Leon Ruff

Dartanyon Ruffin (April 14, 1996) is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Leon Ruff. He was previously signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the NXT brand where he is a former NXT North American Champion.
== Career ==
===Early career (2017–2019)===
Ruff trained in World Wrestling Alliance 4 (WWA4) in Atlanta, Georgia where he debuted in 2017 on New Year's Day in a singles match defeating Shynron. While in WWA4, Ruff competed in his first battle royal on April 6, 2017 losing to Mike Gunn. His first title match in WW4 was on January 1, 2018 in a four-way match for the Freelance World Championship against opponents AR Fox, Jaxon Vile and the champion Suge D. As a Florida native and resident, Ruff spent most of his beginning years working in the promotions across the southeastern United States including Full Impact Pro. Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic, New South Pro Wrestling and American Combat Wrestling.
===EVOLVE Wrestling===
Ruff debuted on June 23, 2018 at EVOLVE 106 where he teamed with Tommy Maserati in a tag match lost against Adrian Alanis & Liam Gray. On September 8 at EVOLVE 113 Ruff teamed with Adrian Alanis under the team name The Skulk in a title match for the EVOLVE Tag Team Championship losing to the reigning champions Chris Dickinson & Jaka. On November 10 Ruff returned at EVOLVE 116 teaming with AR Fox to challenge for the tag titles a second time, losing to WWE NXT superstars The Street Profits. Returning in 2019 Ruff succeeded in his title pursuit on July 13 at EVOLVE 131 where he and AR Fox defeated Eddie Kingston & Joe Gacy to become the new EVOLVE Tag Team Champions. They held the titles until EVOLVE 142 where Ruff and Fox lost their tag match against Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett.
After returning in 2020 at EVOLVE 143, Ruff and AR Fox reunited on Leap Year at EVOLVE 145 to compete in a Number One Contender match against Adrian Alanis & Liam Gray. The match ended with neither team declared as winner after a double-pin was counted.
=== World Wrestling Entertainment (2019–2021) ===
====NXT (2019–2021)====
Ruff made his televised debut in 2019 on the December 4 episode of NXT teaming with Adrian Alanis in a tag match lost to Forgotten Sons members Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake. On November 11th, 2020, Ruff competed against Johnny Gargano in a match for the NXT North American Championship and won after a quick three count due to a distraction from Damian Priest. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2020, Ruff would defend his title against both Priest and Gargano, and would be unsuccessful in retaining.
==Personal life==
Ruffin is currently engaged to WWE referee and former professional wrestler Aja Smith.
==In wrestling==
*Finishers
**Rolling Crucifix Driver
**Frog Splash
*Signature moves
**Diving corkscrew cutter
**Hurricanrana
**Enzuigiri
*Entrance Music
*Nicknames
*Managers and valets
*Teams and stables
**Monarchy with - Baron Black, Prince Apollo, AJ Gray & Ayzali
**Skulk with - Adrian Alanis, Liam Gray & Tommy Maserati
==Championships and accomplishments==
*Evolve
**EVOLVE Tag Team Championship (1 time) with AR Fox
*NXT
**NXT North American Championship (1 time)
==External links==
* Profile at CAGEMATCH.net
* Profile
* Twitter page
Category:2017 debuts
Category:African American wrestlers
Category:American wrestlers
Category:Living people
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:Beyond Wrestling alumni
Category:EVOLVE Wrestling alumni
Category:Full Impact Pro alumni
Category:World Wrestling Alliance 4 alumni
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni
Category:WWE NXT alumni
Category:WWE 205 Live Alumni
Category:1996 births
Category:Florida wrestlers
Category:World Wrestling Network alumni
Category:ACTION Wrestling alumni
Category:American Combat Wrestling alumni
Category:BriiCombination Wrestling alumni
Category:Carolina Wrestling Federation Mid-Atlantic alumni
Category:Combat Zone Wrestling alumni
Category:Mucha Lucha Atlanta alumni
Category:New South Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Pro South Wrestling alumni
Category:Style Battle alumni
Category:Wrestling Has A Tomorrow alumni
Category:NXT North American Champions