Will LA Knight Soon To Be The Face Of The WWE?
WWE SmackDown has been home to some of the most exciting storylines recently, with several top stars making their mark. The blue brand might get a significant boost if the rumors about LA Knight becoming the top good guy (babyface) in WWE turn out to be true.
LA Knight has been steadily climbing the ranks in WWE and has become one of the most beloved wrestlers. He consistently receives thunderous applause from the crowd every time he steps into the ring. Recently, he’s been feuding with The Miz and even defeated the WWE veteran at the Payback live event, following an endorsement from John Cena on SmackDown.
Despite playing the role of a villain (heel) for over a year, Knight has garnered massive fan support. He often gets the loudest cheers from the live audience in nearly every arena and is also performing exceptionally well in merchandise sales. Fans were even hoping he’d win the Money in the Bank briefcase, but WWE had different plans. Many fans also wanted to see him win the United States Championship, but WWE hasn’t put a title on him yet.
Knight did win the Slim Jim Battle Royal at SummerSlam and headlined a special SmackDown episode paying tribute to Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk, where he defeated Finn Balor, a WWE Tag Team Champion. Triple H has assured fans that there are big plans for Knight, and it appears that his recent shift to being a good guy (babyface) is just the beginning.
WWE President Nick Khan recently mentioned in an interview that trying to find the next John Cena is a futile effort because each face of the company is unique. He suggested that LA Knight might have the potential to fill that role in some capacity.
Nick Khan conveyed:
“When the search for the next John Cena is mentioned, it presents an intriguing challenge because there isn’t a set formula for reproducing his success.” The next face of the company always has a unique identity, just like in the world of UFC. Occasionally, organizations or individuals become fixated on trying to replicate someone’s success, but I’ve rarely seen it work. LA Knight is forging his path, and that’s why we believe he’s connecting with the audience.”
LA Knight has been in the professional wrestling scene since 2003 and was previously known as Eli Drake during his 2015-2019 tenure with IMPACT Wrestling before joining WWE in February 2021.
Many experts see him as a future World Champion and possibly even the number one good guy (babyface) in the company at some point.
Knight recently secured a victory over The Miz and received an endorsement from John Cena at the Payback live event, adding to his momentum.
Reports from The Wrestling Observer suggest that Knight is poised to receive a significant push due to high ratings for his segments and strong merchandise sales. He has been WWE’s top merchandise seller in recent months and has also generated impressive engagement on social media.
It’s been reported that WWE and Knight have been negotiating a long-term contract, possibly up to five years, indicating WWE’s desire to have him in their ranks for an extended period. While contract negotiations are ongoing, Knight is internally listed as the top good guy (babyface) on SmackDown.
However, there are reports that the two sides are still far apart on financial terms, and a new deal hasn’t been finalized yet. This situation could have a significant impact on his potential as the top face of WWE.
In conclusion, LA Knight’s rise to the top of WWE as the top good guy (babyface) is a story to watch. His contract negotiations will likely play a crucial role in determining his future in the company. We’ll eagerly watch how events develop in the upcoming months. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on this situation in the comments section below.