Grayson Waller has no real problem being called brash, arrogant or cocky - but whatever you do, don't call him a character.
The 32-year-old Australian star has been lighting up NXT for the past year, with his loudmouth personality and unique in-ring style setting him apart from anyone else in WWE's developmental territory.
Waller has been involved in countless big moments during the past nine months, which is proof in and of itself that the company have plenty of faith in him.
From a starring role in the 2021 War Games match, to taking out NXT icon Johnny Gargano on his final night, to taking on future first-ballot Hall of Famer AJ Styes, Waller truly has been on a roll.
“I try my best to reflect as much as I can," he told The Sporting News.
"I like to sit and think about all the incredible things that I’ve done, but I don’t rest on my laurels.
"Just because I have achieved some of my goals, doesn’t mean I am going to stop – all that happens is the goals start getting higher and higher.
"That’s what is happening right now and I’m still chasing it."
Waller is quite clearly earmarked for big things in WWE. After just a few months of working on TV, he was brought up to the main roster for a cameo appearance, sparking a short angle with Styles that would put him on the map.
And while Waller admitted to being a fan of the former world champion growing up, he forced himself to change his mentality once he began his pro wrestling journey.
“I can’t lie, I was a wrestling fan growing up and I was a huge AJ Styles person...but once I got into the business and was no longer a fan, I changed my mindset," he said.
"I’m on the same level as them right now, I didn’t get involved in that whole thing with AJ thinking like ‘wow, that’s AJ Styles, I used to love him as a kid’ – I was like nah, that’s AJ Styles and he is in the position I want to be in.
"Getting in there with him, he is a legit Hall of Fame guy. Even building up to it, being in his presence there is just something about the guy. I’ve watched him for so long and I kind of knew what to expect, but standing across from him was a different feeling and it was a feeling that I needed to have.
"I needed to get in there with one of the all-time greats and that match holds a very special place in my heart. That’s the time that I showed everyone that no matter who it is, I can hang – and not just hang, I can compete.
"I took him to his limit and I am very thankful that I got to get in there with AJ Styles, but it wasn’t as a fan."
His appearance on Raw, although only brief, gave Waller a taste of what it could be like to be on the WWE main roster in years to come.
After the initial surprise of being given the call, Waller knows he has what it takes to make the jump to Raw or SmackDown on a permanent basis if the opportunity arises.
“Honestly, I was pretty shocked...at first I thought it was a bit of a joke – but once I realised it was the real thing, I changed my mindset," he told The Sporting News.
"I started looking at this as the biggest opportunity of my life. As big as NXT is and as big as opportunities as there are on NXT, being on Raw is a different level and that’s where you want to be – that’s the end goal.
"When you get to Raw or you get to SmackDown, you’re wrestling on that roster of the best wrestlers in the world. I was shocked at first, but then I was ready to go and all my focus went into making sure I could make the best performance I could when I was on there.
“If I got the call right now...I’m always ready to go. I’m not the kind of person who waits until the opportunity is there and then gets ready. I’m working like I’m heading towards big things right now, I want to be ready for those things.
"I think there’s a lot of people at NXT who are main roster ready now, but that roster is deep. There’s a lot of really talented guys and girls on Raw and SmackDown right now, and you’ve got to find a way to fit into that.
"If that call comes, I’m ready to go at that exact moment."
Waller's style, both inside and outside of the ring, makes him stand out as a performer. Comparisons to guys like The Miz or MJF can't be ignored, but the Aussie knows he needs to forge his own path.
And a part of that is using his own personality, as opposed to playing a character, to achieve success and open doors within the wrestling industry.
“I wouldn’t say I’m playing a character – I don’t know how I feel about that," he said.
"I think one person a lot of people have compared me to, and I can see it, is The Miz. I do see elements of my personality that do kind of connect with him.
"I remember watching him on The Real World and seeing how passionate he was. Even before he was in the business, he was just a fan, but you could see the passion running through and he went through these other avenues to get to WWE.
"Now he has been doing it for so long and he’s been at the top for so long. I don’t think anyone can say anything negative about him. I guess in some ways, it kind of models my own way of getting to WWE.
"I did the reality TV route and eventually found my way here. He’s definitely someone that I can see the comparisons to.
"But I’m myself – Grayson Waller is Grayson Waller. I don’t think anyone else is like me, I don’t think anyone else talks like me. I’m a unique individual and this isn’t just for TV, this isn’t just for cameras – this is who I am 24/7.
"If you ask my friends and my family, when they see me on TV they are like ‘yeah we’re not surprised’ because they know how I am.
"That’s why I tend to say personality rather than character, because I’m not acting and I’m not playing, I’m real."
Waller's braggadocious personality is obviously going to rub people the wrong way - especially those in the crowd - but that's something he doesn't mind.
Working in front of a tight-knit, but extremely vocal crowd, has further prepared Waller for the bright lights of the main roster.
"I’m the kind of person in life, where I enjoy being hated – I’ve got no problem with it," he said.
"There’s probably five people in this world whose opinion I care about.
"I’m not just another guy, I am the guy in NXT and I’m going to keep being the guy for a long time to come.
"I thoroughly enjoy every single moment of it, even when the crowd was saying horrendous things to me, I bask in it.
"My life is good, theirs isn’t – I’m not surprised they are jealous."
But if he moves to Raw in the coming months, don't expect him to be going head-to-head with fellow style icon Seth Rollins.
“You’re gonna get me in trouble with that one," he laughed.
"I think we have different styles – Seth is coming out with those full suits. He is the kind of guy at a wedding or a real fancy club, he fits in there.
"I’m more of a summer breeze, I’m more of a chill kind of outfit. We both love colours – we’re both in our own lanes. I’m good in my lane, I’m the best in my lane and he is the best in his lane.
"That’s the best answer I can give for that one."
