Lance Archer has carved out an impressive career as one of professional wrestling’s most imposing figures. Standing at a legitimate 6’6″ to 6’7″ (billed at 6’8″) and weighing around 289 pounds, the “Murderhawk Monster” continues to dominate rings at age 48.
His estimated net worth is approximately $5 million as of 2024-2025, accumulated through decades of work across major promotions like AEW, NJPW, WWE, and TNA.
Currently signed to All Elite Wrestling, Archer has undergone a significant career evolution in recent years. After parting ways with longtime manager Jake “The Snake” Roberts in October 2024, he joined the Don Callis Family, marking a fresh chapter that’s brought him more television time than he’s seen in years.
Profile Summary
| Real Name | Lance Vance Hoyt |
| Ring Name | Lance Archer |
| Net Worth | $5 Million (estimated) |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Gause, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’8″ (billed) / 6’6″-6’7″ (actual) |
| Weight | 289 lbs |
| Spouse | Tessa Molzhon (married since 1995) |
| Children | Three (names private) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @lance_hoyt, Twitter/X: @LanceHoyt |
Lance Archer Biography
Born on February 28, 1977, in the small town of Gause, Texas, Lance Archer developed his athletic prowess early. He attended Hearne High School, where he excelled in multiple sports, including basketball, football, and baseball. His natural size and athleticism made him a standout performer across all three sports.
Archer continued his athletic career at Texas State University, playing college football as a quarterback, an unusual position for someone of his stature. He balanced athletics with academics, earning a degree in English that would later serve him well in interviews and on his podcast.
The path to professional wrestling came somewhat unexpectedly. While working at a nightclub during his college years, Archer met someone who introduced him to Solo Fiatala. Fiatala saw potential in the towering Texan and trained him to become a professional wrestler. A devout Christian, Archer has maintained his faith throughout his career, occasionally discussing its importance in his personal life.
Lance Archer Career
Early Years and TNA (2000-2009)
Archer’s wrestling career began in 2000, working independent circuits under the ring name Shadow. His big break came in 2004 when he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, initially performing as Dallas. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact; he captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice alongside Kid Kash, with their first reign coming after winning a tournament in 2004.
After establishing himself, TNA rebranded him as Lance Hoyt. He joined forces with Jimmy Rave and Christy Hemme to form the Rock N Rave Infection, a rock band-themed stable that showcased his versatility beyond pure power wrestling. In 2008, he adopted yet another persona, becoming Lance Rock. Throughout his TNA tenure, Archer developed the foundation of his in-ring style, blending surprising agility with devastating power moves.
WWE Stint as Vance Archer (2009-2010)
After departing TNA in early 2009, Archer signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. By November 2009, he debuted on WWE’s ECW brand as Vance Archer, briefly teaming with Curt Hawkins as The Gatecrashers.
The WWE run proved short-lived. Archer moved to SmackDown in February 2010 but was released by November of that year. While the stint didn’t lead to championship success, it provided valuable experience working within WWE’s system and exposed him to their massive audience.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Success (2011-2024)
Archer’s career truly began when he joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in May 2011, adopting the Lance Archer name that would define his success. He immediately aligned with Minoru Suzuki’s notorious Suzuki-gun faction, a move that positioned him as a legitimate threat in NJPW’s tag team division.
Archer and Suzuki captured the G1 Tag League in 2011, establishing their credibility. When Davey Boy Smith Jr. joined NJPW in 2012, they formed the Killer Elite Squad and became one of the most successful tag teams of the 2010s. Between 2014 and 2019, the duo dominated tag team wrestling across multiple promotions:
- IWGP Tag Team Championship: 3 Reigns
- NWA World Tag Team Championship: 2 Reigns
- GHC Tag Team Championship: 2 Reigns
After Smith departed in 2019, Archer switched to singles competition and achieved one of his career highlights by winning the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. He captured the title again in 2021, though his second reign lasted just 24 days, the shortest in that championship’s history.
Archer’s NJPW presence continued sporadically through 2024, with his last confirmed appearance coming in May 2024 at NJPW Resurgence, where he challenged Jeff Cobb for the NJPW World Television Championship.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2020-Present)
February 2020 marked another significant milestone when Archer signed with All Elite Wrestling. He made an immediate impact by winning the Men’s Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing 2020, establishing himself as a main event-level threat. Jake “The Snake” Roberts became his manager, and the pairing clicked instantly as Roberts’ psychological mind games perfectly complemented Archer’s physical dominance.
For over four years, the Archer-Roberts partnership remained one of AEW’s most consistent acts. However, everything changed on October 8, 2024, when Don Callis “acquired” Archer from Roberts in AEW’s first-ever talent exchange between managers. This shocking moment ended their longstanding relationship and ushered in a new era for the Murderhawk Monster.
The change brought visible transformations. Archer ditched his signature braids, now wearing his hair loose. Speaking on his “Hawk’s Nest” podcast in November 2024, he explained he “wanted to change” with this new chapter. More importantly, the move delivered tangible benefits. Archer told Busted Open Radio in February 2025 that joining the Don Callis Family “is actually giving us a lot more TV time than we’ve ever seen really in a long, long time with AEW.”
Eight days after joining Callis’s stable, Archer formed the Murder Machines tag team with Brian Cage on October 16, 2024. The duo received their own custom theme song, “Bodies Fall” by Mikey Rukus, on Christmas Day 2024 and compiled solid victories over teams like Top Flight and the Iron Savages. Their momentum, however, came to an abrupt halt in April 2025 when Cage tore his quadriceps tendon at an independent show, requiring surgery with recovery expected to extend into 2026.
