Murtaza is a seasoned WWE writer at EssentiallySports with a passion for storytelling in journalism. His love for pro wrestling began during the legendary Randy Orton-John Cena feud in the 2010s, and his enthusiasm for the sport reached new heights after witnessing the masterful performance of Sasha Banks and Bayley in NXT.

As an expert in the field of pro wrestling, Murtaza epitomizes the fans' perspective at ES. He combines his extensive knowledge of the sport with the emotional side of storytelling. Murtaza's coverage portfolio at ES includes marquee events such as WrestleMania 38, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble, as well as coverage of other major events from AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

In addition to his passion for wrestling, Murtaza has a keen interest in music and pop culture. He brings a diverse range of perspectives and interests to his writing.

Donna is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. After completing her bachelor's in English, Journalism and Psychology she worked as a senior reporter for the leading newspaper covering education, science, technology and space. In a never ending pursuit to learn more, she enjoys the diverse and entertaining stories that the wrestling world has to offer, both in the ring and out. Her favorite stars stand out as John Cena and Cody Rhodes.

Apart from this, she is an avid creative writer, artist, gamer and cat lover.

They say meeting your idols will always be a one-of-a-kind experience. Shaun Ricker has become an idol himself as he is known by the name of LA Knight. The 41-year-old star has become massively popular and is on the rise. He is now all set to have a title shot at the title of Undisputed WWE Universal Champion in the upcoming Crown Jewel. Before the event, the star reflected upon a very special moment for him. Knight talked about what it was like meeting Dwayne ‘The Rock’ [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/the-rock/] Johnson backstage at SmackDown. LA KNIGHT ON MEETING THE ROCK LA Knight was in conversation with Mail Sport [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wwe/article-12697115/WWE-star-LA-Knight-explains-hell-different-challenge-Roman-Reigns-ahead-WWE-Universal-Championship-fight-talks-teaming-John-Cena.html]’s Alex McCarthy. Ahead of his main event match, he was asked about a variety of topics, ranging from John Cena to Roman Reigns and his interaction with Dwayne Johnson. According to him, Knight was present on the day Johnson made his return to the promotion. He said the interaction went as follows, “I mean, just a quick kind of, you know, bro hug and ‘Hey, man, how you been? You’re doing great awesome!’ You know, all that kind of stuff. But at least it was a quick little ‘good to see again.” [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dwayne-Johnson-3-36.jpg] The Defiant One [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/la-knight/] showed that he had the opportunity to at least have a small conversation with The Brahma Bull. Previously in an interview, Knight admitted that he was influenced a lot by the Attitude Era [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-la-knight-opens-up-on-his-inspiration-from-attitude-era-stars-despite-open-criticism-from-wwe-legend-i-have-no-choice/]. And fans know that The Rock defined the era. Johnson made his return to the promotion on the September 15 episode of SmackDown this year. He made his entry in the ring with Pat McAfee and had a brief interaction with Austin Theory. The interaction ended with The Rock delivering his People’s Elbow on Theory. Read More| What Was LA Knight Doing Before the YEAH! Movement and Topping Merchandise Charts in WWE? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wwe-news-what-was-la-knight-doing-before-the-yeah-movement-and-topping-merchandise-charts-in-wwe/] Since Dwayne Johnson has returned to the promotion, do you think LA Knight will get a chance to work alongside him? Do you think Johnson will show up at the main event of Crown Jewel? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/wwe-news-from-the-undertaker-to-cm-punk-every-wwe-superstar-who-attacked-vince-mcmahon-stone-cold-steve-austin-dwayne-the-rock-johnson-brock-lesnar/] 

Recently LA Knight opened up about how he felt meeting one of his icons from the
Attitude Era, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

Shaikh Aerajuddin is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master's in sports science, Aeraj is an expert at covering injury angles, be they kayfabe or otherwise.

On the lighter side of things, he also enjoys making sense of the unpredictability of storylines, backing his speculative pieces with facts and solid research. As a lifelong pro wrestling fan, Aeraj has gone from watching “Stone Cold” Steve Austin beat up his boss to Daniel Bryan fighting against The Authority. So it’s not surprising that he has all his facts straight when it comes to matches, past, present, and future, as well as anything related to the wrestling business. 
Keeping in line with his passion for writing, Aeraj also enjoys penning his thoughts down through poetry.

