After greater than a yr away from the ring as a result of a life-threatening medical problem, Luchasaurus (now going by Killswitch) just lately returned to an AEW ring, taking out his former Patriarchy chief, Christian Cage, together with Adam Copeland on Dynamite, earlier than shedding to the duo alongside Kip Sabian at Forbidden Door. It is nice to see Luchasaurus again in All Elite Wrestling, the place he is been for the reason that starting, most notably alongside “Jungle Boy” Jack Berry because the Jurassic Specific. Nevertheless, earlier than his AEW days, Luchasaurus was an unmasked wrestler in WWE NXT referred to as Judas Devlin… and he was virtually within the Wyatt Household.
Luchasaurus Competed In WWE NXT As Judas Devlin
Judas Devlin began his WWE profession in FCW.
His first match noticed him in a tag workforce with Corey Graves.
He was launched in 2014 after struggling a critical hip damage the yr earlier than.
Luchasaurus (actual identify Austin Matelson) obtained his wrestling begin in 2009 working the indies in California, however together with his measurement and look, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than WWE observed him. He was signed by WWE in 2012, given the identify of Judas Devlin, and despatched to the corporate’s then developmental system, FCW (Florida Championship Wrestling).
Devlin was an unmasked wrestler, and in his first ever WWE match, he teamed up with Corey Graves. When FCW grew to become NXT, Devlin was there too, however not often seen in TV matches. Sadly, he suffered a hip damage in 2013 that left him unable to compete, resulting in WWE releasing him the following yr.
In a 2019 interview with Contained in the Ropes, Luchasaurus talked about his quick WWE profession, saying:
“I personally was in NXT when it first began, and I actually did not like, I used to be not joyful there. I by no means would have been ready to do that or create this there.”
Luchasaurus Was Virtually In The Wyatt Household
Dusty Rhodes helped kind what would change into the Luchasaurus character.
Bray Wyatt wished Judas Devlin within the Wyatt Household.
Along with his lengthy hair and beard, he had the right search for the faction.
Luchasaurus as Judas Devlin by no means obtained a lot of an opportunity in FCW and particularly NXT. He was simply one other man on the roster with out a lot of a personality, and was seldom used. Twice, nonetheless, Judas Devlin practically had a shot at WWE stardom. In a 2019 interview with Chris Van Vliet, Luchasaurus spoke in regards to the origins of his present character, which he stated began with the American Dream.
“After I was in developmental in WWE, I used to be working with Dusty Rhodes. He was one of many few guys that basically believed in me as a result of he noticed this bizarre man that had this Grasp’s diploma have an fascinating look. He didn’t know the right way to place it. He knew there was one thing like this Luchasaurus in his head and we simply couldn’t put our finger on it and each week we’d strive one thing.” (h/t TPWW)
Though Dusty Rhodes could not fairly kind the character the long run Luchasaurus wanted, a big-name NXT star noticed his potential. With Judas Devlin having lengthy hair and a protracted beard, he regarded excellent for a brand new faction on the model known as the Wyatt Household.
In 2019, he instructed Chris Jericho on his Discuss Is Jericho podcast:
“I keep in mind Bray Wyatt stated, ‘I really like this identify man, that is cool’ and he wished me to get into his group when he first began it, however they’d already solidified what they wished in there, however it was excellent for his kinda factor.” (h/t Wrestling Perspective)
You may’t say that WWE made a nasty selection in not together with Judas Devlin, as a result of the mixture of Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erik Rowan, and later Braun Strowman definitely labored to create a legendary faction, however would Devlin have succeeded in it? With how darkish of a personality he has been in a position to play prior to now few years, it appears seemingly.
Is It Time For Luchasaurus To Take His Masks Off In AEW?
Luchasaurus was born in Lucha Underground.
He has teamed up with Jungle Boy and The Patriarchy in AEW.
Killswitch wants an up to date character, which suggests talking and never sporting a masks.
Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, and after leaving WWE, Austin Matelson stored his identify on the market in different methods, doing issues like competing on Huge Brother or being a contestant on The Value Is Proper. Then got here Luchasaurus. Two years after his WWE exit, Madelson returned to the ring, first as Austin Draven after which as Simply Judas. Nevertheless, a run in Lucha Underground modified all the pieces, as he placed on a masks, and have become a extra sinister gimmick referred to as Luchasaurus.
In 2019, his cult following led to Luchasaurus signing with the model new AEW. There he grew to become a tag workforce, trios, and TNT Champion, working as each a babyface with Jungle Boy, and as a heel within the Patriarchy. Then, final fall got here an incident that almost killed him when his fiancé discovered him collapsed on the ground. He was rushed to the hospital the place it was found that he had double pneumonia and was simply days away from everlasting lung harm.
Luchasaurus is again and now going by Killswitch, however the final energetic yr of his profession has arguably been disappointing, as Killswitch by no means speaks and would all the time simply stand within the background. It is time to see a shakeup, with Killswitch taking off the masks, exhibiting his face, and talking. Austin Matelson was by no means within the Wyatt Household, however he nonetheless has the look and functionality to painting an analogous character.
