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Q&A w/ Kevin Knight on NJPW, Best of the Super Jr. 32, AEW, Nick Wayne, Ricochet + more!

7 days ago Peatzilla for MP

Peatzilla for MP

Q&A w/ Kevin Knight on NJPW, Best of the Super Jr. 32, AEW, Nick Wayne, Ricochet + more!

By: Pep S. Caro

New Japan Pro Wrestling is about to hold Best of the Super Jr. 32, the latest edition of the world’s premier lightweight wrestling tournament (or junior wrestling tournament, as it’s known in Japan).

The best wrestlers from NJPW and their allies will participate in the tournament. One of them is Kevin Knight, pro wrestler from both NJPW and All Elite Wrestling. Kevin is the second wrestler in 2025 to be signed to both companies at the same time. I had the opportunity to interview the charismatic wrestler known as “The Jet” for my YouTube series “Pep Talk? Pep Talks”. The topics covered were his experience in NJPW, being a tag team champion with Kushida as the Intergalactic Jet Setters, the Best of the Super Jr., a possible title match with El Desperado, his experience in AEW, teaming with Mike Bailey, his rivalry with Ricochet and the Young Bucks, bond with Nick Wayne, hobbies, and more.

 

Pep:

Hi, friend! Welcome once again to this space. We have the visit of a new wrestler and this time is “The Jet” Kevin Knight, from New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling. Welcome, Kevin! It’s nice to have you here!

Kevin:

Hey, hola, como estás? Nice to be here, nice to be here!

Pep:

Muy bien. It’s a pleasure to have you here. We want to discuss some topics with you. You are literally the Forbidden Door now. You represent both New Japan and AEW. And we have an exciting month ahead of us with May, you know, Best of the Super Juniors. You also have been delivering big time matches in your first weeks in AEW. So we want to discuss a lot about that. Are you ready?

Kevin:

Yes, sir! Always ready.

Pep:

Okay, let’s go back to the beginning of your adventure with New Japan. So if I remember right, you made your debut in Historic X-Over in 2022. You had a special match where we future representatives of the LA Dojo against the Japan Dojo or New Zealand Dojo too. So, how was the experience of that first tour with New Japan also taking in count that two major debut in the Super Junior Tag League teaming with then Tag Team partner and mentor KUSHIDA? So, how was that experience?

Kevin:

Man, it was a very eye-opening experience. I remember pulling up to the venue at the Historic X-Over and it was like a spectacle because at that point in time, I’ve never wrestled in that type of arena, especially in Japan. It was my first show in Japan, but it was a spectacle to say the least. It was a little bit awkward because at the time it was like clap-only crowds. So, even when we did things, it was just people just standing there just watching us with like, not making any sounds or anything, it was clapping. So, it was a little bit adjusting to get used to, but I think that match symbolized like the whole LA dojo was there because it was my first time in Japan. I know Alex and Clark and Gabe are already there beforehand, but being at my first match, it was so eye-opening. And then directly after that, doing the Super Junior Tag League, it was me and Kushida’s first time tagging together. So, it was like, I learned so much. I still remember the first time I got in a ring at Korakuen Hall for our first match, she said, relax, relax, have fun. So, at that time in my career, I was really relearning myself because throughout that Junior Tag League, I lost the trunks, I put on a sweat suit, started trying to be like myself, just be more of the Jet character. So, it was like I was shedding off the young lion skin and putting on the jet skin. So, it was a transition for sure.

 

 

Pep:

Then you continue teaming regularly with Kushida, you even managed to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship twice.

Kevin:

Yeah!

Pep:

What does the Intergalactic Jet Setters mean to you?

Kevin:

Man this like the first championships I ever won in my career and it happened on my second tour ever in Japan halfway through that done taco tour we won them in Hiroshima against catch 2/2. And man, it was a validating moment. It was my first tour where we got the full experience of New Japan going on tour having full capacity crowds having crowds that can make noise getting the Japanese audience used to me and my style so man the intergalactic jet setters is like the foundation of who I am today and the second time we won it was what in king of pro wrestling and riagoku and that’s one of my favorite venues in Japan so just be able to have that moment with my partner especially against the Bullet Club that we’re feuding with for a while it was just a full circle moment just to be able to say we beat Catch 2/2 and the Bullet Club for those titles so it was dope!

