Brendan Vink (June 29, 1989) is an Australian personal trainer and professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the NXT brand under the ring name Duke Hudson. Before joining WWE, Vink spent 11 years wrestling throughout numerous Australian promotions. During his early career on the Australian independent circuit, he became a two-time Heavyweight Champion.
Professional wrestling career
International tours (2008-2018)
Vink debuted as early as May 31, 2008, under the ring name Elliot Sexton. Wrestling primarily in Australia, Sexton appeared in promotions including WRESTLE RAMPAGE (WR) and Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW). During his time in both promotions, Sexton became a one-time MCW Heavyweight Champion and a one-time WrestleRock Champion. During 2018, he made his international debut in matches for the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro Wrestling and the British promotion PROGRESS Wrestling.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2019-present)
NXT (2019-present)
Vink debuted under his real name during a March 15 live event, defeating fellow NXT recruit Nick Comoroto. He went on to spend the remainder of March and the following month of April in live events, wrestling singles matches against Mansoor Al-Shehail, Dominik Dijakovic, Danny Burch and Brennan Williams. During the June 7 live event, Vink wrestled his first title match, teaming with fellow Australian wrestler Jermaine Haley to challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championship held by The Street Profits. He finished the year with a victory over Mohamed Fahim during the December 13 live event.
During early 2020, Vink received further opportunities to challenge for the NXT Tag Team titles. He and his partner Shane Thorne challenged the reigning champions Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne during several NXT live events. Vink made his televised debut on the March 25 episode of NXT, teaming with Shane Thorne in a tag match lost against Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan.
RAW brand (2020)
Vink debuted in 2020 on the 1400th episode of Monday Night RAW held on March 23. He teamed with Shane Thorne in a tag match lost against The Street Profits. A month later Vink returned on the April 6 episode of Monday Night RAW, losing a singles match against Humberto Carrillo. On the 20 April episode of Monday Night RAW, Vink returned to team with Shane Thorne in a tag match lost against Cedric Alexander & Ricochet.
EVOLVE Wrestling (2019-2020)
Due to WWE's business relationship with EVOLVE Wrestling, Vink made his debut in 2019 on December 6 at EVOLVE 141. He defeated Colby Corino in his first singles match during the event. The following night Vink returned at EVOLVE 142, winning his second singles match over opponent Adrian Alanis.
Vink returned in January 2020 at EVOLVE 143, defeating AR Fox. He returned the following night at EVOLVE 144, defeating Stephen Wolf. The following month during leap year, Vink returned at EVOLVE 145 and won by referee's decision over JD Drake. The following month, Vink returned at EVOLVE 146, defeating Leon Ruff.
NXT Breakout Tournament (2021)
In July 2021, Vink, under the new ring name Duke Hudson was announced to be a part of the 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament. On the July 13 episode of NXT, Hudson defeated Ikemen Jiro in the first round. On the August 17 episode of NXT, Hudson was eliminated in the semi-finals by Carmelo Hayes. Hudson would then confront Kyle O'Reilly and a brawl would ensue leading to a match being made between the two on next weeks episode of NXT, a match that O'Reilly would win.
Duke Hudson's Poker Room (2021)
After two months off of NXT television, Hudson would return on the October 12, 2021 episode of NXT, defeating Grayson Waller with a pin using a handful of tights. Hudson then began a feud with Cameron Grimes on the November 2, 2021 episode of NXT after Grimes beat Hudson in a game of poker. On the November 16, 2021 episode of NXT, Grimes and Hudson faced each other once again in a Poker Showdown, with Grimes winning his second game over Duke. After learning that Grimes had bluffed his way to victory, Duke Hudson powerbombed him through the table and began cutting the hair and beard off Grimes until he was pulled away. The two men agreed to a Hair vs. Hair Match at NXT WarGames 2021 on the November 23, 2021 episode of NXT. Duke Hudson was defeated by Cameron Grimes at NXT WarGames 2021 and a result, had his head shaved by Grimes.
In the aftermath of NXT WarGames 2021 on the December 7, 2021 episode of NXT, Duke Hudson came out with a wig and was challenged by Cameron Grimes to a No Holds Barred Match next week. On the December 14, 2021 episode of NXT, Hudson was defeated by Grimes again. After the new year rolled around, Hudson defeated Guru Raaj on the January 25, 2022 episode of NXT.
Personal life
Vink works as a personal trainer for Goodlife Health Club in Preston, Australia. He also has a background in motion graphic design.
In wrestling
- Finishers
- Signature moves
- Teams and stables
- SexRock with J-Rock
- Sextank with Kellie Skater
- TMDK - Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste, Marcius Pitt, Jonah Rock, Slex, Hartley Jackson, Damian Slater and Mikey Broderick
- Brendan Vink & Shane Thorne
- Entrance music
- "Sexbomb" by Tom Jones
- "We will Rock You" by Queen
Championships and accomplishments
- 2008 Rookie Of The Year
- Winner of the 2014 MCW Ballroom Brawl Rumble
- 2011 RCW Total Package Of The Year
