A COUPLE OF RESILIENT RASCALZ

IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion Trey Miguel & NXT North American Titleholder Wes Lee are former tag team partners, friends for life... and currently following a parallel path to superstardom

They say that traveling a tougher journey will make you stronger in the end. If that's the case, then Trey Miguel and Wes Lee ought to be damn near bulletproof by now.

Former members of the fun-loving, high-octane group, known originally as MSK and later (in IMPACT Wrestling) The Rascalz, the two men once flew the friendly skies of the independent scene together. They were a quartet, alongside fellow young sensations Myron Reed and Zachary Wentz. While the members shifted from time to time, Miguel and Lee (then known as Dezmond Xavier) were key components of the faction.

As a trio, Lee, Miguel, and Wentz were enjoying their greatest success in IMPACT, where their athletic in-ring style and hilarious backstage vignettes made them a favorite with the fans. Particularly younger viewers, who happily laughed along with their combination of verbal and herbal humor.

However, when Lee and Wentz were signed away to NXT, Miguel was alone, like a man on an Island. There were even whispers that he was passed over by WWE management because he didn't have the 'drive' they were looking for, a ridiculous notion most of his peers scoffed at.

For whatever reason, the successful trio was divided between promotions, with the former Rascalz members re-christened under a new banner, and Miguel moving on to singles competition. In the years since then, Miguel has proven any doubters or naysayers wrong, transitioning into one of IMPACT's most pivotal performers.

The Fresh Prince of Mid-Air captured the X-Division Championship and has proven himself as one of the greatest titleholders in its illustrious history

He's also been part of some of the most spectacular showdowns in IMPACT's modern era, taking on the likes of Chris Bey, Rich Swann, and several fellow stars in classic matches. While athletes that can routinely display flashy moves are becoming more and more common, Miguel also possesses a tremendous amount of natural charisma. Without a doubt, he's a bona fide fan favorite.

Meanwhile, Lee and Wentz looked like they may have struck gold themselves by moving over to World Wrestling Entertainment's third brand. They were immediately accepted by the audience, and they almost seemed to have received a shot of adrenaline from their new surroundings.

Along with Nash Carter (the new name given to Zachary Wentz) won the NXT Tag Team Championships on two occasions, and they looked to be on their way to the main roster. Fans were already clamoring for a potential feud on RAW or Smackdown against teams like The Street Profits or The New Day. The duo was on everyone's radar and already considered likely to be world champions in WWE at some point down the road.

Then, another fork in the road happened. This time, it was Wes Lee who was forced to re-group. And just like his longtime friend and stablemate Trey Miguel, he took lemons and turned them into an ocean of lemonade.

Carter would be forced out of the MSK team and NXT altogether when he was released by the parent company on April 5, 2022. He had been the subject of multiple domestic abuse allegations. Then, he was linked with online photos relating to Nazi symbolism.

MSK were the reigning champions at the time and were forced to relinquish the belts. That left Wes Lee without a title and without a team. At that point, it looked like the promotion might just let him finish out his existing deal and send him packing. Back to IMPACT, or possibly even Indy Land. After all, he had been brought in as part of a two-man act, so what could they expect him to do... all by himself?

Where many might have folded, Wes Lee has flourished

Just like Trey Miguel, Wes Lee targeted his brand's secondary title as a natural step on the ladder to solo success. He grabbed the gold at Halloween Havoc 2022 in a five-man ladder match and hasn't looked back since. His dynamic performance at Stand and Deliver over the WrestleMania weekend spoke for itself.

In an excellent encounter, Lee held onto his belt by defeating Axiom, Dragon Lee, Ilja Dragunov, and JD McDonagh in a Fatal Five-Way Match. It was a titanic test on a big stage; Lee passed with flying colors in a star-making performance.

Then, he followed that up with another match with Axiom on this week's episode of NXT. While his prowess in the squared circle may be at an all-time high, it's his rising presence in the WWE Universe that has been the most noticeable. The crowd rained down their cheers on him, and every week, he's looking like a guy who is going to have an impact at the next level.

His popularity and potential are almost mirroring that of his friend, Trey Miguel, now. Despite whatever scenarios led them both to this point, their respective talents have carried them. And while the close friends have all expressed on multiple occasions that they wish they would have risen to the top of the industry together, they remain loyal to one another.

Even being divided by the industry, they have maintained a bond

The original members of MSK have remained close, routinely posting about their mutual love and admiration. Additionally, they continue to openly root for one another professionally - despite wearing different team colors now. Their bond and brotherhood appear to be everlasting, and it's a refreshing thing to see in a business that so often leaves loyalty somewhere in the rearview mirror.

When looking at their standing in the world of pro wrestling, both Trey Miguel and Wes Lee have to be recognized as two of the most reliable young performers active today. They've forged their own paths to become big names in their own right, after initially shooting to stardom together.

But perhaps the one thing that these past partners share the most is their tenacity. Despite any roadblocks they've faced - either combined or on their own - they have never wavered from their ultimate goal. To be leaders of the next generation of excellence. They seem to be accomplishing that goal right now, across two different franchises.

Trey Miguel and Wes Lee emerged from their faction standing tall, becoming valuable performers and decorated champions, And they did that amongst detractors, division, and detours.

So if anyone ever dares to doubt these resilient Rascalz again? They must be smokin' something.

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