Michael Tarver will compete in his final professional wrestling match on Saturday, May 23 against Kno at an Extreme Fight World event, bringing a career to a close that began in 2005 and included a nationally televised WWE run.
Tarver is best known for his role as a member of the Nexus in 2010 — the faction that debuted at WWE Raw in one of the most shocking moments of that era when they dismantled John Cena and attacked ring crew, commentators, and referees. Tarver was among those drafted from the first season of WWE NXT to form the group. He was released by WWE in June 2011.
Before his WWE run, Tarver had been competing on the independent circuit since 2005, working promotions across Ohio and the Northeast under various names including Tyrone Evans and Tyson Tarver. He appeared as one of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s bodyguards at WrestleMania XXIV before signing with Florida Championship Wrestling and eventually making the main roster.
After leaving WWE, Tarver continued competing in the NWA and made appearances for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Chikara. He became a two-time NWA FUW Heavyweight Champion and two-time CWE Heavyweight Champion. He stepped back from full-time competition in 2019 and last wrestled in 2021.
In 2025, Tarver suffered a stroke. He has since pursued music and will premiere a new song titled STOMP on May 29.