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Shaun Edward Ricker (born November 1, 1982) is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name LA Knight.

Key Information

Ricker began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2003 and he joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) affiliated Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CW) in 2010. Ricker signed with WWE in 2013 and performed as an enhancement talent under the ring name Slate Randall until being released in 2014. After adopting the ring name Eli Drake, Ricker signed with TNA in 2015 and won the TNA World Championship, TNA King of the Mountain Championship, the TNA World Tag Team Championship (with Scott Steiner) once each and twice won the Feast or Fired briefcase.

Ricker left TNA in 2019 and rejoined the NWA, winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship (with James Storm). He re-signed with WWE in 2021 under the ring name LA Knight and won the Million Dollar Championship once. Ricker was then repackaged as a manager and renamed Max Dupri in 2022 but later reverted to his original ring name. He gained increased popularity in early 2023 and won the WWE United States Championship twice, firstly at SummerSlam the following year.

Outside of wrestling, Ricker appeared on the reality television series The Hero and the comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He has provided motion capture for other WWE wrestlers for the WWE 2K video game series and voiced a fictional character in WWE 2K22.

Early life

[edit]

Shaun Edward Ricker[2] was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on November 1, 1982.[3][4] He has two older siblings and started watching professional wrestling at the age of three.[4][5] He graduated from North Hagerstown High School, where he played in the school’s band and participated in track and field.[6][7]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (2003–2010)

[edit]

Ricker moved to Cincinnati and began training at the age of 20 on March 17, 2003, supporting himself with work at a lumber mill and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant.[4] He began working regularly for the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) later that year under the ring name Deuce.[5][8] On November 9, 2004, Deuce won the HWA Television Championship, and dropped it on January 4, 2005.[9]

National Wrestling Alliance (2009–2012)

[edit]
Ricker wrestling as Slate Randall in February 2014

NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (2010–2013)

[edit]

In December 2010, Ricker moved to work for NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. He joined forces with Brian Cage, forming The Natural Selection tag team and winning the NWA Heritage Tag Team Championship from The RockNES Monsters on December 8.[10] After holding the titles for over 200 days, The Natural Selection lost them to The Tribe when Cage missed the event, causing the match to become a handicap match.[10] Ricker then feuded with Cage for several months, staying even on victories until he defeated Cage to end their feud in late 2012.[8]

On December 24, Ricker unsuccessfully challenged Adam Pearce for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.[8] However, he won the Percy Pringle III Cup, where the winner earned a shot at any championship at any time and place.[11] On May 5, 2013, Ricker won the 30-Man Red Carpet Rumble for the CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship in homage to his late friend and manager Percy Pringle.[12] That same night, he successfully defended the title against Ryan Taylor.[12]

Ricker would lose the championship to Scorpio Sky in a Loser Leaves Hollywood match later that night; this match was scheduled to air on June 2, on tape delay, but was never aired due to the controversial finish.[12] After the cameras went off, Ricker got on the microphone and thanked all of the fans for coming out, saying it would be the last time he would be seen in a ring for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. All of the wrestlers came out from the back and gave Ricker a standing ovation. However, he made one more final television appearance, defeating Sky's fellow Experience members Big Duke and Xtian Cole.[8]

WWE (2013–2014)

[edit]

In May 2013, Ricker was one of many independent wrestlers undergoing the necessary medical testing required to be signed by WWE before he reported to the WWE Performance Center.[5][13] He had previously made sporadic appearances in WWE over the years; he teamed with Jonathan Good in a losing effort against Big Show in a dark handicap match in May 2006,[4] teamed with Gene Snitsky in a losing effort against Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard) on ECW in 2008,[4] and played a security guard during a segment featuring CM Punk and Kevin Nash on Raw in August 2011.[14]

Upon signing with WWE, Ricker was given the ring name Slate Randall and made his debut by defeating Yoshi Tatsu in a dark match during an October 2013 taping of NXT.[8] Following that victory, he competed as a jobber for NXT, losing to names such as Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, and Mason Ryan.[8] He was released from his WWE contract on August 1, 2014.[15]

Return to the independent circuit (2014–2019)

[edit]

After his release from WWE, Ricker returned to wrestling on the independent circuit and began competing under the ring name Eli Drake. On September 5, at Full Impact Pro's Fallout, he participated in a trios tournament along with Mason Ryan and Michael Tarver, but they were defeated by the Full Impact Puerto Ricans (Lince Dorado, Jay Cruz, and Jay Rios) in the semifinals.[16] On November 21, Ricker defeated Kenny King at FSW Luck of the Draw.[17]

On May 11, 2019, Drake lost a fatal four-way match at a Maverick Pro Wrestling event.[18] He made his debut for World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico at WWC Aniversario on August 17, wrestling Carlito Colon.[19]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling / Impact Wrestling (2015–2019)

[edit]

The Rising (2015–2016)

[edit]

On February 16, 2015, Drake participated in TNA One Night Only's TNA Gut Check tournament, defeating Crazzy Steve to qualify for a five-way elimination match won by Tevita Fifita.[20] On the March 27 episode of Impact Wrestling, he joined Drew Galloway and Micah to form The Rising, defeating The Beat Down Clan in his debut.[21] On the July 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, The Beat Down Clan defeated The Rising in a 4-on-3 handicap match, forcing The Rising to dissolve.[22]

On the July 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake turned heel when he cost Galloway a match against TNA World Heavyweight Champion Ethan Carter III.[23] Drake defeated Galloway at No Surrender on August 5 but lost a No Disqualification rematch on August 19 at Turning Point.[24][25] At Bound for Glory on October 4, Drake competed in the Bound For Gold Gauntlet, which was won by Tyrus.[26] He then participated in the TNA World Title Series as a member of group Future 4, along with Jessie Godderz, Micah and Crimson, advancing in the round of 16 along with Godderz, where he lost in the round of 16 to Mahabali Shera, being eliminated from the tournament.[27] At TNA One Night Only: Live! on January 8, 2016, Drake and Godderz competed in a 3-Way TNA World Tag Team Championship match, which The Wolves won.[28]

On January 26, 2016, Drake won the Feast or Fired match and the briefcase that contained a title shot for the future TNA King Of The Mountain Championship.[29] On the February 9 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake was attacked by Grado, who had been fired after his Feast or Fired briefcase contained the pink slip. Later that night, Drake interrupted him backstage, telling him "he better shut up about whatever he thinks he knows" and attacked Grado again, having him escorted out of the building through the tunnel.[30] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake lost to Grado, who was masked as Odarg the Great.[31] On the March 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, he faced Grado in a ladder match with Grado's career on the line, but was defeated.[32]

Fact of Life and Namer of Dummies (2016–2017)

[edit]
Drake (left) formed an alliance with Chris Adonis in 2017

On the May 31 episode of Impact on Pop, Drake cashed in his Feast or Fired briefcase for his shot at the TNA King of the Mountain Championship, defeating Bram, who was just viciously attacked by Lashley, winning his first title in TNA.[33] He successfully defended the title against Bram on June 12 at Slammiversary.[34] On the June 28 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake hosted a Fact of Life segment, inviting James Storm as his guest and insulting him; Storm eventually hit Drake with the Last Call, igniting a feud between the two.[35] On the July 5 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake defended the King of the Mountain Championship against Storm, but intentionally disqualified himself to save the title.[36] On the August 4 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake lost the championship to Storm.[37] He entered the Impact Grand Championship tournament, defeating Godderz in the first round but lost to Aron Rex in the semi-finals.[38][39]

At Bound for Glory on October 2, Drake won the Bound for Gold Gauntlet by last eliminating Tyrus.[40] After this, Drake started a feud against Ethan Carter III.[41][42] On the November 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake cashed in his Bound for Gold opportunity, but failed to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Eddie Edwards.[43] On the November 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake faced EC3 in a title shot vs. voice match where if Ethan lost, he would lose his heavyweight title shot, and if Drake lost, he would not be able to talk for the rest of 2016; EC3 won by submission.[44]

