12 Ups And 16 Downs For WWE In 2021
UPS…
12. Austin Theory’s Punchable Face
One of the rare success stories with debuts in 2021 has to be Austin Theory, who survived being promoted and demoted in 2020, then came back to the main roster this fall and managed to become Vince McMahon’s pet project.
Theory’s character, a brash rookie who takes selfies with his fallen opponents, is actually perfect for the times. It fits the culture, and it makes him even more punchable every time he does a duckface over a fall hero. Throw in that Austin has won the vast majority of his matches thus far and you have a good start.
The pairing with McMahon is odd, though the intent is clear: WWE views Theory as having a good future in the company, so they are trying to give him a rub. The problem is that Vince’s luster is long gone, and he’s a mumbling, decrepit-looking shell of his former self. Theory might still get some mileage out of it, but he isn’t going to end up like another more-famous Austin.
Still, this was a bright spot this fall.