6 Ups And 4 Downs From NXT Roadblock 2023

5. Waller Speaks The Truth

Grayson Waller channeled his inner CM Punk on NXT Roadblock, dropping his own milder version of a pipebomb as he blasted everything about NXT to try to set off Shawn Michaels.

The Aussie dragged up Vince McMahon’s name, saying Shawn was treating him how Vince treated HBK back in the day: holding him back from superstardom because he was “too small” and “not ready.” Michaels only landed his post in NXT because Triple H suffered a heart attack. Maybe Grayson is being held back because he won’t stroke HBK’s ego and do his pose after a PLE.

But the real truth-telling came when Waller said he hated NXT and disputed that it was “special.” Why? Because it’s a pipeline to Raw or SmackDown? Only a handful of wrestlers would make it there. The rest would be stuck in NXT with a crowd he was sick of – the same people every week wearing the same clothes because they’re too poor to afford new outfits.

That dig was a bit meta, as the “fans” really are almost part of the show at this point. They actually are the same people over and over, reacting to stuff no other WWE fan would react to, making the product feel like it’s in its own echo chamber universe.