LA Knight shared new details about the obstacles he faced in getting back to WWE after his run in TNA, where he wrestled as Eli Drake.
Knight told TMZ’s Inside the Ring in a recent interview that WWE made him offers in three consecutive years. When he finally decided to accept one of them in 2019, however, the situation had changed completely.
“When I went back and I was like, ‘Hey, I’m finally ready to take one of those,’ and they were like, ‘Oh no, we don’t want you now.’”
The offers came in 2016, 2017 and 2018. At the time, Knight chose to stay with TNA, mainly because of the better financial terms the promotion offered him.
Knight also said the COVID-19 pandemic was the only time he truly believed his pro wrestling career was over.
Knight returned to WWE in February 2021 despite those setbacks, making his debut at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day.
During the interview, Knight also recalled the financial struggles he faced early in his career.
“Going from making $30 on a shift at Cheesecake Factory to World Champion. That ain’t too damn bad.”
Tonight at Money in the Bank, Knight will get another chance to reach his biggest goal when he faces Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship.