At Clash at the Castle this afternoon, Theory was introduced as “Austin Theory” when he entered for a six-man tag team match on the pre-show. Since April, he had been going by the name “Theory” after having his first name dropped.
Theory teamed with Alpha Academy in a loss to Madcap Moss & The Street Profits on the Clash at the Castle pre-show. Montez Ford pinned Chad Gable to get the victory.
PWInsider reported earlier this week that Theory (real name Austin White) would be returning to using the full name Austin Theory. Matt Riddle also got his first name back on Raw this Monday.
PWInsider wrote that the “shortened names were an edict under the Vince McMahon regime that has now been reversed.” The move comes after Paul “Triple H” Levesque was put in charge of WWE creative following McMahon’s retirement.
“I would say no. Just because I love Theory,” Theory said when asked if his first name would be returning. “To me, Austin was always the throw-on, my first name. Theory is what I created in the backyard as a kid. I love it. Theory. It’s all we need.”
Theory currently holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, which grants him a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship whenever he wants it.
Theory began a feud with Johnny Gargano when Gargano returned to WWE on Raw last month. The two were formerly stablemates in NXT.
Another WWE wrestler is getting their first name back.
PWInsider reported today that Theory will officially return to using the in-ring name “Austin Theory” going forward. The confirmation comes after Theory was back to being listed as Austin Theory on some WWE house show lineups.
This April, Theory (real name Austin White) had his first name dropped on WWE television. He was Vince McMahon’s on-screen protege prior to McMahon’s retirement.
It was also revealed on this week’s episode of Raw that Riddle is back to using his full name Matt Riddle on WWE TV. Theory and Riddle lost their first names when McMahon was in charge and are getting them back now that Paul “Triple H” Levesque is in charge of creative.
Theory currently holds the men’s Money in the Bank briefcase.
A feud between Theory and Johnny Gargano began when Gargano returned to WWE on Raw last week. Theory and Gargano were formerly aligned in NXT as members of the faction The Way.
Brock Lesnar appeared at the end of tonight’s SmackDown after originally walking out hours before Friday’s show.
Theory was in the ring after intentionally getting disqualified in a six-man match after attacking Madcap Moss with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Lesnar then appeared, walked to the ring, and stared down Theory. Lesnar then quickly laid out Theory and attacked him with the briefcase. The show ended with Lesnar planting Theory with an F5 on the briefcase.
It was reported earlier Friday by Bryan Alvarez that Lesnar, who was advertised for SmackDown, walked out after hearing that Vince McMahon had announced his retirement from WWE. Alvarez reported the line Lesnar gave was derivative of “If he’s gone, I’m gone.”
When Lesnar arrived, commentators were surprised by Lesnar’s appearance, though did not say that he had left earlier in the day.
Lesnar is set to face Roman Reigns in a last man standing match at SummerSlam, which takes place on July 30 in Nashville.
Dolph Ziggler superkicked Theory to close out Monday’s edition of WWE Raw.
Ziggler made his way to ringside midway through the night’s main event of Bobby Lashley & Riddle vs. Seth Rollins & Theory. Later in the match, Ziggler prevented Theory from putting his feet on the ropes during a pin attempt on Riddle. As Theory was distracted by Ziggler, Riddle hit him with an RKO and got the three count.
After the match was over, Ziggler gave Theory a superkick before the show went off the air.
Theory and Ziggler wrestled twice in singles matches on WWE house shows this weekend. Ziggler first defeated Theory on a Saturday Night’s Main Event show from Bossier City, Louisiana on Saturday. He then defeated Theory again at a Sunday Stunner show the following night from Waco, Texas. Those are the only two matches they have had against each other thus far.
Ziggler is coming off a run in NXT that saw him win the NXT Championship at Roadblock back in March. He would then drop the title back to Breakker on the April 4 edition of Raw.
Brock Lesnar is set to appear on this coming Monday’s Raw.
Along with a Lesnar appearance, Theory is set to face Riddle, and a United States title open challenge featuring Bobby Lashley was also announced.
Lesnar will appear on Raw for the first time since returning to WWE television last month on SmackDown, setting up a last man standing match between himself and Roman Reigns at SummerSlam on July 30 in Nashville. On tonight’s show, Reigns appeared and put over the match. Heyman said that he was scared, as putting Lesnar down for a ten count would mean we would see a violent Reigns.
Although Lashley defeated Theory to win the United States title, Theory ended Money in the Bank with the suitcase after being added to the ladder match. On Raw the following Monday, he told Lashley that he would get a rematch for the United States title at SummerSlam.
