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Grayson Waller reveals Shawn Michaels’ reaction to controversial WWE NXT promo

Posted: Oct 22nd 2026 By: Shounak Chakribarti

Grayson Waller returned to WWE NXT earlier this year and dropped a major pipebomb.

Waller’s shoot-style pipebomb promo during his WWE NXT return earlier this year in Jul. 2026, became one of the most talked-about promos of the year. Recently, speaking on Notsam Wrestling with Sam Roberts, Waller revealed Shawn Michaels’ reaction to the entire situation.

“First of all, no one knew that was happening outside of select few people. No one knew that was happening that night. So when I walked back through the curtain, it was awkward. It was quiet,” Waller shared.

“And it’s funny because I said to Shawn [Michaels] before I went out, ‘I hope one of these kids comes and says something to me. That’s what we want.’ And Shawn said, ‘I hope one of these kids slaps you.’ And he meant that,” Waller added.

He claimed that is what they wanted. They wanted to see if the young WWE NXT wrestlers had any fight in them, after he ‘eviscerated them.’ Waller noted that it was awkward backstage and no one said anything to him.

“But that’s what we wanted. We wanted to see, do you have any fight in you? I went out there and I . And I meant every word. I’ve been around. Not in person. I know there’s been whispers backstage. I’ve got my mates there still who hear things, but they didn’t say anything,” he concluded.

Just a few weeks after his WWE NXT return, Waller defeated Tony D’Angelo to become the new reigning WWE NXT Champion.