Shaikh Aerajuddin

Shaikh Aerajuddin is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master's in sports science, Aeraj is an expert at covering injury angles, be they kayfabe or otherwise. On the lighter side of things, he also enjoys making sense of the unpredictability of storylines, backing his speculative pieces with facts and solid research.

Shaikh Aerajuddin | WWE Writer at EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

Shaikh Aerajuddin is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. With a Master's in sports science, Aeraj is an expert at covering injury angles, be they kayfabe or otherwise. On the lighter side of things, he also enjoys making sense of the unpredictability of storylines, backing his speculative pieces with facts and solid research. As a lifelong pro wrestling fan, Aeraj has gone from watching “Stone Cold” Steve Austin beat up his boss to Daniel Bryan fighting against The Authority. So it’s not surprising that he has all his facts straight when it comes to matches, past, present, and future, as well as anything related to the wrestling business. Keeping in line with his passion for writing, Aeraj also enjoys penning his thoughts down through poetry.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Shaikh-Mohammed-Aerajuddin-1-96x96.png

For me pro wrestling has two things that I like the most, storytelling and
fighting. Let’s just say movies are failing to keep me entertained in those
departments. I grew up watching WWF and not WWE and any hardcore fan will agree
that the two are not the same, but I love both iterations. I have gone from
watching “Stone Cold’ Steve Austin beat up his boss to Daniel Bryan fighting
against The Authority. At EssentiallySports let’s just say I write about the men
in tights who make money for men in suits. I especially like to write
speculative pieces as it is more fun to predict the ever "unpredictable"
storylines of WWE. Apart from wrestling, I like to scribble a couple of poems at
times and read something to keep my mind fertile. You can always catch me
scrolling on Twitter (X) at https://twitter.com/Aeraj115574 and on a more
professional front at LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaikh-aeraj-b02837154

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Shaikh-Mohammed-Aerajuddin-1.png

What Was LA Knight Doing Before the YEAH! Movement and Topping Merchandise
Charts in WWE?

- EssentiallySports

No title

Shounak Chakrabarti is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports who brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for detail to his analysis of professional wrestling. With a deep passion for the sport that dates back to his childhood, Shounak has immersed himself in every aspect of the industry, from the career trajectories of WWE superstars to their personal lives and beyond. As a journalism graduate, Shounak is a firm believer in the power of digital journalism to provide fans with a unique perspective on pro wrestling. One of his proudest moments came when he wrote a feature on Dwayne Johnson, offering readers an in-depth look at the superstar's workout plan and diet. Alongside his love for wrestling, Shounak is also a passionate soccer fan, following popular teams like Real Madrid and Arsenal. When he's not writing, he can be found diving into the pages of a Haruki Murakami novel or battling it out on FIFA.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Shounak_WWE-96x96.png

Shounak Chakrabarti

span

strong

LA Knight Opens Up Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Praise for the Megastar

Siyari Debbarma is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With over 700 articles under her belt, Siyari is an expert in providing in-depth analysis and coverage of the game. Her throwback article on Dennis Rodman's plea for help garnered more than 3.5 million page views, a testament to her skill as a writer and journalist.

Siyari's expertise also extends to game coverage and lifestyle reporting on NBA players and their families. She brings a unique perspective to her articles, providing readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the personal lives of their favorite players. Her passion for basketball began when she started hooping in her senior year of school, and she has been a devoted fan of the game ever since.

Although Siyari admires players irrespective of their teams, the Golden State Warriors hold a special place in her heart. She is a huge fan of iconic names such as Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan, but her personal preferences have never swayed her from delivering detailed and impartial content to her readers.

When she's not covering the latest NBA stories, Siyari indulges in her love of reading, with a particular fondness for books on history and culture. She also spends time with her adorable cats and dogs, who keep her company when she's away from the court.

Caroline Joseph is a Primary Editor for the NBA division at EssentiallySports, who covers the post-retirement lives of basketball legends such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and many more. From publishing companies to e-learning agencies and animation studios, she has worked with a plethora of content creation and curation groups over the span of a decade.  

