WWE champion fires back at legend’s savage out of character roast-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro

Austin Theory has fired back after John Cena claimed there was a ‘silence of apathy’ surrounding the rising star.

The former United States Champion, who currently holds the WWE Tag Team Titles with fellow Smackdown superstar Grayson Waller, was at the wrong end of a scathing putdown from the Hollywood actor during their in-ring rivalry in 2023.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk in Lyon, France one day before Backlash, Theory said: ‘I think it all depends on what said.

‘I think especially if you go back to the promo, what are some things that were said, I think it’s definitely a fire that lights under you and, and motivates you.’

However, the 26-year-old wrestler admitted he had to find a balance between his own personal pride, and making sure to take advice on board from a bona fide legend.

‘In that situation, it’s just one of those things where you’ve got a lot of your pride,’ he explained.

John Cena gave Austin Theory some brutal home truths (Picture: WWE)

‘But you also have that respect there and you have that learning ability where you want to take something from this – but at the same time to just standing your ground and really just taking that next step in my career to greatness.’

Decorated champ Theory, who rose up the ranks in Evolve on the independent scene before making the jump to NXT, insisted he has put in the work to justify his position on the show.

‘The hustle and the grind that I’ve had, going from starting at 12 years old in the gym working out just because I wanted to be a WWE superstar,’ he recalled. ‘That process of how bad I’ve wanted it, and how I got myself there.’

He used the roasting as motivation (Picture: WWE)

He grew up a fan of the business, and has since found himself trading jabs – both verbal and literal – with legends of the game like Cena, Randy Orton, Edge, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

‘It’s pretty surreal a lot of times, you know, because you go from being an eight year old kid that was so inspired by WWE,’ he admitted in a candid moment.

And then you have that opportunity to be in the ring with the greats, but not only just the greats, but ones that I looked up to.’

Theory has stood toe to toe with the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (Picture: WWE)

Regardless of those comments from Cena, Theory is riding high now as a tag champ with Grayson Waller by his side, grappling with the likes of Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.

‘We’re unstoppable. You put both of us together, whether we’re in the ring with Randy Orton or Kevin Owens, because we’re the two that take those two to the limits, where they need to be and look where it’s gotten us,’ he smiled.

‘I’m no stranger to championships, you know? The youngest this, the youngest that,’ he added. ‘And now, what happened? The greatest undefeated tag team champions.’

Backlash France airs 6pm on the WWE Network and TNT Sports Box Office.

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