The Organic Rise of LA Knight: A Reflection of Goldberg’s Unexpected Surge?
Eric Bischoff, a seasoned voice in the wrestling community, recently shared his insights on the spontaneous wave of support for LA Knight from the WWE audience. Drawing parallels with Goldberg’s unexpected rise in WCW, Bischoff delved into the dynamics of organic popularity in professional wrestling.
Goldberg’s ascent wasn’t a premeditated move by WCW’s management. Instead, it was the fans’ fervor that propelled him to stardom. Similarly, LA Knight seems to be on a trajectory that wasn’t necessarily charted out for him. Over the years, WWE has occasionally shown hesitancy in capitalizing on such spontaneous fan favorites, with names like Rusev, Daniel Bryan, and Zack Ryder coming to mind.
However, Bischoff believes that the current WWE environment might be different. With Vince McMahon reportedly not as involved in the day-to-day booking, there’s potential for a more organic approach. Bischoff emphasized, “I think without having any insight from anybody in WWE… I do believe that Paul Levesque has the experience and has seen what happens when you don’t listen to the audience.”
Discussing LA Knight’s future, Bischoff cautioned against rushing him into the world title scene. Drawing from his vast experience, he stated, “I think there’s a feeling or theology in WWE that you don’t rush it… going too fast can ruin it.” Instead, he suggests a more gradual approach, perhaps aiming for titles like the U.S Championship first.
Bischoff also took a moment to address the clamor on social media, particularly the calls for immediate title pushes. He remarked, “Put the belt on right away, make him a world champion, and then what? Where does he go from there? Downhill.” He emphasized the importance of letting a wrestler grow into their role and allowing the audience’s demand to shape their journey.
In conclusion, while the internet’s immediate demands can be tempting, Bischoff’s perspective offers a seasoned take on the long game in professional wrestling. Only time will tell how LA Knight’s journey unfolds in the WWE.