Despite Disparaging Dwayne Johnson, Grayson Waller Reveals Why He Looks Up to Conor McGregor and Kobe Bryant: “I Read a Lot”

Loudmouths in the WWE are fun to watch, but loudmouths who are great in the ring are a sight to behold. Grayson Waller is the latest name to join that list. The Australian native is gaining a ton of popularity among the community by going after Dwayne Johnson on social media and John Cena in the ring. But who does he look up to?

Waller debuted in the WWE in June of 2021; he soon won his first Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline in 2022. But these accolades are not what got him over with the fans. His brash, loudmouth style is winning him praise in the community. But all isn’t as it meets the eye once you know about his humble background. 

Grayson Waller talks about Connor McGregor and Kobe Bryant

On the WWE on Fox show, Waller opened up about his time in the WWE, his inspiration, and much more. Waller revealed that he looked up to late NBA great Kobe Bryant and UFC icon Conor McGregor.

He said, “I look to guys like Kobe and Conor. Outside of sports like David Goggins, people who are willing to do whatever it takes. Put in that extra effort and make things happen.”

Waller has been part of professional wrestling since 2017 at 27. Passionate and ambitious, Waller believes in putting in the effort to make things happen. During the interview, he talked about how reading helped him understand things better.

“I was both a History and English teacher, so I read a lot too,” he said. He cited that even people like David Giggins have helped him as they are willing to do anything to get the job done. 

READ MORE: Grayson Waller Explains How Just Looking at an Infamous Muhammad Ali Photo Inspires Him to Be “Better” Than Everyone

He went on to talk about his first run-in with John Cena. After Cena declined to appear on the Grayson Waller Effect, Waller took matters into his own hands. When talking about this run-in, he confessed that he loved that pressure and believed others would have melted while he thrives on it. 

Waller calling out The Rock and social media jabs

In his loudmouth self, Waller called out Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on social media. This was after his first main roster match at the legendary Madison Square Garden arena against Edge. Reminiscing The Rock’s WWE Survivor Series Debut at MSG in 1996, Waller poked fun at his outfit choice. The Rock, who is not shy from social media jabs, responded in his way. 

The Rock took to social media to tell Waller that he looked and sounded like he “Dropped out of some Jabroni’s ballon knot.” This got fans eager to see the two finally come face-to-face inside the squared circle. 

Over the past few months, Waller has proved that he can hang with some of the biggest names in WWE. Fans will have to wait and see who will be his first long-term feud on the main roster.

Meanwhile, what do you think about his appreciation for Conor McGregor and Kobe Bryant.

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