Rezar
A massive Dutch-Albanian athlete who traded MMA cages for WWE rings as one-half of the intimidating tag team, The Authors of Pain.
Born 1994 (age 32)·Dutch professional wrestler and mixed martial artist·Birthday: June 16·Millennials
Biography
Gzim Selmani, known in wrestling circles as Rezar, is a figure of sheer physical intimidation. The Dutch-Albanian powerhouse first made his name in mixed martial arts, where his formidable size and strength led to a string of first-round victories. That combat sports pedigree made him a natural target for WWE, which recruited him for its Performance Center. Paired with Akam as The Authors of Pain, and managed by the legendary Paul Ellering, Rezar became a dominant force in NXT and later on Raw. The team's style was brutally simple: overwhelming power, synchronized aggression, and a palpable menace that made them immediate tag title contenders. After his WWE release, Selmani returned to his fighting roots, stepping into the bare-knuckle boxing arena, proving his toughness extends far beyond the scripted confines of sports entertainment.
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.
Rezar was born in 1994, 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 Rezar Was Born
The biggest hits of 1994
#1 Movie
The Lion King
Best Picture
Forrest Gump
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Rezar's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1994Born
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1999Started school
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2007Became a teenager
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Could drive
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2012Could vote
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Turned 21
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2024Turned 30
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 32 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the WWE NXT Tag Team Championship once with Akam as The Authors of Pain.
- Won the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship once with Akam as The Authors of Pain.
- Had an undefeated streak in NXT upon debut, showcasing the team's dominance.
- Compiled a professional MMA record of 5 wins and 2 losses, with several wins by knockout.
- Made his bare-knuckle boxing debut in 2023 under the BKFC promotion.
Did You Know?
He was born in the Netherlands to Albanian parents.
Before WWE, he fought as an MMA heavyweight for promotions like Bellator MMA.
He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed over 280 pounds during his wrestling career.
His WWE ring name 'Rezar' is derived from the word 'razor', implying sharpness and danger.
He and tag partner Akam were originally managed by WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering.
“In the ring or the cage, my power speaks for itself.”
