Myles Borne addresses criticism of non-indie wrestling background
Myles Borne did not go the traditional route of competing on the independent circuit before signing with WWE NXT. He opened up about the transition and tendency that other wrestlers have towards his wrestling experience.
Speaking with Complex Graps The Podcast, Borne addressed not coming from an indie wrestling background like most wrestlers do. He talked about the flak he tends to receive about the topic but his amateur wrestling experience helped ease the transition.
“I mean, everybody has a different background that they’ve come from. I’ve never really when I first got to the WWE, I didn’t even know about this side of things. But I experienced a little bit of it and
started seeing it and it was nothing. All the energy in the PC is good, everyone’s supportive, but there are some side conversations about outside of NXT. Of course, the fan base ‘Oh, he didn’t pay his dues. He didn’t come through the indies. He’s just another athlete, whatever.’ I understand that. I get it.”
“As a wrestler, when we had outsiders come into our world, it was the same way. We were like, ‘Oh, you’re in our world now. You know, it’s going to be a little tough for you guys.’ But then again, I didn’t come from just an average sport. And no knock against any sport. I come from, I believe, one of the hardest sports there is. It’s amateur wrestling. You’re in a fight every day. And it’s a grind. You’re cutting weight. You can’t eat all the time. You’re having to dehydrate yourself. And on top of that, you’re having to perform at the elite level. This isn’t like another sport where you can feel good, have nutrition, you’re hydrated, everything, you know, top tier, and then go perform. You feel like crap, and you’re going out there and you’re grinding.”
“So, when people say, ‘Oh, I didn’t pay my dues. I think, actually, no, I paid more dues. You know, we paid more. I put my body through so much more than anybody knows about who wasn’t in those dark sauna rooms. And so absolutely when they say that I said, ‘Okay, fine. If that’s what you think, you’re going to be fooled. The moment we lock up in that ring, you’re going to realize you might have come from the indies, but my background it transitioned perfectly into what we do now.’”
The current NXT North American Champion did make an appearance at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII in November 2024. He has been a standout competitor amid his NXT run since 2022.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.