Current WWE champion forced to miss SmackDown; shows brutal reason why
A current WWE champion has announced that he will be missing tonight's episode of SmackDown. This week's show will air live from Chicago and will feature an appearance from CM Punk.
Ahead of tonight's highly anticipated edition of SmackDown, Austin Theory has announced that he will be unable to attend the show. Theory and Grayson Waller are the current WWE Tag Team Champions. The unlikely duo captured the titles during the Six Pack Ladder match at WrestleMania XL earlier this year.
The 26-year-old underwent a dental procedure and his jaw was swollen from its after-effects. He made the announcement on his Instagram story and you can check it out by clicking here.
![Theory announces he will not be at tonight's SmackDown on his Instagram story.[Photo credit: Screengrab from Theory's Instagram story]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/0be37-17190060384268-1920.jpg?w=500)
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory have had some issues lately on WWE SmackDown. Waller had also announced earlier today that his tag team partner had undergone dental surgery.
Major WWE star believes Austin Theory is a future World Champion
SmackDown star Randy Orton recently stated that Austin Theory has all the tools to become a major champion someday.
Speaking with Sportskeeda Wrestling's Bill Apter in an exclusive interview earlier this month, The Viper praised Theory and noted that he had a great look. Orton added that if the 26-year-old doesn't allow himself to have any distractions he has the chance to become a World Champion down the line.
"It's hard, I don't have a crystal ball or anything, but Austin Theory is young and he's got a great look. I know where his head's at. I've had plenty of talks with him, and a lot of the things that I did as a kid that I maybe shouldn't have, the distractions that I was confronted with, he doesn't have those. I think he's just a little more gung-ho, motivated. He sees the goal, he sees the prize, he knows what he wants. I think he'll definitely be a World Champion one day," Orton said. [1:33 – 2:08]
Austin Theory defeated John Cena to retain the United States Championship at WrestleMania 39 but failed to capitalize on the momentum. It will be fascinating to see how long he and Waller can hold onto the WWE Tag Team Championship moving forward.