Grayson Waller challenges John Cena ahead of NXT's special episode

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Due to election coverage next Tuesday night, NXT is moving to Wednesday (Nov. 4) and airing head-to-head against AEW’s Blood & Guts episode of Dynamite. WWE is whipping out the big guns for the battle with AEW, and that includes a rare NXT appearance for John Cena. Speaking on Busted Open After Dark, NXT Champion Grayson Waller said it was pathetic how many NXT wrestlers were marking out for Cena backstage when the announcement was made. In contrast, Waller sees himself as John’s equal, and says Cena better ask for permission to enter his house. “I was [backstage] when the graphic came up. You should have heard the kids. ‘John Cena’s coming!‘ It was so sad. It was tough. I felt like I was at a fan meet-and-greet or something. They were all excited. It put a smile on my face too. I’m the only one here who’s been in the ring with John Cena. Twice. I’ve been on the mic against John Cena, and I survived. And not everyone does. But all I hope for John next Wednesday is that he wipes his feet, and he knocks on the door, and he asks me permission to come in my house. And if he wants to get in my ring, he needs to ask permission too. And I’m sure maybe he’s talking about this John Cena Classic, giving some NXT superstars an opportunity. Well, those opportunities I’ve taken. So maybe he needs to come and sit down under my learning tree, and I can tell him how things run in NXT now.” Waller reiterated that everyone on the NXT roster needs to stop being such marks for legends of the industry. “I handed in my mark card the day I started at NXT, and for these kids, they need to do the same. I think they need to carry themselves as equals. We’re all on this one WWE brand now. We represent WWE. And it’s cool to show respect to the legends, and understand and learn from them, and all that. But don’t be a fan. Like, if any of them are going up and asking for photos, or wearing his merch next week, I’m gonna go and talk to them directly. If you want to be this, if you want to be a champion, if you want to main event WrestleMania, when you get here, you have to treat these people as equals, because that’s who they are. You are on their level, and I don’t think a lot of the kids look at it that way.” When asked if he might get physical with John, Waller said he does owe Cena a receipt, but ultimately has nothing to gain from attacking a non-wrestler. “I don’t need the John Cena rub, you need the Grayson Waller rub. That’s why you’re coming to my show. I’m helping you, John. I’m being a kind person and helping you out, getting your face back out there.” Do you think the NXT champion will try to humiliate John Cena on NXT if he doesn’t ask Waller’s permission and sit under his learning tree? Let me know in the comments below how you feel about today’s wrestlers marking out for legends they grew up watching as fans, Cagesiders.