As the kids say these days, LA Knight kept the receipts, and he’s not above being petty in front of a live audience.
On a recent episode of WWE SmackDown, LA Knight squared off verbally with The Miz, with a very pointed and cheeky callback to a notorious Kevin Nash promo from his WCW days. This was a reminder that wrestling isn’t just a contest to see who’s the strongest; the war of words between wrestlers can sometimes be just as captivating.
LA Knight, currently one of the hottest properties in WWE, isn’t afraid to stand his ground. Every time Knight’s entrance music blares through the arena, the crowd’s roaring approval underscores his skyrocketing popularity. But, not everyone has been aboard the LA Knight express. Kevin Nash, a celebrated name in the wrestling fraternity, recently criticized the former WWE jobber, comparing him to the likes of wrestling legends The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, but not in a flattering manner. Nash went as far as to label Knight a mere rip-off. This criticism came as a surprise to many since Nash later confessed he wasn’t very familiar with Knight’s work, having rarely watched SmackDown.
The skirmish with Nash isn’t the only thing on Knight’s plate. Recently, during a promo, he targeted The Miz, referencing Miz’s own entrance music to deliver a well-crafted jibe. “How’s that song of his go… I came to play, right? Now, if I was a complete moron, I’d say let’s look at that adjective, but I’m not a moron, so I’m going to say let’s look at that verb, play.”
This seemingly innocent line was a direct callback to a previous Kevin Nash promo where Nash mislabeled “play” as an adjective instead of a verb.
Whether or not this is the start of a bigger feud between Knight and Nash remains to be seen, but this wouldn’t be the first that LA Knight has called out an out-of-action legend, previously doing the same to The Rock.
LA Knight’s current trajectory is far from being just about words. His actions speak even louder. From winning the Slim Jim Battle Royale at WWE SummerSlam 2023 to pleasing WWE’s management in the Mountain Dew Pitch Black match, Knight is proving he’s not just a talker but a performer. His merchandise sales have skyrocketed, and he’s winning over sponsors. Such commercial success is often a precursor to a massive push in the wrestling world. Rumors suggest that he’s on the cusp of signing a long-term contract with WWE, a testament to his worth and potential.
His meteoric rise is due to his electric combination of mic skills and in-ring talent that’s reminiscent of past WWE icons. Regardless of the perceived similarities, Knight is carving out his niche, making it clear that while comparisons are flattering, he’s his own entity.
Knight’s confidence isn’t just a façade; he’s ready to climb any ladder, both literally and metaphorically, to seize any title that he sets his sights on.
Kevin Nash, on the other hand, while a respected veteran, may need to recalibrate his evaluation methods. Following his admission that he often doesn’t watch SmackDown, coupled with his critiques of those he’s unfamiliar with, his words feel like they don’t way anything at all. Nonetheless, his subsequent apology, filled with multiple caveats, displays a level of self-awareness.
In the high-stakes, ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, only time will determine whether LA Knight becomes the new face of SmackDown. But if recent events are anything to go by, LA Knight is not just here to play; he’s here to conquer.