Her fascination with these NBA icons began at the tender age of ten when she was entranced by the classic movie “Space Jam”. Her hobbies include a passion for writing science fiction and singing live on stage. Through her editorial lens, Caroline uses a meticulous approach to fact-checking and mentoring writers to achieve standard journalism practices.

Here's the reason why Shaquille O'Neal and Leonard Armato broke strong ties, despite the blockbuster Lakers trade.

Why Did Shaquille O’Neal and Leonard Armato Severe 10YO Ties Despite Blockbuster Lakers Trade?

Why Did Shaquille O’Neal and Leonard Armato Severe 10YO Ties Despite Blockbuster Lakers Trade? - EssentiallySports

Pritha is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. After reporting on the luxurious lifestyle of celebrities for a year, she used that experience to cover the glamor side of the basketball world. She has expertly covered Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan's complicated love story and the lavish vacations of NBA superstars, among other off-court scoops. One of her articles on NBA icon Magic Johnson’s Italian vacation had very high ratios of fan engagement. Away from work, Pritha is an avid reader and loves to explore the world of art..

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/pritha-Debroy-96x96.png

Pritha Debroy

Saumya is the Lead Editor for the NBA Active division at EssentiallySports. With almost a decade of writing experience, Saumya embraced the editorial front with open arms at the ES NewsDesk. She monitors and covers NBA Trade Deadlines closely, supervising live coverage of games, and analyzes the speculations that go beyond the players’ on-court lives. 

She has a keen eye for the nuances that make basketball more than just a sport. Saumya ensures to weave the right words to capture the essence of each slam dunk, every strategic play, and the relentless pursuit of greatness by athletes who defy gravity. Her commitment to bring a fresh perspective &amp; shedding light on the untold narratives is her USP. 

When not at her desk, she’s busy lounging with her dog or whipping up new recipes. Join her in her journey as she explores the captivating world of the NBA.

Shaquille O'Neal's former agent reveals the insane background behind the NBA legend's commentary on Nikola Jokic.

Exclusive: Real Motive Behind Shaquille O'Neal's Attack on Nikola Jokić Revealed by Insider

Exclusive: Real Motive Behind Shaquille O&#8217;Neal&#8217;s Attack on Nikola Jokić Revealed by Insider

Exclusive: Real Motive Behind Shaquille O'Neal's Attack on Nikola Jokić Revealed by Insider - EssentiallySports

Caroline John is a senior NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She holds a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from a reputed university. With 8 years of experience in content writing and after judiciously covering the life of Shaquille O’Neal, she earned an exclusive interview with the CEO of Shaq’s Big Chicken franchise, Josh Halpern. Initially, it was the philanthropic versions of NBA icons LeBron James and O’Neal that drew her to start following the sport. And today, she has become a trustworthy voice covering the same names. Caroline never goes unnoticed! An article on Shaq, AKA DJ Diesel, and rapper GAWNE even caught the eye of the 4x NBA champion as he shared it on Instagram. When away from ES Desk, Carloline can be found immersed in books.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Caroline-John-96x96.png

Caroline John

Shriya Rajachandra is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Psychology, and Communicative English. Shriya previously interned at The New Indian Express, but her favorite journalist, Marcus Thompson motivated her to start writing about basketball. Her favorite team is the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry is her favorite player. She has a puppy named Dobby who is her emotional support bag during intense games.

According to former agent Leonard Armato, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley will stay strong even if NBC lands the NBA.

Exclusive: TNT’s Shaq and Charles Barkley Could Head to NBC if Adam Silver Demands, as Per Ex-Agent

Exclusive: TNT’s Shaq and Charles Barkley Could Head to NBC if Adam Silver Demands, as Per Ex-Agent - EssentiallySports

Anuj Talwalkar is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, who is marching towards touching 3000 articles. As a writer who specializes in game analysis, post-game pressers, thrilling perspective on players and their performances, he loves merging his passion for writing with the complex human-dramas that unfold everyone on-court. At ES, he is known for his quick coverage of breaking news, an expertise that is now inspiring the junior writers. His love for the sport blossomed a decade back after he started following match highlights. He holds a deep admiration for players like Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant, who gave their all in the arena, each time they stepped on court. When Anuj isn't playing some kind of ball outdoors, he likes to read about Sports Management and spend quality time with his family.

