Austin Theory reflects on his failed Money in the Bank cash-in attempt.
Austin Theory won the WWE Money in the Bank briefcase in 2022. His cash-in was unique in that he became the first to try and utilize the briefcase to become WWE United States Champion, a title that he had already held, and he failed to win the briefcase on top of that.
When asked by Chris Van Vliet about his failed attempt at cashing in the briefcase, Theory spoke about the lack of a plan around the time that he was holding the Money in the Bank briefcase and the difficulties of cashing in to become a WWE World Champion in the middle of Roman Reigns' dominant run atop WWE.
"I don’t feel like there’s ever a plan. To be honest with you, if you know a match you’re going to have at a pay-per-view, if you’re kind of on that road, like Cena for example, I knew we did the promo, so I know we’re going to have the match. But honestly, like a lot of things, even when I had the US title the first time [shrugs], Money in the Bank [shrugs], second time US Title [shrugs], you know, it’s just kind of seeing what rolls. At the same time too, with the briefcase I was in such a tough spot, because Roman Reigns, the position he was in and where they were going with him. I would have loved to cash in on Roman, even if it was a failed attempt, I think that would have been cool because I would have never cashed in on the United States Championship.”
Austin Theory did go on to defeat John Cena at WWE WrestleMania 33 in a match for the United States Championship.
John Cena will be coming back for his final run as a WWE Superstar in 2025. John will retire in December 2025 at the end of his final tour and as of right now, he says he's in no position to handpick opponents for his last hurrah.
Thanks to Chris Van Vliet and his team for sending the above quote.
