Trick Williams Has Achieved COAT Status on the Way to His Lifetime Goal [Exclusive]

Trick Williams has knocked the doors off WWE since making his official main roster debut earlier this year.

In just a short time as a mainstay act on SmackDown, Williams has won the WWE United States Championship, lost the United States Championship, wrestled singles matches at both SummerSlam and WrestleMania, and secured a custom-made title belt from one of the most popular musicians in the world.

Williams spoke to The Takedown on SI in an exclusive interview and opened up about a variety of topics, including SummerSlam, COAT status with Chase Freedom, and his long-term goals as a pro wrestler in WWE. The SummerSlam loss hurt.

"When we're talking about SummerSlam, I felt like I did everything I could to put out a good showing," Williams said. "I made sure I looked good. I hit my abs that morning; I put on my coat — and that's why I am The Coat, the goat, the greatest cash-backer of all time. Shout-out to my partnership with Chase Freedom.

"I had my ducks lined up in a row, but I just came up a little bit short because Baron Corbin had to take a shortcut to take out your boy. With that being said, I'm not done with Baron Corbin. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get my title back."

Williams oozed confidence and was disappointed that he lost the WWE Men's United States Championship. Williams is sure he'll be champion again, if for no other reason than that he has his own custom-made title belt. Was that a Williams idea? Not exactly.

"I wish I could take credit for it, but I've got to give it to my boy Lil Yachty for pitching it," Williams said. "I said, 'Man, how cool would it be if I had my own custom belt that matches my coat, with the fur and everything?' And he popped up with it as a surprise on that SmackDown that everybody saw. But it doesn't sit right with me that I lost my title so fast. I have to get my own legacy title. There's no way I'm going out like that, man. I have to go get my title back."

The good thing for Williams is that you can put fur on a lot of WWE prizes. Williams joked about the upcoming Money in the Bank PPV in New Orleans and said that he'd love to not only be involved in that event, but also win it and create a custom, fur-based Money in the Bank briefcase.

"Hey, look — fur on the briefcase would be a very special briefcase, Williams said. "Something we've never seen before. Maybe iced out. Iced out on the briefcase, who knows?"

Trick Williams, COAT status, and Chase Freedom

Williams mentioned his COAT a lot, and not just because he wears a massive one as part of his entrance. Williams was brought on as a spokesperson for Chase Freedom and has declared himself The COAT, or Cashbacker of All Time.

Williams is proud of his association with Chase. He also understands and accepts the responsibility that comes with his company when working on massive partnerships like COAT.

"It's such a compliment to be affiliated with Chase Freedom and to be recognized for my COAT, Williams said. Because if you know anything about Trick Williams, I wear my COAT and I wear it proud. So it's a perfect partnership — it's lightning in a bottle when you talk about coat status and Trick Williams. Anytime you can put yourself in the conversation with big money, you know you're doing the right thing. And as far as WWE goes, I'm honored to get that opportunity to be the one out in front, too."

Williams made his main roster debut on the first episode of SmackDown this year. He's been a natural in terms of adapting the style he cultivated in NXT, but says the main roster environment is much different than developmental.

"I think the biggest difference from NXT to the main roster is learning how to perform for 200 people as opposed to 20,000, 5,000, 50,000 — whatever the case is," Williams said. "Certain things hit when there are only 200 people in your warehouse and certain things you need to do for thousands of people to see and understand what's going on.

"That's why I introduced the coat. Once I got to the main roster, the coat is so big, so bold, it's something everybody recognizes. It's something little kids can attach themselves to. Everybody can feel like they're part of this COAT status. The biggest difference is learning how to appeal to thousands — millions — of people, as opposed to the few in your warehouse."

Williams is still less than a year into his main roster run as a WWE Superstar. Williams has a huge Rolodex of talent to get advice from, but he said someone very close to him is at the top of that list. It's his wife, Lash Legend. Williams put Legend over and said she's quick to tell him whether something is or isn't good. He said if he listens to her, she's usually right.

Now with COAT status already secured with Chase Freedom, Williams says there are still plenty of level-up opportunities available for him. His strategy to make sure he acknowledges those opportunities? Be on the show.

Williams has been on the majority of the PLE's since being on the main roster, but he wants more and especially more appearances on top shows like WrestleMania and SummerSlam. That type of presence in the WWE would not only maintain COAT status but also put him on the track to achieve his life goal.

"My life's mission statement: for every single room I walk into, I want to light it up," Williams said. "I want people to feel better because I entered the room. I want people to feel better about themselves after an encounter with Trick Williams — and that's exactly what I'm doing every single week."

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