Damian Priest isn’t taking back a damn thing he said about seeing the same WWE stars at the top. But after his comments blew up online, Priest realized there was one pretty big problem with his complaint — if he wanted something to change, he needed to be the guy who changed it.
Speaking with Complex Graps, Priest revisited his previous comments about being tired of seeing the same names constantly circling WWE’s biggest matches and championships. He still feels that way, but he’s no longer pointing the finger at Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk or Seth Rollins.
“I still stand by what I said, but the change wasn’t them. I realized it was me. So I needed to make a change so I can make an impact on what I’m complaining about. That’s on me.”
That’s a pretty big shift from simply complaining about the main-event picture. Priest basically looked at the situation and decided that if he was sick of seeing the same guys, then he needed to give WWE a reason to put him there instead.
“So that comment, I stand by it. But if I’m sick and tired of seeing the same people, that’s on me to make it different. That’s on everyone who’s not in that picture to do it. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing, so that I can actually make a difference in that space. So I cannot just talk about it, but be about it. I stand by what I said.”
Priest’s original comments became a pretty big topic back in August, especially because Triple H was asked about wrestlers getting frustrated over seeing established names continue to dominate WWE’s biggest spots. Triple H didn’t exactly offer anyone a shortcut. His message during the SummerSlam post-show was basically simple — nobody gets a turn just because they’ve been waiting long enough.
“If you’re the guy that wants to take the spot, it’s frustrating when there are guys above you that have the spot. We’re in a period of time where there are a lot of top performers in top spots that, over time, have earned those spots, are selling tickets and are incredibly popular. The narrative of, ‘It’s my turn.’ There are no turns. That’s not how it works. You earn the spot.”
Triple H then challenged anyone unhappy with their position to go out and become more over than the people currently ahead of them.
“If you want the spot, go take it. It’s all there for everybody to take. Whenever anybody says, ‘I don’t know why I’m not in that spot,’ are you more over than Cody or Roman or Punk or Liv or IYO? Make those crowd reactions happen. Whatever you need to do.”
Fast-forward a few months and Priest sounds like someone who got the message. He even acknowledged that there’s a reason guys like Roman, Cody, Punk and Rollins keep rotating through those spots — they’re damn good at what they do. But Priest also knows what it feels like to be up there. He’s been World Heavyweight Champion before, and now he wants his seat back.
“Those people are still gonna be a revolving door around the top spots and titles and the main event because that’s the talent that they are. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a space for everyone else. I’ve been there before, but it’s been too long since I’ve been there, so I’m coming back for what’s mine again.”
That’s a much different Damian Priest than the guy simply saying he was tired of seeing the same faces. He still wants WWE’s main-event picture to change — he just plans on changing it by kicking the door back open himself.
Can Damian Priest force his way back into WWE’s main-event scene and stay there? Let us know what you think in the comments.
