The Don Callis Family

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Don Callis Family
Don Callis, the stable's founder, leader, and manager
Stable
LeaderDon Callis (manager)
MembersSee below
Former membersSee below
DebutMay 28, 2023
Years active2023–present

The Don Callis Family is a villainous professional wrestling stable led and managed by Canadian wrestling manager Don Callis. They predominantly perform in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as well as its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). They also make appearances in AEW's partner promotions Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLP), and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).

The stable holds championships across three professional wrestling promotions (AEW, CMLL, and MLP). Mark Davis is the reigning AEW National Champion, Kevin Knight is the reigning AEW TNT Champion, Hechicero is the reigning CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, and Josh Alexander is the reigning MLP Canadian Champion.

History

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2023–present)

Formation; feuds with Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho (2023–2024)

Don Callis, founding member, leader, manager, and namesake of the stable

On the May 10, 2023 episode of Dynamite, during a steel cage match between Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley, Callis turned on Omega, stabbing him with a screwdriver which allowed Moxley to get the win. At Double or Nothing, Callis allied himself with Konosuke Takeshita, after he delivered a jumping knee strike to Omega.[1] In June 2023, Will Ospreay joined The Don Callis Family. At Grand Slam, Callis recruited Sammy Guevara to his family, after he turned on Chris Jericho.[2]

On October 1 at WrestleDream, the Don Callis Family defeated, Omega, Jericho, and Kota Ibushi.[3] In the same month, Powerhouse Hobbs and Kyle Fletcher joined the Don Callis Family. On December 15 at Final Battle, Fletcher won a Survival of the Fittest to win the vacant ROH World Television Championship, thus making it his first ever singles championship.[4] On the December 28, 2023 episode of Dynamite, Guevara returned and crashed The Don Callis Family's Boxing Week Celebration. Callis got Guevara a custom portrait with his new baby and his family, but Guevara turned on Callis and the family attacked Guevara until Jericho made the save.[5][6] At Worlds End on December 30, Takeshita and Hobbs teamed with Ricky Starks and Big Bill in a losing effort to Jericho, Guevera, Sting, and Darby Allin.[7] On the February 7, 2024 episode of Dynamite, Takeshita defeated Jericho, ending their feud and avenging his previous loss to him in DDT.[8]

Expansion and championship reigns (2024–present)

In 2024, Trent Beretta, Rush, Lance Archer and Brian Cage joined the Don Callis Family,[9][10][11], while Ospreay and Hobbs left the stable.[12] On October 12 at WrestleDream, Takeshita defeated Ospreay and Ricochet in a three-way match to win the International Championship for the first time and his first championship in AEW after Fletcher interfered and turned on Ospreay.[13]

In 2025, the stable included Mark Davis,[14] Josh Alexander,[15] Rocky Romero,[16] Hechicero,[17] and Kazuchika Okada.[18][19][20] While Takeshita lost the title to Kenny Omega at Revolution,[21] Okada defeated Omega at All In: Texas to become the inaugural AEW Unified Champion while also retaining the AEW Continental Championship and winning the AEW International Championship.[22] On the July 31 episode of Collision, Fletcher defeated Dustin Rhodes in a Chicago Street Fight to win the AEW TNT Championship, retaining the title until Full Gear on November 22.[23][24][25] On October 1 at the sixth anniversary episode of Dynamite, Andrade El Idolo and El Clon joined the Don Callis Family,[26] but on October 16, it was reported by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Andrade was taken off television after WWE sent a cease-and-desist letter to AEW that claimed that his AEW return violated a non-compete clause that took effect upon his termination.[27] At On November 29, Andrade was quietly removed as a Don Callis Family member after he revealed that he had never signed a contract with AEW, leaving his status with the company unknown.[28] After Full Gear, Okada lost to Jon Moxley in the 2025 Continental Classic finals, ending his record-setting reign as Continental Champion at 647 days and was also forced to vacate the Unified Championship, ending that reign at 168 days.[29][30]

Starting 2026, Jake Doyle joined the stable and Andrade would re-join,[31] and several members won more titles: Fletcher defeated Tommaso Ciampa to win back the AEW TNT Championship,[32] The team of Okada, Fletcher, and Davis defeated Jet Set Rodeo ("Hangman" Adam Page, "Speedball" Mike Bailey, and Kevin Knight) to win the AEW World Trios Championship,[33] [34] but lost it at Revolution on March 15, to Bailey, Knight, and Místico, ending their reign at 11 days.[35] On March 30, Volador Jr. joined the Don Callis Family.[36] On April 8, AEW president Tony Khan announced that Fletcher would be forced to relinquish the TNT Championship due to a meniscus injury, ending his second reign at 56 days.[37][38] On May 9 at Fairway to Hell, Davis defeated Jack Perry to win the AEW National Championship, marking his first singles title in AEW.[39] Cage returned from injury on the May 13, 2026 episode of Dynamite, unsuccessfully challenging Kevin Knight for the TNT Championship. At Double or Nothing on May 24, Takeshita defeated Okada to win the International Championship for a record-tying second time. Following the match, Takeshita was kicked out of the Don Callis Family by a returning Kyle Fletcher.[40] On the June 3 episode of Dynamite, the reigning TNT Champion Kevin Knight joined the Don Callis Family.[41]

