The path to WWE stardom is often filled with twists and turns, and for LA Knight, it involved a unique journey that began on a reality show produced by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
While many WWE superstars climb the ranks through the independent circuit and other wrestling promotions, LA Knight, formerly known as Shaun Ricker, had a different route to the big leagues. Before stepping into the squared circle, he worked various odd jobs, from a lumber mill to a restaurant.
His breakthrough moment came when he auditioned for a reality show called ‘The Hero,’ produced by Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions. The show featured 10 contestants judged on their strength, intelligence, and ethics. Knight’s standout feature? His gift of gab and a knack for trash-talking that made him the perfect antagonist on the show.
Brian Gewirtz, currently the Senior Vice President for Seven Bucks Productions and a former head writer for WWE, spotted something special in Knight during ‘The Hero.’ Gewirtz noted, “I saw a Shaun Ricker come on the show as we were shooting in Panama, and he pissed everybody off, the other contestants on the show, insulting them… oh yeah, he’s perfect for it.”
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Gewirtz’s recommendation didn’t stop at ‘The Hero.’ After the show concluded in 2013, Knight’s journey continued with a pitch to WWE. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for Knight’s first stint with the wrestling giant.
Now, LA Knight’s gift of gab has brought him to WWE’s main roster. After his surprise appearance on RAW, where he confronted former WWE champion The Miz, fans are eager to see how Knight’s trash-talking prowess will fare in the big leagues.
As he makes the jump from SmackDown to RAW, Knight could find himself in a war of words with another champion known for his sharp tongue, promising an electrifying showdown for WWE fans.
