In an era defined by constant roster movement and evolving identities, few factions have navigated the shifting sands of professional wrestling quite like The Rascalz. From their scrappy independent roots to a defining run in TNA/Impact Wrestling and now an imminent arrival in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the Rascalz’ journey encapsulates resilience, aerial artistry, and a deep bond forged over years of highs and lows across multiple promotions. Tonight’s AEW Dynamite announcement — The Rascalz: Coming Soon — signals a new chapter in a story years in the making.
Origins: Scarlet and Graves to The Rascalz
The seeds of the Rascalz were planted long before the mainstream spotlight. Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz first teamed during their Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) days as part of a larger faction known as Scarlet and Graves, where their chemistry was immediately evident. That alliance served as the basis for what would become the Rascalz, blending high-flying offense, tag precision, and a punk-infused aesthetic that defied traditional tag team molds.
By early 2018, Xavier and Wentz had formally expanded the group. They brought in Trey Miguel and Myron Reed, creating a stable that could operate fluidly as tag team specialists or high-octane trios, redefining the athletic face of modern wrestling. Miguel and Reed officially joined in April 2018, completing the quartet at the outset.
This early incarnation was not simply a tag team — it was a culture. Their style was built around rapid motion, layered offense, and a sense of youthful defiance that connected with fans disillusioned by formulaic booking.
Impact Wrestling Era: A Home for High-Flying Rebels
The Rascalz debuted in Impact Wrestling in late 2018, quickly establishing themselves as fan favorites through their fast-paced style and unorthodox presentation. Their initial forays included unforgettable matches and feuds that elevated them well beyond traditional tag contenders.
This was a period where all four members began to carve out unique identities:
- Zachary Wentz became a formidable X Division contender, displaying a fearless approach akin to classic Impact high-flyers.
- Trey Miguel further honed his precision offense and psychological depth in singles runs and tag scenarios.
- Dezmond Xavier, while part of the group, gained additional acclaim as a technician capable of blending counter wrestling with explosive aerials.
- Myron Reed, bringing championship pedigree from his MLW World Middleweight title runs, embodied the blend of high-risk style and charismatic swagger that became synonymous with the Rascalz ethos.
Their Impact tenure was marked by energized performances and occasional championship gold, with Wentz and Miguel capturing Impact tag titles and positioning the group as a staple of the X Division and tag scenes.
Branching Paths and Reinvention
Wrestling’s landscape shifted in 2020, when Xavier and Wentz accepted opportunities with WWE’s NXT brand, adopting new ring names — Wes Lee (Xavier) and Nash Carter (Wentz) — and forming the critically acclaimed tag team MSK. Their success was immediate: two runs as NXT Tag Team Champions showcased their ability to blend technical mastery with the kinetic fire that defined the Rascalz legacy.
Miguel remained at Impact, continuing to innovate in singles and faction bouts, while Reed spent time dominating the independent scene and MLW before reconnecting with the faction periodically. Despite geographic separation, the Rascalz identity persisted — a testament to the group’s chemistry and individual talent.
In mid-2024, WWE provided a nostalgic moment by facilitating a brief Rascalz reunion on NXT, albeit short-lived and followed by internal storyline friction when Xavier (as Wes Lee) turned on his old allies.
2025: Reunions, Contract Expirations, and Departure from TNA
The Rascalz’ narrative took a particularly intricate turn in 2025. Myron Reed was integrated more consistently into Impact’s programming, and by late 2025 the faction had reassembled with all four members, including Xavier making a surprise return at TNA Turning Point 2025.
Yet, beneath the surface, contracts were expiring. Zachary Wentz openly referenced that their TNA contracts were set to lapse at the end of 2025, a rare moment when real-world negotiations intersected with on-screen moments.
By early January 2026, reports confirmed that Wentz and Trey Miguel’s deals had indeed expired, that Reed was operating as a free agent per his own branding, and that Xavier was not technically under contract despite his regular appearances. The result? The Rascalz quietly became free agents, and one highly anticipated match — Reed vs. Leon Slater for the X Division Championship on TNA’s AMC debut — was removed from promotional materials, signaling a definitive shift.
The AEW Arrival: The Next Evolution
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite served as the first official beacon of what’s next for the faction. The broadcast teased The Rascalz: Coming Soon, a creative tease signaling that this distinct blend of aerial mastery and faction chemistry will soon land on a new national stage. Behind the scenes, the group reportedly signed multi-year deals with AEW as early as the first week of January 2026, with AEW outbidding TNA and offering the creative platform the group desired for their next chapter.
Character and Legacy: What The Rascalz Bring to AEW
The Rascalz are more than a tag team — they are a philosophy in motion:
- Innovation: Their signature offense thrives on cooperation and precision, elevating both tag and trios divisions wherever they compete.
- Versatility: Each member carries distinct skills; Miguel’s precision pacing, Wentz’s X-Division roots, Reed’s championship toughness, and Xavier’s blend of technique and flair.
- Identity: At every turn, they’ve represented the “underdog with edge” archetype — rebels who blend skate-park aesthetics with high-stakes athleticism.
They arrive in AEW at a moment when the broader wrestling world is craving fresh tag and trios narratives. Their inclusion could ignite rivalries with established units and catalyze deeper creative investment into AEW’s multi-man division.
Final Thought
The Rascalz’ journey — from local promotions to Impact, through WWE’s developmental loop, and now to All Elite Wrestling — is a testament to adaptability, in-ring ingenuity, and unbreakable chemistry. Tonight’s teaser may be just the beginning, but AEW fans are about to witness a faction whose history is as rich and layered as any in modern wrestling.
Their rise reminds the wrestling world that innovation never truly fades — it just finds a new canvas.
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