Kevin Knight
{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1997)}}
{{distinguish|Kevin Knight (soccer player)|text=}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Kevin Knight
|image = Kevin Knight in November 2023 (cropped).png
|caption = Knight in November 2023
|names = Jet Knight
Kevin Knight
|height = 6 ft 0 in{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/profile/87058|title=Kevin Knight - La Dojo {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|01|01}}
|birth_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
|billed = Atlanta, Georgia
|trainer = {{unbulletedlist|Buddy Wayne|Katsuyori Shibata|NJPW L.A. Dojo}}
}}
Kevin Knight (born January 1, 1997) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to the American professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he is one-half of the tag team Jet Speed with "Speedball" Mike Bailey. He is also signed to the Japanese promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. He has also made appearances for promotions such as Major League Wrestling (MLW), Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and Ring of Honor (ROH).
Professional wrestling career
=Early career (2019–2020)=
Knight made his debut on August 2, 2019, wrestling for a range of Canadian and American independent promotions for the majority of late-2019 and early-2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=23592&page=4&s=100|title=Matches « Kevin Knight « Wrestlers Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database |website=cagematch.net|access-date=2023-05-01}}
=New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2020–present)=
== Young Lion (2020–2022) ==
Knight entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling LA Dojo in 2020 as a Young Lion, training under Katsuyori Shibata. Knight made his NJPW debut on December 12 at Super J-Cup, replacing an injured Karl Fredericks, where he teamed with Ren Narita, losing to Bullet Club's Hikuleo and Kenta.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/87050|title=Karl Fredericks injured; to miss Super J-Cup 2020 【NJoA】 {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/84455?showResult=1|title=2020.12.12 Super J-Cup 2020 (11/7発表) {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}}
In 2021, Knight competed on NJPW's American-based show Strong, commonly teaming with fellow LA Dojo members, such as Karl Fredericks, Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin, often losing most of his matches, which is common for NJPW Young Lions. In July, Knight entered the Tag Team Turbulence tournament, teaming with The DKC, however, they were defeated in the first round by the West Coast Wrecking Crew.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-strong-results-tag-team-turbulence-kicks-347191|website=f4wonline.com|title=www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-strong-results-tag-team-turbulence-kicks-347191|date=July 17, 2021 |access-date=2023-05-01}} Knight continued to wrestle on Strong for the remainder of the year. In May 2022, Knight made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), teaming with The DKC, in a losing effort to The Factory's Aaron Solo and Nick Comoroto, after the match The Factory attempted to attack the duo, however, they were saved by their LA Dojo stablemates. This led to a match the following week, where NJPW's Knight, Connors, Fredericks, Coughlin and Yuya Uemura, defeated The Factory's Q. T. Marshall, Solo, Comoroto, Blake Li and Brick Aldridge, in a ten-man tag-team match.{{cite web |date=9 May 2022 |title=NJPW LA Dojo Members & More AEW Debuts Announced |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/njpw-la-dojo-members-aew-debuts/}} At Capital Collision, Knight was defeated by Comoroto in a dark-match.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/117393?showResult=1|title=2022.05.14 Capital Collision {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}} In June, Knight competed at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door on the Buy-In, teaming with Coughlin, Uemura and The DKC, in an eight-man tag-team match, losing to The Gunn Club (Billy, Austin and Colten Gunn) and Max Caster.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/06/26/aew-njpw-forbidden-door-buy-in-pre-show-results-swerve-strickland-and-keith-lee-vs-yoshinobu-kanemaru-and-el-desperado-max-caster-austin-gunn-colten-gunn-and-billy-gunn-vs-the-dkc-kevin-knight/|title=AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door Buy-In pre-show results: Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru and El Desperado, Max Caster, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Billy Gunn vs. The DKC, Kevin Knight, Alex Coughlin, and Yuya Uemura, and Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi vs. QT Marshall and Aaron Solo - Pro Wrestling Dot Net|website=prowrestling.net|date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=2023-05-01}} In October at The Night Before Rumble on 44th Street, Knight and The DKC, defeated Forever Hooligans (Rocky Romero and Alex Koslov), who had reunited for one-night only.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/131269?showCards=1|title=2022.10.27 Night before {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}} The following night at Rumble on 44th Street, Knight and The DKC teamed once more, losing to The Motor City Machine Guns and Aussie Open in a three-way tag-team match for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship, which The Motor City Machine Guns won.{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/njpw-rumble-on-44th-street-results-10-28-22/|website=wrestlingheadlines.com|title=NJPW Rumble On 44th Street Results 10/28/22|date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=2023-05-01}}
