Austin White (August 2, 1997) is an American professional wrestler and bodybuilder currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Austin Theory.
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Alliance 4 (2016-2018)
Theory made his in-ring debut on the May 5, 2016 edition of WWA4 where he won his first title, defeating his trainer AR Fox to win the WWA4 Heavyweight Championship. He successfully retained the title in two title defenses during the remainder of May. He continued his string of successful title defenses during the months of June, July and August.
During 2017, Theory competed for WWA4's Heavyweight and Tag Team titles. However, Theory was unsuccessful in winning either championships.
During January 2018, Theory returned to defend the FIP World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Alan Angels. His final WWA4 match was on September 27, defeating Ryan Rembrandt.
Fire Star Pro Wrestling (2016-2017)
Theory debuted on September 4, 2016 at FSPW WrestleRevival IV, where he successfully defended the WWA4 Heavyweight title against AC Mack. At FSPW Holiday Slam 2016 Theory challenged Cam Carter for the FSPW South Eastern Championship in a Triple Threat match involving Chip Day. Neither Theory or Chip Day were successful in winning the title.
Theory returned in 2017 on March 12 at FSPW Path To Glory 2 in a FSPW Heavyweight Championship Tournament. He won a battle royal held as the first round contest to advance to the Semi Final where he eliminated Michael Spencer. During the Tournament final, Theory defeated James Ryan to win the vacant championship. On May 7 at FSPW Progression!, Theory successfully defended the title against Cam Carter. At FSPW Supremacy 2017, Theory lost the Championship to Carter in their title rematch. At FSPW WrestleRevival V, Theory defeated James Ryan.
Full Impact Pro (2016-2017)
On August 21, 2016 at FIP Heatstroke, Theory debuted in a tag team match with AC Mack against Roscoe Eat Lisa (Mikey McFinnegan & Zakk Sawyers). He returned on January 8, 2017 at FIP Everything Burns, in a "Winner Gets The Contract Fight For All" Battle Royal won by Teddy Stigma. Later at the event, Theory defeated Anthony Henry in a singles match. On February 11 at FIP Ascension Theory teamed with Sammy Guevara & Tracer X in a six-man tag match won by Uncle John's Friends (AR Fox, Darby Allin & Sami Callihan). At FIP Broken Tailgate Party, Theory was defeated by Caleb Konley in singles competition. On May 6 at FIP Accelerate, Theory was involved in a Four-Way match against Jason Cade, James Drake and Jon Cruz.
VIP Wrestling (2016-2017)
Theory's debut match was held on November 11, 2016 at VIP Limitless, losing to Jerome Daniels. On December 16 at VIP Holiday Havoc In 3D, Theory defeated his former trainer AR Fox. On April 29, 2017 at VIP Kings Of The South, Theory returned to join a 55-Man Battle Royal to determine the #1 Contender to the VIP Heavyweight Championship. He later defeated Homicide. On August 4 at VIP Gold Rush, Theory teamed with Gino Medina & Sammy Guevara in a six-man tag match defeating Andrew Everett, Joey Garcia & Orion Taylor.
PROGRESS Wrestling (2017)
On April 1, 2017 at the WWNLive SuperShow titled Mercury Rising 2017: EVOLVE Vs. PROGRESS event, Theory joined a Four-Way match won by Keith Lee involving opponents Blaster McMassive and Jason Kincaid. He returned on August 12 at PROGRESS New York City in a second Four Way match won by Mark Haskins involving Keith Lee and Mark Andrews.
Scenic City Invitational (2017)
Theory debuted on March 4 at SCI Scenic City Rumble 2017, in a 30-Man Scenic City Rumble. He later wrestled and lost a singles match against Sal Rinauro.
Peachstate Wrestling Alliance (2017)
Theory debuted on October 7 successfully defending the PWA Heritage Championship against Sal Rinauro. On the October 21 edition of PWA, Theory successfully defending the PWA Heritage title against Kevin Blue by count-out. On November 25 at PWA Thanksgiving Turmoil, Theory lost the title to Kevin Blue in a Four Way match involving Sal Rinauro and Tyson Dean.
AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined (2017)
At AAW Hell Hath No Fury, Theory wrestled in a Six Pack Challenge to determine the Number 1 Contender for the AAW Heritage Championship. Zema Ion prevailed over Theory, AR Fox, Curt Stallion, Myron Reed and Stephen Wolf. On November 4 at AAW Rise Of The Dragon Theory wrestled and lost to his former trainer AR Fox.
