The heart of British wrestling is heavy with grief following the tragic death of Ian Bevis, the revered patriarch of one of the sport's most famous families. The 68-year-old, better known to fans as Ricky Knight, passed away after a devastating fall at his home in Norfolk, leaving the community and his globally renowned family shattered.
His daughter, Saraya-Jade Bevis—a global superstar in All Elite Wrestling (AEW)—is now grappling with the unimaginable loss of her father, a man who was both her parent and her pioneering coach in the ring.
A Family's Wrestling Legacy
Ian Bevis and his wife, Sweet Saraya, were the architects of a British wrestling dynasty. Together, they founded the World Association of Wrestling (WAW), a premier promotion that became a nurturing ground for some of the UK's biggest talents.
Their children, including AEW's Saraya (fka Paige in WWE) and WWE NXT UK's Zak Zodiac, grew up in the ring, their lives intrinsically woven into the fabric of the sport their parents loved. The family's passion and dedication made them beloved figures far beyond the Norwich sports hall where they built their legacy.
The Tragic Incident
The tragedy unfolded at the family home. Emergency services were swiftly dispatched following reports of a man in cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Mr. Bevis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Norfolk Police have confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner. The news sent a wave of shock and sorrow through the tight-knit wrestling community, where Ian was respected as a legend and a mentor.
A World of Mourning
Tributes have poured in from every corner of the wrestling world, highlighting the profound impact Ian had on the industry. Fans and fellow wrestlers have taken to social media to share their memories and offer condolences to the Bevis family.
This loss is the latest in a series of heartbreaks for the family, coming years after the passing of Saraya's brother, Roy Bevis. The family's resilience in the face of such profound grief has long been admired, making this new loss all the more poignant.
The legacy of Ricky Knight—the wrestler, the promoter, the father—will undoubtedly live on through WAW and the countless careers he helped launch. But for now, the wrestling world stands in solidarity with Saraya and the entire Bevis family as they navigate this period of immense sorrow.
