The year 2024 brought many unexpected twists, especially regarding WWE star LA Knight. After two successful reigns as U.S. Champion, Knight seemed destined to rise to the top of the World Heavyweight Championship scene on Monday Night Raw. However, his journey faced setbacks that disappointed his dedicated fans and the WWE Universe.
LA Knight’s rise wasn’t straightforward; after struggling with the poorly received Max Dupri character, he had to rebuild his momentum. His path mirrors that of Diamond Dallas Page (DDP), a wrestler who went through various gimmicks before hitting it big. Like DDP in the 1990s, Knight overcame a bad gimmick and reestablished himself as a major player, proving his worth as a potential World Heavyweight Champion and the new face of Raw.
DDP’s early WCW days were marked by confusion and lack of direction until he embraced his true self and became an icon during wrestling’s peak era. Similarly, Knight started his WWE run late in his career after success in TNA and NXT, where he developed a compelling character. Though WWE initially rebranded him as Max Dupri, fans didn’t warm up to this new image, and Knight almost lost his spot. Thanks to a change in creative leadership with Paul "Triple H" Levesque taking charge, Knight revived his popular LA Knight persona and quickly gained momentum.
Knight’s success is credited not just to catchy phrases but to strong character work, similar to DDP’s transformation. After facing skepticism about his authenticity and in-ring skills, Knight proved he had both charisma and wrestling ability. His feuds with Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns showed fans he was more than just hype — he could deliver in the ring and connect with the audience.
The rise of LA Knight from a struggling gimmick to a marquee WWE star is remarkable. He’s headlined major pay-per-views, become a prominent face in marketing, and competed in high-profile tournaments. Despite a lull in 2025, reports suggest Knight is poised for a breakthrough in 2026, potentially earning a well-deserved World Heavyweight Championship run.
As of late 2025, Knight has been a key figure in Raw’s main event scene, battling top stars like Jey Uso, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins. With CM Punk holding the title and Bron Breaker as a challenger, Knight seems ready to claim the championship and carry the mantle into WrestleMania season. This moment marks a significant crossroads for Knight, reminiscent of DDP’s career-defining era, and fans are eager to see him officially crowned as WWE’s new People’s Champion in this era.
Fan Take: LA Knight’s journey is a compelling story of resilience and growth that resonates deeply with WWE fans. His rise not only injects fresh excitement into WWE’s main event scene but also symbolizes the sport’s evolving landscape where charisma and hard work earn their rightful place at the top.
