Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, hosted the 2024 Royal Rumble, showcasing an intriguing roster as WrestleMania 40 approaches. Notable performers at the event included the charismatic LA Knight, often compared to rock n’ roll icons like The Rock and Stone Cold.
The 41-year-old superstar recently shared the story behind his WWE moniker “LA” in an interview. LA Knight is determined to bring his superstar presence to the SmackDown locker room, and today, fans who have been wondering about the origin of his ring moniker will finally get their answer.
What does “LA” stand for in LA Knight?
Knight began his wrestling career in Cincinnati at the age of twenty, facing challenges until the early 2000s when he caught WWE’s eye. After establishing himself in NXT under the moniker Slate Randall, he later changed his name to Eli Drake, becoming a tag team champion in the National Wrestling Alliance. His NXT debut occurred in 2023, and the persona of LA Knight was already flourishing by then.
Despite his flashy public appearance, Knight comes from a simple background. He grew up in a small town and later moved to Los Angeles. Being known as “Mr. LA,” he freely admits that his WWE persona mirrors his transition from a rural upbringing to the metropolis that had a profound impact on his life.
While talking about his nickname, he said, “It’s LA Have you ever been to LA? I’m a small-town boy at heart; I grew up in Hagerstown; have you heard of it? Probably not]. But when you leave and move to a big town like LA, I lived in LA for about ten years of my life.”
Sheamus once hilariously provided meaning of LA in megastar’s name
A remarkable career filled with several titles awaits WWE veteran Sheamus, who is now sidelined due to a shoulder ailment. Despite his absence, he wasted little time getting back into the ring and teasing fans online, especially in a memorable August exchange with LA Knight.
Likened to greats like Stone Cold, LA Knight has left an indelible mark on WWE, especially in his feuds with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. Ahead of their SmackDown fight, Sheamus warned on Twitter that he would take “Larry Alfonso Knight” to school.
It was all in good humor, however, as LA Knight explained that his full name is Mr. Los Angeles Knight and not Larry Alfonso. It is normal practice for wrestlers to make fun of their opponents, therefore Sheamus’s tweet was satirical. But the chemistry between them may have impacted Knight’s victory in their SmackDown battle.
Now that Royal Rumble is over, who do you think Knight will face next? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
