Damian Priest
Damian Priest is a WWE wrestler on SmackDown, a former World Heavyweight Champion and the voice of The Hood in Marvel Rivals.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Damian’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once Damian claims this page.
Latest
Damian’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- From
- Born in New York City; raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
- Training
- Monster Factory and WWE Performance Center.
- Earlier ring name
- Punishment Martinez.
- Breakout
- Teaming with Bad Bunny at WrestleMania 37 in 2021.
- World title milestone
- Won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XL in 2024.
Mini bio
How it started.
Born Luis Martínez in New York City and raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Priest discovered wrestling through World Wrestling Council broadcasts. He trained at the Monster Factory and spent years working on the independent circuit before becoming known in Ring of Honor as Punishment Martinez.
The long road.
Priest has spoken openly about experiencing homelessness and working in nightclubs while trying to build a wrestling career. His NXT television debut came under the Punishment Martinez name in 2018. As Damian Priest, he won the NXT North American Championship in a five-man ladder match at TakeOver XXX in 2020.
Finding a bigger stage.
At WrestleMania 37 in 2021, Priest teamed with Bad Bunny to defeat The Miz and John Morrison. He later became part of The Judgment Day, won tag team gold with Finn Bálor and captured the 2023 Money in the Bank contract. His San Juan Street Fight against Bad Bunny at Backlash brought their story to Puerto Rico.
Becoming world champion.
On April 7, 2024, Priest cashed in his contract on Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania XL to win the World Heavyweight Championship. His later work includes a WWE Tag Team Championship run with R-Truth and a voice role as The Hood in Marvel Rivals.
Creditschronological, newest first
Wrestling
- 2026WWE Tag Team Championship with R-TruthChampion
- 2024WrestleMania XLWorld Heavyweight Championship winner
- 2023Backlash: San Juan Street FightOpponent of Bad Bunny
- 2021WrestleMania 37Bad Bunny’s tag team partner
- 2020NXT TakeOver XXXNorth American Championship Ladder Match winner
Video games
- 2026Marvel RivalsVoice of The Hood
Awards
Quotes
If I did it, literally anybody can achieve their stuff.Damian Priest, WrestleMania XL press conference, quoted by Wrestling Inc.
After winning the world title in April 2024, he reflected on his earlier homelessness and encouraged fans pursuing their own goals.
Trivia
- His father taught him Gōjū-ryū karate.
- His South of Heaven finishing move shares its name with a Slayer song and album.
- He is a New York Yankees fan.
Find Damian
Follow Damian for updates from the ring and beyond.
Are you Damian Priest?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.

WWE
WWE
WWE
WWE