Grayson Waller Mocks Brian Myers and TNA After Winning NXT Championship

Grayson Waller is once again at the center of WWE’s wrestling conversation after capturing the NXT Championship at NXT Heatwave and immediately turning his attention toward former WWE star Brian Myers and the TNA roster.

Waller defeated Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu in a Fatal 4-Way match at Heatwave to become the new NXT Champion. Rather than allowing the championship victory to speak for itself, the Australian star used an appearance on Busted Open Radio to deliver a provocative message to Myers, better known to WWE fans as Curt Hawkins.

Myers currently works for TNA and also co-hosts The Major Figure Wrestling Podcast with WWE star Matt Cardona. Waller focused on Myers’ well-known interest in wrestling action figures, using it as the basis for a wider criticism of the TNA locker room.

Grayson Waller Takes Aim at Brian Myers

Waller’s comments were aimed directly at Myers, who has remained involved in professional wrestling after his WWE run and has become associated with the wrestling-figure collecting community.

During his Busted Open Radio appearance, Waller mocked Myers over his action-figure hobby and challenged him to focus less on collecting and more on confronting Waller himself.

The remarks were deliberately provocative. Waller has built much of his WWE persona around confidence, confrontation and an ability to generate reactions, making a verbal attack on a former WWE name a natural extension of his character.

More importantly, Waller did not limit his criticism to Myers. He expanded the comments toward the broader TNA locker room, accusing its wrestlers of being overly focused on social media.

That makes the exchange more significant than a simple disagreement between two wrestlers. Waller effectively positioned the newly crowned NXT Champion against an entire rival wrestling promotion.

Why Brian Myers Became Waller’s Target

Brian Myers has a long history with WWE, where he performed under the name Curt Hawkins. His career later continued outside WWE, eventually leading him to TNA.

His association with Matt Cardona through The Major Figure Wrestling Podcast has also made him a recognizable personality among wrestling fans interested in action figures and collecting.

That connection provided Waller with an easy opening for his latest verbal attack.

Waller’s comments were less about the hobby itself and more about creating a contrast between his own competitive persona and what he portrayed as the priorities of Myers and other TNA wrestlers.

In professional wrestling, that kind of contrast can quickly become storyline material. A wrestler does not always need an official match announcement to create anticipation. Sometimes a provocative comment is enough to start a conversation.

NXT Heatwave Changed Grayson Waller’s Position

The timing of Waller’s comments is particularly important because he had just achieved one of the biggest accomplishments of his current WWE run.

At NXT Heatwave, Waller won a Fatal 4-Way match involving Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu. The victory earned him the NXT Championship and immediately placed him at the top of the brand’s men’s division.

That championship win gives Waller considerably more credibility when he targets wrestlers outside WWE. He is no longer simply a challenger trying to attract attention. He is now carrying one of WWE’s major developmental-brand championships.

His comments therefore come from a position of increased confidence and visibility.

Waller Says His NXT Return Was Not a Demotion

Another major part of Waller’s recent interview involved his return to NXT.

Online discussion had suggested that Waller’s move back to NXT represented a demotion from WWE’s main roster. Waller strongly rejected that interpretation.

According to Waller, his return happened after a conversation with Shawn Michaels. The WWE Hall of Famer asked him to come back because Michaels believed the NXT men’s division needed someone capable of creating more disruption.

Waller explained that Michaels trusted him as a performer and believed he could help strengthen the division.

That explanation changes the way his NXT return can be viewed.

Instead of simply being moved backward in WWE’s hierarchy, Waller presented the decision as a deliberate assignment. He was brought back because the company wanted a personality who could create energy around the NXT Championship picture.

Shawn Michaels’ Role in Waller’s Return

Shawn Michaels remains one of the most influential figures associated with NXT, particularly when it comes to developing wrestlers and shaping the direction of the brand.

Waller’s account suggests that Michaels saw something specific in him that the division needed.

The Australian star said Michaels believed the men’s division had plenty of wrestlers who wanted the championship, but lacked someone who genuinely needed the title and could create chaos around it.

That distinction is important.

A championship division needs contenders, but WWE storytelling also benefits from personalities who can make the title feel important through conflict. Waller’s character naturally fits that role because he is comfortable provoking opponents and audiences alike.

Why the “Demotion” Narrative Matters

The debate surrounding Waller’s NXT return reflects a common discussion in professional wrestling: whether moving from WWE’s main roster to NXT represents a setback or an opportunity.

Waller clearly wants fans to see his return as the latter.

His championship victory gives him a strong argument. Rather than returning to NXT without direction, he quickly reached the top of the division and won its biggest men’s singles title.

That creates an interesting chapter in Waller’s WWE career.

His previous main-roster experience gives him familiarity with a larger stage, while his return to NXT gives him an opportunity to become the central figure of the brand.

Waller’s New Championship Makes His Words More Important

The NXT Championship changes the stakes of Waller’s personality-driven approach.

Before winning the title, controversial comments could simply be part of his effort to attract attention. Now every statement comes from the reigning champion.

That means WWE can potentially use his outspoken personality to create challengers and rivalries around the championship.

Instead of waiting for another wrestler to establish himself as Waller’s next opponent, the champion can generate interest himself by calling people out.

This is particularly useful for NXT, where developing new stars is an important part of the brand’s identity.

Could the TNA Comments Lead to Something Bigger?

Waller’s criticism of TNA has naturally created speculation among wrestling fans about whether the comments could eventually lead to an angle involving talent from the promotion.

