Assessing LA Knight’s Rise to Prominence in WWE Without Championship Success

Success in pro wrestling is often down to the major championships won and how their charisma gravitated the crowd toward them. While guys such as ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Dwayne Johnson, and John Cena have set the benchmark for many, some of the WWE superstars fell short of doing the same. Why? Perhaps, they didn’t have any titles on their resume. And even if they had, they could not leave that mark while being an integral part of the promotion.

The title plays an important role in defining the success of a superstar. It could be one of the major reasons a guy wants to up the ante to reach the glory. But this is not the case for a 40-year-old star who has witnessed so much popularity among the fans one always aspires to witness. Yes! It is LA Knight. Well, the fact is not hidden that, in recent times, his name has surely been among the hot topics in the WWE. As he gears up to team up with John Cena at Fastlane, his rise in the company is something that gets discussed among fans time and again. However, despite not having won any major title in the WWE, yet why is LA Knight the talk of the town in the WWE? Let’s find out.

Has LA Knight ever been a champion in WWE?

LA Knight might be considered a standout star recently, but he had a lot to do to achieve this feat. His career with the WWE started when he joined NXT, showcasing himself as a cocky heel. While he had a few feuds in WWE’s development brand, the one with Cameron Grimes was a sure-shot entertainer for the fans. Moreover, this was the first time Knight became part of a title picture in WWE, but that was Ted Dibiase’s famous Million-Dollar championship. The title, however, never had official recognition from the company, but still, it became a reason for several confrontations and mind games between Knight and Grimes in the NXT.

Furthermore, their feud also had the involvement of a legendary figure in the form of Ted DiBiase, who supported Cameron Grimes at times for the unofficial strap. The storyline featured several matches, including singles and tag team competitions, as well as segments and promos created to advance the plot and heighten the rivalry.

Well, all in all, this was the first and only time that the fans saw LA Knight holding a title in the company. After spending a generous amount of time in the NXT, Knight then moved to the main roster, where he played a gimmick called Max Dupri, who led the Maximum Male Models group. Backstabbing the faction a few months later, he turned into his original persona and kick-started his career on the main roster. Also, his feud with Bray Wyatt played an important role in catapulting him towards the frontline.

LA Knight became a fan favorite despite not winning a title

LA Knight didn’t leave any chance to present his charm in front of the fans. Throughout his run on the main roster, “The Megastar” slowly yet steadily became a crowd favorite. How? Well, the core elements of his popularity were his skills behind the mic and his charisma. All because of that prowess of trash-talking within the squared circle, Knight kept the fans hooked, thus forcing them to draw comparisons with the likes of Stone Cold and The Rock.

After drawing comparisons with such legends, there was more evidence of his popularity. A couple of weeks ago, when LA Knight tested positive for COVID, he had to leave the arena for obvious reasons. However, his absence went on to become a nagging issue for the company since they had to provide refunds to those who attended the show. This is a treatment usually reserved for the top stars in the company.

Moreover, his recent push in the company highlights his growing importance. He won the Slim Jim Battle Royale at SummerSlam and will now team up with Cena against The Bloodline. The fact WWE chose Knight to be Cena’s partner and inserted him against The Bloodline shows the management sees him on a high pedestal. Could this mean a much-awaited title shot in the near future?

The Megastar could be nearing a title shot

Considering the success of LA Knight in the eyes of the fans, he could be a prime contender for a title shot soon. However, Knight is currently aiming to help John Cena so that they can overcome The Bloodline at Fastlane. But that doesn’t mean that the story will end for him then and there. Well, WWE could groom LA Knight for a potential title shot anytime soon.

In fact, after Fastlane, the promotion might plan for LA Knight to go against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Universal title at Crown Jewel. After getting involved with The Bloodline, a run-in with “The Tribal Chief” seems inevitable.

Also, his name now becomes a hotshot to win next year’s Royal Rumble, where he might start a storyline against Seth Rollins for the heavyweight gold. Moreover, to make that happen, there could be no better place than the grandest stage of WrestleMania.

Read More – Were LA Knight and Bray Wyatt Friends? Exploring Wyatt’s Last Feud

Interestingly, the sky is the limit for LA Knight, considering the immense amount of love he has received from the WWE Universe. It remains to be seen how WWE handles his push and if they put him in the title picture soon, now that he is slowly becoming a must-see star on their shows.

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