After years of Roman Reigns dominating the world championship scene in WWE, the promotion now boasts two distinct champions: Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest. Wrestling legend Kevin Nash recently praised Priest’s performance as a champion during an episode of his “Kliq This” podcast, emphasizing how the star has embraced his role since capturing the title from Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40.
“I just think that Damian has really f**king risen to the occasion,” Nash declared. He elaborated on how Priest’s presence and star power made him appear larger-than-life, especially when compared to the physically imposing McIntyre. “Like, he just looked like a star, he looks so comfortable, he looked like he should have that belt.”
Early Skepticism and Proven Potential
Initially, some fans were skeptical about Priest’s title run, uncertain if he could live up to the expectations of a top-tier champion. However, Nash pointed out that both he and his colleagues, including the late Scott Hall and Sean Waltman (known as X-Pac in WWE), saw potential in Priest from his early days in “NXT.”
“I thought he was going to be a star. Scott and I both, but Scott was the one, you know, that really was dead on with him, as was Kid [X-Pac],” Nash recalled, reinforcing their belief in Priest’s eventual rise to prominence in WWE.
The Influence of Rhea Ripley
Despite Priest’s win, Nash said The Judgment Day co-star Rhea Ripley is currently the most popular person in the group. He suggested Priest could benefit from Ripley’s immense popularity and unique mic skills.
“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent, so when you’re packaged with him and you come out and he’s doing a lot of mic work, you know. Like, what’s it like now is he’s carrying the torch with his band?” Nash mused, pointing to the cooperation between Priest and Ripley as a contributing factor to his presumed success.
Championship Defenses and Future Challenges
Since becoming champion, Priest has already faced significant challenges. He successfully defended his title against Jey Uso at a recent televised event, demonstrating his capability as a fighting champion. Looking ahead, Priest is set to face Drew McIntyre in a highly anticipated rematch at Clash at the Castle later this month. This bout is expected to further cement his status as a credible and resilient champion in the eyes of WWE fans.
Stephen’s Insight
Kevin Nash’s endorsement of Damien Priest highlights the importance of star power and presence in professional wrestling. Priest’s ability to rise to the occasion and look comfortable in his championship role is a testament to the improvement in his role. Additionally, Nash’s comments on Rhea Ripley’s influence highlight the dynamics of wrestling clubs and how the popularity of one member can elevate the group as a whole. Priest’s upcoming defense against McIntyre will be an important test of his reign, potentially solidifying his legacy as WWE champion.
