Grayson Waller hasn't wrestled in front of his home fans in well over two years - but all that will change when WWE make their long-awaited return to Australia next February for the annual Elimination Chamber premium live event.
After months of speculation, WWE announced on Thursday that they would return Down Under for the first time since 2019, running just their second major event every in the country.
Optus Stadium - one of the nation's best venues - will host some of the biggest names in the industry, with the likes of Cody Rhodes and Becky Lynch expected to join hometown heroes Waller and Rhea Ripley on the card.
But for the 33-year-old Waller, who only burst onto the local scene with PWA six years ago, the opportunity to perform in front of a raucous Aussie crowd has been a long time coming.
Grayson Waller prepared for Australian homecoming in 2024
In an interview with The Sporting News just hours after the announcement, Waller admitted the confirmation of Elimination Chamber being held in Perth was a welcome moment for the Aussie contingent in WWE.
“My first reaction was finally! I’ve heard whispers and I think a lot of people have about this Australian show for a few years now," he said.
"Every year, there was like little things happening and they wanted to get back to Australia because it’s such a fun market for them and there’s so many big WWE fans in Australia.
"It’s not just any event – Elimination Chamber, premium live event, it basically sets up WrestleMania and this is probably the most important event Australia could get, outside of WrestleMania... this is a pretty good second prize.
"Australian fans have been waiting for four years to get there and see WWE live again and I think the Australian superstars in WWE are ready to go too."
From working with the likes of John Cena and Logan Paul, to having his debut match at Madison Square Garden against Hall of Famer Edge, the Sydney-born product has taken the ball and ran with it at every corner.
But through all his success, the ever-braggadocious Waller believes his homecoming will be the biggest moment of his career, comparing it to UFC star Alexander Volkanovski competing in front of the diehard Aussie fans.
“I think it’s been proven recently that Australians turn up for live events," he said.
"We had the UFC in Sydney and I think it starts at like 8am because of the time difference – you’ve got people in the door at 8am, having a beer and ready to watch the show.
"Perth specifically, they had the Volkanovski fight recently and that crowd was insane… Australian crowds are different and they are there to support their own, but they are also there to have a good time.
“There isn’t a person [to wrestle on the show]… for me, it’s about the moment. One thing that I haven’t done here in WWE is win a championship – my whole time in NXT, I had opportunities at everything and I couldn’t succeed.
"I think this is a situation where if you give me a championship match in front of my home crowd, I’m not losing and I’m bringing out that golden shoe and doing that golden shoey in front of 70,000 people in Perth.
"I want the biggest test of my career. I want to be put in there against the best, very similar to Volk - I don’t care who it is, I want them across the ring and I want to prove myself in front of my friends and family.
"WWE knows how good the Australian crowds are and they wanted to give them a reward."
Grayson Waller's five-year rise from fan to WWE megastar
In 2018, WWE held a major event at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, with legends such as The Undertaker and Triple H competing in front of over 70,000 fans.
One of the members of the audience on that night was Waller, who fast-forward five years and is not only signed with the sports entertainment juggernaut, but is exceeding expectations on Friday nights.
Reflecting on the past five years, Waller acknowledged the importance of WWE making their presence felt in Australia - not only for himself and the roster, but for the potential stars of tomorrow.
“I went to the WWE show [in 2018] and it was a situation where there was a few of us wrestlers who sat together and watched it and thought ‘imagine being on this’ and at the time, it was kind of a pipe dream," he said.
"I hadn’t talked to anyone from WWE, there was no one from WWE on my radar – but in my head, I could see myself here and now it’s kind of crazy that five years later, it’s gonna happen.
"I’m gonna make sure I’m in a prominent position – I’ve got six months to prepare and I don’t care what I have to do. I’ll sit in the gym 12 hours a day, whatever it takes to make sure when I get to Australia, that's gonna be my show.
"I think this show is just gonna open that door further for more Australians. The thing is, when Australians turn up here, they succeed and if anything, they exceed expectations. Look at Rhea right now – arguably, she is the biggest star in the entire business.
"There’s so much talent in Australia who just need eyes on them and I think it’s a very exciting period where this is gonna bring more eyes… WWE is gonna realise these Australians are really good and we’re gonna need more."
While his success in WWE is undeniable, Waller has never exactly endeared himself to the fanbase, with his exuberant personality and showboat style earning his fair share of boos across the United States.
But for one night only, Waller is ready to embrace being the hero and lay it all on the line for his country.
“The thing is, I’m me and wherever I am, I’m gonna be myself - and I think it’s a situation where the Australians enjoy that more," he said.
"I’ve never been that person who is a bad guy in American and I go back to Australia and I’m like ‘so glad I left’ – that’s not me, I’m not doing that classic trope. I love Australia, I say it every day that I want to perform for the Australians.
"I’ve never really performed in front of cheers in a long time, so maybe it’s gonna be confusing for me. Either way, they’re gonna be loud and they’re gonna be into the show."
WWE will return to Australia on February 24th for Elimination Chamber premium live event. For more details on tickets and streaming, CLICK HERE.