== Intergalactic Jett Setters (2022–present) ==
On November 20, Knight made his debut in Japan for NJPW, at Historic X-Over, teaming with Connors, Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd on the pre-show, to defeat Kosei Fujita, Oskar Leube, Ryohei Oiwa, and Yuto Nakashima.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/127057?showResult=1|title=2022.11.20 Historic X-over {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}} It was also announced that Knight would compete in the Super Junior Tag League, teaming with Kushida, who was often a trainer at the LA Dojo, whilst also making his debut in an annual NJPW tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/njpw-announces-lineup-super-junior-tag-league-2022|title=NJPW Announces Lineup For Super Junior Tag League 2022 {{pipe}} Fightful News|website=fightful.com|access-date=2023-05-01}} During the tournament, Knight dropped the traditional black trunks worn by NJPW Young Lions, instead wearing bright orange gear and sunglasses, in order to better match his partner Kushida, whilst also signaling his graduation as a Young Lion. The duo ended the tournament with 4 points, failing to advance to the finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-world-tag-league-super-junior-tag-league-live-results-winners-crowned|website=f4wonline.com|title=www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-world-tag-league-super-junior-tag-league-live-results-winners-crowned|date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=2023-05-01}}
Following the tournament, Knight and Kushida continued to team together, with Knight debuting for Impact Wrestling on January 14, teaming with Kushida to defeat The Good Hands (Jason Hotch and John Skyler).{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/141766|title=KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight make major IMPACT against Good Hands {{pipe}} New Japan Pro-Wrestling |website=njpw1972.com|access-date=2023-05-01}} On the January 18 episode of Dynamite, Knight and The DKC returned to AEW, where they accompanied Kushida to the ring, during his TNT Championship match against Darby Allin.{{cite web |date=January 19, 2023 |title=AEW Dynamite 1/18/23 Results |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-dynamite-1-18-23-results/}} On January 20 in Impact Wrestling, Kushida and Knight lost to Bullet Club's Chris Bey and Ace Austin. On February 25, Knight lost to Kenny King.{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/spoilers-results-from-saturdays-impact-wrestling-tapings-2-25-23/|website=wrestlingheadlines.com|title=SPOILERS: Results From Saturday's Impact Wrestling Tapings 2/25/23|date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-01}} On March 30, at Multiverse United, a co-produced show between Impact and NJPW, Knight competed in a Six-way Scramble match for the Impact X Division Championship, but the title was retained by champion Trey Miguel.{{cite web|url=https://impactwrestling.com/2023/03/30/multiverse-united-only-the-strong-survive-2023-live-results/|title=Multiverse United: Only the STRONG Survive 2023 Full Results|website=IMPACT Wrestling|access-date=2023-05-01}} In April, Knight and Kushida began teaming under the name Intergalactic Jet Setters. On April 27, Knight and Kushida won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, from Catch 2/2 (T. J. Perkins and Francesco Akira), marking Knight's first NJPW championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/kushida-kevin-knight-win-iwgp-jr-heavyweight-tag-titles|website=f4wonline.com|title=www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/kushida-kevin-knight-win-iwgp-jr-heavyweight-tag-titles|date=April 27, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-01}}
The following month, Knight competed in his first Best of the Super Juniors tournament, competing in the B block.{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/05/03/complete-lineups-for-best-of-the-super-juniors-tournament/ | title=Complete lineups for Best of the Super Juniors tournament | date=May 3, 2023 }} Knight finished his tournament champaign with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/finals-set-for-njpw-2023-best-of-the-super-juniors-tournament/ | title=Finals Set for NJPW 2023 Best of the Super Juniors Tournament | date=May 26, 2023 }} On June 4 at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, Jet Setters lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships back to Catch 2/2 in a rematch.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-seven-title-matches | title=NJPW Dominion live results: Seven title matches | date=June 4, 2023 }} On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Jet Setters defeated Bullet Club War Dogs (Clark Connors and Drilla Moloney) to regain the titles.
