Brief Introduction of Karrion Kross
Kevin Robert Kesar, born July 19, 1985, is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Karrion Kross. He is currently signed to WWE, performing on the Raw brand. Kross is widely recognized for his intense and formidable persona, often accompanied by his real-life wife, Scarlett Bordeaux. His career has seen him capture the NXT Championship on two occasions and perform in major promotions worldwide, including Impact Wrestling, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), Major League Wrestling (MLW), and Lucha Underground. His dark, cinematic entrance and powerful in-ring style have made him a distinctive figure in modern professional wrestling.
Karrion Kross Overview
| Real Name | Kevin Robert Kesar |
| Ring Name | Karrion Kross, Killer Kross, The White Rabbit |
| Date of Birth | July 19, 1985 |
| Age | 40 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Billed Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Billed Weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Chihaia (Scarlett Bordeaux) |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler |
| Debut | September 6, 2014 |
| Current Promotion | WWE (Raw Brand) |
| Net Worth (2025 Estimate) | Approximately $1.5 million – $2 million |
Early Life and Education of Karrion Kross
Kevin Robert Kesar was born in New York City on July 19, 1985. Details about his upbringing, family background, and formal education are not extensively publicized, as he maintains a degree of privacy regarding his early life before wrestling. His journey into professional wrestling began later in his life, with his official debut taking place in 2014. He trained under veterans Glenn Gilbertti and Michael Modest to hone his skills before making his mark on the independent circuit.
Karrion Kross’s Career
Independent Circuit and Early Promotions (2014–2020)
Kesar began his career on September 6, 2014, under the name Kevin Kross. He quickly established a menacing persona, often billed as “Killer Kross.” In 2015, he made appearances for Global Force Wrestling (GFW), competing in the GFW Global Championship tournament. Between 2015 and 2018, Kross worked several dark matches for Lucha Underground. He was later repackaged and introduced in season four (2018) as “The White Rabbit,” the sinister leader of Paul London’s Rabbit Tribe. Kross has spoken positively about the creative freedom at Lucha Underground, considering the promotion “ahead of its time.”
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2017–2020)
Kross debuted in the Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in 2017, aligning himself with Johnny Mundo (John Morrison) and Taya Valkyrie. He became a prominent member of the villainous stables MAD and later La Facción Ingobernable, establishing himself as a dominant foreign heel in the company. His time in AAA helped build his reputation as a formidable and unpredictable performer on an international stage.
Impact Wrestling (2018–2019)
In June 2018, Kesar debuted in Impact Wrestling as the mystery attacker who had been taking out talent backstage. Billed as Killer Kross, he made a strong first impression by attacking Petey Williams. He soon aligned himself with then-Impact World Champion Austin Aries and Moose. After that alliance dissolved, Kross entered a feud with Johnny Impact, challenging for the world title. His run was also notable for his hardcore feuds with wrestlers like Eddie Edwards and his use of brutal tactics, such as smashing a cinder block over an opponent’s head. However, his time with the promotion ended contentiously due to a contract dispute where Kross requested a pay raise, which was denied, leading to him being sidelined before his eventual release in December 2019.
Major League Wrestling (2020 & 2022)
Kross had a brief but impactful stint with Major League Wrestling (MLW) in early 2020, debuting at the ‘Fightland’ event with a victory over “Filthy” Tom Lawlor. His initial run was cut short when he signed with WWE in February 2020. Following his WWE release, Kross returned to MLW in February 2022 as Killer Kross, competing at the ‘SuperFight’ event.
WWE (2020–2021)
In February 2020, Kesar signed with WWE. Vignettes began airing on NXT, teasing the arrival of Karrion Kross and Scarlett. The duo made their debut on May 6, 2020, with Kross destroying Leon Ruff in a squash match. Kross was immediately pushed as a dominant force, embarking on an undefeated streak. He defeated Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: In Your House and, in only his seventh televised match, won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at TakeOver: XXX on August 22, 2020. Unfortunately, he suffered a separated shoulder during the match and was forced to relinquish the title just four days later, making his first reign the shortest in the title’s history.
Kross returned in December 2020 and set his sights on reclaiming the championship. At NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on April 8, 2021, he defeated Finn Bálor to win the NXT Championship for a second time. He successfully defended the title against several top contenders, including Bálor in a rematch, and in a fatal five-way match at In Your House.
While still NXT Champion, Kross made his main roster debut on the July 19, 2021, episode of Raw. The debut was highly controversial; he appeared without Scarlett, wore a new gladiator-style mask, and lost to Jeff Hardy in under two minutes, marking his first pinfall loss in WWE. This booking was heavily criticized for damaging his formidable character. He would go on to lose the NXT Championship to Samoa Joe at TakeOver 36 in August and was released from his WWE contract in November 2021.
