WWE superstar believes in legacy

Our most common image of professional wrestlers is that of oversized brutes role-playing big nasties and bashing each other’s heads in through a violent, choreographed play. You could say it’s the American version of the telenovela, tailored for men. Some use the wrestling ring as a way to make money, get girls and party. Others see it as a springboard to Hollywood. Thus, we are surprised when we realize that beneath those cardboard cutout circus strongmen are people who believe in higher things or have lives extending beyond tights. Mick Foley supports schools in the Philippines. Cable Jones is Dr. Don Moore, an excellent chiropractor.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the current WWE is Xavier Woods, a multifaceted, down-to-earth athlete whose reach transcends his made-for-TV pseudo sport. The New Day member and multi-tag team champion with Kofi Kingston and Big E, was in the country late last week, giving the Philippine media a chance to basically ask him anything. Woods (born Austin Watson) is also a Guinness World Record holder for having the most subscribed to celebrity video game channel on Youtube.

“Don’t start a Youtube channel or Twitch because you’re thinking of making money off of it,” Woods said at his media roundtable. “Do it because you like it, ‘cause you enjoy it. Otherwise, It’s going to be a job, and a hassle, and you’re not gonna want to wake up at 6 a.m. in the morning to make videos. So do it if you enjoy it, and then hopefully it turns into something that helps you pay your rent.”

Woods also confessed that being in the WWE has given him an avenue for fulfilling his advocacies and social responsibility.

“Being a WWE superstar is obviously more than just being in the ring,” the Atlanta native said. “It’s not always just wrestling. A lot of it is just giving back and being a part of the community where we do our shows in. Us coming and talking to you, to kids, is way cooler than us getting to wrestle. When we were little kids, I was losing my mind talking to pro wrestlers. So to be able to do stuff like that, do things for the Special Olympics, do things for kids in any community – it’s hard to put into words. It feels good, ‘cause you can see the happiness in their faces and it makes you happy. It’s amazing.”

Beyond multiple tag team title on WWE Raw and Smackdown and co-owning the longest reign as a tag team champion, Woods is passionate about video games, like most pro athletes. But at the bottom of it all, he hopes it is his hard work and engaging personality that will endure beyond wrestling. He has encouraging words for those who strive for their goals.

“I would want people to remember me for the effort that was put to get into this point,” Woods stressed. “Not all the titles. That stuff is cool to me, but I want people to eventually realize how difficult it is to not only become a WWE superstar (and be a successful WWE wrestler), but also do other things (like the Youtube channel). I want people to understand the actual struggle and what kind of hustle it takes to get to a point like this, because it’s very, very doable. But you just need to manage your time and you have to make time.”

In a world where criticism can beat you into conformity, Woods believes in being yourself, and putting your own stamp on the world. And he will be cheering from the sidelines.

“I’m always a huge proponent for people doing awesome things. So the more awesome things that happen, better,” Woods affirms. “The moments you create, the moments that stay, the promos you create, if it’s eliciting that emotional response from people – is what will take you to the next level.”

Breaking the stereotype of the mindless wrestling brute, Woods has a good head on his shoulders, and will be making an impact long after he walks away from wrestling.