Kevin Knight Bio
Kevin Knight is an American professional wrestler who has established himself across multiple major wrestling promotions. Born on January 1, 1997, in Atlanta, Georgia, Knight began his wrestling journey in 2019 and has since competed for prominent organizations including All Elite Wrestling (AEW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Standing at 183 centimeters and competing in the light heavyweight division at 91 kilograms, Knight has become known for his technical wrestling ability and tag team prowess.
Knight currently holds a unique position in professional wrestling as a dual-contracted performer. He competes in AEW as one-half of the tag team JetSpeed alongside “Speedball” Mike Bailey, while simultaneously performing for NJPW where he teams with Kushida as the Intergalactic Jet Setters. His time in NJPW has been particularly fruitful, as he is a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Throughout his career, Knight has also made notable appearances for Major League Wrestling (MLW), Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), and Ring of Honor (ROH), showcasing his versatility across different wrestling styles and promotions.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. While specific details about his family background remain private, Knight’s path to professional wrestling led him to seek training at one of the most respected facilities in the industry. In 2020, Knight entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling LA Dojo as a Young Lion, placing himself under the tutelage of veteran wrestler Katsuyori Shibata. This training opportunity marked a significant step in his development as a wrestler.
The LA Dojo experience provided Knight with foundational skills and discipline essential for success in Japanese professional wrestling. As a Young Lion, Knight underwent rigorous training that emphasized technical wrestling fundamentals and physical conditioning. This period of his career was crucial in shaping his in-ring style and preparing him for the demanding schedule of competing across multiple promotions.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Kevin Knight made his professional wrestling debut on May 18, 2019, for Lucha Libre Volcanica in Seattle, Washington. Following his debut, he spent the remainder of 2019 and early 2020 competing for various independent promotions throughout Canada and the United States. This early period of his career allowed him to gain valuable experience and refine his skills in front of diverse audiences.
His performances on the independent circuit caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling scouts, leading to his invitation to join the LA Dojo. This transition from independent wrestling to a major international promotion represented a significant milestone in Knight’s career. The opportunity to train under established professionals and compete for a globally recognized organization set the stage for his subsequent achievements in the wrestling industry.
Kevin Knight Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Kevin Knight’s professional wrestling journey began in 2019 on the independent circuit. His debut match took place in Seattle for Lucha Libre Volcanica, marking the start of what would become a rapidly ascending career. During this formative period, Knight competed extensively across North America, gaining experience and building his reputation through matches in various independent promotions. These early years were characterized by hard work and dedication to mastering the fundamentals of professional wrestling.
The highlight of Knight’s early career came in 2020 when he earned a spot in the prestigious NJPW LA Dojo. This opportunity placed him among a select group of trainees learning under the guidance of Katsuyori Shibata. Knight made his NJPW debut on December 12 at the Super J-Cup event, stepping in as a replacement for an injured Karl Fredericks. In this debut match, he teamed with Ren Narita against Bullet Club members Hikuleo and Kenta, though the team came up short in the encounter.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Breakthrough (2020-2024)
Kevin Knight’s NJPW career gained momentum in 2021 as he became a regular fixture on the promotion’s American-based Strong show. He frequently teamed with fellow LA Dojo members including Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors, and Alex Coughlin. As is customary for NJPW Young Lions, Knight experienced more losses than victories during this period, serving as part of his developmental process. In July 2021, he entered the Tag Team Turbulence tournament partnered with The DKC, though the duo was eliminated in the first round by the West Coast Wrecking Crew.
A significant turning point occurred in November 2022 when Knight made his debut in Japan proper at Historic X-Over. He competed in a pre-show match alongside Connors, Coughlin, and Gabriel Kidd, defeating a team of fellow Young Lions. This appearance led to Knight’s participation in the Super Junior Tag League, where he was partnered with veteran wrestler Kushida. During this tournament, Knight abandoned the traditional black trunks of a Young Lion, adopting bright orange gear and sunglasses to match his partner and symbolize his graduation from Young Lion status. The team finished the tournament with 4 points, narrowly missing advancement to the finals.
April 2023 marked a major breakthrough for Knight as he and Kushida, now competing under the team name Intergalactic Jet Setters, defeated Catch 2/2 to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. This victory represented Knight’s first championship in NJPW. The team held the titles until June 4, when they lost them back to Catch 2/2 at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall. However, their championship journey was not over. On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, the Intergalactic Jet Setters regained the titles by defeating Bullet Club War Dogs. They held the championships until January 4, 2025, when they lost them in a four-way tag team ladder match at Wrestle Kingdom 19.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2022-Present)
Kevin Knight’s relationship with All Elite Wrestling began in May 2022 due to NJPW’s working relationship with the promotion. He made his AEW debut teaming with The DKC against The Factory’s Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto. Though they lost the match, a post-match attack by The Factory led to a ten-man tag team match the following week, where Knight joined forces with his LA Dojo teammates to defeat The Factory. Knight returned to AEW in January 2023, accompanying Kushida during his TNT Championship match against Darby Allin.
