The start of the yr is a really thrilling time for New Japan Professional Wrestling, and will likely be doubly so this yr with Wrestle Dynasty, a joint present with AEW, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom, being held alongside Wrestle Kingdom 19 this weekend. It is also, nonetheless, a time of stress for the New Japan entrance workplace, and expertise contracts come due on the similar time, resulting in the danger of abilities shifting on, as AJ Types, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, and Will Ospreay have carried out previously.
This yr isn’t any completely different, with a number of New Japan abilities having their offers expire, together with one half of the IWGP Junior Tag Group Champions, Kevin Knight. Experiences have revealed that Knight is drawing loads of curiosity from outdoors of New Japan, and separate from that, Knight has at the least one WWE star that can vouch for him. Taking to X on Sunday night, Natalya gave a ringing endorsement of Knight, praising his expertise, his work ethic, and keenness for wrestling, indicating that Knight had educated with Natalya and her husband, Tyson Kidd at their Florida wrestling college. If that wasn’t sufficient, she additionally famous that Knight was additionally a very nice individual.
Kevin is so gifted. He flies into prepare. Has a lot ardour. And he is actually ****ing good. Brings a lot to the desk. (Plus a pleasant individual!) https://t.co/ozaUPKBKnA
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) December 30, 2024
After coaching with Buddy Wayne, the late father of AEW star Nick Wayne, Knight entered the New Japan LA Dojo in 2020, and has remained a fixture with the promotion since. His largest success has come within the junior tag division, having held the titles twice with accomplice KUSHIDA, below the identify Intergalactic Jett Setters. Knight has additionally remained energetic outdoors of New Japan, together with working matches for NJPW companions AEW, CMLL, MLW, and Ring of Honor, whereas additionally having a year-long stint with TNA.
