26-year-old Superstar retires a high-risk maneuver for himself weeks after horrifyingly botching it on SmackDown

Austin Theory is grateful he dodged a career-threatening bullet.

26-year-old Superstar retires a high-risk maneuver for himself weeks after horrifyingly botching it on SmackDown

SmackDown Superstar [via- Forbes on X]

Pro wrestling is scripted, but the risks involved make it far-fetched to believe that it’s everyone’s cup of tea. Even the slightest of tumbles can backfire on wrestlers, and that’s exactly what happened with Austin Theory on SmackDown a few weeks ago when he took on Carmelo Hayes. However, owing to what happened, Theory has been stripped of using a vulnerable maneuver again.

Speaking to The West Australian, the 26-year-old shed some light on the botched finish. Austin disclosed how Melo’s left foot hit the top rope as Theory attempted a Spanish Fly onto him. That completely derailed the rotation they were supposed to get. As a result, Theory’s head abruptly bumped into the ring canvas. And the match was called off.

YouTube video

The former US Champion said he could’ve been paralyzed. Or worse, his in-ring career might have ended right there. However, a last-second pivot in head positioning averted the catastrophe that may have broken his neck as well. The former Way member recalled how scary it was for him to rewatch that bungle. At last, Theory said that he’d never try redoing the Spanish Fly.

FS Video
That’s such a scary moment...Seeing the video footage back of myself upside down literally on the top of my head. Wow. Very grateful for that. And that move is retired for Austin Theory.
Austin Theory via The West Australian

Fortunately, coming out of that match, neither Theory nor Carmelo sustained any major injuries. In their rematch a couple of weeks later, the ex-NXT Champion succumbed to Theory. They had a chip on their shoulders but kept a clean slate this time around while delivering a spirited bout. After Theory had beaten Melo, Grayson Waller joined, and The A-Town Down Under worked in tandem. Melo’s then-partner, Trick Williams, ran down that aisle to make the save.

Austin Theory has been incensed with a renowned Australian journalist

Austin Theory is in Perth. However, it’s not clear whether he’d have a role to play at the Elimination Chamber PLE. Nonetheless, he has already garnered headlines in Australia.

Austin Theory with Grayson Waller
Austin Theory with Grayson Waller [via- WWE]

Yesterday, the WWE Superstar got into a verbal spat with The West Australian’s editor-in-chief, Anthony De Ceglie. The latter went on to make a naive remark about WWE Superstars faking their moves on one another during the matches.

However, Theory was in no mood to let that sink in. Instead, the Forever Champion blasted the higher-ranked media personality of Perth’s leading newspaper. Some noted that it could just be a work. But fellow WWE Superstars, including Grayson Waller and Bronson Reed, have also lashed out at De Ceglie’s contentious claims, making it a grave concern.

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