Cory James Weston (born September 4, 1987), better known to wrestling fans as Wesley Blake, is an American professional wrestler and trainer. A veteran of WWE’s NXT system, he gained prominence as one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions with Buddy Murphy, later as a member of the faction The Forgotten Sons, and eventually returned to WWE in 2024 as a producer and coach at the WWE Performance Center.
Early Life
Born in San Marcos, Texas, Weston was raised by a single mother and grew up with a passion for athletics. He excelled at football, playing as an all-state middle linebacker for the Medina Valley Panthers in 2005 before continuing his career at Texas State University, where he also served as a strength instructor. Despite his background in football, Weston’s lifelong dream was professional wrestling — a dream he pursued immediately after graduating.
Funking Conservatory (2011–2013)
In 2011, Weston relocated to Ocala, Florida, and began training under Dory Funk Jr. at the Funking Conservatory. Competing under his real name, he quickly rose through the ranks of Funk’s !Bang! TV, winning multiple regional titles including the FC Heavyweight, Florida, and European Championships.
A highlight of his early career came in May 2013, when he wrestled in an eight-person tag team match featuring WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler — Lawler’s first match after his heart attack the previous year. These performances helped Weston gain notice from WWE scouts.
WWE Career
NXT Beginnings (2013–2014)
In June 2013, Weston signed with WWE and reported to the brand-new Performance Center. Repackaged as Wesley Blake, he debuted on NXT television in January 2014 with a cowboy gimmick, losing to Adrian Neville. Despite early appearances, he spent much of his first year as an enhancement talent.
Blake and Murphy with Alexa Bliss (2014–2016)
In mid-2014, Blake abandoned the cowboy persona and formed a tag team with fellow newcomer Buddy Murphy. Though initially struggling, the duo earned a major breakthrough on January 21, 2015, defeating The Vaudevillains, and one week later, stunning fans by defeating The Lucha Dragons to capture the NXT Tag Team Championship.
At NXT TakeOver: Rival, they successfully defended the belts, and their reign gained momentum after aligning with Alexa Bliss at TakeOver: Unstoppable. Bliss’ interference in matches helped Blake and Murphy solidify their status as top villains in NXT’s tag division.
The team’s reign lasted 219 days, before dropping the titles to The Vaudevillains at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in August 2015. By mid-2016, tensions grew between Blake and Murphy, leading to the team’s split. Bliss was called to WWE’s main roster during the 2016 Draft, leaving both men to drift into sporadic appearances.
The Forgotten Sons (2017–2021)
After a lengthy absence, Blake resurfaced in 2017, returning to his cowboy roots briefly before forming The Forgotten Sons with Steve Cutler. The duo were later joined by Jaxson Ryker, and in 2018 debuted on NXT television.
The faction became known for their militaristic, outlaw-like presentation. Blake and Cutler reached the finals of the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and competed in several high-profile matches, including the ladder match for the vacant NXT Tag Team Titles at TakeOver: XXV.
In April 2020, The Forgotten Sons debuted on SmackDown, initially feuding with Lucha House Party and The New Day. However, their run was cut short due to controversy surrounding a political tweet by Ryker, which led to the group being removed from television. Later, Blake and Cutler returned briefly as The Knights of the Lone Wolf, backing King Corbin. This storyline was abandoned after Cutler’s release in February 2021. Blake himself was released on April 15, 2021.
Post-WWE: Control Your Narrative and Independents (2021–2022)
Following his WWE departure, Blake — now competing as Westin Blake — joined EC3 and Adam Scherr in their short-lived Control Your Narrative project, appearing at ROH Final Battle 2021 and later in CYN’s independent events. He also wrestled for AEW Dark in 2022, facing Daniel Garcia.
Return to WWE (2024–present)
In April 2024, Blake rejoined WWE, this time in a backstage role. He was hired as a producer for NXT and a coach at the Performance Center, mentoring the next generation of wrestlers.
Other Media
Blake appeared as a downloadable character in WWE 2K16 and in the roster of WWE 2K17, immortalizing his time as part of NXT’s tag division.
Personal Life
Blake married fellow wrestler Sara Lee (winner of WWE Tough Enough in 2015) on December 30, 2017. They had three children together before Sara’s untimely passing on October 5, 2022.
Championships and Accomplishments
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WWE NXT Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Buddy Murphy
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FC Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – Funking Conservatory
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FC Florida Championship (1 time)
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FC European Championship (1 time)
Legacy
While Wesley Blake may never have achieved the spotlight of a world title run, his work with Buddy Murphy and Alexa Bliss remains one of the most memorable chapters in NXT’s early tag team renaissance. His time with The Forgotten Sons added another layer to his career, and his return to WWE in a coaching capacity highlights his value as a mentor. Blake’s journey from undercard cowboy to champion to coach is emblematic of the ups and downs of a professional wrestling career — perseverance, reinvention, and ultimately giving back to the business.