Evolve Wrestling (2017-2019)
Theory debuted on February 24, 2017 at EVOLVE 78, defeating Darby Allin. By EVOLVE 85, Theory received his first title opportunity, teaming with Jason Kincaid to challenge the reigning EVOLVE Tag Team Champions team Catch Point (Chris Dickinson & Jaka). They were however, unsuccessful in winning the tag titles. On December 10 at EVOLVE 97, representing EVOLVE, Theory captured the FIP World Heavyweight Championship from Full Impact Pro's defending Heavyweight Champion Fred Yehi.
Returning the following year on January 13, 2018 at EVOLVE 98 Theory retained the FIP World Heavyweight title in a rematch against Fred Yehi. On February 17 at EVOLVE 100, Theory challenged the reigning champion Zack Sabre Jr. for the EVOLVE Championship but did not succeed in winning the title. At EVOLVE 101 Theory received a second chance to return to the title hunt by competing in a No. 1 Contendership Four-Way Elimination match won by Matt Riddle against Darby Allin and Jaka. As a multiple title-holder, Theory defended one of his titles the WWN Championship at EVOLVE 104, defeating DJ Z. A month later on June 23 at EVOLVE 106, Theory lost the WWN title to Joey Janela. At EVOLVE 107, Theory successfully retained the FIP World Heavyweight Title Three-Way match against DJ Z and Joey Janela. At EVOLVE 111 Theory competed in a Four-Way Scramble match against AR Fox, Darby Allin and the reigning WWN Champion Joey Janela. The match concluded with Fox becoming the new champion. At EVOLVE 112, Theory wrestled and lost to guest wrestler and WWE NXT roster member The Velveteen Dream. On October 28 at EVOLVE 114, Theory competed in a Six-Way Ladder Match for the vacant WWN Championship against JD Drake, Anthony Henry, AR Fox, Darby Allin and Harlem Bravado. At EVOLVE 115, Theory and AR Fox wrestled in two matches, one of which was an Unsanctioned Match, ending with Fox as the victor. The sanctioned match however, was won by Theory. At EVOLVE 116 , Theory competed in a Three-Way title match against Harlem Bravado and the reigning WWN Champion JD Drake. Neither of Drake's challengers succeeded in winning the title. On December 15 at EVOLVE 117, Theory competed in a Three-Way match for the EVOLVE Championship against guest wrestlers from WWE NXT Roderick Strong and the reigning EVOLVE Champion Fabian Aichner. The match concluded with Theory defeating Aichner and Strong to become the new champion. This marked Theory's first championship reign in EVOLVE. The following night at EVOLVE 118 Theory teamed with Harlem Bravado in a tag match challenging the reigning champions and WWE NXT members, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) for the EVOLVE Tag Team Championship. Theory and Bravado however, were not successful in winning the tag team titles.
The following year, Theory returned on January 18, 2019 at EVOLVE 119, where he teamed with Josh Briggs in a tag match against his former trainer AR Fox and WWE NXT member and EVOLVE Wrestling alumnus Johnny Gargano. The following night at EVOLVE 120, Theory and Gargano wrestled in a singles match resulting in Gargano emerging the victor.
World Wrestling Entertainment (2018-present)
During February 2018, Theory was among a total of thirty-seven participants in a tryout held at the WWE Performance Center. On April 8, Theory received his first match, making his WWE in-ring debut during the Fourth Night of the WWE WrestleMania Axxess event, successfully defending the WWN Championship against Marcel Barthel.
NXT (2019-2021)
In 2019 Theory began wrestling in NXT Live events during the month of September. His first match was against Bronson Reed. In 2020, Theory made his television debut on the January 8 episode of NXT, defeating Joaquin Wilde. He wrestled his last televised match on the March 25 episode of NXT, losing to Tyler Breeze. After a six-month absence, Theory returned to television on the September 16 episode of NXT, losing to KUSHIDA.
Raw brand (2020)
Theory debuted on the March 30 episode of Monday Night RAW, where he teamed with Angel Garza and Seth Rollins in a six-man tag match lost to Kevin Owens & The Street Profits. During the spring months of 2020, Theory formed an alliance with Seth Rollins and later with Murphy. They began a feud against wrestlers Rey Mysterio, Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo. The feud ended on the June 8 episode of RAW during which Theory and Murphy lost a tag team match against Aleister Black & Humberto Carillo. This marked Theory's final appearance on RAW before returning to the NXT brand.
The Way (2020-2021)
On the August 26 episode of NXT, Theory made his return to the brand, interrupting Bronson Reed. Theory made his in-ring return on the September 8 episode of NXT, where he lost to Reed. On December 6 at TakeOver: WarGames, Theory assisted Johnny Gargano in winning the NXT North American Championship. On the December 9 episode of NXT, Theory revealed he had joined Gargano's faction, The Way, that also included Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell. Theory and Gargano would then take part in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, but were eliminated in the first round by KUSHIDA and Leon Ruff on the January 20, 2021 episode of NXT. In the following months, Theory would assist Gargano in winning his matches. On the premiere episode of NXT 2.0 on September 14, Theory made his final appearance for the brand, attending the wedding of Hartwell and Dexter Lumis.