Here is the current lineup for Monday’s Raw:
Brock Lesnar appearance
Riddle vs. Theory
Bobby Lashley to defend the United States title in an open challenge match
The fallout from Money in the Bank took place on last night’s Fourth of July edition of Raw.
After winning the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and later cashing in on Ronda Rousey, Liv Morgan cut her first promo as SmackDown Women’s Champion last night. She was interrupted by Natalya and Carmella, who attacked her until Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair ran out to make the save. The two champions then teamed together to defeat Natalya & Carmella.
Men’s Money in the Bank winner Theory also appeared on Raw. He revealed that he’s getting a United States title rematch against Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam — and Theory said that’s just the start of his SummerSlam plans. He vowed to cash in on the winner of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar.
Lashley teamed with The Street Profits to defeat Theory & Alpha Academy on last night’s show.
Plus, Becky Lynch defeated Asuka in a no holds barred match, The Street Profits hosted a Fourth of July cookout, and more.
Theory will get a chance at reclaiming the United States Championship at SummerSlam.
It was announced on tonight’s Raw that a rematch between the two will take place July 30 in Nashville. Theory said that after he won the United States Championship at SummerSlam, then beat whoever was left standing after the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight title match, he would be the biggest champion in company history.
Theory attempted to jump Lashley after the promo, beating Lashley with the Money in the Bank briefcase. However, Lashley took him out with a spinebuster to end the segment.
Theory lost the United States title at SummerSlam this past Saturday to Lashley, who got the win after reversing the ATL and applying the hurt lock, scoring the submission victory.
Here is the current lineup for SummerSlam:
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in a last man standing match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Bobby Lashley vs. Theory for the United States title
Despite never even qualifying for the match, Theory is the new Mr. Money in the Bank.
Theory won the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match by defeating Riddle, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Omos, Sami Zayn, and Madcap Moss at Saturday night’s pay-per-view. There were originally only supposed to be seven wrestlers in the match, but WWE authority figure Adam Pearce came out to the stage before the match started and added Theory as an additional participant.
Theory is Vince McMahon’s protege on WWE television. It was indicated on commentary that McMahon was responsible for Theory being added to the ladder match.
Theory knocked Riddle off a ladder at the end of the match, then retrieved the Money in the Bank briefcase. Riddle had hit a super RKO on Rollins off a ladder and was trying to grab the briefcase before being thwarted by Theory.
Theory can cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at any point within the next year. Roman Reigns is the current champion and is set to defend the title against Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing match at SummerSlam later this month.
A new United States title match has been added to Money in the Bank.
Theory will defend the title against Bobby Lashley at the pay-per-view event, which takes place July 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The match was made after Lashley won a gauntlet match on tonight’s Raw, eventually pinning Theory to earn the title match.
Lashley interrupted a Theory posedown on tonight’s show by squirting oil on Theory. Theory later set up a gauntlet match, where if Lashley beat three opponents, he would get a United States title match at Money in the Bank. Lashley beat Chad Gable and Otis in separate matches, but the two attacked Lashley after Otis was beat. Theory came out as the third and final entrant, but ended up losing after Lashley countered the ATL with a small package.
Here is the updated card for Money in the Bank:
Bianca Belair vs. Carmella for the Raw Women’s Championship
Theory vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE United States title
Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match (Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, and Omos have qualified thus far)
Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match (Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Liv Morgan have qualified thus far)
The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
In his hometown of Chicago, Mustafa Ali is getting a shot at the United States Championship.
Theory vs. Ali for the United States title has been added to this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. The match was announced after Theory got an underhanded victory against Ali on tonight’s episode of Raw.
Ali faced Tommaso Ciampa on Raw tonight in a match where Ali could earn a future United States title shot if he won. Ali ended up winning by disqualification when Theory attacked him. After beating Ali down, Theory said they should just have their title match tonight.
Theory continued to attack Ali through a commercial break, but Ali chose to fight on despite being hurt. Theory retained after hitting the ATL on Ali.
Adam Pearce made his way out after the match and informed Theory that, even though Vince McMahon was impressed with Theory’s tactics, McMahon has booked a fair fight between Theory and Ali for Hell in a Cell.
The feud between Theory and Ali began when Ali returned to WWE television on April 25. Ali had publicly requested to be released from his WWE contract in January.
On last week’s episode of WWE After the Bell, Ali opened up about returning to WWE after his release request. Ali said he’s learned that he has to control his passion.
