WALTER takes wrestling very seriously (Credit: WWE)

For over a year, WALTER has been looming over the NXT brands both sides of the pond – and he’s not shying away.

The current NXT United Kingdom champion – who defeated Birmingham’s own Pete Dunne for the title at TakeOver: New York in April last year – has struck an imposing figure over the black and gold shows, but he isn’t afraid to talk about the negative side of his WWE experience.

Reflecting on his short-lived role in the huge Survivor Series match in November – which saw him eliminated first after less than 3 minutes in the men’s Raw vs. SmackDown vs. NXT clash – he slammed the spectacle.



Describing his involvement in the story as a ‘mistake’, he exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘I wasn’t invested in that. I didn’t care. I care about my guys, my group, I care about the sport, but I don’t care about all those people being angry each other.


The champ wasn’t pleased with how things unfolded (Credit: WWE)

‘It was a weird match too – three five-men tag teams, and always three guys in the ring. That’s when wrestling turns from competition to putting acrobats in a circus to do a show. “There’s 15 of you, you’ve got to do something.” ‘

It’s clear the Ring General holds the squared circle in high regard, and he pointed to the importance of ‘good competition’ above the more theatrical side of the world of wrestling.

‘It’s not my world,’ he admitted. ‘Any match where I know it’s gonna be exciting and good competition, I’m excited. I love to be in the ring.’

For that reason, he’s excited for his group Imperium – which also features Marcel Bartel, Fabian Aichner and Alexander Wolfe – taking on the Undisputed Era in a clash fans have been begging for.

Undisputed Era will face Imperium (Credit: WWE)

‘I’m always looking forward to good and exciting competition, and Undisputed Era is going to bring that,’ he smiled. ‘It’s my passion, and Undisputed Era are excellent for that.’

For while now, many have been clamouring for WALTER to make the move over the US to be part of the Raw or SmackDown rosters, but the champ has repeatedly made it clear he’s settled with his family in Germany, with no plans to take on the demanding schedule endured by those rosters.

‘I don’t mind going to America for a little bit,’ he shrugged. ‘I don’t want to live there, but as a visitor it’s good enough… [But] I was never a big fan of the United States in that sense.

WALTER will want revenge (Credit: WWE)

‘I always felt, in the ’90s when I grew up, America got glorified in movies and on TV. Then you’d go there the first time and you’d be like, “What’s going on?” I think it would be more helpful if I brought some of my culture there!’

That said, don’t be too surprised to see WALTER make his presence felt in this weekend’s Royal Rumble, as he insisted the chaotic 30-man brawl appeals to him much more than the Survivor Series experience.



Asked if he could make an appearance, he said: ‘I legit don’t know. I would love – Royal Rumble, I think it’s a different case. You’re not in there with a group of people you don’t really know, but you have to be in a team with them. In the Royal Rumble, it’s a lot of people but it’s every man for himself.’

And with his reservations about working weekly on Raw or SmackDown, WALTER is delighted he and WWE were able to come an arrangement, as he looks to continue his reign of dominance across the whole company.

He insisted: ”If they would’ve said “no we can’t do it”, I would’ve agreed and understood why. There would have been other ways for me to find a place to work. I’m happy it worked out though. I’m happy in WWE – I feel very comfortable.’

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