WWE Rejects LA Knight Heel Turn Amid Money in the Bank Build

Key points

• WWE has no plans to turn LA Knight heel or align him with 946, according to WrestleVotes.
• Knight is currently closing out RAW episodes, a role reserved for top performers with strong crowd reactions.
• Bleacher Report suggests an uneasy alliance with 946 could help Knight in his title match and boost Royce Keyes’ profile.
• Cageside Seats highlights that Roman Reigns’ part-time schedule creates a difficult booking situation for Knight’s promo segments.
• Knight will face Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank on October 10.

Background

In late August, Royce Keyes turned heel and formed the 946 faction with Lucien Price and Bronco Nima, creating a new main-roster alliance. This development coincided with growing speculation about LA Knight’s direction, particularly after WWE discussed a potential World Heavyweight Championship win for Knight over Roman Reigns. Knight’s rivalry with Reigns dates back to 2023, with previous encounters at Crown Jewel and the 2024 Royal Rumble ending in disappointment for Knight.

How outlets are covering it

WrestleVotes, cited by Ringside News, states that WWE is not considering turning LA Knight heel because he is generating some of the biggest reactions on the roster and has been closing out RAW episodes, a role typically reserved for top performers. Bleacher Report argues that Knight is in a 'purgatory' state and suggests an uneasy alliance with 946 could provide necessary interference in his title match, potentially leading to a gradual heel turn and boosting Royce Keyes’ star power. Cageside Seats focuses on the logistical challenges of Knight’s current booking, noting that Roman Reigns’ part-time schedule leaves Knight without a clear new angle for his promo segments, as Reigns will not return to RAW until the October 5 go-home show. Times of India provides a factual overview of the upcoming match, confirming Knight’s attack on Reigns after the latter’s title defense against Penta in Mexico City on September 14, which led to the Money in the Bank match announcement.

Why it matters

The decision to keep LA Knight as a babyface reflects WWE’s strategy to protect a performer with strong audience support, even as his main-event opportunities face logistical hurdles. The potential for an alliance with 946 remains a topic of debate among analysts, with some viewing it as a necessary step to elevate Knight’s relevance and others seeing it as a risk to his current momentum. The outcome of the Money in the Bank match will be crucial in determining Knight’s future trajectory in WWE.

What to watch

LA Knight will appear on RAW on September 28 to address his upcoming World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns is expected to return to RAW on October 5 for the go-home show leading up to Money in the Bank on October 10. The match between Knight and Reigns will be a key event at Money in the Bank, with potential interference from 946 or other factions being a possibility.