Grayson Waller: Roman Reigns Told Me Wearing Tights Made Me Look Like A Champion

When Grayson Waller returned to NXT earlier this year, he ditched the boxing shorts for more traditional wrestling tights.

The change coincided with a more serious approach to his character, and it led to his first NXT Title victory.

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Waller explained why he underwent the change.

“I look back and I kind of understand why people would have perceived me as a joke. For me, the boxing shorts were always I was a huge boxing fan. A lot of people think it was basketball shorts, but I thought it was a different look. It made me look unique, but I think it also didn’t make me look like a serious contender for the championship. So that was something where I was like, I need to change things up. I can’t just keep giving them the same thing. So first thing was I put the tights on, and actually the Rumble was the first time I kind of wore them in a match, and Roman came up and pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, that’s the look. You look like a champion now.’ Hey, if Roman says that, all right, lad, whatever you need, I’m gonna keep the pants. But even coming back to NXT, I was like, I can’t walk out with the leopard shirts and all that. That vibe didn’t work. That’s an old me. So now, I am more serious. This is me. I feel comfortable now. So I think I had to change things because if you keep throwing the same thing at the wall and it’s not working, then what are you doing?”

Waller is set to defend the NXT Title against Tony D’Angelo at NXT Halloween Havoc on Saturday.

Fans can check out the lineup for the show by clicking here.