The Authors of Pain

The team made their televised NXT debut on June 8, 2016 at NXT TakeOver: The End, attacking American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable) after they had lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder). Paul Ellering appeared on the ramp following the assault, signaling his association with the two.[1]

The Authors of Pain, accompanied by Ellering, as NXT Tag Team Champions in February 2017.

On June 15 episode of NXT, they won their first televised match and were accompanied by Ellering.[2] On November 19, the duo won the 2016 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating TM-61 in the tournament final at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. On the January 11, 2017 episode of NXT, they assaulted #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) after they retained the NXT Tag Team Championship against The Revival.[3] At NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, they won the NXT Tag Team Championship by defeating #DIY.[4] On the March 1 episode of NXT, The Authors of Pain defended their titles against #DIY in a rematch, which ended in a no contest after The Revival interfered and attacked both teams. They retained the titles at NXT TakeOver: Orlando by both defeating #DIY and The Revival in a triple threat elimination match after eliminating both teams.[5] At NXT TakeOver: Chicago, the duo participated in the first-ever ladder match for the NXT Tag Team Championship against #DIY, which they won.[6]

On the July 26 episode of NXT, the two were set to compete, but their opponents were attacked by SAnitY before the match began. They then brawled with Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain, disposing of the two before a staredown, thus turning them face for the first time.[7] Two weeks later, SAnitY called out The Authors of Pain, who were attacked by Eric Young as they made their way down the ramp. Young zip-tied Rezar to the barricade, allowing SAnitY to beat down Akam. Rezar eventually made his way to the ring, but was ultimately attacked as well.[8] At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, The Authors of Pain lost the NXT Tag Team Championship to SAnitY, who were represented by Wolfe and Young after the latter replaced Killian Dain mid-match, marking their first loss in NXT.[9] At NXT TakeOver: WarGames, they teamed with Roderick Strong in a WarGames match against SAnitY and The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, and Bobby Fish), who won the match. At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, The Authors of Pain unsuccessfully challenged The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship. In what was their last match in NXT, they again challenged The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championship in a triple threat match also involving the team of Strong and WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, where they failed to win after Strong turned on Dunne and joined The Undisputed Era, allowing them to retain the titles.

On the April 9 episode of Raw, The Authors of Pain, along with Ellering, made their main roster debut as heels, defeating Heath Slater and Rhyno. After the match, Akam and Rezar ended their partnership with Ellering by pushing him away and leaving him ringside as they returned backstage.[10] On the September 3 episode of Raw, The Authors of Pain, now under the shortened name of "AOP", were accompanied to the ring by the 205 Live General Manager, Drake Maverick, who announced himself as their new manager.[11]

On the November 5 episode of Raw in Manchester, England, AOP defeated Seth Rollins in a handicap match to win the Raw Tag Team Championship. They went on to defeat SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Sheamus in an interbrand Champion vs Champion match at Survivor Series. The following night on Raw, AOP suffered an upset loss to the team of Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, marking their first loss on the main roster. On the December 10 episode of Raw, they lost their tag titles to Roode and Gable in a three-on-two handicap match that also involved their manager Drake Maverick. Maverick was the one pinned, ending AOP’s reign as Raw Tag Team Champions at 35 days. After this, the team went on hiatus due to Akam having knee surgery in January 2019.[12] Maverick would subsequently go in his own direction, maintaining his duties as the 205 Live General Manager and then chasing after the WWE 24/7 Championship introduced in May. AOP returned during the 51-Man Battle Royal at the 2019 Super Showdown, but they were both eliminated during the match.[13] On June 18, during SmackDown Live, Akam and Rezar were seen coming out of Baron Corbin's dressing room right before a segment involving The IIconics and The Kabuki Warriors.[14] On the September 19 episode of Raw, AOP (without Maverick) returned in a vignette where they called out the Tag Team Division for being soft and weak and announced their intentions of returning. The following week, they would attack Heath Slater and No Way Jose backstage.

During the 2019 WWE Draft in October, AOP went undrafted, becoming free agents and able to choose which brand to sign with. Three days after the draft's conclusion, AOP signed with Raw to remain on the brand (Maverick was drafted to SmackDown, reaffirming the end of their partnership).[15] They made their in-ring return on the November 25 episode of Raw defeating Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. Later that night, they interrupted the main event between Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens by attacking Owens but refused to attack Rollins.[16] Two weeks later on Raw, AOP and Rollins attacked Owens backstage. This would solidify Rollins' heel turn and confirm his association with AOP.[17]

On the January 13, 2020 episode of Raw, following his third loss to Aleister Black, and after getting requested for help by Rollins, Buddy Murphy would assist Rollins and The AOP in their Fist Fight main event against Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and Big Show, therefore aligning himself with the faction as their new member.[18]

On March 2020, it was reported that Rezar suffered a bicep injury, therefore putting the team on hiatus.