Ex-WWE Star Suffered Imposter Syndrome For Entire Career

A former WWE Superstar struggled badly with self-doubt.

Maven shot to fame in 2001 after winning the first season of Tough Enough alongside Nidia Guenard.

The former middle school teacher went on to spend the next four years with the company and famously eliminated The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble match. By the time he was released, Maven had also won the Hardcore Championship three times.

During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Maven answered questions from fans on social media about his career in wrestling. During the clip, the star was asked whether WWE Superstars suffer from imposter syndrome, and he revealed he battled these feelings every day of his career.

“I have to be honest with you, I probably had imposter syndrome my entire time I was in the WWE. There was never a day that I walked into that locker room and didn’t have that little bit in the back of my mind, thinking, ‘Man, I don’t know if I belong in here.’

I’ve talked to other guys who I’d be in the car with, and we were big, silly kids. We just didn’t feel like we were at the top of our profession, but we were.

I think everybody, when you get to a specific level, has a little bit of imposter syndrome. That’s just self-doubt creeping in. WWE wrestlers are certainly no different.”

Maven Open To WWE Return

During an interview back in October, Maven admitted he’d be open to a WWE return, but the deal would need to involve “lots of zeros.” The former Hardcore Champion added that while his in-ring days are all but over, he feels he could still make a positive impact on the industry.

The veteran made his most recent in-ring appearance in a 30-man battle royal for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling in March 2024. He’s wrestled only 25 matches since leaving WWE 19 years ago.

H/t to Fightful