Hell in a Cell is taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The updated card for the PPV is listed below:
Hell in a Cell match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka and Becky Lynch in a triple threat match
Handicap match: Bobby Lashley vs. Omos & MVP
Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel
United States Champion Theory defends against Mustafa Ali
Six-person mixed tag team match: The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley) vs. AJ Styles, Finn Balor & Liv Morgan
Date: May 9, 2022 Location: XL Center in Hartford, CT
Show Recap —
RK-Bro entered to start the show and the announcers said they wouldn’t be getting much of a break after last night’s main event because they’re defending the titles up next.
Randy Orton admitted they lost a hard-fought battle but when this was all said and done, they would win the war. Orton mentioned that the Usos made the initial challenge for a unification match but there wasn’t anything on the line last night because Roman Reigns ripped up the contract. Reigns knew that the Usos didn’t hold a candle to them.
Orton said he and Riddle still wanted to unify the titles. Riddle said they’d be on Smackdown and would demand that Reigns give them the unification match because the Usos can’t make decisions for themselves. If he said no, Reigns would show that he has no confidence in his cousins. Riddle rambled until the Street Profits interrupted.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins reminded RK-Bro that they were next in line and they wanted to be the ones to unify the titles. After Ford said they want the smoke, Riddle told them that RK-Bro 4:20 says we just smoked your ass. Orton seemed to enjoy that.
Randy Orton & Riddle defeated The Street Profits to retain the Raw Tag Team Championships (10:10)
They went to break after Ford hit a flip dive and Orton made a hot tag following the break. There was a spot where Riddle went for a dive off the ropes but he wiped out Orton by mistake.
Ford gave Riddle a frog splash for a close nearfall as Orton broke up the cover. Ford went for another splash but Riddle brought him down with an RKO. The crowd popped big for that.
This was an awesome finish. It was more unpredictable than usual because it was Riddle and not Orton. Orton was supremely impressed.
********
Kevin Patrick interviewed Theory on the stage about his US title defense tonight against Cody Rhodes. Theory is going with “I can do this all day” as one of his catchphrases. Theory said he was practically in diapers the last time Rhodes was in WWE. Rhodes was in the past and Theory wasn’t worried because he’s the future.
********
The Judgment Day segment
Edge entered flanked by Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest. He said they formed “The Judgment Day” because they were tired of being sheep like all of us. Listening to the people over his career got him nowhere. Sure, it got him into the Hall of Fame, but he was bigger than the Hall of Fame.
Edge said the fans were ugly keyboard warriors and the people of Hartford were morons who couldn’t understand that no one can touch them. The crowd chanted “you suck.”
Priest said that they were already dangerous individually but they were something more together and now they’ve added an “instrument of brutality.” Priest told the crowd to rise for Rhea Ripley.
Ripley said joining Judgment Day was the easiest decision of her life. She saw Edge and Priest changing for the better and wanted the same. She was tired of signing autographs at the airport just to see them end up on eBay the next day. Ripley was focused on destroying Liv Morgan tonight. Edge said Ripley was being wasted in a tag team with Morgan.
Edge rambled until Morgan entered to her music for her match.
Rhea Ripley (w/Edge & Damian Priest) defeated Liv Morgan (5:39)
Morgan hit Codebreaker for two but Ripley dodged a missile dropkick and applied a standing Texas Cloverleaf for the submission win.
— After the match, Edge (who has a new haircut) nodded at Ripley and she reapplied the Cloverleaf. Morgan wildly tapped out and Edge mocked her as she did.
The three heels posed until Finn Bálor’s music hit. Bálor entered and AJ Styles came out to his music as well. They weren’t really coming out to help Morgan, Bálor just so happens to have a match up next against Priest.
(An hour into the show, this is the third time they’ve had someone interrupt a promo with their music to lead to a scheduled match.)
[SECOND HOUR]
Finn Bálor (w/AJ Styles) defeated Damian Priest (w/Edge & Rhea Ripley) via disqualification (4:22)
Bálor set up for a dive but Ripley stood in front of Priest so he stopped. Edge suddenly speared Bálor for the DQ.
Styles tackled Edge and fought off Priest. Ripley grabbed Styles and he turned like he would punch her but stopped when he realized who it was. Styles issued a warning before Edge speared him. Judgment Day stood tall.
********
Chad Gable used scientific terms to explain to Kevin Owens how they can expose Ezekiel/Elias. Owens didn’t understand what he was trying to say. Gable said he took the red solo cup that Ezekiel drank out of and he has friends who can test the DNA to prove that he’s Elias. Owens was excited about this. Owens also said he had a guest tonight. His older brother Ken Owens would be here to take on Elias.
