From reality TV contestant to the first Australian NXT Champion
In short: Before becoming a mainstay in WWE, Matthew Farrelly was a contestant on Australian Survivor. Now known as Grayson Waller, the Australian professional wrestler has transitioned from the independent circuit to championship gold, making history as the first Australian to hold the NXT Championship.
Born on March 21, 1990, Matthew Farrelly began his professional wrestling journey under the ring name Matty Wahlberg. He made his debut on April 15, 2017, at a Newcastle Pro Wrestling event, losing his first match to SnapChad. During this period on the independent circuit, he competed in various tournaments and matches, including a victory in the 2019 Colosseum tournament.
Farrelly's rise in WWE saw him move through several developmental stages. After signing with the company in March 2021, he debuted on the 205 Live brand on June 11, followed by an NXT debut on August 24. He eventually transitioned to the SmackDown brand in May 2023, where he hosted 'The Grayson Waller Effect' and engaged in high-profile segments with stars like John Cena and Edge.
A significant milestone in his career occurred when he formed the tag team A-Town Down Under with Austin Theory. The duo achieved their first WWE championship win at WrestleMania XL, capturing the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. This victory was later renamed the WWE Tag Team Championship in April 2024.
Waller's most historic achievement came on August 30, 2026, at NXT Heatwave. By winning a fatal four-way match against Tony D'Angelo, Cruz Montana, and Zilla Fatu, he became the first Australian wrestler to hold the NXT Championship. This victory followed a period of intense competition and a 'worked shoot' promo where he criticized the NXT roster.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Grayson Waller
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-grayson-waller.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
