WWE’s next PLE offering is around the corner. On Saturday, June 7, Money in the Bank will emanate from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. So far, four matches have been announced, with the attention obviously on the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches.
The men’s match will see former World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins, Solo Sikoa, Penta, Andrade, El Grande Americano, and LA Knight compete for a guaranteed world title shot. While Rollins will start as the obvious favorite to win his second briefcase, WWE needs to strongly consider LA Knight as their next ‘Mr. Money in the Bank.’ Here, we take a look at five reasons why WWE should go down that road.
1. Segway to LA Knight’s Push to the World Title or WWE Championship Picture
With two world championships on the roster, there is an opportunity to try fresh faces in the main event. Right now, with John Cena holding the WWE Championship and locked in a feud with Cody Rhodes, and the World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso busy with Gunther, Logan Paul, and possibly Rollins, it is hard to see LA Knight making his way to the title picture as it stands.
Knight winning the briefcase on Saturday, however, shakes up the picture. He can hold onto the opportunity while the current storylines play out. With such a strong and loaded main event scene, the MITB contract might be the only way for him to be in a world title conversation.
2. Re-gain Push to the Main Event Scene
Knight was on an undeniable upward trajectory two years ago. He feuded with The Bloodline and found himself in a WWE Undisputed Championship match against Roman Reigns.
Dubbed as ‘The Megastar,’ he also won the United States Championship at SummerSlam last year. During this run, Knight’s credentials as a main event talent were evident. However, a lacklustre run after the title win derailed his momentum. Even though he won the US title for a second time, he dropped it just over a month later to Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 41.
Knight getting his hands on the Money in the Bank briefcase opens the main event doors for him once again. As the briefcase holder, he will be able to appear on both RAW and SmackDown and be involved in main event programs.
With him holding a cash-in opportunity, he would always be lurking around the world champions and would be seen as a top star once again.
3. Could Lead to a Much-Needed Heel Run
There is always a chance of your act going stale in WWE. While Knight has enjoyed popularity as a face, his mannerisms and persona could be an ideal fit for a heel run.
If WWE decides to give him the W at Money in the Bank, it could reshape his character big time. A cash-in on a babyface world champion like Jey Uso could draw instant heat and propel Knight to the next level. Knight has the mic skills and the charisma to play a cocky heel and the MITB briefcase could just give him the added impetus.
Turning heel, freshens up Knight big time and opens up the possibility of new feuds for him. Also, let’s not forget that Knight started his main roster as a heel with his Max Dupri gimmick.
4. Knight Is Still Popular With Fans
The pops for LA Knight were getting louder by the week in 2023. A US title run and an eventual WWE Championship match with Roman Reigns were proof that Knight was getting over with the crowd.
However, Knight has been the victim of some inconsistent bookings since then. Many believed last year was the ideal time to capitalize on his fandom within the WWE Universe, and he should have had a run with world title gold. However, WWE has been reluctant to revisit Knight’s main event run for some reason.
Though his popularity isn’t on the same level as it was two years ago, he is still one of the most popular stars on WWE’s roster. Failure to push him now with a Money in the Bank win could lead to his enthusiasm fading.
In the past, we have seen how WWE’s inability to capitalize on popular stars like Rusev and Finn Balor has led to their drops. Triple H and Co. shouldn’t repeat the same mistake with Knight.
5. Knight Can Revive the Prestige of Money in the Bank
WWE has had a mixed bag when it comes to Money in the Bank winners and how they have cashed in recent years. While Damian Priest carried the briefcase for a good time and cashed it on Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40, there have been forgettable runs.
Fans will recall Austin Theory’s ill-fated time as Mr. Money in the Bank in 2022 and McIntyre winning and cashing in unsuccessfully at the PLE itself last year. As such, giving Knight the opportunity could be the right thing.
His mic skills and presence inside the ring mean he would bring instant attention to the briefcase and add to its importance, much like The Miz did during his run or as we saw CM Punk carry it nearly two decades ago.
Knight would bring his own style and elevate the briefcase, and the longer he holds it, the better it could get. Add to that a possibility of a heel turn, this could be a game changer.