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Triple H Explains Why WWE Gave Austin Theory His First Name Back

Austin Theory

Austin Theory had one name for a while in WWE, but after Triple H took over the creative team, he gave Theory his first name back and Triple H has explained why.

It was in April 2022 when WWE’s Vince McMahon decided to cut out the “Austin” from Theory’s first name and only call him Theory at that point. There were reports at the time that WWE didn’t want people using their real names in any part of their name. Since Theory’s real name is Austin White, Vince made the call to shorten the name.

The WWE name-shortening process has happened to a lot of wrestlers having their names shortened over the last decade and even longer before that.

By late July 2022, Vince McMahon was out as the WWE Chairman & CEO along with his position as the man in charge of the WWE creative team. Vince was replaced by his son-in-law Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who has the official job title as the Chief Content Officer meaning Triple H was in charge of the WWE Creative team. Even though Vince is back now as the Executive Chairman of WWE, Triple H has remained in the CCO position.

After Triple H took over, Theory got his full name back in late August and he was known as Austin Theory again. Another wrestler that got a name back around the same time was Riddle, who became Matt Riddle (his real name) in WWE again.

In an ESPN feature article about Austin Theory’s rise in WWE, Triple H spoke about giving Theory the first name “Austin” back.

“It’s a little bit hard to just refer to him as Theory. And even to me, it was a little awkward when he was announced, like ‘Theory!’ It’s weird.”

“Is that ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin coming in? Is it confusing for fans? I’m of the opinion that if you don’t know the difference between Austin Theory and Stone Cold Steve Austin, there’s already a problem, right? So, we’re fixing the wrong end of the problem.”

While Austin Theory will not be defending the US Title at Saturday’s Royal Rumble event, he will be in the Men’s Royal Rumble match.