4 Clear signs that 28-year-old WWE star is CM Punk’s mystery attacker

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames ended on a terrible note for World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. The Best in the World had all the reasons to win the second consecutive WarGames match against a heel side. Everything was going as per the plan for Punk until a tragedy occurred.

A mysterious person with a mask climbed to the top of the cage and jumped inside the ring, only to Curb Stomp CM Punk. He escaped the ring after pinning Punk down, which allowed Bron Breakker to hit Punk with a devastating Spear and pin him to win the match.

For CM Punk, the biggest question is: Who was that person? Even though the mysterious man had mimicked Seth Rollins' move, it was clear that it was not Rollins, as The Visionary is out of action due to a shoulder injury.

And as per the indications, we think that it was none other than Austin Theory. The former United States Champion has been out of action since July, and there are several reasons to back the claim that it was him behind the mask.

In this listicle, we shall give four reasons to back up our claim that the masked man was none other than Austin Theory.

#4 WWE reportedly had plans for him to join The Vision before Seth Rollins’ injury

It was reported that WWE had plans to add Austin Theory as the fourth member of The Vision. However, Seth Rollins' untimely shoulder injury seemingly put a halt to all those plans. It was anticipated that Theory and Brock Lesnar would be part of the heel side before Survivor Series.

The creative team may unveil Austin Theory as the face behind the mask on this week's episode of RAW, and his appearance on Survivor Series, as a mysterious person, might have been done to add layers of excitement among the fans.

#3 Austin Theory had history with Paul Heyman/Brock Lesnar

Another reason to believe the mysterious man was Austin Theory is that he has a history with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman. Every WWE fan remembers Elimination Chamber 2022, when Lesnar threw Theory from the top of the pod. Theory later admitted that he had been terrified of taking that bump, but did so only because former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had asked him to do so.

As for Paul Heyman, the Wiseman had words of wisdom for Theory when the latter was the Money in the Bank contract winner. Theory had teased cashing it on Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2022. However, Paul Heyman, having sensed Theory's intentions, had asked him not to do so. Instead, Heyman had asked Theory to let the better sense prevail and asked him to work with him so that he could set up a scheduled match with Roman Reigns at some big WWE PLE. Theory didn't listen to Heyman, and he did attempt a cash-in at SummerSlam, but couldn't do so as Lesnar hit him with an F5.

Later, he attempted a cash-in on Seth Rollins and failed to win the title as Bobby Lashley spoiled the party for him. Those were the days when Theory was considered the future of WWE, and he was seen with the main event superstars.

Maybe, he will now realise his mistake and start working with Paul Heyman to once again brighten his prospects in WWE.

#2 Only WWE star who mysteriously disappeared from TV

Another sign that Austin Theory is the mysterious man is that he is the only superstar to have vanished from the scene without a trace. He wasn't seen getting injured in a match, and there was no update on him being out of action for some personal reason.

The last time Theory was seen in the main roster was in May 2025, in a match against Sheamus, where he was defeated by the Celtic Warrior within 10 minutes. After that, he hasn't competed in matches on the main roster.

There were teases of a feud with his tag team partner, Grayson Waller, but that storyline never took off. Instead, in July, Theory was benched, saying that he was injured, and Grayson Waller aligned himself with the New Day.

There were already rumours of his return at Survivor Series, and this is another sign that he was indeed the man behind that mask.

#1 Paul Heyman once introduced Austin Theory at EVOLVE 131

Paul Heyman has always held Austin Theory in high regard. Heyman once introduced Theory at the Evolve 131 show, giving him the same kind of introduction that he used to give Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Brock Lesnar. This was way before the 28-year-old superstar had signed with WWE. This led many to believe that the Oracle had a vision for Theory in the company.

Theory signed with the Stamford-based promotion in 2019, starting with the WWE NXT and then making his main roster debut in 2021. It remains to be seen if he will be unveiled as the next member of The Vision under the mentorship of Paul Heyman.