WWE News: Baron Corbin Reacts To Having A ‘WrestleMania Moment’

WrestleMania 32 wasn’t the most exciting pay-per-view in WWE history, but it certainly had its fair share of “WrestleMania moments.” For example, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were busy watching Mania from the back last year. Now, they are taking part in the Intercontinental championship match in the show’s opening bout. Each of them had their “WrestleMania moment” that they will never forget, moving from their first Manias to AJ Styles’.

The former-TNA Heavyweight champion debuted in the WWE during the Royal Rumble PPV in January. He had one of the best matches on the card against Chris Jericho. Despite the loss, he still showed a great deal of patience and skill in the ring. That was his “WrestleMania moment.” The New Day’s entrance showcased a giant box of Booty O’s and Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi Kingston dressing up like Dragon Ball Z characters.

It’s easy to say they were the fan favorites of the night. Roman Reigns was in the main event for the second year in a row. Despite winning and letting most of the fans down that night, the WWE did give Reigns his moment that was deserved after years of hard work. People often forget where he came from, as Reigns was in the latter stages of FCW inside a hot, miserable gym. It took a lot to get where he ended up.

However, one moment has been outshined by the rest of the card. Baron Corbin, the former-WWE NXT standout, debuted in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and won the battle royal. His involvement didn’t steal the show, but it was still a moment he’ll never forget. In an interview with The State, Corbin talked about his “WrestleMania moment,” as well as WWE NXT’s meaning to the fans.

“It was unbelievable. We had over 100,000 people there. I was the last one standing in the ring and I got the trophy. My family was up front. It was pretty surreal. The noise, the energy, the atmosphere was untouchable. The feeling you get from that is just unreal.”

“NXT has grown immensely in the last year, year and a half to where we’re traveling now, we’re doing overseas tours. The atmosphere we get with NXT and NXT fans, they’re a die-hard group. They care deeply about NXT. It’s a very unique experience when you come to it. It’s like when you find that local band you love playing at a small place and there are 50 people there. You continue to watch them and it grows to arenas. That’s what NXT is doing.”

WWE NXT is a special breed, which Corbin helped sensationalize. Not enough WWE fans give him credit for how far he has come. When Corbin’s character became hot, he was feuding with a heel-Bull Dempsey. They were both undefeated and it culminated in a big match at NXT Takeover: R Evolution. Their match wasn’t the best, but it was hard-hitting and physical. That is what Corbin brings to the table.

For those afraid of how he’ll be used on the main roster, that’s a fair claim and worry. Tyler Breeze and The Ascension are two great examples of that. In fact, Breeze is 0-84 on the main roster, which he embraces. They were standouts in NXT, quite like Corbin was. One thing that the Lone Wolf has over both of them is his immediate impact on the main roster.

He’s already in a good feud with Dolph Ziggler, which just started last week on WWE Raw. On his debut, he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Breeze and the Ascension can’t say they’ve shared the same successes that early. Time will tell for Corbin, but it’s easy to see that he wants it just as bad as anyone.