LA Knight’s rapid rise and enduring popularity on WWE SmackDown have not yet translated into a world championship victory, fueling speculation about LA Knight backstage heat and WWE championship journey. Recent backstage reports and commentary from wrestling veterans suggest agents are frustrated with Knight, even as his appeal with fans grows stronger and his pursuit of gold continues.
Rising Star Faces Unmet Goals and Backstage Criticism
LA Knight, also referred to as The Megastar, has electrified WWE audiences through his performances, but he still chases his first world title within the company. After participating in his third Money in the Bank Ladder Match earlier this year—a high-stakes contest ultimately won by Seth Rollins—Knight once again missed out on the coveted briefcase and the championship shot it guarantees. Despite his consistent proximity to WWE’s top tier, the 42-year-old remains without a world championship to his name.
On the K100 with Konnan and Disco Inferno podcast, Knight’s standing behind the scenes became a topic of debate. Disco Inferno, an experienced veteran with a career tracing back to WCW, fielded questions about whether Knight’s interactions with the Triple H-led creative team had created friction and if a possible heel turn was in store due to such rumored backstage heat. Inferno stated that agents experienced frustration with Knight, critiquing his style and approach to performing for WWE’s biggest shows.
“Bro, I know that a lot of the agents, they get frustrated with this guy. Because he goes out there and does the indie stuff too many times, right? You know what I’m saying? It’s like the guy’s got top guy potential but doesn’t want to do the top guy things enough… He’s still super over. Bro, the guy’s getting over despite what they give him. Bro, the guy constantly gets his shtick in. They’re giving the guy mic work every week. So, he’s fine,”
Inferno said. —Disco Inferno, Veteran (K100 with Konnan and Disco Inferno, H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling)
Comparisons and Career Trajectory Amid the Noise
Disco Inferno went on to make comparisons between LA Knight’s current journey in WWE and Chris Jericho’s stint in WCW. As Inferno emphasized, LA Knight remains resilient within WWE’s ecosystem, and his promotional skills have prevented his career from stalling. His strong fan reactions have provided continued momentum, and Inferno suggested that the only way for WWE to suppress Knight would be to consistently book him to lose, which is unlikely due to his popularity and microphone presence.
“He can easily get a program with somebody. He will never get buried unless you beat him like a drum. But you can’t beat him like a drum because he’s too good on the mic. For a 42-year-old guy, he’s actually in a pretty good spot right now. He gets a huge pop on WWE, and they’re doing great business. He’s a mid-carder, but he’s got the [Chris] Jericho spot right now back in WCW,”
Inferno said. (From 01:51 to 02:51) —Disco Inferno, Veteran (K100 with Konnan and Disco Inferno, H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling)
Setbacks and Potential Future Storylines
After his Money in the Bank loss in 2025, LA Knight received another opportunity in the King of the Ring tournament—a chance to add a significant accolade to his resume and edge closer to the main event scene. However, his prospects were once again derailed: just as he seemed to be approaching victory in a recent SmackDown episode, both Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker intervened, costing Knight his chance to advance. Randy Orton capitalized, pinning Carmelo Hayes to earn a spot in the semi-finals, while Knight was left reflecting on another missed opportunity.
The aftermath of these events hints at new rivalries in the making. Knight, now having interfered with Bron Breakker’s own King of the Ring qualifier match on Monday, may soon find himself entangled in a feud with Seth Rollins’ faction. This possible storyline could add new layers to his ongoing run and offer fresh chances to showcase why he remains a standout talent, both as a performer and on the microphone.
What Lies Ahead for LA Knight in WWE?
LA Knight’s journey is marked by both controversy and support—from passionate crowds and critical voices within WWE alike. As long as his reactions remain strong and his microphone work remains unmatched, he is likely to stay a prominent figure in the company’s mid-card and possibly ascend to the main event, drawing comparisons to Chris Jericho’s resilience in WCW. His next chapters, possibly involving showdowns with Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins’ team, will determine whether he can finally convert popularity and potential into lasting championship success.