Pep:

I think you connected very well with the New Japan crowds. You are one of the fan favorites and you had a special moment when you made your debut this year in the Tokyo Dome when you both entered as the IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately, you lost the match but I believe that that moment entering the Tokyo Dome as champions is an achievement in itself.  How do you feel competing in Japan’s most important venue for wrestling?

Kevin:

Man, that’s like a dream come true, very validating. It’s like you got Madison Square Garden, you got Wembley, you got Arena of Mexico, and then you got Tokyo Dome. You know, that’s one of the staple venues that anybody wants in this business to perform at. And it was so dope just walking down that long ramp, just seeing everybody in the stands, hearing the reactions, seeing the opponents in the ring. It’s definitely a surreal moment just to be able to have that type of experience. And man, there’s nothing like it. I can’t explain there’s nothing like it. And just to be able to go out there on that stage, entering as champions, like you said, was like, man, on the biggest show of the year. It was like, man, this company really believes in us. So, it’s dope to be able to have that platform and do what we do on that stage.

Pep:

That’s great. It’s also proof of your hard work over the years. Like you mentioned, second tour, you became tag champions. Then in your second reign, you made your debut in the Tokyo Dome as champions. So that’s really cool. But we have talked a lot about your venture as a tag team wrestler, but you have also been a highlight as a singles competitor. You have competed in the Best of the Super Juniors twice so far. And for people that don’t know, this is considered the most important and prestigious tournament for junior wrestlers or light heavyweight wrestlers. And unfortunately, you didn’t advance to the knockout phases on those occasions. But how was the experience of competing in a Round Robin style tournament?

 

 

Kevin:

Man, the first time I did it was 2023. And that was my first time competing under my character in a single style fashion. So, it was like I was still finding myself. I didn’t have Kushida to rely on. So, at the time I was a tag champion, but it was, I still had some things to work on as a singles competitor, whether it’s timing and striking and everything.  And that tour was, both tours that I’ve done so far. I’ve been so grueling. The schedule is crazy on the body. So, it’s like you really have to take care of your body in these tournaments. It’s a war of attrition kind of thing. Whoever is the healthiest at the end of the tour, whoever has the most points, obviously, who’s ever in the best shape is gonna come out of that tournament victorious. And this being my third time, third time’s a charm. I have a great feeling about this time around. I’m more polished, I’m more established, I’m more comfortable and confident in who I am. So, there’s no half-stepping this time around. So, and I look at my block, there’s a few people in there that I’ve already faced before. There’s a couple that I haven’t faced before. So, I’m looking forward to it, man. It’ll be a dope experience.

Pep:

That’s awesome! We are going to enter further to this year’s BOSJ. But before, you are currently signed with AEW. You had a banger match with Will Ospreay at Dynasty this year. It was also part of another tournament, but from All Elite, which is the old hard cup or old hard tournament. And like I said, it was a banger. It’s not just me talking. Many people believe that. So, what did you feel in this match and what was the experience of making your debut in a PPV for AEW just in your first week under contract?

Kevin:

Man, everything happened so fast. Everything happened so fast. It’s like a blink of a eye. I was like I was wrestling AR Fox on Ring of Honor. And then soon I get brought up to wrestle J on a collision. And then in the following week, he had announced that I’m wrestling on the pay-per-view. So, it’s like things happen like this. So, I think it was just in a tribute just to how hard I’ve worked and just the work that I put in because opportunity and preparation makes success. You know what I mean? So, I feel like I’ve always been preparing for this moment. I just had an opportunity to be successful. So, it was just putting all my work out there, throwing it out the wall, giving Will everything I had, giving the city of Philadelphia everything I had. And you bring good energy to Philadelphia, they’re gonna give it right back to 10 fold. So, the environment was amazing. Will is obviously amazing in his own race. So, it’s just a matter of proving that I can keep up with the best in the world. So, it was validating the experience for sure.

