Austin Theory Thought He Was ‘Going Places’ With Vince McMahon On Screen Partnership

Austin Theory recalls how he felt about his on screen working relationship with Vince McMahon, noting he thought he was going places.

In late 2021 and a large part of 2022, Theory and McMahon would have an on screen relationship with Theory serving as the then Chairman’s protégé. Theory would receive several opportunities during this run, including wrestling Pat McAfee, winning the WWE United States Championship and the Money in The Bank briefcase.

While speaking to IMPAULSIVE in a new interview, Austin Theory would speak about his time working with Vince McMahon, noting that he thought he was ‘going places,’ thanks to the partnership.

“So I remember my time in NXT, it was kinda just, I feel like I was (just) there. Then something started to work when I was in the group The Way, I started showing more of my humor, being more funny, showing that. I feel like that’s kind of the tip of it in NXT. Then when I got to the main roster, I didn’t even realise Vince was pushing me, and (was) behind me, until… I remember when I won the US Title and became the youngest US Champ, but at the end of that match, Vince wanted all the heels to come out, hold me up in the ring. Then as I left the ring he came out on the stage and held my arm, and I think in that moment I was like ‘whoa, something’s going on here, we’re going places’. I feel like I always knew I would do great things here, just not the detail of them. It’s been a crazy ride, but I guess like anything in life you have the ups and downs, and coming down a little and just reflecting and figuring out where can I be better, what can I do, maybe I need to switch the character and do something else. But that time period specifically, that was the end of 2021 and 2023, but crazy.”

Elsewhere in the same interview, Theory shared that John Cena pushed for him to turn babyface after their WrestleMania 39 bout. You can read more about that here.

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