In WWE, the RKO is one of their more iconic finishing moves. Randy Orton can finish a match in an instant with it, from any position on any opponent, it’s the defintion of the perfect finisher. He is not the first person to use a cutter as a finisher, and he won’t be the last. However, in a rare twist we’ve seen someone start to use a similar move as a finisher lately. This is Austin Theory, the newest disiciple of Seth Rollins. His finisher the ATL is a more elaborate version of the RKO, with him hoisting the opponent onto his shoulder before swinging them into the cutter. In the best people like Marc Mero have used this move. With Orton having a monoply on cutters at the moment, Theory didn’t want to step on his toes.
Austin Theory Asked Randy Orton Permission To Use This Finisher
Much like Shawn Spears getting permission from Bret Hart to use the Sharpshooter, Theory would get permission from Orton to use the cutter. While on the After The Bell podcast with Corey Graves, Orton would talk on bumping into Theory at the WWE Performance Center.
“I was down in the PC and Austin Theory comes up to me to shake my hand, I could tell he was new, he was young and trying not to say the wrong thing. But he asked me, ‘Hey, I want to start doing this move, and it ends up in a similar position kind of like a cutter.’ you know? And I, think he picks the guy up like a Fireman’s Carry, spins them around and does a cutter. I was so taken aback that this kid took the time and had the respect and the wherewithal to ask me, if it was okay with me to do that. Before I could even think about what the right answer should be, I said ‘Yes! Oh my god! Are you kidding me?’ He came to me and he asked me. I don’t know if that’s ever happened.”
This show of respect shows the type of person Theory is. Showing respect for the old guard and getting them on their side is incredibly smart. If you wanna get down to simantics, he could have asked Johnny Ace himself, who invented the move, but Orton will do.
Theory Could Be The Next Randy Orton
Austin Theory is a future champion in WWE. He’s got all the tools to succeed, he’s young, well built and has the look of a star. You can easily compare him to a pre-evolution Randy Orton at the moment. A young talent who is going to be huge someday. His involvement with Rollins could work as a similar launching platform to Orton with Evolution. It’s not hard to bet on him as a future star, he’s practically the wet dream of Vince McMahon at the end of the day, only lacking a few inches of height.
Do you think Austin Theory was wise in asking Orton for permission before starting to use the cutter? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
