Career Timeline of LA Knight: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of LA Knight, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shaun Edward Ricker, known as LA Knight in WWE, is an American professional wrestler and actor currently performing on SmackDown. He is the current WWE United States Champion, holding the title for the second time. Knight is known for his charismatic persona and in-ring skills, quickly gaining popularity within WWE.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

March 17, 2003: Begins Wrestling Training

On March 17, 2003, at the age of 20, Shaun Ricker moved to Cincinnati and began training in professional wrestling, supporting himself with other jobs.

2003: Professional Wrestling Debut

In 2003, Shaun Ricker began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit.

November 9, 2004: Wins HWA Television Championship

On November 9, 2004, wrestling as Deuce, Shaun Ricker won the HWA Television Championship.

January 4, 2005: Loses HWA Television Championship

On January 4, 2005, Deuce lost the HWA Television Championship.

May 2006: WWE Dark Match Appearance

In May 2006, Shaun Ricker teamed with Jonathan Good in a losing effort against Big Show in a WWE dark handicap match.

2008: ECW Tag Team Match

In 2008, Shaun Ricker teamed with Gene Snitsky in a losing effort against Cryme Tyme on ECW.

December 2010: Joins NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood

In December 2010, Shaun Ricker began working for NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood and formed a tag team with Brian Cage.

2010: Joins Championship Wrestling from Hollywood

In 2010, Shaun Ricker joined Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CWFH), an affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

August 2011: WWE Raw Appearance as Security Guard

In August 2011, Shaun Ricker played a security guard during a segment featuring CM Punk and Kevin Nash on Raw.

2012: Feud with Brian Cage ends

In late 2012, Shaun Ricker ended his feud with Brian Cage, securing a victory to conclude their rivalry.

May 5, 2013: Wins CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship

On May 5, 2013, Shaun Ricker won the 30-Man Red Carpet Rumble for the CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship and successfully defended the title the same night.

May 2013: Undergoes WWE Medical Testing

In May 2013, Shaun Ricker underwent medical testing required to be signed by WWE.

October 2013: NXT Debut as Slate Randall

In October 2013, Shaun Ricker debuted in NXT as Slate Randall, defeating Yoshi Tatsu in a dark match.

2013: Appearance on The Hero

In 2013, Ricker (LA Knight) appeared on the TNT reality television show The Hero, hosted by Dwayne Johnson.

2013: Signs with WWE

In 2013, Shaun Ricker signed with WWE, performing as an enhancement talent under the name Slate Randall.

August 1, 2014: Released from WWE Contract

On August 1, 2014, Slate Randall was released from his WWE contract due to disagreements with WWE management.

2014: Release from WWE

In 2014, Shaun Ricker was released from his WWE contract after performing as Slate Randall.

February 16, 2015: Participates in TNA Gut Check Tournament

On February 16, 2015, Eli Drake participated in TNA One Night Only's TNA Gut Check tournament, qualifying for a five-way elimination match.

2015: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Appearance

In 2015, Ricker appeared in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode "Boyle-Linetti Wedding" as Mario.

2015: Signs with TNA

In 2015, Shaun Ricker, now known as Eli Drake, signed with TNA and achieved multiple championships.

January 5, 2016: Feuds with Kurt Angle and Drew Galloway

On January 5, 2016, Drake and Jessie Godderz started a feud with Kurt Angle and Drew Galloway, leading to a match at TNA One Night Only Live.

January 26, 2016: Wins Feast or Fired Briefcase

On January 26, 2016, Eli Drake won the Feast or Fired match and the briefcase containing a shot at the TNA King Of The Mountain Championship.

2016: Various matches, feuds, and segments

Throughout 2016, Eli Drake cashed in his Feast or Fired briefcase to become TNA King of the Mountain Champion, retained the title at Slammiversary, and feuded with James Storm, losing the title to him in August. Drake also entered the Impact Grand Championship tournament, participated in the Bound for Gold Gauntlet (winning it), and feuded with Ethan Carter III.

January 5, 2017: Confrontation with The Broken Hardys

On January 5, 2017, Eli Drake had a confrontation with The Broken Hardys during his Fact of Life segment on Impact Wrestling.

January 25, 2018: Retains Impact World Championship at Genesis

On January 25, 2018, Eli Drake retained the renamed Impact World Championship against Johnny Impact and Alberto El Patron in a Six Sides of Steel match at Genesis.

January 11, 2019: Confrontation with Eddie Edwards

On January 11, 2019, Eli Drake confronted Eddie Edwards on Impact Wrestling, criticizing his hardcore style.

May 11, 2019: Fatal Four Way Loss

On May 11, 2019, Drake participated in a fatal four way at Maverick Pro Wrestling's event.

June 28, 2019: Debuts in Ring of Honor and Signs with NWA

On June 28, 2019, Eli Drake appeared at the Ring of Honor event Best in the World as Nick Aldis' mystery partner and signed an exclusive deal with the NWA.

2019: Departs TNA and Re-joins NWA

In 2019, Eli Drake departed TNA and rejoined the NWA, where he won the NWA World Tag Team Championship.

January 2020: GLOW Season Four Shooting

In January 2020, Ricker shot scenes for the fourth season of the Netflix dramedy GLOW as DJ Henderson, but the show was cancelled before airing.

January 24, 2020: Wins NWA Tag Team Championship

On January 24, 2020, Eli Drake and James Storm won the NWA Tag Team Championship at Hard Times.

February 14, 2021: Quietly Released from NWA

On February 14, 2021, it was announced that Eli Drake had been quietly released from the NWA in late 2020, months after signing a new deal.

2021: CarShield Commercial Appearance

In 2021, Ricker appeared in a CarShield commercial as The Overcharger.

2021: Re-signs with WWE as LA Knight

In 2021, Shaun Ricker re-signed with WWE, adopting the ring name LA Knight and winning the Million Dollar Championship.

January 24, 2022: Main Roster Appearance

On January 24, 2022, LA Knight made his first main roster appearance on Raw in a backstage segment with The Dirty Dawgs.

2022: Rebranded as Max Dupri

In 2022, LA Knight was repackaged as a manager and renamed Max Dupri, before reverting back to LA Knight.

January 28, 2023: Loss to Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble

On January 28, 2023, LA Knight lost to Bray Wyatt in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble.

March 3, 2023: Crowd Support Becomes Noticeable

On March 3, 2023, LA Knight noticed a significant surge in his popularity when the crowd cheered loudly as his entrance music played before he confronted Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on SmackDown.

2023: Main Event Scene Elevation

Following SummerSlam in August of 2023, Knight's overall presentation improved, as he was elevated to the main event scene.

2023: Gains popularity and wins United States Championship

In early 2023, LA Knight gained increased popularity and later won the WWE United States Championship at SummerSlam.

January 5, 2024: Triple Threat Match Ends in No Contest

On January 5, 2024, LA Knight faced Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a triple threat match on SmackDown to determine the number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, but the match ended in a no contest after an attack by The Bloodline.

2024: End of Undisputed Champion Leadership

In mid-2024, Solo Sikoa replaced Reigns' leadership of The Bloodline.

January 10, 2025: United States Championship Rematch

On January 10, 2025, LA Knight had a rematch against Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship, which ended in a disqualification victory for Knight after an attack by Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.