Professional wrestling constantly sees its fair share of twists, turns, and transformations. But, even amongst the chaos, a journey of someone like LA Knight, the self-proclaimed megastar, stands out as a tale that defies conventional arcs. In a pivotal announcement, it has been confirmed that Knight will challenge Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on November 4.
LA Knight’s meteoric rise within WWE has become the stuff of legend. It wasn’t too long ago that Knight, then known as Max Dupri, was part of the Maximum Male Models stable, a faction that failed to garner much attention from the fans. A lot of the segments often felt subdued, as if someone had unplugged the crowd. However, a radical shift in persona, where Knight took on the Maximum Male Models, saw him ditch the Dupri name in favor of the now-iconic moniker. This decision not only rejuvenated Knight’s character but also propelled him to newfound heights in WWE.
Now, when one hears the echoing chants of “L-A-Knight. Yeah!” reverberating across arenas, it is a testament to how well Knight has captivated the audience. This catchphrase, together with his unparalleled skills on the microphone and consistent performances, has made him a top seller in WWE merchandise. While earlier, he might have faced numerous losses in his matches, the audience’s unwavering support for him never waned.
Knight’s journey from being a seemingly unnoticed member of the WWE roster to a top-tier superstar is nothing short of remarkable. In just over a year, he transitioned from being a member of a lackluster group to a contender for WWE’s most coveted title. He continued to make waves throughout the year, sharing the ring with legends like The Undertaker, facing off against Bray Wyatt, and receiving the rare endorsement of John Cena, one of WWE’s biggest icons. Cena, in fact, played a pivotal role in setting up Knight’s challenge to Reigns by introducing him as the next prospective challenger to the Tribal Chief on SmackDown.
Reigns, on the other hand, has been in a league of his own. The Tribal Chief’s reign as the WWE Universal Champion has been nothing short of historic. His return to SmackDown was marked by LA Knight’s, which has laid the foundation for their upcoming clash. Reigns, who last defended his title against Jey Uso at SummerSlam, is undoubtedly entering the match as the favorite, given his dominant run over the past several years.
Crown Jewel’s anticipated clash has further amplified LA Knight’s incredible wrestling journey. Before stepping into the WWE universe, Knight, formerly known as Eli Drake, showcased his prowess in promotions like Impact Wrestling and NWA. His tenure with Impact Wrestling even saw him clinch the World Championship in 2017. But his current trajectory in WWE, especially his impending title shot against Reigns, has firmly cemented his status as one of the company’s top stars.
This upcoming battle pits the established dominance of The Head of the Table against the rapidly rising star power of Knight. Whether he manages to unseat is unimportant. At this point, there’s no doubt that LA Knight has already etched his name among WWE’s elite.
Aside from what’s likely going to be the event’s headliner, Crown Jewel promises to be a spectacle, with other marquee matchups including Seth Rollins defending the heavyweight title against Drew McIntyre and Rhea Ripley taking on what feels like the world for her championship belt. Crown Jewel is shaping up to be one of the marquee events of the year, with stars like John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Bianca Belair also being advertised for appearances.
