LA Knight, born Shaun Ricker, has become one of WWE’s most popular Superstars on the main roster, showing audiences his charisma, mic skills, and undeniable presence over the past couple of years. From his early days on the independent circuit to his current status on WWE’s SmackDown roster, Knight has carved out an interesting career for himself.
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Shaun Edward Ricker |
Ring Name | LA Knight |
Nicknames | The Megastar, The Self-High-Five, The Namer of Dummies |
Date of Birth | November 1, 1982 |
Hometown | Hagerstown, Maryland, USA |
Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
Weight | 240 lbs (109 kg) |
Nationality | American |
Billed From | Los Angeles, California |
Trainer | Cody Hawk |
Debut | February 15, 2003 |
Born on November 1, 1982, in Hagerstown, Maryland, LA Knight is 42 years old as of May 2025. He began his wrestling career in 2003, steadily climbing the ranks through various promotions before making a significant impact in WWE.
Beyond wrestling, LA Knight has shown his versatility through appearances in television and film. In 2013, he participated in the reality competition show The Hero, hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, where he competed in various challenges. He also made a cameo as bodybuilder Mario in a 2015 episode of the sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Additionally, Knight has contributed to the WWE 2K video game series, providing motion capture for several characters.
LA Knight is in a long-term relationship with fitness model Michelle Yavulla. The couple has been together since 2018, often sharing glimpses of their life on social media. Despite public speculation, Knight has clarified that they are not married.
LA Knight stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs approximately 240 pounds (109 kg).
LA Knight’s real name is Shaun Edward Ricker. Throughout his career, he has performed under various ring names, including Eli Drake, Max Dupri, and Slate Randall.
Shaun Ricker was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and developed an early passion for professional wrestling. He began training under Cody Hawk and debuted in 2003. Ricker gained prominence on the independent circuit under the ring name Eli Drake, showcasing his charisma and mic skills. His journey took him through various promotions, including Impact Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), before signing with WWE.
Type | Date |
---|---|
Pro Wrestling Debut | February 15, 2003 |
WWE NXT Debut | February 14, 2021 |
WWE Main Roster | 2022 |
Championship/Title | Number of Reigns |
---|---|
WWE United States Championship | 2 |
Million Dollar Championship (WWE/NXT) | 1 |
Impact World Championship | 1 |
TNA King of the Mountain Championship | 1 |
Impact World Tag Team Championship | 1 (with Scott Steiner) |
NWA World Tag Team Championship | 1 (with James Storm) |
Promotion | Years Active |
---|---|
WWE (NXT and Main Roster) | 2021–present |
Impact Wrestling (TNA) | 2015–2019 |
National Wrestling Alliance | 2019–2021 |
Championship Wrestling from Hollywood | 2010–2013 |
Various Independent Promotions | 2003–2010 |
Category | Moves |
---|---|
Wrestling Style | Charismatic powerhouse with strong promo skills and brawling offense |
Signature Moves | Leaping Elbow Drop, Neckbreaker, Skylord Slam (Front Powerslam), DDT, Superplex |
Finishing Moves | BFT (Blunt Force Trauma), Gravy Train (Sit-out Powerslam) |
Theme Name | Artist |
---|---|
“Yeah!” | WWE Music Group |
Opponent | Rivalry Highlights |
---|---|
Cameron Grimes | Feud over the Million Dollar Championship in NXT |
Bray Wyatt | High-profile feud leading up to the 2023 Royal Rumble |
The Miz | Series of matches showcasing mic battles and in-ring competition |
Roman Reigns | Contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship |
Attribute | Data |
---|---|
Ring Name | LA Knight |
Nicknames | The Megastar, The Self-High-Five, The Namer of Dummies |
Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
Weight | 240 lbs (109 kg) |
Finishing Moves | BFT (Blunt Force Trauma), Gravy Train |
Signature Moves | Leaping Elbow Drop, Neckbreaker, Skylord Slam, DDT, Superplex |
Theme Music | “Yeah!” by WWE Music Group |
Championships | 2× WWE United States Champion, 1× Million Dollar Champion, 1× Impact World Champion, 1× TNA King of the Mountain Champion, 1× Impact World Tag Team Champion, 1× NWA World Tag Team Champion |
WWE Debut | 2021 (NXT), 2022 (Main Roster) |
Promotions Worked | WWE, Impact Wrestling, NWA, Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, Various Independent Promotions |
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