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WWE went with a risky pick by having Austin Theory win the Money in the Bank briefcase. Any wrestler getting that victory is in a sweet spot, but Theory won it during a more noteworthy time. Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns main eventing SummerSlam 2022 as the latest chapter in their rivalry has seen WWE adding Theory to the picture to switch it up.
Even though many fans would prefer some changes in the Roman vs Brock dynamic, Theory hasn’t been the best help. WWE is banking on the fan interest of Theory cashing in playing into the overall story. This has created some problems for a match that should otherwise be viewed as the two biggest stars facing off in a main event. Theory getting too involved in Lesnar and Reigns’ feud is taking away from the build.
Austin Theory Feels Out Of Place
Many WWE fans were fantasy-booking the idea of Seth Rollins winning the Money in the Bank ladder match to add a fun dynamic to the Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns match at SummerSlam 2022. This would make sense since Rollins is an established main eventer and has a history of cashing in on one of their matches in the past. WWE decided to have Austin Theory win the MITB briefcase and used the story that fans wanted with Rollins.
Theory has been involved in almost every segment involving Brock and Roman since WWE moved forward with them wrestling again. WWE is intentionally having Theory show up to put doubt into the minds of Reigns and Lesnar. The hope is that fans will go into the event wanting to see Brock vs Roman but also thinking about Theory cashing in.
However, it has become a problem that Theory is just not credible enough to be in such a storyline. No one buys Theory being in the same league as Reigns or Lesnar. Theory showing up every week with cash-in threats and selfie photos feels too midcard while working with legends. WWE booking this angle feels like they’re trying to sell an unproven mid-carder as an equal to the two top stars.
It's Taking Away From The Story
WWE adding Austin Theory to the story of Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns shows that they didn’t overlook the idea of some fans growing sick of their matches. This rivalry has been going on for over seven years without many classic matches or memorable moments. Theory showing up each week to tease his cash in during that match is an attempt to add something new to freshen it up.
Unfortunately, this has led to an extremely weak effort by WWE to make fans care about the actual story headlining the show. Brock coming back after his failed WrestleMania 38 title shot should require a deeper reason for their issues continuing beyond getting booked in another match. Theory getting added to the angle is the only difference outside the main eventer’s longstanding issues.
One common argument against WWE TV is that their shows often feel like reruns with how much they recycle ideas or go back to the same matches. Theory teasing cashing in MITB is not as big of a story as Reigns and Lesnar mixing it up again. WWE has hurt both stories by overusing Theory in the build and not adding anything new to Brock or Roman’s characters.
There Can't Be A Great Payoff
The worst thing about Austin Theory having such a prominent role in the Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns feud is that there is no great scenario involved. Theory cashing in to win would be a huge deal, but it would also feel like a wasted opportunity in some ways. Roman has been a dominant champion for so long that someone will get made by beating him in a big-time singles match rather than a cash-in.
Brock winning the gold and instantly losing it to Theory is another weak option since no one is going to clamor to see a program between these two. WWE teasing Theory cashing in this much means there is a realistic option he could lose the title match, but that would completely ruin him like it harmed Damien Sandow and Baron Corbin.
There is no strong outcome for SummerSlam with Theory being involved in the main event. WWE booking him in a singles bout against Bobby Lashley could create a reason why he can’t cash in if suffering injuries. Unfortunately, the damage is already done during this build. WWE had a hard sell going back to Lesnar vs Reigns this fast, but Theory is ruining any appeal they still have as opponents.