## “I Think I’m Kinda Stuck”: LA Knight Reflects on WWE Release a Decade Ago
Ten years. A decade. It’s a lifetime in professional wrestling, a blink of an eye in a human life. For Austin Theory, better known as LA Knight, it represents a chasm – a period of wrestling purgatory followed by a triumphant, unlikely return to the spotlight. In a rare, candid interview, Knight – currently riding a wave of popularity as a top contender in WWE – has opened up about the firing that shaped him, the decade-long journey that followed, and the lessons learned along the way.
“It’s funny,” he begins, leaning back in his chair, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “Ten years ago, I was…deflated. Pissed off, probably. But mostly just stuck. Stuck in a rut, stuck in a headspace that wasn’t allowing me to see the bigger picture.”
His release from WWE in 2013, then under the ring name of Eli Cottonwood, wasn’t a dramatic, headline-grabbing event. There was no public falling out, no scandalous behind-the-scenes drama. It was simply, as he describes it, “a quiet ‘thanks, but no thanks.’”
The young, ambitious wrestler, still finding his footing, hadn’t yet crafted the polished, charismatic persona that defines him today. He lacked the swagger, the sharp wit, the undeniable screen presence that now captivates audiences. Looking back, he admits he wasn’t ready.
“I was green. Raw. I had the talent, I knew I did, but I hadn’t honed it. I hadn’t developed the confidence, the understanding of the business beyond just the in-ring work. WWE is a different beast. It’s not just about wrestling; it’s about being a performer, a character, a brand.”
The years following his release were a crucible, forging the resilient, self-assured LA Knight. He wrestled on the independent circuit, grinding it out in small venues, honing his craft, learning to connect with audiences in ways WWE hadn’t allowed. He experimented, he failed, he learned. He built himself from the ground up, brick by painful, exhilarating brick.
“The indies are a fantastic training ground,” he reflects. “You learn to work smarter, not harder. You learn to sell yourself, to make a connection with the audience in a way that transcends the scripted promos. You learn to adapt, because every night is different, every crowd is different.”
He spent time in various promotions, including NXT, where he eventually refined his signature persona, a blend of arrogant confidence and undeniable talent. The journey wasn’t always smooth. There were moments of self-doubt, times when he questioned whether he’d ever reach his potential.
“There were definitely times when I thought, ‘Maybe I made a mistake. Maybe I should have just…given up.’ But something inside me, a stubbornness, I guess, kept pushing me forward. I knew I wasn’t done. I knew I had more to give.”
His second stint with WWE, beginning in 2021, was a far cry from his first. This time, he arrived with a fully formed character, a clear vision of who he was and what he wanted to achieve. The LA Knight persona was a masterpiece of calculated arrogance, punctuated with genuinely funny moments and undeniable charisma. His catchphrase, “YEAH!” became a rallying cry for his devoted fans.
“The character is partly me, partly an exaggeration, partly…well, it’s a performance. But it’s a performance built on genuine confidence and a hard-earned understanding of what works. I’ve learned to be myself, but a better, more amplified version of myself.”
The journey back wasn’t a guaranteed success. He still faced challenges, navigating the complex political landscape of WWE, proving himself worthy of the spotlight. But the resilience forged in the crucible of the independent circuit had prepared him. He had learned to persevere, to adapt, to thrive even under pressure.
Now, standing on the precipice of a potential world championship run, Knight looks back on that 2013 release with a newfound perspective. It wasn’t a failure, it was a redirection. It was the catalyst that forced him to grow, to evolve, to become the performer he is today.
“Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he says, his voice firm, confident. “The firing, the years on the indies, the struggles…it all shaped me. It made me stronger, more resilient, more determined. And it led me here. I’m grateful for the journey. I think I’m finally unstuck.” The slight smirk returns, wider this time, a genuine expression of contentment and unwavering self-belief. The decade-long journey has culminated in a triumphant return, proving that sometimes, getting fired is the best thing that can happen to you.
