I was a fan of LA Knight. The truth is, my very first piece for Wrestling Inc. was about Knight, and as a fellow Southern Californian, I felt like Knight was my kin. I used to be keen to miss a few of his cringy or overplayed moments to root for somebody with roots in California’s impartial scene.
Now? Totally different story.
Knight’s shine has dulled for me, and I am not speaking concerning the shine from his oiled-up biceps. On Friday’s version of “WWE SmackDown,” Knight attacked present United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura after a non-title match with Andrade, and minimize a … questionable promo on the finish. Not even “questionable” in a personally insensitive means, as one may equate to his divisive mispronunciation of Solo Sikoa’s ula fala. It was questionable as a result of it did not make a lick of sense.
Knight took to the microphone after his assault on Shinsuke Nakamura and started with a bunch of “Yeah”s, which is not my private style, however I get that it is his model. Then, he accused Nakamura of stealing his title, which … no. Nakamura gained the title from Knight fairly cleanly at Survivor Collection 2024, and Nakamura overpowered Knight a lot, that commentary famous how Knight couldn’t “get something going” throughout their match.
Then, Knight made a extremely bizarre analogy to the chilly or flu that appears to be traversing round the US after the vacation season, and whereas I get the enchantment behind a really well timed call-out, Knight’s phrasing was simply downright bizarre. Apparently, what goes round comes round, however it’s not the flu or the chilly that’s going round, it is Knight, searching for out his revenge. If Knight is the one going round … would not he get what’s proverbially coming to him? Did you wish to do a second tackle that one? I even tried to provide him the good thing about the doubt, and I attempted to remodel it in my head to make it extra cohesive in order that I might, as soon as once more, look previous its awkwardness. No, it simply would not work, except Knight is okay with calling himself a illness, which does not fairly match together with his babyface alignment on this feud.
I do not even assume Knight is washed. He is nonetheless acting at an okay capability, albeit just a little old-school (which is a part of his enchantment). There’s one thing a bit extra sinister occurring. I believe that Knight is simply crumbling as a result of he’s being surrounded with higher expertise. Bear in mind, Knight’s primary opponent throughout his United States Champion run was Logan Paul. No less than with Paul, Knight might type of get away with simply yelling issues, since Paul was working on that very same degree. Towards Shinsuke, although, who is just not solely an outstanding in-ring competitor, however somebody who’s keen to take dangers with the evolution of his character? I believe Knight may out of his league.
What goes round comes round, and it isn’t the flu … I can not even make one-liner out of this. What on Earth was he making an attempt to say?
Written by Angeline Phu
