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Greg DeMarco’s Good, Bad, & Ugly: LA Knight Challenging Roman Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel

LA Knight is getting his moment on the biggest stage & many are split. Greg DeMarco takes a Good, Bad, & Ugly look at this step in Knight’s career!

Published

2 years ago

November 3, 2023

Greg DeMarco

LA Knight is getting his moment on the biggest stage, and many are split. Greg DeMarco takes a Good, Bad, & Ugly look at this step in Knight’s career!

WWE makes it’s semi-annual trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this weekend for what is often a very polarizing event among the dedicated followers of the product. This time around, the main event itself is equally polarizing at LA Knight will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

So it the decision to put LA Knight in this match Good, Bad, or Ugly? Let’s analyze!

Good

LA Knight has become the megastar he says he is, and that megastar is headlining one of WWE’s cash-cow events by challenging Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia. His promos with Roman have done huge numbers on social media. He’s selling tons of merchandise. Fans are finishing his sentences–everybody truly is saying “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!”

Roman Reigns ONLY does big matches. His stage is ALWAYS the grandest stage. There is no substitute for the Tribal Chief, he truly sits at the Head Of The Table in WWE. To be in the ring with him in ANY capacity is beneficial. That alone right there is a huge bit of “Good” in this for LA Knight.

But LA Knight has also gotten the better of Roman Reigns in their exchanges. As they nearly always do, he’s being presented as a legitimate threat to “the longest reigning champion in modern WWE history.” And with Solo Sikoa making the trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is likely that Roman isn’t retaining without some assistance.

Again, GOOD for LA Knight.

LA Knight calls himself the megastar of WWE (as does commentary), but this booking proves it.

BAD

So with all that, what could possible be bad about it? Well quite simply…the man ain’t winning! There’s no way he’s winning. That is reserved for Cody Rhodes at either WrestleMania 40 or WrestleMania 41 (if they decide to have Roman break Hogan’s 1474 day reign–which they should and probably will).

That’s bad. LA Knight is simply another win for Roman Reigns in a long line of challengers have fallen short in their bid to unseat the Tribal Chief. Short of a last minute injury or movie deal, it’s a virtual lock that LA Knight is walking out of Crown Jewel with the same number of championships he had when he walked in: ZERO.

UGLY

Then there’s the ugly side of all this. And there are two major “ugly” items.

First off, he’s part of Roman Reigns’ defenses in 2023, arguably the worst year of Roman’s 1000+ day sting atop the mountain in WWE. Roman’s appearances have decreased in frequency. His title defenses have dramatically dropped. Between RawAfterMania and now, everything he’s done has been contained within the bubble of The Bloodline. His entire 2023 has been Bloodline related outside of the LA Knight program and half of the Cody Rhodes program. That…is ugly.

Then there’s the fact that LA Knight’s moment in the sun comes under the Saudi Arabian sun. The “Jam In The Sand” events for WWE still have a dark cloud over them, one that many fans have a hard time reconciling. To many, these events still don’t “feel good.” Even though tourism authorities have provided subsidies for WWE to bring it’s brand to Wales and Puerto Rico, this is still different.

And while a good bit of fans have stopped boycotting these events (mainly because they are consequential in the storytelling world of WWE), there are plenty who still stand by their decision to avoid these. There’s a bad taste associated with these events, and LA Knight is now inseparably linked to that.

The Verdict

There are legitimate reasons for any one of the three possible answers here, but I have to go with “Good.” LA Knight is challenging Roman Reigns for the most important championship in all of wrestling in front of a huge crowd of fans at a major WWE event. Even in a loss, his profile will continue to be raised. LA Knight’s Road To WrestleMania and winning the United States Championship from Logan Paul will roll on.

There are sdeep Bad and Ugly factors to overcome, but overcome is all LA Knight has done. When he walked into NXT with the full Eli Drake character in-tact, it DID NOT get over. NAH NAH!

The NXT audience immediately rejected LA Knight. He didn’t fit in at all. But he didn’t stop. He believed in his character and believed in his abilities, and it worked. “WHAT?” chants became “YEAH!” chants. He became a huge star, and got called up to the main roster!

…where he was transformed into Max Dupri …and managed the Maximum Male Models. Those two guys? Amazingly talented but no longer with the company. All that remains is Maxxine Dupri, and she’s found great footing with The Alpha Academy, which has even grown to four with the addition of Akira Tozawa.

But Max Dupri played his role to the fullest, and it led to an opportunity to become LA Knight again. And what happened over time? It got over! He was undeniable. And his success was inevitable.

Many situations in pro wrestling have Good, Bad, and Ugly elements to them. The performer, and the performance, will dictate the outcome. And LA Knight has taken every situation and made it good.

This will be no different.

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Greg DeMarco’s WWE NXT No Mercy 2025 Preview & Predictions

WWE NXT rolls into Fort Lauderdale with No Mercy, featuring Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, and more!

Published

3 months ago

September 27, 2025

Greg DeMarco

WWE NXT rolls into Fort Lauderdale with No Mercy, featuring Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, and more!

