Saturday's Survivor Series: WarGames PLE ended with quite the surprise when a hooded Superstar climbed into the cage and hit CM Punk with the Curb Stomp, costing the babyfaces the win.
While we were clearly meant to believe that it was Seth Rollins (who, earlier this year, faked an injury so he could do a surprise Money in the Bank cash-in on Punk at SummerSlam), he really is injured. It's also been reported that former United States Champion Austin Theory was the masked attacker.
Talking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that there are big plans for Theory, with the idea being for him to officially join The Vision during RAW later this evening.
"I'm sure he's going to [be in] The Vision, because that was the plan. That was always the plan," Meltzer said of WWE's long-term booking plans. He'd go on to explain that the angle at Survivor Series: WarGames was designed to give Theory a "shine" and justify his joining the faction.
Theory was once Vince McMahon's clear top choice to be WWE's next top star. Triple H didn't appear to feel the same way, and Theory quickly started falling down the card, where he languished in the tag team division alongside Grayson Waller.
His being added to The Vision suggests that The Game now intends to give him a main event run, and we'd argue it's long overdue.
While WWE put Theory's push on hold, he does have some serious credentials as a member of The Vision alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Brock Lesnar. Having Paul Heyman at his side is bound to be hugely beneficial to the rising star, too.
Theory defeated John Cena at WrestleMania 39, but the Leader of the Cenation didn't take it easy on the rookie in the build to their match. Last year, he reflected on that while speaking with Chris Van Vliet:
"I remember hearing hints of it and stuff like that. But ultimately, I remember showing up, and they were like, Cena is coming back, and you’re going to do a backstage with him. So I did a backstage with him. I had a promo, and then he was like, Okay, that’s good. But like, what would you say to me? I think at the time, even going back to the promo me and him did in Boston, in the ring, I think I was just kind of having a hard time understanding exactly where he was coming from and what he was trying to get out of me."
"I think for me, because I’ve watched it back, and I’ve seen it in some of the things he said and stuff. And I just think it’s the character. I think he just wants to see me and it’s hard for me to just say exactly what he means. I kind of see where it is and if people can, kind of pick up on what I’m trying to say, but I think he just sees more of who I really am being displayed in a different way."
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