Grayson Waller, WWE’s recent NXT recruit and burgeoning superstar, has shown that he isn’t afraid to mess with everybody – not even The Great One.
Even after dropping his recent match against the WWE Hall of Famer, Edge, in a valiant losing effort, Waller has continued to talk smack on social media and inside the ring. Of particular interest is his recent and very public (but also one-sided) social media feud with the WWE legend, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which has led to speculation about the Hollywood legend’s appearance at SummerSlam, set to take place at Ford Field in Detroit on August 5.
In the midst of an ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Waller has accused The Rock of being unemployed and in need of relevancy, a proposition Waller, surprisingly, is willing to offer. Speaking on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Waller posited, “Who better to help The Rock than Grayson Waller?”
The Australian wrestling sensation has been sharing scenes with some of the biggest names in WWE, including John Cena and Edge, carving out a niche for himself as a brash newcomer unafraid to challenge the greats. His interaction with Edge resulted in an exhilarating match, and now it seems Waller is looking for a similar encounter with The Rock.
The Hollywood strike has halted all current and future TV and film productions, leaving stars with sudden open schedules. This state of affairs provides an unexpected opportunity for The Rock and other actors with WWE backgrounds, like John Cena, to return to their roots. The strike is a reminder of the precariousness of the film and TV industry, which has led to speculation about a surprise return from both The Rock and Cena at SummerSlam, a momentous occasion that could be the silver lining in the midst of the Hollywood shutdown.
Despite his provocations, Waller acknowledges that the decision for a confrontation at SummerSlam is up to The Rock. It’s the uncertainty that makes the possibility even more compelling. Waller remains open to any response, seeing it as quite an exciting potential development and opportunity for banter, daring the wrestling icon to take up the challenge. He taunted, “You wake up at 4 AM to work out, you’re done by about 6 AM — you’ve got a whole day free. I’m open. He can say whatever he wants to me, and I think that would be a lot of fun. We’ll see if Dwayne has anything to say.”
The potential of a face-off is already generating a buzz, and while Waller has made it clear he’s open to working with other legends rumored to be in town for SummerSlam, like Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin, the fascination with a Waller vs Rock match-up seems to overshadow all other options.
For Waller, these interactions serve as a testament to his quick rise in WWE, having already tangled with Edge and shared a scene with John Cena at WWE Money in the Bank. He sees himself as part of the WWE Legend Rehabilitation Program, a self-designated role in which he helps legends reconnect with the audience and become relevant again.
While fans eagerly anticipate a potential showdown between Waller and The Rock, other storylines are developing. Waller hinted at the Bloodline angle, suggesting that a potential appearance from The Rock could spark an even larger storyline with his cousin, Roman Reigns.
This wouldn’t be the worst idea, especially if The Rock sees the strike going on for much longer. It’s hard to see where The Bloodline storyline will head next after Jey Uso presumably loses against Roman Reigns without outside interference. The Rock could even come in last-minute to disrupt the match to help The Tribal Chief get the win only to turn on him afterward, giving Reigns a quick rock bottom, and telling him straight to his face, “Acknowledge that!”‘
But, of course, while we’d all love to see The Rock grace the WWE again for an extended period, the fact remains that this is close to impossible. Even with the ongoing strike, The Rock still has contractual obligations that put him at risk for injury.
As the industry wrestles with the uncertainties of the Hollywood strike, Waller’s bravado and challenges have sparked hope for a thrilling WWE SummerSlam event.
Whether or not The Rock or other legends will make their return remains in the realm of speculation, but one thing is certain: Grayson Waller has firmly planted his flag in the WWE landscape, and all eyes will be on him as SummerSlam draws near.