On January 4, 2025 at Wrestle Kingdom 19, they lost the titles to Ichiban Sweet Boys (Kosei Fujita and Robbie Eagles) in a four-way tag team ladder match, also involving Bullet Club War Dogs and Catch 2/2.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-04 |title=NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 live results: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/new-japan-results/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-19-live-results-zack-sabre-jr-vs-shota-umino/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}} On April 9, Knight revealed that he was still signed to NJPW, despite signing with AEW a month prior.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Kevin Knight confirms he's signed to both AEW and NJPW |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/kevin-knight-confirms-hes-signed-to-both-aew-and-njpw/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}
=Impact Wrestling / Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2023–2024)=
On June 29, 2023, it was announced that on July 15, 2023, at Impact Slammiversary that Kevin Knight will be facing Mike Bailey, Kushida, Jonathan Gresham and Alan Angels in a 5-way Ultimate X match to determine the #1 contender to the Impact X Division Championship.{{cite web|url=https://impactwrestling.com/2023/06/29/ultimate-x-returns-at-slammiversary-winner-to-earn-x-division-title-shot-any-time-of-their-choosing/|title=Ultimate X Returns at Slammiversary, Winner to Earn X-Division Title Shot Any Time of Their Choosing|publisher=Impact Wrestling|author=IMPACT Wrestling Staff|date=June 30, 2023|access-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225095108/https://impactwrestling.com/2023/06/29/ultimate-x-returns-at-slammiversary-winner-to-earn-x-division-title-shot-any-time-of-their-choosing/|archive-date=February 25, 2023|url-status=live}} Later on Jake Something was added to the match making it a 6-way. During this match, Kevin Knight was not successful as Kushida was victorious at winning the match.{{Cite web |last=LAMBERT |first=JEREMY |title=KUSHIDA Wins Ultimate X At IMPACT Slammiversary 2023, Jake Something Returns |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kushida-wins-ultimate-x-impact-slammiversary-2023-jake-something-returns?amp |access-date=July 15, 2023 |website=Frightful.com}} In a September 2024 interview with Fightful, Knight claimed that he was no longer in TNA's plans in potential storylines and matches and that he would be moving forward in NJPW.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Knight Says He's Not In TNA Plans Right Now, Is Moving Forward With NJPW And MLW {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/kevin-knight-says-he-s-not-tna-plans-right-now-moving-forward-njpw-and-mlw |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}
= All Elite Wrestling (2025–present) =
On the March 29, 2025 episode of Collision, Knight made his singles debut in AEW, losing a competitive match to Jay White.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=AEW Collision live results: Mercedes Mone in action, Jay White vs. Kevin Knight |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-results/aew-collision-live-results-mercedes-mone-in-action-jay-white-vs-kevin-knight/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}} After the match, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Knight had signed with the promotion.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Knight Signs With AEW {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-knight-signs-aew |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}} On the April 2 edition of Dynamite, it was announced that Knight would replace an injured Jay White in the men's bracket of the Owen Hart Cup, a tournament where the winner will receive an AEW World Championship match at All In.{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Sam |date=2025-04-03 |title=2025 Men's Owen Hart Cup Bracket, Jay White Replacement Revealed On AEW Dynamite |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1825661/2025-mens-owen-hart-cup-bracket-jay-white-replacement-revealed-aew-dynamite/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}} On April 6 at Dynasty, Knight was eliminated in the first round of the tournament by Will Ospreay.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2025-04-06 |title=AEW Dynasty results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Megan Bayne for the AEW Women's Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/04/06/aew-dynasty-results-powells-live-review-of-jon-moxley-vs-swerve-strickland-for-the-aew-world-championship-toni-storm-vs-megan-bayne-for-the-aew-womens-championship/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}} Knight would later form a tag team with "Speedball" Mike Bailey, known as "Jet Speed".{{Cite web |title=Jet Speed « Tag Teams Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=13790 |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=www.cagematch.net}}{{Cite web |title=Speedball Mike Bailey: If The Hurt Syndicate Want Jet Speed To Go Away, They're Going To Have To Kill Us {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/speedball-mike-bailey-if-hurt-syndicate-want-jet-speed-go-away-they-re-going-have-kill-us |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Kushida{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=23592&page=11|title=Titles « Kevin Knight « Wrestlers Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database |website=cagematch.net|access-date=2023-05-01}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 252 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2023{{cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/complete-2023-pwi-500-list-revealed-top-njpw-star-absent/|title=Complete 2023 PWI 500 List Revealed, Top NJPW Star Absent|work=tjrwrestling.net|first=Sondra|last=Ruth|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 17, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
- {{Twitter | Jet2Flyy | Kevin Kinght}}
- {{NJPW profile|id=87058|newlink=yes}}
- {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=23592|wrestlingdata=35649|iwd=clark-connors-17791|name=Kevin Knight}}
{{Navboxes
|list1=
{{All Elite Wrestling personnel}}
{{New Japan Pro Wrestling personnel}}
{{IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Kevin}}
Category:All Elite Wrestling personnel
Category:Professional wrestlers from Atlanta
Category:American male professional wrestlers
Category:IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
Category:American expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan