Full Name: Kevin Scott Nash
Date of Birth: July 9, 1959
Net Worth: $4 million
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Height: 6 ft 10 in
Weight: 328 lbs
Early Life and Education
Kevin Nash was born into a devout Christian family in Detroit, Michigan. Raised by his mother, Wanda, and father, Robert, Nash experienced a tragic loss at a young age when his father passed away when he was just eight years old. Nash attended Aquinas High School and later played basketball at the University of Tennessee, where he was part of the Tennessee Volunteers team. However, after a series of conflicts, including a physical altercation with his coach, Nash left Tennessee and moved to Europe to pursue a career in professional basketball. His basketball journey ended in 1981 after an injury while playing in Germany. Following this, Nash enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in West Germany.
Wrestling Career
Nash began his wrestling career in WCW, where he initially debuted as part of the tag team, the Master Blasters, and later took on multiple personas, including Oz and Vinnie Vegas. He achieved some recognition in the early ’90s before moving on to larger platforms.
World Wrestling Federation (1993-1996)
In 1993, Nash joined WWF under the ring name Diesel. As Diesel, he became a major star, winning multiple championships including the WWF World Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and Tag Team Championships. His partnership with Shawn Michaels, known as “Two Dudes with Attitudes,” was highly successful, and the duo became Tag Team Champions. Nash’s career took a defining turn in 1994 when he defeated Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship. He had a notable feud with Michaels, including a win at WrestleMania XI to retain his title. Diesel also had successful title defenses against Sycho Sid and King Mabel. He later turned heel and began a rivalry with Michaels, marking the end of his WWF tenure for the decade.
World Championship Wrestling (1996-2001)
Nash made a return to WCW in 1996 and, alongside Scott Hall, formed the iconic Outsiders tag team. This evolved into the legendary New World Order (nWo) faction, which included Hulk Hogan and reshaped the professional wrestling terrain. Nash won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship multiple times, with notable wins oveInsiders with Diamond Dallas Page, winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship in 2000.
WWF/E (2002-2003)
After WCW folded, Nash returned to WWE in 2002. He briefly reformed the nWo and feuded with Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Nash also had a short feud with Chris Jericho before having his final WWE match in 2003 at SummerSlam in the Elimination Chamber match.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004-2010)
Nash made his debut in TNA in late 2004, where he formed alliances with Scott Hall and Jeff Jarrett, and later partnered with Alex Shelley to form the Paparazzi Productions. He also became part of the Main Event Mafia, a stable of veterans that dominated TNA storylines in the late 2000s. Nash’s final significant title win in TNA came in 2010 when he won the TNA World Tag Team Championship with Hall and Eric Young. Nash retired from wrestling in 2010 following his contract expiration with TNA.
WWE Return and Independent Circuit (2011-2020)
Nash made a brief return to WWE in 2011, reappearing in the Royal Rumble Match and later feuding with Triple H. He continued to make appearances on WWE’s development show NXT and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015, later being inducted again in 2020 as part of the nWo. Nash also wrestled on the independent circuit from 2011 to 2018, making appearances with Global Force Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. His final match took place in 2018 when he defeated Flex Armstrong for the Big Time Wrestling Heavyweight Championship, after which he officially announced his retirement in 2020.
Other Media Appearances
Outside the wrestling ring, Kevin Nash has built a career in acting, making his film debut in 1991 as the supervillain Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. Nash has appeared in several films, including The Longest Yard, The Punisher, Magic Mike, John Wick, and Rock of Ages. He also reprised his role as a stripper in the sequels Magic Mike XXL and Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Nash’s TV appearances include shows like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, The Love Boat: The Next Wave, and Living the Dream.
Personal Life
Nash married his wife Tamara in 1988, and though they separated in 2000, they reconciled later. The couple had a son, Tristen, who tragically passed away in 2022 during alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Nash has faced legal issues, including arrests for battery in 2011 and 2014, but he was cleared of all charges in both instances, with claims of acting in self-defense.
Kevin Nash remains one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling, with his legacy cemented through his multiple championship wins, his role in the formation of the nWo, and his extensive career in both wrestling and acting.
