Austin Theory emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against Sheamus on the latest episode of “SmackDown,” successfully defending his WWE United States Title in an encounter that ended with controversy.

Timely interference secures Theory’s victory

During the intense matchup at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Pretty Deadly made their presence felt by causing distractions at ringside. Their interference proved crucial as it allowed Theory to capitalize on the chaos.

As The Brawling Brutes, Ridge Holland and Butch, chased off Pretty Deadly, Theory took advantage of the situation. Striking Sheamus from behind, Theory then unleashed his devastating A-Town Down finisher, securing the pinfall after an intense contest that lasted over ten minutes.

Austin Theory’s history at Madison Square Garden

This marked the second time Austin Theory successfully defended the U.S. Title at Madison Square Garden. In a non-televised live event back in March, Theory triumphed over Seth Rollins in a steel cage match. However, his first appearance at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” didn’t go as planned, as he suffered a quick defeat at the hands of Brock Lesnar in March 2022.

Looking ahead to SummerSlam

With Theory’s U.S. Title reign now extending to 224 days, the WWE Universe eagerly anticipates his next challenger leading up to SummerSlam, which is less than a month away. However, it remains uncertain who will step up to face Theory for the prestigious championship. Notably, Theory has been absent from the past two WWE premium live events, leaving fans and contenders alike curious about his future opponents.

In conclusion, Austin Theory’s victory over Sheamus solidifies his reign as the WWE United States Champion. The interference by Pretty Deadly played a significant role in Theory’s success, allowing him to capitalize and retain his title. As SummerSlam approaches, the question of who will be the next contender for Theory’s U.S. Championship remains unanswered, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the announcement.