Highlights
- LA Knight, formerly known as Eli Drake, had a successful 20-year career in independent wrestling before joining WWE.
- LA Knight took a pay cut to join WWE, believing that he could turn it into greater success.
- Despite facing challenges and an ill-fated gimmick, LA Knight has become a top WWE star, surpassing established superstars in merchandise sales.
In professional wrestling, where every move can make or break a career, one name has recently emerged from the shadows, capturing the hearts of WWE fans with an electrifying presence. LA Knight, a seasoned veteran, took a bold leap from Impact Wrestling and the NWA to the grand stage of WWE in 2021. Behind this seemingly seamless transition lies a tale of calculated risk and sacrifice, shrouded in mystery. As the WWE faithful cheer "Yeah!" in unison with this newfound star, the question lingers: What compelling gamble did LA Knight undertake to stake his claim in the world of sports entertainment?
LA Knight Had A Nearly 20-Year Career Before WWE Success
LA Knight Used To Be Called Eli Drake
While LA Knight, formerly known as Eli Drake, has quickly become a household name in WWE, his journey to stardom began long before he entered the company's spotlight. Dating back to 2003, LA Knight cut his teeth in the fiercely competitive world of independent wrestling. Over the years, he honed his craft, gaining invaluable experience and cultivating a dedicated fan following. It was in NWA and TNA, however, that LA Knight truly made a name for himself. Under the moniker Eli Drake, he not only achieved considerable success but also held multiple titles, including a noteworthy reign as the Impact World Champion. His ability to command attention, deliver compelling promos, and showcase his in-ring prowess earned him recognition as one of the standout performers on the independent circuit. As he revealed to Chris Van Vliet, he's not exactly an overnight success as fans like to think. He said:
"It was, but it wasn't. It was 20 years, but then it was an overnight success. It was 20 years to get the overnight success basically because all of a sudden you've got-- anywhere I've been any other company, had a fraction of the audience we have now. So, to any of the uninitiated, most of them are seeing me for the first time. So, in a certain way, it is an overnight success to the broader audience.”
LA Knight's Age Is A Non-Factor To Him Being A WWE Mega Star For A Long Time
One theory for why WWE isn't pushing LA Knight is because of his age, but that hasn't stopped the company from pushing other older stars.LA Knight Took A Pay Cut To Join WWE
Big Risk For Mainstream Ascent
LA Knight's decision to join WWE came with its share of sacrifices, most notably a financial one. Having established himself as a main event star in the independents, where he enjoyed both prominence and substantial earnings, transitioning to WWE meant starting afresh. The shift from being a top-tier talent to beginning his tenure in NXT required him to accept a pay cut. This decision wasn't taken lightly, and in his interview with Chris Van Vliet, LA Knight candidly shared his rationale. He said:
”So finally, when I did make the jump over there, there was a little bit of not necessarily negotiation, but it was just kind of like, I knew I was going to have to take a pay cut coming in. But I was willing to take the pay cut on the bet that I could turn it into much more. Because I had hit the ceiling basically in IMPACT. And I had an awesome time (in) NWA for that little bit that we were able to do before the pandemic hit.”
LA Knight Becomes A Top WWE Star
LA Knight Overcame His Horrible Max Dupri Gimmick
LA Knight's WWE Runs | Years | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
First Run | 2013-2014 | Failed |
Second Run | 2021-present | Successful on NXT and the main roster |
LA Knight's transition to WWE was not a seamless journey; it was fraught with challenges that tested his resilience and adaptability. Starting in NXT, he faced the rigorous process of working his way up the developmental system. One notable hurdle was the ill-fated "Maximum Male Models" gimmick on SmackDown, a phase that could have easily derailed his momentum, but thankfully, he was able to get rid of Max Dupri and turn back into LA Knight. The WWE universe quickly embraced him, leading to a surge in popularity. Surpassing established superstars like John Cena and Roman Reigns in merchandise sales was a testament to his connection with fans, solidifying his status as a marketable and bankable WWE star.
Max Dupri: LA Knight's Original (& Quickly Abandoned) Gimmick On WWE's Main Roster, Explained
LA Knight is the hottest star in WWE right now, but when he first came to SmackDown he was oddly repackaged as a manager named Max Dupri.WWE initially approached LA Knight's push with caution, unsure of the extent of his potential impact. Knight told Chris Van Vliet:
"There was skepticism at first. Is this really a thing? Is this just going to be a flash in the pan? Is this going to be a flavor of the month? And that's a thing we had talked about and was even talked about with me. 'Well, we don't want to give it to you too soon because then they might get over it.' Look, fine. If that's the case and I'm not good enough to carry that, cool, let's go with that.
"I understand the idea of wanting to protect me at some point as well. But I have the belief in myself that I could pivot and move and adapt to whatever the situation is. You don't want to give it to him too soon but if try and not give it to him at all, come on man. I feel like I'm better than that. And I don't mean that in a boisterous way, but I'm confident in what I do. I'm confident in my skills. And at the same time, I want to be able to fail. Because when I fail, I get back up.”
As a result, he now finds himself in the coveted main event world title picture, a testament to both his perseverance and WWE's trust in his ability to deliver. Looking forward, as 2024 unfolds, it appears evident that LA Knight's risky move to WWE has not only paid off but has exceeded expectations.
