DAMIAN PRIEST

Luis Martinez, also known as Damian Priest, is a 39-year-old professional wrestler from New York City. He currently wrestles for WWE’s Monday Night RAW brand.

Trained by his father in Japanese Gōjū-ryū karate, Martinez won two national championships in full-contact martial arts prior to pursuing a professional wrestling career.

Damian Priest’s Early Career

In 2014, he began training at Monster Factory Pro Wrestling and won several titles while working for the promotion. In 2015, he tried out for Ring of Honor (ROH) and was signed with the company. He also wrestled at New Honor Rising which was a 2-day tournament partnership between ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Martinez won his first Ring of Honor championship in 2018 when he defeated Silas Young for the World Television Champion at night two of the Promotion’s “State of the Art” event in Texas. His championship reign lasted until his contract expired with ROH and he dropped his title in his final appearance to Jeff Cobb in September 2018.

Damian Priest’s WWE Contract & Debut

In October 2018, he signed with WWE NXT and made his debut in November in a losing match against Matt Riddle. In 2019, WWE repackaged Martinez and he began using the ring name Damian Priest.

Martinez made his re-debut as Damian Priest on the June 19 episode of NXT, defeating Raul Mendoza. Priest then began a feud with Pete Dunne which later ended up involving Killian Dain and the creation of a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, which Dunne won.

In April 2020, Priest began a feud with Bálor when Priest attacked him anonymously and then interfered weeks later in Bálor’s match against Cameron Grimes. Priest also revealed that he was Bálor’s unknown attacker. This led to a match between Priest and Bálor at NXT TakeOver: In Your House where Bálor defeated Priest.

SHOW MORE

Damian Priest Wins NXT North American Championship

In July, Priest started to pursue the vacant NXT North American Championship. He was scheduled to be in a triple threat match against Oney Lorcan and Ridge Holland, and the winner of the match would be given a spot to win the title in a ladder match at NXT TakeOver: 30. On the August 5 episode of NXT, Priest won the qualifier match and was added to the ladder match. At NXT TakeOver: 30, Priest won the NXT North American Championship, marking his first championship win in WWE.

On October 28th, 2020, Damian Priest lost the NXT North American Championship to Johnny Gargano at NXT’s Halloween Havoc event.

Damian Priest’s Main Roster Debut

Damian Priest made his main roster debut in the 2021 Royal Rumble match, entering at #14. He eliminated John Morrison, The Miz, Elias and Kane before being eliminated by Bobby Lashley.

The following night, Priest made his debut on Monday Night RAW after being introduced by Bad Bunny during a Miz TV segment. He defeated The Miz in a singles match, marking his first win on the main roster.

Damian Priest Wins United States Championship

At SummerSlam 2021, Damian Priest defeated Sheamus to win the WWE United States Championship.

On the February 28 2022 edition of Monday Night RAW, Damian Priest lost the WWE US Championship to Finn Bálor. At WrestleMania 38, Priest made his appearance by distracting AJ Styles during his match against Edge, resulting in Styles losing the match. After the match, Edge celebrated his victory with Priest, starting an alliance between the two. Over the weeks, they continued to feud with Styles, further developing new mannerisms and character.

On the April 25th edition of RAW, Edge and Priest were dubbed The Judgment Day after which Priest defeated Bálor in a singles match. At Hell in a Cell on June 5, The Judgment Day (Edge, Priest and Rhea Ripley) defeated Styles, Finn Bálor and Liv Morgan in a six-person mixed tag team match. The next night on RAW, Edge introduced Bálor as the newest member of The Judgment Day. However, Bálor, Priest and Ripley suddenly attacked Edge, kicking him out of the stable.

SHOW LESS

STATS

Birth name: Luis Martinez
Born: September 26, 1982, New York City, USA
Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight: 249 lb (113 kg)
Ring Name(s): Damian Priest, Damian Martinez, Luis Martinez, Punisher Martinez, Punishment Martinez
Current Roster: WWE RAW
Finishing move(s): The Reckoning

Damian Priest’s Social Media:

Damian Priest Photos

Career Championships and Accomplishments

Keystone Pro Wrestling
- KPW Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Monster Factory Pro Wrestling
- MFPW Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- Tag Team Championship (2 times)
- MFPW Invitational (2016)
Ring of Honor
- ROH World Television Championship (1 time)
- Survival of the Fittest (2017)
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- NXT North American Championship (1 time)
- WWE United States Championship (1 time)