Grayson Waller says the NXT locker room made him cringe around CM Punk.
Waller confronted Punk backstage at an NXT live event in Petersburg, Virginia, telling the Undisputed WWE Champion he needed permission before turning up at another NXT show. Security had to step in. On Busted Open Radio, the new NXT Champion explained what set him off.
When I was a wrestling fan, before I checked in my ‘mark card,’ I was a big fan of CM Punk. I loved what he said and when he talked because he spoke from the heart and was real. He didn’t care what anyone thought. He wanted to piss people off. If you had a problem with him, do something. No one did anything.
Then he watched his own locker room.
When he came to NXT for that show, the kids were so excited. It was so sad. They’re all like, ‘Mr. Punk, what did you think of my match?’ The amount of guys taking photos with him was sad. You’re in the same company as him, ‘What are you doing, lad? You’re taking photos with him like a meet and greet.’ It embarrassed me. It embarrassed me that I was part of NXT and the kids are doing that.
His idea of respect runs the other way.
Personally, I think the best way to show respect to CM Punk is to go at him and tell him what you think. That’s what I did. I think he appreciated that. I know he loves getting all the NXT kids telling him how good he is. It probably makes him feel good, but I think he also secretly respects what I did because that’s what he would do. 100% that’s what he would’ve done.
Waller does not think the Punk who came back is the one he grew up watching.
Punk is very good, very sharp, and very intelligent, but he’s softened a bit. He’s got a wife, a nice family, and a bunch of NXT kids telling him how good he is. He’s the champion, main evented WrestleMania. What makes him hungry now? What makes him fired up and angry? A guy like me, coming for his throat, I think that would bring him back. I want the old CM Punk.
He says he already tested it and got nothing.
I thought he was going to choke me out because I said some mean things on Twitter about him, and he didn’t. I was like, ‘Oh, where did you go, Punk?’ That’s okay, I’ll bring him back. That’s my goal.
Waller says a promo battle with Punk is his actual wrestling dream, ahead of main eventing WrestleMania. He won the NXT Championship at Heatwave, stealing the pin on Tony D’Angelo in a four-way that also involved Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu. Punk has held the Undisputed WWE Championship since July.