********
MVP’s VIP Lounge
MVP cut his usual promo and Cedric Alexander entered to make another offer to him. Bobby Lashley entered and laid out the security guards before putting Alexander down with the Hurt Lock.
(The crowd was dead quiet for this until Lashley entered. In fact, they’ve been pretty quiet since the opening tag match.)
********
Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville had an argument backstage. Pearce tried explaining something to Deville but she just wanted to know who her opponent was tonight. Before he could tell her, she suddenly decided that she didn’t want to know.
Deville entered for her match. After a break, Pearce entered and announced the news he tried telling her backstage. The investigation has concluded and Deville has been terminated as an authority figure. The crowd cheered. Deville was distraught.
Not only that, her opponent tonight was Alexa Bliss.
Alexa Bliss defeated Sonya Deville (0:40)
Bliss won quickly with a DDT and Twisted Bliss.
Bliss did have the doll with her but she acted like her usual self. The crowd was happy to see her.
********
“Ken Owens” and Ezekiel segment
Kevin Owens entered wearing a wig (and had more grey in his beard than usual). They announced him as Ken Owens from Nova Scotia. Ezekiel welcomed “Ken” to the ring.
Owens told him not to play along. He said nobody actually thought that Ezekiel was Elias’ younger brother and everyone in the back who said they believed him was just playing along. Owens rambled at Ezekiel who continued to call him “Ken.” Owens ripped off his wig and some people in the crowd actually played along and acted shocked.
Owens had enough and attacked Ezekiel. Ezekiel fought back but Alpha Academy ran down to help Owens. Owens laid out Ezekiel with a stunner.
********
Pearce spoke with Asuka in the back until Becky Lynch interrupted. Lynch said Asuka didn’t deserve to be handed a title match and noted that she didn’t even get a title rematch yet. Pearce explained that Asuka wasn’t being handed anything. She had to beat Bianca Belair to earn a title match.
Lynch said beating the champ just to get a chance to beat the champ didn’t make any sense. Pearce left and Lynch continued to complain until Asuka screamed at her and mocked her for acting like a baby.
********
Veer Mahaan defeated Frank Lowman (1:22)
Mahaan won with the million-dollar clothesline and Cervical Clutch.
********
Patrick interviewed Cody Rhodes. Rhodes put over Seth Rollins as a top-five wrestler in the world but said his chapter with Rollins was now closed. He said Theory had potential but he better dig deep because nothing sounded better to him than becoming the new United States Champion.
[THIRD HOUR]
United States Championship match: Cody Rhodes defeated Theory via disqualification — Theory retains the title (13:08)
Theory had control for a few minutes until Rhodes came back with a reverse suplex and dropkick. Theory countered a kick and cleared the announce table but Rhodes fought back. He went for a move on the table but Theory scampered back into the ring.
Theory regained control during the break with a clothesline before the two men collided with running crossbody attempts. Rhodes came back with a running forearm and powerslam for two. Rhodes followed with a moonsault for a nearfall. Theory responded with a crosslegged neckbreaker for two. Rhodes hit a Disaster kick and came right back with a Cody Cutter.
A close-up camera angle on Rhodes made it obvious what was going to happen next. Seth Rollins ran down and attacked Rhodes from behind for our second DQ of the evening.
Rollins laid out Rhodes with a curb stomp on the announce table.
The announcers, Corey Graves included, said that Rollins had crossed the line.
(Theory got a lot in this match and they tried to portray him as a guy on Rhodes’ level, or at least on his way there. I don’t think he did anything underhanded to gain the advantage on offense, either.)
********
Non-title match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks & Naomi defeated Doudrop & Nikki ASH (4:23)
Doudrop was able to gain control of the match but Nikki lost it when she took too long to pose. This allowed Naomi and Banks to knock Doudrop from the ring and hit Nikki with their double-team finisher for the win. After the match, Doudrop lectured Nikki who furrowed her brow in a vain attempt to understand the situation.
Miz’s music interrupted because he’s the special referee for the next match.
********
Miz explained that Ali thought he deserved better which is why he was named special referee for this match. Ali wasn’t buying it.
Ciampa defeated Mustafa Ali [Special referee: The Miz] (5:33)
Ciampa and Ali didn’t get entrances.
Miz slow-counted Ali’s early pinfall attempts. Ciampa was in control until Ali fought back. They had a back and forth exchange that led to Ali hitting a superkick and springboard DDT.
