Kevin Knight’s presentation in AEW is built around confidence, speed and a promise that his appearances will stand apart. The wrestler known as “The Jet” has made that identity central to his on-screen character, embracing the description of being the “Flyest of All Time” while drawing from influences that stretch across professional wrestling and the NFL.
In an interview with WXIA-TV, Knight identified WWE Hall of Famers Mr. Perfect and The Rock, as well as Jeff Hardy, among the wrestling names that have helped shape his style. He also pointed to former NFL stars Deion Sanders and Cam Newton as important inspirations, particularly when it comes to the personality and verbal presence he brings to his promos.
“Mr. Perfect, The Rock, Jeff Hardy. I like to intertwine some Deion Sanders in there. I like to throw some Cam Newton in there, you know, for the promos. It’s a lot of different things I like to throw in there. But at the end of the day, ‘The Jet’ is the flyest of all time,” Knight said.
Those choices offer a clear window into the qualities Knight wants audiences to associate with him. Mr. Perfect was synonymous with polished confidence and athletic execution. The Rock built a career around magnetic charisma and an unmistakable command of the microphone. Hardy’s style brought a distinctive visual identity and a willingness to make each appearance feel different. Sanders and Newton, meanwhile, became major sports personalities whose confidence and flair were as notable as their accomplishments on the field.
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Knight is not presenting those inspirations as a formula to be copied piece by piece. Instead, his comments frame “The Jet” as a character created from multiple elements: wrestling tradition, individual athleticism, fashion-forward confidence and a promotional approach that asks viewers to expect the unexpected. The message remains simple even with those varied influences. Knight wants his entrance, his in-ring work and his speaking segments to feel like part of one complete presentation.
“Every time you see him on the screen, just know that you’re gonna see something you’ve never seen before,” Knight said.
That standard is particularly significant for a performer in the middle of rebuilding toward the top of AEW’s title picture. Knight officially signed with AEW in March 2025 and quickly found championship success. His early tenure included two reigns with the AEW World Trios Championships, giving him experience competing as part of a title-holding unit before he shifted his focus toward individual goals.
That singles pursuit led Knight to the TNT Championship. The title has long been positioned as one of AEW’s most prominent singles prizes, and holding it placed Knight in a different spotlight from his trios success. A championship run brings a larger expectation of consistency: a wrestler must not only win the title, but also maintain the presence of someone audiences recognize as a division’s standard-bearer. Knight’s character is designed to meet that demand through its combination of confidence and spectacle.
His time as TNT Champion came to an end last month at All In: London, where Darby Allin defeated him in a Falls Count Anywhere contest. The stipulation ensured there was no ordinary setting for the championship clash, and Allin emerged with the title. For Knight, the loss closed one chapter but did not diminish the larger ambition expressed in his recent comments.
Having already held AEW World Trios Championship gold twice and captured the TNT Championship, Knight now finds himself in a familiar but important position: chasing the next opportunity. He is looking to bounce back toward any championship available to him. That outlook is consistent with the persona he has established. “The Jet” is not meant to be defined solely by a single title reign or one defeat. The character is rooted in forward momentum, self-belief and the notion that Knight can create a moment whenever he is featured.
A Character Built on More Than One Tradition
Professional wrestling characters often become strongest when a performer can communicate their identity before a match begins. Knight’s list of influences helps explain the approach behind his presentation. The personalities he named are all known for having immediately recognizable traits, whether that meant Mr. Perfect’s precision, The Rock’s verbal authority, Hardy’s singular aura, Sanders’ swagger or Newton’s larger-than-life confidence.
For Knight, the shared thread is not that each influence performed in the same way. They did not. The connection is the ability to make talent and personality inseparable. A wrestler’s physical ability can draw attention, but a fully formed character gives fans a reason to invest in where that ability may lead. Knight’s remarks suggest he is aiming for both sides of that equation: an athlete who can deliver when the bell rings and a personality with enough confidence to make viewers take notice before the action even starts.
The inclusion of football figures also speaks to the broad range of pop-culture energy that can inform a modern wrestling persona. Sanders’ name is closely tied to confidence, style and a willingness to stand out. Newton likewise developed a public identity defined by expressive fashion and an unafraid approach to attention. Knight’s reference to Newton specifically “for the promos” indicates that he sees promo work as more than reciting lines. It is an opportunity to project conviction, rhythm and presence.
That matters in AEW, where championship pursuits can depend on a wrestler’s ability to establish a clear connection with the audience amid a deep roster. Knight’s accomplishments have already demonstrated that he can thrive in championship settings. His comments now clarify the personal blueprint he intends to bring into his next climb.
The Road Back After All In: London
The defeat to Allin at All In: London remains the most immediate turning point in Knight’s AEW story. Falls Count Anywhere matches are designed to remove the usual boundaries of a bout, and losing under those conditions can be especially difficult for a champion seeking to retain control of a division. Allin left the contest with the TNT Championship, while Knight was left to regroup after a significant singles loss.
Still, Knight’s resume since joining AEW provides a foundation for that recovery. Two AEW World Trios Championship reigns show he has already been trusted in title programs and has been part of winning combinations. The TNT Championship gave him a singles credential that further expanded his profile. Those achievements do not guarantee the next opportunity, but they establish that Knight has previously turned momentum into gold.
His stated goal of pursuing any and all gold also leaves open several directions for his future. The key point is that Knight is not speaking as someone satisfied with what he has already done. He is framing his AEW run as ongoing, with the former TNT Champion determined to return to the championship conversation.
That pursuit will be backed by a character Knight believes is capable of offering something different every time he appears. The blend of wrestling icons and NFL stars is more than a list of favorites. It is the creative foundation for “The Jet,” a persona designed to be fast, polished, flashy and unmistakably self-assured.
For now, Knight’s immediate championship future remains unresolved following his loss to Allin. What is clear is the standard he has set for himself. Whether competing for trios honors, seeking another TNT Championship opportunity or pursuing a different prize, Knight intends for every appearance to reinforce the same declaration: “The Jet” expects to be impossible to overlook.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.