Kendall Gray, whose real name is Peyton Prusin, is the current WWE Evolve Champion and may soon claim the NXT Women’s Championship following her recent triumph in the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Before turning pro, Gray made a name for herself as an amateur wrestler at Life University. In a conversation with Dennis Salcedo, Gray revealed how she eventually broke into WWE. She credits WWE Raw star and former amateur wrestler Julius Creed for introducing her to WWE as a possible career path after college. Gray explained that while the NIL program mainly focuses on top NCAA athletes, the NAIA level doesn’t get as much spotlight. After winning her second or third national title, Creed encouraged her to consider WWE, which she initially thought was a joke until it became a real opportunity.
WWE announced Gray’s signing through the NIL program in January 2023, where she was among 15 college athletes nationwide. Later that year, she secured a full-time contract, setting up her WWE TV debut to come.
Before committing fully to WWE, Gray weighed the benefits and drawbacks carefully, including the sacrifice of her Olympic dreams. Despite concerns about her small frame, which once weighed around 109 pounds, she was determined to make it work and aimed to bulk up. Since age 11, Gray had been managing her weight for sports, but her passion for WWE pushed her to bet on herself. She acknowledged that WWE took a chance on her and she intends to prove her commitment, passion, and capability inside the ring.
Two years post-tryout, Gray has made significant progress in professional wrestling and could soon reach the top of NXT by New Year’s Eve.
Fan Take: Kendall Gray’s journey from amateur wrestling to becoming a WWE standout is inspiring for any wrestling fan, showing that dedication and self-belief can truly open doors in WWE. Her potential rise to the NXT Women’s Championship could not only elevate her career but also bring fresh excitement and diversity to the sport.
