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It’s not often one walks into a building, loses their title, and still leaves looking like a million bucks. At WWE’s Money In The Bank, however, Theory did just that.

That’s because by the grace of WWE official Adam Pearce (and Vincent Kennedy McMahon, presumably) Theory became the eighth and final entrant in the Men’s Money In the Bank ladder match mere moments before the contest started. How fortunate. From there, it was a foregone conclusion—much to the chagrin of the WWE Universe. Yet here’s the thing: Theory becoming Mr. Money In the Bank was the right call.

As is often the case, though, it only remains the right call if what is to come is handled well. Luckily, there are moments to look back on that have already set the foundation for Theory to achieve the ultimate success in the aftermath of his surprise victory. Or, horrifyingly, if fan reaction is anything to go on.

Theory surprises the field at Money In the Bank

Unpredictability, Thy Name Is Theory

Let’s get this out of the way immediately: wrestling fans live to complain. And sure, they appear to hold a sincere love for the art as well. Yet more than anything, they live for moments to lose their collective mind.

That’s where Theory comes in.

RELATED: Theory Wins Money In The Bank Ladder Match Following Last Minute Addition

Week after week, event after event, fans clamor for something different. Or, for their favorites to finally receive that final push fans so deeply believe they deserve. Well, Money In the Bank provided both—just in reverse order.

Liv Morgan not only winning the Women’s MITB briefcase but cashing in on the same night to become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion? A universally accepted fan-favorite moment. Theory winning the Men’s MITB briefcase in an evening that saw him also drop his United States Championship? Well hey, it was certainly different—this just happened to be universally despised.

So on one hand, the WWE Universe got exactly what they wanted. On the other, well… And look, unpredictability in and of itself is not strictly a good thing. There are layers to this, of course. But with Cody Rhodes on the shelf, Drew McIntyre not needing the briefcase one single bit, Sheamus and Sami Zayn destined to remain mid-card darlings, and nobody generally caring about either Omos or Madcap Moss while Seth Rollins and Riddle set the world ablaze no matter what program they’re in, what better time than now to swerve?

Theory versus John Cena is happening; it's just a matter of when

Imagine Theory Versus John Cena for The Title

Nothing even needs to be said for this. It’s not a matter of if Theory faces John Cena, it’s a matter of when. From Theory’s promo following his Money In the Bank triumph to their interaction during Cena's 20th Anniversary celebration, this match is going to happen. Maybe it will be at SummerSlam; maybe the world will have to wait until WrestleMania. Maybe Theory will be the Undisputed Champion by then; maybe not.

RELATED: John Cena Might Face Theory At WrestleMania 39, Not SummerSlam

Sure, Cena does not need to be involved in a title match for fans to care but imagine him taking on Theory at The Show of Shows with history on the line—against a man who is being built up as the new version of himself, no less.

The story writes itself.

Theory is the real deal in the ring

Love Him Or Loathe Him, Theory Makes You See Him

There’s a fine line between “go away heat” and genuine heel heat. Somebody like Baron Corbin is a prime example of the former. But Theory? He’s already a master of the latter. No matter who he’s feuding with, he remains at the center of it all because he has the charisma to be. He’s obnoxious as all get out—think back to a time when Michael Cole was insufferably praising The Miz weekly as if he was God’s gift to sports entertainment. Now just replace Cole with Corey Graves and The Miz with Theory and boom, that’s quite the infuriating recipe.

Theory is smug and arrogant; he’s smarmy and cowardly while never taking a moment to shut his mouth. Fans, so desperately, want to see him lose. Oh, and he happens to be Mr. McMahon’s protégé. That’s quite the card to call upon. Yet beyond all of that, and on top of all of that, Theory has the in-ring ability as well. From his incessant promo work to any of his high-profile matches against the likes of Finn Bálor, Big E, or Lashley, he is the real deal. Because he demands to be; because he believes to be.

Now it’s up to him to live up to the career-altering moniker of Mr. Money In the Bank—whether the WWE Universe likes it or not.