Not every sure - firing stakes inWWEplays out like it seems they will . The anals of wrestling chronicle are , in fact , littered with examples of newsflash - in - the - cooking pan push that ended up bite out promptly , despite the best lay plans . Drew McIntyre may be a fast fixture now , but his initial button led to one of recent memory ’s most ill-famed exits . And he ’s far from the only one : there ’s Vladimir Kozlov , Sin Cara , The Kat , Rikishi … the bike of fortune does n’t worry for pedigree .

Some of those cases are more notorious than others , and arguably the most frustrating model - as with Rikishi , notably - crowd reception does n’t translate into the sustained success it deserves . mightily now , that feel like a question forLA Knight’scurrent booking , specially in contrast with fellow fan - favoriteJey Uso ’s Royal Rumble win . Mere month ago , Knight attend determine for a button to the top of the ladder , but frustration at his engagement has been persistent , and the promise of 2024 is in danger of attenuation .

Knight , a smooth - babble out , cock - sure blueprint of a WWE Superstar was inNXTfor almost two years , and that seemed odd at the time , given he was already an accomplished star in the squared circuit . In fact , Knight was rightly considered a can’t - miss - a bona fide superstar in the devising . However , that proved to be a longer journey than it probably should have been . In many way , however , it was an indicator of what was to descend , as ' The Superstar ' seemed to be always wait for his turn to gleam . Even after the promise of success tighten up in 2024 , WWE ’s reservation of Knight has frustratingly cool . So what ’s next ?

Bray Wyatt attempts to make amends with LA Knight on a recent episode of WWE SmackDown.

Where Does LA Knight Stand In WWE Today?

Superstar Has Been Bogged Down By Some Pointless Feuds

early on in his career , Knight get a lot of television experience working forChampionship Wrestling From Hollywood . He also had a short stint with NXT during that metre , under his real name and the moniker ' Slate Randall ' . Butit was during his clock time in TNA - execute as Eli Drake - that he really start to o.k. - melodic phrase his precocious persona , even if his risecame during a downturn for the companionship .

He spent an elongated amount of clock time in NXT , before the re - baptize LA Knight was finally given his well - merit spot on the main roster . The consultation chemical reaction should have been an denotation of what a practicable investment he would be for the promotion . crowd took to chanting his catchphrase along with him , and he rapidly looked like he was a surefire , future WWE Champion .

Bray Wyatt has always done great character employment , but the narrative he ’s been secernate alongside LA Knight on WWE SmackDown has been unique so far .

Joe Hendry and Karrion Kross WWE t-shirt

When he eventually made it toRawhe was banish to a different persona , ' Max Dupree ' , and represent more as a manager than an in - ring performer . After the fans made it clear they did n’t O.K. , he reverted to his much cool character of LA Knight , and since then , it ’s mediocre to say he ’s been on something of a roller - coaster drive .

But now , for the 42 - year - old veteran , thing seemed to be on a yo - yo . He was mud in a unusual ( and break down ) angle with the late Bray Wyatt , and later , Uncle Howdy and The Wyatt Sicks . Often time , the interview was never sure about his character , despite their massive sunniness , he was often portray as a hound .

He ’s gained some prominent victories , but he always seems to fall curt against the upper echelon of the WWE Universe . Perhaps that ’s whyit sense like he ’s never been given the chance to chip at out a legendary story of his own . At least , not yet .

WWE John Cena and Randy Orton standing face to face at Backlash 2025 and in the past

How Will He Finally Reach The Top Of The Mountain?

Knight Has The Star Power To Be WWE Champion

While this could all just be an anomalousness , Knight has had a circle of stopover and starts in his tenure with WWE . The promotion will give him a nudge or two here and there , but they never back him with a firm push . That never became more manifest as 2024 come to a close .

Knight has latterly been entangled with Shinsuke Nakamura , which ( quite frankly ) is a footfall - down on the card . With all due deference to Nakamura , he ’s not a serious Earth form of address contender anymore . So , for Knight to be embroiled in a feud with him does little to no goodness for The Superstar ’s wrestling survey . Now , it ’s as if he ’s been leap - frog by high - profile competition like CM Punk , Solo Sikoa , Drew McIntyre , Jey Uso , and Kevin Owens in terms of his positioning with the promotion .

So , 2025 could be a career - delineate year for Knight , lest he get caught in a mid - notice convolution that lasts for years until he fades away . He has the look , the endowment , and the whatchamacallum to be the face of WWE eventually . He ’s already becoming recognisable to mainstream audience , and he ’s one of the furtherance ’s spokesmen for the legendary Slim Jim ads . ( And anytime you could succeed an icon like ' The Macho Man ' Randy Savage , it ’s a sure sign that you have some clout . )

LA Knight as US Champion in WWE

WWE.com

While a Royal Rumble win was always unlikely , Knight could take theMoney in the Bankbriefcase this summer . The normal intrigue surrounding the cash - in aside , the thought of Knight having it in his hands is engrossing . particularly view his predilection for surprise and his eccentric being one who is depict as tight on his feet . That might be the perfect point of departure to establish him to the top .

Hopefully , WWEputs LA Knight on a skyrocket ship to the top at some point this twelvemonth . If not , they take the chance of sweep and missing on what should be an leisurely home run . And you ’d have to be a real ' dummy ' to rent that happen .

World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) is a global amusement company chiefly known for professional hand-to-hand struggle . Founded in 1953 , it produces live events , television curriculum , and streaming content . Headquartered in Stamford , Connecticut , WWE operates multiple brand , including Raw , SmackDown , and NXT .