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Dante Chen
Dante Chen in an NXT live event in 2024
Birth nameSean Tan Li Hao
Born (1996-01-20) January 20, 1996 (age 28)
Singapore
Alma materRepublic Polytechnic[1]
ITE College West[1]
Ring name(s)Dante Chen[2]
Kaiser Trexxus
Trexxus[1]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[1]
Billed weight215 lb (98 kg)[1]
Billed fromSingapore
Trained byVadim Koryagin[1]
Andruew Tang[1]
WWE Performance Center[1][2]
DebutFebruary 2013
Military service
Allegiance Singapore
Service / branchSingapore Army
Years of service2015–2017

Sean Tan Li Hao (born January 20, 1996) is a Singaporean professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE where he performs on the NXT brand, under the ring name Dante Chen. He is best known for being the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian wrestler to sign with the WWE.[3][4]

Early life

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Sean Tan Li Hao was born in Singapore on January 20, 1996.[5] Tan grew up in Woodlands.[6] As a child, his elder brother introduced him to WWE video games, sparking his interest in professional wrestling.[7] Tan attended Assumption English School for secondary education and later earned a certificate in Business at ITE College West.[6] From 2015 to 2017, Tan served in the Singapore Army.[8][9] After completing his military service, he earned a diploma in Health Management and Promotion from Republic Polytechnic in 2020.[10]

Professional wrestling career

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Singapore Pro Wrestling (2013–2021)

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Early career and Onslaught (2013–2016)

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Tan joined Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW) in January 2013, as a trainee after running into SPW founder Andruew Tang at a gym.[11] Tan trained under SPW founders Tang and Vadim Koryagin, debuting as Trexxus on 31 January at SPW New Year Rumble against Sebastian Turini after just 4 weeks of training. This set the national record for the fastest debut, which stood for over 9 years until Varun Khanna broke it in 2022.[12] His parents were initially unsupportive, believing wrestling was too violent, they eventually came around after seeing his dedication and passion.[8] In 2014, Trexxus teamed with Tang to form Onslaught. The duo won the inaugural SPW Tag Team Championship by defeating MK & Affi at SPW: Breakthrough.[13] Onslaught defended their title against Bit Man and Ho Ho Lun at SPW Prove 3. However, on 10 May 2015, they relinquished the championships due to Trexxus's national service commitments.[9] The duo were joined by Destroyer Dharma, who become an ally of Trexxus.[14]

SPW Southeast Asian Champion (2017–2018)

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In January 2017, Trexxus defeated his former tag partner Tang at SPW Unchained In Changi to become the youngest SPW Southeast Asian Champion at 21.[15] In 2017, Trexxus retained his SPW Championship by defeating Jason Lee in March, Masahiro Takanashi in October, and EK Baki in December.[16] In February 2018, Trexxus faced Lokomotiv, but was disqualified after striking him with the title belt. GM Carl Hella restarted the match as a chairs match, where Lokomotiv defeated Trexxus to win the SEA Championship.[17]

Championship pursuits and final feuds (2018–2021)

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In 2018, Trexxus teamed with Tang and Aiden Rex to defeat the trio of Pete Dunne, Wolfgang and Mark Davis in a 3 on 3 match.[18] In his final years in SPW, he chased the SPW SEA Championship many times, participating in rivalries with Aiden Rex and The Statement.[19] At SPW Atonement, Trexxus attempted to reclaim the SEA Championship in a four-way match against Jake de Leon, Lokomotiv, and Tang, but Tang won. In 2019, Trexxus teamed with Tang and Da Butcherman to face Cima, Shaolin Monk, and Kenny Omega, but later that year, he and Butcherman lost to Tang in a three-way SEA title match..[20][21] In February 2020, Trexxus faced Aiden Rex in his final live SPW match.[22] At SPW Prove: Alive & Kicking #1, Dharma turned on Onslaught, teaming with Aiden Rex to defeat Tang and Trexxus.[23] Trexxus's final SPW match came behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, he lost a Title vs. Career match to The Statement, ending his nearly 9-year run in SPW.[24][25]

WWE (2021–present)

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In 2019, Tan was invited for WWE tryouts in Shanghai, alongside Andruew Tang, and Alexis Lee. During the tryout, Tan appeared on WWE social media stating he wanted to one day be a WWE Hall of Famer.[26] He was recruited immediately after the tryouts, and given permission to complete his studies. Although he graduated in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he only moved to Orlando, Florida in mid-2021.[27]

NXT (2021–present)