Pep:

That’s great. I also, I just discussed this with Veda Scott earlier today. For me, personally, my favorite show so far in the US has been in Philadelphia. I believe they have an amazing energy. The crowds are always special.  So I think that that complemented well with the wrestling that you both showcased in the show. and now returning to the BOSJ, you will be representing New Japan but also AEW in the tournament. You are the second wrestler so far this year that is under contract with both companies which is something really special. Many people that are fans from AEW might not be so familiar with the usual schedule of New Japan so maybe can you tell the fans what can they expect of this year’s Best of the Super Juniors?

Kevin:

Man, like I said before, they can expect a more polished jet, a more confident jet, just me fully being me in my skin, especially for the Japanese fans. They see me grow from a young lion into who I am now. They see me change looks. They see me get a little bit bigger. So, they can expect just to me to really go the long hole in this tournament. I think I’m ready mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, to be able to take this tournament and win it and get my first title shot at that title, because man, I’ve been there for how long and I still haven’t had a shot at that title. So, this will be, this is the time is right. Time is right.

 


Pep:

Indeed. Now I want to enter to the setup or configuration of this block. You will be in the B Block. You will be facing Ryusuke Taguchi, YOH, SHO, Titan, Robbie Eagles, Taiji Ishimori, Nick Wayne also from AEW, Ring of Honor, MAO from DDT and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and current Best of the Super Junior winner EL Desperado. So, what do you think of this group setup and which matches do you think might be the toughest for you?

Kevin:

Man, every single match is gonna be a tough one. Every single match is gonna be a tough one. I think everything is gonna be so different because there’s a lot of characters in this block. You got YOH, who’s an interesting character. You got SHO, who you never know with the whole rest of the House of Torture is gonna pop up. You know, I’m really scared for Taguchi-san because I’ve never been against him. I’ve only wrestled with him. And he’s always that funky weapon is dangerous. You gotta look out for that funky weapon. So, I just gotta develop a strategy, you know, to overcome that. And Despe is obviously the champion as of now, but I’m gonna know against Despe. Going dating back to last year as best super junior. So, I think I have a great strategy to attack Despe, so I’m gonna have a great respect for him. And then you go to the people like MAO or Nick Wayne. It’s Nick’s first best super juniors, but I’ve been training with Nick since 2019, you know, since he was like 13 years old. So, I know him better than anybody in this tournament. So that’ll be a premier top tier matchup. I can’t wait to do that one. We’ve been doing it since we’re in the garage training together. So now we used to do one of the biggest stage of them all in New Japan. So definitely looking forward to competing with everybody in this tournament.

Pep:

Great! And now also that you mentioned this bond that you have with Nick Wayne, not also members of the same company, but also having train together for so long. And now he’s currently the ROH World TV Champion. So can we consider in a potential a scenario where you beat Nick Wayne that as an Eliminator match?

Kevin:

So, I think so because I’m me and Fox had a 10-minute draw for that title back in maybe last month All Ring of Honor and we never got back to it and I recently beat Fox on Collision. For that opportunity, so I feel like in my eyes that title is already mine. It’s already wrapped around my waist So when the time comes, Nick Wayne knows what time it is. So, we’ll see we’ll see when that matchup actually happens and if he’s willing to put it on the line. You know how he’s spoiled a kid in patriarchy Christian and his mom he told me what to do. So, I just want to see Nick date for himself. So that’s all.

 

 

Pep:

Awesome. Now returning to this, you mentioned before about, you have never challenged for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship yet. And Desperado has been in a roll, this reign, that he won the title at Wrestle Kingdom, same day that you and Kushida lost the tag team belts.

Kevin:

Right!

Pep:

And he has been defending against everyone and anywhere. Okay. So would you be interested in having an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match with El Desperado, but outside of Japan?

