Tyson Dupont Thanks Dezmond Xavier For Helping Him & Tyriek Igwe in WWE

Tyson Dupont has publicly credited Dezmond Xavier, formerly known as Wes Lee in WWE NXT, as a key mentor who helped shape his early development in the High Ryze stable. Speaking in an interview with WrestlingSyndicate, Dupont described Xavier as an essential figure who supported him and Tyriek Igwe during their transition from the Performance Center to NXT programming.

Dupont recalled an early live event where he botched a leapfrog and felt discouraged. While many experienced performers offered no feedback, Xavier pulled him aside immediately afterward. Dupont said Xavier shared guidance calmly and encouragingly, helping him regain confidence at a crucial time. He noted that Xavier consistently offered detailed advice after their matches, including one against Tony D’Angelo and Stacks, framing him as someone who supported everyone around him (via Fightful).

“I will never forget my first P.C. live ever — it might have been my second. I go for a freakin’ leapfrog. Hank (Walker) clips my leg, and I torpedoed, and I literally blanked. I blanked, right? And I’m beating myself up. I’m thinking, you know, I f*cked up, blah, blah, blah, blah. Guess who pulls me aside, bruh? Wes. This man, from the moment I stepped in the P.C., was pouring — not just me, and Tyriek (Igwe), everybody. He’s been a mentor to us… From the moment we stepped in the PC. Mind you, a lot of the older guys never spoke to us. But Wes, after every P.C. live, pull us aside, ‘Hey, you did this really well.’ I will never forget, I had a match, it was me and Tank (Ledger) versus Tony D and Stacks. My third P.C. live ever, and he was like, ‘Dude, you sold your a**off. You’re doing things, mannersims.’ Mind you, I don’t even know what I’m doing. I took a clothesline, and I bumped so hard I landed on my neck, and mind you, I’m thinking, I’m going overboard trying to get good at this. But Wes, he pulled me aside and was like, ‘You’re doing certain things that, I don’t know if you’re aware that you’re doing ‘em, but you’re doing great,’ and like, little things like that, it’s gone a long way for me.”

According to Tyson Dupont, Xavier’s influence extended beyond technical corrections. He described him as a person who brought steady positivity backstage and treated High Ryze like family. He said Xavier acted as a leader for younger talent, calling him a “brother” who made the environment easier to navigate for performers still finding their footing.

“We were just talking about outside of how it’s hard to find that self-validation, how you know you’re actually doing well, especially picking up a new sport. But this man has poured so much love and positivity into us. It’s endless. It’s easy to get lost in the sauce, but man, Wes, I can’t thank you enough. Not only being a leader, a mentor but, a brother now… This man is not just a mentor, you’re a brother, and I am so glad to be a part of this family with you, and I just wanted to give him his flowers real quick…”

Xavier’s WWE tenure ended with his release in October 2025. After leaving the company, he returned to the name Dezmond Xavier and rejoined TNA Wrestling to reunite with The Rascalz: Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed. His comeback aligned with TNA’s continued crossover involvement with NXT, which has recently featured Dupont and Igwe making appearances outside WWE as part of shared storyline efforts.

Dupont and Igwe remain active as High Ryze in NXT while occasionally participating in TNA segments.