Grayson Waller (Credits: Fightful)
Grayson Waller revealed that Shawn Michaels was actively hoping somebody would slap him after his fiery NXT return promo — and wasn’t joking about it. The NXT Champion dropped the bombshell during an interview with Stephanie McMahon on “What’s Your Story.”
Waller returned to NXT at the end of July after months off television, with one of his final appearances being a squash at the hands of Oba Femi on WWE Raw in April. His comeback promo saw him vow to “rattle some cages,” air grievances about being underutilized, and call out the entire NXT men’s roster.
Shawn Michaels Hoped a Young Star Would Slap Grayson Waller
“I told Shawn what I was going to say, just to make sure and cover my bases so it doesn’t go off the chain too much,” Waller said. “What I said to Shawn was, ‘When I come backstage, I hope one of these kids comes up to me and says something.’ Shawn said, ‘I hope one of these kids slaps you across the face.’ He wasn’t joking. He wanted someone to hit me.”
But nobody took the bait. “No one did. No one came up to me or said anything. I came backstage to silence, awkward silence. I know people said things, but no one said it to me.”
Waller Says the Promo Raised the Game for the Whole NXT Roster
Waller believes the promo has had a real effect behind the scenes: “I think it’s raised the game for the entire roster. You have to think, Shawn Michaels let me go out and say that about you. Yeah, I was saying it, but I don’t think I’m the only one who was thinking that. Those kids should take that on board and feel disrespected and be upset. They should say, ‘I have a chip on my shoulder. I’m going to prove him wrong.’ I think that’s what’s happening right now.”
“Some of the kids have taken it on board and I can see the change in them,” he added. Waller defended the NXT Championship against Tony D’Angelo at NXT Halloween Havoc on October 31.
Also Read: Grayson Waller Reveals ‘Cages Rattled’ NXT Promo Line Came From Triple H’s Advice to Cody Rhodes
Also Read: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2026 Results: Danhausen Hosts, Waller vs. D’Angelo Headlines
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.
