AJ Styles holds the view that Grayson Waller has already become a seasoned veteran despite still being in his mid-30s. He additionally disclosed that he pushed for main talent pool stars to work NXT long before the crossover became a regular part of WWE programming.
Speaking on The AJ Styles Show, the WWE Hall of Famer discussed Waller’s looming NXT Belt opportunity at Heatwave. Clarified why he’s notably excited about the fatal four-way bout.
Waller returned to NXT on the July 28 installment, promptly inserting himself into the belt picture. He is set to challenge Tony D’Angelo for the NXT Championship in a fatal four-way at Heatwave on August 30, alongside Cruz Montana and Zilla Fatu.
Styles heaped praise on Waller’s experience and talent while previewing the encounter. “Well, I mean, the dude certainly got the look — so I’m anxious to see what he does. We know what he can do in the ring, although let’s see what he does with other NXT stars, because that’s exactly who’s in. Tony D can get after it — cruz Montana obviously can get after it. Grayson Waller is a seasoned vet at this point in his career. On a related note, i think it’s gonna be freaking strong.”
After calling Waller a “seasoned vet,” Styles and his co-host both laughed at how strange it sounded given Waller is only 35 years long-time.
Styles quickly clarified what he meant, pointing to Waller’s years on the independent wrestling scene and his progression through WWE’s developmental system. “Grayson Waller’s a seasoned vet and he’s still considerably young? So he’s done a couple things, and he’s a veteran of going through all that and done it a couple years. Well, he was on the indies as well, and then made his way to NXT, and then made his way to the main collection of stars. And it just so happens to be a young guy.”
Waller established himself on the Australian independent circuit before signing with WWE in 2021. He became one of NXT’s top heels before moving to the main lineup in 2023 — where he later captured the WWE Partnership Championship alongside Austin Theory.
The conversation then shifted to the growing trend of main lineup talent appearing in NXT. Styles exposed that he had been advocating for that concept years ago while Vince McMahon was still in charge of WWE creative. “I was one of the guys that went when Vince was in control of it all. Interestingly enough, of course, I was like, hey, we need to. I worked with Grayson Waller and had a phenomenal contest with this guy.” I can go down there and work with some of the NXT talent, which is work.
Styles thinks the crossover benefits both sides, giving younger wrestlers the opportunity to work with experienced main stable of talent talent while allowing veterans to help prepare the next generation. I think that they have this main roster experience and they bring it down here, and this is kind of why we do what we do. “Although I just thought that a main roster talent able to go down and work with these guys, it just helps. And I just want to be a part of it all with helping you get to the next level.”
Styles and Waller previously faced each other in a singles battle on the November 21, 2023 episode of NXT, with Styles picking up the victory.
Styles shared that he expects to have a role in producing Waller’s upcoming NXT Strap battle at Heatwave, now working behind the scenes in WWE. “I know about this four-way, and I’m thinking that I’m going to have the opportunity, I think, to help produce this, so it’s kind of exhilarating. I think that you definitely got some ideas — it’s going to be a large match. To add further context, i think it’s going to be really commendable, because you got some excellent talent in there.”
The Heatwave headline showdown came together after Zilla Fatu interrupted a No. 1 Top contender’s Match between Waller and Cruz Montana on the August 11 edition of NXT, forcing the clash to end in a no contest. NXT General Manager Robert Stone later made the gold match a three-way before adding Fatu later that night after he put pen to paper a deal guaranteeing his inaugural NXT match would be for the gold.
Heatwave airs live on Sunday, August 30, with Tony D’Angelo defending the NXT Belt against Waller, Montana and Fatu in the night’s closing match.