El Phantasmo

Riley Vigier is a Canadian professional wrestler known to fans worldwide as El Phantasmo, often shortened to ELP. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying performers in the junior and heavyweight divisions.

El Phantasmo first made waves in NJPW as a cocky member of Bullet Club, winning the Super J-Cup twice and capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship three times with Taiji Ishimori. In 2023, he was kicked out of Bullet Club and joined the Guerrillas of Destiny, transitioning to the heavyweight division. Teaming with Hikuleo, he won both the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship twice and the IWGP Tag Team Championship, at one point holding both sets of titles simultaneously. He won his first NJPW singles title, the NJPW World Television Championship, at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in January 2025.

Fans admire ELP for his high-flying athleticism, charismatic promos, and ability to play both a hated villain and a beloved fan favorite. His journey from a Canadian independent scene standout to a top star in Japan's biggest promotion is a story of relentless drive and adaptability. [edit]

Riley Vigier grew up in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver. He trained under Aaron Idol, Disco Fury, and Scotty Mac, honing his skills on the Canadian independent circuit. He made his professional debut on October 30, 2005, at age 19, in a Halloween battle royale for Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling. For years, he wrestled under his real name and later as Riley Vincent, competing primarily in ECCW and the National Wrestling Alliance. His early matches were in small venues across British Columbia, where he developed the high-risk style that would later define his career. [edit]

El Phantasmo signed with NJPW in 2018 and immediately joined Bullet Club, debuting as a brash junior heavyweight. In 2019, he won the Super J-Cup, a prestigious tournament for junior heavyweights, and repeated the feat in 2020. He formed a dominant tag team with Taiji Ishimori, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship three times between 2019 and 2022. In 2023, he moved up to the heavyweight division, was kicked out of Bullet Club, and joined the Guerrillas of Destiny. Partnering with Hikuleo, he won the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship twice and the IWGP Tag Team Championship once, holding both simultaneously for a period. On January 4, 2025, he defeated Ren Narita at Wrestle Kingdom 19 to win the NJPW World Television Championship, his first singles title in the company. He lost the belt to Konosuke Takeshita on February 27, 2026, at The New Beginning USA. [edit]

El Phantasmo built his NJPW persona as an arrogant, cocky heel in Bullet Club, known for underhanded tactics and a brash attitude. After 2023, he transformed into a lovable babyface in the Guerrillas of Destiny, winning over fans with his high-energy style and engaging personality. Media praise his athleticism, charisma, and versatility as both a face and heel. He maintains an active social media presence on Instagram and X, where he interacts with wrestling fans and promotes his matches. [edit]

El Phantasmo has cultivated a formidable global footprint, resonating deeply across North American and Japanese wrestling circuits while maintaining a distinct presence in the independent scene. His career trajectory from a Bullet Club heel to a Guerrillas of Destiny main eventer has drawn widespread media attention and sustained fan engagement. Despite this high visibility and his status as a top-tier talent in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list). While he commands significant respect among hardcore wrestling enthusiasts and appears regularly on international broadcasts, he has not yet crossed into the specific numerical strata that define the world's most ubiquitous celebrities. Consequently, no official fandom name is documented for El Phantasmo; fans typically refer to him by his ring initials "ELP" or simply by his full moniker without a collective noun like "The Phantasmians." There are no recorded instances of organized fan campaigns, such as charity drives or subway ads, attributed to a unified group bearing a specific title. His audience interaction remains consistent with standard professional wrestler practices, characterized by charisma and high-energy performances rather than viral lore or supernatural folklore surrounding the performer.[edit]

Riley Vigier, known globally as El Phantasmo, carries a rich history of unique identifiers and milestones. Fans and promotions alike often shorten his name to ELP, and his nickname is The Headbanga. His entrance music includes HDBNG Club and HDBNGR by David Grimason, accompanying his signature CR II move. A devotee of the spooky aesthetic, he made his debut on Halloween, perfectly aligning with his persona. Of French-Canadian descent, his surname Vigier is pronounced Vizier. As of early 2026, he has competed in over 624 matches, including 34 pay-per-view events, spanning Canada, the US, Japan, Mexico, the UK, and France. His legend continues to grow through verified high-profile moments. On January 4, 2026, he opened Wrestle Kingdom 20 at the Tokyo Dome, defending the NJPW World TV Championship against Chris Brookes in a pre-show bout that highlighted his elite status. Later that year, his rivalry with Konosuke Takeshita intensified when Takeshita challenged for the title at The New Beginning USA in February 2026, winning the belt in Trenton, New Jersey. His crossover appeal was further cemented during a Game Changer Wrestling debut in Los Angeles on February 14, 2026, where he faced Alec Price after Joey Janela was replaced. Additionally, he participated in a high-stakes six-man tag team match for Ring of Honor on May 12, 2026, teaming with international stars like Mistico and Mascara Dorada against Jay Lethal and Nick Wayne.[edit]

El Phantasmo was born in Vancouver and raised in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. He has not publicly shared details about his parents or siblings. He keeps his personal life private, and no information about a spouse, children, or pets is available. He currently resides in Japan during the NJPW touring season. [edit]

El Phantasmo has built his career around key partnerships. His most notable tag team partner is Taiji Ishimori, with whom he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship three times. In the heavyweight division, he teamed with Hikuleo to capture both the Strong Openweight and IWGP Tag Team Championships. He has also crossed paths with Konosuke Takeshita, who defeated him for the NJPW World Television Championship in 2026. [edit]

Riley Vigier has kept his romantic life out of the public eye. No confirmed relationships, engagements, marriages, or divorces are documented in credible sources. As of 2026, his relationship status is unknown, and he has no publicly known children. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, El Phantasmo's net worth is estimated at around $1 Million as of 2026. His primary income stream stems from his contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which encompasses a base salary alongside bonuses for pay-per-view appearances. Beyond his tenure in Japan, he generates revenue through independent bookings, merchandise sales, and content creation on his Twitch channel. Although he does not rank among the highest-paid athletes in the industry, his consistent activity on the international circuit and within major promotions has established a stable financial foundation.[edit]

El Phantasmo has won multiple professional wrestling championships and tournaments. He is a two-time Super J-Cup winner, a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a two-time Strong Openweight Tag Team Champion, a one-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, and a one-time NJPW World Television Champion. [edit]