Return to Raw (2021-2022)
In October, as part of the 2021 WWE draft, Theory was drafted to Raw. On the October 4 episode of Raw, Theory returned, attacking Jeff Hardy. The following week, Theory would defeat Hardy. At Survivor Series on November 21, Theory competed on Team Raw, but was eliminated by Jeff Hardy. On Raw the following night, Mr. McMahon awarded Theory a WWE Championship opportunity after it was revealed Theory had taken McMahon's Cleopatra Egg. However, that night, Theory was defeated by WWE Champion Big E. On the January 17, 2022 episode of Raw, Theory defeated Finn Bálor, and as a result, Mr. McMahon added him to the Men's Royal Rumble Match. At the event on January 29, Theory would enter third, but was eliminated by AJ Styles.
On the January 31 episode of Raw, Theory defeated Kevin Owens to qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match. At Elimination Chamber on February 19, Theory entered first, but was eliminated by eventual winner Brock Lesnar. On the February 28 episode of Raw, Theory attempted to convince Mr. McMahon to allow him to accompany him to an interview with Pat McAfee, but was unsuccessful. Theory would confront McAfee on the March 4 episode of SmackDown, announcing that he would face McAfee at WrestleMania. On April 3, the second night of the event, Theory would lose to McAfee, before assisting McMahon in beating McAfee in the following match.
United States Championship reigns (2022-present)
On the following night's Raw, Theory pinned Finn Bálor in a Six Man Tag Team Match, earning a WWE United States Championship opportunity. The following week, Theory revealed that he and Mr. McMahon had decided to drop the "Austin" from his name. Instead, he would be mononymously known as Theory. The next week, Theory defeated Bálor to win the United States Championship, his first title in WWE. On the May 9 episode of Raw, Theory retained his championship against Cody Rhodes by disqualification after Seth Rollins interfered. Theory then went on to retain against Mustafa Ali on the May 30 episode of Raw, before defeating Ali again in a rematch at Hell in a Cell on June 5. At Money in the Bank on July 2, Theory lost the WWE United States Championship to Bobby Lashley. Later that night, Theory was added to the Money in the Bank Ladder Match before winning the contest and the briefcase. At SummerSlam on July 30, Theory failed to regain the WWE United States Championship after he was defeated by Lashley in a rematch. Theory would attempt to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase later in the night, but was stopped by Brock Lesnar before he could officially cash in.
On the Clash at the Castle kickoff show on September 3, Theory, who had reverted to his previous ring name of Austin Theory, teamed up with Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in a loss to Madcap Moss and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford). During the main event later that night, Theory would attempt to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase but was prevented from doing so after he was knocked out by Tyson Fury. On the November 7 episode of Raw, Theory would finally cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a match with United States Champion Seth Rollins. However, Theory would be defeated by Rollins, partly as a result of interference from Bobby Lashley. At Survivor Series on November 26, Theory would win the WWE United States Championship for a second time after defeating Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley in a Triple Threat Match.
Theory would retain his championship against Mustafa Ali by disqualification on the December 5 episode of Raw after Dolph Ziggler attacked Theory. On the January 2, 2023 episode of Raw, Theory retained against Seth Rollins before going on to retain against Bobby Lashley in a No Disqualification Match on the January 23 episode of Raw. At the Royal Rumble on January 28, Theory entered the Men's Royal Rumble Match at number 25, but was eliminated by Cody Rhodes after 15 minutes and 39 seconds. The following month, at Elimination Chamber, Theory retained his WWE United States Championship in an Elimination Chamber Match that involved Bronson Reed, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Seth Rollins.
In wrestling
- Finishers & signature moves
- A-Town Down/ATL (Fireman's Carry Cutter) - 2016-2021/ (Fireman's Carry Facebreaker) - 2021-present
- Ataxia - 2017-2020
- Standing Moonsault
- Backbreaker
- RP1- crossleg fisherman's suplex onto knee
- Nicknames
- "Theory"
- "The Unproven One"
- Tag teams and stables
- Managers and valets
- Entrance music
Championships and accomplishments
- Evolve
- Evolve Championship (1 time)
- Peachstate Wrestling Alliance
- PWA Heritage Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #45 in the 2023 PWI Top 500 Wrestlers
- World Wrestling Alliance
- World Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- World Wrestling Network
- WWN Championship (2 times)