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Anuj Talwalkar

What Is “Veiledrood” From Uncle Howdy’s Latest QR Code on SmackDown?

Was Tiffany Stratton Punished for “Black B**ch” Comment on Jade Cargill? Truth
Behind Queen of the Ring Jibe Revealed

“It Does Suck”: Ricky Starks Reveals Why Tony Khan Isn’t Putting Him on TV
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Major Update on Bianca Belair’s Pregnancy Rumors Given Ahead of Jade Cargill
Queen of the Ring Match

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From Navy Veteran to Successful Entrepreneur ft. Mike Sarraille

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Behind the odds: Decoding 2024 NFL Draft

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<h2>WWE SmackDown 2021: Latest News, WWE Rumors, Results</h2>
Probably the most popular brand in WWE right now, SmackDown has come a long way since it started off as a brand extension to Raw. The Blue brand has seen some of the best Superstars to ever step foot in the ring and continues to host the best fights in WWE.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20190812005320/en/737919/5/SmackDown_Crowd.jpg" alt="WWE? and FOX Sports Celebrate SmackDown's 20th Anniversary on October 4 | Business Wire" data-noaft="1" />

The event may be your weekly Friday Night watch, but you may not know why it started in the first place.
<h2>History</h2>
SmackDown was initially introduced in 1999 to compete with WCW?s Thunder that aired on Thursdays. This sub-branch to Raw was going to be a second home for WWE Superstars.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNmJiZWIxYzEtNGZlZS00YTBmLWExZGItYThlMzIxZjIwYjNlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyOTA0NzE2MzA@._V1_.jpg" alt="WWE Smackdown! (1999-)" data-noaft="1" />

The first episode of SmackDown took place in a Raw ring until it got its own theme.<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span>

A young and fiery Dwayne ?The Rock? Johnson was moved to SmackDown to hold up the flag for WWE. These were arguably his golden years, where his segments were going viral.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/gallery_img_l/public/all/2016/11/004_8.26.99-004--6a6f334bf95da505967bcce6c00db032.jpg" alt="100 Definitive Photos of The Rock | WWE" data-noaft="1" />

The Rock made SmackDown his own brand and even claimed that it was named after him. This was due to his previously introduced catchphrase ?Laying the Smackdown?.<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span>
<h3>Victory over WCW</h3>
WCW Thunder could not compete with SmackDown at all and was forced to move to Wednesdays. Unlike the long and fierce battle between Raw and Nitro, SmackDown had won its side of the battle already.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/gallery_img_l/public/all/2017/10/006_WM16_04022000_0657b--4a46fccda63f677e23004a9dcbb0b13a.jpg" alt="Stephanie McMahon &amp; Triple H through the years: photos | WWE" data-noaft="1" />

Following WWE?s victory in the Monday Night Wars and the subsequent acquisition of WCW, SmackDown was moved to Friday nights in 2005. This was possible only because the popular show <em>Star Trek: Enterprise</em> had been canceled.

Taking its slot, WWE renamed SmackDown to Friday Night SmackDown to emphasize the change in airing day.

Since then, SmackDown has seen a steady rise in viewership. At its peak from 2002-2005, the show pulled in an average viewership of 5 million!

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200617231732/undertaker-wrestlemania.png" alt="You Pushed the Limits Yesterday" data-noaft="1" />

This made it the second-highest-rated series behind America?s Next Top Model.

The SmackDown Logo has now permanently adopted a blue theme, which is reminiscent of the one it originally started off with in 1999.
<h3>Lockdown Success</h3>
During the pandemic, the brand has been able to somehow maintain pre- lockdown numbers and is doing steadily well. The impressive rise in numbers following the introduction of ThunderDome is commendable.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/og_image/public/2020/08/20200821_SD_Vid_Seg11_InterconAlt--37d932e39ba9504ebaad96e043156148.jpg" alt="Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles ? Intercontinental Championship Match: SmackDown, August 21, 2020 | WWE" data-noaft="1" />

SmackDown, once being the subsidiary of Raw, has taken over the main show and is now the leading brand in terms of viewership.

