Grayson Waller recently revealed how a brief yet impactful backstage talk with WWE legend John Cena fundamentally changed his mindset about competing in the company’s ultra-competitive environment. The Australian WWE star, now a prominent figure on Raw, disclosed that Cena’s words helped him shift from frustration to gratitude and patience, allowing him to maximize every opportunity regardless of its size.
Navigating WWE’s Deepest Roster Ever
Waller described the current WWE roster as “the most stacked it’s ever been,” making the fight for television time an intense challenge. Specifically on Raw, he noted heavy hitters like CM Punk, The Usos, and LA Knight all competing for spotlight moments. The sheer volume of talent can be intimidating for emerging stars, but Waller expressed that this only fuels his desire to learn and grow rather than feel discouraged.
“Being on Raw with legends and top stars, you realize that every single second you get in front of the audience is a huge privilege,” Waller said during an appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast[1][2].
John Cena’s Game-Changing Advice
The turning point for Waller came in a locker room meeting with John Cena when Waller had recently been promoted to SmackDown. Cena told the locker room a simple but profound message: “You don’t have to do the Netflix break promo. You don’t have to wrestle before the show. You don’t have to do the dark match — you get to.” This phrasing reframed every experience for Waller from a burden into a gift.
Waller shared, “I realized how lucky I am to do what I love in front of such passionate fans. I saw mates back home who would give anything for those opportunities, so who am I to complain?”[3]
This mindset shift encouraged Waller to approach even small backstage promo segments or early matches with maximal energy and creativity. Instead of waiting for main event moments, he now makes the most of every second he is granted.
Applying Patience and Gratitude
According to sources close to the WWE locker room, this change in perspective has seen Waller take a more patient but determined stance on his career progression. Rather than stress about not being the center of every show, he focuses on consistently delivering memorable performances that resonate with fans and WWE officials alike.
A WWE insider explained, “Grayson’s energy backstage has noticeably changed. He’s more focused on controlling what he can — his attitude, his work ethic, his promos — rather than getting frustrated with things out of his control. It’s something John Cena has always preached, and now Waller embodies it.”[1][3]
The Challenge and the Opportunity
Waller, formerly part of the tag team with Austin Theory, is now part of a trio on Raw with New Day members Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. He called the opportunity to work with such veterans a dream, and he’s eager to absorb their knowledge while forging his own path.
“I’m learning from guys who have seen it all, and I want to uphold that legacy,” Waller said. “It’s tough with so much talent, but every one of us has to find our moment.”[1]
He also revealed a strong personal goal: to wrestle on a WWE pay-per-view event in his native Australia. That would be a significant milestone and a spotlight chance to showcase his talent to his home country’s fans.
Dream Matches and Future Ambitions
On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Waller mentioned his dream to face CM Punk one-on-one, a match many WWE fans would find compelling given both men’s intensity and charisma[2]. Waller’s ambitions highlight his hunger to rise within WWE ranks and eventually capture singles gold.
While earning a title might not come overnight given WWE’s deep roster, Waller acknowledges with his evolved outlook that when his opportunity arrives, he will be ready to “run with it” and make a lasting impact.
Backstage Buzz: Cena’s Enduring Influence
“John’s advice to ‘control the controllable’ has stuck with me every day,” Waller said, referring to another nugget shared by the 16-time world champion. “There’s so much happening around us that we can’t influence, but how we handle our time and attitude — that’s on us.”[4]
WWE insiders agree that this line of thinking is key to success in the company’s current environment, where competition is fiercer than ever, and patience is a rare but crucial virtue.
Final Thoughts
Grayson Waller’s candid sharing about how John Cena’s words reshaped his career mindset should resonate across sports entertainment. The lesson that every moment “you get to” perform is a privilege encourages wrestlers at all levels to embrace gratitude, focus, and perseverance.
As WWE continues to thrive with a loaded roster, it is these qualities that will distinguish those who merely pass through from those who genuinely leave their mark. With his new perspective and ongoing determination, Grayson Waller has positioned himself to be a compelling presence in WWE’s future.