LA Knight has become one of WWE’s most popular stars, but his popularity has not yet translated into a World Championship reign. With another opportunity against Roman Reigns at Money in the Bank, Booker T recently addressed Knight’s position in WWE and explained why becoming world champion is not necessarily the measure of a wrestler’s career.
“The Megastar” has connected with WWE fans through his promos, catchphrases, and performances in the ring. Despite that popularity, he has repeatedly come up short when trying to move into the company’s top championship picture, which has led to questions about whether WWE should have given him a world title by now.
During the latest episode of “Hall of Fame” with Brad Gilmore, the discussion turned to wrestlers such as Curt Hennig, Scott Hall and Roddy Piper, who built celebrated careers without winning WWE’s top championship. Booker T used those names to explain why he does not believe every highly regarded performer has to become world champion.
“What didn’t Perfect do right?” Booker asked before making his larger point. “Did they win the title? That’s just the way it works. Everybody’s not going to be the champion. Everybody’s not going to have that. And that’s why I get caught up, you know, where we are in this world today where everybody wants a turn.”
The veteran then explained that his own approach to wrestling was never centered entirely on winning the biggest championship. He said he wanted to establish himself as the best wrestler in the locker room, believing that success, money and championship opportunities would follow.
“I always say, if they paid me a million dollars a year and I won no titles, I wouldn’t give a damn. Because I would have taken that money and I would have invested it and invested it and invested it over this last 36 years.”
When the conversation returned specifically to Knight, Booker T made sure his comments were not interpreted as criticism of the WWE star’s ability. He praised Knight while comparing his situation to the other respected names who never captured the WWE Championship.
“Well, I’m not saying LA Knight was Booker T. A lot of people want the title for certain reasons too. So no, man. LA Knight, that’s just one of those things. LA Knight’s a hell of a talent. But just like you just mentioned, all those great names who did not win the World Heavyweight Championship. Hell, I didn’t win the WWE title — the lineal one. So I put myself in that same category, even though I won all the other ones.”
LA Knight Has Another Chance Against Roman Reigns
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Knight’s current opportunity came after months of pursuing Roman Reigns and repeatedly finding himself short of the World Heavyweight Championship. He was previously entered into the King of the Ring tournament but lost to Jey Uso in the opening round, adding to a run in which he has struggled to turn his popularity into a sustained championship push.
His pursuit of Reigns became more direct in August. “The Megastar” teamed with Solo Sikoa against The Usos and subsequently continued targeting “the OTC” and his allies as he pushed for a title opportunity.
After Penta earned a World Heavyweight Championship opportunity, Knight remained involved in the title picture. Reigns defeated Penta on the September 14 episode of RAW in Mexico City, and Knight later confronted the champion, hitting him with the BFT. WWE subsequently made their championship match official for Money in the Bank.
LA Knight addressed the showdown on the September 21 episode of RAW, discussing his previous failures and making it clear that he intends to take the World Heavyweight Championship from Reigns.
The match gives Knight another opportunity to turn years of fan support into championship success. Regardless of what happens against Reigns, Booker T made it clear that he views Knight’s value as a performer separately from whether WWE eventually puts its top championship around his waist.
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