Rey Mysterio Beats Austin Theory, Becomes New United States Champion On WWE SmackDown

Austin Theory’s lengthy reign as United States Champion finally came to an end on “WWE SmackDown” in shocking fashion — but it didn’t come against his scheduled opponent. Early in the night in Calgary, Theory attacked No.1 contender Santos Escobar backstage and appeared to injury the Latino World Order member. Despite being hampered by his knee, Escobar made his way out to the ring for the match, only to be blindsided by Theory once again, who again hit him in the knee. WWE doctors would ultimately refuse to allow Escobar to compete.

Enter the legendary Rey Mysterio, who returned from a minor injury to step in for his close friend and LWO teammate in an impromptu title match with Theory. After a short sprint, Mysterio would nail the 619 and pin the champion for a three-count to gain the US title for the third time in his illustrious career. After the bout, Escobar and the rest of LWO embraced the Hall of Famer and celebrated his surprise title victory as Theory watched on from inside the ring. 

Theory held the US title for 258 days, making him the longest-reigning champion since Dean Ambrose in 2013. 

Major Title Change Takes Place At WWE Survivor Series

Austin Theory is your new WWE United States Champion.

A-Town shocked the world at last night’s Survivor Series WarGames PPV, emerging victorious from the triple threat US Title match featuring Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley.

Of course, Rollins was the US Champion going into Survivor Series, but it was the Visionary who was pinned by Theory to secure the former Way man his second United States Title.

In a 15-minute bout, the finish saw the All Mighty spear Seth as the Drip God was in the process of hitting Theory with a Falcon Arrow. As part of that sequence, Austin landed on Rollins to get the 1-2-3.

As mentioned, this win kickstarts Austin Theory’s second reign with the US Title. Previously, the 25-year-old toppled Finn Balor to win that prize back in April. Unfortunately for the one-time EVOLVE Champion, said reign was brought to a crashing halt by Bobby Lashley at July’s Money in the Bank PPV; the same PPV that saw Theory win the MITB briefcase later that night.

This US Championship win is yet another step in WWE’s rehabilitation of the Theory character, with the star getting a more serious edge in recent weeks following his unsuccessful cash-in of the MITB contract earlier this month.

Corey Graves Furious About This WWE Creative Decision

Corey Graves was positively “furious” over Austin Theory’s controversial failed cash-in attempt on this week’s Monday Night Raw.

Popping up in the wake of Bobby Lashley beating the life out of Seth Rollins, the now-former Mr. Money in the Bank opted to cash-in his contract on a title of his choosing… that being the United States Championship. Needless to say, this was a historic moment for more reasons than one.

Not only was Theory the first star to cash-in on a mid-card strap, but he was also the first to fail in that particular kind of effort, too. On the back of an Open Challenge for the strap he’d already held earlier this year actually being in play on the night as well. What a mess.

And Monday Night commentator Graves clearly also felt this bizarre scenario somewhat underwhelmed in the end, taking to his After the Bell podcast this week to let his thoughts and feelings on the matter be known.

As Graves put it (via WrestlingInc):

“I’m furious with how it all played out. I was furious as it was unfolding before our very eyes … As a real human being and as an on-air character, Seth Freaking Rollins and Austin Theory are two of my favorites. I think the world of Austin Theory and I truly believe what Mr. McMahon was saying six months ago — that this guy could be the guy. And I understand that things change and, you know, the path, everything has changed.”

That’s one way of putting it. Since Triple H assumed creative control in the wake of McMahon’s exit in disgrace earlier this year, Theory has repeatedly lost to the likes of Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano, and Rollins. And a number of his previous cash-in attempts haven’t exactly gone swimmingly either.

And while Theory joins the likes of John Cena and Baron Corbin as stars who couldn’t get the job done with the briefcase, Graves did at least offer some sage advice for those concerned about the up-and-comer’s future:

“Let it play out. Austin Theory didn’t get fired. Austin Theory didn’t get beaten and thrown into a dumpster and pushed off the stage. Austin Theory didn’t have a limousine explode … If Theory doesn’t do something massive between now and Survivor Series, maybe it’s time to worry.”

