WWE superstar Damien Priest, a former U.S. champion and NXT North American Champion, is one of the most talented and technically sound wrestlers in the business today. The Puerto Rican has had his fair share of hardships over the years and has come along the way before finally tasting success on the big stage.
In a tete-a-tete- with mid-day.com, Damien Priest talks about his inspiration behind wrestling. his early days while pursuing his career and the challenges he faced and also shares his biggest moment in WWE so far.
Excerpts:
When did you decide on becoming a professional wrestler?
Growing up, I was a big fan of wrestling. My friends and I would always joke about being wrestling superstars. I never fell out of love for wrestling. My friend discussed with me about pursuing it, saying that we needed to train at a school. But when I was 10 years of age, I fell in love with wrestling with the way it made me feel. I was emotionally invested and wanted to make someone else feel that same way. At a very young age, I knew this is what I wanted to do.
Who was your inspiration behind wrestling?
The first would be `The Undertaker`. I was in awe when I saw a particular segment with The Undertaker and I said to myself, `I want to do this.` As you grow older, you begin to appreciate other things, such as Scott Hall`s Razor Ramon persona – he was Hispanic and since I am too, it meant a lot to see someone showcase that heritage through his acting. I was inspired by his coolness and wanted to be cool just like Razor Ramon.
Given your cultural background of Puerto Rican descent, did you face any struggles while pursuing wrestling?
Well, I did, but I do not know if it was necessarily coz I was Puerto Rican. This business is very hard. There were times when I was hopeless. During injuries, there was no money for medical. But things have changed over the years. For me, first, it was the dream to be in WWE. It is much better now, the way things changed and I am able to be in the spotlight. I would not change anything and I`m glad I stuck with it.
Take us through your early days while training to become a wrestler.
When I began training at the Monster Factory in New Jersey, which was owned by Larry Sharp at the time. He trained stars like Bam Bam Bigelow, Raymond, The Godfather, The Headbangers, King Kong Bundy. There`s a whole list that came out from Monster Factory. When I walked in for the first time I saw two small rings. And it wasn`t all the lights and glam that you see on tv. It was just a simple warehouse with no air-conditioning etc. It was a lot of hours and hard work. Since I come from a fighting background, it was a huge change for me. But since I knew I wanted to do this for life, I would study and record sessions with a video camera. I would then watch what I did during my training sessions – what`s done right or wrong and then try and make it better the next day. I began training in 2003 and my first match came in 2004 in front of 30 people at a firehouse station.
Over the years, I have developed myself as far as my presentation is concerned. I changed my persona and attitude a lot but ultimately Damien Priest now is the closest thing to who I really am that you`ll see. Earlier, I pretended a lot and that`s why I probably wasn`t as successful as I am now. It is hard to be yourself on television. I remember Triple H telling me ` the day you figure out how to be yourself, you will be very successful. I didn`t understand what he meant till the day finally came and it all just clicked. Now I have fun and all the bruises and injuries over the years make it all worth it. I am having a blast being Damien Priest.
Could you tell us about the camaraderie wrestlers share beyond the ring and backstage?
We are always on the road and around each other all the time – working. We try to find ways to relax. But when it`s time to be focused and serious, everybody does. But the rest of the time we just kickback. Everyone has their set of friends or groups but we all get along fine. For me, it`s Riddle, Austin Theory, Randy Orton, Edge and a few other guys. If you watch the show, you can tell that Riddle is a really funny guy, always making everybody laugh. Otis is another one entertaining people. I also love The New Day – those guys are hilarious. We do not take it too seriously but when we work, we get to business as it`s showtime. I see these guys more than my own family so they become my family. It`s really great to have such a bond.
Your finest moment in professional wrestling.
My finest moment has to be when i won the United States title at Summerslam in a sold-out stadium in Las Vegas. That`s a dream I didn`t know would come true. To win a major championship in the WWE in front of over 50,000 fans in one of my favourite WWE events of the year – that was amazing! I will never forget that moment.
Your most notable opponent to date and why?
I have had a lot of good opponents. Sheamus himself, who I beat for the US title stands out. The person who I am feuding with now, Finn Balor, is incredible in the ring. But, most of my first year, I was battling with The Miz. He was my most notable foe, that villain that I wanted to overcome. It took me a while (chuckles) as we went head-to-head for months, but I eventually did. The Miz, being a former world champion and the big WWE superstar that he is, helped elevate me. So, I would go with The Miz.
Watch the LIVE coverage of WWE WrestleMania 38 on SONY TEN 1 (English), SONY TEN 3 (Hindi) and SONY TEN 4 (Tamil and Telugu) channels on 3rd & 4th April 2022 from 6:30 am (IST).
