Dezmond Xavier Has Begun Wrestling Hiatus

AEW wrestler Dezmond Xavier stepped away from the ring following the death of his grandmother.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Wrestling

Expressionist sports illustration of a professional wrestler mid-stride in a blue and white ring, reflecting a quiet moment of departure. — AEW wrestler Dezmond Xavier has stepped away from the ring for an indefinite hiatus to support his family following the death of his grandmother. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

AEW wrestler Dezmond Xavier has started a hiatus to focus on his family after the recent passing of his grandmother. The performer publicly thanked AEW President Tony Khan for sending flowers during this period of personal loss.

Why it matters

Personal emergencies often require professional athletes to take indefinite breaks from their careers to support their families. This hiatus highlights the human element behind the scripted narratives presented on major wrestling television programs.

Dezmond Xavier, a member of the tag team The Rascalz, missed the September 20, 2026, episode of AEW Collision. His partners, Myron Reed and Zachary Wentz, competed in separate matches on that same date.

The players

Dezmond Xavier

He is a professional wrestler and a member of the stable known as The Rascalz.

Tony Khan

He serves as the President of All Elite Wrestling and oversees the company's creative direction.

Myron Reed

He is a professional wrestler who competes as part of the trio The Rascalz.

Zachary Wentz

He is a professional wrestler and a founding member of the group The Rascalz.

The details

Dezmond Xavier shared a message of appreciation on X for the support shown by Tony Khan. The absence follows a period where The Rascalz had been active within the promotion, including a title challenge earlier in September.

The Rascalz signed with AEW in January 2026.
The Rascalz challenged for the Trios titles in September 2026.
Dezmond Xavier missed the September 20, 2026, episode of AEW Collision.
Myron Reed and Zachary Wentz lost their respective matches on September 20, 2026.
Dezmond Xavier posted a thank you message on Twitter on September 21, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This hiatus disrupts the momentum of The Rascalz, who have been active in the promotion's tag team and trios divisions since their signing. The absence of one third of the group forces a shift in roster utilization for upcoming episodes of Collision and other AEW programming.

With Dezmond Xavier off television, the creative team must adjust booking plans for The Rascalz in the immediate future. Fans should expect temporary changes to the team's involvement in tag or trios match formats until the full unit is reunited.

The takeaway

Professional wrestling rosters often undergo sudden changes due to the real-life circumstances of their performers. Fans can support athletes by acknowledging these personal milestones while expecting temporary shifts in on-screen character storylines.