In hindsight, there are some things Bodhi Hayward wishes he had done differently during his time with WWE NXT.
Former WWE NXT Superstar Bodhi Hayward recently spoke to Scott Mitchell of PWMania about a wide variety of subjects. When asked about his thoughts after being informed of his WWE release, Hayward admitted that he was shocked and felt that it came out of nowhere.
“My first initial thought was I was in shock. It was 100% out of the left field. I was upset too. I felt the relationships I had there that were being built were good. I was shocked, and it was a big blow to my confidence,” Bodhi Hayward said. “I was thinking Chase U main roster, but I was shocked and hurt. It showed me that there is a lot more to this business that maybe I do have to learn about. In some way, shape, or form, you are always in control.
“I look at this as a great opportunity. I feel that I’m made for this. Physically and mentally. The one thing I always wanted was to cut an in-ring promo. I love being in front of crowds. I never feel more comfortable than being in front of them. That’s what will make me successful in this business. I love the Brodies, and they’re loving me back. I want to love everyone for who they are as well.”
When asked what it was like working with Shawn Michaels, Hayward revealed that he didn’t spend much time building a relationship with him because he was always too nervous to talk to him.
“The first time I ever saw, I was like, holy sh*t, there’s Shawn Michaels, the Heartbreak Kid,” Bodhi Hayward said. “I never really got to spend that much time building a relationship with him. I was always so nervous to talk to him. I wish I would have gotten the opportunity to have a better relationship with him for sure.”
When asked if he felt he could’ve done more in WWE, Hayward wished he’d been given the opportunity to wrestle more on television as he feels he was mainly used as an entertainment character instead.
“When I came in, there were talks that there would be an evolution. It was meant to evolve as I evolved,” Bodhi Hayward said. “As we got more people, I always felt like I would be taken care of as well. I got injured but got cleared and felt safe and thought they wanted to protect me. Every opportunity I thought was passed over wrestling-wise; we were on television entertainment-wise. I thought the wrestling opportunities were coming. Maybe I wasn’t there wrestling-wise for television, but that’s just how TV is. That’s the part I was really confused about.
“It was a 45-second phone call to let me know I wasn’t maximizing my potential and let go. I thought that there would have been me graduating from Chase U, maybe having issues with Mr. Chase, and turmoil starting. Maybe Duke would have been a match for me as well, to show that I can wrestle with a good opportunity. I felt that the Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes vs. Me and Mr. Chase match was great. When I did wrestle, I felt like it was good. With the reaction we were getting, I didn’t think I had to go to the top rope to do a moonsault. But if that’s what I have to prove, so be it.”
READ MORE: Bodhi Hayward Issues Statement Following WWE NXT Release
What do you make of Bodhi Hayward’s comments? Are you surprised that he was released from WWE NXT this week? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
