The Rock’s electrifying return to SmackDown has injected an undeniable thrill into the atmosphere, yet amidst the buzz, a seasoned wrestling observer suggests that a top WWE Superstar channels echoes of The Great One’s charisma. Enter LA Knight.
Having carved a path towards championship glory in WWE, LA Knight’s journey has been peppered with notable feuds, including a brief tussle with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Now, his focus shifts to a high-stakes rivalry with AJ Styles leading up to WrestleMania XL.
However, The Rock’s resurgence has loomed large, captivating audiences alongside The Bloodline for nearly two months.
"LA Knight is obviously very popular, but when he came out and did this promo, all I could think of is like, man, you're a freakin' copy of The Rock, and after seeing the real one…
"When Rock wasn't there, it was like, he (LA Knight) was great and the people were going nuts,… pic.twitter.com/pM1jZHwe6S
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) March 18, 2024
In a recent segment on the Wrestling Observer Radio podcast, Dave Meltzer acknowledged LA Knight’s popularity but pointed out striking parallels between Knight’s persona and The Rock’s iconic flair:
“LA Knight is obviously very popular, but when he came out and did this promo, all I could think of is like, man, you’re a freakin’ copy of The Rock, and after seeing the real one…”
Meltzer noted that The Rock’s absence had allowed Knight to flourish in his role, but his return has cast a new light on Knight’s gimmick, revealing potential shortcomings.
“While Rock wasn’t there, it was like, he (LA Knight) was great… it just felt… completely different from a month ago or two months ago when Rock wasn’t around, and he’s doing this stuff and he was like the hot thing. And now, he’s not the hot thing and you’ve got the real Dwayne Johnson doing the promo and then this guy’s trying to do the same type of promo.”
Despite the comparisons, many fans believe that Knight’s charisma and in-ring prowess set him apart, steadily building his fanbase through captivating promos and memorable matches.
Meanwhile, speculation mounts about potential future matchups, with industry veteran Jeff Jarrett hinting at a potential showdown between Cody Rhodes and The Rock post-WrestleMania XL.
While creative decisions remain fluid, the prospect of such a clash adds an intriguing layer to the evolving landscape of WWE. As The Great One’s involvement in WrestleMania XL unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate what the future holds for both Knight and the larger WWE universe.