At One Night Only: Live! on January 6, 2017, Drake and Tyrus unsuccessfully challenged The Broken Hardys for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[45] Tyrus helped Drake take the red case during the Race for the Case on the January 19 episode of Impact Wrestling.[46] On the February 2 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake cashed in his Race for the Case briefcase for a match against Ethan Carter III, but lost. After the match, he and Tyrus attacked EC3, but were assaulted by the Death Crew Council.[47] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake abandoned Tyrus during their handicap match against The Death Crew Council, causing them to lose.[48] A match was scheduled between Drake and Tyrus two weeks later, which ended in a disqualification victory for Tyrus. After the match, Drake proposed more money to Tyrus for keeping him as a bodyguard, which Tyrus accepted.[49]

On the May 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, with help from Tyrus and Chris Adonis, he attacked Impact Grand Champion Moose after his match against Marshe Rockett.[50] On the June 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake failed to win the Impact Grand Championship from Moose.[51] At Slammiversary on July 2, Drake and Adonis lost to Moose and DeAngelo Williams.[52]

Impact Global Champion (2017–2018)

[edit]
Drake as the Impact Global Champion at Bound for Glory in November 2017

On the August 24 episode of Impact!, Drake won a 20-man gauntlet match, as the second entrant, to win the vacant GFW Global Championship for the first time; it was later renamed to the Impact Global Championship. This was Drake's first world title reign from a major wrestling promotion in his career.[53] He would retain the title against Matt Sydal on Impact,[54] and against Cody Hall in Japan for Pro Wrestling Noah.[55] Drake successfully defended the title against Johnny Impact at Victory Road on September 28, Bound for Glory on November 5 and at Genesis on January 25, 2018 in a Six Sides of Steel match also involving Alberto El Patron.[56][57][58] He lost his renamed Impact World Championship on the February 1 episode of Impact Wrestling against the returning Austin Aries, ending his reign at 146 days.[59][60] On the February 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake failed to regain the title from Aries.[61]

On the March 15 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake won a briefcase during the Feast or Fired containing an opportunity for an Impact World Tag Team Championship match, which he refused as he no longer had a tag team partner.[62] He defeated Moose for his World Championship briefcase on the April 5 episode of Impact Wrestling after interference from Ohio Versus Everything.[63] At Redemption on April 22, Drake and his tag team partner Scott Steiner defeated The Latin American Xchange to win the Impact World Tag Team Championship.[64] On the April 26 episode of Impact!, Drake and Steiner defeated LAX in a rematch to retain the titles.[65] Two weeks later, Drake cashed in his World Championship briefcase against Pentagón Jr., but failed to win the title.[66] After losing the titles to D&E (DJZ and Andrew Everett) on the May 17 episode of Impact Wrestling,[67] Drake and Steiner had a match on May 31 at Under Pressure, which Drake won after a chair shot.[68]

On the June 7 episode of Impact Wrestling, during his Fact of Life segment, Drake ranked Moose number one in his top five dummies in Impact. Moose confronted Drake later and challenged him for a match to determine the number one contender to the Impact World Championship at Slammiversary XVI. Drake accepted the challenge and attacked Moose.[69] The following week at House of Hardcore, Drake lost to Moose.[70] On June 25, Eli Drake signed a new contract with Impact Wrestling.[71] On the July 12 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake flirted with Grado's girlfriend, Katarina, during a backstage segment. This led to a match between Drake and Grado later that night, which was won by Drake. After the match, he tried again to flirt with Katarina, but Drake was stopped by Joe Hendry.[72] On the August 2 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake aligned himself with the Cult of Lee (Trevor Lee and Caleb Konley) and defeated Hendry and Grado.[73] Drake issued various open challenges by this time, including one at Bound for Glory.[74] At the event on October 14, Drake defeated James Ellsworth. After the match, Drake asked for a new challenger, a "Hall of Fame material" which resulted in Abyss, the newest Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame member, showing up and hitting him with a chokeslam through a table.[75]

Feuding with hardcore wrestlers and departure (2018–2019)

[edit]

On the October 18 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake "sued" Impact Wrestling management for "unsafe working environment" after the attack of Abyss at Bound for Glory.[76] On the November 8 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake betrayed his lawyer Joseph Park after a low-blow. The following week, Drake criticized hardcore wrestling before being confronted by Tommy Dreamer.[77] Two weeks later, Drake lost to Dreamer via count-out after walking away from the match. However, the match was restarted by Impact Wrestling management and became a No Disqualification match, which Drake won.[78] On the January 3, 2019 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake was confronted and attacked by Dreamer and Raven.[79] At Impact Wrestling Homecoming three days later, Drake defeated Abyss in a Monster's Ball match.[80]

On the January 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drake confronted Eddie Edwards, talking down about his hardcore style, leading to a match on the February 22 episode of Impact Wrestling, where Edwards defeated Drake with a roll-up.[81] Shortly after, Drake formed a tag team with Edwards,[82][83] challenging the Lucha Bros for the Impact World Tag Team Championship on the April 19 episode of Impact Wrestling in a losing effort.[84]

During this time, a match was booked between Drake and Tessa Blanchard at United We Stand. However, he legitimately refused to partake in the match and criticized intergender wrestling, and was replaced in the match by Joey Ryan. After his comments, as well as statements he had made disparaging Impact's booking of him, Drake was fired via email on April 7, ending his four-year tenure with the promotion. Following this, Impact tried to lock him into a non-compete clause due to breach of contract.[85][86][87][88] On June 4, Drake released a statement speaking positively about his time at Impact and announced that he was now a free agent.[89]

Return to NWA (2019–2021)

[edit]

On June 28, 2019, Ricker (as Eli Drake) appeared at the Ring of Honor event Best in the World, being revealed as the mystery partner of Nick Aldis and the newest person to sign an exclusive deal with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).[90] At Hard Times on January 24, 2020, Drake and James Storm defeated The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) and The Wild Cards (Royce Isaacs and Thom Latimer) in a triple threat tag team match to win the NWA Tag Team Championship.[91] On November 10 at UWN Primetime Live, Drake and Storm would drop the titles to Aron Stevens and JR Kratos.[92] On February 14, 2021, it was announced that Ricker had been quietly released from the NWA in late 2020 after only signing a new deal with the company a few months beforehand.[93]

Return to WWE

[edit]

NXT and main roster debut (2021–2023)

[edit]

On February 14, 2021, it was reported that Ricker had re-signed with WWE.[93] At NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day later that night, he debuted as a heel under the new ring name LA Knight.[94] He made his in-ring debut on the March 17 episode of NXT, defeating August Grey.[95] At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on April 7, he participated in a Gauntlet Eliminator for a future NXT North American Championship match, eliminating Dexter Lumis before being eliminated by Bronson Reed.[96]

Knight aligned himself with Ted DiBiase on the May 25 episode of NXT after attacking Cameron Grimes during their segment.[97] This culminated in a ladder match between the two for the re-introduced Million Dollar Championship at TakeOver: In Your House on June 13,[98] which was won by Knight.[99] During the championship ceremony on the following episode of NXT, Knight turned on DiBiase, attacking him before being driven off by Grimes.[100] On the June 29 episode of NXT, Grimes challenged Knight for the title at The Great American Bash, which he accepted on the condition that if Grimes lost, he would become Knight's personal butler.[101][102] At The Great American Bash on July 6, Knight retained the title against Grimes, who became Knight's butler per the stipulation.[103] On the August 10 episode of NXT, Knight agreed to defend the championship against Grimes at NXT TakeOver 36 on the condition that DiBiase would replace Grimes as Knight's butler if Knight won.[104][105] At the event on August 22, Knight lost the title to Grimes following interference from DiBiase, ending his reign at 70 days.[106]

On the November 23 episode of NXT, Knight turned face by confronting Grayson Waller, who had turned heel by berating the fans.[107] At WarGames on December 5, Knight teamed with Johnny Gargano, Pete Dunne, and Tommaso Ciampa as Team Black & Gold,[108] where they were defeated by Team 2.0 (Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Waller, and Tony D'Angelo) in a WarGames match.[109] On March 8, 2022, at Roadblock, Knight lost to Waller in a Last Man Standing match.[110] The following week on NXT, he faced Dolph Ziggler for the NXT Championship in a losing effort.[111] After this, Knight started a brief feud with Gunther, culminating in a match at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 2, which he lost in what would be his final NXT match.[112][113]

