WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 ended in a huge cliffhanger. Roman Reigns let Cody Rhodes know he’s done with him, kicking off what may be Rhodes’s most important storyline to date. But moments before that, the babyface team was hit with a surprise when a mysterious figure entered the cage and hit CM Punk with a superkick/curb stomp combo. No, that wasn’t Seth Rollins. According to Fightful Select that was none other than Austin Theory. The missing man is back and this is shaping up to be his last chance at a major position on the WWE roster.
The setup to build mystery around who attacked CM Punk was clear, but there was no way that person was Rollins who just underwent shoulder surgery. WWE would not pull the same injury angle twice in so many months, so speculation immediately went to Theory. Fightful reported on Theory’s return almost immediately after the PLE.
“WWE sources claim the man under the mask was Austin Theory tonight,” Fightful Select reported.
The last time Theory was seen on WWE television was back in May, taking a loss to Sheamus. After many botched attempts to make Theory a top name in the promotion, this is truly the last chance to get over as a serious contender with the fans.
The Austin Theory project is incomplete
At 28 years old, Austin Theory is much younger than many of the men packing the top of the men’s division on the main roster. It is well documented that the men’s division is heavy with performers beyond their physical prime, and it is time to get some fresh faces at the top of the card for the future.
However, WWE has attempted to put Theory in that position multiple times. Each time has been met with disdain from the WWE Universe. Not because he’s a hated figure like Dominik Mysterio was during his initial run with the Judgment Day, but more akin to “Go Away” heat that hit X-Pac decades ago.
Theory has had his moments where things were seemingly headed in the right direction. He worked well when he was paired with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae and crew as a part of The Way in NXT. When he initially joined Seth Rollins in 2020, there was hope that would be the connection that helped get him over with the fans, alas that was not the case. When he was removed from television after accusations that he was messaging an underage fan, his stock immediately dropped with many wanting to see him be held accountable. He was removed from television for a time, but nothing more came of that WWE “investigation.”
Winning The Money in the Bank briefcase hurt Theory more than helped him. Not only did he attempt to cash in on the WWE United States Championship and lose, but the dressing down he took on the microphone from Roman Reigns made it clear that he wasn’t seen as a top prospect in any way. HIs pairing with Grayson Waller was more of a happy accident than anything, with many pointing to Waller being the more talented of the two.
So here we are in 2025. Austin Theory is set to be inserted into the WWE Monday Night Raw main event angle against the likes of Roman Reigns, CM Punk, The Usos, LA Knight and others. If he can’t stand alongside this group and be seen as a top name in the company, a future champion, then it will never happen. Austin Theory is a talented performer, one who comes with baggage, but that talent isn’t enough to get over with today’s fans. It is sink or swim time.