LA Knight’s former partner to make WWE SmackDown return after 4 months to dethrone him? Looking at the chances

LA Knight is in search of his next opponent for the United States Championship. The Megastar will appear on SmackDown this Friday to address Shinsuke Nakamura's assault last week.

Nakamura returned to SmackDown last week and appeared on the blue brand for the first time since the WWE Draft back in late April. Whether he will be the next in line for a title shot remains to be seen. However, another top heel could return and go after LA Knight.

This would be Drew McIntyre, who has been out for more than six weeks now after getting injured in his loss to CM Punk in a brutal Hell in a Cell Match at Bad Blood. WWE has given no update on his return, but he could move to the blue brand in search of his next storyline.

This storyline would make sense for the WWE creative, given the history between the two superstars. LA Knight and Drew McIntyre were tag team partners back in 2015 when they both competed in TNA.

McIntyre and Knight were part of a group called The Rising, alongside Tonga Loa, who is also signed with WWE at the moment, being part of The New Bloodline.

Drew McIntyre could show up on SmackDown for the first time since July and step up to challenge Knight, and taking a shot at the current United States Champion by recalling their days in TNA. Their faction in TNA lasted only three months, with the three stars moving to singles competition with time.

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Drew McIntyre reveals what his early thoughts of LA Knight were back in their TNA days

LA Knight and Drew McIntyre spent time in various independent wrestling promotions before signing deals with WWE. Nearly a decade ago, they were part of the TNA roster, in a faction called The Rising, which didn't have a very successful run.

While speaking with Chris Van Vliet, The Scottish Warrior recalled his time in TNA and his relationship with the current United States Champion, saying that 'he wasn't initially sure of him.'

"I had fun with those guys, I kind of didn't understand why I needed a group, but at the same time, I was friends with Camacho - not sure what he wrestles as these days, something Loa? Tonga Loa? I'd never really been around LA at the time and at first, I wasn't too sure of him. (...) I don't know his personality - sometimes, he can rub you the wrong way at first. We were supposed to be on the same team, it was a lot at times," Drew McIntyre said. [H/T - WrestlingInc.com]

Fast forward to today, LA Knight has become a top face on SmackDown, while Drew McIntyre has done a great job as a heel on RAW.