Cameron Grimes Admits He Was Complacent In WWE NXT

Cameron Grimes has admitted he was complacent in WWE NXT during his first 18 months with the company, primarily because he had already faced much of the talent before joining the then-black and gold brand. 

"Right and you know, I can honestly say that NXT 2.0 has been a huge thing for me," Grimes told PWInsider. "I can tell you that, you know, the first year and a half that I was here like I was kind of complacent because I've already kind of been working with these guys for so long, the guys that were leading that brand, I didn't, for some reason, I just didn't feel like I had to work hard with those guys and I know that's weird to say but like, I don't know, I just didn't feel like I was as motivated. 

"But this NXT 2.0, there's just so many guys that for one, have never done this before, and then they're just such great athletes and then when you see them, like for instance the Creed Brothers, these guys have never been sports entertainers in their lives, but they're having matches right now that are just up to par with anything that would have been on NXT 1.0. So then I have to sit back and look at myself and go, am I really working the hardest? Did I get complacent? Or do I need to work harder?" Grimes continued. 

"And I feel like this NXT 2.0 last year has made me work harder. And that's ultimately all you can ever ask for is something that is going to inspire you, so that it's going to motivate you and yeah, it may seem like things are changing. But ultimately, it's all the same goal  - be the best that you can be and be the best that you can be for this company. And Cameron Grimes, like I said, whether I'm cutting grass or whether I'm going to be wrestling for a championship, I'm going to be the best that I can be and I'm going to be the best that the company wants to be."

Grimes has been one of the few stars from the black and gold brand that has remained on NXT since its revamp in September of 2021. The Technical Savage recently had a reign with the NXT North American Championship and he unsuccessfully challenged Bron Breakker for the NXT Title at Tuesday's Great American Bash special.