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Tan debuted on September 22, 2021 on the NXT brand under the ring name Dante Chen, winning his first match against Trey Baxter on the newly renamed show, NXT 2.0 . Dante Chen debuted on the 205 Live brand on 1 October 2021, winning his first match on the show and second in WWE against Malik Blade. Chen was absent from WWE television for 4 months due to a leg injury and his father's passing.[28] After returning in 2022, Chen was attacked by Duke Hudson, thus starting a feud with him.[29] He feuded with Hudson during the first months of 2022,[30] ultimately losing in their singles match.[31] Chen made his debut on NXT Level Up against Javier Bernal in March 2022.[32] Chen continued on NXT Level Up, participating in a feud with Bodhi Hayward, where he won the first match in March, and lose the second in April.[33][34] Over the course of April and May, Chen lost six matches in a row, to various wrestlers including, Xyon Quinn and Sanga.[35] In an effort to win, Chen formed a tag team with Javier Bernal in May, however the duo lost all three of their tag matches, extending his losing streak to nine in a row.[36][37] On the July 8 edition of NXT Level Up, he defeated Myles Borne, ending his losing streak.[38] However, Chen lost to the debuting Axiom the following week.[39] Despite this, on the August 5 edition of NXT Level Up, Chen teamed with Guru Raaj against Bryson Montana and Damaris Griffin, where he picked up his first tag team victory in NXT.[40] In October at an NXT Live Event, Chen dressed up as Rhea Ripley, going viral on social media as he competed in the Halloween Battle Royal Royal.[41][42] On the November 29 edition of NXT, Chen was defeated by Dijak.[43] On the following week's episode of NXT, he was defeated Dabba-Kato in the latter's return match.[44]

On 13 March, Chen made his debut on Main Event, where Cedric Alexander defeated him.[45] Throughout 2023, Chen served as the "gatekeeper" of NXT Level Up, facing the majority of debuting talent on the show, facing the likes of Drew Gulak, Damon Kemp, Charlie Dempsey, Scrypts and many others while also teaming with Boa several times.[46][47] On October 24 at NXT: Halloween Havoc Night 1, Chen was defeated by Lexis King in King's first televised WWE match.[48] Ever since then, Chen has appeared in vignettes alongside Boa, and on the November 7 episode of NXT, he began to sport the same face paint as the latter, confirming their alliance in the process.[49] However, the alliance never made it to television, as eventually Boa was released in May, 2024.[50] Chen returned to Main Event, defeating Tavion Heights and losing to Akira Tozawa.[51][52] On 16 February, Chen made his main roster debut losing to Bron Breakker on SmackDown, thus making him the first Singaporean and Southeast Asian overall to wrestle on the WWE main roster and on SmackDown.[53][54][55]

Chen returned to NXT on the May 21 episode alongside his seemingly new manager, Robert Stone.[56] Chen would score an upset victory over Lexis King, thus restarting their feud from late 2023.[57] On the following week, Chen would defeat King once again, this time in less than two minutes. Following the match, King unleashed an attack on Chen.[58] On the June 4 episode of NXT, Chen blindsided King, leading to the announcement of WWE's first Singapore Cane match in over a decade to take place between them on the following week's episode.[59][60] King would ultimately defeat Chen in the Singapore Cane match, ending the feud.[61] On the July 16 episode of NXT, Chen competed in his first championship match against NXT Champion Ethan Page but failed to win the title.[62] Through August and September, Chen appeared multiple times on Main Event wrestling the likes of Oba Femi and Ilja Dragunov.[63][64]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2024)

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On the August 8, 2024 episode of TNA Impact!, Tan made his Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) debut as Dante Chen as part of WWE's partnership with TNA. He participated in the Ultimate X qualifying match which was won by The Rascalz's Zachary Wentz which also involved KC Navarro.[65]

Personal life

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Tan's favorite wrestler is Shawn Michaels, and people used to refer to him as "Sean Michaels" after he would introduce himself.[7] Tan says he does not have a specific dream match, instead his dream match is any match for a championship and his current goal is to become NXT Champion.[66] However, Tan has said that he enjoys the work of The Miz[67] and wishes to have a match with him.[68][69]

Tan lived in Singapore for 25 years until 2021, when he relocated to Orlando, Florida after being signed by WWE.[70]