Knight made his first main roster appearance on the January 24, 2022 episode of Raw, participating in a backstage segment with The Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode).[114] In a dark segment before the April 15 episode of SmackDown, Knight appeared as a heel manager by announcing his new stable, "Knight Model Management", and became the manager of Mace and Mansoor.[115][116] The angle went to television on the May 20 episode of SmackDown, when he made his televised debut on the brand under the ring name Max Dupri, adopting the character of a talent agent.[117] On the July 1 episode of SmackDown, Dupri announced Mace and Mansoor, under the tweaked names "ma.çé" and "mån.sôör", as Maximum Male Models.[118] Later that month, he was joined by his storyline sister Maxxine Dupri.[119] Dupri ended his relationship with Maximum Male Models on the September 30 episode of SmackDown.[120] The following week, he beat down Mace and Mansoor and reverted to his LA Knight persona.[121]

After a brief feud with Ricochet,[122] Knight became involved in a feud with Bray Wyatt in November and lost to Wyatt in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023; this was Wyatt's final WWE premium live event match as well as his final televised match before his death seven months later.[123][124][125]

United States Champion (2023–2025)

[edit]
Knight at WrestleMania XL in April 2024

Over the next few months, Knight's popularity stayed with the fans even though he had a poor win-loss record.[126][127] On the June 2 episode of SmackDown, Knight defeated Montez Ford to qualify for the men's Money in the Bank ladder match.[128] At the namesake event on July 1, the match was won by Damian Priest, who threw Knight off the ladder to grab the briefcase.[129] On the July 28 episode of SmackDown, Knight was confirmed to be an entrant in the Slim Jim Battle Royal match at SummerSlam on August 5,[130] which he won by last eliminating Sheamus.[131] Two nights later on Raw, after months of performing as a tweener, he turned face when he began a feud with The Miz.[132] At Payback on September 2, Knight defeated Miz with John Cena as the surprise special guest referee.[133] Two weeks later on the September 15 episode of SmackDown, Knight defeated Miz in a rematch, ending their feud.[134]

On the September 29 episode of SmackDown, Knight assisted Cena against Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline, replacing AJ Styles who had been injured by Jimmy and Solo.[135] At Fastlane on October 7, Knight and Cena defeated Jimmy and Solo after Knight pinned Uso.[136] Three days later, Knight returned to NXT as the special guest referee for the NXT Championship match between Ilja Dragunov and NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio.[137] Knight would then enter into a feud with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, leading to a title match being announced for Crown Jewel on November 4,[138][139] where Knight lost to Reigns after interference from Jimmy.[140] At SmackDown: New Year's Revolution on January 5, 2024, Knight faced Randy Orton and Styles in a triple threat match to determine who would face Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble, which ended in a no contest after The Bloodline took out all three competitors. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then announced that Reigns would defend his title in a fatal-four-way match against Knight, Styles, and Orton at the Royal Rumble on January 27,[141] which Reigns won by pinning Styles.[142]

Knight competed in the men's Elimination Chamber match at the titular event on February 24, where he was eliminated by Drew McIntyre after Styles interrupted the match and attacked him.[143] On the March 15 episode of SmackDown, Knight challenged Styles to a match at WrestleMania XL, which Styles accepted.[144] On Night 2 of WrestleMania XL on April 7, Knight defeated Styles.[145] The following week on SmackDown, Knight participated in the Undisputed WWE Championship Eliminator Tournament, defeating Bobby Lashley and Santos Escobar in the semifinals.[146] Knight was defeated by Styles in the finals on the April 19 episode of SmackDown, ending their feud.[147] In May, Knight entered the King of the Ring tournament, defeating Santos Escobar in the first round at a live event in Chattanooga but lost to Tama Tonga in the quarterfinals.[148][149]

Knight in February 2025

Knight then began a feud with United States Champion Logan Paul, who he pinned in a triple threat match on the June 28 episode of SmackDown to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match on July 6,[150][151] which was won by McIntyre.[152] At SummerSlam on August 3, Knight defeated Paul to win the United States Championship.[153] Throughout his reign, he successfully defended the title on SmackDown against Santos Escobar, against Ludwig Kaiser in Kaiser's home country of Germany,[154][155] and in a triple threat match against Andrade and Carmelo Hayes at Crown Jewel on November 2.[156] On the November 15 episode of SmackDown, Knight retained the title against Berto, after which he was attacked by a returning Shinsuke Nakamura.[157] At Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, Knight lost the United States Championship to Nakamura, ending his reign at 119 days.[158] He received his rematch for the title on the January 10, 2025 episode of SmackDown, winning via disqualification after being attacked by Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline (led by Solo Sikoa, who replaced Reigns' leadership in mid-2024). However, Nakamura remained champion as titles do not change hands via disqualification unless stipulated.[159] At Royal Rumble on February 1, Knight entered his first Royal Rumble match at number 29, where he eliminated Damian Priest before being eliminated by the returning AJ Styles.[160] On the March 7 episode of SmackDown, Knight defeated Nakamura in a rematch to win his second United States Championship.[161] On Night 1 of WrestleMania 41 on April 19, Knight lost the title to Jacob Fatu, ending his second reign at 43 days.[162]

Championship pursuits (2025–present)

[edit]

On the May 23 episode of SmackDown, Knight was able to win a triple threat match against Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, which was won by Seth Rollins at the namesake event on June 7.[163][164] After Money in the Bank, Knight continued to feud with Rollins, defeating him at Saturday Night's Main Event XL on July 12.[165] On the August 4 episode of Raw, Knight challenged Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, but the match ended in a disqualification after CM Punk attacked Rollins.[166] In the same month, Knight was quietly moved to the Raw brand.[167] He failed to win the title from Rollins in a fatal four-way match on August 31 at Clash in Paris also involving Punk and Jey Uso.[168]

Professional wrestling persona and popularity

[edit]

Many fans have favorably likened Knight's brash gimmick and promo style to that of The Rock or "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, complimenting his recognizable catchphrases and considering his charismatic trash-talking character a throwback to the Attitude Era. The same comparison has also been made in a negative fashion, notably by former wrestler Kevin Nash.[169]

Knight began to gain a notable amount of popularity in early 2023; despite his feud with Bray Wyatt being written to re-establish the returning Wyatt as a monster character, Knight's ability to hold his own verbally throughout the feud led fans to start siding with him. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, he stated that he first noticed how fast his popularity was growing when the crowd cheered loudly as his entrance music began upon walking out to confront Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on SmackDown on March 3, 2023.[170]

Other media

[edit]

In 2013, Ricker appeared on the TNT reality television show The Hero, hosted by Dwayne Johnson.[2]

In 2015, Ricker appeared in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode "Boyle-Linetti Wedding" in a non-speaking role as Mario, a male bodybuilder who is getting married in a gym with Detective Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) officiating.[171]

In January 2020, Ricker shot scenes for the fourth season of the Netflix dramedy GLOW as a character named DJ Henderson, but the show was cancelled before the season could air.[172][173]

In 2021, Ricker appeared in a CarShield commercial as The Overcharger, a heel wrestler dressed like an automotive repair technician and defiantly bragging about how nobody can stop him from unfairly charging used-vehicle-owning customers for repair work. He is instantly struck down by Ric Flair, the ad campaign's star and pitchman.[174]

As well as voicing "Paragon Jay Pierce" in the MyRise mode of WWE 2K22, he performed the motion capture for other WWE wrestlers in many of the WWE 2K games.[175]

Video games

[edit]
LA Knight in video games
Year Title Notes Ref.
2022 WWE 2K22 Included in the "Whole Dam" Pack as DLC
Voice of "Paragon" Jay Pierce in MyRise 		[176][177]
2023 WWE 2K23 [178]
2024 WWE 2K24 [179]
2025 WWE 2K25 [180]

Personal life

[edit]

Ricker has been in a relationship with fitness model Michelle Yavulla since 2018.[181] They reside in Orlando, Florida.[182]

Ricker threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Mets game on August 8, 2023.[183]

