The team made their televisedNXT debut on June 8, 2016 atNXT TakeOver: The End, attackingAmerican Alpha (Jason Jordan andChad Gable) after they had lost theNXT Tag Team Championship toThe Revival (Scott Dawson andDash Wilder). Ellering appeared on the ramp following the assault, signaling his association with the two.

On June 15 episode ofNXT, the Authors of Pain won their first televised match and were accompanied by Ellering. On November 19, the duo won the 2016Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeatingTM-61 in the tournament final atNXT TakeOver: Toronto. AtNXT TakeOver: San Antonio, they won theNXT Tag Team Championship by defeating#DIY (Johnny Gargano andTommaso Ciampa). They retained the titles atNXT TakeOver: Orlando by defeating #DIY and The Revival in atriple threat elimination match after eliminating both teams. AtNXT TakeOver: Chicago, the duo participated in the first NXT TakeOver main event for the NXT Tag Team Championship by defeating #DIY in aladder match to retain their titles.

On the July 26 edition ofNXT, the two were set to face David Ramos and Timothy Bumpers. Before the match could begin,SAnitY attacked Ramos and Bumpers. Akam and Rezar turned face then battled withAlexander Wolfe andKillian Dain, disposing of the two before a staredown. Two weeks later, SAnitY called out the Authors of Pain. As the two made their way down the ramp,Eric Young emerged and attacked them. Young zip-tied Rezar to the barricade, allowing SAnitY to beat down Akam. Rezar eventually made his way to the ring, but was ultimately attacked as well. AtNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, the Authors of Pain lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to SAnitY, who were represented by Wolfe and Young after the latter replaced Killian Dain mid-match. This marked their first loss in NXT. AtNXT TakeOver: WarGames, The Authors of Pain teamed withRoderick Strong in aWarGames match involving SAnitY and the winning team,The Undisputed Era. AtNXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, The Authors of Pain unsuccessfully challenged The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship also included Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne.

Raw (2018-2020)[]

On theApril 9 edition ofRaw, The Authors of Pain, along with Ellering, made their main roster debut as heels, defeating Heath Slater & Rhyno. Following the match, Akam & Rezar told Ellering to back off, signaling that he was no longer going to manage the group.

On September 4, 2020 AOP was released by WWE.

Trivia[]

Their names are a play on the principle known as Occam's razor.

In wrestling[]

Double team finishing moves
- The Last Chapter
- Sit-out powerbomb (Rezar) / neckbreaker (Akam) combination
- Spinning sidewalk slam (Rezar) / running big boot (Akam) combination
- Super Collider (Stereo powerbombs)