Matt Taven

Matthew Marinelli, born on March 20, 1985, is recognized in the wrestling world by his ring persona, Matt Taven. As an American professional wrestler and esteemed trainer, Taven showcases his skills in the ring for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its affiliated promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). Within ROH, Taven, alongside Mike Bennett, forms one-half of the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions, marking their illustrious third reign. Both Taven and Bennett are integral members of the Undisputed Kingdom stable.

Taven's legacy is deeply intertwined with his tenure in ROH, notably for his contributions as a key member of The Kingdom faction. Throughout his career with ROH, he has attained prestigious titles including the ROH World Championship, ROH World Television Championship, ROH World Tag Team Championship, and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Beyond ROH, Taven has showcased his talents in various promotions worldwide, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he once held the esteemed IWGP Tag Team Championship.

Matt Taven's Early Life

Matt Taven, then known by his ring name Marinelli, embarked on his professional wrestling journey with his debut match on March 7, 2008. Throughout his inaugural year, Taven primarily showcased his skills in promotions such as Top Rope Promotions (TRP) and Collision Pro Wrestling (CPW) in Massachusetts. Notably, during his tenure with TRP, Taven engaged in a thrilling showdown for the vacant TRP Interstate Championship. The match, a six-way ladder encounter, featured Taven alongside formidable opponents including Buck Nasty, Gregory Edwards, J. Freddie, Ryan Waters, and Spike Dudley. Despite his valiant efforts, Taven fell short of victory, ultimately conceding the championship to Buck Nasty.

Matt Taven's Professional Wrestling Career

Matt Taven, initially under his real name Matthew Marinelli, embarked on his professional wrestling odyssey with his debut match on March 7, 2008. Taven's initiation into Ring of Honor (ROH) occurred on May 8, 2009, where he faced Jaleel Patel in a dark match, marking his first appearance in the promotion. Over the following years, Taven participated in tag team matches, albeit facing defeat in every outing. Taven secured the ROH World Television Championship by defeating Adam Cole at the 11th Anniversary Show, marking a significant milestone in his career. His reign saw successful title defenses against formidable opponents like Adam Cole, Matt Hardy, and Jay Lethal. Despite his commendable efforts, Taven's championship reign came to an end at Final Battle 2013, where he lost the title to Tommaso Ciampa. Nevertheless, his tenure as World Television Champion set a record as the longest in the company's history at 287 days, with 12 successful title defenses.

Following his departure from ROH in 2014, Taven made a triumphant return later that year, forming a formidable alliance with Michael Bennett to establish The Kingdom stable. In November 2014, Taven and Michael Bennett joined forces to create The Kingdom faction. Their alliance culminated in winning the ROH World Tag Team Championship in September 2015. However, Taven's journey faced a setback when he suffered a knee injury during a match in December 2015, necessitating surgery and a lengthy recovery period. Upon his return in September 2016, Taven assumed leadership of a revamped version of The Kingdom stable, embarking on a quest to capture the ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Despite encountering challenges, The Kingdom emerged victorious, securing the titles at Final Battle 2016.

Through ROH's partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Taven ventured into the Japanese wrestling scene, participating in prestigious tournaments such as the World Tag League. His collaboration with NJPW culminated in winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship alongside Michael Bennett in April 2015. Despite their initial success, Taven and Bennett ultimately relinquished the titles to Bullet Club in their first defense. Taven's endeavors in NJPW underscored his versatility and adaptability as a wrestler, earning him recognition on the global stage.

Taven's association with ROH extended to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where he showcased his talents in the Mexican wrestling circuit. His matches in CMLL showcased his resilience and determination, despite encountering setbacks and challenges along the way. Taven made a significant impact in Impact Wrestling in 2022, aligning himself with Maria, Mike Bennett, PCO, and Vincent to form the Honor No More faction. Their arrival shook the foundations of Impact Wrestling, signaling their intent to dominate the promotion.

Taven's journey in professional wrestling took a new turn with his debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in October 2022. His arrival in AEW marked a homecoming of sorts, as he reunited with Mike Bennett to form a formidable alliance. Their presence in AEW signaled their intent to make a lasting impact and carve out a legacy in the promotion. Taven's return to Ring of Honor, now AEW's sister promotion, further solidified his status as a seasoned veteran and a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional wrestling.

Matt Taven Awards and Achievements

Matt Taven's impressive list of championships and accolades speaks volumes about his impact and success in the world of professional wrestling. In Chaotic Wrestling, Taven captured the New England Championship twice and the Tag Team Championship once alongside Vinny Marseglia. Additionally, he emerged victorious in the Chaotic Wrestling New England Championship Tournament. Taven's international achievements include winning the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and the IWGP Tag Team Championship in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), teaming with Michael Bennett.

His tenure in Ring of Honor (ROH) has been particularly illustrious, where he held the ROH World Championship, ROH World Television Championship, and ROH World Tag Team Championship multiple times. Taven's accolades also extend to being a Triple Crown Champion and Grand Slam Champion in ROH, as well as earning prestigious honors like Match of the Year and Wrestler of the Year. Beyond ROH, Taven has left his mark in promotions such as Impact Wrestling, National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), and Northeast Wrestling (NEW), among others.

Matt Taven’s Net Worth

As of now, there is no specific data available regarding Matt Taven's net worth. However, considering his successful wrestling career, which includes championship victories, lucrative contracts with various promotions, and merchandise sales, it's reasonable to infer that Taven has amassed a significant net worth. Professional wrestlers often generate income from multiple streams, including match earnings, merchandise sales, appearance fees, and endorsement deals. Taven's tenure in promotions like Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling likely contributed to his financial success.

Matt Taven Family

Information about Matt Taven's family, including details about his parents, siblings, or other relatives, is not widely available in public sources.

Matt Taven's Girlfriend

Matt Taven’s girlfriend's identity is not widely known. However, in a revealing 2018 interview with TheSportster, Matt Taven shared insights into his personal life, particularly regarding his romantic relationship. Taven disclosed that his girlfriend at the time had limited knowledge about wrestling, and he appreciated keeping it that way. This dynamic allowed him to maintain a healthy separation between his professional life in wrestling and his personal life outside of it. Taven's emphasis on nurturing relationships beyond the wrestling world underscored his commitment to achieving a balanced lifestyle amidst the demands of his career.