On December 23, 2023, Ricker received the Key to the City in his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland.[6]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Ricker is a former Impact World Champion

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

LA Knight

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
LA Knight (born Ricker; November 1, 1982) is an American professional wrestler and currently signed to , where he performs on the SmackDown brand. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 240 pounds, he is billed from , , and is renowned for his outspoken charisma, sharp mic skills, and signature "BFT" (Blunt Force Trauma) finishing move, along with his popular "YEAH!" that has resonated with fans. Ricker began his wrestling career in 2002 on the independent circuit, debuting in promotions like , where he won the HWA Television Championship in 2004 under the Deuce. He later competed in the , capturing the NWA Heritage Tag Team Championship with in 2010 and the CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship in 2013. A brief stint in WWE's NXT in 2014 as enhancement talent ended with his release, leading him to join in 2015 as Eli Drake. There, he achieved significant success, winning the TNA King of the Mountain Championship in 2016, the GFW/Impact World Heavyweight Championship in 2017 via a 20-man gauntlet match, and the Impact World Tag Team Championship with in 2018, establishing himself as a main event talent before departing as a in 2019. Ricker re-signed with WWE in February 2021, debuting on the NXT brand as LA Knight at : Vengeance Day and quickly winning the revived from in June 2021, which he held for 70 days. Transitioning to the main roster in 2022 initially as part of the Maximum Male Models stable under the name Max Dupri, he reverted to the LA Knight in September 2022, sparking a surge in popularity due to his anti-hero style and crowd interaction. In WWE, he has become a two-time Champion, first capturing the title from at in August 2024 and winning it again from in March 2025, while competing in high-profile matches against stars like , , , and , and teaming with against The Bloodline. By late 2025, LA Knight has solidified his status as a top contender on SmackDown, blending technical prowess with unrelenting toughness to captivate audiences worldwide.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Shaun Edward Ricker, known professionally as LA Knight, was born on November 1, 1982, in . He grew up in this small city in as the youngest of three children, with an older sister named Kaylee Ricker, who later pursued studies in medicine at . Details on his parents' occupations remain private, but Ricker has described a supportive family environment during his early years. Ricker's childhood was marked by an early fascination with , particularly during the WWF's in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He often watched events featuring stars like and The Rock, which sparked his interest and led him to mimic wrestling moves on his parents' bed at home. This exposure to televised WWF programming laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for the sport. Ricker attended North Hagerstown High School, where he graduated in 2000 amid a typical suburban upbringing. During high school, friends noticed his enthusiasm for wrestling and encouraged him to pursue it professionally, though he initially took a different path after graduation.

Pre-wrestling career

After graduation, Ricker relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, to begin formal wrestling training in 2003 at the Heartland Wrestling Association, a promotion affiliated with developmental opportunities. While honing his skills under local promoters and trainers, he supported himself financially through various jobs, including telephone customer service, work at a lumber mill, security, serving at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, and acting in commercials as well as an appearance on the television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit debut (2003–2009)

Ricker began his professional wrestling career on the in 2003 at the age of 20, training at the (HWA) school in , , after relocating there from his hometown of . Adopting the Deuce, he debuted in HWA matches, quickly establishing himself in the Midwest promotion known for its ties to developmental talent. His military background instilled a sense of resilience that helped him navigate the grueling schedule of small-venue shows and limited pay in these early years. In late 2004, Deuce pursued his first significant title opportunity, capturing the HWA Television Championship on November 9 by defeating JT Stahr in a match that highlighted his emerging technical skills and endurance. He defended the title successfully against challenger Tack on November 23, showcasing aggressive brawling in a hard-fought bout before small crowds in venues. However, he lost the championship on January 4, 2005, to (later known as ), marking an early lesson in the competitive nature of independent wrestling hierarchies. These defenses built foundational experience against regional competitors, many of whom would cross paths with future national stars in shared circuits. Transitioning to the ring name Dick Rick around 2005, Ricker experimented with a talkative, brash persona inspired by radio hosts, wrestling under this gimmick in HWA and appearances for Midwestern Pro Wrestling (MPW). This character allowed him to develop promo skills amid ongoing title pursuits, including a dark match on December 2, 2008, where he teamed with Gene Snitsky in a losing effort against Cryme Tyme on an episode of ECW. By 2007, still as Dick Rick, he returned to HWA for a high-profile challenge against Brian Jennings for the HWA Heavyweight Championship at the Reborn event, though he fell short in the main event spot. These encounters in intimate settings honed his in-ring fundamentals and adaptability, setting the stage for broader opportunities without national exposure.

NWA promotions (2010–2013)

In late 2010, Shaun Ricker signed with , a promotion affiliated with the (NWA), marking his transition to full-time work in structured NWA territories on the West Coast. Initially competing under his real name, Ricker quickly formed the The Natural Selection with , managed by wrestling legend Percy Pringle III (better known as ), and the duo captured the NWA Heritage Tag Team Championship on December 8, 2010, by defeating Johnny Goodtime and Johnny Yuma in a match taped for the promotion's weekly television program. This victory highlighted Ricker's early success in the promotion, where matches were regularly filmed at the Showcase Theater in for broadcast as NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood. By 2011, Ricker had adopted the LA Knight, debuting in that on the televised show and engaging in prominent storylines centered around territorial rivalries and alliances with local Hollywood promoters, including David Marquez, who oversaw the production. A key angle involved Knight's pursuit of higher stakes, culminating in a high-profile challenge against NWA World Heavyweight Champion on December 4, 2011, for the title in a match that showcased his aggressive style against established regional talent. Throughout 2010–2013, Knight's appearances on the weekly TV tapings built his reputation through defenses and feuds with West Coast wrestlers, including multi-man gauntlets and handicap bouts that emphasized the NWA's territorial format. Knight's tenure peaked in 2013 when he won the CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship on May 5, defeating a field of regional competitors in a red carpet rumble-style match, which he defended against Ryan Taylor before losing the title to in a loser-leaves-town match later that year. These encounters solidified his status as a top singles competitor in the promotion. Knight departed NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood in mid-2013, concluding his initial phase with the alliance after over two years of consistent television exposure and title pursuits.

First WWE stint and release (2013–2014)

In 2013, following exposure from his performances on NWA-affiliated television, Shaun Ricker signed a developmental contract with in May and was assigned to the NXT territory at the . There, he adopted the Slate Randall and focused on training while competing sparingly in non-televised matches as enhancement talent. His in-ring appearances were limited, including a dark match victory over via roll-up at an NXT taping on October 10, 2013, and losses to established NXT performers like at house shows, such as on February 15, 2014. These bouts often involved untelevised feuds with midcard wrestlers, providing little opportunity for character development or prominent storylines amid a crowded roster. Ricker's time in NXT lasted just over a year before released him on August 1, 2014, as part of broader roster reductions. The decision stemmed not from deficiencies in his wrestling ability but from a perceived attitude issue, particularly conflicts with head trainer , who reportedly viewed Ricker as difficult to work with after he pushed back against certain training methods. Performance Center general manager Dave Bailey delivered the news, emphasizing Ricker's talent while suggesting the release would allow time to address the interpersonal concerns. Reflecting on the experience in later interviews, Ricker critiqued the rigid WWE developmental system for its lack of creative direction and emphasis on compliance over individual voice, which he felt stifled his potential during the stint. He recalled Bailey's words: "We think you're immensely talented. This has nothing to do with your talent... There's a perception about you [that you're difficult to work with]. And we need that perception to go away." Ricker has since described the release as resulting from being "perceived as... a jerk" due to standing up for himself, rather than any talent shortfall, and noted WWE's suggestion that he take 6-12 months away before potentially returning.

