Damian Priest Reflects On Reduced Schedule In 2025, ‘I Had To Check Myself A Little Bit’

Damian Priest is in a better place.

During the back half of 2025, Priest worked a reduced in-ring schedule to help out with some of his nagging injuries. Now, just a year later, he is in a good place both physically and mentally.

“Well, we’re never okay. It is what we do, you know. No bitching and moaning, I don’t like overly talking about how my body is because I’m still showing up to do the job. It’s not an excuse. I’m not the only one banged up. So if my opponent’s banged up too, we’re on an even playing field. So I don’t like to rely on that. But, I’m feeling a lot better. I got some procedures done while I never took a day off, you know what I mean? So, I got some stuff done to ease pain and I feel a lot better. I think people can see it visually. I’m training differently, I’m getting back into the shape that I used to be in and it’s all because I feel better. I’m in a better head place too, you know — I got myself down and for somebody who likes to think positively of myself and my career, I started doing the opposite and I had to check myself a little bit. So that came with my health, physically and mentally. I’m in a good place now, man. It is what it is.” Damian Priest told WWE Radio’s Off The Ropes in a new interview.

Elsewhere in the interview, Priest spoke about his decision to turn his back on R-Truth. Check out his full comments by clicking here.

Check out the current lineup for the October 23 episode of SmackDown by clicking here.

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