Matrick Belton spent most of his life dreaming of one day starring on the NFL’s biggest stages.

It’s only fitting that was the setting for his crowning achievement to date in his new pursuit.

Belton, now professionally known as WWE star Trick Williams, became the organization’s United States Champion on Sunday night’s WrestleMania card at Allegiant Stadium by pinning Sami Zayn to take the belt.

His first WWE title is the latest step on what has been a rapid rise in a sport he never really set out to pursue.

“I just always knew I was built to entertain,” Williams said in a quieter moment at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Monday. “I knew I was an athletic entertainer, but I never even thought about professional wrestling.”

He was too busy dreaming of success on the football field.

Reduced role

Belton was a high school standout in Columbia, S.C. before playing two seasons at Hampton and eventually transferring back home to walk on at South Carolina.

He was named most outstanding offensive walk-on in the spring of 2015 and eventually played all 12 games, including five starts, for the Gamecocks in Steve Spurrier’s final season, catching 11 passes for 121 yards.

Belton’s role was reduced under Will Muschamp in 2016 after suffering an injury, but his size and athletic profile got him some pro looks.

Belton eventually earned a tryout invite to Philadelphia Eagles rookie minicamp in 2018 despite not having an agent.

Even when he finally secured representation, the offers started drying up and the decision was made to reach out to the XFL.

The response was unexpected as the WWE-affiliated league asked about his interest in trying pro wrestling, a path he had never even considered.

“It’s not that I haven’t loved the game,” he says now. “My first curse words were quoting Stone Cold Steve Austin when I was 3 years old. I just never thought about myself actually pursuing it until then.

“Now, here we are today and we’re champion.”

Rocketing to success

The ascent has been remarkable.

He tried out in late 2018 and then started learning the finer details of pro wrestling before landing his first WWE development deal in 2021.

Williams made his main roster debut in January of this year and immediately became a fan-favorite, a level of popularity that was rewarded with a belt Sunday.

“It’s a beautiful time,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate in my career. There have been a lot of ups and downs to get to this moment with a lot of uncertainty about where my future is going to land, but it’s just taken off.

“It’s crazy.”

Even if it wasn’t always his dream.

“I always had visions of myself playing in the Super Bowl and performing at halftime. I thought I could do both,” he said. “Here I am at WrestleMania, which is our Super Bowl, and performing as an entertainer. That’s why WWE fits me so well.”

It wasn’t lost on him that several members of the Raiders and other stars from the NFL were in attendance to see him win the belt in a stadium that has hosted a Super Bowl. He also incorporated his love for music by incorporating Lil Yachty in his storyline, releasing a song with him and bringing him out to the ring.

“It was almost like getting back to my roots to see all these NFL guys like George Kittle and (Rob Gronkowski),” Williams said. “I was with Gronk last night (after the event). It’s just a beautiful thing because I respect the game and I see there’s a mutual respect because we are now sharing the same locker rooms.”

One where Williams got to celebrate winning a belt on Sunday.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.