Kevin Knight, the high-flying human springboard who’s spent the last few years proving ropes are just bouncy sidewalks, is now All Elite. That’s right—after flirting with multiple promotions like a wrestling version of The Bachelor, Knight has officially signed with AEW, and the behind-the-scenes scoop is juicier than a mid-card heel turn.
According to Fightful Select, Knight spoke with both AEW’s Tony Khan and Rocky Romero (who doubles as an executive and unofficial NJPW-to-AEW travel agent) in February, locking down his move just in time to debut on AEW Collision—where he promptly lost to Jay White, as is tradition for new signees trying to earn their stripes (and possibly avoid Blade Club hazing).
But AEW wasn’t the only one courting him. WWE also showed interest, reportedly eyeing Knight for NXT, their Performance Center-based boot camp for people who already know 87 moves but still need to learn the hard cam exists.
Sources within WWE’s inner circle told Fightful they were a little “surprised” Knight was even slated for a tryout, given that he’s already wrestled everywhere from NJPW to TNA, and likely knows more about working a crowd than the average Performance Center ring rope. Still, they were happy the company made an effort. Which in WWE terms means: we sent a recruiter with a clipboard and prayed he didn’t Google our recent booking.
Over in TNA, sources believed Knight would only return to their ring if he was going through the WWE side door first, like a pro wrestling Uber Pool. But now? That door’s closed, and Knight’s found his new home between the ropes and under the pyros of AEW.
The 28-year-old already has a solid résumé: a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion alongside KUSHIDA, and a NJPW career that started in 2020—just a year after his pro debut. He’s got speed, charisma, and a vertical leap that defies gravity, physics, and at least two insurance policies.
Knight’s move is part of a broader wave of NJPW contracts either ending or up for renewal. Gabe Kidd, Zack Sabre Jr., and David Finlay are also on the verge of becoming free agents, so if Tony Khan gets even more generous, we could be headed for All Ex-Japan Elite Wrestling.