Austin Theory Is Having One Of The Biggest Falls From Grace In WWE History

On this past week’s episode of Raw, Austin Theory was on the receiving end of another beat-down, orchestrated by his cowardly tag team partner Grayson Waller. The returning Sheamus defeated his once-promising opponent in short order, which has become a trend for Theory in recent months.

The fall from grace that Austin Theory has had in WWE needs to be studied. He was once a heavily pushed prospect in the company who has now fallen back down the card. At 27, he still has loads of time to make good on his early promise, but the former United States Champion and Money in the Bank holder seems far from relevant.

Austin Theory’s Fall From Grace In WWE

From Money In The Bank Winner To Tag Team Loser

• Austin Theory was a heavily pushed prospect in 2022, when Vince McMahon was still in charge of creative.
• He won the Money in the Bank that year, but failed to cash-in for the United States Championship.
• Theory then won the belt and defended it at WrestleMania 39 against John Cena in 2023.

Two years ago, Austin Theory defeated John Cena at WrestleMania 39, defending the United States Championship against one of the title’s greatest custodians. This was a clear sign of intent from the company that Theory was still a star to watch, despite his disastrous, failed Money in the Bank cash-in from the year prior.

The former NXT standout had been pushed heavily during 2022, though he did suffer from some bizarre booking, such as obtaining a golden egg for Vince McMahon and losing to Pat McAfee at WrestleMania 38. His failed Money in the Bank cash-in attempt, for the United States Championship no less, was a definite low point for Theory, though he did win the title anyway shortly after.

The up-and-down booking of Austin Theory on the main roster has felt like some kind of test at times, making sure that his character and performances can stand up to the worst of WWE’s impulses. It is fair to say that this has not worked for him thus far, as he appears to be less profiled than ever, three years after winning the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Austin Theory Was A Vince McMahon Project

Triple H Does Not See The Same Potential In Theory

• It is clear that the previous creative system in WWE saw more in Austin Theory than Triple H does currently.
• Vince McMahon became directly associated on-screen with Theory before he departed from WWE in 2022.
• Triple H did make Theory a United States Champion, but has predominantly booked him in the tag division.

While Austin Theory certainly had some difficulties working under the previous creative regime, Vince McMahon clearly saw more in him as a future star than Triple H does. McMahon’s usual hectic booking meant that Theory was not immune to the former boss’ madness, though on balance it was clear that he was a pushed prospect before the former stepped down from creative duties in WWE.

As soon as ‘The Game’ took over, Austin Theory stood out as a Vince McMahon project who would struggle to get the same investment under the new system. This has borne out to be true, as one of the first things Triple H decided to do with the character was have him fail to cash-in his Money in the Bank on a midcard title.

Even so, Theory was given a United States title reign, though it never truly felt like he warranted the spot as Paul Levesque continued to turn the rest of WWE’s creative fortunes around. Since then, he has been a part of A-Town Down Under alongside Grayson Waller, which has offered mixed results.

On one hand, the tag team has allowed the young stars to embed themselves into Triple H’s creative system, though they have arguably been together for too long at this point. A WWE Tag Team Championship reign last year was the peak of their act, and now the two should be heading towards a split.

A Babyface Turn Could Help Austin Theory

Theory Has Never Been A Good Guy On The Main Roster

• A split between Austin Theory and Grayson Waller could facilitate a face turn for the former.
• Theory has always worked as a heel on Raw and SmackDown.
• A babyface turn could be what is needed to kickstart his career.

One thing that has yet to be determined if Austin Theory is a long-term prospect in WWE is that he has not had an opportunity to perform as a face on the main roster yet. He has a lot of qualities that lend themselves to being a heel, but Theory could do with a change of that magnitude to get himself going.

Grayson Waller’s continued exploitation of his tag team partner will likely be the thing that inspires a babyface turn from Austin Theory, as there is only so much one character can take before looking heinously stupid. Theory continued to take the brunt of Waller’s brash attitude on Raw this past week when Sheamus returned to batter the former, whilst the latter remained unscathed.

At some point, Austin Theory must stand up to his partner’s shenanigans, which would suggest a feud between the two is coming at some point soon. Having said that, the two have been undermining each other since they lost the tag titles last year, so maybe Triple H is content with their constant wheel spinning as they continue teaming together.

It does feel like Theory, and maybe even Grayson Waller at this point, are both secondary concerns within WWE, with the likes of Jacob Fatu and Bron Breakker being the real breakout stars of the current generation. Still, there is a place for both of them in the company to be effective characters who can continue to develop as a tandem or preferably on their own.