Grayson Waller, the latest addition to the WWE SmackDown roster, recently shared his thoughts on a remarkable experience involving wrestling legend Shawn Michaels during his time in NXT.
Despite not getting the chance to have a wrestling match against the WWE Hall of Famer, Waller expressed his gratitude during an interview with Fox Sports Australia, acknowledging the significance of sharing the ring with one of the greatest of all time.
“No one in recent years can say that they were in the ring with Shawn Michaels. Even though it wasn’t in a wrestling capacity, like I wanted, that’s one of the greatest of all time and I was in there. And that doesn’t happen. So that was very big for me,” Waller remarked.
The memorable interaction with Michaels unfolded at the iconic Staples Center, known as “Kobe Bryant’s house,” which added an extra level of excitement for Waller. Nevertheless, he openly conveyed his disappointment regarding not headlining NXT Stand and Deliver against Johnny Gargano. However, rather than dwelling on the missed opportunity, Waller used his frustration as fuel to ignite his determination in the fiercely competitive realm of WWE.
“I took umbrage with the fact that I wasn’t the main event. I was upset about it. And I went out there to prove people wrong, to go out there and say, ‘I’m the best in NXT, hands down,'” Waller passionately expressed, fueled by his desire to silence any doubts about his abilities.
While Waller’s aspiration of a wrestling match against Shawn Michaels didn’t materialize, fate had a different plan as he found himself reigniting a rivalry with another notable NXT talent, Johnny Gargano, orchestrated by none other than Michaels himself. This unforeseen twist reignited their previous feud, which reached its climax with Waller’s triumph over Gargano in December 2021.
As Waller embarks on his transition to the WWE SmackDown roster, his unwavering focus remains on capitalizing on every opportunity and solidifying his position as a dominant presence inside the squared circle. Armed with an exceptional combination of determination and talent, Waller is poised to leave an indelible mark on the main roster and showcase his true worth on WWE’s grandest stage.
