Brian Pillman Jr. is no stranger to wrestling fans, but not just because of his famous last name. The son of the late Brian Pillman, a wrestling legend known for his unpredictable “Loose Cannon” persona, Brian Jr. has stepped into the ring determined to honor his father’s legacy while making a name for himself. Along the way, he has adopted a new persona, Lexis King, to further differentiate his career from that of his father.
This blog will explore Pillman Jr.’s background, his father’s wrestling legacy, his own career trajectory, and how Lexis King plays into his evolving journey in the wrestling world.
The Legacy of Brian Pillman Sr.
To understand Brian Pillman Jr., it’s important to first reflect on his father’s significant impact on the wrestling world. Brian Pillman Sr. was a unique figure in professional wrestling, known for his innovative high-flying style and boundary-pushing character work. He rose to fame in WCW as part of the Hollywood Blonds tag team with “Stunning” Steve Austin and later in WWE (then WWF), where he was best known for his “Loose Cannon” persona, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short by his tragic death in 1997 at the age of 35 due to heart disease. Brian Sr. left behind a significant legacy, not just as a wrestler, but as a trailblazer who influenced the “Attitude Era” of professional wrestling, where characters became edgier and more unpredictable.
The shadow of his father’s career looms large over Brian Jr., but rather than being overwhelmed by it, he has embraced the challenge of carrying on the family legacy.
For more on Brian Pillman Sr.’s impact on professional wrestling, check out this retrospective here.
Brian Pillman Jr.: The Early Years and Wrestling Beginnings
Brian Pillman Jr. was born in 1993, just as his father’s wrestling career was reaching its peak. Unfortunately, he lost his father at a young age, which left an emotional scar but also ignited his passion for following in his father’s footsteps. Raised primarily by his mother, Melanie Pillman, Brian Jr. didn’t initially jump straight into wrestling. Instead, he pursued other interests, including MMA and bodybuilding.
Eventually, his wrestling roots called him back, and he began training in 2017 under Lance Storm at the Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Canada. Storm himself was a former wrestling partner of Brian Pillman Sr. during their time in Stampede Wrestling, which added a personal layer to Pillman Jr.’s training.
Brian Jr. made his wrestling debut in December 2017 for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), immediately drawing attention due to his lineage and natural talent. From there, his career began to take off, and he worked in a variety of independent promotions, slowly building a reputation for himself outside of his father’s shadow.
For more on Pillman Jr.’s early career in wrestling, you can read this profile here.
Rising Star: Brian Pillman Jr. in MLW and AEW
One of Brian Pillman Jr.’s first major breaks came in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he signed a contract in 2018. MLW offered him the opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger stage, and he quickly became one of the promotion’s rising stars. In MLW, Pillman Jr. was part of the New Hart Foundation, alongside Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr., continuing the legacy of his father’s close ties with the legendary Hart family in professional wrestling.
Pillman Jr. also began to refine his in-ring style, adopting a blend of high-flying techniques reminiscent of his father’s cruiserweight days in WCW, combined with his own athleticism and strength. His charismatic personality and clear love for the business made him a fan favorite in MLW.
In 2020, Pillman Jr. appeared in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), debuting on AEW’s weekly show Dynamite. He would go on to become part of The Varsity Blonds tag team with Griff Garrison. The team was known for their throwback babyface image, drawing on the heritage of classic wrestling. While not yet a major player in AEW, Pillman Jr. gained significant exposure and showed steady improvement as both a wrestler and a character.
For more on Pillman Jr.’s time in AEW, visit the AEW page here.
Lexis King: Reinventing Himself in WWE NXT
In a significant move for his career, Brian Pillman Jr. signed with WWE in 2023 and was assigned to NXT, WWE’s developmental brand. However, in a surprise twist, Pillman Jr. did not continue wrestling under his real name. Instead, he rebranded himself as Lexis King—a bold step away from his father’s legacy.
This name change was not just cosmetic. By adopting the persona of Lexis King, Pillman Jr. sought to carve out his own identity in the wrestling world, free from the weight of his father’s career. In interviews, Pillman Jr. has explained that the name King is a tribute to his mother’s maiden name, and the change represents his desire to establish himself as his own man.
By embracing this new persona, Lexis King is giving himself the freedom to develop a character that stands apart from the legacy of Brian Pillman Sr. This move highlights a wrestler who is eager to evolve and explore new dimensions of his career, making Lexis King one of the most interesting prospects in NXT.
For more details on the transformation into Lexis King, you can read this WWE article here.
In-Ring Style and Character Development
As both Brian Pillman Jr. and Lexis King, the young wrestler’s in-ring style is a mix of high-flying maneuvers, technical wrestling, and brawling. Much like his father, Pillman Jr. has developed a reputation for his athleticism and ability to work a fast-paced, exciting match.
In MLW and AEW, Pillman Jr. leaned heavily into his father’s legacy, even adopting some of his father’s signature moves, such as the springboard clothesline. However, as Lexis King in NXT, Pillman Jr. has hinted at evolving beyond those tributes, seeking to establish new signature moves and a distinct in-ring identity.
Character development has always been key for wrestlers who want to succeed in the long term, and King’s decision to move away from the “son of Pillman” narrative demonstrates his awareness of the importance of reinvention. His new persona allows for fresh storylines, a new character arc, and a chance to avoid being typecast as simply the next generation of an existing wrestling legend.
For more insights into character reinvention in professional wrestling, explore this in-depth analysis of wrestler personas here.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
The transformation into Lexis King may be seen as a smart career move, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. While Brian Pillman Jr. initially drew attention due to his family name, he must now prove that he can stand on his own in WWE’s NXT brand, one of the most competitive platforms for up-and-coming wrestlers.
Despite the pressure, King seems poised to take on these challenges. He has consistently shown a willingness to adapt, whether through his in-ring style or his character work. His ability to connect with fans will be crucial as he moves forward in WWE, where he faces some of the most talented young stars in the world.
Looking ahead, there is potential for King to continue rising through the ranks of NXT and eventually make his way to WWE’s main roster. Given his background, determination, and ever-evolving persona, the future looks bright for Brian Pillman Jr./Lexis King.
For updates on his progress in WWE, visit WWE NXT’s official site here.
Conclusion: A Legacy and a Future of His Own
Brian Pillman Jr., now known as Lexis King, has successfully stepped out of the shadow of his famous father while still carrying the weight of that legacy. By embracing his own identity and evolving as a wrestler, he has proven that he is more than just “the son of Brian Pillman.” His journey is one of growth, resilience, and determination, and it’s clear that his story in professional wrestling is only just beginning.
For fans of professional wrestling, the rise of Lexis King is a testament to the enduring importance of legacy, but also to the power of reinvention. The wrestling world will be watching closely as he continues to develop and make his mark on the industry.
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