Tan's father, Patrick Tan died on 8 November 2021, resulting in him taking an absence from WWE television.[28][71]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Ho, Serene (2 August 2021). "Once an introvert, he is now Singapore's first WWE wrestler". The New Paper. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kwek, Kimberly. "Combat sports: Singapore's first WWE wrestler Sean Tan wins on debut". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2021-09-22. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Sean Tan, 25, becomes first Singaporean wrestler to join WWE". CNA. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  4. ^ Auto, Hermes (2021-08-02). "Wrestling: Sean Tan is first Singaporean wrestler to join WWE | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  5. ^ "Dante Chen WWE | News, Rumors, Pictures & Biography | Sportskeeda WWE". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  6. ^ a b Frois, Andre (2024-04-11). "My Friend Dante Chen and His Hard-Fought Journey From Woodlands to WrestleMania". RICE. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  7. ^ a b SPW Trexxus Interview | WWE Payback Review | AEW All Out Predictions, retrieved 2022-08-09
  8. ^ a b The Story Of Dante Chen: Singapore's First Ever WWE NXT Signing, retrieved 2022-08-09
  9. ^ a b Trexxus, retrieved 2022-12-03
  10. ^ Kwek, Kimberly (2021-09-22). "Combat sports: Singapore's first WWE wrestler Sean Tan wins on debut". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  11. ^ AEW Double or Nothing Review | Fallout from SPW Trexxus vs Statement: Career vs Title, retrieved 2022-08-09
  12. ^ Varun Khanna v Meta, retrieved 2022-08-14
  13. ^ a b "Metropolitant's Fitspiration – Andruew Tang". Metropolitant. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  14. ^ Destroyer Dharma Pro-Wrestling Debut, retrieved 2022-04-28
  15. ^ Unchained in Changi Main Event for Southeast Asian Championship: Statement (c) v Trexxus, retrieved 2022-04-28
  16. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Events Database » SPW Wrestle The Odds III".
  17. ^ SPW Repentless: Lokomotiv v Trexxus (c), retrieved 2022-04-28
  18. ^ The Main Event Of SPW Triple Thrill: SPW VS The World, retrieved 2022-10-31
  19. ^ "Dante Chen - Matches - CAGEMATCH".
  20. ^ "SPW Klash of Kings Review". The Worked Shoot. 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  21. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Events Database » SPW Suplex City".
  22. ^ FULL MATCH Trexxus VS Aiden Rex | SPW No Guts No Glory, retrieved 2022-10-29
  23. ^ Onslaught vs Aiden rex & Mystery Partner | Tag Team Match | SPW Prove Alive and Kicking, retrieved 2022-12-03
  24. ^ "SPW Prove: Alive and Kicking #5 - Match Card - CAGEMATCH".
  25. ^ Trexxus vs The Statement | SEA Heavyweight Championship Match| SPW Prove Alive and Kicking, retrieved 2022-04-28
  26. ^ "As day three of the #WWEChina Tryout wraps up, @kona_reeveswwe talks about what he looks forward to on the final day in Shanghai! #NXT". WWE NXT - Instagram. July 17, 2019.
  27. ^ "S'pore's 1st ever WWE signing, Sean Tan: Never doubt yourself, work hard on achieving your dreams and it will pay off one day!". Sport Singapore. August 6, 2021. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  28. ^ a b Dante Chen has pushed himself to return to NXT 2.0 after injury: WWE NXT, Jan. 18, 2022, retrieved 2022-08-09
  29. ^ Guru Raaj vs. Duke Hudson: WWE NXT, Jan. 25, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  30. ^ Dante Chen plans on calling out Duke Hudson: WWE Digital Exclusive, Feb. 1, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  31. ^ Dante Chen vs. Duke Hudson: WWE NXT, Feb. 22, 2022, retrieved 2022-03-03
  32. ^ Dante Chen vs. Javier Bernal: NXT Level Up, March 4, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  33. ^ Dante Chen vs. Bodhi Hayward: NXT Level Up, March 18, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  34. ^ Dante Chen vs. Bodhi Hayward: NXT Level Up, April 22, 2022, retrieved 2022-04-26
  35. ^ "Dante Chen: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  36. ^ Dante Chen & Javier Bernal vs. Channing Lorenzo & Troy Donovan: NXT Level Up, May 6, 2022, retrieved 2022-06-05
  37. ^ Edris Enofé & Malik Blade vs. Dante Chen & Javier Bernal: NXT Level Up, June 3, 2022, retrieved 2022-06-05
  38. ^ O'Connor, John (July 9, 2022). "7/8 NXT Level Up results: O'Connor's review of Malik Blade and Edris Enofe vs. Bryson Montana and Damaris Griffin, Arianna Grace vs. Yulisa Leon, and Myles Borne vs. Dante Chen". Prowrestling. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  39. ^ Tessier, Colin (July 19, 2022). "Axiom Debuts On 7/19 WWE NXT 2.0, Beats Dante Chen". Wrestlezone. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  40. ^ "NXT Level Up results: Aug. 5, 2022". WWE. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  41. ^ Taylor, Sanchez (2022-10-30). "Watch NXT's Dante Chen Imitate Rhea Ripley's WWE Entrance (VIDEO)". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  42. ^ Datta, Soumik. "[Watch] Male WWE Superstar cosplays as Rhea Ripley during recent live event; Ripley reacts". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