Independent circuit and TNA/Impact Wrestling (2014–2019)

Following his release from WWE on August 1, 2014, LA Knight, performing under his real name Shaun Ricker, returned to the independent wrestling circuit to rebuild his career momentum. He competed in promotions such as Full Impact Pro, where he appeared at the FIP: Fallout 2014 event, and Future Stars of Wrestling, focusing on honing his in-ring skills and promo abilities away from major television exposure. These indie appearances allowed Knight to reinvent his persona, drawing on lessons from his brief WWE developmental stint to emphasize charismatic mic work that would later define his style. In early 2015, Knight signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, later rebranded as Impact Wrestling) and debuted as Eli Drake during March tapings, aligning with Drew Galloway (now Drew McIntyre) and Micah to form the anti-establishment stable The Rising. The group made its televised debut on the April 10, 2015, episode of Impact Wrestling, positioning Drake as a cocky newcomer challenging TNA's veteran talent through aggressive tag team and multi-man matches. By mid-2015, The Rising disbanded following internal tensions and losses, prompting Drake to transition into a solo act. Knight's solo run gained traction in 2016 with the introduction of his signature "Fact of Life" talk show segment on Impact Wrestling, where he interviewed rivals in a satirical, heelish format that highlighted his quick wit and catchphrase delivery. The evolved from The Rising's rebellious edge into a self-assured loudmouth character, feuding with midcarders like and using the segment to mock opponents' weaknesses, which helped establish him as a consistent TV presence. This period marked Knight's adaptation to Impact's storytelling, blending humor with aggression to build fan heat without relying on high-flying maneuvers. Knight's momentum peaked in 2017 when he captured the Impact Global Championship (formerly the GFW Global Championship) on the August 24 episode of Impact Wrestling, winning a gauntlet match by last eliminating Johnny Impact after defeating Eddie Edwards and Impact earlier in the bout. His 146-day reign, which lasted until January 10, 2018, when he lost to , featured notable defenses that showcased his versatility, including retaining against Johnny Impact in the main event of Bound for Glory on November 5, 2017, via roll-up after interference from ally Chris Adonis. Other key defenses included victories over on September 7, 2017, and a triple threat win against Johnny Impact and Jack Swagger at WrestleCade on November 25, 2017, solidifying his status as a top singles competitor during Impact's transitional period post-TNA rebrand. These matches emphasized Drake's opportunistic style, often involving distractions or alliances rather than clean pins, which aligned with his "Fact of Life" persona of cunning survival. In 2018, Knight engaged in a heated feud with powerhouse , stemming from title opportunities and personal barbs aired on Impact Wrestling. The rivalry began with a vs. match on April 5, 2018, where Drake used a to counter Moose's strength but lost after interference from Eddie Edwards, who was allied with Moose against the oVe faction. It escalated on the June 1 episode when Drake unsuccessfully challenged for Moose's , followed by a No. 1 contender's on where Moose defeated Drake with a to earn a shot at the World Title, highlighting the contrast between Drake's technical savvy and Moose's raw power. This series of encounters, intertwined with broader storylines involving hardcore elements like oVe attacks, positioned Drake as a resilient midcard amid Impact's push toward edgier narratives. Knight's tenure with Impact concluded in April 2019 when his contract was not renewed, stemming from backstage disputes including his public refusal to participate in an intergender match against and critical comments made on a about the booking direction. These incidents, which Knight later described as a stand against creative decisions he viewed as unsafe or mismatched, led to his abrupt departure despite his popularity and championship pedigree. The non-renewal marked the end of a five-year run that had transformed him from an indie journeyman into a vocal mainstay, setting the stage for future opportunities elsewhere.

Return to NWA (2019–2021)

Following his departure from Impact Wrestling in April 2019, Shaun Ricker returned to the (NWA) under the Eli Drake, signing a contract in June 2019 and debuting on the promotion's flagship program, , which premiered that October on . His time in Impact had sharpened his promo abilities, allowing him to portray an updated version of his confident, trash-talking persona that quickly positioned him as a central figure in the show's revival under NWA owner . Drake became a prominent performer on NWA Powerrr, frequently cutting memorable promos and participating in high-profile storylines that highlighted the promotion's throwback studio wrestling format. In late 2019, he engaged in a intense feud with fellow veteran Ken Anderson (formerly Mr. Kennedy in ), stemming from backstage tensions and culminating in a no-disqualification at the NWA's Into the Fire event on December 14, 2019, where Drake emerged victorious. The rivalry extended into early 2020 episodes of Powerrr, showcasing Drake's in-ring aggression and microphone prowess amid the ongoing disruptions to live events. In January 2020, Drake teamed with fellow TNA alum to capture the at the Hard Times pay-per-view, defeating the team of and Royce in the tournament final. The duo defended the titles successfully against various challengers, including a notable defense against and Kratos at NWA Shockwave in December 2020, solidifying their status as a dominant force during the promotion's limited live event schedule. Throughout 2020, Drake re-signed with the NWA in June, continuing to build momentum toward a potential singles push. NWA President later revealed that the promotion had plans to elevate Drake to the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, viewing him as a key talent to carry the company forward after champion Nick Aldis's defenses against other contenders. However, Drake departed the NWA at the end of 2020 amid growing interest from , which signed him in February 2021; his run provided a stabilizing platform to refine his character and maintain visibility during a transitional career phase.

WWE return and NXT success (2021–2022)

In February 2021, Shaun Ricker, performing under the LA Knight, re-signed with following a successful stint in the (NWA). He made his televised return on the February 14, 2021, episode of NXT during the TakeOver: Vengeance Day pre-show, interrupting a match between and . Knight's in-ring debut occurred on the March 17 episode of NXT, where he defeated August Grey in a quick squash match, establishing his cocky persona with signature taunts like "YEAH!" The revived was contested in a against at : on June 13, 2021, which won to become the champion. His reign lasted 69 days, highlighted by promos emphasizing his self-proclaimed millionaire status, until he lost the title to in a rematch at on August 22, 2021. Following the title loss, Knight's heel run continued but shifted toward a face turn amid growing fan support. On the November 23, 2021, episode of NXT, he confronted after Waller's promo berating the audience, marking Knight's transition to a fan-favorite role. This set up a heated with Waller, featuring intense verbal exchanges and physical brawls on weekly NXT episodes. The peaked at NXT Roadblock on March 8, 2022, in a Last Man Standing match, where Waller defeated Knight after a grueling battle that saw both men put through the announce table. By mid-2022, Knight transitioned from NXT to the main roster, debuting on SmackDown on May 20, 2022, under the new persona Max Dupri as the manager for the faction Maximum Male Models, consisting of Mace and Mansoor rebranded as ma.çé and mån.sôör. In this role, Dupri handled promos and bookings for the group, focusing on their fashion-model , blending his NXT momentum with a fresh comedic element before his solo return later that year.

Main roster debut and popularity surge (2022–2023)

In October 2022, LA Knight reverted to his established solo persona after the disbandment of the Maximum Male Models stable on , where he had been performing as Max Dupri since his main roster debut in May. This shift occurred during a segment on the episode, in which Knight expressed dissatisfaction with the group and defeated former stablemate mån.sôör in his back under his preferred name, marking a pivotal return to his aggressive, trash-talking character. Knight's momentum continued into early 2023 with a high-profile feud against , culminating in the inaugural Pitch Black Match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on January 28. In this unique stipulation, contested in near-total darkness with illuminated elements, Wyatt defeated Knight via submission with the Mandible Claw after interference from Uncle Howdy, though the bout showcased Knight's resilience and elevated his visibility on the main roster. Throughout mid-2023, Knight pursued the , engaging in several key matches that highlighted his rising status. A standout victory came against at on September 2, officiated by special guest referee , where Knight secured the win with his signature BFT finisher following a intense back-and-forth exchange. This triumph positioned Knight as a legitimate contender in the midcard division, building on his NXT success and garnering stronger crowd support. Knight's ascent reached new heights in the fall of 2023, including a tag team victory alongside against The Bloodline's and at Fastlane on October 7. The pair overcame the numbers advantage through Cena's on Sikoa, allowing Knight to pin Uso and solidify his alliance with the WWE legend amid ongoing Bloodline tensions. Later that month, Knight earned a title opportunity against Undisputed Universal Champion at Crown Jewel on November 4, where he delivered a competitive performance but fell to Reigns' after a grueling contest. By late 2023, Knight's "YEAH!" catchphrase had surged in popularity, frequently echoing through arenas during his entrances and promos, while clips spread widely on social media platforms. This organic fan engagement, rooted in his charismatic mic work, transformed Knight into one of WWE's most vocalized performers, amplifying his main roster breakthrough.

