Former NRL player turned WWE superstar Daniel Vidot has revealed why it’s taken fans a number of years to finally see him shine in the wrestling industry.
Vidot, who competes in the ring under the name Xyon Quinn, has burst into the WWE spotlight in recent months with weekly appearances on WWE’s 205 Live and NXT shows.
After joining the WWE back in 2018 on a development contract, it’s taken the 31-year-old nearly three years to finally be considered as a regular performer for the iconic wrestling organisation.
“To be honest, when I came here [in 2018] and signed my contract, they told me it’s going to be a minimum of three years before I start doing anything,” he told Wide World of Sports.
Vidot, who played 114 NRL games between Titans, Raiders, Broncos and Dragons, is on track to becoming one of the biggest names to have ever come out of Australian sport.
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As he told Wide World of Sports in 2019, he’s already mingled and gotten close with former WWE star turned Hollywood icon, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The Brisbane-native, who’s of Samoan heritage, found his big break last year when he was handed a WWE debut against four-time world champion Sheamus on the iconic SmackDown show, but it was a match not in front of fans due to coronavirus.
Now living and breathing among WWE’s hardcore fan base, Vidot says he’s happy his long journey has finally paid off after having to perfect his craft following years of rugby league training and routine.
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“I was on Smackdown after one year [of getting started]… I’m pretty happy with where I am,” Vidot said.
“I got a lot of things where [people asked] where are you? Why aren’t you wrestling? This and that… I just finished playing rugby league, I don’t know how to wrestle properly.
“You’ve got to learn [how to wrestle] it’s a process. People think it can happen just like that.
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“It’s nothing like that at all. The respect I have for wrestling has just gone through the roof.
“These guys put their bodies on the line constantly just to put smiles on peoples’ faces and that’s why I do this because I love it.
“I like to give people distractions away from their problems and daily lives.
“The sacrifices I’ve had to make have been worth it.”
While Vidot is happy with his newfound success, he admits home-sickness has been a tough challenge to deal with due to the closure of borders worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“I’m in that mentality now where because of the coronavirus situation and me not being able to come [to Australia] for a bit, it’s been pretty tough, but it’s pushed and motivated me to work harder,” Vidot said.
“I don’t want to waste any time. All the hard yards, the training and food I say no to…
“Ever since coronavirus, I was meant to come back about a month after when they closed all of the borders.
“It’s been a while… my little nephew is talking more. Little moments like that which I’m missing.
“It’s a bit hard being on the other side of the world, but I know I’m here for the right reasons.
“I know this is the right direction and this is what I’m passionate about, I’m really happy here.”
WWE NXT airs each Wednesday Morning from 11am (AEDT) on Foxtel’s FOX8 & is available on KAYO.
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