Will LA Knight EVER Be WWE Champion?
Credit: WWE / Edited: STAY TRUE LUT
The Rise & Frustrations of LA Knight's WWE Run
LA Knight’s journey to WWE stardom has been anything but overnight. Before becoming the self-proclaimed Mega Star, Shaun Ricker honed his craft on the independent scene with stints in The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and Impact Wrestling, even becoming the Impact World Champion in 2017 under the persona, Eli Drake.
At 38 years old, Ricker landed in the WWE in 2021 (2nd stint) and quickly became one of the company’s most electric personalities. Known for his witty promos, undeniable charisma, and fan-favourite “Yeah!” catchphrase, LA Knight quickly stood out from the NXT roster, becoming only the 5th reigning Million Dollar Champion, aligning himself with The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.
Since his meteoric rise in NXT, his popularity with the WWE Universe has not faded at all (we'll ignore the Max Dupri era), even becoming 2-time WWE United States Champion and winning the 2024 Slammy Award for Breakout Superstar of the Year. Yet, it seems the WWE is hesitant to pull the pin on putting a World Title around LA Knight's waist, glossing over his incredible popularity with the fans and charisma that frankly, we haven't seen in a superstar since the WWF'sAttitude Era — but why?
How Old Is LA Knight?
If we had a dollar for every time this gets brought up.
One of the most common arguments surrounding the mega star is due to LA Knight’s age. Born November 1, 1982, Shaun Ricker is 42 years old as of 2025. While that might surprise some fans, his late rise and start in WWE proves age isn’t always a barrier when charisma and in-ring presence connect with the audience on a massive scale, but could be a deciding factor from WWE creative on the hesitancy for letting Knight be the face of the company (even though a large portion of the roster is tipping the 40+ years old barrier — including champions).
But what Knight doesn't have on his side is a pro wrestling family lineage to help persuade higher-ups that age, in fact, doesn't matter. Or the fact that he isn't a life-long WWE talent brought up through their system, instead carving out nearly 2 decades on his own.
What Does LA in LA Knight Stand For?
A fan-favourite question: what does the LA actually stand for in LA Knight? Interestingly, it doesn’t refer to Los Angeles (Ricker's hometown). Instead, LA Knight has never publicly given a definitive meaning, letting the mystery add to his larger-than-life persona. The name’s swagger and energy fit perfectly with his character’s confidence, making it one of the most memorable monikers in today's generic WWE character pool.
Will LA Knight Win a WWE World Title?
The biggest question fans continue to ask is: Will LA Knight be WWE Champion? Given his momentum, massive crowd reactions, and ability to move merchandise, many believe it’s only a matter of time before WWE capitalizes on his popularity with a world title run, even though it feels slightly past due, and racing against the clock against Father Time.
The newly drafted WWE RAW superstar, or megastar, finds himself in the fold with the upper echelon of the RAW roster since his move from SmackDown, but it's time. Give the man the strap, let the “Yeah!” movement bask in the aura of a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, L-A-KNIGHT!
Full official updates available via WWE.com
