Grayson Waller wants one thing made clear—WWE didn’t send him back to NXT as a demotion. The new NXT Champion says he returned after receiving a direct invitation from someone whose opinion carries serious weight with him.
During an appearance on Busted Open After Dark, Bully Ray asked Waller about his relationship with Shawn Michaels and how Michaels feels about the chaos he has created since returning to NXT.
That question prompted Waller to address the online narrative surrounding his move from WWE’s main roster. Waller said there was no punishment involved and mocked the idea that appearing on national television every Tuesday could be considered a demotion.
“This is a fun question, and I’m wondering where I go with this. I’ll give you this, Bully: I didn’t get sent back to NXT. There’s a narrative online that Grayson Waller got demoted. ‘Oh, I have to be on national television every Tuesday. That’s so tough.’ But there’s a narrative online that I got demoted, and that’s not true.”
Waller then revealed that someone contacted him and requested a private meeting. He didn’t name the person, but said it was someone he respects more than anyone else and whose opinion means more to him than anyone else’s.
“There was a phone call from someone who asked to meet with me. I spoke with him, and this is a person I respect more than anyone. His opinion means more than anyone. He asked me to come back here.”
According to Waller, the person who contacted him believed the NXT men’s division wasn’t ready and lacked someone capable of creating chaos. Waller said the wrestlers wanted the NXT Championship, but none of them acted like they truly needed it.
“He asked me because the men’s division wasn’t ready. He didn’t have anyone. No one was causing havoc. Everyone wanted the title, but no one needed it. He knows how much I love this place. He knows how much I love wrestling. He knows how much this title meant to me because I never had it. So he asked me to come back, and I said, ‘Hell yeah.’”
Waller acknowledged that Shawn Michaels may not always approve of how he handles himself, but said Michaels knows exactly how passionate he is about NXT and professional wrestling.
“Maybe the way I do things, Shawn isn’t a huge fan of, but he knows the passion I have and he knows the talent I have. I truly believe that Shawn Michaels recently is the only person who actually believed in me. I’ll run through a wall for that guy, and that’s what I’m doing right now.”
Waller also argued that his return has already changed the way fans view NXT’s men’s division. He pointed to the number of wrestlers chasing his championship as proof that the division has regained attention.
“No one has talked about this men’s division in years like they are right now. You’ve got six challengers. When was the last time you had six challengers? No one cared about the men. All they wanted to do was talk about the women, who are so good—I get it. But one of the reasons they looked so good, obviously because of their talent, was because the men sucked so badly. But now we’re having some fun, and now the lads are stepping up.”
Waller didn’t identify who made the call, but his comments make it clear that his return was presented to him as an opportunity to revive the men’s division—not a punishment. He accepted that challenge, captured the NXT Championship and now believes the entire division is being forced to respond to him.
Do you think Grayson Waller’s NXT return was the right move for his career, and who do you believe asked him to come back? 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.
