Grayson Waller will defend the NXT Championship in an open challenge on tonight’s NXT after scheduled challenger Mason Rook was not medically cleared to compete. Anyone on the NXT roster can answer.
WWE announced the change earlier in the day in a video from NXT host Emily Agard on the brand’s X account. Rook had earned the title shot by winning a triple threat match over Saquon Shugars and Tony D’Angelo on the September 15 episode of NXT. POST Wrestling was among the first outlets to report that Waller would open the title up to challengers.
The first names floated during the show were not going to be answering. Shawn Michaels asked AJ Styles and CM Punk if either would accept the challenge. Styles said, “I’m retired and I wear glasses.” Punk said, “I am not officially on the NXT roster.”
WWE has not said what is keeping Rook sidelined, and it’s unclear whether the situation is a legitimate medical issue or part of the storyline. Rook responded on X: “I’m sorry. Sometimes life is cruel. Every fibre of my being wanted to compete tonight but unfortunately it is out of my control. I promise this is just a speed bump and not a road block.”
Last week’s show ended with a heated promo exchange between Rook and Waller to build the match. Rook had also said he is eyeing a WrestleMania 43 match against Gunther.
Waller won the NXT Championship at Heatwave in a four-way match against D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu.
