{"id":369515,"date":"2024-02-21T02:58:34","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T03:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=369515"},"modified":"2024-02-21T07:04:31","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T07:04:31","slug":"why-wwes-aussie-icon-is-scared-for-perth-blockbuster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=369515","title":{"rendered":"Why WWE's Aussie icon is 'scared' for Perth blockbuster"},"content":{"rendered":"

WWE<\/a> superstar G\ufeffrayson Waller<\/a> will return to Australia this week for a major homecoming, with the Sydney-born sensation part of the company's blockbuster Elimination Chamber<\/a> premium live event in Perth.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old has risen to prominence over the past few years since signing with WWE, coming through the NXT developmental system before making his main roster debut last year.<\/p>\n

Waller has since shared the ring with some of the biggest names in the business – including John Cena, Edge and Logan Paul – with his loudmouth persona and exciting in-ring style making him a staple of WWE's weekly show, SmackDown.<\/p>\n

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Heading into the huge show on home soil in front of over 40,000 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night, the self-proclaimed 'Aussie Icon' is ready to make waves – and it will come opposite the hottest star in the pro wrestling business, Cody Rhodes.<\/p>\n

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Speaking to Wide World Of Sports in the lead-up to the event, Waller – who usually works as a 'heel' or villain for American audiences – admitted his journey from wrestling part-time on the local independent scene to headlining a show for WWE was something that likely wouldn't sink in until the night itself.<\/p>\n

"We'll see if they cheer me, you never know," he said.<\/p>\n

"I really don't know what to expect and I'm trying not to think about it too much. My focus right now is to make sure I'm in the best shape of my life and make sure I'm mentally and physically ready to go.<\/p>\n

"As nice as it will be to make that entrance, I don't want that to be the highlight – I want whatever match I'm in to be the highlight, I want to stand with my hand raised.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"I don't think it will [change my mindset] – I'm always just me and whether you want to cheer or boo, that's up to you. I'm always performing as myself and I'm always there to put on a show, I want people to remember my name.<\/p>\n

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"I'm kind of scared in some ways – in the past, I've shown on the big stage what I'm willing to put my body through to go viral and steal the show. I'm willing to put my body through hell and it kind of scares me, the limits I'd go to for a show in Australia.<\/p>\n

"I'm a bit worried for my body on that flight home."<\/p>\n

Waller is set to go head-to-head with Rhodes – the son of Hall of Fame icon Dusty – as well as current world champ Seth Rollins, after a recent interaction with Paul Heyman shined a spotlight on the Aussie and placed him firmly into a main event-level storyline including The Rock<\/a> and Roman Reigns.<\/p>\n

On the lead-up edition of Monday Night Raw, the commentators alluded to Waller being given 'marching orders' by Reigns and The Rock to deal with Rhodes, hinting at the \ufeffpossibility of Waller competing in a match against this year's Royal Rumble winner.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C3dce50Pb_w\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite this, the former high school teacher \ufeffand diehard Sydney Roosters fan is keeping his feet on the ground and wants to make this a night to remember, reflecting on his challenging rise to the top and the life he left behind by moving to America.<\/p>\n

"I think you have to [reflect on achievements] … it helps me a lot that I'm still in contact with a lot of my mates in Australia and some of the wrestlers in Australia," Waller said.<\/p>\n

"Hearing what they're doing at the moment and the things I used to do, it puts things into perspective. When I have to fly in and fly out in 48 hours to do media, that sucks.<\/p>\n

"But then I hear things like 'I had to drive to this show to get 25 bucks" and I remember the struggle. I'm a lot more thankful for the position I'm in.<\/p>\n

"I had one of my best mates remind me of the first time he came and watched and there were 25 people in a shed in Newcastle. Now, I'm going to Elimination Chamber with 50,000 people and it's kind of a wild ride.<\/p>\n

"I still want to think of that stuff later – I'm sure there will be time to sit on the patio and have a beer and look back on the journey."<\/p>\n

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Waller won't be the only local hero on deck for the Elimination Chamber event, with current women's world champ Rhea Ripley set to defend her title, while the likes of Randy Orton, Becky Lynch and Logan Paul will also be in action.<\/p>\n

Tickets are still available for WWE Elimination Chamber via Ticketmaster<\/a>.\ufeff<\/p>\n

WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 full card\ufeff<\/h3>\n