Gzim Selmani was born on 16 June 1994 Amsterdam, Netherlands, and grew up in Huizen.[3] He is an ethnic Kosovo Albanian, with roots from Mitrovicë.[4] He began practicing judo from the age of four, took up kickboxing at age 12 and began training in mixed martial arts alongside his brother Egzon, at the age of 15. Selmani became Professional Kickboxing Heavyweight Champion, after an 8-man tournament in one night, that took place in Bremerhaven, Germany.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Selmani joined Golden Glory management team and began to compete in amateur mixed martial arts Shooto competitions in the Netherlands in 2012.[5] His first professional fight was on 8 July 2012 against Kaan Postaci in The HagueThe Netherlands. He ended up knocking him out with a knee left hook combo. He won his second fight at Shooto Europe against Jorrit Leeman. On 24 November 2012 Selmani Fought Anatoli Ciumac in Brașov, Romania, which he won.[6] He faced Ante Delija at Final Fight Championship 05 and lost by TKO. Selmani defeated Mario Milosavljevic in November 2013 to record his second professional victory, and beat Tomaž Simonič at FFC 10 in Skopje, Macedonia. Selmani defeated Oli Thompson in 18 seconds in the main event of BAMMA 15 on 5 April 2014 in London.[7] Selmani competed for Bellator MMA at Bellator 130 in October 2014, losing via TKO to Daniel Gallemore.[8]
Selmani got invited for a tryout in Dubai, and it was William Regal’s choice to get him to sign a contract for WWE. In May 2015, it was reported that Selmani had signed a contract with WWE and would begin training to become a professional wrestler at the WWE Performance Center.[9] In October 2015, WWE confirmed that Selmani was a WWE developmental recruit already training at the Performance Center.[10] He made his in-ring debut at a NXThouse show in Venice, Florida on 30 January 2016, losing to Josh Woods.[2] By February 2016, Selmani had formed a tag team with Sunny Dhinsa,[11] and they became known as The Authors of Pain by April 2016.[12]
On 9 April episode of Raw, The Authors of Pain, along with Ellering, made their main roster debut, defeating Heath Slater and Rhyno. After the match, Akam and Rezar ended their partnership with Ellering by pushing him away and leaving him ringside as they returned backstage.[18] On 3 September episode of Raw, The Authors of Pain, now under the shortened name of "AOP", were accompanied to the ring by the 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, who announced himself as their new manager.[19]
On 5 November episode of Raw, The Authors of Pain defeated Seth Rollins in a handicap match to win the Raw Tag Team Championship for the first time. They went on to defeat SmackDown's Tag Team ChampionsCesaro and Sheamus in an interbrand Champion vs Champion match at Survivor Series. They lost the titles to Bobby Roode and Chad Gable on 10 December episode of Raw. In January 2019 Akam suffered an undisclosed leg injury that reportedly would keep him out for “at least a few months”. He and Akam returned to action at Super ShowDown on 7 June 2019.[20]
In September 2019, AOP began appearing in vignettes, warning of their return. During the 2019 WWE Draft in October, AOP went undrafted, becoming free agents and able to choose which brand to sign with. Three days after the draft's conclusion, AOP signed with Raw, remaining on the brand.[21] Rezar started to show up with Akam as Seth Rollins' disciples. In March 2020, it was reported that Rezar suffered a bicep injury and the injury would sideline him for six to eight months.[22] On 4 September 2020, AOP were released from their WWE contracts.[23][24]
Independent circuit (2022)
In May 2022, Gzim Selmani and Sunny Dhinsa, now known as Legion of Pain, have announced the launch of their professional wrestling promotion, Wrestling Entertainment Series (WES).[25]
According to a report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful on 30 August 2023, the Authors of Pain had been re-signed with the WWE in 2022 prior to the return of Vince McMahon as chairman in January 2023 and they were on the internal travel list as of May 2023.[26][27]
During the 22 December, episode of SmackDown, Rezar along with Akam were shown in vignettes by Karrion Kross and Scarlett that they will be returning as part of an alliance.[28] On SmackDown: New Year's Revolution, Rezar, alongside Akam and Paul Ellering made their televised return to WWE, assisting Karrion Kross and Scarlett in attacking Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits, confirming their alliance in the process.[29] AOP made their return to the ring on 16 February edition of SmackDown where they faced NXT talents Beau Morris and Javier Bernal in a squash match.[30] At Night 2 of WrestleMania XL, the stable lost against The Pride in a Philadelphia Street Fight.[31] On the following episode of NXT, The Final Testament made their NXT return with AOP attacking Axiom and Nathan Frazer, who have just won the NXT Tag Team Championships from Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker.[32]
During night 2 of the WWE Draft, which occurred on 29 April 2024, Rezar was drafted to WWE Raw, with the rest of The Final Testament.[33] At Week 2 of Spring Breakin', Rezar and Akam was unsuccessful at winning the NXT Tag Team Champions from Axiom and Nathan Frazer after interference from New Catch Republic.[34]
