Though he has been on WWE’s main roster for several years and even held the WWE Tag Team Championship, Tyson Kidd has recently established himself as one of the top grapplers in WWE NXT. Wrestling among the next generation of Superstars, The Hart Dungeon graduate has declared his time in NXT “the rebirth of Tyson Kidd.”

Kidd has his sights set on the NXT Championship, currently held by Adrian Neville. Before he challenges The Man That Gravity Forgot at NXT Takeover this Thursday, WWE.com caught up with Kidd while he was training for the bout at home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The veteran high-flyer was candid about his reasons for competing in NXT, his opponent this Thursday and what the WWE Universe can expect from the live event on WWE Network.

NXT Championship Match preview |  Get WWE Network now to watch NXT Takeover

WWE.COM: A few weeks ago on WWE NXT, you said it was the rebirth of Tyson Kidd. What did you mean by that?

TYSON KIDD: It’s a fresh coat of paint, a whole new start and a way for the WWE Universe to see Tyson Kidd in a different light than they have for the first few years I’ve been on the main roster. I think they’ll see a more complete package. I’m a constant work in progress, always working on every aspect to get better and better. You’re always going to see a different Tyson Kidd. Not that I haven’t been in the past, but I’m more motivated, focused and driven than ever before.

WWE.COM: What are you out to prove by competing in NXT?

KIDD: I’m out to prove that NXT is not to be overlooked, that it’s not a stepping stone or an easy place to compete. Every single guy and girl down there is hungry. If you want to stay hungry, you have to compete with similar people. They’re so hungry and so driven, there’s a different type of atmosphere competing with these guys.

WWE.COM: Why did you decide to go after the NXT Championship?

KIDD: There are a couple reasons. First, look at Bo Dallas. He’s a former NXT Champion, the longest-reigning in history, and he had all those videos on Raw, SmackDown and Main Event. Everyone knew that he was coming. They may not know what he’s all about right now, but they know he’s coming.

Also, it’s a great way for me to make a huge impact and help NXT. It springboards me back into the main roster spotlight. I want to use that to bring more awareness to NXT. I want to win the title and defend it around the world and have it seen on “Total Divas.” I want the NXT Championship to be worldwide, so everybody knows what it is.

WWE.COM: You had to beat Sami Zayn and Tyler Breeze to get the championship opportunity at Takeover. What did that match tell you about the competition level in NXT?

KIDD: It was fun and competitive. To be honest, the next day, I was sorer than I have been in years. I truly felt like I was hit by a truck. Those guys are so hungry. They look at Adrian Neville with the championship and see that he has the best chance to go up to the main roster next. He’s the leader of NXT.

In that Triple Threat Match, they were trying to win just as much as me. It’s not that they were hungrier than me, because I feel if they were, they would have won. I have tasted the main roster and I want more. They haven’t, so it’s a different type of drive and determination. Anybody could have won that match on any given night.

Watch highlights from the Triple Threat Match

WWE.COM: What stands out to you about Adrian Neville?

KIDD: The thing about him is that I’ve been watching him for close to 10 years. Teddy Hart wrestled him a long time ago in Europe and came home raving about him. I’ve known about him, watched him and been a fan of his for a long time. The stuff he can do inside that ring is second to none. If you want to talk about high-flying, which I like to think I’m very well versed in, he’s at a different level of that. It’s why I’m here in Calgary working on conditioning, different methods of high-flying and implementing submissions.

If you look at Neville, he really doesn’t have many weaknesses on the surface. He’s in phenomenal shape. He can compete with bigger guys, like he did with Brodus Clay. I was backstage at NXT ArRIVAL and everyone there was intently watching Neville wrestling Bo Dallas, and they were getting behind him. They’re cheering for him, even though he can’t hear them. That’s how you know he’s very special. That’s why I’m here in Calgary, stepping up my game and making sure I’m the best. If Neville defeats me at Takeover, which I wouldn’t bank on, he’ll beat me at my absolute best, guaranteed.

Watch NXT ArRIVAL on WWE Network |  Full NXT coverage

WWE.COM: What kind of training are you doing in Calgary?

KIDD:It’s funny, I have so many friends up here that run gyms and MMA schools and wrestling schools. My roots are up here. I come here a couple times a year, especially now with Takeover coming up. I have to implement a lot of things, so I’m doing a lot of grappling and working on MMA-style submissions.  Plus, I’ve been doing some weird, off-the-wall stuff, like 500 Hindu squats in a steam room. Just sitting in a steam room, you can’t breathe. When you’re doing Hindu squats in one and you get past 100, your whole body feels numb and you keep going. You start to find your limits and push your body past those limits, making new ones.

WWE.COM: What can the WWE Universe expect to see from your match with Adrian Neville?

KIDD: People are going to see a lot out of me that they have never seen before. I would definitely keep your eyes on NXT Takeover. If you blink, you’re going to miss something pretty awesome. This match isn’t going to be two seconds, it’s going to be a battle.

WWE.COM: What should Adrian Neville be ready for at NXT Takeover?

KIDD: Adrian Neville should expect absolutely everything out of me. Like I said, he is going to be facing Tyson Kidd at his absolute best. I’ve got nothing to lose, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a guy with nothing to lose. I put myself in that position, because that’s when I perform at my best. This is all or nothing for me. It’s not do or die, just do. Adrian has to be prepared for a guy that’s going to come at him full-speed for as long as it takes, with no yielding and no slowing down. Neville doesn’t know, the world doesn’t know what I’m really capable of and what I plan on pulling out at NXT Takeover.

Tyson Kidd challenges Adrian Neville for the NXT Championship this Thursday at NXT Takeover, LIVE on WWE Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Be sure to tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT for the exclusive Takeover Pre-Show, featuring analysis from a panel of experts including Renee Young, Paul Heyman, Christian and Cesaro. Click here for more information on how to get WWE Network so you can catch all the action!