Grayson Waller says several WWE NXT wrestlers have been running their mouths backstage—but they won’t say anything to his face. The NXT Champion claims the complaints have been flying around the Performance Center since his return, even though only a few wrestlers have stepped up and confronted him directly.
During his appearance on Busted Open After Dark, Bully Ray told Waller that fans would pay money to watch someone punch him in the face. Waller had no problem with that response and said the money would eventually find its way to him.
“That’s fine. Pay your money. It’s coming to me eventually anyway.”
Waller then explained why he didn’t return to NXT to play mentor or hand out friendly advice. His goal was to threaten everyone’s position and see who had enough fire to fight back.
“What does it benefit these kids if I come down here and say, ‘Hey, do you need any help? Do you have a cool move?’ That does nothing. I come down here and say, ‘I’m not here to help you. I’m here to take your spot. I’m here to take your money. I’m going to take everything from you. If you have an issue with it, do something about it.’”
Waller gave credit to EK Prosper, Saquon Sugars and Mason Rook for confronting him. He said their willingness to respond proves that they care about their careers and the NXT men’s division.
“Guess what? The ones who are doing something about it are the ones who care. EK Prosper cares. Saquon Sugars cares. Mason Rook cares. I love their energy. I love that they’re fighting back against me.”
The NXT Champion then turned his attention toward wrestlers who have complained about him behind the scenes. Waller claimed they have been talking around the Performance Center but have refused to approach him directly.
“There are a bunch of brothers who’ve been complaining about me being back here and me saying things. Guess what? They haven’t done a thing. They haven’t said a word to my face. They just bitch and moan around the PC.”
Waller said exposing which wrestlers genuinely want to succeed was the entire point of his attacks. He believes the people fighting back are separating themselves from those content to complain privately.
“What we’re doing right now is finding out who really wants it here. That was the whole goal—to find out who really wants it. Everyone knows I do. Let’s find out who else does.”
Despite his issues with Tony D’Angelo and Cruz Montana, Waller admitted that his actions are pushing both men. He also said he respects Montana’s drive, even if the two will never allow the other to gain an advantage.
“I think it’s pushing guys like Tony. I think it’s pushing a guy like Cruz. We might not like each other personally, but I’ve got a lot of respect for him because I know how much he wants this. I know what he’s fought through, and he believes in himself. We’re very similar. The problem with that is we’re not going to let either one of us get something over on the other.”
Waller said the hostile environment has made his current NXT run some of the most enjoyable work of his career. He even likes walking into the Performance Center and feeling that nobody wants to speak to him.
“This is the most fun stuff I’ve ever done because I can feel the hate every time I walk into the PC. No one wants to come talk to me. That’s beautiful. I’ve got mates. I don’t need new mates. I want money. I want to be where I deserve to be. That’s why I’m here.”
Waller isn’t interested in making friends during his NXT Championship reign. His plan is to keep applying pressure until every wrestler in the division either steps up to him or exposes themselves as someone willing to complain only when he isn’t in the room.
Which NXT wrestlers do you think Grayson Waller was accusing of complaining about him backstage? Let us know what you think in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
