“The name was gone!” Austin Theory addresses why Vince McMahon stripped his first name

The tradition of name shortening was inevitable during the Vince McMahon era. One such superstar that was wrapped up in this persistent cycle was Austin Theory.

“The name was gone!” Austin Theory addresses why Vince McMahon stripped his first name

Austin Theory (via Wrestle talk)

Austin Theory is undoubtedly one of the prominent rising youngsters in WWE. He currently holds the United States Championship. However, the WWE superstar was known as “Theory” before getting his full name back on the main roster. While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Austin Theory revealed the reason why Vince McMahon felt indispensable enough to shorten his name.

During the Mr. McMahon era, WWE had an inevitable pattern of changing or shortening the names of its superstars. However, many of the superstars had shown their disappointment throughout the passage of time. Austin Theory was one such name that the former chairman of the company felt it was incumbent to shorten. Ever since his debut on the main roster, the former NXT star has been Vince McMahon’s prodigy. Therefore, Mr. McMahon felt it was de rigueur to establish him as “Theory” in the main roster.

Theory confronts Cena

In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Austin Theory recounted an incident when he walked backstage just to discover that WWE shortened his name to “Theory.” He said he was flabbergasted about it and was like, “What? The name is gone?” The 25-year-old added that he spoke to the former chairman of the company about it. According to him, Vince McMahon told him that “Theory” is a name that has the power to stand on its own.

Moreover, the current US Champion believes that for Vince, the name “Austin” somehow relates to Stone Cold Steve Austin. Therefore, Mr. McMahon wanted to get rid of his first name so that people would not draw any similarities. Besides, the former WWE Chairman wanted to preserve the iconic name of the Rattlesnake as a distinctive identity. The tradition of name shortening has always been an evident pattern during the Vince McMahon era.

However, the two-time US Champion said in the interview that he never looked down on this. With Triple H taking control of the Creative Head, many superstars, along with Theory, got back their full names. Austin Theory is currently the United States Champion on the main roster. In less than two weeks, he will face John Cena in perhaps one of the biggest matches of his career at The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Related : “I’m the most important thing in the WWE!” Austin Theory gives John Cena a befitting reply prior to WrestleMania

Austin Theory speaks about John Cena

Austin Theory and John Cena
Austin Theory talks about John Cena (via WWE)

In the interview with Chris Van Vliet, Theory also spoke about his WrestleMania opponent. Showing an unfaltering confidence, the 25-year-old believes that nobody can stop him. “And if John Cena thinks he can, he’s out of his damn mind,” Theory said. In addition to that, the US Champion also mocked Cena in reference to his viral picture from the sets. Trolling him, he said that the Cenation Leader can get back to his little set, putting on his skirt and heels after he defeats him at Mania.

However, Theory took multiple shots at John Cena on and off the WWE television. He wasn’t reluctant to add fuel to their rivalry ahead of his biggest match at WrestleMania 39. Besides, the grandest night of the year is just a few days away. Therefore, the fans are thrilled to see the two of them clash at the Showcase of the Immortals.

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