New York City was bathed in blue for Friday night’s edition of “WWE SmackDown,” coming to you from the iconic Madison Square Garden. Known for hosting some of wrestling’s most historic moments, the Garden is also the home of the NBA’s New York Knicks. On this electrifying night, Knicks’ star player Jalen Brunson didn’t just watch the action; he jumped into the ring and played a pivotal role in helping LA Knight win a Money in the Bank qualifier.
LA Knight faced off against Legado del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar and United States Champion Logan Paul, who provocatively brought Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to ringside. The tension between Haliburton and Brunson was palpable, stemming from their recent clash in the NBA Playoffs. Despite the Knicks’ strong start, the Pacers eliminated them in a dramatic Game 7 at the Garden.
This basketball rivalry added an extra layer of excitement to the already intense match. At a crucial moment, Paul signaled for Haliburton to fetch his brass knuckles. However, before Haliburton could deliver the weapon, Brunson jumped the barricade, locking eyes with his NBA rival. This distraction allowed Escobar to recover, setting the stage for LA Knight to reverse a roll-up on Paul, securing his spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Post-match, Paul and Haliburton menacingly surrounded the victorious Knight, but Brunson, wielding a steel chair, came to his aid. With a glare that could cut glass, Paul decided to back down, leaving the ring with Haliburton. Brunson then raised Knight’s hand in victory, igniting the Madison Square Garden crowd.
LA Knight is now one of three to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, alongside Tiffany Stratton and Naomi. This will be Knight’s second consecutive appearance in the MITB match, joining Jey Uso, Carmelo Hayes, Chad Gable, and Andrade. The final participant will be determined on Monday’s “WWE Raw” in a triple threat match featuring Ilja Dragunov, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre, who has vowed to reclaim world title gold.