Myles Borne wants fans to recognise his ability in the ring, and he has made it clear that sympathy is not what he is looking for.

Speaking to KRON 4 about his recent heel turn, the WWE NXT star opened up about the bullying he experienced growing up and the criticism he still receives from some wrestling fans.

“My whole life I’ve dealt with bullies and people who just always wanted to look at the fact that I had hearing aids and I had a speech impediment,” Borne said.

Borne explained that he was raised to treat others with respect and be the bigger person, even when that kindness was not returned. Holding back was not always easy.

“I remember there were so many times, these intrusive thoughts of wanting to do something to this bully or to this person, and I couldn’t because I was always taught you only defend yourself when someone puts their hands on you. You never start something, but you finish it,” he said.

The former NXT North American and Tag Team Champion also questioned the support he receives from certain fans. According to Borne, some appeared to like him simply because he was “the deaf guy”, only to later criticise his speech on social media.

For Borne, those experiences reflect a frustration shared by other people with disabilities. He wants people to recognise what he can achieve without treating him as someone to feel sorry for.

“There are so many people who have other disabilities, hearing impairment, whatever disability you want to call it, who feel the same way. The one thing we hate more than anything is people who pander to us and feel sorry for us. That’s not what you do. Don’t feel sorry. Why do you feel sorry for me? Because you think I can’t do what you do? Well, guess what? I’m the one in the ring, and everyone else that felt sorry for me is watching me on TV from home,” he said.

As he embraces a more confrontational side on NXT, Borne is making his position clear: he wants respect for his accomplishments and the work that brought him to WWE.

What do you think of Myles Borne’s comments and his new direction on NXT? Share your thoughts in the comments.