United States Championship reigns (2024–2025)

LA Knight captured the for the first time on August 3, 2024, at , defeating in , , after a contentious feud that highlighted Knight's rising momentum from his 2023 popularity surge. This victory marked Knight's first singles title in , solidifying his status as a top midcard contender on SmackDown. During his initial 119-day reign, Knight made eight successful defenses, showcasing the title prominently through high-energy matches on SmackDown and premium live events. Notable defenses included a hard-fought win over on the August 23 episode of SmackDown, where Knight retained via his signature BFT finisher following a back-and-forth exchange emphasizing Escobar's LWO alliances. He also defeated in September, countering Imperial's technical prowess with his signature taunts and strikes, and fended off challenges from other midcard staples like in October, maintaining the title's visibility amid a packed fall schedule. These bouts elevated the Championship's prestige, with Knight's charismatic promos drawing strong crowd reactions and positioning the belt as a centerpiece of SmackDown storytelling. However, the reign faced criticism for inconsistent booking, as Knight's defenses occasionally overshadowed broader feuds, leading to fan analyses decrying a lack of long-term depth. The first reign concluded on November 30, 2024, at : , when defeated Knight to claim the title in a mist-filled, intense matchup that capitalized on Nakamura's return momentum. Knight's post-loss "rebuild" period in early 2025 involved rebuilding his momentum through non-title victories, setting the stage for a rematch. Knight regained the United States Championship on March 7, 2025, during SmackDown in an epic rematch against Nakamura, securing the win with a decisive BFT after countering red mist attempts and interference concerns. This second reign, lasting 43 days, featured key defenses against international challengers, underscoring Knight's global appeal. He retained against Nakamura in a non-title rematch on March 30, blending strikes and submissions to affirm his dominance, and faced in early April, where Knight's agility overcame El Idolo's lucha-inspired offense in a match praised for elevating the title's international profile. These bouts highlighted Knight's adaptability against diverse styles, though the short reign drew mixed fan reception for limiting deeper storylines. The second reign ended on April 19, 2025, at , as dethroned Knight in a brutal encounter, with Fatu's powerhouse Samoan style overwhelming Knight's technical arsenal to capture the title before a sold-out crowd. This loss, amid critiques of WWE's handling of Knight's midcard push, reinforced his entrenched role in the division while sparking discussions on booking decisions that prioritized emerging talents like Fatu over extended veteran runs. Overall, Knight's dual reigns enhanced his midcard legacy, amassing over 160 combined days as champion and revitalizing the title through consistent, crowd-pleasing performances.

World title pursuits and Raw transition (2025)

In mid-2025, following his successful United States Championship reigns, LA Knight positioned himself as a top contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, culminating in a high-profile challenge against champion . The buildup featured intense verbal exchanges and in-ring confrontations on Raw, emphasizing Knight's technical prowess and Rollins' cunning style in a series of tag and singles matches that showcased their contrasting approaches to the squared circle. This highlighted Knight's aggressive, mic-savvy persona clashing with Rollins' high-flying athleticism, drawing significant fan interest ahead of the premium live event. Knight's pursuit reached its peak at Clash in on August 31, 2025, where he competed in a Fatal 4-Way match for the World Heavyweight Championship against Rollins, , and . Despite delivering standout performances, including near-falls and submission attempts on Rollins, Knight was eliminated in the chaotic bout, with Rollins retaining the title after interference from . The loss marked a pivotal moment in Knight's main event aspirations, as the match's technical exchanges and spots underscored his versatility but also exposed vulnerabilities in high-stakes environments. Post-match, Knight expressed in backstage promos, vowing to regroup and target the title again. Coinciding with this title chase, Knight was traded to the Raw brand in August 2025 as part of a roster shakeup, officially announced around August 15 following negotiations involving Sami Zayn's move to SmackDown. His Raw debut matches, including a hard-fought victory over on September 8, blurred the lines between heel and face alignments, with Knight's taunts and brawling style eliciting mixed crowd reactions. Early feuds on the red brand, such as clashes with Reed and tag team bouts alongside , established Knight as a wildcard contender, adapting his persona to Raw's faster-paced environment while maintaining ambiguity in his alliances. The Rollins feud persisted into the fall, with Knight securing a non-title singles match against the champion at Saturday Night's Main Event on October 12, further intensifying their technical rivalry through submission holds and counters. Knight's rigorous schedule on Raw, featuring over 30 televised matches by October—including weekly main events and dark matches—solidified his status as WWE's most active performer in 2025, though it led to visible fatigue in longer bouts. This grueling pace extended to fall events, where ongoing tensions with Rollins and emerging rivalries, such as a squash loss to Bron Breakker on October 27 that derailed immediate title rematch hopes, kept Knight in the world title orbit amid Bad Blood preparations in October. By October and November 2025, media reports surfaced regarding rumored backstage tensions involving Knight, including allegations of poor politics and an unplanned outburst during a Raw entrance that reportedly irked creative team members. These issues culminated in Knight's absence from the November 4 episode of Raw, which insiders dismissed as a "" stint rather than injury-related, sparking about his booking direction. As of November 15, 2025, Knight returned on the November 11 episode of Raw, addressing the rumors in a promo and refocusing on his world title pursuit. Despite the hiccups, Knight's Raw transition and title pursuits underscored his resilience, with feuds continuing to evolve through appearances and social media barbs.

Wrestling style and persona

In-ring style and signature moves

LA Knight is known for his hybrid brawler-technician in-ring style, which prioritizes hard-hitting strikes, holds, and technical submissions over acrobatic maneuvers. He has described his approach as focused on "striking, , and technical stuff," explicitly avoiding flips, dives, or other high-flying elements that many modern . This grounded technique allows him to deliver high-impact slams and relentless offense, emphasizing and precision to wear down opponents through sustained pressure and opportunistic counters. Central to his arsenal is the BFT (Blunt Force Trauma), his primary finisher, executed as a cravat knee strike where he wraps his arm around the opponent's head before driving their face into his raised knee, reminiscent of a stunner variation. Knight frequently incorporates elbow drops—often from the middle or top rope—as signature strikes to target downed foes, building momentum with quick, forceful impacts. His matches also feature distinctive taunts, such as the emphatic "YEAH!" gesture, which punctuates his strikes and rallies crowds, blending physicality with showmanship. Knight's style has evolved toward a more promo-integrated brawling approach on the main roster since 2022, drawing clear influences from icons like The Rock and in how he combines verbal barbs with aggressive, no-nonsense striking sequences. This adaptation highlights his versatility, shifting from earlier independent and TNA bouts to a polished, character-driven performance that leverages his charisma for greater impact.

Character development and fan reception

LA Knight's character journey began in 's developmental system in 2013, where he debuted as the rugged cowboy persona Slate Randall, portraying an enhancement talent in untelevised matches before his release in 2014. Following a period on the independent circuit, he signed with TNA (later Impact Wrestling) in 2015 under the ring name Eli Drake, initially positioned as a midcard talent but quickly evolving into a brash, cocky known for his sharp-tongued arrogance and self-assured demeanor. By the end of his TNA tenure in 2019, this heel persona had solidified, emphasizing overconfidence and verbal dominance, which carried over to his 2019–2021 stint in the (NWA) as LA Knight, where he further refined the "Megastar" archetype—a larger-than-life, swaggering showman who positioned himself as the undeniable center of attention. Upon returning to WWE in 2021 via NXT, LA Knight fully embraced the Megastar gimmick, blending his established cockiness with high-energy promos that captivated audiences. His signature catchphrases, "Let me talk to ya" and the emphatic "YEAH!", emerged during his 2022 transition from the short-lived Max Dupri fashion manager role, first gaining traction in October 2022 as he interrupted segments to assert dominance and demand the spotlight. These lines, delivered with rhythmic flair and crowd participation, peaked in 2023 through interactive crowd chants during main roster appearances, turning promos into communal events that amplified his heel charisma into widespread appeal. Throughout his NWA and runs, LA Knight cultivated an underground fanbase drawn to his unfiltered promo style and reliable work, fostering a dedicated following among enthusiasts despite limited mainstream exposure. This loyalty exploded in during 2023, fueled by viral clips and arena reactions that positioned him as one of the company's hottest acts, with highlight reels of his mic work and entrances generating massive online engagement and crowd fervor. By 2025, however, wrestling journalists and insiders have critiqued WWE's booking for underutilizing Knight's charisma, arguing that inconsistent pushes and midcard placements have stalled his momentum despite sustained fan support and vocal crowd responses. This sentiment echoes broader concerns from figures like , who questioned the creative direction's failure to capitalize on Knight's proven ability to connect organically with audiences. His promo delivery, seamlessly complemented by agile in-ring execution, continues to highlight this perceived mismatch in booking strategy.