If in doubt, let it play out. What’s the worst that could happen between now and Survivor Series, eh?

Title Change At WWE Money In The Bank

A new United States Champion was crowned during the WWE Money In The Bank premium live event.

Bobby Lashley defeated Theory via submission to become the new United States Champion. 

This win marks Lashley’s third United States Title reign. Lashley first held the title from May 2006 to July 2006. His second reign was from August 2020 to February 2021.

Before losing tonight, Theory had held the title since the April 18 episode of “RAW.” He had defeated Finn Balor to become the champion.

Vince McMahon Sees THIS Wrestler As WWE’s “Young John Cena”

Get ready for what sounds like a major push for Theory in WWE.

Per WrestleVotes, big things are expected in the United States Champion’s future, with Vince McMahon reportedly seeing the 24-year-old as “a young John Cena.” Now, the WWE Chairman and CEO plans to “give the kid everything he needs to be successful.”

Theory scored the biggest win of his growing WWE career on last Monday’s episode of Raw, defeating Finn Balor to capture the United States Title – his first since signing with the promotion in 2019. The victory was accompanied by a post-match celebration, with several undercard heels hoisting Theory onto their shoulders before Vince himself joined his young charge on the ramp, posing for a selfie.

McMahon and Theory had been aligned in the building to WrestleMania 38. The storyline had Vince attempting to take Theory under his wing, coaching him for future success, and culminated at ‘Mania itself. There, Theory’s singles loss to announcer Pat McAfee was used to segue into Vince’s win over the former NFL punter.

A figure of controversy for his lengthy headlining run (and the wrestlers sacrificed in order to maintain it), Cena is one of the strongest pushed wrestlers in WWE history. This should, on paper, bode well for Theory.

Big Title Change On Tonight’s WWE RAW

Theory is your new WWE United States Champion.

Tonight’s WWE RAW saw Theory defeat Finn Balor to capture the title. Theory won the match clean by pinfall.

After the match, Theory stood tall with the title until Otis, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, T-BAR, Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews all hit the ring to celebrate with him. Azeez and T-BAR lifted Theory on their shoulders, then paraded him around the ring to mixed reactions from the crowd. The legendary “No Chance” music then hit and out came WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon to the stage. Mr. McMahon motioned for the crowd to give it up for Theory, then applauded as Theory came to the stage to take a selfie with him. Vince finally raised Theory’s arm in the air with the title to end the segment.

This is Theory’s first title reign on the main roster. Balor began his first reign back on the February 28 RAW show by defeating Damian Priest. He held the strap for 48 recognized days. Balor won the title from Damian Priest back on the February 28 RAW, and while he has defended the title at non-televised WWE live events, this was his first TV title defense.

Zelina Vega Debuts New Stable On WWE Raw

A new manager-led stable officially debuted on last night’s episode of WWE Raw.

Andrade, Angel Garza, and Austin Theory are now a proper unit, having aligned under Zelina Vega’s management, with the trio taking care of business for much of the night. This meant the returning Andrade confronting WWE Champion Drew McIntyre in the opening slot, earning a shot at the top belt with the justification that he defeated the Scot for the NXT Title a few years ago, though he fell in the main event itself. Garza and Theory fared better, defeating NXT’s Tehuti Miles and Akira Tozawa respectively.

The trio was presented as a united front throughout, beating both Tozawa and Miles down to Vega’s approval. While the group has been affiliated in several different ways for weeks now, this was their official coming together – and they now look set to move forward as a true group.

Their name? This hasn’t been confirmed yet.

It should be noted that Theory and Garza are still listed as official NXT roster members. Whether or not they pull double duty remains to be seen, though Garza hasn’t worked the Wednesday night brand since 12 February.