Jim Cornette delivers surprising praise to forgotten WWE star

Former WWE manager Jim Cornette surprisingly praised a forgotten talent who has been absent from television since July. Cornette may be a hard man to impress, but he also has an eye for future world champions based on his work with OVW.

Austin Theory has been off from television since July because of an unspecified injury. Theory was also reportedly taken off the company's internal roster, though there are no concrete updates regarding his status.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Jim Cornette Experience, Cornette discussed the male main event talents in the biggest wrestling company in the world today. While he didn't put Theory on that tier, he shockingly praised the former United States Champion.

"Austin Theory, boy, howdy? He ain't there. But I still don't know what's the matter with this f*cking guy. (…) I would have killed to have 10 OVW students like that," Cornette said.

Under Vince McMahon's creative leadership, Austin Theory was pushed nearly to the main event scene and even won the Money in the Bank briefcase. However, Theory's momentum has stalled since Triple H took over creative. As part of A-Town Down Under with Grayson Waller, they won the WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 40.

Finally, Jim Cornette's OVW reference is from his time with the promotion when it was still part of the company's developmental system. Some of the names to come out of OVW under Cornette include John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Batista, Randy Orton, The Miz, and Shelton Benjamin.

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Austin Theory still has some backers backstage in WWE

According to WrestleVotes, Austin Theory's name came up in discussions backstage following Seth Rollins' injury at Crown Jewel: Perth. There were plans about possibly introducing Theory as a new member of The Vision, but it was clearly scrapped.

WrestleVotes

@WrestleVotes

Sources indicate there are still voices within the company pushing to keep Austin Theory involved in creative plans, even after the recent shuffling caused by Seth Rollins’ injury. ​The idea of Theory joining The Vision was at least discussed, and he still has internal support moving forward to reappear on TV in a significant manner.

At just 28 years old, Theory has barely scratched the surface of his WWE career. He has done so much already, but it remains to be seen if he's going to get another chance to realize his potential.

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