Grayson Waller recently appeared on the “Cheap Heat” podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including how Nigel McGuinness played a crucial role in his career.
Waller noted that most of the NXT roster was not familiar with Nigel as he and Andre Chase were the only two who knew McGuinness well. He said,
“Coming to NXT, I put as much effort in what I do and say as I do the wrestling part. That’s what people don’t understand. They think it comes natural, which it does, I’m not going to say that I don’t have some advantages, but I put a lot of work into this. I watch other people go about this. I watch a lot of videos of people who are confident. One of the best pieces of advice I got was from Nigel McGuinness when he did commentary on 205. I was doing 205, and no one cared who I was. I was a legit no one. Nigel pulled me aside and talked to me about Muhammad Ali. He said, ‘When Ali talks and fights, he knows he’s the best in the world, and it doesn’t matter who it is against. You don’t.’ That piece of advice stuck with me. ‘He’s right.’ There is part of me thinking I need to learn more, I need to improve more, I need to be coached more, all these things, but it was coming out in my performance. The moment Nigel said that, and I had full confidence in myself to perform, everything went to a different level. NXT, no one knew who Nigel was. There were two people: myself and Andre Chase. Nigel would sit backstage at NXT shows, and no one would go talk to him. Me and Andre Chase would go sit with him and pester him because we know Nigel. We know how good Nigel is. They thought he was a commentator. These dumb shotputters from Arizona State or whatever had no idea. Me and Andre, we basically got a seminar whenever we wanted. It was great having him around. He always had real advice. He wouldn’t mess around, he’s not faking me out, ‘Good job, buddy.’ He’s going to tell me how it is, that’s what I always enjoy.“
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Grayson Waller, a rising star in the world of professional wrestling, recently opened up about the impact Nigel McGuinness had on his career. In an interview on the “Cheap Heat” podcast, Waller discussed how McGuinness played a crucial role in his development and helped him gain confidence in his abilities.
Waller revealed that when he first joined NXT, most of the roster was not familiar with Nigel McGuinness. However, Waller and Andre Chase were the only two who knew McGuinness well. This gave them a unique advantage and allowed them to benefit from McGuinness’ wealth of knowledge and experience.
During his time on the 205 Live brand, Waller felt like a nobody. He was struggling to make an impact and establish himself as a legitimate competitor. It was during this period that McGuinness approached him and shared some valuable advice. McGuinness drew a parallel between Waller’s situation and that of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
McGuinness explained to Waller that Ali always believed he was the best in the world, regardless of who he was facing in the ring. This mindset of unwavering self-confidence had a profound impact on Waller. It made him realize that he needed to have full confidence in himself and his abilities in order to succeed.
The advice from McGuinness resonated with Waller and transformed his performance. He began to approach his matches and promos with a newfound sense of self-assurance. As a result, everything changed for him. His performances reached a different level, and he started to gain recognition within NXT.
Waller also spoke about the unique opportunity he had to spend time with McGuinness backstage at NXT shows. While many wrestlers overlooked McGuinness, considering him just a commentator, Waller and Chase recognized his immense talent and sought his guidance. They would sit with him and pester him for advice, knowing that he could provide them with valuable insights.
According to Waller, McGuinness always offered genuine advice and didn’t sugarcoat anything. He appreciated McGuinness’ straightforward approach and the fact that he would tell him how it is. This kind of mentorship and support from someone as respected as McGuinness had a significant impact on Waller’s growth as a performer.
Grayson Waller’s story serves as a reminder that success in any field requires not only talent and hard work but also confidence in oneself. The advice he received from Nigel McGuinness about believing in his abilities and performing with conviction propelled him to new heights in his wrestling career.
As Waller continues to make waves in the wrestling industry, it is clear that the influence of Nigel McGuinness will always be remembered. McGuinness’ guidance and mentorship played a vital role in shaping Waller’s journey, and his impact will likely inspire other aspiring wrestlers to have faith in themselves and strive for greatness.
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