Xavier Woods

Austin Watson, born September 4, 1986 in Columbus, Georgia, is a professional wrestler, YouTuber, and television producer. Best known as Xavier Woods in WWE, he is the intellectual powerhouse of The New Day, a faction that redefined tag team wrestling. Outside the ring, he goes by Austin Creed, hosting the gaming channel UpUpDownDown and appearing on the G4 network. Watson's career spans over two decades, with notable stints in TNA and WWE, where he has become a 13-time tag team champion.

Watson brings a rare combination of athleticism, academic achievement, and pop culture savvy to his work. He holds a master's degree in psychology and is pursuing a PhD in educational psychology, often discussing video games and learning in interviews. His YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown, has millions of subscribers and features him playing games with fellow wrestlers, celebrities, and friends. Fans connect with his genuine enthusiasm for gaming and his underdog journey from a rough Atlanta neighborhood to WWE stardom. Standing 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 205 pounds, Watson maintains an athletic and lean physique with no visible tattoos. His height and build contribute to his dynamic in-ring style. He continues to perform in WWE and host UpUpDownDown as of 2026. [edit]

Watson grew up in a rough neighborhood near Atlanta, describing himself as a socially awkward child who used music to connect with others, particularly his father. He was raised in Marietta, Georgia, and attended Sprayberry High School, graduating in 2004. During high school, he participated in amateur wrestling, becoming one of the best wrestlers at his school, and also joined choir and band. He played basketball at Furman University as a point guard.

Watson began training to wrestle in 2005 alongside his studies, making his debut at Ultimate Christian Wrestling after being trained by its owner Rob Adonis. He developed the Austin Creed character, inspired by Apollo Creed from the Rocky films, and spent time in NWA Anarchy, where he became the longest-reigning tag team champion with Hayden Young. A pivotal moment before fame involved a high school wrestling rivalry with Cody Rhodes. Watson once wrestled two weight classes above his own specifically to compete against Cody Rhodes, hoping to impress Dusty Rhodes and get taken under his wing. Cody defeated Austin in their match, which only fueled their rivalry. Watson's first wrestling character, Austin Creed, was heavily inspired by Apollo Creed from the Rocky film franchise. [edit]

Watson signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2007 under the ring name Consequences Creed. He won the TNA World Tag Team Championship twice: once as Team Pacman with Adam Jones and Ron Killings, and once as Lethal Consequences with Jay Lethal. In 2010, he signed with WWE and began training in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and NXT, where he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Wes Brisco. He made his main roster debut as Xavier Woods on November 18, 2013.

On April 26, 2015, at Extreme Rules, Woods, Big E, and Kofi Kingston won the WWE Tag Team Championship, marking the beginning of The New Day's legendary run. Their second Raw Tag Team title reign became one of the longest in WWE history. In 2015, Watson launched the YouTube channel UpUpDownDown, where he hosts gaming sessions with fellow WWE performers and friends. He won the King of the Ring tournament in 2021, defeating Finn Bálor, and briefly adopted the name King Woods. In 2022, The New Day captured the NXT Tag Team Titles at NXT Deadline, completing the Tag Team Triple Crown. He co-hosted the revival of the G4 television network from 2020 to 2022. As of 2026, Watson continues to perform in WWE and host UpUpDownDown. [edit]

Xavier Woods is known for his high-energy persona, his use of a trombone during matches, and his colorful, often flamboyant ring attire. He is the intellectual powerhouse of The New Day, combining athleticism with intelligence. WWE highlights his academic achievements alongside his in-ring accomplishments. His UpUpDownDown channel features a casual, humorous tone with Watson playing video games with fellow wrestlers, celebrities, and friends. Watson's social media presence is energetic, playful, and often incorporates gaming culture references. Fans appreciate his authenticity, his nerdiness, and his underdog story. The New Day's fanbase is unofficially known as "The New Day faithful." Watson's media portrayal emphasizes his multi-talented nature, blending wrestling, gaming, and academia. [edit]

