Keith Lee has been one of the most unique performers in professional wrestling over the last decade. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing over 300 pounds, he moves with the speed of a cruiserweight while hitting with the power of a heavyweight. That rare combination made him a fan favorite on the independent wrestling scene long before he arrived in WWE or AEW. Even today, his name still grabs fans’ attention, despite it being a long time since his last match.
In this article, we’ll look at how Keith Lee built his wrestling career, what made him stand out in both WWE and AEW, and where things currently stand regarding his in-ring future.
From the Independent Circuit to a Cult Following
Before most casual fans knew his name, Keith Lee had already made a big name for himself on the independent wrestling scene. He competed in promotions like Evolve, All American Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), where he also won the company’s world championship. Lee also spent time in Ring of Honor (ROH), sharing the ring with some of the best technical wrestlers in the business.
What made Keith Lee stand out wasn’t just his size—it was the way he used it. Despite weighing over 300 pounds, he could pull off moves like moonsaults and suicide dives that many smaller wrestlers struggled to do. Because of that, fans and wrestling media quickly started seeing him as a one-of-a-kind talent, and that reputation followed him everywhere he wrestled afterward.
The NXT Breakout
Keith Lee signed with WWE in May 2018 and was sent to NXT, the company’s developmental brand. This was where he truly became a star.
During his time in NXT, Keith Lee won both the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Championship. He also became the first wrestler in NXT history to hold both titles at the same time. That achievement showed how highly WWE valued him during that period. His matches against stars like Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest are still remembered by many fans as some of the best matches from that era of NXT.
Keith Lee’s entrance also became a big attraction. As soon as he walked out, the crowd reacted loudly, and WWE helped build his popularity through strong backstage segments and memorable performances. He wasn’t presented as a typical underdog or a dominant monster heel. Instead, he had his own unique style, and that’s exactly why fans connected with him so quickly.
The Move to Raw
In August 2020, Keith Lee moved to WWE’s main roster and joined Raw. WWE immediately presented him as a serious threat by putting him in matches against top stars like AJ Styles and Drew McIntyre, who were both part of the WWE Championship picture.
This part of Keith Lee’s career is still discussed by many fans. Some believe WWE never fully committed to making him a main event star, even though he had all the talent and potential. Others feel the timing worked against him. During the pandemic, live crowds were gone, and the main roster was already crowded, making it difficult for new stars to build momentum like they had in NXT. No matter the reason, Keith Lee left WWE in November 2021 without winning a championship on the main roster.
Arriving in AEW
Keith Lee didn’t stay unsigned for long. He made his AEW debut in February 2022, and it quickly became clear that he still had plenty to offer. Teaming with Swerve Strickland, Lee won the AEW World Tag Team Championship, adding another major title to an already impressive career. Lee and Strickland quickly became one of AEW’s most popular tag teams. Their strong chemistry made them fan favorites, and when their partnership eventually turned into a rivalry, it became one of the promotion’s most talked-about storylines. Many fans still consider it one of AEW’s best feuds from that period.
During this time, Lee also challenged for the ROH World Television Championship. His match against Samoa Joe was another memorable performance and added one more high-profile opponent to his career.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Keith Lee’s momentum in AEW came to a stop in late 2023. In December, he was pulled from the AEW Worlds End pay-per-view because of what was first described as an undisclosed injury. Lee later revealed that the health issue had actually been affecting him since 2022. Reports also said he underwent multiple surgeries in early 2024 to treat the problem.
Keith Lee’s last match took place at ROH Final Battle in December 2023, where he defeated his former tag team partner, Shane Taylor, in a singles match.
Since then, Lee has remained out of action. He has shared several updates with fans about his recovery over the years. In the summer of 2025, he said that his health had been good for quite some time, but he also explained that the timing of his in-ring return was not entirely in his control. As of now, he has not wrestled since his win at Final Battle 2023.
Where Things Stand Today
As of now, Keith Lee is still under contract with AEW, but he hasn’t appeared on television or competed in a match for more than two years. Neither Keith Lee nor AEW has officially announced his retirement. Over the past few years, there have been reports that AEW discussed bringing him back to television, but those plans never became a reality.
Keith Lee’s career has been filled with major achievements. From making a name for himself on the independent wrestling scene to creating history in NXT and later winning the AEW World Tag Team Championship, he has proven himself everywhere he has wrestled. Whether he returns to the ring or not, his NXT run alone is enough to cement his place as one of the most talented big men of the modern wrestling era.
For me, the most memorable Keith Lee moment was his interaction with Brock Lesnar during the 2020 Royal Rumble. The way Brock reacted to him made it feel like WWE had found its next big thing. At that moment, it really looked like Keith Lee was destined to become one of the company’s biggest stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What titles has Keith Lee won in his career?
Keith Lee has won several major championships throughout his career. He captured the PWG World Championship on the independent scene, made history in WWE by holding the NXT Championship and NXT North American Championship at the same time, and later won the AEW World Tag Team Championship with Swerve Strickland.
When did Keith Lee last wrestle a match?
Keith Lee’s last match took place in December 2023 at ROH Final Battle, where he defeated Shane Taylor in a singles match. A few weeks later, he was removed from the AEW Worlds End pay-per-view because of his injury.
Is Keith Lee still signed with AEW?
Yes. At the time of writing, Keith Lee remains under contract with AEW, although he has not appeared on AEW television since the start of his injury layoff.
What injury has kept Keith Lee out of the ring?
Keith Lee has not publicly revealed the exact nature of his injury. However, he has confirmed that the issue dates back to 2022 and required multiple surgeries in early 2024.
Gaurav Sharma
Founder & Lead Writer, Wrestling Nightmare
I’ve been hooked on wrestling since childhood—from the Attitude Era to today’s Bloodline saga, plus AEW and TNA. My favorite match of all time is The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar (SummerSlam 2002), and I’ll always stand by Bray Wyatt’s untapped potential.
At Wrestling Nightmare, I break down news, analyze matches, and drop verified recaps. Got a correction or wanna debate? Hit me up at contact@wrestlingnightmare.com
