WWE Raw Star Undergoes Name Change
WWE's name-shortening department strikes again.
Austin Theory is "Austin" no more.
The WWE rising star has lost his forename. From now on, he is to be known as "Theory" and "Theory" alone, with the switch confirmed during last night's Raw broadcast.
Theory was involved in a backstage segment that saw him unpack the change, with the 24-year-old stating that his mentor, Vince McMahon, had decided that "Austin" didn't suit him. The name change has already been reflected on WWE.com.
2022's early stages saw Theory become involved with McMahon through a string of backstage segments in which Vince attempted to sculpt the former Evolve wrestler into a bigger star. Though the segments disappeared a few weeks prior to the big event (one backstage confrontation aside), this culminated at WrestleMania 38, where Theory was defeated by Pat McAfee on the second night (3 April).
McMahon scored immediate revenge for his charge after this, beating McAfee in a maligned three-minute bout. It was the 76-year-old's first in-ring outing in 12 years.
A WWE wrestler since signing in 2019, Theory had wrestled as "Austin Theory" for the entirety of his six-year wrestling career until last night. The 24-year-old debuted at a WWA4 show in May 2016.