Damian Priest has revealed the difficult experience he faced during his WWE first tryout nearly 14 years ago. The now-celebrated WWE Superstar admitted that his initial attempt to join the company was a failure due to poor physical condition and injuries, which left him far from ready to compete.
Known also as the Archer of Infamy and El Campeon, Priest has become a central figure on WWE’s roster and is a standout favorite among fans. His journey to becoming a world champion began in NXT about seven years ago, but his ambitions to join WWE started much earlier than that.
Struggles and Setbacks During His First WWE Tryout
During an interview with Sam Roberts on the Notsam Wrestling podcast, Damian Priest disclosed that his first tryout for WWE around 2009 or 2010 was a disheartening experience. He arrived in poor shape and was dealing with injuries, which ultimately caused him to fail the evaluation.
“I remember my first tryout with WWE, it was, I wanna say, 2009…2010 I think it was, and I was way out of shape. I came in injured, and I bombed. It was so bad. I can look back now, and I’m like,e embarrassed that I was there. I did not belong there. I wasn’t ready. Even if I was healthy and in better shape, I still wasn’t ready.” —Damian Priest, WWE Superstar
At the time, Priest felt angry and frustrated that WWE had not signed him. However, he acknowledged in hindsight that this failed attempt was part of his growth and ultimately led to future success in the company.
Damian Priest’s Openness to Collaborating with Bad Bunny Again
Outside his own path to stardom, Damian Priest has also been involved with notable celebrities who have stepped into the WWE ring. One such figure is Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, whose recent wrestling appearances left a memorable mark on WWE fans, especially during his matches against Priest.
In a recent discussion with TMZ Sports, Priest expressed his willingness to team up or compete with Bad Bunny again, emphasizing that it would depend on Bad Bunny’s readiness both mentally and physically.
From Early Failure to WWE Stardom
Damian Priest’s story underscores how setbacks can sometimes pave the way for triumph. Despite a rocky and embarrassing start during his WWE first tryout, he persisted and improved, eventually rising to become a World Heavyweight Champion and a beloved star within the WWE Universe. His experience serves as a testament to resilience and growth in professional wrestling.
Given the way Priest has embraced his career challenges and seized opportunities to work alongside high-profile personalities like Bad Bunny, fans can expect him to remain a significant presence in WWE’s evolving landscape moving forward.