The two brands compete annually at Survivor Series in a massive SmackDown vs Raw showdown.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://www.wwe.com/f/styles/og_image/public/2020/05/20191011_Smackdown_TheFiend--273df341293e9636428bf3c0e3a9e9eb.jpg" alt="The Fiend? Bray Wyatt drags Seth Rollins to hell: SmackDown, Oct. 11, 2019 | WWE" data-noaft="1" />

The show is set to float through the pandemic in calm waters. If you ever need consistently good content every week, tune in to SmackDown every Friday Night.
<h2>WWE Smackdown Roster</h2>
The SmackDown roster has upheld its standards of having the best even today.

The WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is the dominant figure of the roster. His recent return has made him more popular than ever before.

<img class="n3VNCb" src="https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/883/705/5b312eb73369f7714ee448e39700122a_crop_exact.jpg?w=1200&amp;h=1200&amp;q=75" alt="Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on Roman Reigns, Raw Creative and More | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights" data-noaft="1" />

The SmackDown Women?s Champion Sasha Banks is another prominent figure in the division. Her massive feud with Bayley shot up the ratings for SmackDown.

Intercontinental Champion Big E also makes the headlines for this roster.

<img class="n3VNCb alignnone" src="https://cdn.gouki.com/scoreboard-image-wwe/d41ebc72f13d43d4b046486869db5af9.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" data-iml="30489" />

Other big names from SmackDown include Bayley, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Rey Mysterio, and Bianca Belair.
<h2>Where to watch WWE Smackdown?</h2>
You can watch WWE SmackDown live every <strong>Friday Night at 7:30 PM E.T.</strong> on traditional Streaming platforms and exclusively on <strong>WWE Network</strong> and <strong>Fox Network</strong>.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Created By</td>
<td valign="middle">Vince McMahon<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Country of Origin</td>
<td valign="middle">United States Of America</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Original Network<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
<td valign="middle">Fox (Present)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Distributor /<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span>

Live Streaming</td>
<td valign="middle">WWE /<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span>

WWE Network, Fox Network<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">History</td>
<td valign="middle">1999- Present</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">First Event<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
<td valign="middle">April 29, 1999</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Date</td>
<td valign="middle">Friday nights at 7:30 PM E.T.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Location</td>
<td valign="middle">ThunderDome (Amway Centre), Orlando, Florida<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">Live Streaming</td>
<td valign="middle">WWE Network, Fox Network</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="middle">TV Channels</td>
<td valign="middle">Traditional Sports Streaming Channels<span class="Apple-converted-space">?</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

