Former United States Champion reacts strongly to claims of wrestling being ‘easy’ during an Australian interview, raising questions about authenticity.
Summary
– Austin Theory, interviewed by The West Australian ahead of Elimination Chamber 2024, confronts the editor-in-chief after being called wrestling ‘fake’ and ‘not as hard’ as other sports.
– Theory breaks character, expressing anger and defending the prestige of professional wrestling, leading to a heated exchange.
– Security intervenes to separate Theory and the journalist, deescalating the situation days before WWE’s TV return to Australia.
Austin Theory, former United States Champion, was in a heated confrontation during an interview with The West Australian. The incident unfolded when the editor-in-chief, Anthony De Ceglie, made controversial remarks about the authenticity and difficulty of professional wrestling.
During the interview, De Ceglie referred to wrestling as ‘fake’ and suggested it was less ‘hard ‘than sports like Australian Rules football or Rugby League. Theory, taking offense, broke character and responded strongly, defending the legitimacy and challenges of his profession.
Theory expressed his frustration, stating, “You’re saying what I do is easy, and you’re in front of all of your people talking about my job is easy… you couldn’t walk a damn day in my shoes. Are you kidding me, man? I will smack the s**t outta you right now. I’m not playing around.”
The situation escalated to the point where security intervened, separating Theory and the journalist to prevent further escalation. A staff member revealed that Anthony De Ceglie was genuinely concerned about Theory’s reaction, expressing gratitude to the security team for diffusing the tension.
As the controversy unfolds, the wrestling community speculates whether the confrontation is part of a scripted angle or a genuine reaction from Theory. Some fans see this as a potential storyline development leading into Elimination Chamber 2024, offering a new angle for Theory and his associate, Grayson Waller.
The incident has sparked discussions among fans, prompting them to share their thoughts on Theory’s reaction and whether it adds authenticity to the world of professional wrestling. As WWE prepares to return to Australian television, the controversy surrounding Theory’s confrontation with the journalist adds an unexpected layer of intrigue to the buildup.
