AEW Boss Tony Khan Touts Kevin Knight & Persephone as Wrestling's Next Superstars

Khan believes the two young talents can dominate globally through AEW's strategic partnerships.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:56am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors depicting the dynamic movements and competition of two wrestlers, conceptually representing the global reach and crossover appeal of AEW's future superstars.AEW's rising stars Kevin Knight and Persephone showcase their dynamic styles and global potential through a cubist, deconstructed visual.Chicago Today

In a recent interview, AEW President Tony Khan named 29-year-old wrestler Kevin Knight and 24-year-old Persephone as the future stars of professional wrestling. Khan praised Knight's versatility and potential to succeed in any promotion worldwide, while highlighting Persephone's impressive performances across AEW, CMLL, and ROH. Both wrestlers have dual contracts with AEW and other promotions, embodying the future of the sport through AEW's strategic global partnerships.

Why it matters

Khan's endorsement of Knight and Persephone as the next generation of wrestling superstars underscores AEW's commitment to developing global talent and showcasing the company's ability to cultivate crossover stars. As AEW continues to expand its international reach through partnerships, the success of Knight and Persephone could pave the way for more wrestlers to thrive across multiple promotions.

The details

Kevin Knight, a 29-year-old American wrestler, has been making waves in both AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) as part of the AEW World Trios Champions stable Jet Set Rodeo. Khan praised Knight's versatility, noting his ability to excel in trios, tag team, and singles competition. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Persephone has been a staple in CMLL since 2023 and joined AEW and ROH in 2025, showcasing her adaptability across promotions.

  • Knight made his AEW debut in 2022 while still working with NJPW.
  • Knight formed the popular tag team JetSpeed with Mike Bailey in 2025.
  • Persephone has been a staple in CMLL since 2023 and joined AEW and ROH in 2025.

The players

Tony Khan

The president and CEO of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), who has singled out Kevin Knight and Persephone as the future stars of professional wrestling.

Kevin Knight

A 29-year-old American wrestler who holds a dual contract with AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), and is currently one-third of the AEW World Trios Champions as part of the Jet Set Rodeo.

Persephone

A 24-year-old wrestler who has a dual contract between AEW and CMLL, and has been tearing it up in AEW, CMLL, and ROH.

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What they’re saying

“Kevin Knight could become a standout performer in any wrestling promotion worldwide, not just AEW.”

— Tony Khan, AEW President

“Persephone has all the tools to become a major star in AEW and beyond.”

— Tony Khan, AEW President

The takeaway

Khan's endorsement of Knight and Persephone as the future of professional wrestling highlights AEW's commitment to developing global talent and showcasing the company's ability to cultivate crossover stars through strategic international partnerships. The success of these two young wrestlers could pave the way for more wrestlers to thrive across multiple promotions, redefining the landscape of the sport.