10 Pushes That WWE Ruined In 2022

3. Austin Theory

Austin Theory
WWE

Yes, Austin Theory has pulled the nose up somewhat by largely ditching his snotty brat behaviour and winning the United States Title. It's been an arduous road to this point though - if anything, Theory became a sure sign that WWE must retire the knackered Money In The Bank gimmick ASAP.

They just don't know what to do with it anymore.

Austin was Vince McMahon's pet project for much of the year. Then, "daddy" retired and Theory started sinking deeper and deeper into a creative quagmire. Critics shouted loudly about how Triple H was wrecking Theory's potential, and his failed MITB cash-in seemed to vindicate those claims.

Could the company have got to where they are now without making Austin look like such a briefcase w*nker? Absolutely. The fact he cashed in on the lower-tier US Title in the first place was questionable, and his resultant loss was seriously damaging. Again, at least Theory has managed to salvage some pride before 2023 dawns.

In this post: 
Liv Morgan
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.