AEW star Kevin Knight has re-signed with the company, but not for the reason you might think. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has learned that “The Jet” recently inked a new multi-year deal to remain with All Elite Wrestling. Knight had originally signed a one-year contract at the start of 2025 after his previous deal with New Japan Pro-Wrestling expired just before Wrestle Kingdom that year.
The decision to re-sign comes after a breakout year for Knight, whose work has been highly regarded by AEW management and fans alike. Earlier this year, he reached a career milestone by becoming an AEW World Trios Champion alongside “Speedball” Mike Bailey and “Hangman” Adam Page. Known collectively as Jet Set Rodeo, the trio held the titles from January until this past Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite, where they were dethroned by the Don Callis Family.
A Dual Commitment to AEW and NJPW
While Knight is now firmly under a multi-year AEW contract, he remains committed to his roots in Japan. Knight previously clarified that he has signed a dual contract, allowing him to represent both AEW and NJPW simultaneously. “New Japan has nothing to worry about. I’m not going anywhere,” Knight stated. “As I got the AEW graphic, I inked a deal with New Japan as well… I’m doing both. Best of both worlds.”
This arrangement has allowed Knight to maintain a heavy presence on AEW television while continuing to compete in marquee NJPW tournaments like the Best of the Super Juniors. His stock in AEW has risen significantly in recent months, culminating in singles matches against top stars like MJF and Swerve Strickland. On the March 4 episode of Dynamite, Knight unsuccessfully challenged MJF for the AEW World Championship in a match that many critics praised as a star-making performance.
WWE Interest and Future in AEW
The move to secure Knight on a multi-year deal was a strategic one for Tony Khan. Previous reports indicated that WWE was highly interested in signing Knight prior to his initial AEW arrival, with sources confirming he likely would have been slotted into the NXT brand. However, Knight chose the AEW/NJPW path, citing the creative freedom and the ability to work internationally as major factors in his decision.
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