Grayson Waller blasts Austin Theory and members of the WWE NXT roster

The July 28th 2026 edition of WWE NXT opened with Grayson Waller making a surprise appearance. In a promo, Waller blasted his former tag team partner Austin Theory…

“The last two years of my career have been an absolute embarrassment, and I’m man enough to admit it. I spent a year carrying £240 of idiot on my back, making him relevant again. So much so that these people actually chanted his name. Never before, never since.

But I don’t care how many bells and whistles you give him. At the end of the day, that Marty Jannetty is still allergic to the microphone.”

Waller made it clear that he wants the NXT Championship. Waller said the title has been held by the best and declared that he is coming for Cruz Montana (Mike Santana), while admitting that he likes the new name.

Waller also took shots at Santana’s time in TNA, saying, “It ain’t 2005, lad. Being the top guy in TNA is like being the best basketball player at the local YMCA, I’m not impressed.” He added that there would be a “shiny new toy” in six weeks and that everyone would forget about Santana.

Waller then turned his attention to the NXT roster, claiming the men’s division is “soft” and that the women are “running laps” around the men. He said roughly 90% of the men believe they should be called up, but only about 10% are actually ready—and those talents are all women.

He also praised independent wrestlers for what they can do inside the ring but criticized them for becoming “charisma vacuums” when handed a microphone.

A production assistant eventually attempted to get Waller to wrap up, but he refused and continued addressing the roster. His microphone was eventually cut off, but Waller insisted he didn’t need one and continued speaking as he exited the ring.