Rey Mysterio, the 2023 WWE Hall of Famer, is now the WWE United States Champion. The post-SummerSlam edition of SmackDown on FOX witnessed Mysterio defeat Austin Theory to claim the title. Theory was originally scheduled to defend against Santos Escobar, the winner of the United States Title Invitational. However, Theory attacked Escobar backstage, causing him to sustain leg injuries. As a result, Adam Pearce, the WWE official, made Theory defend the title against Mysterio instead.
This victory marks Rey Mysterio’s third reign as the United States Champion. Theory’s second reign began after winning a Triple Threat match at WWE Survivor Series on November 26, 2022. The match also featured Bobby Lashley and the former champion, Seth Rollins, who currently holds the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Theory held the title for an impressive 257 days.
Here are some images capturing the title change at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada:
This surprising title change marks a significant moment in Rey Mysterio’s career, as he simultaneously holds the prestigious title of WWE Hall of Famer. The victory also signifies the end of Austin Theory’s reign as the United States Champion. Theory’s reign, although lasting almost a year, was deemed disappointing by many due to his lack of notable defenses against top competitors such as John Cena, Edge, and Bobby Lashley.
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