Mason Rook’s WWE NXT run has moved quickly, from making an immediate statement against then-NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo to earning a number one contender’s victory that positioned him for a championship challenge against Grayson Waller. As Rook prepares for one of the biggest matches of his young WWE tenure, he has reflected on the support he has received from one of the most recognizable names in company history: John Cena.
Rook, known as Will Kroos during his time on the United Kingdom independent scene, discussed Cena’s encouragement during an appearance on Busted Open Radio. The NXT star called the situation “very surreal,” particularly because Cena’s admiration for his work began before Rook had officially arrived in WWE.
Cena has previously recalled seeing Rook wrestle while he was in Budapest filming a movie. For an emerging wrestler attempting to establish himself outside WWE, having a future WWE Hall of Fame-level figure come across his work in that setting would be remarkable on its own. For Rook, the story became even more meaningful when he eventually met Cena face-to-face while working as an extra at a WWE event in Glasgow.
A Glasgow Meeting Rook Will Not Forget
Rook described walking into the extras’ area and noticing Cena signing 8x10 photographs in a production room. Unsure whether he would have another opportunity to introduce himself, Rook decided to take the chance.
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“We were all walking into the extra room and he was in there signing some 8x10s in one of the production rooms,” Rook said on Busted Open Radio. “Obviously, of course I saw him, and we were walking in, and I thought at the time he was getting up to leave... I just thought to myself, ‘This may be the only time I ever get to introduce myself and say ‘hello’ to him.’”
That introduction led to a conversation Rook did not expect. After shaking Cena’s hand, Rook heard the story of Cena discovering his independent work in Budapest. Given the scale of Cena’s career and the unexpected nature of the interaction, Rook initially wondered whether he was being ribbed.
The encounter stands out because it occurred before Rook’s current NXT momentum. He was not yet the performer who had made a direct play for the NXT Championship picture or won the number one contender’s match that set up his bout with Waller. He was simply a wrestler taking an opportunity to introduce himself to a major WWE star. Cena’s familiarity with his work offered an unusually personal sign that the effort Rook had put into the independent scene had reached farther than he realized.
Cena’s Praise Has Continued In WWE
The initial meeting would have been a lasting memory regardless of what followed. However, Cena’s support did not end in Glasgow. Rook said Cena has continued to speak positively about him since he joined WWE, a gesture the NXT competitor clearly does not take for granted.
“For John not only give his time to me then, but obviously since I’ve arrived in WWE, he’s been quite vocal of myself, too,” Rook said on Busted Open Radio. “He’s not had to do that, so I’m forever grateful for him for that.”
Rook’s comments underline the difference between a brief meeting and sustained encouragement. WWE has no shortage of athletes looking for a breakout opportunity, and a public endorsement from Cena naturally brings additional attention. Rook did not present that support as something he is entitled to receive. Instead, he emphasized that Cena chose to give him both time and recognition, making the experience especially significant.
There is also a clear connection between Rook’s appreciation and his own route to NXT. His previous work as Will Kroos on the UK independent circuit was not just a footnote before a WWE signing; it was the work Cena had seen and remembered. Rook’s journey provides a reminder that performances outside the biggest televised stages can still matter, even when a wrestler has no idea who may be watching.
Rook Has Quickly Entered The NXT Championship Conversation
Since making his WWE debut, Rook has not been positioned as someone content to wait quietly for an opening. He immediately targeted Tony D’Angelo when D’Angelo was NXT Champion, signaling his ambition from the outset. That decision put Rook’s intentions in plain view: he arrived with his focus on the brand’s top prize.
The championship landscape has since shifted, with Grayson Waller holding the gold. Rook’s victory in a number one contender’s match secured him a title challenge against Waller, creating the most consequential match of his WWE run so far. The opportunity gives Rook a chance to turn early momentum into championship success, while also testing him against a champion who now represents the standard on NXT.
Rook’s climb has been notable not simply because it has been fast, but because his goals have been clear at every step. Going after D’Angelo established his willingness to confront the champion. Winning the contender’s match ensured that he had done more than make a declaration. He earned a place across the ring from Waller with the NXT Championship at stake.
That is the point where praise from a legend and results in the ring meet. Cena’s support may spotlight Rook’s potential, but Rook’s title opportunity exists because he won his way into the position. The coming championship match will be an opportunity to show whether he can convert that potential and early confidence into the defining victory of his WWE career to date.
Why The Endorsement Matters
Cena has spent decades as a central figure in WWE, becoming one of the most visible and influential performers in the company’s history. A positive word from someone with that experience is meaningful for any rising talent, especially one whose WWE run is still taking shape. Rook’s response has been measured: he has acknowledged how extraordinary it feels, while repeatedly placing the focus on gratitude rather than expectation.
It is also worth noting that Rook’s story with Cena did not begin in a formal WWE developmental environment or after a televised introduction. It began through independent wrestling footage watched in Budapest. That detail gives the connection an organic quality. Cena was not reacting solely to a WWE presentation of Rook; he had seen enough of the wrestler’s earlier work to become interested before Rook entered the company.
For Rook, that knowledge appears to carry real validation. Independent wrestlers often work without certainty about where their performances will lead or who will encounter them. The idea that Cena watched his work abroad, retained that impression, and later made a point of sharing it with him is understandably difficult for Rook to process.
Still, Rook’s appreciation does not change the immediate task in front of him. His challenge of Grayson Waller is a major competitive step, and the NXT Championship match will place greater scrutiny on every aspect of his performance. Support from Cena can be an encouraging reminder of how far he has come, but Rook will have to establish the next chapter himself when the bell rings.
From Independent Recognition To A Defining NXT Test
Rook’s reflections arrive at a fitting moment. His first interactions with Cena came at a time when he was working to make an impression and seize whatever opportunity might come his way. Now, as an NXT title challenger, he has an opportunity considerably larger than an introduction in a production room.
The former Will Kroos has already made a noticeable transition from the UK independent scene to WWE NXT. He has confronted champions, won a decisive contender’s match, and gained the backing of an industry icon who saw something in his work well before his WWE arrival. Those developments do not guarantee a title win over Waller, but they provide a compelling backdrop to the challenge ahead.
For now, Rook is carrying both momentum and perspective into his NXT Championship pursuit. He has not forgotten the unusual path that led to Cena recognizing him, nor the generosity Cena showed when they met. As Rook put it, Cena did not have to offer that support. The fact that he did has made an already surreal experience one Rook says he will remain grateful for.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.