Austin Theory wants to make WWE history at the Royal Rumble

Austin Theory wants to make WWE history at the Royal Rumble

If Saturday night's Royal Rumble is the official starting point for WrestleMania, then WWE United States Champion Austin Theory wants to pull off a historic finale.

Muscle & Fitnesssat down with the 25-year-old to find out why he started his path to pro wrestling as a competitive bodybuilder, his thoughts on a dream match with John Cena and why winning the Royal Rumble could set a precedent in WWE.

As a childhood WWE fan, Theory understood that his squared circle heroes had great physiques, so he set out to build his own.

“One of the greatest things about being a WWE Superstar is that you get to see someone you don’t see every day,” Theory says. “So, this is a guy who trains a lot and for me, at 12 years old, I was looking for what could prepare me for WWE 'now' and it's a crazy mindset that I have as a kid, but I was like, 'Man, I could start training to get ready for this.' to prepare for the WWE. There was a bodybuilding show along the way, but the bodybuilding show was just in hopes of getting a tryout with the WWE.”

Not only did Theory compete in his first bodybuilding show at the age of 17, he also came first and took home the prize in the NPC Mr. Teenage Georgia competition. The theory can now laugh that when he won that show, his phone from WWE didn't ring as expected, so instead he got himself on the company's radar by wrestling on the independent scene until they finally took notice.

Austin Theory trains almost every day

Theory may no longer be competing on the bodybuilding stage, but he still looks stage-ready and wows fans every week on WWE television with his defined abs and bulging biceps. His love for the gym is truly stronger than ever. "I honestly take a rest day when I really feel like I need it, because for me, working out every day keeps my body alive, alert and well," he says.

Many WWE fans have also noted that Theory has a lot in common with the legendary John Cena. Not only did they both compete in bodybuilding before professional wrestling, their in-ring skills and boyish looks make these guys look like they're cut from the same cloth. So it's no surprise to learn that Theory grew up with the influence of "Super Cena."

“That caught my attention, and that sparked everything for me,” Theory says. When asked about the possibility of one day facing his hero, a match that millions of pro wrestling fans hope could one day happen, Theory understands how epic that would be. “That would be a hell of a match,” he says. "How would it work? I mean, we're in the now, you know? And John Cena is in the past, man. It is what it is. I have a lot of respect for that man, but we're in the 'now,' so we all know how that would go."

Never one to lack confidence, Theory appreciates the need to separate himself from icons like Cena in order to make a name for himself, and as United States Champion, he's doing just that. He also competed in Saturday night's Royal Rumble, where if he wins, he'll earn a world title match at WrestleMania 39. Still, winning this marathon, over-the-top battle royal requires more than just brawn. "Look at me last year, I was in there for over 20 minutes. I came in at number three. You have to make sure your lungs are ready to take in a lot of air and most importantly; you have to outlast 29 other WWE Superstars," says the voice of experience.

But should Theory pull it off and outlast the other 29 competitors to win this thirty-sixth annual Royal Rumble in front of thousands of fans at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX (broadcast live on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network internationally). ), then he could “theoretically” write history. By winning the Rumble and holding on to the United States Championship, Theory could be in line for World and United States Championship matches at WrestleMania in April. This would be an unprecedented situation. “I think that would be great,” Theory says. "Especially when you can be someone doing something for the first time. Who knows? I could win the Royal Rumble, go to WrestleMania and walk out with the championships. That would be pretty sweet."