Kendal Grey Admits Entertainment Side Of Pro Wrestling Has Been Her Biggest WWE Challenge Ahead Of NXT Title Shot

With an NXT Women’s Championship match against Lola Vice at the Great American Bash on the horizon, Kendal Grey is as open about her shortcomings as she is confident in her goals. In a recent interview on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, the breakout NXT star got candid about the part of the business she still finds most difficult — and it has nothing to do with what happens between the ropes.

Grey, who has drawn widespread praise for her in-ring work since arriving in NXT, acknowledged that performing in front of a camera and letting her personality come through has been the steeper learning curve. A background in amateur wrestling — where showing emotion is actively discouraged — combined with a naturally shy personality made the entertainment demands of sports entertainment a genuine struggle.

“I feel like coming here, something I struggled with a lot, and still struggle with… the entertainment side of it is something I struggled with more,” Grey said. “Growing up I was a super shy kid, I used to hate public speaking, I used to be the girl that would hide under my desk when the teacher was trying to pick people to read. I couldn’t say my Rs or pronounce certain words as a kid, so I hated speaking. Also coming from an amateur wrestling background, you’re always told not to show your emotions… so coming here that definitely has been the more challenging part.”

Despite that, Grey says she’s embracing the discomfort. She noted that away from the cameras she’s naturally goofy and funny with her friends, and the challenge now is finding ways to let that translate on screen. “I love it though because even though I was never comfortable with that growing up, I love that it’s challenging me and getting me out of my comfort zone,” she said.

Grey was also asked about high-profile praise she’s received regarding her long-term potential, and while she tries to avoid getting caught up in online chatter — positive or negative — she made clear that being the best is very much the goal. “At the end of the day, I do want to be the best,” she said. “I come in here every single day, get better every single day… if it happens, hopefully it happens down the road authentically.”

With a title opportunity against Lola Vice coming up at the Great American Bash, Grey is about to get her biggest platform yet to show both sides of what she’s capable of.