Austin Theory believes WWE missed an opportunity to create a defining moment in his career, saying he felt “robbed” by the decision to have him cash in his Money in the Bank contract for the United States Championship rather than a world title.
Speaking on Logan Paul‘s ImPaulsive podcast, Austin Theory reflected on his 2022 Money in the Bank cash-in, which saw him unsuccessfully challenge Seth Rollins for the United States Championship. The decision was unusual, as Money in the Bank winners traditionally cash in their contracts for a world championship opportunity.
When asked if he felt he had been “robbed” by the booking, Theory agreed and also pointed to his programme with Roman Reigns as another storyline that he believes could have gone further.
“I felt like there could have been a moment; I knew I wasn’t gonna get the title off Roman, but even just building it to seem like ‘oh, here we go,” Theory said. “I can lose to him, whatever, but just give it more of a payoff, because it felt cool, man; I did a lot of cool things with it.”
Theory was referring to his rivalry with Reigns, which included a memorable exchange at Barclays Center when Reigns referenced Theory’s association with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon by telling him, “your daddy’s not here anymore.”
Austin Theory Says He Still Has His Money In The Bank Briefcase In His Office
The former United States Champion also revealed that he still has the Money in the Bank briefcase displayed in his office, complete with the damage it sustained during his rivalry with Brock Lesnar.
“It’s funny how I have it in my office hanging, and it’s real dented, and people see it and go, ‘You murdered people with that, huh?’ I’m like, ‘No, Brock Lesnar murdered me with it, and it sucked,’” Theory said.
Austin Theory was one of WWE’s most prominently featured stars during Vince McMahon’s final months leading creative, regularly appearing alongside the former chairman, including at WrestleMania 38. After Triple H took over WWE creative in 2022, Theory’s direction changed, though he went on to win the United States Championship at Survivor Series that year.