WWE SmackDown

WWE SmackDown 2021: Latest News, WWE Rumors, Results Probably the most popular brand in WWE right now, SmackDown has come a long way since it started off as a brand extension to Raw. The Blue brand has seen some of the best Superstars to ever step foot in the ring and continues to host the best fights in WWE. The event may be your weekly Friday Night watch, but you may not know why it started in the first place. History SmackDown was initially introduced in 1999 to compete with WCW?s Thunder that aired on Thursdays. This sub-branch to Raw was going to be a second home for WWE Superstars. The first episode of SmackDown took place in a Raw ring until it got its own theme.? A young and fiery Dwayne ?The Rock? Johnson was moved to SmackDown to hold up the flag for WWE. These were arguably his golden years, where his segments were going viral. The Rock made SmackDown his own brand and even claimed that it was named after him. This was due to his previously introduced catchphrase ?Laying the Smackdown?.? Victory over WCW WCW Thunder could not compete with SmackDown at all and was forced to move to Wednesdays. Unlike the long and fierce battle between Raw and Nitro, SmackDown had won its side of the battle already. Following WWE?s victory in the Monday Night Wars and the subsequent acquisition of WCW, SmackDown was moved to Friday nights in 2005. This was possible only because the popular show Star Trek: Enterprise had been canceled. Taking its slot, WWE renamed SmackDown to Friday Night SmackDown to emphasize the change in airing day. Since then, SmackDown has seen a steady rise in viewership. At its peak from 2002-2005, the show pulled in an average viewership of 5 million! This made it the second-highest-rated series behind America?s Next Top Model. The SmackDown Logo has now permanently adopted a blue theme, which is reminiscent of the one it originally started off with in 1999. Lockdown Success During the pandemic, the brand has been able to somehow maintain pre- lockdown numbers and is doing steadily well. The impressive rise in numbers following the introduction of ThunderDome is commendable. SmackDown, once being the subsidiary of Raw, has taken over the main show and is now the leading brand in terms of viewership. The two brands compete annually at Survivor Series in a massive SmackDown vs Raw showdown. The show is set to float through the pandemic in calm waters. If you ever need consistently good content every week, tune in to SmackDown every Friday Night. WWE Smackdown Roster The SmackDown roster has upheld its standards of having the best even today. The WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is the dominant figure of the roster. His recent return has made him more popular than ever before. The SmackDown Women?s Champion Sasha Banks is another prominent figure in the division. Her massive feud with Bayley shot up the ratings for SmackDown. Intercontinental Champion Big E also makes the headlines for this roster. Other big names from SmackDown include Bayley, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Rey Mysterio, and Bianca Belair. Where to watch WWE Smackdown? You can watch WWE SmackDown live every Friday Night at 7:30 PM E.T. on traditional Streaming platforms and exclusively on WWE Network and Fox Network.  Created By Vince McMahon?  Country of Origin United States Of America  Original Network? Fox (Present)  Distributor /? Live Streaming WWE /? WWE Network, Fox Network?  History 1999- Present  First Event? April 29, 1999  Date Friday nights at 7:30 PM E.T.  Location ThunderDome (Amway Centre), Orlando, Florida?  Live Streaming WWE Network, Fox Network  TV Channels Traditional Sports Streaming Channels?

WWE SmackDown Archives

LatestWWE SmackDown - EssentiallySports News | EssentiallySports

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Recently LA Knight opened up about how he felt meeting one of his icons from the Attitude Era, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson

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Dwayne ?The Rock? Johnson Archives

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>LA Knight: 2024 Net Worth, Stats, Salary, Wife and More</strong></h2>
<h2><b>Who is LA Knight?   </b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Shaun Ricker, also known as LA Knight, was born on November 1, 1982, in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. He is now signed with WWE and competes on the SmackDown brand. Aside from wrestling, Knight has made an appearance as a cast member on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s 2013 reality program The Hero.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Knight has a well-known and simple catchphrase, “Yeah”. It has become synonymous with the superstar, who said that he started using the catchphrase in the Performance Center during his first stint with WWE in 2013 and 2014.  “Things were happening, whatever, I’d be walking the halls, they’d say whatever and I’d say, ‘Yeah!’ and it just became a thing,” recalled Knight.</span>
<h2><b>A look at the early life of LA Knight</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Knight was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on November 1, 1982. Along with his parents, he has two older siblings whose identities have not been disclosed. He began watching professional wrestling at the age of three. He graduated from North Hagerstown High School.</span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s wife and children</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">LA Knight has had a relationship with fitness model Michelle Yavulla since 2018. While rumored, there is no source confirming the two are married. They have two dogs and live in Orlando, Florida. Ricker earned the Key to the City in his hometown of Hagerstown, Maryland, in December of 2023.</span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Net Worth 2024 (Update)</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">As per various sources, LA Knight’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million as of 2024. The figure takes into account his various revenue streams, including his WWE contract, endorsements, merchandise sales, royalties from video games, DVDs, and streaming platforms.</span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Career Timeline</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">LA Knight started his wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2003. In 2010, he joined Championship Wrestling from Hollywood (CW), which was connected with the National Wrestling Alliance. After leaving in 2013, he acquired a developmental contract with WWE and competed in its developmental area, NXT, under the ring name Slate Randall before being let go in 2014. </span>

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2326675" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/LA-Knight-531x315.jpeg" alt="" width="531" height="315" />

