Kevin Knight Reveals “Mount Rushmore” Of People Who Meant The Most In His Career

Kevin Knight has named the four people who have helped him the most in getting to where he is.
In just three days, Kevin Knight will challenge Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship at Redemption in his biggest match since joining the All Elite Wrestling roster. “The Jet” officially put pen to paper with the company in February 2025, and has become a two-time trios champion, as well as being the current reigning TNT Champion. Now, prior to his upcoming pay-per-view main event, Kevin Knight has reflected on those that have helped him get to this point of his career.
Speaking to SB Nation, Knight named Katsuyori Shibata, KUSHIDA, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, and Tony Khan as the “Mount Rushmore” of those that have helped his career.
“Katsuyori Shibata and Kushida, because they helped mold me. From a young lion to my first couple of tours in New Japan and being able to do Impact as well alongside Kushida. Those two guys definitely mean a lot to me. I gotta throw in there Speedball Mike Bailey because one of my first tours in Japan, one of my first matches in TNA/ Impact was against him, and then, of course, our whole run as Jet Speed and everything that we’ve been able to accomplish together. It means a lot to me, on a sentimental level. Fourth, I would like to give it up to Tony Khan just for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to go out there and show the world who and what I am, giving me the opportunity to try new things and just always encouraging me.”
-Kevin Knight
Kevin Knight has been firing on all cylinders since coming to All Elite Wrestling. His match catalogue includes stellar outings with ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, Darby Allin, Kazuchika Okada, FTR, and Will Ospreay, among others. Plus, given he’ll be wrestling Kenny Omega in a matter of days, it’s likely the TNT Champion will be further cementing his place among the roster regardless of whether he walks out as the new champion.
Discussing the champion vs. champion aspect of Redemption’s main event, Knight also revealed elsewhere in the interview that he’d be open to vacating the TNT Championship if he became world champion this Sunday. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Kevin Knight as soon as we hear more.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to WrestlePurists.com for the transcription.