LA Knight recently spoke with ESPN to discuss a variety of topics, including his belief that his Max Dupri character in the “Maximum Male Models” faction was a rib on him.
As many of you know, Knight debuted on the WWE main roster as Max Dupri, a manager who was starting his own modeling agency. The character was eventually dropped after Vince McMahon announced his departure from the company.
Knight said, “I thought they were ribbing me, I’m like, ‘What?,’ They were like, ‘Yeah, you used to be a model, but now you have an agency. And I’m like, ‘F**k is this?’”
He continued, “It took a left turn of silliness, and I was just like, ‘this is not at all what we had talked about or discussed.’ And I don’t know whether that was on the wrestlers or what, but then I’m just like, I’m trying to keep it in a serious vein so we can move up the card. I mean, there’s a certain point where you get pigeonholed into just comedy and you’re stuck. You hit the ceiling pretty quick. I don’t want to be stuck there. … If it’s all comedy from start to finish, God, you’re dead.”
LA Knight, also known as Eli Drake, recently opened up about his experience with his Max Dupri character in the “Maximum Male Models” faction during his time in WWE. In an interview with ESPN, Knight revealed that he believed the character was a rib on him.
For those unfamiliar, Knight made his debut on the WWE main roster as Max Dupri, a manager who was starting his own modeling agency. However, the character was short-lived as Vince McMahon announced Knight’s departure from the company.
Reflecting on his time as Max Dupri, Knight expressed his confusion and disbelief at the direction his character took. He said, “I thought they were ribbing me, I’m like, ‘What?’ They were like, ‘Yeah, you used to be a model, but now you have an agency.’ And I’m like, ‘F**k is this?'”
Knight further explained that the character’s portrayal took a turn towards silliness, deviating from what had been discussed initially. He felt that this comedic approach hindered his ability to move up the card and be taken seriously as a wrestler. Knight emphasized that being pigeonholed into comedy can limit one’s growth and career prospects in the industry.
He expressed his desire to avoid being stuck in a comedic role throughout his career, stating, “If it’s all comedy from start to finish, God, you’re dead.” Knight believes that relying solely on comedy can lead to reaching a ceiling quickly and hinder opportunities for advancement.
This candid revelation from LA Knight sheds light on the challenges and frustrations that professional wrestlers may face in their careers. It highlights the importance of character development and creative direction in the wrestling industry.
While Knight’s experience with the Max Dupri character may not have aligned with his aspirations, it serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of the wrestling business. Wrestlers often have to adapt to various character portrayals and storylines, with some being more successful than others.
As LA Knight continues his wrestling journey, fans and industry insiders will be curious to see how he navigates future opportunities and showcases his talents in a way that aligns with his goals and aspirations.