Austin Theory Reveals How Shawn Michaels Helped Him Find Who He Is In The Ring

Austin Theory had a memorable run in NXT where he was part of Johnny Gargano’s stable, The Way. He was then called up to the main roster where his fortunes improved as well. Theory also revealed advice given to him by Shawn Michaels.

Theory has been involved in a storyline with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon ever since Survivor Series ended last year. Following his initial stint on the main roster, Austin Theory went back to NXT, where he developed his character in a big way as well.

While speaking with TalkSPORT, Austin Theory talked about his time competing in NXT. During his time there, he received a lot of help from Shawn Michaels. Theory revealed what advice Michaels gave him as well.

“We’d go back and watch matches, and I remember something specifically he said when I first got there, when I was 22. He told me, ‘Hey, when you go out there,’ he was like, ‘Are you having fun?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m having fun.’ And he said, ‘You know, like hearing the people and everything?’ And I was like, I don’t really know if I hear the people and everything because I’m so focused on what I’m trying to do in the ring.

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He said, ‘You’ve got to find who you are and be yourself,’ but at 22, I didn’t know who I was. So I’m like, ‘Wait, what? What do you mean?’ I would think about that a lot. I was still doing the same thing but I was trying to figure out his advice. Be yourself? Then I realized it was about letting a little loose. Have fun. Everybody knows being outside of the ring and being able to do promos and backstages, that’s what makes the character.

That’s what gets people invested. It would be like watching a movie and it’s just action the whole time, you’re not really going to relate to anybody. That little piece of funny advice he gave me at the time went a long way. But I really tried to figure it out because I was like, Shawn Michaels isn’t just going to say this to me.”

Austin Theory will be squaring off against Pat McAfee at the Showcase Of The Immortals next month. We will have to see who will win the match.

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