X-Pac Then and Now

X-Pac Then

Sean Michael Waltman, born on July 13, 1972, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, faced significant challenges during his early years. 

Raised by a single mother, Waltman described his childhood as troubled, noting that he was largely unsupervised from a young age. 

He has publicly shared that he was molested multiple times as a child, which added to the difficulties he faced. 

Despite these challenges, Waltman developed a passion for professional wrestling. 

His involvement in sports began when he joined his school wrestling team in ninth grade, but he left shortly after due to a requirement to cut his hair. 

This experience, combined with a lack of direction, led him to drop out of school. 

Driven by his love for wrestling and limited career prospects, Waltman began working in local wrestling promotions, initially performing various backstage duties before stepping into the ring himself.

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X-Pac Wrestling Career

Waltman’s professional wrestling career began in earnest under the ring name “The Lightning Kid” after training with notable wrestling figures such as Boris Malenko and Karl Gotch. 

He initially competed in independent promotions like Pro Wrestling America (PWA) and the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), where he achieved notable success, including winning several championships. 

His early career was marked by both his resilience and his talent, but a severe injury sustained in 1992 nearly ended his career. 

Despite this setback, he continued to forge ahead, making a name for himself in Japan and through various U.S. promotions.

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In 1993, Waltman joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he initially appeared as “The Kamikaze Kid” before adopting the moniker “1–2–3 Kid” following a notable upset victory over Razor Ramon. 

His time in WWF saw him become a key figure in various storylines, particularly as part of the influential Kliq faction. 

Waltman’s career took a significant turn when he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1996 as “Syxx,” a member of the New World Order (nWo). 

His tenure in WCW was marked by his success in the cruiserweight and tag team divisions.

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After his release from WCW, Waltman returned to WWF, rebranded as X-Pac, and achieved considerable success during the Attitude Era. 

His tenure included holding multiple championships and being part of the popular D-Generation X (DX) faction. 

Throughout his career, Waltman also made notable appearances in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) and on the independent circuit. 

His contributions to professional wrestling were recognized with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first as a member of DX in 2019 and later as part of the nWo in 2020, making him the first wrestler to be inducted two years in a row.

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X-Pac Wrestling Competition

• Pro Wrestling America (PWA)
  • PWA Light Heavyweight Championship
  • PWA Iron Horse TV Title
  • PWA Tag Team Championship (with Jerry Lynn)
• Global Wrestling Federation (GWF)
  • GWF Light Heavyweight Championship
• World Wrestling Federation (WWF) / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
  • 1–2–3 Kid (later X-Pac)
  • WWF Light Heavyweight Championship
  • WWF European Championship
  • WWF Tag Team Championship (twice, with Marty Jannetty and Kane)
• New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
  • Participated in Top of the Super Juniors
• World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
  • nWo member as Syxx
  • WCW Cruiserweight Championship
  • WCW World Tag Team Championship (with Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and others)
• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
  • TNA X Division Championship
• Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW)
  • XPW Television Championship
• Wrestling Society X (WSX)
  • WSX Championship (contested but not won)
• National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)
  • NWA Heritage Championship
• Independent Circuit
  • Various championships and notable matches

X-Pac Retirement

In February 2022, Sean Waltman made a notable return from retirement by debuting in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) during their “Welcome to Heartbreak” pay-per-view event held in Los Angeles. 

Partnering with Joey Janela, Waltman re-entered the wrestling spotlight, rekindling his presence in the industry. 

His return continued into the following month at the “Joey Janela’s Spring Break 6” pay-per-view, where he faced off against Janela in a singles match. 

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Despite his high-profile comeback, Waltman was defeated by Janela, marking a significant moment in his post-retirement career. 

This brief return to the ring highlighted Waltman’s enduring influence in the wrestling world and his ongoing connection with the wrestling community.

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X-Pac Now

As of 2024, Sean Waltman, better known to fans as X-Pac, is 52 years old. 

An American retired professional wrestler and martial artist, Waltman remains a notable figure in the wrestling world. 

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Throughout his career, he has wrestled under various ring names, each marking different phases of his career. 

In WWE, he competed under the ring names 1–2–3 Kid and X-Pac, where he gained recognition for his high-flying style and dynamic performances. 

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Waltman’s wrestling journey also includes significant stints with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he performed as Syxx, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he wrestled as Syxx-Pac and under his real name. 

His legacy in professional wrestling is marked by his versatility and impact across multiple major wrestling promotions.

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