The audience surrounding Austin Watson, known professionally as Xavier Woods, is defined by a deep appreciation for his unique blend of high-energy performance and academic pedigree. As a core member of The New Day, he cultivated a loyal following through distinctive ring attire, the use of a trombone during entrances, and a persona that celebrated nerd culture without apology. While his departure from WWE to adopt the Austin Creed moniker marked a significant shift in his public identity, the fanbase remains engaged with his content across YouTube and social media platforms. Despite this enduring popularity, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated his current standing and determined that he does not hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific lists. This absence of a numerical rank reflects a status where his fame, while substantial within specific demographics, does not currently register on the broadest global scale measured by the engine. The organization notes that no formal name has been documented for his collective fanbase, distinguishing him from acts with explicitly branded supporter groups. His legacy is further cemented by his educational achievements, which have earned him respect as an intellectual figure within the wrestling industry. While specific fan rituals or organized campaigns are not detailed in current records, the cultural impact of his tenure with The New Day remains a defining element of his career narrative. The lack of a ranked position does not diminish his influence but rather situates him outside the immediate top tier of global celebrity metrics at this time.[edit]

Austin Watson, born September 4, 1986, in Columbus, Georgia, is best known as Xavier Woods, though he originally performed as Consequences Creed in TNA, a persona inspired by Apollo Creed from the Rocky films. He holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Furman University and a master's in psychology, and is currently pursuing a PhD in educational psychology at Capella University. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Watson has brown eyes, black hair, and warm brown skin; he possesses no visible tattoos. His physical measurements include a 42-inch chest, 32-inch waist, 15-inch biceps, and size 10 US shoes. Beyond the ring, he hosts the gaming channel UpUpDownDown and appeared on G4 between 2020 and 2022. A widely retold story among fans involves his decision to retire the Xavier Woods persona after sixteen years to embrace the name Austin Creed, citing a desire for personal evolution. Another notable legend concerns his academic background, which often surprises audiences accustomed to professional wrestlers, leading to a reputation as the intellectual powerhouse of The New Day. His self-proclaimed status as a lifelong video game enthusiast has become a central pillar of his public image, bridging the gap between athletic performance and pop culture fandom.[edit]

Watson is married to Jess Watson, and they have two children together. He keeps his family life relatively private, but has mentioned in interviews that his wife and kids are a grounding force. He grew up in a rough neighborhood near Atlanta, where music helped him bond with his father. His father was a significant influence, encouraging his early interests. Watson has no siblings mentioned in public records. The family resides together, though specific details about their home life are not widely shared. [edit]

Big E and Kofi Kingston are his New Day stablemates and tag team partners. Jay Lethal was his tag team partner in TNA as Lethal Consequences. Wes Brisco was his FCW Florida Tag Team Championship partner. Cody Rhodes was his high school wrestling rival. Rob Adonis was his wrestling trainer. [edit]

Watson is married to Jess Watson, and they have two children together. The couple keeps their relationship private, with few public details about when they met or married. As of 2026, they remain married. No other public relationships have been documented. Watson's dating history includes only his wife, Jess, consistent with his private nature. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Xavier Woods' net worth in 2026 is estimated at $5 Million. His income streams include his contract as a WWE performer, revenue generated by his YouTube channel UpUpDownDown through advertising and sponsorships, and his previous hosting role on G4 from 2020 to 2022. Merchandise sales associated with The New Day have consistently placed them among WWE's top sellers, contributing significantly to his financial portfolio. His annual WWE salary is believed to reach the high six figures, although precise figures remain undisclosed. Additional earnings are derived from his Twitch channel, AustinCreed, which operated from 2014 to 2023 with a following of 100,000 subscribers, alongside various appearances and endorsement opportunities.[edit]

Xavier Woods has won multiple tag team championships in WWE and TNA, including seven SmackDown Tag Team Championships, five Raw Tag Team Championships, one NXT Tag Team Championship, and one TNA World Tag Team Championship. He also won the 2021 King of the Ring tournament. [edit]