AUSTIN THEORY

Austin White is a 26-year-old professional wrestler and bodybuilder from McDonough, Georgia. White is currently signed to the WWE and performs on SmackDown under the ring name, Austin Theory.

Before starting his wrestling career, White placed first in the NPC Georgia Bodybuilding Championship Teen Men category at the age of 17 in 2015. The following May, Austin made his professional wrestling debut as Austin Theory at a WWA4 event. At the event, he defeated AR Fox to win the WWA4 Heavyweight Championship.

Theory also wrestled for World Wrestling Network and EVOLVE. At Evolve 97, Theory defeated Fred Yehi to win the FIP World Heavyweight Championship. In April 2018, at Evolve 103, he defeated Keith Lee to capture the WWN Championship. Theory lost the WWN Championship to Joey Janela at Evolve 106. On September 30 at Accelerate, he lost the FIP World Heavyweight Championship to Anthony Henry.

Austin Theory’s WWE Contract & Debut

Theory signed a WWE developmental contract in August 2019. After signing with WWE, he was then assigned to the WWE Performance Center in Florida. Theory then made his in-ring NXT debut on December 25th 2019. He accepted an open challenge by Roderick Strong for the NXT North American Championship but was unsuccessful.

Theory made his main roster debut at the end of March 2020 on an episode of RAW. At WrestleMania 36, he wrestled with Angel Garza as a replacement for Andrade in a losing match for the RAW Tag Team Championship against the Street Profits.

Austin Theory’s Return to NXT

In August 2020, Austin Theory was re-assigned to WWE NXT. He made his NXT re-debut on August 26. On the September 8th episode of NXT, Theory wrestled Bronson Reed but lost. Following his re-debut, Theory spent most of his time in NXT as an enhancement talent. He lost matches to Kushida, Dexter Lumis and others.

At NXT TakeOver: War Games, Theory assisted Johnny Gargano in winning the NXT North American Championship. He then revealed that he was the newest member of the Gargano family. Theory appeared on the December 9th episode as part of a villainous faction called “The Way” with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae (Gargano’s wife) and Indi Hartwell. The following week, he teamed with Gargano to defeat Kushida and Leon Ruff.

In January 2021, Theory and Gargano took part in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They were eliminated in the first round by Kushida and Leon Ruff on the January 20 episode of NXT. For the next few months, Theory helped Gargano retain the North American Championship against numerous opponents. After a loss to Kyle O’Reilly on the July 20 episode of NXT, Theory took an absence from NXT television.

Austin Theory returned to attend the Indi Hartwell and Dexter Lumis wedding on the NXT 2.0 premiere.

Austin Theory Drafted To RAW

Theory was drafted to the RAW brand at the October 2021 Draft. On the October 4 episode of Monday Night RAW, Austin Theory returned to the brand and attacked Jeff Hardy following his loss to Damian Priest. For the next two weeks, Theory fought and successfully beat Hardy.

At the end of October, Austin Theory began feuding with The Mysterios. He first defeated Dominik Mysterio and defeated Rey Mysterio the next week. In mid November, Austin Theory was named a replacement for an injured Rey Mysterio for the RAW Men’s team at Survivor Series.  At the event, Theory eliminated Sheamus before being eliminated by Jeff Hardy.

The following RAW after Survivor Series, it was revealed that Austin Theory took Cleopatra’s Egg from Mr. McMahon. As a result, McMahon rewarded him a WWE Championship opportunity against Big in the main event that night. McMahon awarded Theory this opportunity because he ‘showed intestinal fortitude.’ Austin Theory lost to Big E later that night.

Austin Theory Gains Mr. McMahon’s Favor

Over the following weeks, Mr. McMahon gave career advice to Austin Theory who continued to gain McMahon’s favor. On the January 17, 2022 episode of RAW, after defeating Finn Bálor, McMahon rewarded Theory a spot in the Royal Rumble match.

At the 2022 Royal Rumble, Theory entered the match as the third competitor. He lasted 22 minutes before being eliminated by AJ Styles. On the January 31 episode of RAW, Austin Theory defeated Kevin Owens in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. At Elimination Chamber, Theory failed to win the WWE Championship after being last pinned by Brock Lesnar in a match also involving Seth Rollins, A.J Styles, Riddle and the defending champion Bobby Lashley.

On April 11th, in a backstage segment, Theory announced that he and Mr. McMahon had decided that the name Austin didn’t suit him anymore, dropping the first name and going by Theory.

Theory Wins United States Championship

Theory won his first WWE Championship title on the April 18 2022 edition of RAW where he defeated Finn Bálor to win the United States Championship. At the July 2 2022 Money in the Bank pay-per-view event, he lost the title to Bobby Lashley. Theory’s reign lasted 75 days. Later that night, Theory was added to and won the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. This win made him the youngest superstar to win the Money in the Bank contract in WWE history.

At SummerSlam, Austin 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. He was hit with an F-5 by Lesnar before he could officially cash in.

At Clash at the Castle in September, Austin Theory and Alpha Academy lost to the Street Profits and Madcap Moss. Later that night, Theory attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract during the main event, but he was knocked out by Tyson Fury before he was able to.

Austin Theory Wins United States Championship Again

On the November 7 episode of RAW, Theory finally cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the United States Championship. Theory was unsuccessful, partially due to interference from Bobby Lashley. At Survivor Series WarGames on November 26, Theory defeated Rollins and Lashley in a triple threat match to win his second United States Championship.

On the December 5th episode of RAW, Theory retained the title against Mustafa Ali by disqualification after being attacked by the returning 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 23rd after interference from the returning Lesnar.

At the Royal Rumble on January 28th, Theory entered at #25 but was eliminated by eventual winner Cody Rhodes. On February 18th at Elimination Chamber, Theory successfully defended the title against Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth 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, which was answered by Edge. On the following episode of Monday Night RAW, Austin Theory retained the title against Edge after interference from Finn Bálor. On the March 6th episode of RAW, Theory challenged John Cena to a match for the title at WrestleMania 39, which Cena accepted. At Night 1 of the event, Theory defeated Cena to retain the title.

Theory Drafted To SmackDown

As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Theory was drafted to the SmackDown brand. On the May 12th episode of SmackDown, Theory faced Bobby Lashley and Sheamus in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship tournament. Theory was pinned by Lashley in the first round. Two weeks later on the May 26th episode of SmackDown, Theory retained the United States Championship against Sheamus after interference from Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson).

On the August 11th episode of SmackDown, Theory was scheduled to defend the title against Santos Escobar. But after Theory attacked him backstage, Escobar was unable to compete. 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.

Austin Theory
Austin Theory

STATS

Birth Name: Austin White
Born: August 2, 1997, McDonough, Georgia, USA
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight: 220 lb (100 kg)
Ring Name(s): Austin Theory, Theory
Current Roster: WWE SmackDown
Finishing Move(s): ATL, Ataxia, Standing Moonsault, backbreaker, RP1

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Career Championships and Accomplishments

  • Black Gate Wrestling
    • Black Gate Wrestling Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • The Crash Lucha Libre
    • The Crash Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • 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)
  • National Championship Wrestling
    • NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Peachstate Wrestling Alliance
    • PWA Heritage Championship (1 time)
  • World Wrestling Network
    • WWN Championship (2 times)
  • WWA4
    • WWA4 Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • Xtreme Wrestling Alliance
    • XWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
    • WWE United States Championship (2 times)
    • Money in the Bank Winner (1 time)
    • NXT Year-End Award for Future Star of NXT (2020)