Austin Theory's journey from John Cena fan to sworn enemy ahead of WrestleMania
WWE’s two-night extravaganza of WrestleMania is right around the corner and fans will flock to California’s state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium to witness the pulsating action.
The prestigious event is usually the perfect stage for youngsters to make their name, for stars to reach the pinnacle of the industry or for legends to have one final hurrah. ‘The Showcase of the Immortals’ has witnessed many generational bouts over the years as stars from the current era battle with an icon of a bygone age.
This year’s WrestleMania will host another of those bouts as reigning United States champion Austin Theory puts his championship on the line against the legend that is John Cena. The now 45-year-old will contest his first Mania match since 2020 and Theory will participate in the biggest match of his young career to date.
So how did this match come to fruition? Mirror Sport delves into the evolution of their relationship, from Theory being a childhood fan to becoming professional enemies.
Austin Theory was a John Cena superfan
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As he dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler Theory, 25, made no secret of his adoration for Cena. He credited the leader of the ‘Cenation’ for helping him through some dark times during his childhood.
”Cena’s character and his personality and the things he did and the decisions he made, I can honestly say that it made me feel motivated through you know being bullied and stuff in school, just other stuff like that,” he told the My Love Letter To Wrestling podcast last April.
Theory was a huge admirer of Cena as he aimed to fulfil his dream of becoming a WWE Superstar (WWE UK)While speaking on After the Bell podcast with Corey Graves, Theory explained when he met Cena after signing with WWE in 2019. “I just remember waiting for like, I think it was three hours, just to talk to [John Cena].
“There were only a few of us. I remember a lot of people leaving. I noticed that, and I was like, the one person who was the face of WWE for so long and you have nothing to ask him? I remember waiting there and I went in. I was so nervous.” He added: “I didn’t really even know what to say at first. The first thing he said to me was, ‘How are you? What can I help you with?’ I remember I was like, I don’t even know what to ask him. I have to tell this dude that he was such a motivation for me in my life.”
There have been several comparisons between Cena and Theory (@WWE Instagram)Theory’s comparisons with Cena
Theory made his WWE debut in 2019 as part of NXT’s roster, before making his Monday Raw debut in March 2020. Over the past several years, the American has been honing his craft and possesses tremendous skills both in the ring and on the microphone as Cena did in the early stages of what would turn into an illustrious career.
While having a physique similar to Cena, along with the 16-time WWE world champion being his childhood idol, comparisons have been made between the two. On the comparisons, Theory told 411 Mania: “I am not the John Cena of this generation. I am the Austin Theory. That’s all there is.
“John Cena, you can put me in that category if you want, but it’s probably because I’m excelling at such a fast rate, and people can see it, but I’m certainly gonna excel past that. I’m 25. How many championships did John Cena have at 24? I was the United States Champion at 24. He didn’t have any. So just putting that into perspective. There’s only one Austin Theory.”
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Back in 2017 when Theory became the EVOLVE champion, Theory joked that Cena had passed the torch to him, which resulted in an Instagram spat between the two Superstars. When Cena posted a picture of a very young looking Austin, Theory responded with a picture of Cena, with the caption “C U #THEORYVSCENA”.
Things only got hotter between the Unproven One and the Doctor of Thuganomics, when the two met for the first time on Monday Night RAW last June - the evening of Cena’s anniversary marking 12 years in WWE. A heated argument between the two ensued, one wherein Theory taunted Cena, accusing the legend of being ‘out of touch’.
Theory has also claimed to be a better United States champion than Cena and believes he has surpassed the achievements of the wrestling great at this point in both of their careers. Earlier this month, Cena made his return to WWE and was comforted by Theory who challenged him to a WrestleMania match.
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After initially rejecting his offer, Cena agreed to blockbuster at WrestleMania and claimed that the youngster had made the ‘biggest mistake of his life’ and argued he was not ready for a match of this magnitude. From crediting Cena for his entire career, to trash talking him on the global stage, does the story of Austin vs. Cena prove that you should never meet your hero? And what happens when you do?
Find out when WrestleMania 39 takes place on April 1st and 2nd 2023, live from the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Tune in on the WWE Network.
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