Other promotions (2024–present)

Due to AEW's working relationships, Don Callis Family members have also appeared on other promotions, like New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Takeshita has worked for NJPW since 2024, winning the G1 Climax 35 in August 2025,[42] and defeating Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in October that same year.[43] He held the title until Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, where he lost it to Yota Tsuji but defeated El Phantasmo weeks later to win the NJPW World Television Championship.[44] Andrade also worked for NJPW since 2025, winnning the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on night 1 of Wrestling Dontaku from Tsuji in May 2026.[45] Hechicero also won the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship when he defeated Claudio Castagnoli at CMLL's Homenaje a Dos Leyendas in March 2026.[46] On June 14 at Dominion 6.14 in Osaka-jo Hall, Andrade lost the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship to Shota Umino.[47]

Members

* Founding member(s)
L/M Leader/Manager

Current

Member Joined
Don Callis *L/M May 28, 2023
Kyle Fletcher October 28, 2023
Trent Beretta May 29, 2024
Lance Archer October 8, 2024
Brian Cage October 16, 2024
Mark Davis February 5, 2025
Josh Alexander April 16, 2025
Rocky Romero April 17, 2025
Hechicero June 10, 2025
Kazuchika Okada June 21, 2025
Wardlow August 24, 2025
Andrade El Ídolo[a] October 1, 2025
El Clon
Jake Doyle January 7, 2026
Volador Jr. March 30, 2026
Kevin Knight June 3, 2026

Former

Member Joined Left
Sammy Guevara September 20, 2023 December 28, 2023
Will Ospreay June 25, 2023 July 3, 2024
Rush July 5, 2024 October 8, 2024
Powerhouse Hobbs October 4, 2023 November 6, 2024
Konosuke Takeshita * May 28, 2023 May 24, 2026

Timeline

Sub-groups

Current

Affiliate Members Tenure Type
Murder Machines Lance Archer
Brian Cage		 2024-present Tag team
RPG Vice Trent Beretta
Rocky Romero		 2025–present Tag team

Championships and accomplishments

Notes

  1. Andrade temporarily left the stable from November 29, 2025 till January 7, 2026.
  2. During Takeshita's reign, the title was called the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
  3. With the reactivation of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the restored and combined histories of both it, the World Heavyweight, and the Intercontinental titles, all former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions are retroactively recognized as having been an IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