In March 2025, Knight made his singles debut on AEW Collision, losing to Jay White. Following the match, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Knight had officially signed with the promotion. Knight entered the Owen Hart Cup tournament as a replacement for the injured Jay White but was eliminated in the first round by Will Ospreay at Dynasty. Following the tournament, Knight formed a tag team with “Speedball” Mike Bailey known as JetSpeed. The team challenged for the AEW World Tag Team Championship on two occasions at All In and All Out in 2025, though they were unsuccessful in both attempts. In November 2025, Knight was announced as a participant in the Continental Classic tournament, placed in the Gold League.
Style and Strengths
Kevin Knight competes in the light heavyweight division, utilizing a blend of technical wrestling skills and high-flying maneuvers. His training in the NJPW Dojo system has provided him with a strong foundation in Japanese strong style wrestling, emphasizing strikes, submissions, and mat-based grappling. Knight’s tag team experience has been a significant aspect of his career, demonstrating his ability to work effectively with partners and execute coordinated team strategies. His partnerships with Kushida in NJPW and Mike Bailey in AEW have showcased his versatility and adaptability in different tag team dynamics.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Kevin Knight’s most significant achievements came in April 2023 when he won his first championship, capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles with Kushida. His second reign with these titles began in October 2023 and lasted until January 2025. Knight’s participation in major NJPW tournaments including the Best of the Super Juniors and the Super Junior Tag League has placed him among the promotion’s junior heavyweight division competitors. His involvement in high-profile events such as Wrestle Kingdom 19 and the Continental Classic tournament in 2025 further demonstrates his status as a rising star in professional wrestling.
Kevin Knight Career Wins
Kevin Knight has achieved notable success in tag team competition throughout his career. His most significant accomplishments have come in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he has captured tag team championships on two occasions. While he has yet to secure major singles titles, his performances in tournament settings and high-profile matches have established him as a credible competitor in both the junior heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Highlights
Kevin Knight’s championship success in NJPW centers around his two reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. His first title victory occurred on April 27, 2023, when he and Kushida defeated Catch 2/2 to claim the championships. After losing the titles in June 2023, Knight and Kushida regained them on October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling by defeating Bullet Club War Dogs. Their second reign continued until January 4, 2025, when they lost the titles in a four-way ladder match at Wrestle Kingdom 19. Knight also participated in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament and the Super Junior Tag League, gaining valuable experience in NJPW’s competitive tournament format.
Other Performances
Beyond his championship success in NJPW, Kevin Knight has competed extensively for various promotions including Major League Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In TNA, he participated in a six-way Ultimate X match at Slammiversary 2023 to determine the number one contender for the X Division Championship. His appearances in AEW have included high-profile matches in the Owen Hart Cup tournament and challenges for the AEW World Tag Team Championships as part of JetSpeed. Knight’s victory over Darby Allin in the Continental Classic tournament in November 2025 stands as one of his most significant singles achievements.
Kevin Knight Family
Details regarding Kevin Knight’s family background and personal life remain private. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and maintains American nationality. Knight has not publicly disclosed information about his parents, marital status, or children, choosing to keep his personal life separate from his professional wrestling career. This privacy is not uncommon in the wrestling industry, where many performers prefer to maintain boundaries between their public personas and private lives.
2025 Season Performance
The year 2025 has been a pivotal period in Kevin Knight’s career as he transitioned to competing regularly for All Elite Wrestling while maintaining his relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The year began with Knight competing at Wrestle Kingdom 19 in January, where he and Kushida lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in a four-way ladder match. Following this match, Knight confirmed that he remained under contract with NJPW despite his expanding role in AEW.
Knight’s AEW career accelerated in March 2025 with his official signing announcement following a match against Jay White on Collision. He entered the Owen Hart Cup tournament, though his run was cut short by Will Ospreay in the first round. The formation of JetSpeed with Mike Bailey became a focal point of Knight’s 2025 campaign, with the team challenging for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at both All In and All Out. As the year progressed, Knight’s inclusion in the Continental Classic tournament represented another significant opportunity, where he scored a notable victory over Darby Allin in his opening match. This tournament appearance and his continued tag team success position Knight as a rising competitor in AEW’s singles and tag team divisions.
