Austin Theory’s WrestleMania 41 Snub Highlights WWE’s Issues with Young Talent
As the WrestleMania 41 card is almost done taking shape, one surprising name is missing; Austin Theory. The former U.S. Champion and 2022 Money in the Bank winner hasn’t been announced for a single match. It’s a disappointing reminder of how poorly he’s been used under Triple H’s creative direction. For the past few years, he’s had the talent and looks to be a breakout star, but the booking just hasn’t backed that up.
Theory, along with other young talent, including Dominik Mysterio and Carmelo Hayes should already be on the path to be the leaders of the WWE’s next generation. Instead, all three have been stuck in forgettable storylines or backstage segments that go nowhere. It’s frustrating, especially since Theory scored a huge win over John Cena at WrestleMania 39. That moment could’ve been a career-changer but it lacked the build-up and spotlight it needed.
Before Triple H’s booking, Theory was set to be a future star, with a lot of upside, as he had every attribute that a star needed. However, the turning point of Theory’s career, which may be the worst booking call in recent memory, was when Theory cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase for the U.S. Title. It made no sense, considering the briefcase is meant to launch a rising star into the World Title picture. Theory could’ve just earned a shot at that belt the usual way, by asking Adam Pearce, without burning such a huge opportunity. It wasn’t just a setback for his wrestling career it felt like a slap in the face to the person behind the character, along with the fans.
Despite everything working against him, Theory still has Randy Orton-level potential. He has the size, mic skills, and in-ring talent to be a top-tier star in WWE. He should not be a jobber in the tag team division. If the company doesn’t start recognizing that soon, he’ll likely head to another promotion, such as AEW or TNA, that knows how to use his full potential. The WWE needs to realize they’re missing out on valuable talent for the future. With the right booking and support, Theory could easily become one of the faces of WWE for years to come, much like Orton did during his prime.
