| Griff Garrison | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Garrett Griffith[1] |
| Born | Austell, Georgia, U.S.[2] |
| Alma mater | Guilford College[3] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Garrett Griffith[1] Griff Garrison[4] |
| Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[4] |
| Billed weight | 202 lb (92 kg)[4] |
| Trained by | LaBron Kozone[4] |
| Debut | October 30, 2016[4] |
Garrett Griffith is an Americanprofessional wrestler, better known by thering nameGriff Garrison. He is signed toAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotionRing of Honor (ROH).
Garrison was born inAustell, Georgia, relocating to North Carolina as a youth.[2] He attendedNorth Davidson High School inWelcome, North Carolina, graduating in 2016. While in high school he playedAmerican football as awide receiver. He went on to attendGuilford College inGreensboro, North Carolina, graduating in 2020 with abachelor's degree in education and history. During his time at Guilford College, he played American football for theGuilford Quakers.[1][3][5]
Garrison was trained by LaBron Kozone, debuting in 2016.[4][3][6] He initially wrestled for Fire Star Pro Wrestling in his home state ofNorth Carolina. He also appeared with promotions such as theGeorgia-based Anarchy Wrestling and Southern Fried Championship Wrestling, winning a variety ofchampionships. In 2019, he began appearing withRing of Honor.[7] From 2018 to 2020, Garrison teamed with his former schoolmate Markus Cross as "Master and the Machine".[1][8]
In June 2020, Garrison began wrestling forAll Elite Wrestling appearing onAEW Dynamite andAEW Dark as ajobber. In July 2020, he was paired withBrian Pillman Jr., with the duo dubbed the "Varsity Blonds". The duo went on to compete in AEW's tag team division, competing against teams such asFTR,Private Party,Proud and Powerful, andHybrid 2. In May 2021, they unsuccessfully challenged theYoung Bucks for theAEW World Tag Team Championship.[9] In the same month,Julia Hart joined Garrison and Pillman Jr. as theirvalet.[10] In July 2021, Garrison and Pillman Jr. were signed to contracts with AEW.[6] In December 2021, Garrison and Pillman Jr. beganfeuding withMalakai Black after he sprayedBlack Mist in Hart's eyes;[11] the feud culminated in a tag team bout pitting the Varsity Blonds against theKings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black andBrody King) on the January 19, 2022 episode ofDynamite that was won by Black and King.[12] The Varsity Blonds continued to team together until quietly disbanding in October 2022.[13]
In December 2022, Garrison underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury.[14] After over six months of inactivity, he returned to the ring in June 2023 with Ring of Honor - now AEW's sister promotion - losing toLee Moriarty on episode #15 ofRing of Honor Wrestling. In September 2023, Garrison formed a new tag team withCole Karter, withMaria Kanellis as theirvalet. Garrison returned to AEW in October 2023, losing toWardlow in asquash on an episode ofDynamite.[15] In January 2024, Garrison lost toAdam Copeland on an episode ofCollision. In April 2024, Garrison unsuccessfully facedROH World ChampionMark Briscoe in a"Proving Ground" match. At the ROH pay-per-viewDeath Before Dishonor in July 2024, Garrison teamed withAnthony Henry in a loss to the Infantry.[16]
In February 2025, Garrison and Karter formed astable, the "Frat House", with Jacked Jameson andPreston Vance.[17]
Garrison's signature moves include thesleeper hold,spear,spinebuster, andIvy League Destroyer.[4]
Hart has been added to the Varsity Blonde as a cheerleader...
Also announced for next week's show is a singles match between Griff Garrison of the Varsity Blonds and Malakai Black. Garrison cut a promo on Dynamite promising revenge for Julia Hart, who Black attacked last week by spraying her with black mist.