Austin Theory Reveals What The Rock Told Him Before WWE SmackDown Segment

Austin Theory has worked very hard to become the dependable WWE Superstar that he is today. He had a classic segment with The Rock last year and he has now revealed what The Great One told him before the segment.

During the September 15, 2023 episode of SmackDown, Austin Theory confronted 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.

While speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Austin Theory shared his experience about working with The Rock during their memorable segment. He wasn’t given any details until about an hour before the show when he got a call to meet with Triple H. They discussed a segment where Theory would cut a promo on Pat McAfee, and then The Rock would make his entrance.

As Theory prepared, he started thinking back to his last interaction with McAfee and how he felt restricted in their previous promos. This time, he decided he needed to take more control and stand out. He even mentioned how both he and McAfee were wearing similar outfits, which he used to roast McAfee in the promo before The Rock came out.

“So the day starts. I have nothing that day at SmackDown, I’m kind of lingering around wondering am I doing anything? I haven’t heard anything. Was it a setup? I don’t know. It didn’t feel like one, but if it was, then wow, you got me. But I remember we have an hour before the show kicks off. So we were in Colorado, so the time is probably like a couple of hours [back]. So we had an hour before the show, I get a call, and I end up going to Triple H’s office, and he basically gives me the rundown of ‘Hey, Pat McAfee’s coming back. We’re thinking you go out there, you cut a promo, and then kind of get on him, and then we’ll have The Rock come out.’ I’m just like, for real?

Alright! So then they’re sitting there, and then the head writer, he’s like, ‘Hey, there’s not a lot of time left now. There’s like 40 minutes, 30 minutes left. Go figure out what you want to say to Pat and then we’ll figure out the rest, we’ll tell you what you’re doing with Rock when he gets here.’ So I’m like, well he’s not even here, this is crazy. So I go away and I started thinking in my head. I started thinking too about the last time I was in the ring with Pat McAfee, and how the promos were. I remember he said some things that I couldn’t, I could only say what I was able to say. But I feel like there was some more freedom there for him. So in my mind, I’m like well this is where I’ve got to take it, I’ve got to get it back. So going out there, we had the same outfit on, so I ripped into him about that, you don’t look like me in a tank top. I called him something and then Rock comes out.”

Theory then shared how surreal the moment was when The Rock arrived. He was picked up in a black car and walked onto the bus where Theory was waiting. The Rock, who Theory described as “the size of a blimp,” gave him some words of advice. He told Theory that when they got out there, it would be “magic,” and to just feel it. Theory was amazed by The Rock’s ability to communicate without words, using just his eyes to guide him during the segment. It was an unforgettable experience that made Theory feel at the top of his game.

“Before Rock comes out, kind of going back to when I met Rock, I remember, I came up with what I wanted to say on Pat I was like, Okay, I got it. And then I just get a text, come outside. I come outside, and it was one of the writers, and he said, Come with me. And then next thing I know, I’m with Triple H and Nick Khan and we’re all walking outside. The busses are there, and this black car pulls up, six people get out, it’s just insane to me. Rock gets out, and I’m like this is crazy. He’s like the size of a blimp. He looks insane. I’m like, What is going on? They walk over, I think they’re just trying to get us on a bus so this could be private and nobody sees Rock. I think Nick Khan knocks on Charlotte Flair’s bus, and they’re like, Hey, can you get off? She’s like, alright. So she just gets off, and then we get on the bus. Then I just remember I was in the back of the bus with The Rock, and he was kind of telling me ‘When we get out there, it’s going to be magic. Just feel it. It’s going to be good.’ And I kid you not being out there with him. He did like these Jedi mind tricks with his eyes, when I just knew when to go, when to say something, and just feeling it with him. He would just, I don’t know, just with his eyes. I was like, oh man. But it was such an experience and I just felt so on top of my game.”

Austin Theory also issued a challenge to The Rock as he was clearly not done with the Brahma Bull. It’s not clear if Austin Theory and The Rock will meet again in the future, but one thing is obvious: Theory has changed a lot since they last interacted. He’s become a bigger star in WWE, and fans are eager to see what happens next and if he will face The Rock again.

Do you want to see The Rock and Austin Theory should have another interaction in the future? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!