Daniel Vidot is just not your on a regular basis retired rugby league participant.
The 31-year-old performed 124 video games for the Raiders, Broncos, Dragons and Titans earlier than hanging up the boots in 2017 and deciding to pursue an expert wrestling profession with WWE.
Vidot, who is understood within the ring as his alter ego Xyon Quinn, signed a growth contract with WWE in 2018 and has shortly develop into a fan favorite for his inventive strikes.
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After making his on-screen debut in 2020, Vidot took the WWE by storm with a scorching streak of victories on one of many promotion’s main manufacturers NXT.
He has gone from power to power in his common appearances on NXT and has developed his Xyon Quinn character so properly the WWE trademarked its nickname, ‘The Samoan Ghost’, which Vidot adopted in honour of his Samoan heritage.
However as is commonly the case on the planet of wrestling, every thing doesn’t at all times go to plan, which was clear for all to see when Vidot copped a painful low blow throughout an NXT match final month.
After a flirtatious storyline emerged between Vidot’s Xyon Quinn and Elektra Lopez, Vidot confronted off in opposition to her Legado Del Fantasma stablemate Santo Escobar, with the winner to earn Lopez’s allegiance.
Vidot was dominating the competition in opposition to Escobar till Lopez caught his consideration exterior the ring with a lingering gaze. Considering he’d received her over, Vidot turned his again, just for Lopez to indicate her true colors by unleashing deadly a kick to his nether areas.
In excruciating ache, Vidot slumped over on his haunches and from that time on was no match for Escobar, who seized his alternative to defeat his wounded opponent.
Vidot mentioned the low blow was simply as painful as you’d think about however hoped it was a transfer that resonated with on a regular basis followers.
“It felt precisely the way it appeared mate,” Vidot advised information.com.au.
“I really feel like that was one thing that might join with lots of people around the globe. A number of guys have been on this state of affairs the place that’s form of what occurs.
“I believed that was a cool second for Xyon Quinn the place he form of obtained himself in a predicament, thought he was in love however yeah; she took the home, she took the automotive. That’s what that second was.
“I believe it was actually cool to indicate that aspect from the man’s standpoint as properly to try to show that , it goes each methods.
“There’s instances the place issues occur in a constructive method for the lady and issues occur in a constructive method for the man and likewise vice versa. In order that was one thing I needed to show in that storyline. I really feel like I projected that.”
Vidot is a deep thinker and has been working to unpack extra of his Xyon Quinn character, who he describes as a “gentleman” that “everybody needs their daughter to have”.
Now he’s made his mark on NXT, his subsequent purpose is to be picked for WWE’s primary roster, which might full his unimaginable path from NRL participant to WWE famous person.
“I believe my subsequent primary purpose is to hit primary roster,” Vidot mentioned.
“That’s the place my focus is at, my power is in the direction of. Clearly being right here for 3 years now, I’ve realized much more concerning the craft.
“In the mean time, I’m simply engaged on my craft, getting myself proper and getting myself prepared and hopefully I get that decision up very quickly.
“It’s been a little bit of a rollercoaster however I’m getting there. I’m nonetheless loving this, it’s nonetheless my ardour. I’m actual completely happy, glad I made this transfer. Hopefully I get again onto the screens quickly and also you guys will see me quickly on the principle roster.”
Vidot, who ventured into wrestling after he fell out of affection with rugby league, admits he pinches himself when he thinks about dwelling two separate identities — Daniel Vidot the previous NRL participant and Xyon Quinn the wrestler.
“It’s loopy being at work and being referred to as ‘Xyon’ on a regular basis,” he mentioned.
“Typically that identification can take over actuality. I come residence and it’s like, ‘Daniel’ and it’s like, ‘Whoa. Oh yeah that’s me’.
“It’s form of loopy having that form of idea of leaving the character at work and turning into your actual life character while you get residence. It’s been enjoyable although.”
Vidot is much from happy and has some lofty targets for his WWE profession, one in every of which is for his character to develop into “an icon around the globe”.
“My targets listed here are long run and I haven’t come this far to surrender,” he mentioned.
“It’s been a protracted journey, it’s been a loopy journey too. In my mindset, I didn’t depart my household on the opposite aspect of the world to return right here and muck round.
“I got here right here to make an impression and to not solely signify Australia and Samoa however to signify what Xyon Quinn is all about.”
Vidot mentioned Xyon Quinn is “the dude I wanted I had” throughout his childhood and is proud he has managed to rework that concept into an actual life character.
“On the age of 13 I had a gamer tag on Xbox — ‘Samoan Ghost’ — and now WWE trademarked it and that’s fairly cool in itself,” he mentioned.
“That’s one thing that I’m at all times going to be pleased with. I manifested it and I made it one thing actual and it was Xyon Quinn. That’s who the Samoan Ghost is, it’s somebody that’s form of at all times there however he’s not.
“That’s the place the entire concept of him got here from. I’m simply including layers and layers at a time and hopefully it simply retains growing and turns into an icon around the globe.”
As for which present NRL participant may observe in his footsteps and crack the massive time, Vidot nominated mischievous Melbourne Storm hooker Brandon Smith.
“It’s in all probability going to need to be ‘The Cheese’ (Smith),” Vidot mentioned.
“I really feel like his persona, it’s undoubtedly there. He’s a magnet to the cameras, you’ll be able to’t maintain your eyes off him. He’s a really entertaining dude. So I really feel like The Cheese may.”
WWE NXT airs every Wednesday at 12pm (AEDT) on Kayo and Foxtel’s FOX8.