NXT TakeOver: WarGames featured a triple threat match for the NXT North American Championship as Leon Ruff defended his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest. Gargano ultimately won the match with the help from a returning Austin Theory. The story took time for people to get invested in and it seems they were not the only ones.
Damian Priest recently spoke on X-Pac 12360 Podcast, where he opened up about how he truly felt regarding the Leon Ruff storyline in NXT. He revealed that initially, he was not all that invested, but he eventually understood what direction they wanted to take the storyline. He made sure to create a memorable storyline at WarGames.
“When we first started [the storyline], I wasn’t 100% invested in it. I didn’t know what to expect and, of course, everybody has a better idea and everybody is the best booker ever. In my head, I had other ideas and I didn’t know him. ‘What are we doing?’ We did and got it done. Then I got to be around him a little more and have conversations. As we progressed and everything happened, I couldn’t imagine a cooler storyline that wasn’t about me but actually elevated and helped someone else, deservedly. I really like Leon Ruff. He’s just as loveable, humble, and respectful (as you see on TV).” “I’m really happy he’s getting this spotlight. I don’t know how his career is going to develop, but I look forward to watching it and being along for the ride. He hit my heart, just like most of the audience. I felt a bond to the person. He loves this business. It wasn’t something I was super enthused about, but I learned my lesson of, ‘not everything is going to be the way you think, but it’s probably going to be pretty good if you just trust.’”
We will have to see what WWE has planned next for Priest.
