Grayson Waller credits Nigel McGuinness with having an important part in his growth.
Grayson Waller has become a breakout star in recent months, and he is currently featured on WWE SmackDown. When he started out with the company, he was trying to make a name for himself on NXT and 205 Live.
Speaking on the Cheap Heat Podcast, Grayson Waller recalled getting some key advice from Nigel McGuinness during his time on 205 Live.
“I still remember one of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from Nigel McGuinness when he was commentating on 205,” Grayson Waller said. “I was doing 205, and no one cared who I was. I was a legit no one. No one wanted to bother me. Nigel pulled me aside, and he talked to me about Muhammad Ali. He said, ‘When Muhammad Ali talks and when Muhammad Ali fights, he knows he’s the best in the world. It doesn’t matter who he’s against. You don’t.’
“That piece of advice stuck with me where I was like, you know what? He’s right. Like, there’s part of me thinking I still need to learn more. I still need to improve more. I need to be coached more. All these types of things. But it was coming out in my performances. So the moment Nigel said that and I had full confidence in myself to perform, I think everything went to a different level.”
Wrestlers In NXT Didn’t Know McGuinness
Grayson Waller went on to describe how no one in NXT knew who Nigel McGuinness was. He described how he and Andre Chase were familiar with him, so they would practically get seminars with the former world champion.
“I’ll just say NXT, what a wild place it is right now,” Grayson Waller said. “No one knew who Nigel McGuinness was. There was two people, myself and Andre Chase. So Nigel McGuinness would sit backstage at NXT shows, and no one would go talk to him. Me and Andre Chase would go and sit with him, and we would pester him because we know Nigel. We know how good Nigel is. They thought he was a commentator, lad. They thought he was a commentator.
“These dumb shot putters from Arizona State or wherever had no idea, lad. So me and Andre Chase, we basically got a seminar with Nigel McGuinness whenever we wanted. It was a treat. I miss having him around. He always had really strong advice, real advice. No, he wouldn’t mess around. He’s not faking me out; like, good job, buddy. He’s going to tell me how it is, which is what I always enjoy.”
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