Grayson Waller just took a flamethrower to TNA and Cruz Montana in the same conversation. The NXT Champion claimed TNA talent sits online waiting for WWE stars to mention them, then told Montana he should stop worrying about Waller’s title and go chase the Evolve Championship instead.
While speaking with Peter Rosenberg on Cheap Heat, Waller was asked about Montana after his recent shot at TNA came up. Waller didn’t try to soften anything. He laughed about the reaction and claimed simply mentioning TNA is enough to give people there a few seconds of relevance.
“Yeah. Dude, that TNA line was so funny. It’s so, it’s so easy sometimes. Like, it’s so easy. ’Cause I just know the TNA guys are just sitting on the internet begging for someone to, like, mention something so they can be relevant for 24 seconds.”
Waller actually gave Montana some respect after that, but it came with a pretty big catch. He said their two matches felt the way wrestling is supposed to feel because Montana didn’t hold back, even recalling one slap that briefly scrambled him.
“But the one thing I’ll say about Cruz is I’ve been in there twice with him, and this is what it’s supposed to feel like. When he hits me, he hits me with everything. I remember that first match, he slapped me across the face and I had a white flash and I was like, ‘Oh, oh. This is what we’re doing.’”
That compliment didn’t last long. Waller said he has no personal problem with Montana and understands what it took for him to reach WWE. The issue, according to Waller, is Montana apparently believing he deserves to be standing at the top of NXT with him.
“So as much as I don’t think it’s a personal thing with me and Cruz, like, I don’t hate him as a person. I understand his journey to get here and it’s cool and all, but, like, what’s disrespectful is he thinks he should have the NXT Championship. He thinks he should be the star of the brand and all these things. Like, you don’t have it like me, lad.”
Then Waller went for the kill. Instead of treating Montana like a serious threat to the NXT Championship, Waller said he should be grateful he already got two matches with him and suggested there is another belt much more suited to his level.
“So I think he should be thankful that he got to get in the ring with me twice. And now he can maybe go do Evolve. Maybe he can be the Evolve Champion. I think Cruz Montana will be a fantastic Evolve Champion.”
Rosenberg immediately pointed out that Waller was basically sending Montana down the ladder right in front of everybody. Waller didn’t see it that way at all.
“That’s not a demotion. I’m giving him the opportunity. I got the opportunity. Here’s an opportunity for Cruz Montana: Evolve Champion.”
That is about as backhanded as praise gets. Waller is willing to admit Montana can hit hard, but when it comes to actually standing beside him as one of NXT’s top stars, the champ clearly thinks Cruz is aiming way above his pay grade.
Was Grayson Waller just doing what he does best and talking trash, or did he cross the line by brushing off Cruz Montana as Evolve Championship material? Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think.