  43. ^ Dijak returns to the ring with hard justice for Dante Chen: WWE NXT, Nov. 29, 2022, retrieved 2022-12-03
  44. ^ Savage, Amanda (2023-02-08). "PHOTO: Gruesome Aftermath Of Hard Hitting WWE NXT Match". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  45. ^ Mango, Anthony (2023-03-14). "WWE Main Event Results SPOILERS from March 13, 2023". eWrestlingNews.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  46. ^ Winnard, Liam (2023-03-14). "NXT Star Makes WWE Main Roster Debut". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  47. ^ "CAGEMATCH » Wrestlers Database » Dante Chen » Matches » 2023".
  48. ^ "Lexis King Gets the Win in WWE NXT Debut at Halloween Havoc". WWE. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  49. ^ Kilbane, Lyle (2023-11-08). "New WWE Tag Team Confirmed". TJRWrestling.net. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  50. ^ Tessier, Collin (2023-05-03). "NValentina Feroz, Boa, And More NXT Talent Released By WWE". WrestleZone. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  51. ^ "411MANIA". Leighty's WWE Main Event Review 1.18.24. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  52. ^ Cox, James (2024-02-18). "WWE Main Event results: Dante Chen vs. Akira Tozawa". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  53. ^ Lo, Jay (2024-02-24). "Pro wrestler Dante Chen becomes 1st S'porean to debut on WWE SmackDown". Must Share News - Independent News For Singaporeans. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  54. ^ Koh, Sarah (2024-02-24). "Sean Tan becomes first Singaporean to wrestle on WWE Friday Night SmackDown". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  55. ^ "Wrestler Dante Chen, 28, is first S'porean to debut on WWE SmackDown". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  56. ^ Adamson, Dave (2024-05-22). "WWE Star Demands Investigation Into Match Result". WrestleTalk. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  57. ^ Carrier, Steve (May 21, 2024). "Robert Stone's potential new client following star's release from WWE". Ringside News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  58. ^ "WWE's Dante Chen says it's his chance to represent family & culture as the 1st S'porean superstar". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  59. ^ "WWE wrestler Dante Chen will be 1st S'porean to compete in a S'pore Cane match". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  60. ^ "Dante Chen and Lexis King battle in a Singapore Cane Match". WWE. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  61. ^ "Lexis King Shows Off Battle Scars From His Singapore Cane Match On NXT". Yahoo Entertainment. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
  62. ^ Moore, John (July 16, 2024). "NXT TV results (7/16): Moore's review of The Rascalz vs. Gallus, Oba Femi vs. Duke Hudson for the NXT North American Title, Je'Von Evans vs. Brooks Jensen". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  63. ^ "WWE MAIN EVENT TV RESULTS (8/14): Dante Chen vs. Oba Femi and Ludwig Kaiser vs. Dragon Lee including Road Dogg calling a "shoot Irish whip"". Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  64. ^ "WWE MAIN EVENT TV RESULTS (8/21): Show's move away from autopilot evident with Lyra Valkyria vs. Lola Vice, Dante Chen vs. Ilja Dragunov". Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  65. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (August 8, 2024). "Mike Bailey And Zachary Wentz Qualify For Ultimate X Match At TNA Emergence | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  66. ^ Singapore's First WWE Superstar Dante Chen Discusses NXT 2.0, Training At the PC & WWE 2K22, retrieved 2022-08-09
  67. ^ G, Joey (2022-06-29). "Dante Chen Reveals His Favorite Era Of WWE, Says He Enjoys The Work Of The Miz". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  68. ^ "411MANIA". Dante Chen Hopes To Have a Match With The Miz. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  69. ^ a b "Dante Chen Was Awestruck By The Miz's NXT 2.0 Appearance, Wants To Wrestle Him | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  70. ^ Tim chats with Singapore's first WWE Wrestler - Sean Tan (a.k.a. Dante Chen) | WATCH: Tim's interview with Singapore's very first WWE wrestler, Sean Tan a.k.a. Dante Chen. They talked about meeting and learning from wrestling... | By ONE FM 91.3 | Facebook, retrieved 2022-08-09
  71. ^ "Dante Chen - Facebook". November 23, 2021.
  72. ^ "S'pore pro wrestler Dante Chen, 28, debuts on prestigious Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 list". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  73. ^ "S'pore pro wrestler Dante Chen, 28, debuts on prestigious Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 list - Fathership.co". fathership.co. 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  74. ^ a b "Dante Chen - Titles - CAGEMATCH".
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