At this stage, there is no confirmation that WWE and TNA are planning a storyline or match based on Waller’s remarks.

Therefore, it is better to view the comments as part of Waller’s established habit of provoking people rather than automatically treating them as evidence of an upcoming crossover.

Still, the situation demonstrates how wrestling promotions can generate interest simply through competitive banter. Fans are familiar with Myers, Cardona, Waller and the companies involved, so even a verbal exchange can encourage discussion across different wrestling communities.

The Social Media Element in Waller’s Criticism

One of Waller’s main criticisms was aimed at what he described as the TNA locker room’s heavy focus on social media.

Social media has become a major part of modern professional wrestling. Wrestlers use platforms such as X, Instagram and podcasts to promote matches, develop personalities and communicate directly with fans.

That creates an interesting contradiction for a character like Waller.

He criticizes others for using social media while simultaneously using interviews and public comments to increase his own visibility.

From a wrestling-storytelling perspective, that contradiction can actually make his character more effective. Waller does not need to present himself as perfectly consistent. His job is to generate a reaction, and his latest comments have accomplished that.

Grayson Waller vs Brian Myers: A Character Contrast

Waller Has Already Gotten a Reaction From Shawn Michaels

Waller’s NXT championship celebration also received a public reaction from Shawn Michaels.

Michaels congratulated Waller on becoming the new NXT Champion but made it clear that he was less impressed once Waller started talking.

The message fits the dynamic surrounding Waller perfectly. His ability to create controversy is part of what makes him useful as a wrestling character, but it also makes him someone who can irritate even the people who supported his success.

That tension could become an entertaining part of Waller’s championship reign.

What Makes Grayson Waller Effective as a Heel?

Waller’s biggest strength may not be a particular wrestling move. It is his ability to make people want to respond to him.

His latest comments demonstrate several elements that have helped establish his character:

• Provocation: Waller regularly targets wrestlers and personalities who can generate a reaction.
• Confidence: He speaks as though he believes he is already one of the most important people in the room.
• Character consistency: His comments fit the arrogant persona he has presented throughout his WWE career.
• Media awareness: He understands that controversial statements can keep fans talking even when he is not wrestling.
• Championship credibility: Winning the NXT Championship gives his words additional weight.

These qualities make Waller particularly useful in a championship storyline where the champion needs to generate attention between matches.

What Is Next for the NXT Champion?

The biggest question now is how long Grayson Waller can remain NXT Champion and which wrestler will emerge as his next major challenger.

His Heatwave victory included three different opponents, meaning WWE has several potential directions available. Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu were all involved in the championship match, while other NXT performers could also enter the title picture.

Waller’s verbal confrontation with Myers and TNA adds another layer to his character, but his most important responsibility remains defending the NXT Championship.

If WWE wants to establish a strong championship reign, Waller will need more than controversial interviews. He will have to consistently deliver meaningful matches and compelling rivalries.

Could Waller’s NXT Reign Elevate Him Further?

There is a potential upside for both Waller and NXT.

If Waller becomes a successful champion, the title reign could strengthen his position when he eventually returns to WWE’s main roster. A long and memorable run would give him additional credibility and make his character more established.

For NXT, having a recognizable personality at the center of the men’s division can help create a clearer identity around the championship.

The challenge will be maintaining the right balance. Waller’s trash talk can attract attention, but the wrestling and storyline must ultimately support it.

The Bigger Picture: WWE and TNA Represent Different Opportunities

Waller’s comments also highlight the broader landscape of professional wrestling.

WWE and TNA operate as separate wrestling promotions, each with its own roster, presentation and audience. Wrestlers such as Brian Myers have continued to build careers after WWE, showing that leaving one promotion does not necessarily mean leaving the wrestling spotlight.

For WWE, Waller represents a performer who can generate attention through character work. For TNA, established names such as Myers contribute experience and credibility to its roster.

That makes Waller’s comments entertaining as wrestling banter while also illustrating how different promotions can remain part of the same wider wrestling conversation.

Prediction: Waller’s Words Could Become Part of His Championship Character

The most interesting possibility is not necessarily a direct confrontation with Brian Myers. It is the way WWE could use Waller’s outspoken personality throughout his NXT Championship reign.

Waller has already shown that he can create headlines without needing a match. If WWE continues giving him opportunities to provoke challengers, criticize opponents and defend his championship, his personality could become one of the defining features of the NXT title picture.

That would also help explain why Shawn Michaels wanted him back in NXT in the first place.

The goal, according to Waller, was to bring someone into the division who could create havoc. After winning the championship, he is already doing exactly that outside the ring.

Conclusion: Grayson Waller Starts His NXT Title Reign With a Statement

Grayson Waller has wasted no time establishing the tone of his NXT Championship reign.

After defeating Tony D’Angelo, Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu at NXT Heatwave, Waller became the new NXT Champion. His first major media appearance as champion then produced another headline when he mocked former WWE star Brian Myers and criticized the TNA locker room.

His comments about Myers’ action-figure hobby were designed to provoke, while his broader criticism of TNA gave the story additional attention.

At the same time, Waller’s explanation of his NXT return offers important context. He insists that the move was not a demotion and says Shawn Michaels specifically wanted him back because the men’s division needed a wrestler capable of creating chaos.

Now that Waller has the NXT Championship, the pressure shifts from talking to delivering. If he can combine his controversial personality with a strong championship run, his return to NXT could become an important step in his WWE career.

For now, however, one thing is clear: the new NXT Champion is already making sure nobody forgets his name.