Highlights
- Rising star LA Knight's absence from the latest episode of SmackDown was due to him testing positive for COVID-19, forcing him to miss planned segments and a dark match with John Cena.
- AJ Styles stepped in to fill some of the void left by Knight's absence, raising questions about his partnership with Cena. WWE left the show with a cliffhanger ending, possibly indicating Knight's return.
- The absence of LA Knight was strictly due to health concerns and not a last-minute creative decision or contract issue. WWE remains adaptable and prioritizes the safety and health of its roster.
In the latest episode of SmackDown, WWE continued to build anticipation for its upcoming Fastlane Premium Live Event, scheduled for October 10th. The show featured several noteworthy stars and developments, including the successful title defense of WWE Women's Champion IYO SKY against the formidable Asuka. One of the key names missing from the show, however, was that of rising star and top babyface LA Knight.
According to Fightful Select, the show faced an unexpected turn of events when LA Knight, initially scheduled to play a significant role, had to abruptly leave the building due to testing positive for COVID-19. Originally, Knight was set to participate in a contract signing segment, and creative had booked for him to provide support to the legendary John Cena. Furthermore, a dark match featuring Knight and Cena was on the agenda after the show's conclusion. The original plan had Knight coming to Cena's aid in the final segment of SmackDown, where Cena was targeted by The Bloodline. Regrettably, Knight's positive COVID-19 test forced him to be removed from these planned segments.
It's not entirely clear where AJ Styles fit into everything, but his inclusion at the start of the show did make sense based on the way he helped out Cena during a recent episode. However, some reports suggest that Styles stepped in for additional segments to fill some of the void left by Knight's absence. Styles aligned himself with John Cena, forming an impromptu team to face Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso. However, an unexpected attack on Styles backstage raised questions about his official partnership with Cena in the upcoming Premium Live Event. WWE left the show with a cliffhanger ending, likely because they expect Knight to be back in short order.
RELATED: WWE And LA Knight Are Still Far Apart On New Deal Terms
The uncertainty surrounding Styles' involvement moving forward leaves the WWE open to changing plans quickly, should it be required he ultimately team up with Cena at Fastlane. Obviously, health concerns will dictate any decisions made over the next few days and weeks.
This Was Not A Vince McMahon Change
Before it was learned that LA Knight was diagnosed with COVID-19, there were rumors that maybe Vince McMahon had made a last-minute change to the show. That is not the case. This was strictly a health thing and not a creative shift. This was also not due to any contract issues, as it has been reported the two sides are trying to negotiate a new deal.
As WWE fans eagerly await the Fastlane Premium Live Event, the company remains adaptable in the face of unexpected challenges, ensuring that the show goes on while prioritizing the safety and health of its roster.
