10 New Directions For WWE After Backlash 2023

10. Austin Theory = SmackDown Linchpin

Hands up who else can see Austin Theory becoming a focal point as United States Champ over on SmackDown? Top man Roman Reigns won't be around every week, so the show needs another full-timer to step up and keeps things ticking over. Mr. Theory is perfect for that role.

In many ways, he's a modern-day version of The Miz - Austin enjoys a sneaky, opportunistic win and never misses a chance to brag about his exploits, but he's also capable of working against everyone the writers throw at him. That'll come in handy towards the upper tier of SmackDown's TV going forwards.

Again, Reigns isn't going to be on telly every week.

It'd be smart of WWE to keep developing Theory on the undercard and ready him for a main event run when Roman eventually drops his gold and takes some time off. Theory is the future of SmackDown post-Draft, he has to be.