References

  1. Powell, Jason (May 28, 2023). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Darby Allin vs. Jack Perry vs. Sammy Guevara in a four-way for the AEW World Championship, The Elite vs. BCC in Anarchy in the Arena, Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie for the TBS Title, Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an unsanctioned match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. Powell, Jason (September 20, 2023). "AEW Dynamite results (9/20): Powell's live review of MJF vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW World Title, Saraya vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston in a title vs. title match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  3. Powell, Jason (October 1, 2023). "AEW WrestleDream results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage in a best of three falls match for the TNT Title, Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  4. Lambert, Jeremy (15 December 2023). "Kyle Fletcher Wins ROH TV Title At ROH Final Battle". Fightful. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  5. Renner, Ethan (October 4, 2023). "Powerhouse Hobbs joins The Don Callis Family at AEW Dynamite Anniversary". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  6. Has Pizzazz, Manolo (October 28, 2023). "Don Callis adds a new member to his Family in AEW". CageSideSeats. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  7. Mueller, Doc-Chris. "AEW Worlds End 2023 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  8. Wilkinson, Matthew (2024-02-07). "AEW Dynamite Results 2/7: AEW World Tag Team Title Match, Strickland Vs. Page, Jericho Faces Takeshita". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  9. "Murder Machines". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  10. "Rush joins Don Callis Family on AEW Rampage". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  11. Mueller, Doc-Chris. "AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From May 29". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  12. Mueller, Doc-Chris. "AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights After Forbidden Door". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  13. Mueller, Doc-Chris. "AEW WrestleDream 2024 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  14. "AEW Dynamite live results: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
  15. Staff, A. E. W. (2025-04-17). "AEW Dynamite: Spring BreakThru Results". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved 2025-04-17.
  16. "AEW Collision results: Mercedes Mone in tag team action". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2025-04-17. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  17. "Hechicero Abandons Último Guerrero & Averno For The Don Callis Family on CMLL Martes de Arena Mexico | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  18. Powell, Jason (2025-06-11). "AEW Dynamite results (6/11): Barnett's live review of the first half of the Summer Blockbuster". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  19. "Don Callis Family « Stables Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  20. Powell, Jason (2025-06-21). "AEW Collision results (6/21): Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. AR Fox in a non-title match, Swerve Strickland vs. Shane Taylor, an all-star eight-woman tag team match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  21. Powell, Jason (March 9, 2025). "AEW Revolution results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Adam Copeland for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Mariah May for the AEW Women's Title, MJF vs. Hangman Page". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  22. Powell, Jason (July 12, 2025). "AEW All In Texas results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone for the AEW Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  23. Powell, Jason (November 22, 2025). "AEW Full Gear "Tailgate Brawl" pre-show results: El Sky Team vs. Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, and Hechicero for the CMLL Trios Titles, Big Boom AJ and QT Marshall vs. RPG Vice". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  24. Powell, Jason (November 22, 2025). "AEW Full Gear results: Powell's live review of Hangman Page vs. Samoa Joe in a steel cage match for the AEW World Championship, Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone for the AEW Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  25. Moss, Jeff (July 31, 2025). "AEW Collision results: Tag tourney matches continue". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  26. Berge, Kevin. "AEW Dynamite Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From Oct. 1". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 2025-10-02.
  27. F4W Staff (October 16, 2025). "WWE non-compete clause potentially causing Andrade's AEW absence". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. Lambert, Jeremy (November 29, 2025). "Andrade Says He Never Signed A Contract With AEW". Fightful.
  29. All Elite Wrestling (November 24, 2025). The 2025 AEW Continental Classic Selection Show - TONIGHT at 10pm ET / 7pm PT | 11/24/25. Retrieved November 24, 2025 – via YouTube.
  30. RiggsUncrowned, Drake (2025-12-28). "AEW Worlds End 2025: Live results, updates, grades and highlights for tonight's PPV". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  31. Thompson, Andrew (January 7, 2026). "Jake Something Attacks JetSpeed Backstage At AEW Dynamite, Aligns With Don Callis Family". Fightful. Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  32. Barnett, Jake (February 11, 2026). "AEW Dynamite results (2/11): Barnett's review of Kris Statlander vs. Thekla in a strap match for the AEW Women's Championship, Tommaso Ciampa vs. Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net.
  33. Lambert, Jeremy (March 4, 2026). "Don Callis Family Wins AEW Trios Titles On AEW Dynamite". Fightful. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  34. Powell, Jason (March 15, 2026). "AEW Revolution results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  35. Powell, Jason (March 15, 2026). "AEW Revolution results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
  36. Thompson, Andrew (March 31, 2026). "Volador Jr. Joins Don Callis Family, Challenging Místico & JetSpeed For AEW Trios Titles At 4/3 CMLL Show". Fightful. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
  37. "Major Update on Kyle Fletcher's AEW Injury Status". Sports Illustrated. April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  38. Lambert, Jeremy (April 8, 2026). "AEW TNT Title Vacated Due To Injury To Kyle Fletcher". Fightful. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  39. Lambert, Jeremy (May 9, 2026). "AEW Fairway To Hell Results (5/9): Darby Allin vs. PAC". Fightful. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  40. Powell, Jason (May 24, 2026). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Darby Allin vs. MJF in a hair vs. title match for the AEW World Championship, Kazuchika Okada vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  41. Howard, Ryan (June 3, 2026). "AEW Dynamite live results: MJF vs. Rush, Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis". F4W/WON. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  42. Gronemann, Markus (August 17, 2025). "NJPW G1 Climax 35 finals results: Takeshita vs. EVIL". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  43. Michaels, Corey (October 13, 2025). "NJPW King of Pro Wrestling live results: Sabre vs. Takeshita". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  44. Michaels, Corey (February 27, 2026). "NJPW The New Beginning USA live results: Yota Tsuji vs Andrade el Idolo". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  45. Michaels, Corey (May 3, 2026). "NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one live results: Yota Tsuji vs. Andrade El Idolo". F4W/WON. Retrieved May 3, 2026.
  46. Ocampo, Ernesto (March 20, 2026). "CMLL Homenaje a dos Leyendas 2026 | Resultados en vivo y cobertura | Se despide el Satánico". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  47. "NJPW Dominion live results: Callum Newman vs. Yota Tsuji". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  48. Debt, Shubhajit (December 28, 2025). "AEW Removes Title From Roster Page After Just 198-Day Existence". ITRWrestling. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  49. "CAGEMATCH » Titles Database » AEW Unified Championship". Cagematch.net. January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  50. "¡Un ídolo en la WKC! Así fue la victoria de Andrade sobre Guanchulo". www.tvn.cl. Retrieved May 16, 2026.