SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 26: WWE Superstar Austin Theory makes his entrance during Monday Night Raw at the SAP Center on February 26, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/WWE Via Getty Images)
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Austin Theory is expected to make his official return to WWE programming on the December 1 episode of Raw in Glendale, Arizona. While WWE has not confirmed it, it is widely believed that Theory was the man who scaled the War Games cage, super kicked and curb stomped CM Punk to set up the Vision’s win in the main event of Survivor Series in San Diego, California on Saturday night.
Theory pulled off Seth Rollins’ finisher in an effort to create some doubt in the minds of fans, but almost no one fell for it.
In case you missed it, take a look at the finish that had wrestling fans talking through the weekend and leading up to Monday’s episode of Raw.
Who is Austin Theory?
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Austin Theory and John Cena wrestle for the United States Chamionship during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Theory, 28 is a former two-time US Champion, a former Money in the Bank winner and he is viewed as a chosen one of sorts by former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. The latter categorization is a bit of a kiss of death with the WWE universe these days and it severely hampered Theory’s efforts to get over.
How high was WWE on Theory? He wrestled John Cena at WrestleMania 39.
Theory hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since June and hasn’t worked an event since July. Despite his rapidly descent from up-and-coming top Superstar of the future to comic-relief mid-carder, it is clear WWE still thinks highly of the Georgia native.
In his last angle, Theory was feuding and eventually breaking up with now-former tag-team partner Grayson Waller. As A-Town Down Under, Theory and Waller were WWE Smackdown Tag-Team champions.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA- APRIL 19: WWE Tag Team Champions, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller during SmackDown at PPG Paints Arena on April 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)
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Theory left WWE TV while Waller joined with the New Day in a grouping that hasn’t really amounted to much.
The New Day is scheduled to face AJ Styles and Dragon Lee on Monday for the tag titles. It might be appropriate for Theory to stomp Waller as a sign that he has moved past him in the WWE’s real but intangible pecking order.
Word is, Theory didn’t have any serious injuries. Instead, his character was being re-shaped.
Expect Theory to be sporting a new look when he returns. I’ve heard he may have shaved his head and bulked up to embrace his new super heel persona.
In any case, Theory is young and talented enough to still make a splash in WWE before he turns 30 years old. Potentially aligning him with stars like Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and the oracle, Paul Heyman is an excellent way to jumpstart his career.
If Theory does show up on Monday in Glendale, I’ll update this post with the latest on his involvement and more.
Here’s a quick preview of the confirmed matches for Raw on Monday.
- The New Day challenge AJ Styles & Dragon Lee for World Tag Team Title
- Jey Uso and LA Knight battle in The Last Time is Now Tournament Semifinal Match
- Gunther and Solo Sikoa clash in The Last Time is Now Tournament Semifinals
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/12/01/wwe-raw-december-1-who-is-austin-theory-and-where-has-he-been/