<span style="font-weight: 400">Knight returned to the independent circuit before Impact Wrestling signed him in 2015. He was a part of the stable The Rising with Drew McIntyre and Tanga Loa. After The Rising disbanded, Knight, known as Eli Drake then, competed in the World Title Series but lost. In May, he fulfilled his contract and won the TNA King of the Mountain Championship. After losing the title to Storm, he earned the Bound for Glory Gold. Drake feuded with EC3 following his loss to Eddie Edwards. Drake won the Impact Championship in 2017 after defeating 20 opponents in a gauntlet battle. After 146 days, Drake lost the championship to Austin Aries.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">After feuding with several wrestlers over the years, Knight was fired from Impact due to his remarks against intergender wrestling. He had a two-year stint with the National Wrestling Alliance before he signed on with the WWE in 2021. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">During his stint in NXT, he won the Million Dollar Championship by defeating Cameron Grimes and advanced to the main roster in 2022. He initially acted as a manager, playing Max Dupri, a talent agent who oversaw the Maximum Male Models group, including Mace and Mansoor. Dupri ended his affiliation with Maximum Male Models on the September 30 episode of SmackDown. The following week, he defeated Mace and Mansoor and returned to his LA Knight persona.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">After a brief feud with Ricochet, Knight would feud with Bray Wyatt, losing to him in a Pitch Black match in the 2023 Royal Rumble, Wyatt’s final match before his unexpected death. Despite his poor winning record, Knight’s popularity suddenly started increasing, and his losing trend reversed. With more wins, Knight would eventually challenge Roman Reigns for his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship belt. He lost in each bout, which was followed by a feud with AJ Styles, which culminated at Wrestlemania XL.</span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Contracts</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Multiple sources claim that Knight’s contract, which was initially signed in 2021 and goes on till 2025, earns him a base salary of $150,000 per year. The salary is bumped by royalties and bonuses from the WWE. </span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Partnerships and Endorsements</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">LA Knight boasts an excellent portfolio of companies. Brands that promote the player include Mountain Dew, Haribo, ASHOC Energy, Fabletics Men, fellow wrestler Taya Valkyrie’s clothing line “LOCA by Taya Valkyrie,” and Pro Wrestling Tees.   </span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Career stats</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">LA Knight has fought in 646 matches in his career and won 324 (52.4%). He has lost 304 (47.1%) and drew 18 (2.8%). His wins barely surpass his losses as his popularity saw a recent increase in fans, which turned his streak of losses into a streak of wins.   </span>

<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2342077" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/La-knight-attitude-560x308.png" alt="" width="560" height="308" />
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Records</b></h2>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Knight won the Summerslam Slim Jim sponsorship battle before the company pulled the sponsorship after the Vince McMahon debacle.</span>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Major Achievement and Awards</b></h2>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Million Dollar Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>CWFH Heritage Heavyweight Championship (1 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>NWA Heritage Tag Team Championship (2 times)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>SummerSlam Slim Jim Battle Royal (2023)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>FSW Heavyweight Championship (2 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>EWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>HWA Television Championship (1 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>M1W Tag Team Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>NWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Pro Wrestling Illustrated – Ranked No. 32 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2018</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>PWR Heavyweight Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Impact World Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Impact World Tag Team Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>TNA King of the Mountain Championship (1 time),</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>UCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li><b>Wrestling Observer Newsletter – Worst Gimmick (2022) as part of Maximum Male Models</b></li>
</ul>
<ul>
 	<li></li>
</ul>
<h2><b>LA Knight’s Social Media Accounts</b></h2>
&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Instagram</b></td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reallaknight/?hl=en#"><span style="font-weight: 400">reallaknight</span></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Twitter</b></td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/RealLAKnight?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor"><span style="font-weight: 400">@RealLAKnight</span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Personal Information:</b></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Full Name</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Shaun Edward Ricker</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Popular Name</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">LA Knight</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Date Of Birth</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">November 1, 1982</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Birth Place</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Hagerstown, Maryland</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Age</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">41</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Height</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">6 ft 1 in</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Weight</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">240 lb </span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Parents</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Unknown</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Siblings</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Unknown</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Nationality</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">American</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Ethnicity</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">-</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Net Worth</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$3 million</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Salary</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">$150,000</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Partner</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Michelle Yuvalla</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Relationship/Marital Status</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Relationship</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Children</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">None</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Profession</b></td>
<td><span style="font-weight: 400">Wrestler</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

LA Knight

Here is everything you need to know about WWE superstar LA Knight's net worth, family life, salary, achievements, etc in 2024.

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