Austin Theory


Austin Theory


Austin Tyler White (born August 2, 1997) is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Austin Theory. He is in a tag team with Grayson Waller as A-Town Down Under where he is one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions in his first reign.

Prior to joining WWE, he wrestled on the independent circuit, including several promotions under the World Wrestling Network umbrella, such as Full Impact Pro (FIP) and Evolve – along the way winning the WWN Championship, FIP World Heavyweight Championship and the Evolve Championship. In WWE, he is a two-time United States Champion and the winner of the 2022 Men's Money in the Bank ladder match.

Early life

Austin Tyler White was born on August 2, 1997, in the Atlanta suburb of McDonough, Georgia. His parents were divorced prior to his birth. White has been a fan of professional wrestling since childhood, citing John Cena as a huge influence and having dreams of joining WWE since he was eight years old. In 2015, he placed first in the NPC Georgia Bodybuilding Championship, Teen Men category when he was 17.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2016–2019)

He made his professional wrestling debut on May 5, 2016, under the ring name Austin Theory, defeating A. R. Fox at a WWA4 event to win the WWA4 Heavyweight Championship. During this time, he continued to work in events around the Georgia area. Theory made his Progress Wrestling debut on April 1, 2017, at a Progress and Evolve joint show, losing to Keith Lee in a four way match involving Jason Kincaid and Blaster McMassive.

On August 12, 2016, Theory made his World Wrestling Network debut at Full Impact Pro (FIP)'s Heatstroke. He made his Evolve debut at Evolve 78 on February 24, 2017, defeating Darby Allin. In July, Theory acquired Priscilla Kelly as a valet. On December 18 at Evolve 97, he defeated Fred Yehi to win the FIP World Heavyweight Championship. He retained the title against Yehi on January 13, 2018, in an "Anything Goes" match. On February 17 at Evolve 100, Theory failed to win the Evolve Championship from Zack Sabre Jr.. At Evolve 103 on April 6, Theory defeated Keith Lee to win the WWN Championship. On May 19 at Evolve 104, he retained the title against DJ Z. At Evolve 106 on June 23, Theory lost the WWN Championship to Joey Janela, but retained the FIP World Heavyweight Championship against Janela and DJ Z in a triple threat match the next day. On September 30, he lost the FIP World Heavyweight Championship to Anthony Henry.

At Evolve 117 on December 15, Theory defeated Fabian Aichner and Roderick Strong in a triple threat match to win the Evolve Championship. On February 15, 2019, at Evolve 121, he retained the title against Darby Allin. Over the next few months, Theory successfully defended the title against the likes of Henry, Kyle O'Reilly, Raul Mendoza, and Leon Ruff. Following a backstage confrontation between Theory and JD Drake, a Winner Takes All match for both the Evolve Championship and WWN Championship was set for Evolve 131 on July 13, which was won by Theory. On August 25 at Evolve 134, he retained the Evolve Championship against Drake and Josh Briggs in a triple threat match, and against Briggs on September 21 at Evolve 136. However, Theory lost the title to Briggs in a rematch on November 9 at Evolve 139.

On June 16, 2018, Theory made his debut for Mexican promotion The Crash Lucha Libre, where he was defeated by Rey Horus. On March 2, 2019, Theory defeated Willie Mack, Bárbaro Cavernario and Sansón to win The Crash Heavyweight Championship. On June 14, Theory made his Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre debut representing The Crash, teaming with Carístico and Volador Jr. to defeat Rush and La Peste Negra (Bárbaro Cavernario and Negro Casas).

WWE

NXT (2019–2021)

Prior to his signing with the company, he participated in a WWE tryout in February 2018. On April 8, during day 4 of WrestleMania Axxess, Theory retained his WWN Championship against Marcel Barthel.

On August 10, 2019, Theory was shown on-screen in the crowd at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. Five days later, it was announced that he signed a contract with WWE and would report to the WWE Performance Center. On the December 25 episode of NXT, Theory made his in-ring debut, accepting Roderick Strong's NXT North American Championship open challenge in a losing effort. On the January 8, 2020 episode of NXT, he achieved his first victory by defeating Joaquin Wilde.

Theory, as a heel, appeared on the March 30 episode of Raw as an associate of Zelina Vega, teaming with Angel Garza and Seth Rollins in a losing effort to Kevin Owens and Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). On Night 2 of WrestleMania 36 on April 5, Theory and Garza unsuccessfully challenged The Street Profits for the Raw Tag Team Championship. The following night on Raw, Theory and Garza lost a title rematch to The Street Profits. After defeating Akira Tozawa on the April 13 episode of Raw, Vega's other associates, Garza and Andrade joined him in beating down Tozawa as all three posed together, confirming their status as a faction. On the following episode of Raw, Theory lost to Aleister Black in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. On the May 18 episode of Raw, he was attacked by Andrade and Garza after accidentally costing them a tag team match against Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens, kicking him out of the faction. Later that same night, he assisted Rollins and Murphy in attacking Black, formally joining Rollins' group as a disciple. Following the June 22 episode of Raw, he stopped appearing with Rollins and Murphy.

