LA Knight, a name that resonates with potential in the WWE universe, finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, on a recent edition of the Busted Open Radio podcast, shed light on what Knight needs to elevate his game and truly resonate with the WWE fanbase.
The Current State of LA Knight
LA Knight, known outside the WWE as Shaun Ricker, has been making waves in the wrestling world. His recent match against the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023 in Saudi Arabia was a testament to his growing prominence in the industry.
However, as Bully Ray points out, Knight is “on his way but it’s not all there yet.” This observation is not a critique of Knight’s in-ring skills, which are undeniably impressive, but rather a commentary on the deeper connection that needs to be forged with the audience.
The Missing Link: Connecting with the Audience
One of the critical aspects that Bully Ray highlights is the audience’s connection with Knight.
He notes that during matches of beloved WWE babyfaces like Steve Austin, there’s an unmistakable buzz, a palpable energy where the audience is emotionally invested in their hero’s journey. This level of engagement is something Knight is still striving to achieve.
The fans aren’t fully behind him yet, not “willing him to win,” as Ray puts it: “The people aren’t there for LA Knight, [because] they’re not WILLING him to win. If you go back and listen to a Steve Austin match or go listen to any of your favourite WWE babyfaces in matches, people that they [the fans] are truly into…you can hear a buzz throughout the entire match, you can hear them willing their favourite guy on [to win].”
Raising the Valleys: The Path to Improvement
To evolve as a character that resonates more deeply with the audience, Knight needs to work on ‘raising his valleys’: “His [LA Knight’s] peaks are there, what he needs to do is raise his valleys.
“He [LA Knight] needs to be put in positions where the people truly feel for him [because] he hasn’t been in that position yet. One of the things that I thought they could’ve done for LA Knight at the end of Crown Jewel is left him standing at the end.”
FAQ
- Who is LA Knight? LA Knight, also known as Shaun Ricker, is a professional wrestler currently signed with WWE.
- What did Bully Ray say about the WWE Superstar? Bully Ray commented that while LA Knight is progressing, he needs to work on connecting more with the audience and raising his valleys to evolve further.
- What does ‘raising his valleys’ mean? This refers to improving the aspects of his character and performance that are less engaging to the audience, thereby creating a stronger emotional connection.
- What was LA Knight’s recent notable match? LA Knight recently wrestled against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023.
- Why is audience connection important in WWE? In WWE, the emotional investment of the audience in a wrestler’s character and story is crucial for their success and popularity.
