Austin Theory is steadily building his reputation as one of WWE’s up-and-coming talents. He even had a memorable segment with The Rock last year and it appears he only came to know he would be in that segment at the very last minute.
During the September 15, 2023 episode of SmackDown, Austin Theory confronted returning Pat McAfee. It was then followed by The Rock returning after almost four years and immediately shutting down Theory on the microphone. The Rock then hit his signature spinebuster and People’s Elbow on Theory for good measure.
During his appearance on The Babyfaces Podcast, Theory reflected on his experience with The Rock. He revealed that he learned about being in a segment with Johnson just 30 minutes prior, and it wasn’t until five minutes before the segment that he met Johnson for the first time.
“I found out maybe 30 minutes before, and then, yeah, I actually met The Rock five minutes before that. We went out there and just felt the crowd, let everything rock — that’s funny I say ‘the rock.’ But yeah, everything just flowed. It worked out really well. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to say what I said to The Rock, but I said it because I had to say it. Had to put everybody on notice.”
Austin Theory also issued challenge to The Rock. It remains to be seen if Theory and The Great One will cross paths again, especially now that The Rock has returned to WWE television as part of The Bloodline faction.
Do you feel Austin Theory should be credited for The Rock’s WWE return? Sound off in the comments section below!