Grayson Waller completed 2022 sturdy. The cocky WWE NXT celebrity stood because the winner of the primary Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline. Now the charismatic 32-year-old is about to face the dominant Bron Breakker for the NXT championship.
This comes after sharing the ring with fellow rising expertise, in addition to veterans together with LA Knight, R-Truth, Apollo Crews, and AJ Styles. It has been a gradual climb. One would possibly even name it “The Grayson Waller Effect. Here the brash Aussie opens up about his path to the top.
You really broke out last year. How do you feel working against the likes of AJ Styles helped you along?
Grayson Waller: That was a huge thing for me. I think getting in there and showing I belong alongside them. I think that is what it mainly showed me. It wasn’t “hey, how exciting is this? I’m in the ring with AJ Styles.” I’m not a fanboy anymore like loads of the fellows within the locker room. I’m right here to indicate I’m on the extent as all these guys. That match with AJ Styles final yr, I’ll not have received, however I acquired backstage that evening and went to the locker room and was like, “Yeah. I’m right. I do belong here.” It gave me the boldness that there isn’t anybody who can contact me. That’s the perspective I’m going into 2023 with.
What are your ideas on how the NXT 2.0 model has developed?
I believe when 2.0 began lots of people had been detrimental about it. The majority of these folks hadn’t even watched the present in any respect earlier than. There had been guys who had been getting alternatives in all probability earlier than they deserved them. Let’s be sincere with it. Someone like me in the course of the “Black and Gold” period might not have been on TV for an additional yr or two. I hate to present credit score to Bron, however he acquired put in an enormous place early on and did effectively with it. So many individuals acquired put in these positions a lot sooner than they might have been and completely smashed it. NXT wanted a bit little bit of a rebrand. “Black and Gold” was nice, nevertheless it was beginning to really feel a bit stale and wanted that contemporary coat of paint. Now we’re on this rebrand nearly with the “White and Gold,’ I think it’s the perfect combination of the two…I think NXT is now the best of both worlds. I think 2023 will be NXT’s biggest yet.
You’ve really embraced comparisons to The Miz. What kind of advice or knowledge have you taken from him?
When I got to properly interact with him on The Bump, he said some really positive things. That is rare for The Miz. It’s rare for me to give that positive back, but I think there is that mutual respect because we both have the same mindset about what wrestling is and what it can be. I had the opportunity to talk to him at Raw. His main thing is to just keep doing what I’m doing. There are a lot of good wrestlers in this company, but I don’t think there are as many good entertainers. When I get a microphone in my hand I get people talking after. He said that was the most beautiful thing to have. It’s something that he can see and wants me to continue to do. And I got no plans on stopping, mate.
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We saw you on Young Rock as Ric Flair. Do you want to pursue acting more like The Rock or John Cena or The Miz?
I’ve had offers from big-time reality shows since I’ve been here. I’m sure as my name continues to grow those acting opportunities will come too. I would kill it. Right now, my focus is on [WWE]. I haven’t achieved my goals yet. I have too many goals I want to achieve in wrestling right now. I think it would be a failure to myself if I up and left. Now I’m focused on taking on Bron Breakker at New Year’s Evil and becoming champion. Then getting called up, and running the show on Raw or SmackDown. Then I’ll think about going down other avenues.
Did you get any feedback from your Flair portrayal?
I don’t think the people there were as big wrestling fans as I was. I remember having a conversation about the wrestling gear for Flair and asked if we can get the kneepads under the knee. They told me they were kneepads. I was like, “But Flair wore his kneepads lower. I’m trying to make it authentic.” They wouldn’t take heed to me. Even a few of the actors just like the man taking part in Rocky Johnson actually had no concept what wrestling was on the time. He needed to do his personal stunts and needed to get within the ring with me and wasn’t glad about it. I believe everybody was actually glad although with me. They needed me to return again to play Flair, however I’ve a couple of different issues on my horizon proper now.
Neighbours has been given new life by Amazon Freevee. Did you watch it? Any curiosity in being on that present?
There had been warring cleaning soap operas on weekday nights. It was both Home and Away from Sydney or Neighboours which was a Melbourne-based present. I used to be Team Home and Away. I do know Dave [Bautista] did Neighbours. I keep in mind as a young person I believed that was the good factor I’ve ever seen. I really like staying related to Australia. I’m not that man who strikes over right here to the United States and fully forgot the place he got here from. I rep it each time I’m in my gear. If there was a chance to leap on Neighbours, I’d take it. It must be a one-off. It can’t be there’s a aircraft crash after which an earthquake and no matter down Ramsay Street.
You had been a historical past instructor. Has that point helped you in your wrestling profession?
As an impartial wrestler in Australia, that’s one thing I needed to do to verify I might exit and wrestle on the weekends. I needed to pay the payments and love historical past. If you possibly can discuss to 30 or so 15-year-old boys who’re yelling at you and throwing issues. I’ve by no means been in entrance of a crowd that has been worse than a few of the school rooms I had in my life. Getting in entrance of an NXT crowd stuffed with fats blokes in black shirts yelling unfunny stuff at me. I’ve had method worse.
What was it like being being on the Australian model of Survivor?
I don’t assume something can be as laborious as Survivor. I used to be on the market for a month. No meals., principally sleeping on the sand. No mattress. It was chilly each evening. It was actually tough. Then each morning I’d get up and go to a problem. I’d discuss my discuss after which again it up and do the challenges. I did have that digicam expertise. There are all the time cameras in your face 24/7. There wasn’t a second you weren’t by yourself. Those little issues like that.
Is there a actuality present you’ve all the time needed to do?
I did get requested to go on The Bachelorette, however I don’t want a TV present to get a lady. I’ve acquired an Australian accent in America. Life is nice. Hands down the one present I’d go on is The Challenge. I’ve watched the present my complete life. It’s not a courting present. You should exit and compete and in contrast to Survivor, they’ll’t vote me out.
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You’ve used the final identify Wahlberg previously. Does that come from inspiration from Mark or Donnie?
So about 30 years in the past Mark Wahlberg did a tour in Sydney and spent a beautiful evening with my pretty mom. Nine months later right here I used to be, lad. At least that’s what she tells me. I don’t know if the story is true or not. I might need that Wahlberg blood. I’m not one hundred pc certain. I can’t say my mother is mendacity, proper? [Editor’s note: We’re pretty sure he’s joking about this…]
Your massive match towards Bron is developing. How have the coaches or administration like Shawn Michaels helped you?
I’m simply sick of listening to about Bron. I’m right here day by day and know I’m higher than him. You might be actual with me. Would you relatively interview me or Bron Breakker? He’ll provide you with nothing, lad. Me and Shawn have a enterprise relationship…I’ll go and discuss to him, and he’ll give me nice recommendation. I’m solely going to take heed to the GOAT. He is the GOAT. I believe he is aware of Grayson Waller must be the face of this model. He won’t ever admit it as a result of he’s too good. Bron Breakker is one-dimensitonal. You’ll see on USA Network that Grayson Waller can be NXT champion. He received’t inform you however Shawn can be a cheerful man after.
For your first WrestleMania, who do you image on the opposite aspect?
There are loads of choices. I’m going to say, Logan Paul. I started working with him a bit bit. Me and Shawn started working with him a bit earlier than his combat with Roman Reigns. So many individuals are saying good issues about him when he has had two-and-a-half matches. I do that day by day. Turn up day by day, after which I’ll think about you an actual wrestler. I’d love to reveal that dude on the largest stage of all of them.
WWE NXT New Year’s Evil, Tuesdays, 8/7c, USA Network