The first issue of The Grayson Waller Effect is now in the history books and it’s one to remember.
On Tuesday’s NXT 2.0, Waller welcomed Apollo Crews as a guest on his talk show segment. Waller, determined to find out the truth about why Crews had returned to the brand in the first place, asked Crews how it felt to be a clout chaser. Crews said he was born in NXT and needed to find himself before saying Waller was jealous of him.
An irritated Waller asked if Crews used to have an accent and recalled that Crews was a “Nigerian warrior”. He asked what happened to it.
“Is that the accent you’re talking about, huh?” Crews responded when he playfully resumed the accent he once used on WWE’s main roster.
Crews said Waller acts as if he should be ashamed of his heritage, even though he couldn’t be prouder to be Nigerian. He reminded Waller that he went to WrestleMania 37 to become an Intercontinental Champion.
Things escalated between the two men with Waller constantly interrupting Crews. He said he’ll kick Crews out of NXT before Crews fired back, calling Waller a cheap version of The Miz. The crews then clocked Waller’s right hand and dubbed it the “Apollo Crews Effect.”
Crews first introduced his Nigerian royal character on the February 26, 2021 episode of “SmackDown” as part of a heel personality during his feud with Big E for the Intercontinental Title. Emerging in new gear, he explained that the colors represented his heritage. He stated that he would embrace his royal roots. Crews and Big E met in a title match at WrestleMania 37, from which Crews emerged as the new champion.
The Crews and Waller are now scheduled to have a match on next week’s NXT.