This ain’t your father’s (older brother’s?) NXT. NXT in 2025 is a raw, unapologetic proving ground where the future writes itself in pain and pageantry. Forget the odds—this show is about hunger. About chaos. About legacy just waiting to be stolen. And no brand, in my opinion, is hungrier, more chaotic, and more motivated to create legacies than WWE NXT. So in classic DeMarco fashion, let’s dive headfirst into every match, every story, and every prediction.

WWE NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Ricky Saints

The story: Oba Femi is a one-man apocalypse in boots—a dominant, unshaken force whose reign has become more fearsome with every defense. But Ricky Saints isn’t here to play respect-the-champ; he’s here to punch a god in the face and steal the crown while doing it. Saints has momentum, mouth, and madness—and that makes him dangerous. The question is, can he stop a man who hasn’t flinched all year?

The prediction: Oba Femi retains the NXT Championship when Trick Williams and/or TNA talent get involved in this match, leading to a rematch in October that prevents outside interference. Ricky Saints’ time is coming in October. (Yes, TNA is running in Canada, so this may not happen.)

WWE NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) (with Fallon Henley) vs. Lola Vice

The story: Jacy Jayne is clinging to that title like it’s a lifeline, and with Fallon Henley by her side, the scheming never stops. Lola Vice has kicked her way through NXT’s toughest, building legitimacy and fanfare on her own terms. This isn’t just a title fight—it’s a culture clash between plastic power and authentic violence. If Lola connects clean, we may be crowning a new era.

The prediction: Lola Vice does in fact connect clean, and Mike Rome exclaims #ANDNEW NXT Women’s Champion. Expect either more dissension or a new member to be added to Fatal Influence in the coming weeks–might I suggest Karmen Petrovic?

WWE Women’s Speed Championship: Sol Ruca (c) (with Zaria) vs. Lainey Reid

The story: Sol Ruca flips, flies, and finishes fights in highlight-reel fashion, but don’t sleep on Lainey Reid’s grind. Lainey has scratched and clawed her way into title contention, and she’s not here for a sprint—she’s here for a statement. With Zaria looming ringside, expect chaos at top speed. One misstep, and this Speed title might change hands before the next commercial break.

The prediction: I know it seems easy to split Sol and Zaria at some point, but I think now is not the right time. So I’m gonna say Sol Ruca successfully retains the Women’s Speed Championship, either in the final seconds, or via a draw.

NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tavion Heights

The story: Ethan Page has strutted into NXT like he owns the damn brand—and so far, he’s backing it up. But Tavion Heights isn’t here to be a stepping stone; he’s a next-level athlete with Olympic pedigree and an explosive chip on his shoulder. The tension here? Page’s arrogance vs. Tavion’s precision. If Tavion brings both power and poise, this could be the title shift no one sees coming.

The prediction: I love me soma Tavion Heights, I think he has an amazing future ahead of him. And it might be time for Ethan Page to head to the main roster. So I am going against what my gut tells me and am calling a title change here–Tavion Heights wins the NXT North American Championship.

Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs

The story: Je’Von Evans is the breakout star with speed and swagger, ready to leap over every obstacle. But Briggs is the brawler who breaks momentum like bones—slow, methodical, and mean as hell. This isn’t just about athleticism; it’s about will. Can Evans dodge the punishment long enough to strike the final blow?

The prediction: Admittedly, I don’t love this match being on the card. DarkState doesn’t really have a story to get themselves inserted on the card, but I’d rather have seen some sort of NXT vs. TNA match get added here. But I don’t book the product! The match is indeed on the card, and I don’t think you run this back unless Je’Von Evans gets the win.

Weaponized Cage Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe

The story: You want violence? You want spectacle? This is your match. Jordynne Grace is built like a powerhouse tank and fights like a pitbull in a locked room. Blake Monroe’s edge isn’t just attitude—it’s intent, and she’s been sharpening her game for this exact war. Weaponized cage means no rules, no escape, and no one leaves unscarred. With their history, this match deserves the Weaponized Steel Cage stipulation.

The prediction: This could be a spot for someone like Zaria to align themselves with Blake, but I think this match is the opener–so that doesn’t make sense. If no one comes to the rescue of Blake Monroe (Fatal Influence, maybe?), then I see Jordynne Grace picking up the win.

Overall Thoughts

After the ending to NXT on Tuesday night, I know it makes total sense for TNA talent to get involved here. But who do you send, given that TNA has a taping in Canada. I think Matt Cardona, who isn’t listed on TNA’s website as appearing on Saturday, makes the most sense. But it’s entirely possible that we get no TNA appearances, at least live in-arena.

Outside of a potential re-tooled Fatal Influence with a new third member, I don’t see any crazy surprises for Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Instead, I think WWE has NXT stand on its own for this event, allowing for a more chaotic Halloween Havoc in October.

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Published

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@PhenomenalAJB @IWCWarChief @itsreycash @therealcplatt @PCTunney @PODisWAR

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Chris Platt returns to the shoe
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NXT, NJPW, TNA and more
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