WWE has added social media star Logan Paul to the men’s Money in the Bank match, but if company officials have their way, he won’t be winning the coveted briefcase.
Despite the addition of Paul, a polarizing figure in and out of pro wrestling, PWInsider (h/t Wrestling Inc) reports that WWE higher-ups are pushing for the uber-popular LA Knight to win the Men’s Money in the Bank match: “Logan Paul has been planned for the men’s ladder match, so his late addition on Monday’s WWE Raw doesn’t reflect any last-minute creative changes…There are people behind the scenes pushing for LA Knight to receive his breakthrough moment.”
A Money in the Bank win for LA Knight? As his famous catchphrase goes—yeah.
WWE fans have grown accustomed to the company pushing non-full-time talent to the main event scene. That has been the case with Brock Lesnar for the past decade and remains true with a seldom seen Roman Reigns. It was also the reality for Ronda Rousey before she got ice cold.
So, Paul winning Money in the Bank would, in reality, be just a continuation of that trend. It’s not like it would be a terrible booking move, either. Paul, in less than a handful of matches, has been absolutely tremendous, most recently losing to Seth Rollins in an instant classic at WrestleMania 39. He’s arguably—already—the best celebrity in-ring performer ever, and of course, is a fantastic natural heel.
But Knight is WWE’s hottest babyface act right now even though he’s technically a villain. Not Cody Rhodes. Not Sami Zayn. Not Bianca Belair. It’s Knight who’s generating those roof-rattling reactions no one else can.
Last month, it was reported that Knight is line for a massive push, but the booking of the smooth-talking charisma magnet has been, well, iffy at best. WWE is still portraying him as a villain—or at the very least a tweener—and he isn’t really being pushed in a way that suggests a Money in the Bank win is right around the corner.
What’s more, Knight himself even said that WWE had concerns about his age, 40, when he debuted on the main roster as “Max Dupri” last year. The failed Dupri character seemed to set Knight toward a WWE exit, and for a while, it sure felt that way. But Knight has been a surprising hit, despite losing most of his matches, like his lopsided squash against Bray Wyatt at Royal Rumble.
Sometimes, WWE has no choice but to listen to the crowd, and Knight—the betting favorite to win the men’s MITB match—is the sentimental favorite, too. Despite limited success in terms of wins and losses, Knight is the most beloved character in all of WWE right now.
Knight’s sharpe tongue, undeniable charisma and overall likability have transformed him into a borderline main eventer despite WWE’s booking miscues. He needs just one final boost to ascend to the top of WWE, and that boost should come in the form of the MITB briefcase and the guaranteed title shot that comes along with it.
Of course, just winning that briefcase doesn’t ensure a world title reign—ask Austin Theory about that—but it is the closest thing to a sure thing in all of WWE. And while Paul would be a fine pick, he isn’t going to be around enough to make the most out of it. Likewise, Damian Priest—the second favorite—appears to instead be in line for a babyface turn and split from Judgment Day, which means he doesn’t need to be Mr. Money in the Bank.
Knight doesn’t necessarily need it either, but his hard work and ability to connect with the fans should be rewarded. Will they? In WWE, you never know.
But WWE fans know there is one clear choice to win Money in the Bank. LA. Knight. Yeah.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakeoestriecher/2023/06/23/wwe-officials-reportedly-pushing-for-la-knight-to-win-money-in-the-bank-match/