Following the chaotic conclusion to the men’s WarGames match at “Survivor Series,” speculation has run rampant regarding the identity of the hooded figure who helped the heel team secure victory. While the mystery assailant utilized Seth Rollins’ signature Stomp maneuver, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray believes the clues point toward a different superstar entirely.
Speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Ray suggested that former United States Champion Austin Theory could be the man under the hood. Ray drew a comparison to a famous independent wrestling reveal involving Matt Cardona to explain why using a rival’s move is a classic misdirection tactic. He noted that using the Stomp was likely designed to make fans believe Rollins had returned to help the very group that ousted him, setting the stage for a heat-generating reveal.
“So now we see a hooded figure come in over the cage, hit a mini superkick on Punk, and then what move did he hit? He did the curb stomp. And we are to believe that it’s who? If it’s a heel, the letdown can get heat.
What they did with the curb stomp the other night is they were playing off of Seth pulling the wool over people’s eyes when he won the champion, when he cashed in. So now you want people to think it’s Seth Rollins,” Ray said.
Ray elaborated on how WWE could execute the reveal to maximize fan frustration. He pitched a scenario where the company teases Rollins’ entrance only to reveal Theory instead.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the hooded figure came out to Seth Rollins’ music tonight, ‘Burn It Down,’ and it’s Austin Theory, just to really shove it up everybody’s a**,” Ray said.
Beyond the specific angle, Ray analyzed Theory’s trajectory since the creative regime change from Vince McMahon to Paul “Triple H” Levesque. The Hall of Famer questioned whether Theory’s previous favor with McMahon had inadvertently worked against him under the new leadership.
“The kid, first of all, always looks like a million dollars, gets it done in the ring. I think with reps and in the right situation, Austin Theory can be a heat-generating heel for the WWE. Vince McMahon saw something in Austin Theory. Now, I don’t know if that’s what bit Austin in the a**. I don’t know if Vince loved this kid so much that by default Hunter was like, yeah, no, let’s put him on a back burner for a while,” Ray said.
Despite the potential “back burner” status, Ray expressed confidence that influential voices backstage, such as Paul Heyman, would still advocate for Theory’s talent. He argued that Theory would fit perfectly into the “The Vision” faction and that fan disappointment over the reveal would only serve the story.
“The WWE is not going to worry if the hood comes off and it’s Austin Theory and people are going, oh, boo, we don’t like it, because he’s going to be a heel. And then somebody’s going to turn around and go, good. I am happy you don’t like it. I hope you hate it, because Austin Theory is now part of The Vision,” Ray said.
With “Survivor Series” in the rearview mirror, WWE turns its attention to the fallout on “Raw.” The identity of the hooded figure remains the central mystery, and if Ray’s theory proves correct, the reveal could solidify a new direction for the faction wars currently dominating the brand.