During last week’s edition of SmackDown, NXT’s Carmelo Hayes and Austin Theory faced off in the show’s penultimate match that unfortunately didn’t end as planned. At one point, Theory jumped for what appeared to be either a Spanish Fly or Downward Spiral on Hayes who was sitting on the top rope. Theory’s grip on Hayes appeared to slip midway through the move, resulting in both men landing hard on their necks and faces. After the referee checked on them, the match was quickly brought to an end via a stoppage.
Following the show, WWE subsequently posted an update on social media, informing fans that both men had only suffered bruising to their faces and would both be okay. A few days later, Hayes competed on NXT where he and Trick Wiliams defeated Edris Enofe and Malik Blade to advance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Theory, on the other hand, has not competed whatsoever since then and now a new report has seemingly shed light on why.
Dave Meltzer reports in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Theory suffered a concussion from the incident while Hayes was simply shaken up, hence why the latter has been able to compete since. This lines up with a previous report from Meltzer that Theory had been placed in medical protocol following SmackDown. There is currently no word on when the former United States Champion is expected to return to the ring.
Theory has been paired up with Grayson Waller as of late, who also made headlines recently due to a very different type of incident. While appearing on an Australian morning talk show alongside LA Knight to promote WWE Elimination Chamber earlier this week, Waller threatened to legitimately punch a floor manager who mockingly raised his fists in his direction after the pair were asked to hit their finishing moves on the man. The situation quickly grew tense when Waller turned his attention to one of the show’s hosts who he blasted for being disrespectful to them.