Add as a preferred source on Google LA Knight could have been on a very different path in WWE. Behind the scenes, his name had reportedly been discussed as a possible King of the Ring winner before a recent creative change.
According to Self Made Pro, Knight was still being treated as the planned winner of the tournament as recently as last week, but WWE ultimately changed direction. As of now, the company has not publicly commented on the matter.
That change picked up steam after the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, where Jey Uso defeated LA Knight, Finn Bálor, and Royce Keys in a King of the Ring Fatal 4-Way Match. The finish saw Solo Sikoa interfere and hit Knight with a Samoan Spike before Jey took advantage and advanced.
Jey will now face Je’Von Evans in the King of the Ring semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Oba Femi has already secured his spot in the final after defeating Dominik Mysterio on this week’s Monday Night RAW.
WWE has confirmed that the King of the Ring final will take place at Night of Champions on June 27 in Saudi Arabia. The tournament winner will receive a world title opportunity at SummerSlam.
Knight had been built directly around Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, even saying he wanted to win the tournament so he could go after the World Heavyweight Champion. However, after being eliminated in the first round, his immediate future is once again unclear.