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What a WWE champion had to say about Scouse mums left me with a sour taste

Austin Theory, current WWE Raw World Tag Team Champion, didn't have anything nice to say about the city of Liverpool ahead of his visit to the M&S Bank Arena

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Paul McAuley Senior Life Reporter

12:37, 07 May 2026

[Austin Theory attends Netflix & WWE "Monday Night RAW" Brunch at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on April 21, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ]

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Austin Theory attends Netflix & WWE "Monday Night RAW" Brunch at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on April 21, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If youd told me 15 years ago that Id one day be interviewing a WWE champion, I wouldve been ecstatic - probably hitting a Swanton Bomb off the nearest sofa for good measure. So when the opportunity came up to speak with one of the biggest names in sports entertainment today, I knew I had to take it - if not for me now, then for my younger self.

Growing up, I was convinced I was the long-lost third Hardy Boyz brother. With age, though, I realised wrestling probably wasnt my calling and around the same time, many of the performers I grew up idolising either retired or slowly faded from the spotlight.

I can still tell a piledriver from a spinebuster, but beyond the occasional WWE clip that sneaks onto my TikTok FYP, todays storylines are mostly lost on me. So before the interview, I did some homework and got myself up to speed on Austin Theory - the current WWE Raw World Tag Team Champion, alongside controversial YouTuber-turned-wrestler Logan Paul.

The interview was scheduled ahead of WWEs upcoming European Summer Tour, with a new show being held in Liverpool. Wrestling superstars will now take over the M&S Bank Arena on Thursday, May 28.

I thought I had all bases covered; I was prepped on Austins return to the ring after suffering a severe hernia for an extended period, his alignment in the faction, The Vision, and his teams recent defeat at WrestleMania 42 to LA Knight and the Usos.

[Austin Theory (2nd L) and Logan Paul (2nd R) react as LA Knight (L) looks on during night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. ]

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Austin Theory (2nd L) and Logan Paul (2nd R) react as LA Knight (L) looks on during night one of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Image: 2026 Getty Images)

What I wasnt prepared for was a concept I now know is called kayfabe in the wrestling world. The term refers to the practice of presenting scripted storylines, rivalries, and characters as real in order to maintain the illusion and deepen fans emotional investment.

While kayfabe was once the bible within the industry, the modern version is considered far more strategic in the age of social media and the internet. A prime example is when Sheamus briefly dropped his facade during an interview with the ECHO, speaking openly about his love for Liverpool FC.

When I realised the interview was heading in this direction and Austin Theory would be staying in character, I gathered he wouldve badmouthed his rivals, but the constant jibes against Liverpool as a city quickly became more eye-roll-inducing than entertaining.

With this in mind, the ECHO has decided to publish the far-from-typical interview below:

Q- Thanks for your time here today ahead of the companys visit to Liverpool, what can fans expect when you do come here?

A: What can they expect? They get to see someone this handsome. They have never seen anyone this handsome. They get to see me show up with the WWE Tag Team Championship of the world and the universe. They are in for a treat. I have a tag team partner called Logan Paul, who will be with me. So, Liverpool, you are going to see something you have never seen before. You are so lucky for that, we are giving you a gift.

Q- Liverpool is a city renowned for its atmosphere when it comes to sporting, music and cultural events, how do you prepare for these types of crowds, especially when you are expected to be booed?

A: Its not really me who has to prepare. Its them. They get to see someone who looks like a superhero, who was made in a lab, who beat John Cena at WrestleMania and has had five WrestleMania matches and isnt even 30 years old. They get to see a prodigy, the epitome of what every WWE superstar wishes to be. They get to see Austin Theory.

Q- You mentioned your tag team partner Logan Paul, if you could pick one Scouser to replace him who would it be and why?

A: Whats a Scouser? I cant believe you asked me that question. You look like youre in prison right now, Im not sure what is going on there but Im glad they got this interview through for you. But man, its crazy you ask that. Thats so rude to me. Thats my tag team partner, thats the man Im in the trenches with every week. Theres no replacement - especially in Liverpool. That question is just such a terrible question. Weve got to get you out of jail and then weve got to get you some good questions.

Q- Youve done a handful of WrestleManias as you said, and Cody Rhodes, the current champion, has previously expressed he wanted to see WrestleMania in the UK. Is this something you can see in the future?

A- Cody Rhodes? He said that. Let him do that, let him sell that s***. For me, I dont want to see WrestleMania there, do you? You probably do, and you might still see it, or you might still be locked up in jail. As far as Cody Rhodes goes, of course, he wants to see it there. Just like the people of Liverpool, he is a disappointment. Me and Logan though, if we have to be there, we will get on the jet, and then we are coming right back to Puerto Rico. We are back at the hotel with beautiful women bringing us fried chicken bowls. We arent trying to be stuck in Liverpool like Cody Rhodes. Next question, please.

Q- What is next for you and Logan Paul as a tag team?

A- Anything we want, really. Speaking of Cody Rhodes, the WWE champion, maybe Logan Paul and I, become WWE Champions together. I take Codys title, and the other takes the World Heavyweight Championship. Maybe we can take both of the world titles from both of the nerds. It becomes about the youth movement - the young Austin Theory and the young Logan Paul. We can take over the world, and maybe, just maybe, we will send a photo over to Liverpool so the people can see us, but actually showing up there, I dont know. We are good employees, so if we have to be there, we can make it happen.

Q- The UK has a much smaller wrestling scene in comparison to America, so as someone who achieved so much by the time they were 23, what advice would you have?

A- Clearly, youve got to get out of there. Get out as fast as you can. If you are stuck, and if you are, I feel so terribly sorry for you, but try to go to the gym, every wrestling school you can, and try to eat good food over there - I know that is kind of hard, but try. Whatever you do, just try to get to America. This guy interviewing me, he wants to be in America, but hes in jail right now but we, me and Logan Paul, are going to help him.

Q- The current tour is going all over Europe, is there any way you prepare for the different crowds in each of the locations?

A- I know every time me and Logan come out there is a lot of signs. There is a lot of people screaming at us. Sometimes its negative, unless its somebodys mum because all the mums love us, but maybe not in Liverpool. The mums need to stay on their own side. Everybody in Liverpool is lucky and blessed for this tour. All the crowds are going to be loud and full of energy and we want that, but dont touch us on the shoulder or ask for autographs or stuff like that. The experience, and the greatness, is through the eyes.

[Paul McAuley]

Paul McAuley

Paul McAuley is the Senior Life Reporter at the Liverpool ECHO, highlighting the people and communities that make the city vibrant and diverse. From the latest restaurant openings to cultural happenings, he covers everything that brings Liverpool to life. Originally from Ireland, Paul studied journalism at Liverpool John Moores University before joining the ECHO in summer 2021. You can get in touch with him via email.

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