“Broke my legs”… Vince McMahon forced rookie to take dangerous WWE Elimination Chamber spot after AJ Styles refused
In 2022, a rookie who had only competed in 12 matches was asked by Vince McMahon to step into the Elimination Chamber and take one of its most brutal spots in the history of the match type.
Austin Theory was sent flying off the Chamber pod by Brock Lesnar 2022 marked the rise of Austin Theory in WWE as McMahon chose him as the next big talent to push.
Theory’s early run on the main roster saw him defeating stars like Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy, and Kevin Owens. He also earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber – his 13th match in WWE.
In that Chamber match, Theory shared the ring with Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Matt Riddle, and AJ Styles at the Saudi Arabia event.
McMahon had planned a risky spot with Lesnar performing his finishing move, the F5, from the top of a Chamber pod. At first, McMahon wanted Styles to take the dangerous spot, but the veteran refused, telling the billionaire that he wouldn’t do it.
Recalling the incident, Theory shared with Chris Van Vliet: “I remember the night before, we’re at rehearsals, and everyone is there. AJ Styles is on Brock Lesnar’s shoulders, and there’s a crash pad on the floor.”
“Vince steps up behind me and says, ‘I want you to take that.’ I was just looking, and as soon as he says it, Brock throws AJ to the pad. AJ lands on his side. Anyone who knows AJ knows he doesn’t swear.
“If you ever catch him cussing, even on TV, that man is angry. But he goes, ‘What the frick? That’s stupid, I’m not taking that!’”
Despite Styles’ refusal, McMahon insisted that Theory take the move, and the 25-year-old rookie nervously agreed to the challenge.
Theory continued: “I’m just terrified. Then, sure enough, he starts chasing me. I get a low blow on him. I hit him with a drive kick, and a little DDT. I’m trying to beat him.
“Then I see him give me that look, and I’m like, I don’t know what to do, I’m gonna get out. So I just try to escape the Elimination Chamber like it’s a steel cage.
“Dude, I look down, and he’s under me, and he grabs me, and he starts slamming me into the plastic glass. As I’m hitting it, I can feel it giving way. Dude, if I go through this, I’m gonna fall all the way down, and I won’t even make it to the F5.
“But could that be better? I don’t know. He picks me up for the F5, throws me, and I landed right on my feet, super hard.”
The spot became infamous as one of the most dangerous moments in Elimination Chamber history, and Theory was fortunate not to get injured.
Theory would later go on to win the United States Championship and defeat John Cena at WrestleMania 39.
Brock Lesnar teaches Austin Theory a lesson Although Theory came close to injuring himself during the 2022 Elimination Chamber, Lesnar took a liking to the rookie and shared some valuable advice after the match.
The former WWE Champion sat down with Theory to review the Chamber match and offer tips.
Theory told ESPN: “It was really cool, Brock giving me the chance to watch the match back with him, giving me advice and critiques, especially someone who’s had the success he’s had.
“It’s like, wow, he’s taking time out of his day, and he’s not gonna waste his time.”
Theory is now in a tag team with Grayson Waller, andthey’ve recently been moved to WWE Raw.