, which he started using early on in his WWE career. First, he used it in NXT, and fortunately, Vince McMahon didn’t change or chop his name after his arrival to the main roster. But Priest’s birthname is strikingly different from his ring name.
His actual name is Luis Martinez. Prior to his WWE career, he used ring names like Punisher Martinez and Damian Martinez to compete.
Damian Priest’s Height Is 6’5″
Priest Has A Standout Look In WWE
- Priest has a number of different tattoos on his body.
- He weighs 249lbs.
- He is one of the tallest wrestlers on the entire WWE roster.
With a lean and muscular physique, Damian Priest certainly stands out from the rest with his look. He also has tattoos on his whole body and has long hair.
Priest is a tall guy, and his billed height is six feet and five inches, making him one of the tallest Superstars on the WWE roster today. He also weighs around 249 pounds.
Damian Priest Is 41 Years Old
He Was Born On September 26, 1982
- Priest was on the NXT roster for two years.
- He was 36 years old when he was signed to WWE.
- Despite his age, he has a very big future ahead of him.
Damian Priest spent two years in NXT. Nevertheless, when he signed to the developmental brand, he was already in his mid-30s. He was 36 years old when he got a WWE deal.
Damian Priest was born on September 26, 1982, in New York City. He is already in his early 40s, and he is currently 41 years old. Given how WWE has shown trust in Superstars in their 40s in recent years, Damian Priest could still has a bright future ahead on the main roster.
Damian Priest Knows Martial Arts
He Trained In Goju-rye
- Many professional wrestlers have had MMA backgrounds.
- He learned Goju-rye from his father.
- He has won championships in MMA.
It’s common to see professional wrestlers taking an interest in martial arts. As a matter of fact, WWE has had many wrestlers over the years with different martial arts backgrounds. Superstars like Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Brock Lesnar, and many more are such examples.
Damian Priest also has a martial arts background. Before deciding to become a professional wrestler, Priest was a professional martial artist. He trained Goju-rye karate, a Japanese style of martial art, from his father. He also won national championships in martial arts.
Damian Priest Wrestled In The Independent Circuit
Priest Began His Independent Career In 2005
- Priest had trained in the Monster Factory and the ROH Dojo.
- He is a former ROH World Television Champion.
- He battled “Hangman” Adam Page at Best in the World 2018.
Damian Priest had vast experience as a professional wrestler before his WWE career. He wrestled in the independent circuit for several years, using different names like Punisher Martinez, Damian Martinez, and even his real name.
First, he was part of Monster Factory, where he won several titles. But Priest garnered attention after his stint in ROH, where he spent three years until signing for WWE. He won the ROH World Television Championship once.
He Is The Second Person To Cash-In At WrestleMania
Seth Rollins Did It First
- Rollins cashed-in at WrestleMania 31.
- He defeated Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar.
- Every cash-in at WrestleMania has been successful.
WrestleMania is truly a time when anything can happen. And Priest truly showed that at WrestleMania 40 when he cashed-in his Money in the Bank contract on Drew McIntyre. It was the second time that it had ever happened in the history of the show when Seth Rollins did it at WrestleMania 31 during the main event between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. Rollins was successful, as was Priest. Every cash-in at WrestleMania so far has been successful.
Damian Priest Is A Former NXT North American Champion
He Won The Title At NXT TakeOver: XXX
- Priest won a ladder match to become NXT North American Champion.
- He later lost it to Johnny Gargano.
- He is a former Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion, Money in the Bank holder, and former WWE United States Champion.
Damian Priest was a notable name during his time in NXT. He had stints as a babyface as well as heel.
The highest point in Damian Priest’s NXT career was when he won the NXT North American Championship. He had a decent run of 67 days with the belt before dropping it to Johnny Gargano.
He Covered Up An Undertaker Tattoo
A Booker Recommended He Cover It Up
- Priest is one of WWE’s most tattooed stars.
- He is a big fan of The Undertaker.
- He has the Undertaker’s symbol tattooed on him.
