Joe Coffey has nothing but praise for The Rock after helping him train for a high-profile match at WWE WrestleMania XL.
Former WWE NXT star Joe Coffey recently spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard. During the conversation, the GBOT member reflected on the unique opportunity to help The Rock prepare for his tag team match at WrestleMania 40. He described the experience as both surreal and rewarding.
Speaking about how the opportunity came together, Coffey recalled receiving short notice from WWE just as his parents had arrived in the United States for a visit. Despite having to leave for a few days, he said his family was thrilled by the news.
“Yeah, I mean we’d got given the heads up on I think it was a Monday night or a Monday morning and my parents had actually just arrived for the first time to America just to basically come visit us and it was one of those ones it’s like we’re going to have to go away for a couple of days. So, but they were absolutely buzzing with it,” Joe Coffey said.
Joe Coffey praises The Rock for being approachable
Coffey explained that he and his fellow trainees (Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) flew out for a three-to-four-day training camp with The Rock. He praised the WWE legend for being approachable and considerate throughout the process. He noted that despite operating on his own schedule, The Rock went out of his way to accommodate everyone involved.
“And yeah, so it was literally just fly out and we had a three, four day camp at that time with The Rock and it was a great experience. And as well as it being on his time, he couldn’t have been nicer, he couldn’t have been more humble. Especially on the last day, he was like, ‘What time’s your guys’ flights?’ We’re like, ‘Oh, it’s 2:00.’ And he’s like, ‘Let’s bring training forward just so it’s earlier, just so you guys have got time. I know what LA is like to get through.’
“So yeah, it was brilliant. And it was like, it’s not what you would expect at first because it was just in some dingy little warehouse just off of Compton, just inconspicuous. So there’s no press, there’s no nothing. So it was cool.”
Joe Coffey on The Rock’s professionalism
Although The Rock’s larger-than-life presence was immediately noticeable, Coffey said the WWE icon made an effort to greet everyone personally and remained humble throughout the camp. He recalled how surreal it felt to look across the ring and realize he was about to train with one of wrestling’s biggest stars.
“And he has a presence when he comes in and we were putting our boots on, he’s saying hello to everyone and then he’s getting stretched off by his trainer and I was just like, ‘Right, let’s get going.’ Because I was dying to get in as well. My competitive head gets on as well.
“And no, it was just great. It’s crazy looking across the ring and seeing The Rock when you’re about to link up with him and roll about. But again, he couldn’t have been nicer. He was super humble. Took some of our ideas on as well, like if you’ve got any ideas, please feel free to pitch in, which was honoring as well.”
Coffey said he remains grateful that WWE entrusted him and his peers with helping prepare The Rock for what many consider one of the biggest WrestleMania events of all time. He described it as an incredible opportunity and an experience he will always cherish.
“But to be in that position to have him essentially prepare for one of the biggest WrestleManias, if not the biggest WrestleMania ever, it was fantastic. And we’re always thankful for that and always thankful to WWE for that because it was a great opportunity.”
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