Grayson Waller took it upon himself to take the torch from Johnny Gargano.
Waller took Gargano out on the former NXT Champion’s then-final appearance on NXT on December 21. Gargano subsequently left WWE as his contract expired, but he eventually returned on the August 22, 2022 episode of WWE RAW. During his absence, Waller became one of the top heels on NXT, and he started feuding with Shawn Michaels following his loss to Bron Breakker at NXT Vengeance Day. Michaels then introduced the returning Gargano was Waller’s opponent at NXT Stand & Deliver.
Ahead of NXT Stand & Deliver, WrestleZone managing editor Bill Pritchard spoke to Grayson Waller at a media junket about his renewed rivalry with Johnny Gargano.
“I said it this week, I used him,” Waller said. “He had an opportunity to pass the torch. He had his last night on NXT. No one knew where he was going. No one even knew if he was going to come back. He had an opportunity to pass the torch, and he decided to make it all about him, did this beautiful speech, everyone was crying. So I took the torch because I’m not somebody who’s gonna sit in the back. I’m not gonna wait, I’m not gonna complain online. I’m going to make things happen, and I did make my name off him.
“That night happened, then all of a sudden AJ Styles comes calling,” Waller added. “Then all of a sudden everything starts rolling, like I’m aware that I made my name off Johnny and I will tell him that to his face. On Saturday, I’m gonna do it again but in probably the more extreme version.”
When it came to calling out Shawn Michaels for a potential return, Waller said he did his best.
“I tried my best, and there was a moment where I challenged him to the match and I saw the look in his eye change,” Waller said. “I saw his aura change, like I saw old Shawn and I thought it was going to happen to be honest. He took his jacket off, I could feel the vibe change, and I know Shawn wants to fight me.
“He would love to do it. I just don’t think he’s in his prime anymore. That’s just what it is. So, I tried my best, unfortunately it just didn’t happen. But I think me and Johnny Gargano is almost as big of a match. This is NXT of old versus NXT of new. This is two generations colliding against each other, so I think this is probably the biggest match I could have outside Shawn.”
WrestleZone will have coverage of NXT Stand & Europe as it airs on April 1.
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