Former WWE writer Vince Russo expressed dissatisfaction with the current WWE landscape and proposed a storyline involving CM Punk in a feud with the brothers of Paige, the 33-year-old former WWE superstar who might soon return. This idea aims to inject fresh energy into the roster by integrating family ties and veteran talent.
Vince Russo’s Proposal for CM Punk and Paige’s Family
On the recent episode of Writing with Russo, host Dr. Chris Featherstone asked Vince Russo about prospects involving AJ Lee and Paige. Russo suggested a renewed rivalry could be sparked by bringing Paige back as a villainous figure, accompanied by her brothers, Zak and Roy Knight, to confront CM Punk, known as the Second City Saint.
“I think you would bring Paige in as the heel because another wrinkle in this, too, is – bring her brothers with her, get them involved with CM Punk. It’s almost like we keep saying we need blood so we can start fresh, and we can start right. Because everyone on that roster is so tarnished, there’s been damage done to so many people. Look at Drew! There’s so much damage that we’ve got to start new, we’ve got to massage this, and we’ve got to do this the right way. We’ve been saying it for years – 50/50 booking gets nobody over, and that’s where we are.”
— Vince Russo
Russo’s suggestion highlights his frustration with the current state of WWE, emphasizing the need for new, impactful storylines rather than continuing with repetitive booking patterns that fail to elevate the roster. By involving Paige and her brothers, he hopes to create a fresh feud that resonates with fans and revitalizes interest.
The Background of Paige’s Brothers and Their Wrestling Roots
Paige grew up in a wrestling family, with her parents running the World Association of Wrestling (WAW) promotion in Norwich, England, since the early 1990s. This environment offered both Paige and her brothers, Zak and Roy Knight, their initial training and exposure to professional wrestling.
Zak Knight, wrestling under the ring name Zak Zodiac, has competed extensively on the independent circuit but never secured a WWE contract like his sister. When discussing his disappointment after WWE tryouts, Zak reflected on the challenge of rejecting dreams.
“It’s always going to be hard, you know? Rejection… Every human being has had it. Some people handle it worse than others. The first month for me was very hard. It was a dream me and my sister always said we’d do together or not at all. So when she got picked and I didn’t, I had to say to her – ‘you need to go, you need to go’. I’d worked a long, long time to get the opportunity of a tryout and when it came it just didn’t happen.”
— Zak Knight
Roy Knight, the older brother, began wrestling as a teenager and has been active in the industry for around 30 years. Together, Zak and Roy formed a tag team called the UK Hooligans, competing primarily on the independent scene. Their experience gives credibility to Russo’s idea of them joining WWE and confronting a well-known figure like CM Punk.
Potential Impact and Next Steps for WWE Storylines
The involvement of Paige’s brothers in a storyline with CM Punk could introduce a new generation of wrestlers while connecting to established WWE personalities. This approach might address Vince Russo’s concerns regarding the current booking style, which he views as ineffective in elevating stars or renewing interest.
Considering the recent interest in Paige’s possible return and CM Punk’s return to WWE, a heated family rivalry storyline featuring the Knight brothers could build meaningful tension and drama. Such a feud has the potential to draw on personal history and in-ring experience, creating compelling content for wrestling fans.
As WWE continues to develop new narratives, Russo’s suggestion points toward using legacy family ties and underutilized talent to invigorate the roster, moving away from stale rivalries and predictable outcomes. How WWE reacts to these ideas will likely shape upcoming storylines and matchups involving CM Punk and others.
