Ivar (wrestler)
A powerhouse of Viking fury, he helped redefine tag team brutality in modern wrestling with sheer, unadulterated force.
Born 1984 (age 42)·American professional wrestler·Birthday: March 3·Millennials
Biography
As one half of the monstrous War Raiders, later known as The Viking Raiders, Todd Smith—performing as Ivar—brought a visceral, bruising style back to WWE's tag team division. Trained in the hard-hitting rings of the independent circuit, he and partner Erik built a reputation as an unstoppable force, winning championships everywhere they went. Their call-up to the main roster saw them trade in their War Machine moniker for horned helmets, but not an ounce of their punishing in-ring philosophy. A serious neck injury in 2021 threatened to end Ivar's career, but his return showcased a resilient athlete who had refined his craft, mixing raw power with surprising agility for a man of his size. Beyond the ring, he serves as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center, shaping the future of the business.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ivar was born in 1984, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ivar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1984
#1 Movie
Beverly Hills Cop
Best Picture
Amadeus
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Ivar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1984Born
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1989Started school
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1997Became a teenager
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Could drive
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2002Could vote
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Turned 21
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2014Turned 30
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 40
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 42 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- A two-time WWE Raw Tag Team Champion as one half of The Viking Raiders with Erik.
- Former NXT Tag Team Champion, helping to establish the brand's tag team scene as a dominant force.
- Held the ROH World Tag Team Championships as War Machine before signing with WWE.
- Competed in Japan for major promotions like New Japan Pro-Wrestling, expanding his global reputation.
Did You Know?
He and Erik were known as War Machine on the independent circuit and in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
He suffered a cervical spinal injury in 2021 that required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.
He is a trained wrestling coach at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
His ring name 'Ivar' is inspired by Ivar the Boneless, a legendary Viking leader.
“I will break you in half and laugh while doing it.”
