At NXT TakeOver: War Games, Theory assisted Johnny Gargano in winning the NXT North American Championship. He then revealed that he was the newest member of the Gargano family. Theory appeared on the December 9th episode as part of a villainous faction called “The Way” with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae (Gargano’s wife) and Indi Hartwell. The following week, he teamed with Gargano to defeat Kushida and Leon Ruff.
In January 2021, Theory and Gargano took part in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They were eliminated in the first round by Kushida and Leon Ruff on the January 20 episode of NXT. For the next few months, Theory helped Gargano retain the North American Championship against numerous opponents. After a loss to Kyle O’Reilly on the July 20 episode of NXT, Theory took an absence from NXT television.
Austin Theory returned to attend the Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis wedding on the NXT 2.0 premiere.
Austin Theory Drafted To RAW
Theory was drafted to the RAW brand at the October 2021 Draft. On the October 4 episode of Monday Night RAW, Austin Theory returned to the brand and attacked Jeff Hardy following his loss to Damian Priest. For the next two weeks, Theory fought and successfully beat Hardy.
At the end of October, Austin Theory began feuding with The Mysterios. He first defeated Dominik Mysterio and defeated Rey Mysterio the next week. In mid November, Austin Theory was named a replacement for an injured Rey Mysterio for the RAW Men’s team at Survivor Series. At the event, Theory eliminated Sheamus before being eliminated by Jeff Hardy.
The following RAW after Survivor Series, it was revealed that Austin Theory took Cleopatra’s Egg from Mr. McMahon. As a result, McMahon rewarded him a WWE Championship opportunity against Big in the main event that night. McMahon awarded Theory this opportunity because he ‘showed intestinal fortitude.’ Austin Theory lost to Big E later that night.
Austin Theory Gains Mr. McMahon’s Favor
Over the following weeks, Mr. McMahon gave career advice to Austin Theory who continued to gain McMahon’s favor. On the January 17, 2022 episode of RAW, after defeating Finn Bálor, McMahon rewarded Theory a spot in the Royal Rumble match.
At the 2022 Royal Rumble, Theory entered the match as the third competitor. He lasted 22 minutes before being eliminated by AJ Styles. On the January 31 episode of RAW, Austin Theory defeated Kevin Owens in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. At Elimination Chamber, Theory failed to win the WWE Championship after being last pinned by Brock Lesnar in a match also involving Seth Rollins, A.J Styles, Riddle and the defending champion Bobby Lashley.
On April 11th, in a backstage segment, Theory announced that he and Mr. McMahon had decided that the name Austin didn’t suit him anymore, dropping the first name and going by Theory.
Theory Wins United States Championship
Theory won his first WWE Championship title on the April 18 2022 edition of RAW where he defeated Finn Bálor to win the United States Championship. At the July 2 2022 Money in the Bank pay-per-view event, he lost the title to Bobby Lashley. Theory’s reign lasted 75 days. Later that night, Theory was added to and won the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. This win made him the youngest superstar to win the Money in the Bank contract in WWE history.
At SummerSlam, Austin Theory failed to regain the United States Championship in a rematch against Lashley. Later that night, he attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Last Man Standing match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. He was hit with an F-5 by Lesnar before he could officially cash in.
At Clash at the Castle in September, Austin Theory and Alpha Academy lost to the Street Profits and Madcap Moss. Later that night, Theory attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event, but he was knocked out by Tyson Fury before he was able to.
Austin Theory Wins United States Championship Again
On the November 7 episode of RAW, Theory finally cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the United States Championship. Theory was unsuccessful, partially due to interference from Bobby Lashley. At Survivor Series WarGames on November 26, Theory defeated Rollins and Lashley in a triple threat match to win his second United States Championship.
On the December 5th episode of RAW, Theory retained the title against Mustafa Ali by disqualification after being attacked by the returning Dolph Ziggler. On the January 2, 2023, episode of RAW, Theory retained the title against Rollins, as well as Lashley in a No Disqualification match at RAW Is XXX on January 23rd after interference from the returning Lesnar.
At the Royal Rumble on January 28th, Theory entered at #25 but was eliminated by eventual winner Cody Rhodes. On February 18th at Elimination Chamber, Theory successfully defended the title against Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth Rollins in an Elimination Chamber match, marking the first time the title was contested inside the namesake structure.
In a press conference after the event, Theory issued an open challenge for the title, which was answered by Edge. On the following episode of Monday Night RAW, Austin Theory retained the title against Edge after interference from Finn Bálor. On the March 6th episode of RAW, Theory challenged John Cena to a match for the title at WrestleMania 39, which Cena accepted. At Night 1 of the event, Theory defeated Cena to retain the title.
Theory Drafted To SmackDown
As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Theory was drafted to the SmackDown brand. On the May 12th episode of SmackDown, Theory faced Bobby Lashley and Sheamus in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Theory was pinned by Lashley in the first round. Two weeks later on the May 26th episode of SmackDown, Theory retained the United States Championship against Sheamus after interference from Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson).
On the August 11th episode of SmackDown, Theory was scheduled to defend the title against Santos Escobar. But after Theory attacked him backstage, Escobar was unable to compete. Later that night, Theory was defeated by Escobar’s Latino World Order stablemate Rey Mysterio in an impromptu title match, ending his second reign at 258 days.
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