Grayson Waller Details Reaction Backstage To NXT Return Promo, Talks CM Punk Confrontation

Grayson Waller says that it was very awkward backstage after his promo when he returned to WWE NXT. Waller took some heavy shots at the men’s NXT roster when he returned to the brand in late July, levying insults at Cruz Montana, Tony D’Angelo, all of TNA, and the rest of the men’s division.

Waller was asked what the mood was backstage after the promo during his appearance on Notsam Wrestling. He said that it was “awkward” and noted that no one has said anything about it to his face and recalled that before the promo he spoke with Shawn Michaels who said he hoped someone slapped him over it. Waller also talked about his viral moment in August when he confronted Punk backstage at a WWE NXT live event where Punk was guest appearing. You can see highlights below:

On Returning to NXT:

“Well first of all, no one knew that was happening outside of a select few people. Like, no one knew that that was happening that night. So when I walked back through the curtain, it was awkward. Like, it was quiet. And it’s funny, because I said to Shawn [Michaels] before I went out, I was like, ‘I hope one of these kids comes and says something to me.’ Like, that’s what we want. And Shawn said, ‘I hope one of these kids slaps you.’ And he meant that. But that’s what we wanted. We wanted to see like, ‘Do you have any fight in you?’ I went out there and I like eviscerated them. And I meant every word. And what, a few of them went on Twitter and said something mean about me? I noticed that they all talked about me failing on the main roster; not one of them said I was wrong. No one said I was wrong.

“So it was awkward, and no one has said anything to me about it. Not a thing. not in person. I know there’s been whispers backstage. I got my mates there still who hear things, but they didn’t say anything. And I think part of it is, they knew I was right. They knew I was right. And like, they would complain behind my back, but never to my face.”

On His Confrontation With Punk:

“Well you know, when I came back to NXT I said, ‘This is my house now.’ It goes Matt Bloom, and it goes Rob Stone, Shawn Michaels, Grayson Waller. That’s the levels of power in NXT. Like, I run that show now. So I just felt a bit disrespected that Punk didn’t reach out to me and ask if he could do the show. He just kind of turned up. But you know, part of that was just me putting a line in the sand of who I am now. I’m not the same guy anymore. I’m not letting people walk all over me. And Punk’s the biggest dog in the yard.

“And everyone else was clapping him and cheering and going, [gasps] ‘We get to take a photo with Punk! Oh, he’s doing a birthday cake thing.’ It’s so cringe. Like, they were fans. That entire locker room were fans. And everything I said was proved right that night. You know, Mason Rook’s in there, it was probably just because there was cake available. He got a little bit excited. But I’m like, I’m not here to be a fan. I’m not here for advice. Like, I’ve done that. I’m here to show that I’m the man, and I wanted to stand in his face and say it to him.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit Notsam Wrestling with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.