Austin Theory believes WWE creative “robbed” him of a career-defining moment by directing him to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on a midcard title rather than a world championship. The wrestler opened up about the failed 2022 cash-in during a recent interview, calling out the booking decision that left him on the list of failed Money in the Bank winners.
Speaking on Logan Paul’s ImPaulsive, Theory was asked about his attempt to cash in on Seth Rollins in 2022. While most Money in the Bank winners chase the world title, WWE creative instead had Theory target Rollins’ United States Championship. He lost that match and never got the marquee moment the briefcase usually guarantees.
Asked directly if he felt “robbed,” Theory agreed and pointed to his underdeveloped program with Roman Reigns as another missed opportunity. He described a moment at Barclays Center where Reigns hit him with the “your daddy’s not here anymore” line, referencing Theory’s ties to Vince McMahon.
I felt like there could have been a moment; I knew I wasn’t gonna get the title off Roman, but even just building it to seem like ‘oh, here we go’,” Theory said. “I can lose to him, whatever, but just give it more of a payoff, because it felt cool man; I did a lot of cool things with it.
Brock Lesnar And The Dented Briefcase
Theory revealed he still keeps the briefcase in his office, and it carries the scars of the failed cash-in. He recalled visitors assuming he did damage with it, only for the reality to be the opposite.
It’s funny how I have it in my office hanging, and it’s real dented, and people see it and go ‘You murdered people with that huh?’ I’m like, ‘No, Brock Lesnar murdered me with it, and it sucked’,” Theory concluded.
Theory was one of the most heavily featured personalities during McMahon’s final stint atop WWE, appearing alongside him at WrestleMania 38.
His position shifted after McMahon announced his initial retirement and Triple H took over as head of creative. Despite the botched cash-in on Rollins, Theory did eventually capture the United States Championship at the 2022 Survivor Series.
