Following his triple threat win two weeks ago, Mason Rook was set to challenge Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship on tonight’s episode of “WWE NXT.” Just hours before the show, however, “NXT” correspondent Emily Agard revealed that Rook had not been medically cleared to compete, leaving Waller momentarily without an opponent.
In a new update, “NXT” General Manager Robert Stone noted that through a phone call with the WWE doctors, he learned that Rook will be out of action for the “foreseeable future.” As a result, Waller will now defend his NXT Championship in an open challenge, with anyone from the “NXT” roster eligible to answer it.
“The entire roster? These lads ain’t ready. They ain’t ready,” Waller said in reaction to the news.
Thank you, @MrStoneWWE! 🙌
Who will answer @GraysonWWE’s #WWENXT Championship Open Challenge TONIGHT on #WWENXT? pic.twitter.com/iXSZoWqFRY
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 29, 2026
As of this writing, specifics on Rook’s injury are unknown. The “NXT” newcomer last wrestled at a live event in Fort Pierce, Florida on September 19, with Birthright emerging victorious over him, Hank Walker, and Tank Ledger in a six-man tag team match. He appeared on “NXT” TV days later and engaged in a back-and-forth promo with Waller in the ring.
Rook had earned the opportunity to face Waller by first picking up a tag team win for himself, Saquon Shugars, and Tony D’Angelo. When the three collided in triple threat the next week, Rook delivered a splash to D’Angelo, then pinned him.
Waller captured the NXT Championship last month by winning a fatal-four-match involving himself, D’Angelo, Zilla Fatu, and Cruz Montana at last month’s “NXT” Heatwave premium live event.
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