Grayson Waller is still the NXT Champion after pinning CM Punk in the main event of WWE NXT on The CW on November 4, 2026, with Kevin Owens playing a pivotal role in the finish. According to Fightful, POST Wrestling, Ringside News, 411Mania, Wrestling Inc, and WrestleZone, Owens interfered in the title match, directly costing Punk the opportunity to capture the championship.
The match was set up after Punk called out Waller following the champion’s successful title defense against Tony D’Angelo at the Halloween Havoc premium live event. That challenge led directly to Waller putting the NXT Championship on the line against Punk in the closing match of the November 4 broadcast.
WrestleZone reported that Kevin Owens had been explicitly told to stay away from the WWE Performance Center ahead of Punk’s title opportunity, with Shawn Michaels reportedly confronting Owens earlier in the day and warning him off the premises. Despite that warning, Owens made his way to ringside regardless, and his appearance had direct consequences for the outcome of the main event, according to WrestleZone’s report.
With Owens inserting himself into the match, Waller was able to capitalize and pin Punk to retain his championship, as confirmed across all six outlets covering the show. Ringside News noted the significance of the moment for Punk specifically, pointing out that the bout marked his return to an NXT ring for the first time in more than sixteen years, a milestone that ended without the title change many fans may have anticipated.
The interference sets up an unresolved tension between Owens and the NXT authority structure represented by Shawn Michaels, given that Owens is reported to have gone directly against an explicit directive to stay away from the Performance Center. It also leaves open the question of fallout for Punk, who was denied a clean opportunity at the NXT Championship due to factors outside his control inside the ring. Waller, meanwhile, extends his reign as champion, having now turned back challenges from both Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc and Punk on the November 4 episode of NXT.
None of the reports indicate what the Owens-Michaels confrontation means for either man going forward, nor do they confirm any further disciplinary action or an announced rematch for Punk. What is established is that Waller remains champion, Owens defied a direct order to stay away, and the interference was the deciding factor in the match’s outcome.
