Austin Theory doesn't feel like this is his second run on WWE's main roster.
On March 30, 2020, right at the start of WWE's pandemic era shows from the Performance Center, Theory began appearing on Raw, aligning himself with Zelina Vega and Angel Garza. He would continue appearing regularly and by the middle of May had become one of Seth Rollins' disciples. Following the June 22 episode of Raw, Theory's time on Raw inexplicably came to an end, performing only on NXT.
Speaking with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (full interview above), Theory says he never felt like he was called up, noting that it all happened very quickly and that he was told this wouldn't be a permanent situation.
"Basically, I never felt like I was brought up. I was still always under NXT contract. Somebody had got injured at the time and they were looking for somebody to fill in for a tag team. I love in Orlando, I was right there. Started doing some things, did some stuff with Seth Rollins and then it was one of those things where it was like, ‘This isn’t really going to stay a thing, so we’re trying to figure out how to do everything,’ and then it was like, ‘Theory’s still with NXT,'" he said.
Theory believes everything happens for a reason and is happy he was able to return to NXT and be part of The Way with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell because it allowed him to develop and show his character's personality.
"So I was able to go down there and do some things there with The Way, create a really good personality, show that more, and then it developed over. I think everything happens for a reason and I think I really got on the main roster six months ago. I don’t ever think I was on the main roster because at the same time I was at the Performance Center and it didn’t really feel like the main roster. It was just different days, different people," Theory added.
In December 2020, Theory officially became a member of the Gargano Family by helping Johnny recapture the North American Title at TakeOver: WarGames. He told Fightful that the original idea was just for him to be a bodyguard, but it eventually just morphed thanks to their natural family vibe.
"I remember the idea for me was just to be a bodyguard behind Johnny Gargano and same thing for Indi, just to be a bodyguard behind Candice, lead them to victory and them help us along the way. But it kind of turned into this natural family vibe where I was like the goofy son, and Johnny’s the dad and then Candice is like the angry mom and Indi’s the romantic sister that’s in love with Dexter," Theory said.
Thankful for the opportunity, Theory was able to show off the goofier side of his personality, something he believes caught the eye of some top executives for WWE Raw.
"The whole story’s really cool, but it helped me bring out my personality because I had this idea of, ‘I don’t want to be a serious guy, I want to show more of my goofy side of what I am normally.’ ‘Cause in the everyday world for me, I’m not super serious. I just like to have a good time, a nice vibe and that’s what that character showed. Then I think some top execs at RAW notice that, saw the personality and then just easy transition. You fine-tune some things and get rockin’ and rollin’ and beat the crap out of Pat McAfee at WrestleMania," he said.
Theory was drafted to Raw in the 2021 WWE Draft and has been the protege of Mr. McMahon ever since he was caught stealing Vince's priceless golden egg at Survivor Series. He recently faced Pat McAfee on Night Two of WrestleMania 38.
He recently shared what the backstage reaction was to Vince McMahon taking a Stunner from Stone Cold on that night. Click here to read more.
No longer Austin, as of last Monday night, the Raw Superstar is now being referred to simply as Theory. Click here to learn more.
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