Kevin:

Of course, that’s the time that I’ve been waiting on. Just like you said, he’s been defending against any and everybody. So, me, quite frankly, I’m kind of offended.  He had defended against Kosei Fujita. He’s defended against Akira, Clark Connors, Templario, everybody under the sun except for the jet. And it’s like, what am I, chopped liver or something? So, I think, me being already having an undefeated record it gets some, that match is inevitable on whether it be in Japan, whether it be in the States, in Canada, the UK maybe, you know, anywhere, everywhere. I would love to tell his destiny for that title because he knows, he knows I got his number.

 

 

Pep:

I’m looking forward for that match. I believe that this year, BOSJ will be maybe a preview for that. And now also in AEW, you have been working a lot with Mike Bailey, Speedball, who also has been in New Japan programming. He was a semifinalist in your first BOSJ in 2023. You are a team with a lot of chemistry. I think you have a good energy. And you’re also in some kind of rivalry with the Young Bucks right now. AEW EVPs, technically your bosses. What can we expect from you and Speedball as a team in the coming months?

Kevin:

Man, you can expect action, fast-paced action. Look here, we over there. Jet Speed Mach 10, what I like to call us, is here for it to shake up the tag team division, you know? I feel like we would bring a lot of different variety, a different flavor to the roster, but to this division, man. And I can say that I’m so thankful that Speedball is my partner, because I would hate to be on the receiving end of those kicks, because I had before, and man, those things sting. So, whenever I see him putting in the work on EVPs, or Ricochet, or Okada, just as it was a couple of days ago, I’m happy. It’s a smile on my face. So, you can expect Jet Speed Mach 10 to come in and run the division. Whenever we get back together, I gotta leave for a little bit, but man, that’s not gonna stop the connection. So, looking forward to what we can do in this division, I think is wide open for us.

Pep:

Yeah, I will say like a kind of a rebirth in the tag team division. So, I think that your team can bring something new to the table. And you also have this magnetism that makes fans, even if they are casual or hardcore fans want to watch what you guys are doing.  And you also have like the variety because you have like the, what people tend to call the real graps, but you also have this kind of comedy sense. We’ve been seeing a lot that with Ricochet, especially when you have, you have been in many multi tag matches, but every match so far has been different. Yeah. So that’s also really cool. And now about this kind of beef with Ricochet, can we expect a singles match between the Jets and the out of this world?

Kevin:

Man, he says he’s out of this world, but his head is weird. His hair must be out of this world as well, because we can’t seem to find it. But you know, Ricochet, despite what people may think, he actually is a cool guy. I might be lying. I might be fabricating that. But Ricochet, we could definitely get that action in one-on-one. I think he’s been ducking it. He cost us two matches now, two weeks in a row. So, I’m not really too high on Ricochet. So, I just can’t wait to get in there, slap that bald ahead of his, and show him who really is out of this world, who really is too fly, who really is not from here. Because he may be the before, but the jet is the here and now and the future. So, I’m just, you know, we got to hash that out in the ring.

 

 

Pep:

To close this part, let’s take in mind that Ricochet is also someone that has history with New Japan. He has been a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, and also Best of the Super Junior winner. So you have something that you have to achieve, you know, to have this argument of, yeah, I’m better than Ricochet too.

Kevin:

Of course, of course, of course, he did it maybe 10 years ago and he was only a tag champion as well. He may have won the Super Junior, but he didn’t win the big one.  So, you know, once I win that big one, then that’s a big step over his head. So, we will see, we will see.

Pep:

Okay. Also, next month, after you return from the Best of the Super juniors, AW will make their debut in Mexico, which is another great achievement for all of it. They will be doing Grand Slam. Grand Slam, Mexico in Arena Mexico. Like we talked before, it’s one of the four, maybe four most iconic venues for pro wrestling around the world. They are doing this in partnership with CMLL and that same week we have also Fantastica Mania Mexico, which is another show that is run by CMLL and New Japan. And you have, you know, contract or obligations in a sense with both AEW and AJPW. And the last time that you competed in Mexico was in 2023, that you made team with Rocky Romero, which is not the same as Rocky Romero and TJP.

Kevin:

He’s different now.

Pep:

Yes, yes, sir. How interested would you be in competing with CMLL there again in Mexico?

