Isaiah Scott was signed by WWE in 2019, joining NXT upon arrival.
Scott was part of the same developmental class that included Kushida and Angel Garza. Scott has been featured alongside both men on WWE and NXT television for nearly two years now.
Speaking to Sam Roberts on Notsam Wrestling podcast, Scott explained his journey to WWE and how he turned down the initial opportunity in 2018.
"Prior to coming to NXT in 2019, I was contacted by them in 2018. I was still in the Lucha Underground phase of my career and I felt like I wasn't finished with a lot of things I wanted to do, especially with Lucha Underground and the independent scene. Around that time, me and Aleister Black, he was my mentor, him and Sami Callihan. Sami told me 'there's more we can do.' Aleister was like, 'I give it one more year. Go out there, do what you can and be the man in a lot of places.' That was guidance for 2018 where I went to all the Independents, won championships, and traveled around, having top matches, and building bonds and networking. It helped me build the 'Swerve City Podcast' (as well). I branched out and did a lot of things before it was time for me to come into the WWE. 2019, it felt like a shift and I wanted to be in that shift. When me, [Angel] Garza, Kushida came through, I felt like we were the core guys and the next shift. It wasn't a forceful decision. It was what I wanted to do and I felt like I was ready," said Scott.
Since being signed together, Scott, Kushida, and Garza have had varying degrees of success in the company. Scott has been a mainstay in the Cruiserweight Title picture while Kushida has been on and off the bench and Garza is currently on the main roster.
Discussing how he sees things when his friends might be elevated to a different level than him, Scott said, "It can be discouraging to see guys you've been on the same level with for years, one gets a little higher, they get to Raw or SmackDown or main events quicker than you. It's a little discouraging. It's not towards them, it's towards yourself. I get that itch because I'm so competitive. I don't want to see anyone else fail, I just want to compete and do better than the other person. You have to sit back and be like 'that's their time and their moment, what can I do to make something new and organic for my time? Where can I fall in line? There's only space for one spot.' There's so much talent that it's impossible for all the guys to fit in one spot. It's impossible. Do you take the challenge or do you feel resentment towards the system or someone you work with or your friends? That's their lane, I have to figure out my lane to make my story compelling. It can be discouraging but it's also a challenge and it's fun. It's not always sunshine and roses. It's the elite of the elite of talent and sports entertainment."
Following unsuccessfully challenging for the NXT Cruiserweight Title at NXT TakeOver 31, Scott is currently feuding with Jake Atlas.
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