On the August 26 episode of NXT, Theory returned to television by interrupting Bronson Reed, moving back to the brand. He made his in-ring return on the Super Tuesday episode of NXT on September 8, where he lost to Reed. At NXT TakeOver: WarGames on December 6, Theory helped Johnny Gargano win his third NXT North American Championship. He then appeared on the December 9 episode of NXT to reveal he was part of a villainous faction called The Way with Gargano, Gargano's real life wife Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. On December 30, Theory won the 2020 NXT Year-End Award for Future Star of NXT.

In January 2021, Theory and Gargano lost to Kushida and Leon Ruff in the first round of the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. For the next few months, Theory helped Gargano retain the North American Championship against numerous opponents. Following a loss to Kyle O'Reilly on the July 20 episode of NXT, Theory took an absence from NXT television, until he returned on the premiere of NXT 2.0, attending the wedding of Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis in his final NXT appearance.

Mr. Money in the Bank (2021–2022)

As part of the 2021 Draft, Theory was drafted to the Raw brand. On the October 4 episode of Raw, Theory returned to the brand by attacking Jeff Hardy and defeated him on the next two episodes of Raw. After Rey Mysterio was injured by Bobby Lashley on the November 15 episode of Raw, he was removed from Team Raw for Survivor Series and replaced by Theory. At the event on November 21, Theory eliminated Sheamus before he was eliminated by Hardy, but his team won the match against Team SmackDown. On the following episode of Raw, it was revealed that Theory took Cleopatra's Egg from Mr. McMahon, leading to McMahon to reward Theory a WWE Championship match against Big E in the main event for "showing intestinal fortitude", which he lost.

Theory would be given career advice by McMahon over the following weeks, serving as his protégé. On the January 17, 2022, episode of Raw, after defeating Finn Bálor, McMahon rewarded Theory a spot in the Royal Rumble match. At the namesake event on January 29, Theory entered his first Royal Rumble match at #3, lasting 22 minutes before he was eliminated by AJ Styles. On the January 31 episode of Raw, Theory defeated Kevin Owens in a Elimination Chamber qualifying match. At Elimination Chamber on February 19, Theory failed to win the WWE Championship after he was last pinned by Brock Lesnar in a match also involving Seth "Freakin" Rollins, Styles, Riddle and defending champion Bobby Lashley. Towards the end of the match, Lesnar performed the "F-5" on Theory from the top of one of the pods down to the floor. On the February 28 episode of Raw, Theory bribed McMahon into having himself accompany him to his interview with Pat McAfee to no avail. On the March 4 episode of SmackDown, Theory confronted McAfee and announced he would be his opponent at WrestleMania 38. At Night 2 of WrestleMania on April 3, Theory lost to McAfee, but helped McMahon defeat McAfee in the subsequent fight that ensued, until Stone Cold Steve Austin came out and hit Theory, McMahon, and McAfee with Stone Cold Stunners.

The following night on Raw, Theory and The Usos defeated RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) and Finn Bálor after Theory pinned Bálor, earning the chance to challenge for his United States Championship. In a backstage segment the following week, Theory announced he and Mr. McMahon decided that the name Austin did not suit him anymore, dropping the first name and going by Theory. On the April 18 episode of Raw, Theory defeated Bálor to win the title for the first time in his career, becoming the second youngest United States Champion in the title's history and the youngest champion under the WWE banner. Theory defended the championship against Cody Rhodes on the May 9 episode of Raw, losing the match by disqualification after Seth "Freakin" Rollins attacked Rhodes, but retained the title. On the May 30 episode of Raw, Theory successfully defended the title against Mustafa Ali, whom he attacked before the match. This led to a rematch between the two at Hell in a Cell on June 5, where Theory retained the title.

At Money in the Bank on July 2, Theory lost the United States Championship to Bobby Lashley, ending his reign at 75 days. Later that night, he was added to and won the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match, making him the youngest superstar to win the Money in the Bank contract in WWE history, as well as being the first Money in the Bank winner to lose a title and win the contract on the same night. At SummerSlam on July 30, Theory failed to regain the United States Championship in a rematch against Lashley. Later that night, he attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Last Man Standing match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, but was hit with an "F-5" by Lesnar before he could officially cash in. In August, his name was reverted to Austin Theory. At Clash at the Castle on September 3, Theory and Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) lost to The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) and Madcap Moss on the pre-show. Later that night, he again attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event, only to be knocked out by Tyson Fury before he could officially do so. On the November 7 episode of Raw, Theory cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Rollins for the United States Championship but was unsuccessful, partially due to interference from Lashley.