Return to the Indies and NJPW (2022)
After his WWE release, Kesar, again as Killer Kross, returned to the independent circuit and also debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in April 2022. He also made appearances for MLW during this period.
Return to WWE (2022–Present)
Kross, along with Scarlett, made a surprise return to WWE on the August 5, 2022, episode of SmackDown, attacking Drew McIntyre and signaling a challenge to the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. He entered a feud with McIntyre, defeating him in a Strap Match at Extreme Rules. Over the next year, he engaged in feuds with superstars like Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles.
In late 2023, Kross and Scarlett began airing cryptic vignettes, leading to the formation of a new faction. On the New Year’s Revolution episode of SmackDown in January 2024, they officially aligned with the returning Authors of Pain (AOP) and Paul Ellering, forming the stable known as The Final Testament. The group was drafted to the Raw brand in the 2024 WWE Draft. In mid-2025, Kross entered a deeply personal rivalry with Sami Zayn, culminating in a match at SummerSlam on August 2, 2025, where Zayn emerged victorious.
Karrion Kross Personal Life & Family
Karrion Kross is married to fellow professional wrestler Elizabeth Chihaia, who is widely known by her ring name, Scarlett Bordeaux. The couple met while working on the independent circuit and began dating. They announced their engagement on September 23, 2021, and were married in a private, unconventional ceremony on a glacier in Alaska in April 2022. Their on-screen partnership is a direct extension of their real-life relationship, and they are rarely seen apart on WWE programming. As of 2024, the couple does not have any children, though Kross has mentioned in interviews that they have discussed starting a family. They reside in a renovated home in Orlando, Florida.
Awards and Achievements of Karrion Kross
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Rising Star Award (2018)
- Future Stars of Wrestling
- FSW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Impact Wrestling
- Impact Fans’ Choice Award: One to Watch in 2019 (2018)
- Maverick Pro Wrestling
- MPW Championship (2 times)
- WWE
- NXT Championship (2 times)
Karrion Kross Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Karrion Kross’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 and $2 million. His primary source of income is his contract with WWE. Throughout his career, he has also earned income from other major wrestling promotions like Impact Wrestling and AAA, as well as from merchandise sales and appearances on the independent circuit. He and Scarlett live in a home in Orlando, Florida, valued at an estimated $1.5 million.
Legacy and Influence
Karrion Kross has carved out a unique niche in professional wrestling with his blend of raw power, psychological warfare, and a highly stylized, cinematic presentation. His character work, particularly the “Killer Kross” and “Karrion Kross” personas, is noted for its intensity and believability. His entrance with Scarlett is often cited as one of the best in modern WWE, creating an immediate atmosphere of dread and importance. Though his main roster career has had its ups and downs, his dominant two-time championship run in NXT showcased his potential as a main event player. He has also expressed interest in a future role as a producer in WWE, hoping to use his experience to help shape the next generation of talent.
Interesting Facts about Karrion Kross
- His character in Lucha Underground, “The White Rabbit,” was presented as the god of the Rabbit Tribe.
- He was trained by former WCW star Glenn Gilbertti (also known as Disco Inferno).
- His wife, Scarlett, performs their theme song “Dead Silent.”
- He and Scarlett were married on a glacier in Alaska.
- Despite his intimidating on-screen character, he has expressed that he enjoys pressure situations in his career.
- In 2025, he released a book titled “Life Is Fighting”.
Controversies
Impact Wrestling Contract Dispute
In 2019, Kross was involved in a public contract dispute with Impact Wrestling. He requested a higher salary, arguing his pay was significantly lower than other featured talent. When Impact offered a smaller raise than requested, Kross reportedly sought his release. The situation led to him being kept off television for months before he was officially granted his release in December 2019.
First WWE Main Roster Run
Kross’s initial call-up to the WWE Raw roster in July 2021 is one of the most frequently cited examples of a controversial character change. While reigning as the dominant NXT Champion, he was presented on Raw without his signature entrance, without Scarlett, and in a modified gladiator-style mask. He lost his debut match to Jeff Hardy in less than two minutes, a decision that was widely panned by fans and critics for undermining the aura he had built in NXT.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle |
| @realkillerkross | |
| X (Twitter) | @realKILLERkross |
Final Words about Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross’s journey in professional wrestling has been a rollercoaster of dominant highs and perplexing lows. From an indomitable force in NXT to a controversial main roster debut and a triumphant return, he has remained a compelling figure. Currently leading The Final Testament on Raw alongside his wife Scarlett, Kross continues to evolve his dark and menacing character. His future in WWE has been a topic of speculation, with his contract status being discussed in the summer of 2025. Regardless of what comes next, Karrion Kross has proven to be a uniquely intense and captivating performer who is committed to his craft, both in the ring and in his future aspirations behind the scenes.
