Aiden English Matthew " Matt " Rehwoldt ( October 7 , 1987 ) is an American professional wrestler . He is signed to WWE , where he performs on the " SmackDown " brand under the ring name Aiden English . He was formerly on WWE NXT as a former NXT Tag Team Champion along with Simon Gotch , who are collectively known as The Vaudevillains . Early life . Rehwoldt was born in Chicago , where he developed an interest in acting at an early age . By the age of 20 , he had appeared in over 20 stage productions . After graduating from Lyons Township High School , Rehwoldt studied acting ( with a focus on stage combat ) at Columbia College Chicago , graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts . Professional wrestling career . Early career ( 2011 – 2012 ) . After graduating from college , Rehwoldt trained as a professional wrestler . He debuted on the Illinoisan independent circuit in late 2011 under the ring name " Matt Marquee " . Rehwoldt wrestled for promotions such as Chicago Style Wrestling , where he formed a tag team named " The Ryte Stuff " with Barry Ryte . WWE . Developmental territories ( 2012 – 2016 ) . In early 2012 , Rehwoldt signed a contract with WWE . He was assigned to its developmental territory , Florida Championship Wrestling and given the ring name " Aiden English " . English made his televised debut on the April 8 , 2012 episode of " FCW TV " , teaming with Audrey Marie in an inter - gender tag team match against Rick Victor and Paige . In mid - 2012 , WWE rebranded FCW as WWE NXT . English ' s television debut took place on the second episode of the rebooted " NXT Wrestling " taped at Full Sail University , where he was defeated by Leo Kruger . Throughout the year , English was used as a jobber , losing to the likes of Bray Wyatt , Ryback and Big E Langston . In his first match in 2013 , on the May 29 episode of " NXT Wrestling " , English competed in a battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship but was eliminated by Mason Ryan . English scored his first win on the September 18 episode of " NXT Wrestling " , defeating Michael Q . Laurie . A week later , on the September 25 episode of " NXT Wrestling " , English sang a parody version of the Major - General ' s Song from the musical " The Pirates of Penzance " while approaching the ring . English subsequently began singing before , during and after his matches . Throughout the year , English scored a couple of wins over the likes of Jason Jordan and Camacho . In the beginning of 2014 , English began a feud with Colin Cassady , losing to him on the January 1 episode of " NXT Wrestling " in a sing off but later defeating him in several matches . In June 2014 , English formed a tag team with Simon Gotch , known as The Vaudevillains . The Vaudevillains made their in - ring debut as a team on the June 19 episode , defeating Angelo Dawkins and Travis Tyler . In August , The Vaudevillains participated in a tournament to determine the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship , before losing to The Lucha Dragons ( Sin Cara and Kalisto ) in the final . On the October 30 episode of " NXT " , The Vaudevillains won a tag team battle royal to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship . They received their title match at against The Lucha Dragons , but were unsuccessful . After some hiatus , The Vaudevillians returned on the June 3 , 2015 episode of " NXT " , defeating Jason Jordan and Marcus Louis . On the July 8 episode of " NXT " , The Vaudevillians defeated Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady to become the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championship . The Vaudevillians received their title match on the July 29 episode of " NXT " , in which they were unsuccessful . The Vaudevillians would go on to defeat Blake and Murphy in a rematch at to win the NXT Tag Team Championship . Main roster ( 2016 – present ) . On the April 7 , 2016 episode of " SmackDown " , the Vaudevillains made their main roster debut as heels , defeating The Lucha Dragons . On the October 18 , 2016 episode of " Main Event " , English would make his part time appearance as a color commentator for one episode only . Personal life . In December 2014 , Rehwoldt became engaged to former professional wrestler Shaul Guerrero , the daughter of Vickie Guerrero and the late Eddie Guerrero [ [ Category : 1987 births ] ] External links . [ [ Category : 2011 debuts ] ] [ [ Category : American wrestlers ] ] [ [ Category : Illinois wrestlers ] ] [ [ Category : Chicago Style Wrestling alumni ] ] [ [ Category : Florida Championship Wrestling alumni ] ] [ [ Category : World Wrestling Entertainment current roster ] ] [ [ Category : WWE NXT alumni ] ] [ [ Category : Living people ] ] [ [ Category : Male wrestlers ] ]