United States Champion (2022–2023)

On November 26 at Survivor Series WarGames, Theory defeated Rollins and Lashley in a triple threat match to win his second United States Championship. On the December 5 episode of Raw, Theory retained the title against Mustafa Ali by disqualification after being attacked by Dolph Ziggler. On the January 2, 2023, episode of Raw, Theory retained the title against Rollins, as well as Lashley in a No Disqualification match at Raw Is XXX on January 23 after interference from Lesnar. At the Royal Rumble on January 28, Theory entered at #25 but was eliminated by eventual winner Cody Rhodes. On February 18 at Elimination Chamber, Theory successfully defended the title against Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth "Freakin" Rollins in an Elimination Chamber match, marking the first time the title was contested inside the namesake structure. In a press conference after the event, Theory issued an open challenge for the title on the following episode of Raw, which was answered by Edge. He retained the title against Edge after interference from Finn Bálor. Theory challenged the returning John Cena to a match for the title at WrestleMania 39 on the March 6 episode of Raw, which Cena accepted. At Night 1 of WrestleMania on April 1, Theory defeated Cena to retain the title. At Backlash on May 6, Theory retained the title against Bronson Reed and Lashley.

As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Theory was drafted to the SmackDown brand. On the May 12 episode of SmackDown, he lost to Bobby Lashley and Sheamus in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Two weeks later on the May 26 episode of SmackDown, Theory retained the United States Championship against Sheamus after interference from Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson). He then retained the title against Jey Uso and Sheamus on the June 9 and July 7 episodes of SmackDown, respectively. At SummerSlam on August 5, Theory competed in the Slim Jim Battle Royal, scoring two eliminations before he was eliminated by Santos Escobar. On the August 11 episode of SmackDown, Theory was scheduled to defend the title against Escobar, who was rendered unable to compete after Theory attacked him backstage. Later that night, Theory was defeated by Escobar’s Latino World Order stablemate Rey Mysterio in an impromptu title match, ending his second reign at 258 days. The following week, he defeated LA Knight to become the #1 contender to the United States Championship, but failed to regain the title from Mysterio on September 2 at Payback.

A-Town Down Under (2023–present)

Theory was involved in a segment with Pat McAfee before The Rock returned to attack Theory with the People's Elbow on the September 15 episode of SmackDown. During this time, he began a partnership with Grayson Waller known as A-Town Down Under, winning their first match as a team against The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) on the September 22 episode of SmackDown. On the October 13 episode of SmackDown, Theory and Waller challenged Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship in a losing effort. Theory lost in the first round of the United States Championship #1 Contender tournament to Kevin Owens on the December 15 episode of SmackDown. On the January 12, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Theory faced NXT's Carmelo Hayes, but their match ended in a shoot no-contest after both of them landed on their heads from the top rope. WWE later announced that they only suffered face contusions and Theory proceeded to defeat Hayes in their rematch on the January 26 episode of SmackDown. At the Royal Rumble on January 27, Theory helped Logan Paul retain the United States Championship against Owens after handing him brass knuckles. Later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match at #13 before being eliminated by eventual winner Cody Rhodes.

On February 24, 2024, at Elimination Chamber: Perth, Theory co-hosted The Grayson Waller Effect with Waller featuring Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. After imitating The Rock, Cody and Seth attacked Theory while Waller did not get involved, teasing the dissolution of A-Town Down Under. Nevertheless, Theory and Waller entered a tag team tournament, defeating The O.C. (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) on the March 22 episode of SmackDown and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in the finals a week later to qualify for the six-pack ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL. At Night 1 of WrestleMania on April 6, Waller retrieved the SmackDown Tag Team Championship for A-Town Down Under to become the new champions. On the April 19 episode of SmackDown, the SmackDown Tag Team Championship was renamed as the WWE Tag Team Championship and the team was presented with new title belts by WWE's chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque, and the general manager of SmackDown Nick Aldis. On the May 3 episode of SmackDown, Theory and Waller defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in their first title defense.

Other media

White appeared as an extra in the 2017 Marvel Studios film Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Personal life

White adheres to a straight edge lifestyle, in part due to his father's alcoholism.

Championships and accomplishments

Bodybuilding

  • National Physique Committee
    • NPC Georgia Teen, Men's bodybuilding championship winner (1 time)

Professional wrestling

  • The Crash Lucha Libre
    • The Crash Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • ESPN
    • Ranked No. 3 of the 30 best Pro Wrestlers Under 30 in 2023
  • Evolve
    • Evolve Championship (1 time)
  • Full Impact Pro
    • FIP World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Fire Star Pro Wrestling
    • FSPW Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
  • Mucha Lucha Atlanta
    • MLA Global Championship (1 time)
  • Peachstate Wrestling Alliance
    • PWA Heritage Championship (1 time)
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • Ranked No. 45 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2023
  • World Wrestling Network
    • WWN Championship (2 times)
  • WWA4
    • WWA4 Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WWE
    • WWE United States Championship (2 times)
    • WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time, current) – with Grayson Waller
    • Men's Money in the Bank (2022)
    • WrestleMania XL Six-Pack Ladder Match SmackDown Qualifier Tournament (2024) – with Grayson Waller
    • NXT Year-End Award (1 time)
      • Future Star of NXT (2020)
  • Xtreme Wrestling Alliance
    • XWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Notes

References

External links

  • Austin Theory on WWE.com
  • Austin Theory on X
  • Austin Theory's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database
  • Austin White at IMDb

Text submitted to CC-BY-SA license. Source: Austin Theory by Wikipedia (Historical)



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