Masked man from WWE Survivor Series 2025 should be anyone but 3-time champion, says wrestling veteran

WWE Survivor Series 2025 set up a few storylines heading into the last month of the year, but one mystery man changed the landscape of the men's division. After the event, Vince Russo gave his take on the storyline and wants the masked man to be anyone but Austin Theory.

Austin Theory has been on a hiatus from the weekly product for months, and reports have suggested that he was the masked man behind the attack on CM Punk in California. However, Vince Russo thinks it should be anyone but the absent star from the red brand.

Speaking on Behind The Turnbuckle Studios' The Coach and Bro Show, Vince Russo reacted to the mystery man's spot from Survivor Series in San Diego. The veteran stated that the name should be someone they've built and have some credibility, unlike Austin Theory, who's been on a hiatus for months.

"Now, if it's a big name and it's a shocker and it's holy s**t, I'm fine with it. But if you're going to end the match that way and the surprise is somebody that's not over, you just keep digging yourself in a deeper hole, man," Russo said.

Moreover, he stated it should be anyone except the former two-time United States and one-time WWE Tag Team Champion.

"I, from the bottom of my heart, for their sake, hope it's not Austin Theory, and I hope they swerve everybody," Russo said.

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Dutch Mantell thinks multi-time WWE World Champion could be the masked man

The masked man, or mystery man, has become the talk of the town amongst fans, as it directly connects him to The Vision and CM Punk. While reports suggest it might be Austin Theory, Dutch Mantell thinks there's a golden opportunity for the management.

Speaking on Story Time with Dutch Mantell, the legendary WWE manager thinks it could be Chris Jericho, as there's a chance that Y2J returns to the Stamford-based promotion in the coming months. Moreover, the veteran stated that the man behind the mask could be anyone that the management would want in the particular spot.

If you use quotes from the article, please credit Behind The Turnbuckle Studios and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.