Austin Theory (verbally) fights back at the Australian press.
In two days, WWE will host what Triple H describes as an “epic” Elimination Chamber premium live event from the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. In anticipation of this showcase, WWE has coordinated several talent interviews with the local press. Unfortunately, one interview didn’t go quite as planned.
Earlier today, former United States Champion Austin Theory was invited to speak with The West Australian’s editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie at the newspaper’s offices. Amid the conversation, De Ceglie referred to wrestling as “fake,” declaring that wrestlers like Theory are “not actually hitting each other.”
Theory, obviously upset by De Ceglie’s statements, wasted no time to call him out. “You brought me here and you’re going to talk to me like this?” Theory said to De Ceglie. “Just ’cause you’re in charge of some sh*t here, man, doesn’t mean you can talk to me like this.”
When confronted, De Ceglie claimed that he didn’t mean to offend Theory. Theory, however, remained unimpressed by his words.
“You’re saying what I do is easy, and you’re in front of all your people in here, talking about [how] my job’s easy. You couldn’t walk a day in my shoes … I’ll smack the sh*t out of you right now,” Theory threatened. “I’m not playing around.”
Before the verbal altercation could escalate, WWE security Barrie Knight stepped in to pull Theory away from De Ceglie.
One West Australian staff member, credited as Kay Fabe, later commented on this confrontation. “I was seriously worried about what was going to happen,” they said. “Thankfully security stepped in. Anthony was genuinely worried.”
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