Other media appearances

Video games

LA Knight made his debut as a playable character in the WWE 2K video game series with WWE 2K22, released in 2022, where he was included as part of the DLC pack titled The Whole Dam Pack and featured an overall rating of 81 along with custom entrance animations. In WWE 2K23, released in 2023, he returned as a base roster member on the SmackDown brand, retaining his 81 overall rating and signature moves such as the BFT. His inclusion continued in WWE 2K24, released in 2024, with an updated moveset reflecting his evolving in-ring style and an increased overall rating of 88, placing him among higher-tier superstars on the SmackDown roster. In WWE 2K25, released in 2025, LA Knight appeared with attire updates from that year, including variants representing his United States Championship reigns, while maintaining the 88 overall rating. Prior to his official appearances, during his time as Eli Drake in Wrestling, he was featured in indie wrestling simulations like (2017) through community-created edits that captured his likeness and moveset from that era. Fan-modded content for LA Knight has been prevalent in various wrestling games, with his ratings progression from 81 in to 88 by WWE 2K24 highlighting his rising prominence in .

Film, television, and podcasts

LA Knight has pursued acting opportunities outside his primary wrestling career, beginning with pre-WWE roles that showcased his on-camera presence. In 2007, he appeared in the short film The Gold Rush Boogie, portraying the character Tongue Kat Ali. Prior to his full-time wrestling commitments, Ricker featured in re-enactment segments for Animal Planet's documentary series Fatal Attractions, contributing to dramatized wildlife-human conflict stories. Additionally, fans have identified a brief cameo in an episode of the , though details of his role remain uncredited in official listings. On television, Knight's appearances are predominantly tied to WWE programming, where he has made guest spots on supplementary shows to promote storylines and events. He joined multiple times in 2023, including episodes in January and June, discussing his rising popularity and matches. Similarly, he appeared on The SmackDown LowDown in January 2023, providing backstage insights into SmackDown developments. Non-WWE television roles have been limited due to his demanding wrestling schedule, as noted in post-match interviews following major events like 2023. In the podcast space, Knight has been a prominent guest, leveraging his charismatic persona to engage audiences beyond live events. He debuted on WWE's After the Bell in January 2023, recounting his circuitous path to stardom, and returned in August 2023 to preview while explaining the origins of his signature "YEAH!" catchphrase. Other notable appearances include episodes of Busted Open in October 2023, where he addressed his potential as a main event star, and Insight with in January 2024, reflecting on his "overnight" success and title aspirations. In 2025, he appeared on the Battleground in February, discussing and TNA partnerships, and Casual Conversations in January, covering his early career and journey. These podcast features have helped amplify his appeal, often peaking in listenership during 's high-profile periods like season.

Personal life

Family and relationships

LA Knight has been in a with fitness model Yavulla since 2018. The couple, who share two dogs, maintains a low profile regarding their personal affairs, with Knight rarely posting about their life together on . Despite occasional rumors, such as unfounded speculation about a secret wedding in 2023, Knight and Yavulla are not married. They reside in Orlando, Florida, and have no children together. Knight is the youngest of three siblings, including sister Kaylee Paige Ricker, an aspiring medical professional, and a brother who serves in the Hagerstown fire department; his family remains based in his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland, where he received the key to the city in 2023. He emphasizes privacy in his family matters, focusing public attention on his wrestling career instead.

Health issues and military honors

Family members provided emotional support during Knight's recoveries from injuries sustained in his wrestling career, helping him navigate the challenges. In recognition of his success as a hometown wrestling star, he was honored with the key to the city at a 2023 event in Hagerstown, Maryland. As of November 2025, no major health issues have been reported for Knight, though his demanding schedule—featuring one of the highest match counts on the roster—has sparked media concerns about potential overwork.

Championships and accomplishments

Major championships

LA Knight has captured several major championships throughout his career, establishing himself as a prominent figure in across multiple promotions. His title wins highlight his versatility and longevity in the industry, particularly in world and midcard divisions. In (TNA, later Impact Wrestling), Knight, performing under the ring name Eli Drake, won the TNA King of the Mountain Championship on June 12, 2016, defeating Bram at XIV. This victory marked his first major title in the promotion, and he held it for 114 days before losing to on October 2, 2016, at Bound for Glory. In Impact Wrestling (then known as Global Force Wrestling), Knight won the Impact Global Championship on August 17, 2017, by outlasting a 20-man gauntlet match as the second entrant. This victory marked his first world title and led to a reign that lasted 146 days until he dropped the belt to on January 10, 2018. At the time, Drake's tenure was among the longer world title runs in the promotion's history, during which he defended the championship against notable opponents including Johnny Impact and , solidifying his status as a top . Upon returning to WWE in 2021, Knight secured the revived on June 13, 2021, defeating in a at : . This non-televised but prestigious title, originally created by "The Million Dollar Man" , was held by Knight for 69 days before Grimes reclaimed it on August 22, 2021. The reign was part of a storyline involving betrayal and mentorship with DiBiase, emphasizing Knight's opportunistic persona. Knight's most prominent WWE achievements came with the United States Championship, which he has held twice. His first reign began on August 3, 2024, when he defeated at to claim the title. This 118-day run, ending on November 30, 2024, against , featured defenses against challengers like and , during which Knight positioned himself as a fan-favorite workhorse on SmackDown. Knight recaptured the championship for a second time on March 7, 2025, in a triple threat match, holding it for 42 days until losing to at 41 on April 19, 2025. This shorter but intense reign included high-profile defenses amid feuds with The Bloodline, further elevating his profile ahead of major events.

Awards and rankings

LA Knight has received several notable accolades and rankings from prominent wrestling publications and award shows, particularly highlighting his rapid rise in during the early 2020s. In 2023, he was named Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year by ESPN's Pro Wrestling Awards, recognizing his emergence as a fan favorite through compelling promos and in-ring . He also earned second place in the Promo Artist of the Year category from the same awards, underscoring his microphone skills that have become a hallmark of his character. Additionally, The selected him as the Men's Breakout Star of the Year in 2023, citing his breakout momentum following high-profile feuds and matches. At the 2024 WWE Slammy Awards, LA Knight won Breakout Superstar of the Year, a fan-voted honor reflecting his popularity surge amid main roster pushes and crowd chants. He also secured Fan Chant of the Year for his signature "YEAH!" call-and-response, which has energized audiences and become synonymous with his entrances. Earlier in his career, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked him third in Most Improved Wrestler for 2017, during his impactful run in what was then Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where his heel persona gained traction. In Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual PWI 500 rankings of top singles wrestlers, LA Knight has shown steady improvement. He placed 130th in 2023, reflecting his initial momentum. By 2024, he climbed to 27th, buoyed by Championship pursuits and premium live event appearances. In the 2025 edition, covering August 2024 to July 2025, he reached 22nd, indicating continued relevance despite inconsistent booking. As of late 2025, no major awards have been announced for the year, with the held in April recognizing prior achievements.

