WWE star Damian Priest recently reflected on two pivotal moments in his career during an interview on Insight With Chris Van Vliet—his high-profile match with Bad Bunny at WWE Backlash 2023 and a turning point in his career during his NXT days, where he faced Finn Balor. Both moments have shaped his rise in WWE, but the match with Bad Bunny, held in front of his home crowd in Puerto Rico, stands out as a career-defining experience.
The WWE Backlash Match with Bad Bunny: A Dream Come True
For Damian Priest, the WWE Backlash 2023 match against Bad Bunny was more than just a high-profile wrestling match—it was a cultural milestone. As a proud Puerto Rican, the opportunity to perform on such a massive stage in front of his home crowd was something Priest had always dreamed about. However, Priest revealed that the match almost didn’t happen in Puerto Rico.
“It almost didn’t happen in Puerto Rico,” Priest admitted. “Plain and simple, I don’t think we would have done the match if it wasn’t in Puerto Rico. For me, it was always about representing the Latin community, all Hispanics. That, to me, was opening the doors for a lot of stuff.”
The match wasn’t just about putting on a great show. For Priest, it was about showcasing the pride and passion of Puerto Rico and the entire Latin community. He noted how he and Bad Bunny were initially nervous, but both were determined to go through with the singles match rather than switching to a tag team format, as had been discussed.
“There was talk of changing it to a tag match, but Bad Bunny and I were very adamant. We were like, ‘We don’t want to do a tag match.’ And I was proud of that one,” Priest said. “Hands down, my favorite match, just because of what it represented. It was bigger than any win or loss.”
Facing Finn Balor: A Turning Point in NXT
While the WWE Backlash match marked a significant moment for Priest’s career on the main roster, it wasn’t the first time he experienced a breakthrough. Priest reflected on his time in NXT, particularly a match against Finn Balor at In Your House during the COVID-19 era. This, he said, was the moment where everything “clicked.”
“I think the first big jump was after my match with Finn Balor at In Your House at the Performance Center,” Priest recalled. “I don’t know, I can’t even explain what happened that day, it was just something clicked, and I just let loose.”
The match became a defining moment for Priest, and it wasn’t just his own feeling. WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels and Triple H both recognized the shift in his performance and attitude, with Shawn telling Priest he had finally unlocked his potential.
“When I got to the back, Shawn and Hunter were waiting for me, and Shawn said, ‘That’s the guy I need to see from now on. There’s no going back. That guy that was out there—that guy’s money. You have to be that guy always,’” Priest shared. “He said, ‘Stop pretending.’”
Priest credits the match with Finn Balor for not only helping him grow as a performer but also forming a friendship with Balor that has continued since.
“Finn and I became ‘boys,’” Priest said with a smile, reflecting on their relationship that blossomed from the intense match.
A Career Shaped by Iconic Matches
For Damian Priest, the matches against Bad Bunny at WWE Backlash and Finn Balor in NXT were more than just career highlights. They were turning points that allowed him to showcase his skills, evolve as a performer, and build deep connections in and out of the ring. Both matches helped shape him into the WWE star he is today, and according to Priest, they remain some of the most important moments of his wrestling journey.
As his star continues to rise in WWE, Priest’s reflection on these defining moments reveals the passion and dedication that have propelled him forward. With iconic matches like these under his belt, there’s no telling where his journey will take him next.
