Grayson Waller on Being in the Ring with John Cena – During the latest “After The Bell” podcast, Grayson Waller talked about being in the ring with John Cena at WWE Money in the Bank this past July:

“I think the word I would use is like surreal. Like, obviously being a wrestling fan growing up, John Cena is, as people are saying, is the greatest of all time. So being across from him is wild, especially in the O2. The arena was sold out. You guys know how those English fans are, like, that’s a different vibe. But for me personally, these are the places that I expect myself to be.”

“When I got called up, this is where I wanted to be. So when I got in there with John, I didn’t look at it as, ‘Oh, this is a huge opportunity for me, Wow, I get to be across.’ I’m not a fan. I don’t want his autograph. I don’t want his merch. My way to learn from John isn’t by sitting with him backstage and kissing his ass. My way to learn from John is being across from him and going against him. So when I got him in with him, I looked at him as every other opponent that I’m in there with. I didn’t look at him as a hero or anything like that because I think that’s when you operate at a different level and you’re not at your best.”

“Training back in Australia, I had a coach who had always said to me, ‘You have to act like you’re on these guys’levels.’ When we’d have internationals come into Australia, he’s like, ‘Don’t be a fan. You’re on the show too. Act like it.’ So it was always a mentality I had. Then last year I spoke to Fit Finley who is someone I’ve worked with a lot and Fit is the man. Anyone who knows him knows. that. One day he pulled me aside quite sternly. If anyone knows Fit, somewhat terrifying, and he said to me, ‘When are you going to decide that you’re on these guys level? Is that when you Main Event WrestleMania? You have to aim up and act like you’re you’re there now’, and the moment Fit said that, it all clicked. It didn’t matter who it is. Edge in Madison Square Garden, John Cena in the O2, Cody Rhodes, when I’m in there, I’m on your level, and for some of you, I’m above your level.”

Grayson Waller on Being in the Ring with John Cena