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  22. https://www.smarkoutmoment.com/2013/12/list-of-wwe-stars-released-in-2014.html
  23. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-not-due-talent-issue-la-knight-reveals-real-reason-wwe-fired-2014
  24. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/LA_Knight
  25. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=21451&bild=1&details=7
  26. https://gerweck.net/2015/04/12/eli-drake/
  27. https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/14nvwfi/la_knight_drew_mcintyre_and_tanga_loa_the_rising/
  28. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/The_Rising
  29. https://www.thesportster.com/la-knight-impact-wrestling-eli-drake-fatcs-trivia-things-to-know/
  30. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-eli-drake-la-knight-impact-wrestling-gimmick/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfuazgBvVNo
  32. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4409&page=11
  33. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/events-results/tna/impact-wrestling-2017
  34. https://www.wrestleview.com/impact-results/106851-june-14-2018-moose-advances-to-slammiversary/
  35. https://insidepulse.com/2018/04/05/impact-wrestling-4-5-18-recap-moose-vs-eli-drake-for-two-cases/
  36. https://www.tpww.net/2019/06/interview-eli-drake-on-why-he-left-impact-his-problem-w-intergender-wrestling-wwe/
  37. https://www.thesportster.com/la-knight-eli-drake-refused-lose-tessa-blanchard-tna-wrestling/
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pc7pKVAlnE
  39. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/billy-corgan-eli-drake-la-knight-was-being-set-win-nwa-world-title-during-nwa-run
  40. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1367480/billy-corgan-praises-wwe-la-knight-says-set-win-nwa-world-title/
  41. https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1158877-nwa-into-the-fire-results-12-14-19
  42. https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2019/12/15/nwa-into-the-fire-ppv-hits-misses-12-14-rock-roll-express-vs-the-wild-cards-nick-aldis-vs-james-storm-eli-drake-vs-ken-anderson-trevor-murdoch-vs-question-mark/
  43. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/james-storm-eli-drake-win-nwa-tag-team-titles-nwa-hard-times
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPph_AQD9QM
  45. https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2020/06/09/eli-drake-re-signs-with-nwa/
  46. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/billy-corgan-says-la-knight-140000142.html
  47. https://www.wwe.com/videos/full-match-la-knight-vs-cameron-grimes-ladder-match-nxt-takeover-in-your-house-2021
  48. https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/million-dollar-championship
  49. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe-face-heel-turns-list?year=2021
  50. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2953943-wwe-nxt-20-roadblock-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights
  51. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-max-dupri-la-knight-original-abandoned-gimmick/
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUrHB6s96lA
  53. https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2023/bray-wyatt-vs-la-knight-results
  54. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10060675-bray-wyatt-beats-la-knight-in-wwes-1st-ever-pitch-black-match-at-2023-royal-rumble
  55. https://www.wwe.com/videos/full-match-la-knight-vs-the-miz-wwe-payback-2023
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXHVP1AxH68
  57. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwefastlane/2023/gallery/john-cena-la-knight-vs-jimmy-uso-solo-sikoa-photos
  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrYySh-E0lQ
  59. https://www.wwe.com/videos/full-match-roman-reigns-vs-la-knight-undisputed-wwe-universal-title-match-crown-jewel-2023
  60. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1360636/wwe-la-knight-explains-origins-everybody-catchphrase/
  61. https://411mania.com/wrestling/la-knight-origins-yeah-catchphrase/
  62. https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/la-knight-wins-united-states-championship
  63. https://www.wwe.com/videos/logan-paul-vs-la-knight-united-states-championship-match-summerslam-2024-highlights
  64. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2024-08-23/article/united-states-championship-match
  65. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLadQwuUVMmZlY6wGnvrSs7E0h8cA3Owfj
  66. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/la-knight-officially-has-more-successful-wwe-us-title-defenses-logan-paul
  67. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/12/2/24310509/wwe-la-knight-united-states-title-bungled-shinsuke-nakamura-survivor-series-bad-booking-creative
  68. https://www.wwe.com/videos/la-knight-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-united-states-title-match-survivor-series-wargames-hype-package
  69. https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/la-knight-admits-he-needed-a-bit-of-a-rebuild-after-setbacks-against-roman-reigns-first-u-s-title-reign/
  70. https://www.wwe.com/videos/la-knight-recaptures-the-united-states-title-in-epic-match-smackdown-highlights-march-7-2025
  71. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4409&page=4
  72. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-shinsuke-nakamura-united-states-championship-la-knight/
  73. https://sports.yahoo.com/wrestling/article/wrestlemania-41-results-jacob-fatu-batters-la-knight-to-win-us-championship-010218087.html
  74. https://www.sescoops.com/news/wwe/la-knight-title-loss-wwe-wrestlemania/
  75. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-clash-in-paris/2025/seth-rollins-vs-cm-punk-vs-jey-uso-vs-la-knight
  76. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/46115839/wwe-clash-paris-live-results-analysis-john-cena-logan-paul-seth-rollins
  77. https://www.wwe.com/videos/seth-rollins-vs-jey-uso-vs-cm-punk-vs-la-knight-clash-in-paris-2025-highlights
  78. https://itrwrestling.com/news/massive-update-on-wwe-draft/
  79. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDfHl_EoZs
  80. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DheNKAmPsoc
  81. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/388191/la-knight-wwe-iron-man-2025-most-matches
  82. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k3T-BLOmUo
  83. https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/did-wwe-quietly-end-la-knight-pursuit-of-the-world-heavyweight-championship
  84. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/does-la-knight-backstage-heat-wwe-exploring-truth
  85. https://clutchpoints.com/wwe/wwe-la-knight-flushed-maximum-male-models-down-the-toilet
  86. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/8/10/23827686/wwe-top-10-video-list-la-knight-coldest-disses-trash-talk-insults-mic-skills-push-popular-wyatt-yeah
  87. https://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2023/07/17/why-him-analyzing-the-fandom-of-l-a-knight/
  88. https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/kevin-nash-critiques-wwe-raw-home-show-questions-knights-booking/
  89. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/8/4/23820087/la-knight-interview-fan-reaction-championship-comparisons-sami-zayn-daniel-bryan-kofi-kingston
  90. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k22/la-knight
  91. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k23/la-knight
  92. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/news/wwe2k23/wwe-2k23-overall-ratings-list-all-superstars-ranked-by-best-rating
  93. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k24/la-knight
  94. https://clutchpoints.com/gaming/wwe-2k24-ratings-reveal-la-knight
  95. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k25/la-knight
  96. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1332900215
  97. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1472463/
  98. https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-la-knight-pre-wwe-acting-roles-brooklyn-nine-nine-animal-planet/
  99. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/la-knight/umc.cpc.1w9w6tlju70u2eep4w0acztsy
  100. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V-zbbwYHJ8
  101. https://www.wwe.com/videos/la-knight-s-long-road-to-wwe-after-the-bell-jan-13-2023
  102. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjvNpg4U2H0
  103. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l-a-knight-a-one-hit-wonder/id1463861548?i=1000632468786
  104. https://open.spotify.com/episode/56JqlLEDOg5m1NZqWwGxQ2
  105. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5smLMHr7fw
  106. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/131-la-knight-casual-conversations/id1474551466?i=1000686214308
  107. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-battleground-podcast-29165646/episode/la-knight-talks-wwe-tna-263865613/
  108. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/la-knights-wife
  109. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/is-la-knight-married-exploring-the-personal-life-of-the-wwe-us-champion/articleshow/112815050.cms
  110. https://housingmarketnews.co.uk/la-knight-house-tour/
  111. https://wtop.com/maryland/2023/12/wwe-superstar-la-knight-gets-the-key-to-hagerstown-for-christmas/
  112. https://www.tnawrestling.com/history/slammiversary-xiv
  113. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Bound_for_Glory_(2016)
  114. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/eli-drake-becomes-gfw-global-champion
  115. https://www.wrestleview.com/gfw-impact-results/89972-gfw-impact-results-august-24-2017/
  116. https://www.wrestleview.com/impact-results/93449-impact-results-111617-eli-drake-vs-petey-williams-for-global-title/
  117. https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxttakeover/in-your-house/article/cameron-grimes-vs-la-knight-results
  118. https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/united-states-championship
  119. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2024-09-20
  120. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/41-saturday/results
  121. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2025-03-14/article/results
  122. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4409&page=12
  123. https://slamwrestling.net/news/and-the-slammy-award-winners-are/
  124. http://www.profightdb.com/pwi/la-knight-3386.html
  125. http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2024.html
  126. https://ewrestling.com/article/complete-list-of-2025-wwe-slammy-award-winners/
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