Back Mason Rook will be out for the foreseeable futureNXT Champion Grayson Waller now awaits a replacement opponent on tonight’s episode of “WWE NXT.” The question is: who will answer his open challenge?
As confirmed by A new social media videoit won’t be WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles or WWE SmackDown star CM Punk. Styles approached NXT head booker Shawn Michaels and asked if he could help him with anything. When Michaels offered Styles the chance to face Waller, he quickly turned it down, citing his retirement and failing eyesight as reasons against it.
Styles then motioned to Punk, who was standing nearby with a headset on. However, like The Phenomenal, Punk immediately declined to challenge for the NXT Championship. In his case, The Second City Saint pointed out that he is not an official member of the NXT roster, something that NXT General Manager Robert Stone previously mentioned as a requirement for Waller’s upcoming challenger.
Apparently an open challenge means it’s my problem. 😂
Had a few legends nearby… turns out they all have an excuse.💔
catch #WWENXT TODAY to see who answers the open challenge for the NXT Championship. 8/7c on @TheCW: and: @espn: Unlimited app. pic.twitter.com/jBwdeYUfFG
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) September 29, 2026
Styles, although out of in-ring competition since January, continues to work with WWE in a backstage environment. In addition to intelligencehe is hired as a trainer at the WWE Performance Centerwhere stars from WWE’s developmental brands regularly train. Meanwhile, Punk remains a regular fixture on SmackDown. After returning to WWE in 2023, he also appeared as a mentor to the members of “NXT”.
Rook, who made his NXT debut earlier this year, was originally set to challenge for the NXT title after winning a six-man tag team match followed by a triple threat. No other details about his injury are known at this time.