Grayson Waller has built his WWE persona around unapologetic honesty, a trait that he believes would be compromised if he ever turned babyface. In a recent interview on Insight, Waller shared his perspective on why he doesn’t see himself ever stepping into the role of a babyface and why he’s so committed to maintaining his heel identity.
To Waller, being a babyface isn’t just about the shift in crowd reactions or the typical “good guy” behaviors that come with it—it’s about authenticity, or, in his view, the lack of it. Waller prides himself on being true to his character and not holding back his thoughts or feelings, especially toward fans. He doesn’t want to fake his attitude or compromise his brutally honest nature just to fit into the mold of a traditional babyface. In his eyes, babyfaces often play up their connection to the fans, emphasizing the support they supposedly feel for the WWE Universe, a sentiment he finds difficult, if not impossible, to relate to.
“The one thing I hate about being a babyface is, I don’t think I’d be honest,” he explained. “You have all of these babyfaces that have to pretend they love the fans, and I can’t stand the fans.” This viewpoint reflects a key part of his identity and his understanding of the dynamics between a wrestler and the WWE audience. For Waller, the fanbase isn’t a source of support or inspiration; rather, he sees them as something to challenge, something that fuels his desire to push boundaries, speak his mind, and stay true to himself, even if it means being the most disliked man in the room.
What makes Waller’s stance so intriguing is how he frames honesty as a rare trait in wrestling, particularly for babyfaces. In his mind, there’s a level of pretense involved when a wrestler embraces a fan-friendly persona. Waller seems to suggest that playing to the crowd and showing gratitude to the fans can, at times, feel disingenuous. He feels that many babyfaces have to tone down their true personalities to appeal to the audience, often sacrificing honesty for likability. And for someone as outspoken as Waller, that feels like a betrayal of what he stands for.
Waller’s remarks raise an interesting question about the nature of WWE storytelling and character development. Wrestling has traditionally thrived on clear distinctions between heroes and villains, with babyfaces expected to rally the crowd and heels provoking their anger. However, Waller’s viewpoint reflects a shift in the dynamics of modern wrestling, where the lines between hero and villain aren’t as clear-cut as they once were. Audiences are more informed than ever, often cheering for villains they find entertaining or booing heroes who feel overly manufactured. Waller’s commitment to his heel persona aligns with this evolution, as he challenges the stereotypical roles and openly rejects the idea of conforming to the crowd’s expectations.
For Waller, authenticity is paramount, and he seems to believe that staying true to his character is more important than winning the crowd’s favor. He sees his heel status not as a role he plays but as a reflection of his real personality—at least as it relates to his feelings about the WWE Universe. By refusing to compromise, Waller becomes a unique figure in WWE, someone who isn’t afraid to maintain his heel identity regardless of the potential career benefits of becoming a fan-favorite.
In fact, it’s this commitment to authenticity that may make him even more compelling to fans, ironically. Wrestling audiences today often appreciate characters who defy traditional roles and embrace their genuine selves, even if it means being unpopular. Waller’s refusal to be a typical babyface could ultimately earn him a level of respect from fans who value his candor. However, Waller himself seems unmoved by this potential reaction. His motivation isn’t to earn respect; rather, it’s to stay true to himself and continue to provoke, challenge, and entertain without pandering to the crowd.
This approach highlights a larger conversation within WWE about what it means to be a babyface or a heel in the current era. The traditional hero-villain dynamic is evolving, with wrestlers like Waller embodying a complex relationship with the audience that doesn’t fit neatly into the old molds. Waller’s disdain for the fans isn’t an act he puts on—it’s part of his identity as a heel, a way to stand out and keep his character consistent. This dynamic allows him to play a unique role on WWE programming, where his disdain for crowd approval is as much a part of his story as his in-ring skills.
Waller’s rejection of a babyface role also touches on a broader tension that some WWE performers feel. For many, there’s a struggle between staying true to themselves and adapting to what the audience wants. Some wrestlers find it easy to win over fans, while others, like Waller, see fan approval as something secondary to their goals. He’s comfortable being the “bad guy” and relishes in the reactions he gets. In fact, it seems to fuel him, giving him a level of creative freedom and confidence that would likely feel restrained if he were forced to adopt a fan-friendly persona.
Ultimately, Waller’s stance might be part of what sets him apart as a unique personality in WWE. His refusal to be a babyface isn’t a reflection of a lack of versatility, but rather a commitment to authenticity. In a world where fans can often see through character gimmicks, Waller’s no-nonsense, brutally honest approach resonates in its own way, even if he doesn’t intend it to. His viewpoint on babyfaces as “pretending” to love the fans makes a statement about his values and what he wants to represent in WWE—a raw, honest heel who doesn’t compromise for anyone, least of all the audience.
In WWE, where success often comes from the ability to play multiple roles and adapt to the audience’s reactions, Waller’s one-sided commitment to being a heel might seem like a limitation. Yet for him, it’s a matter of principle. He’s not interested in being “liked” in the traditional sense, and he doesn’t want to dilute his character by trying to fit into a babyface mold. His strength lies in his commitment to his character, and his remarks on Insight show that he’s fully aware of the implications. For Waller, being true to his character—his real, unapologetic, fan-disdaining self—matters more than anything else.
Grayson Waller’s approach challenges the WWE Universe to rethink what it means to connect with a wrestler. Perhaps his honesty will make him a fan-favorite in an unconventional way, or maybe he’ll remain one of the most disliked characters on the roster. Either way, Waller’s stance on never turning babyface is clear: he values staying true to his character over winning anyone’s approval. And that, in the ever-evolving world of wrestling, might just make him one of the most compelling heels WWE has seen in years.