Since Cage’s injury, Archer has continued as a singles competitor and enforcer for the expanded Don Callis Family, which now includes Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada, Mark Davis, Josh Alexander, Trent Beretta, and others. He typically appears 1-2 times weekly across Dynamite, Collision, and Rampage programming, primarily in multi-person tag matches and occasional singles bouts designed to elevate rising stars.
Championship Success and Accomplishments
Throughout his 25-year career, Archer has captured 11 major championships and numerous accomplishments:
New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times with Davey Boy Smith Jr.)
- G1 Tag League Winner (2011 with Minoru Suzuki)
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times with Kid Kash)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship Tournament Winner (2004)
Pro Wrestling NOAH
- GHC Tag Team Championship (2 times with Davey Boy Smith Jr.)
All Elite Wrestling
- Men’s Casino Battle Royale Winner (2020)
Other Notable Titles
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship
- PCW Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship
- Multiple independent championships across various promotions
Special Recognition
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Most Improved (2019)
- PWI 500: Ranked #59 in 2020
Despite how far he has come, Archer hasn’t captured championship gold since August 2021. His 2025 win-loss record through October stands at 8-14-0 (36% win percentage), and his PWI ranking dropped from #230 in 2023 to #275 in 2024. However, he continues delivering quality performances. His July 31, 2024, match against Will Ospreay on AEW Dynamite earned 4.25 stars from Dave Meltzer, proving he can still work at an elite level with top talent.
In-Ring Style and Signature Moves
Archer’s uniqueness is the combination of his size and surprising athleticism. At nearly 290 pounds and 6’6″-plus, most wrestlers his size stick to power moves. Not Archer. He still performs moonsaults at age 48, a remarkable feat that consistently surprises audiences.
Finishing Moves:
- Blackout: Inverted crucifix powerbomb (modified to standing version for safety after a 2021 injury)
- Final Days/Dark Days: Snap inverted DDT
- Texas Tornado: Fireman’s carry facebuster
- E.B.D. Claw: Iron claw
Signature Moves:
- Moonsault (remarkable for his size)
- Big boot and chokeslam
- F’n Slam (sitout full nelson slam)
- Multiple powerslam variations
- Fallaway slam
- Overhead belly-to-belly suplex
- Pumphandle slam and spinebuster
His moveset blends old-school power wrestling with high-flying elements that shouldn’t be possible for someone his size. This versatility has kept him relevant across different wrestling styles and eras.
Lance Archer’s Personal Life
Lance Archer has maintained a remarkably stable personal life despite the demanding wrestling schedule. He married Tessa Molzhon in 1995, and as of 2025, they’ve celebrated 30 years of marriage. This is an impressive achievement in an industry known for relationship challenges. The couple has three children, though they maintain strict privacy regarding their names, genders, and ages.
Tessa maintains no social media presence and stays completely out of the public eye, a decision the family has maintained throughout Archer’s career. While Archer himself is active on social media and hosts “The Hawk’s Nest” podcast, where he discusses wrestling topics, he respects his family’s privacy boundaries and rarely shares personal details about his children.
Archer has maintained excellent health throughout 2024-2025 with no reported injuries or significant time off. In a March 2024 interview with WrestlePurists, he stated, “I am in very good health” and noted he has “never had any major knee issues to this point.”
His injury history remains relatively light for someone with 25 years in the business. A 2021 neck issue from a botched moonsault kept him out approximately 2.5 months, and a 2017 herniated disc required surgery with a six-month recovery.
Lance Archer Net Worth
Multiple sources from 2024 consistently estimate Lance Archer’s net worth at approximately $5 million. This figure appears across Sportskeeda and Sportslumo, all using analysis methodologies that consider career earnings, wrestling appearances, merchandise sales, and comparable wrestler earnings data.
Income Sources:
- AEW contract (primary income)
- Independent wrestling bookings
- Occasional NJPW appearances (reduced since 2024)
- Merchandise sales
- Pay-per-view bonuses
- Podcast revenue
In March 2024, Archer mentioned that “there could be some renegotiations pretty soon” regarding his AEW contract, though he added “everything’s good right now.” As of October 2025, he remains under contract with AEW.
Specific match payouts aren’t publicly disclosed, but wrestling industry standards provide context. Independent shows typically pay $500-$1,000 per match for up-and-coming talent. At the same time, established veterans in major promotions can command significantly more, sometimes exceeding $10,000 for featured matches, plus bonuses for pay-per-view appearances and merchandise sales.
Beyond Wrestling
Archer has ventured beyond the ring with a role in an upcoming Steven Spielberg science fiction film alongside Brian Cage and Chavo Guerrero Jr. The film has a tentative release date of June 2026. Cage confirmed they filmed scenes together before his injury, marking a potential new career avenue as Archer enters his late forties. While details remain limited, the opportunity shows Archer’s marketability beyond professional wrestling.
When asked about retirement in March 2024, Archer was definitive: “No. Not for me, not right now. I understand, time is undefeated. The song says ‘everybody dies,’ and that includes me. But as far as professional wrestling is concerned, right now, I am blessed. God’s taken care of me.”
His continued health, consistent television presence, and evident passion suggest he’ll continue performing for the foreseeable future. While he expressed frustration with his booking in early 2024, stating “sometimes we feel like it’s an out of sight, out of mind scenario,” the Don Callis Family association has addressed many of those concerns through increased screen time.
Archer’s value to AEW lies in his reliability, willingness to work any role, and ability to make younger talent look credible while still being threatening enough that victories over him matter. As one of the few legitimate giants on the AEW roster, he fills a specific physical archetype that remains valuable for contrast and spectacle.
The Murder Machines’ reunion with Brian Cage remains a possibility once Cage recovers in late 2025 or early 2026, potentially offering another tag team championship run. His upcoming film role could open doors to post-wrestling opportunities. For now, the Murderhawk Monster continues doing what he’s done for 25 years: delivering hard-hitting performances.