Authors of Pain

Akam

Real name: Sunny Dhinsa
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 290 lbs.
Date of birth: May 20, 1993
Born: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Pro debut: April 4, 2015
Trained by: WWE Performance Center
Finishing move: The Last Chapter

Rezar

Real name: Gzim Selmani
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 330 lbs.
Date of birth: June 16, 1994
Born: Huizen, The Netherlands
Pro debut: January 30, 2016
Trained by: WWE Performance Center
Finishing move: The Last Chapter

Biography

– Prior to competing in WWE, Dhinsa was a renowned amateur wrestler, winning Canadian National Championshops 3 times between 2009 and 2013. He also competed in the Canadian Olympic qualifiers in 2012, but failed to make the squad.
– Selmani began his sporting life in MMA competition, signing with Bas Roon in 2012, before ending his career in 2015 with a 4-2 record.
– Dhinsa signed with WWE in October 2014 on the recommendation of Gerry Brisco, with Selmani following suit the next May
– In February 2016, Dhinsa & Selmani formed the tag team which would go on to become known as The Authors of Pain
– The Authors of Pain made their televised debuts at NXT Takeover: The End, attacking American Alpha after their match. The duo also introduced their new manager, Paul Ellering
– In August 2016, Dhinsa received the ringname ‘Akam’, with Selmani becoming ‘Rezar’, a play on the principle of ‘Occam’s Razor’
– At NXT Takeover: Toronto, The Authors of Pain defeated TM-61 (Nick Miller & Shane Thorne) to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
– At Takeover: San Antonio, The Authors defeated DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) to win the NXT Tag Team Titles
– At Takeover: Orlando, The Authors defeated DIY and The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) in an Elimination Match to retain the NXT Tag Team Titles
– At Takeover: Chicago, The Authors defeated DIY in a Ladder Match to retain the NXT Tag Team Titles
– The Authors of Pain made their main roster debuts on the Raw following WrestleMania, answering the challenge of Heath Slater & Rhyno. Following the match, they appeared to dismiss their manager, Paul Ellering
– In September, the team name was shortened to AOP under the tutelage of new manager, Drake Maverick
– On November 5, 2018, AOP defeated Seth Rollins in a Handicap Match to win the Raw Tag Team Titles
– At Survivor Series ’18, AOP (representing Raw) defeated The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro, representing Smackdown)
– On November 26, AOP defeated Bobby Roode & Chad Gable to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles
– In January 2019, Akam underwent knee surgery, forcing the team on hiatus
– On September 4, 2020, The Authors of Pain were released by WWE
– In May 2022, The Authors of Pain attracted some negative attention after cancelling the first show of their new WES promotion, claiming that several wrestlers had reneged on their appearances. It transpired that several of these wrestlers had never agreed to appear at the show to begin with
– It was rumoured that both members of The Authors of Pain had re-signed with WWE in late 2022
– The Authors of Pain re-debuted for WWE at the Smackdown New Year’s Revolution special in January 2024, forming The Final Testament stable alongside Karrion Kross, Paul Ellering & Scarlett