Following a successful career in IMPACT Wrestling and on the independent scene, LA Knight signed with WWE in 2021.
He spent a year in NXT before moving to the main roster and being repackaged as ‘Max Dupri’, the leader of ‘Knight Model Management’ which included ma.çé and mån.sôör. The gimmick didn’t last long and he left the group in September 2022, reverting to his Knight character.
Since then, he has gained in popularity while engaging in a high-profile feud with Bray Wyatt which culminated in the divisive ‘Pitch Black’ match at the Royal Rumble.
As well as his in-ring ability, his skills on the microphone have earned him comparisons to the likes of The Rock, and now ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
LA Knight has Steve Austin “vibes”
Speaking on Smack Talk, veteran manager Dutch Mantell praised Knight as a “valuable performer” before comparing him to the Texas Rattlesnake.
“I think he’s a very valuable performer to them and they wanna take their time with him. I’d rather they take their time instead of trying to rush him.
“I think that helps him in the long run and that helps WWE… He kind of puts off a little bit of Stone Cold vibes to me.
“He goes, ‘Hey let me talk at you’ and people like that. I think he can go out there, and as the old saying goes, he can talk them into the building.
“You give him something hot and I think he’s gonna take off and run.”
Mantell went on to explain why he thinks WWE should give Knight a push.
“I don’t think LA Knight has to worry about getting over because he’s already over. Now they can just use him however they want.
“I don’t think the crowd reaction is going to change. And when they do something with him, he’s going to be massively over. He really is.
“If they’re acting like this without him beating anybody, give him a push.”
H/T to Sportskeeda for the above transcription.