Ali seemed to have it won but Miz took way too long to count so Ciampa kicked out. Ali argued with Miz until Ciampa hit a reverse DDT. Miz did a fast count and Ciampa won. Miz quickly escaped to the stage as Ali looked on in disbelief.
********
They aired a Lacy Evans video. (I think this was the first time they’ve aired one of these on Raw.)
********
Bobby Lashley challenged Omos to a cage match next week.
With 14 minutes left in the show and the main event match still to come, there was a backstage segment with the 24/7 crew. R-Truth handed divorce papers to Reggie and Tozawa. Tozawa refused to accept the papers so Tamina told Truth to go after him.
********
They showed pictures of Bianca Belair and Montez Ford at the Kentucky Derby over the weekend.
10:48pm: Lynch enters to join commentary. Commercial break. 10:53pm: Asuka enters. 10:54pm: Belair enters. 10:55pm: Main event begins.
Non-title match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defeated Asuka via disqualification (3:01)
Asuka countered a KOD into an armbar before Belair hoisted her up into a powerbomb. Lynch then attacked Belair for our third DQ of the evening. Lynch also attacked Asuka.
Belair checked on Asuka as Lynch backed away up the ramp and the show ended.
WWE has announced that Rhodes will challenge Theory for the United States Championship on tonight’s WrestleMania Backlash fallout edition of Raw. The show is being held at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
At WrestleMania Backlash, Rhodes picked up his second straight win against Seth Rollins. Rollins tried to pin Rhodes with an O’Connor Roll while holding onto his tights, but Rhodes returned the favor by reversing the pin and then holding onto Rollins’ tights for extra leverage.
Rhodes also defeated Rollins when they faced off in Rhodes’ return match at WrestleMania 38.
WWE.com wrote:
Fresh off his explosive victory in a hard-fought showdown against Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins at WrestleMania Backlash, Cody Rhodes is poised to battle Theory for the United States Championship!
Will The American Nightmare best Mr. McMahon’s protege and lay claim to the red, white and blue title? Find out tonight at 8/7 C on USA.
Theory won the United States Championship by defeating Finn Balor on the April 18 episode of Raw. This will be his first title defense.
A new WWE United States Champion was crowned on Raw.
Theory defeated Finn Balor to win the US title, kicking off the first championship reign of Theory’s WWE tenure.
Theory worked over Balor’s neck during their match. Balor went for a Coup de Grace, but Theory rolled out of the way. Balor sold the jarring effect on his neck after missing the double stomp, then Theory hit him with the ATL and covered for the pinfall victory.
After the match, a group of heels came to the ring to celebrate with Theory. Mr. McMahon’s music then hit, and McMahon strutted out to the stage. Theory joined him on the stage to celebrate, then the two posed for Theory’s customary selfie.
Balor’s first United States title reign ends at 49 days. He originally captured the title from Damian Priest on the February 28 Raw episode.
Theory’s first name was dropped on last week’s Raw, as it was announced in storyline that McMahon decided that the Austin surname did not suit Theory after McMahon and Theory’s run-in with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at WrestleMania 38.
Austin Theory announced on Monday’s WWE Raw that he is now known as “Theory,” a change made after Theory and Vince McMahon decided that “Austin” did not suit him.
The change comes after a segment at WrestleMania 38 where Steve Austin gave both Theory and McMahon Stone Cold Stunners following Theory vs. Pat McAfee, then McAfee vs. McMahon singles matches.
Theory joins Big E Langston, Antonio Cesaro, Mustafa Ali, Elias Samson, Buddy Murphy, Adrian Neville, Natalya Neidhardt, Alexander Rusev, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Matt Riddle, Andrade Almas, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable, and Angel Garza as talent who had been introduced with a name only to have it shortened later. In some cases, the names were later restored.
A former EVOLVE Champion, Theory signed with WWE in 2019. He made his television debut on the NXT brand in December of that year.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Theory made his main roster debut in 2020. He and Angel Garza challenged The Street Profits for the Raw Tag Team titles at WrestleMania 36 in an losing effort.
Theory was moved back to the NXT brand in August 2020. Shortly after, he would align with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell to form The Way.
Theory was drafted to the Raw brand in the 2021 WWE Draft. In storyline, he became McMahon’s protege after stealing a Cleopatra’s Egg relic at Survivor Series, gifted to McMahon by The Rock as part of a promotional tie-in with Netflix’s Red Notice film.
