AR Fox

Thomas James "T.J" Ballester (born September 5, 1987), better known by his ring name AR Fox, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling.

He is also known for his work in promotions like Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Dragon Gate USA, and Evolve.

In 2007, Ballester turned his backyard wrestling hobby into a career in professional wrestling, debuting after being trained by Curtis "Mr." Hughes at his World Wrestling Alliance 4 (WWA4) promotion's wrestling school in Atlanta, Georgia.

He later also underwent further training in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

Originally working under the ring name "Ampliflyer", Ballester spent the next couple of years working minor promotions on the American independent circuit including WWA4 and Prime Time Pro Wrestling (PTPW).

Ballester eventually adopted the ring name "AR Fox", feeling that due to his small size, he needed to "outfox" his opponents to gain an advantage.

Ballester, as AR Fox, made his debut for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) on February 13, 2010, losing to Aaron Arbo in an "Opportunity Knocks" three-way match, which also included Unbreakable Andy.

After teaming with Chip Day in a tag team loss against Zero Gravity (Brett Gakiya and CJ Esparza) on March 27, Fox picked up his first win in CZW on April 10, when he defeated Aaron Arbo and Unbreakable Andy in another three-way match.

Fox then entered a storyline, where it was rumored that CZW officials did not believe he had what it took to be a wrestler for the promotion.

On September 10, Fox defeated Alex Colon, Facade, Ricochet, Ruckus and tHURTeen in to win the Chris Cash Aerial Assault ladder match and become the number one contender to the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship.

However, he would go on to fail in his title challenge against Adam Cole on October 9.

After defeating Alex Colon on November 13, Fox was granted another shot at the title on December 11, but was again defeated by Cole, following interference from his new manager, Mia Yim.

Fox has also worked for Dragon Gate in Japan, Full Impact Pro (FIP), where he won the 2011 Jeff Peterson Memorial Cup, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG).

He currently serves as the head trainer of the WWA4 wrestling school in Atlanta, Georgia.

Growing up in Ansonia, Connecticut, Ballester studied Bruce Lee tapes and eventually channeled his love of doing backflips, handstands and scaling walls into backyard wrestling.

Fox worked for a brief time at Big Y World Class Market, a grocery store, with TJ Guerrero, that he left shortly after finding popularity in wrestling.

On March 12, 2011, Fox defeated Alex Colon and Ryan McBride in a three-way match to qualify for the Best of the Best X tournament.

He entered the tournament on April 9, but was eliminated by Sami Callihan in a first round three-way match, which included Jake Crist.

Despite his early elimination, Fox earned praise from Callihan, who named him the "people's choice", giving him the People's Choice Award he had won himself.

This effectively ended the story, where CZW officials were doubting Fox's abilities.

On April 10, 2011, Fox defeated Alex Colon, Jonathan Gresham, Ryan McBride, Ryan Slater and Ty Hagen in a six-way match to earn another shot at the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship.

On May 14, Fox faced Adam Cole for the third match between the two for the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship.

After debuting his new finishing maneuver, Lo Mein Pain, Fox had the match won when CZW owner D. J. Hyde entered the ring and hit him with a lariat, leading to Cole retaining his title.

At the following event on June 11, Fox won his first title in CZW, when he defeated Drew Gulak for the CZW Wired TV Championship.

However, he would lose the title to Jake Crist in his first title defense on July 9.

On October 7, Fox received his first shot at the CZW World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Devon Moore.

From November 5 to 12, Fox took part in a single-elimination tournament to determine the number one contender to the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship, and in the end, he defeated Ryan McBride to win the tournament.

On December 3 at Cage of Death 13, Fox unsuccessfully challenged new World Junior Heavyweight Champion Sami Callihan for his title.

On April 14, Fox took part in the Best of the Best 11 tournament.

After wins over A. C. H. and Lince Dorado in a three-way match, and Samuray del Sol in a semifinal match, Fox was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Sami Callihan.

Winning the Best of the Best 11 People's Choice Award, Fox was granted the right to challenge for any CZW title whenever he wanted.

On July 14, Fox unsuccessfully challenged Masada for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship.

Later that same event, Fox used his title challenge right and challenged Sami Callihan to a match for the CZW World Junior Heavyweight Championship, immediately after he had regained it from Drake Younger.

In the end, Fox was victorious, finally winning the World Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

After a successful title defense against Alex Colon on August 11, Fox defeated Dave Crist on September 8 in a ladder match to not only retain the World Junior Heavyweight Championship, but to also win the CZW Wired TV Championship for the second time.

Following the match, the World Junior Heavyweight Championship was retired with Fox recognized as the final champion.

On November 10, Fox made his first defense of the Wired TV Championship, defeating Lucky 13, Rich Swann and Shane Strickland in a four-way match.

On December 8 at Cage of Death XIV, Fox successfully defended the CZW Wired TV Championship against a surprise opponent, the returning Robert Anthony.

On March 9, 2013, at the Wanted internet pay-per-view, Fox made another successful defense of the title against Azrieal.

On March 31, Fox successfully defended the title against Flamita at a Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) event in Mexico City.