Former NRL and Salford Red Devils star Daniel Vidot has given an incredibly honest interview about his life so far – and why wrestling for the WWE has ‘saved’ him.
The powerful winger played for the Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons, Salford and the Gold Coast Titans over a period of nine years.
Now though, the Australian has taken to the wrestling arena like a duck to water, winning nine head-to-heads in a row in the NXT promotion – and it’s helped him take back control of his life.
“I didn’t have the best upbringing,” Vidot told the Daily Telegraph.
“It had nothing to do with family — I want to make that clear.
“My family, my parents, they’re the greatest and have never done anything wrong.
“But I had battles … and some people handle things better than others.”
Vidot spoke openly about how he tried to handle that – turning to alcohol as a means of getting out.
“Drinking became a heavy part of my life,” he admits.
“From a young age, it was something I used to mask all the problems I had.
“And people who know me when I used to drink, I wasn’t a good dude.
“My life was on the line.“
“And there were moments I nearly took that.”
But, it’s wrestling that Vidot admits took him away from the bottle and helped him grow into a better person.
“And there was a time I never believed I would get here,” he admitted.
“Never believed I could stop drinking. Never believed I could be this person I am now.
“But it’s crazy how this place has changed me.
“Fixed me.
“Made me grow.
“I’ve not only become a better wrestler inside the ring, but I’ve become a much better person outside of it.”