After years in the pro-wrestling circuit, WWE’s rising star, LA Knight, is finally getting the recognition and spotlight he rightly deserves.
According to PWInsider.com, long-term contract negotiations are currently underway between WWE and Knight. This agreement could possibly stretch up to five years. This news doesn’t come as a shock to those who are already familiar with Knight’s journey. His impressive tenure under the moniker Eli Drake in Impact Wrestling and NWA culminated in his WWE signing in 2021. Although he started on the NXT brand, his charisma was undeniable, leading to a relatively quick transition to the main roster.
Knight’s WWE journey has been full of unexpected twists. Originally dubbed as Max Dupri, he played a head honcho at Maximum Male Models. However, following a leadership change with Triple H taking the reins from Vince McMahon, the LA Knight persona was brought back, much to fans’ delight.
In the lead-up to WrestleMania 39, the wrestling universe was in awe of the reactions Knight generated starting with his feud with Bray Wyatt to his run in recent months. This popularity was further cemented when he won a battle royal at SummerSlam, and triumphed over The Miz at Payback, with wrestling legend John Cena as the special guest referee.
But it’s not just in the ring that Knight shines. His recent association with major brands such as Slim Jim, coupled with an endorsement by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, has elevated him to the status of a contemporary wrestling icon. Rollins likens Knight’s passionate promos to the Attitude Era’s spirit, a sentiment echoed by many fans and insiders alike. Knight’s recent win against The Miz, with Cena’s support, highlights WWE’s trust in him as a potential future cornerstone of the company.
In contrast, the scenario with Drew McIntyre seems more tenuous. As Knight’s star continues its meteoric rise, McIntyre, a former two-time WWE Champion, is navigating choppy waters.
The still-ongoing rumors suggest that his hiatus from TV post-WrestleMania 39 resulted from a smorgasbord of reasons – contract disputes, a thirst for meaningful storylines, and time to recover from injuries. His return hasn’t lived up to the fan expectations; being cast in a mid-card tag team with Matt Riddle has many speculating about his standing with WWE, especially as his contract nears its end in 2024.
Financially, WWE is at a crossroads. With a merger with UFC under Endeavor in the pipeline, the company aims to make significant cost cuts, possibly around $50 million. There’s speculation about whether McIntyre’s salary could be an easy way to inch towards this target. However, there’s hope that a well-thought-out heel turn could breathe fresh life into McIntyre’s WWE tenure.
As Knight reigns as arguably WWE’s top babyface and merchandiser, McIntyre’s future trajectory could go the opposite. The two of them could even collide at some point.
Reflecting on Knight’s journey, it’s heartwarming to think that he contemplated retirement when the pandemic struck. His resilience has led him from a low point to being a top merchandise seller, a testament to his talent and hard work. Many believe that WWE held back on his push since his contract was nearing its end. They probably wanted to secure him with a long-term deal before thrusting him further into the limelight.
Given his undeniable impact on the WWE universe in recent months, one can only assume that this new contract is big, aligning with his elevated status in the company.
All that’s left now is for the WWE to crown him with a well-deserved championship run.
