WWE drops Austin Theory’s first name, now known as ‘Theory’

Another WWE star has lost their first name. 

Austin Theory announced on Monday’s WWE Raw that he is now known as “Theory,” a change made after Theory and Vince McMahon decided that “Austin” did not suit him. 

The change comes after a segment at WrestleMania 38 where Steve Austin gave both Theory and McMahon Stone Cold Stunners following Theory vs. Pat McAfee, then McAfee vs. McMahon singles matches. 

Theory joins Big E Langston, Antonio Cesaro, Mustafa Ali, Elias Samson, Buddy Murphy, Adrian Neville, Natalya Neidhardt, Alexander Rusev, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, Matt Riddle, Andrade Almas, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable, and Angel Garza as talent who had been introduced with a name only to have it shortened later. In some cases, the names were later restored.

A former EVOLVE Champion, Theory signed with WWE in 2019. He made his television debut on the NXT brand in December of that year. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Theory made his main roster debut in 2020. He and Angel Garza challenged The Street Profits for the Raw Tag Team titles at WrestleMania 36 in an losing effort. 

Theory was moved back to the NXT brand in August 2020. Shortly after, he would align with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell to form The Way. 

Theory was drafted to the Raw brand in the 2021 WWE Draft. In storyline, he became McMahon’s protege after stealing a Cleopatra’s Egg relic at Survivor Series, gifted to McMahon by The Rock as part of a promotional tie-in with Netflix’s Red Notice film.