Damian Priest is one of the most heavily tattooed individuals on the WWE roster today. When speaking about his ink, he said he virtually has no regrets and has covered any that he did regret. One had to do with The Undertaker, someone Priest holds in high esteem. He said on WWE Tattooed,
”
I don’t have any regrets… and I say that because any of the regrets, I’ve covered. Going back to the same person, I’m not obsessed I promise, but the Undertaker, I actually did get his symbol tattooed in this skull, and then I started wrestling.
“Then I was like ‘probably shouldn’t have done that’. I remember a promoter was like ‘you might have to cover that one day’ so I went and tattooed this bat over it. The Undertaker, he’s going to hear this for the first time.”
(
h/t WrestleTalk
)
He Is Close Friends With His Fellow Terror Twin
Priest And Rhea Ripley Are Very Close
- Priest and Ripley were both members of the Judgment Day.
- They were both expelled from the group after SummerSlam.
When it comes to on-screen pairings, sometimes things can feel forced. However, that is far from the case with Priest and Ripley. The “Terror Twins” are truly the best of friends backstage. As Priest told the New York Post,
”
We just got back from the gym and we were riding in the car and I literally told her, ‘Man, it’s really good to have you back.’ I’ve felt like I’ve been missing something and it was my friend…It’s my road buddy. It’s my backstage buddy. Besides our TV dynamic, it’s everything else. I missed having that person next to me that also pushes me.
“
Priest Incorporates Both His Worlds In His Look
- Priest is a huge fan of rock and heavy metal.
- He has drawn inspiration from the music into his look.
- Many in professional wrestling have incorporated music into their style including Ruby Soho and Rhea Ripley.
Heavy metal and rock music have certainly played a huge role in the world of professional wrestling because the music of both genres is used in various theme songs of superstars. Whether in the past or present, rock and heavy metal music have played a big role in WWE. Moreover, many superstars are publicly known to be fans of rock and heavy metal.
Likewise, Damian Priest is a huge fan of rock and heavy metal music. He also has an in-ring look of a rockstar. He has mentioned in an interview with Soundsphere Magazine that his favorite band is Metallica:
“My favourite band of all time is the mighty Metallica. My favourite performer, I would say is Bruce Dickinson, after I saw them live! I’ve never seen anybody move like him, and continue on, that guy has better cardio than I do!”
“All Rise” Came From An MLB Player
Priest Was Inspired By Aaron Judge
- Judge plays for the Yankees.
- He joined the team in 2016.
- “All Rise” is the Judgment Day’s most famous catchphrase.
The most famous of the catchphrases from Judgment Day has been when Priest introduced the slogan of “All Rise.” However, Priest did indeed get that from somewhere. He got the phrase from Aaron Judge, a New York Yankees outfielder.
Damian Priest Had A Weight Loss Of Over 100 Pounds
Priest Currently Weighs 249lbs
- Priest’s weight had affected his pushes in the past.
- He lost over 100lbs to get in better shape.
- He is one of the best in the business today.
Given how fit Damian Priest looks now, it might be hard to believe that he indeed struggled with weight, which was a primary reason he wasn’t getting a big break. But Damian Priest lost over 100 pounds. The drastic weight loss not only improved his look and performance but also helped him alter his career.
Razor Ramon Is Damon Priest’s Wrestling Idol
Ramon Was One Of The Biggest Stars Of The 1990s
- Razor Ramon is a multi-time WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- He left WWE and joined WCW as Scott Hall.
- He is a former WCW World Television, United States Heavyweight, and World Tag Team Champion.
Razor Ramon was certainly one of the most popular characters in the 90s. Played by Scott Hall, the gimmick got him over and consequently, he won the Intercontinental Championship four times. However, the gimmick was short-lived after he departed from WWE.
Damian Priest grew up in that era. Razor Ramon was the wrestling idol of Damian Priest while growing up.
Damian Priest Is Possibly Single
Priest Keeps His Life Private
- It is unknown what his current relationship status is.
- He does not share anything personal on his social media.
- It is speculated that he is single.
Damian Priest keeps things private when it comes to his personal life. He also doesn’t share anything personal on his social media platforms. There hasn’t been a rumor of Priest dating any female Superstar or anyone outside the business. With that being said, he is currently likely to be single.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)