History of LA Knight in Timeline

Shaun Edward Ricker, known as LA Knight in WWE's SmackDown brand, is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name LA Knight.

Sections (4)

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

November 1, 1982: Shaun Ricker's Birth

On November 1, 1982, Shaun Edward Ricker, now known as LA Knight, was born. He is an American professional wrestler and actor currently signed with WWE.

Others born on this day/year

March 17, 2003: Begins Wrestling Training

On March 17, 2003, Shaun Ricker moved to Cincinnati and began training at the age of 20, while supporting himself with work at a lumber mill and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant.

2003: Professional Wrestling Debut

In 2003, Shaun Ricker, now known as LA Knight, started his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit.

November 9, 2004: Wins HWA Television Championship

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

January 4, 2005: Loses HWA Television Championship

On January 4, 2005, Shaun Ricker, wrestling as Deuce, dropped the HWA Television Championship.

May 2006: Teams with Jonathan Good in WWE

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

2008: Teams with Gene Snitsky on ECW

In 2008, Shaun Ricker teamed with Gene Snitsky in a losing effort against Cryme Tyme (JTG and Shad Gaspard) on ECW.

December 2010: Joins Championship Wrestling from Hollywood

In December 2010, Shaun Ricker moved to work for NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood and formed The Natural Selection tag team with Brian Cage.

2010: Joins Championship Wrestling from Hollywood

In 2010, Shaun Ricker joined Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CW), an NWA affiliated promotion.

August 2011: Plays Security Guard on Raw

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 after defeating him.

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 against Ryan Taylor that same night.

May 2013: Undergoes WWE Medical Testing

In May 2013, Shaun Ricker underwent medical testing required to be signed by WWE before reporting to the WWE Performance Center.

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. Following that victory, he competed as a jobber, losing to names such as Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, and Mason Ryan.

2013: Appearance on The Hero

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

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2013: Signs with WWE

In 2013, Shaun Ricker signed with WWE and performed as Slate Randall, an enhancement talent.

August 1, 2014: Released from WWE Contract

On August 1, 2014, Shaun Ricker was released from his WWE contract.

2014: WWE Release

In 2014, Shaun Ricker was released from his WWE contract.

February 16, 2015: TNA Gut Check Tournament

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

2015: Appearance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine

In 2015, LA Knight appeared in the "Boyle-Linetti Wedding" episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine as Mario, a bodybuilder.

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2015: Signs with TNA

In 2015, Shaun Ricker adopted the ring name Eli Drake and signed with TNA. He won the TNA World Championship, TNA King of the Mountain Championship, and TNA World Tag Team Championship.

January 8, 2016: TNA World Tag Team Championship Match

On January 8, 2016, at TNA One Night Only: Live!, Eli Drake and Jessie Godderz competed in a 3-Way TNA World Tag Team Championship match, which The Wolves won.

January 26, 2016: Wins Feast or Fired Briefcase

On January 26, 2016, Eli Drake won the Feast or Fired match and the briefcase that contained a title shot for the future TNA King Of The Mountain Championship.

2016: Bound for Gold Gauntlet

In 2016, Eli Drake competed in the Bound For Gold Gauntlet, which was won by Tyrus, and participated in the TNA World Title Series as a member of group Future 4.

January 6, 2017: TNA World Tag Team Championship Challenge

On January 6, 2017, at One Night Only: Live!, Eli Drake and Tyrus unsuccessfully challenged The Broken Hardys for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

January 25, 2018: Impact Global Championship Defense

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

2018: Relationship with Michelle Yavulla

Since 2018, LA Knight has been in a relationship with fitness model Michelle Yavulla. They have two dogs and reside in Orlando, Florida.

January 3, 2019: Attacked by Tommy Dreamer and Raven

On January 3, 2019, on Impact Wrestling, Eli Drake was confronted and attacked by Tommy Dreamer and Raven.

May 11, 2019: Maverick Pro Wrestling Event

On May 11, 2019, Eli Drake lost a fatal four-way match at a Maverick Pro Wrestling event.

June 28, 2019: Ring of Honor Appearance and NWA Signing

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

2019: Leaves TNA and Rejoins NWA

In 2019, Shaun Ricker left TNA and rejoined the NWA, where he won the NWA World Tag Team Championship with James Storm.

January 2020: Shoots Scenes for GLOW

In January 2020, LA Knight shot scenes for the fourth season of the Netflix dramedy GLOW as DJ Henderson, but the show was cancelled before the season could air.

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January 24, 2020: Wins NWA Tag Team Championship

On January 24, 2020, at Hard Times, Eli Drake and James Storm defeated The Rock 'n' Roll Express and The Wild Cards in a triple threat tag team match to win the NWA Tag Team Championship.

February 14, 2021: Released from NWA

On February 14, 2021, it was announced that Eli Drake had been quietly released from the NWA in late 2020.

2021: CarShield Commercial Appearance

In 2021, LA Knight appeared in a CarShield commercial as The Overcharger alongside Ric Flair.

2021: Re-signs with WWE

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

January 24, 2022: Main Roster Appearance

On January 24, 2022, LA Knight made his first main roster appearance on Raw, participating in a backstage segment with The Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode).

March 8, 2022: Loss to Grayson Waller

On March 8, 2022, at Roadblock, LA Knight lost to Grayson Waller in a Last Man Standing match.

2022: Rebranded as Max Dupri

In 2022, Shaun Ricker was repackaged as a manager and renamed Max Dupri.

January 28, 2023: Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match

On January 28, 2023, LA Knight lost to Bray Wyatt in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match at the Royal Rumble; this was Wyatt's final WWE premium live event match as well as his final televised match before his death seven months later.

March 3, 2023: Growing Popularity

On March 3, 2023, LA Knight noticed his growing popularity when the crowd cheered loudly as his entrance music began upon walking out to confront Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on SmackDown.

August 2023: LA Knight enters program with The Bloodline

In August 2023, following SummerSlam, LA Knight's presentation began to improve when he was elevated to the main event scene and entered a program with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.

December 23, 2023: Key to the City

On December 23, 2023, LA Knight received the Key to the City in his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland.

2023: Gains Popularity

In early 2023, Shaun Ricker, as LA Knight, gained increased popularity with the WWE audience.

2023: WWE's poor booking of Knight

Since early 2023, fans and critics alike have been vocal about WWE's poor booking of LA Knight, with Konnan and Jim Cornette being critical of WWE's treatment of Knight. Cornette named Knight his "Wrestler of the Year" for 2023.

January 5, 2024: Triple threat match ends in no contest

On January 5, 2024, at SmackDown: New Year's Revolution, LA Knight faced Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a triple threat match to determine who would face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble. The match ended in a no contest after The Bloodline attacked all three competitors.

2024: The Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa

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

January 10, 2025: United States Championship Rematch

On January 10, 2025, LA Knight received his rematch for the United States title against Shinsuke Nakamura on SmackDown, winning via disqualification after being attacked by Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline. However, Nakamura remained champion as titles do not change hands via disqualification.