Kevin:

Very interested. CMLL, Arena Mexico, Arena Puebla, Guadalajara. That was some of my favorite times that I got to do. The crowd is insane. The energy is insane. Mexico City is like a whole different level. So I would be, you know, more than excited to be able to go back to that city and just expand on what I already have done. You know, I got to wrestle with Missico, Atlantis Jr. and Mascara Dorada 2.0 in Arena, Mexico on the 90th anniversary. So just saying that is like an achievement itself. So, I would like to run that bet maybe with some different opponents or different teammates. You know, Rocky Romero, he was always a bad influence, especially when he brought me down to Mexico. And TJP is doing his thing too. So, maybe we can get a little bit better influence, role models, you know what I mean? And then make a run against Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Templario, Atlantis Jr., everybody over there. Volador Jr., everybody is so talented.

 

 

Pep:

That’s great. And now that we are talking about these possibilities and the partnerships that AEW in Japan have, and you’re literally the forbidden door, like I mentioned at the beginning of this interview, is there anyone you want to face from anywhere in the world that you haven’t faced yet?

Kevin:

I think since I am the forbidden door, like you said, anybody should be wanting to step in the ring with me, with the jet. So, anybody that’s on the list that got me on that list, put me at the top, you know, I want to make some magic happen. There’s nobody for me that I really, anybody that steps in the ring, it’s going to be a challenge. It’s going to be entertaining. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a battle. So, I’m ready for anybody that steps in the ring. It could be a, we call it the Jet Open Challenge, the Jet Forbidden Door Challenge, you know? So, I’ll be ready for anybody that steps in the ring.

Pep:

There’s also another partnership that AEW and New Japan have that is Repro, Revolution for Wrestling in the UK. You haven’t done that one yet, but many of your tag team partners, even as people did some months in the UK back in the pandemic era, so how interested would you be in competing over there?

Kevin:

Oh, of course, I want to travel, you know, the jet to fly for a reason. I want to get to every place, every promotion, every state, continent, province, every place in the world and show the world my talent.  So being in RevPro, we just add to that achievement. So, I would love to go over there to RevPro, whoever the best is over there. I know they got Oku, Leon Slater, Man Like Dereiss. They got a great scene over there. So, I would love to compete with the best of the best.

 

 

Pep:

Finally, going a little bit outside of wrestling, we want to know a little bit more about you. So, can you tell us about your hobbies? What do you usually do in your daily life?

Kevin:

Man, Jet is too fly, so I participate in a myriad of activities, whether it’s obviously pro-wrestling and working out. But I could play a little bit of the guitar. I’ve been playing that for about almost a year and a half, two years now. So, I play a couple of tunes.  I’m a big skater, whether it’s roller skating or skateboarding. So, I just love to be outside and stay active. And Jet went to college too, so I like to stay in my books. I got a little mini library, and I like to stay up on my knowledge and everything. So, man, if I’m not in the ring, I’m in the rink, skating rink. I’m in the studio, I’m in the library, so you can catch me here, there, everywhere.

Pep:

That’s awesome. I believe it’s important to have something to do outside of Rethling. It’s always important to develop yourself as a person. Thank you for your time, Kevin. It’s been a pleasure to have you here to hear a little bit about your adventures. Now with AEW, some from the past, we’ve New Japan, in Mexico. Looking forward to what you will do next. Finally, do you have any message for the fans watching this?

Kevin:

For anybody watching this, man, tap in, tune in whenever the jet is on your TV programming, whether it’s on New Japan World, whether it’s on TNT on Wednesdays or TBS on Wednesdays, or on Saturdays on Collision. So just tap in wherever the jet is. I’ll be in Arena Mexico, however you watch it. So anytime you see the jet on the card, man, you in for a spectacle.

Pep:

Ok! Eso ha sido todo por hoy, amigos. ¡Hasta la próxima!

 

 

We’d like to thank Peatzilla for the art direction. We also want to thank Kevin Knight and the New Japan Pro Wrestling team for all the facilities they provided to conduct the interview.

Date:

May 11, 2025

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