A-Town Down Under
{{Short description|American professional wrestling tag team}}
{{Infobox Wrestling team
|article_name = A-Town Down Under
|type = T
|image = {{Multiple images
| total_width = 260
| image1 = Grayson Waller 080324 (cropped).jpg
| image2 = Austin Theory 080324 (cropped).jpg
| border = infobox
}}
|caption = A-Town Down Under: Grayson Waller (left) and Austin Theory (right) in August 2024
|names = A-Town Down Under
Austin Theory and Grayson Waller
|members = Austin Theory
Grayson Waller
|heights = Theory: {{height| ft=6|in=1}}
Waller: {{height|ft=6|in=3}}
|weights = {{convert|424|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
Theory: {{convert|220|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
Waller: {{convert|204|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|debut = September 1, 2023
|years_active = 2023–present
|disbanded=}}
A-Town Down Under is a villainous professional wrestling tag team consisting of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. They are signed to WWE and perform on the Raw brand, when part of the SmackDown brand they were one-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
History
= Formation and WWE Tag Team Champions (2023–2024) =
As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, both Waller & Theory were drafted to the SmackDown brand.{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2023|title = See all the results from the 2023 Draft|publisher=WWE|date=28 April 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |title=5/1 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on WWE Draft, Riddle vs. Uso, Judgment Day vs. LWO mixed tag, Lesnar, Cody |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/01/5-1-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-wwe-draft-riddle-vs-uso-judgment-day-vs-lwo-mixed-tag-lesnar-cody/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |date=1 May 2023}} On the September 22, 2023 episode of SmackDown, Theory and Waller teamed up to defeat The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) in a match. On the October 13 episode of SmackDown, Theory and Waller challenged Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=October 13, 2023 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (10/13): Barnett's review of the season premiere with Roman Reigns, Triple H, and John Cena, Pretty Deadly vs. Ridge Holland and Butch |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/10/13/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-10-13-barnetts-review-of-the-season-premiere-with-roman-reigns-triple-h-and-john-cena-pretty-deadly-vs-ridge-holland-and-butch/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025233641/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/10/13/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-10-13-barnetts-review-of-the-season-premiere-with-roman-reigns-triple-h-and-john-cena-pretty-deadly-vs-ridge-holland-and-butch/ |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} On the November 10 episode of SmackDown, Waller and Theory provoked the newest member of the SmackDown roster Kevin Owens, resulting in Owens attacking both of them and being kayfabe suspended by the WWE.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=Kevin Owens Suspended For His Actions On 11/10 WWE SmackDown |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kevin-owens-suspended-actions-11-042034813.html |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} On the December 15 episode of SmackDown, both Waller and Theory lost in the first rounds of the United States Championship #1 Contender Tournament to Carmelo Hayes and Owens respectively.{{Cite web |last=Mrosko |first=Geno |date=2023-12-15 |title=Carmelo Hayes, Kevin Owens advance in United States Title Tournament |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/12/15/24003583/carmelo-hayes-kevin-owens-advance-united-states-title-tournament |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}} On the January 12, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Theory faced Hayes, but their match ended in a shoot no-contest after both of them landed on their heads from the top rope.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=January 12, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/12): Barnett's review of Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight's appearances, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley, Grayson Waller vs. Cameron Grimes |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-1-12-barnetts-review-of-randy-orton-aj-styles-and-la-knights-appearances-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-grayson-waller-vs-cameron-grimes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113005224/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-1-12-barnetts-review-of-randy-orton-aj-styles-and-la-knights-appearances-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-grayson-waller-vs-cameron-grimes/ |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} WWE later announced that they only suffered face contusions and Theory proceeded to defeat Hayes in their rematch on the January 26 episode of SmackDown after interference from Waller.{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |date=January 14, 2024 |title=Carmelo Hayes, Austin Theory Avoid Major Injuries After Scary Fall on WWE SmackDown |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10104920-carmelo-hayes-austin-theory-avoid-major-injuries-after-scary-fall-on-wwe-smackdown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126184440/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10104920-carmelo-hayes-austin-theory-avoid-major-injuries-after-scary-fall-on-wwe-smackdown |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report}}{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=January 26, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (1/26): Barnett's review of the Royal Rumble go-home show, LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women's Tag Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/26/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-1-26-barnetts-review-of-the-royal-rumble-go-home-show-la-knight-vs-solo-sikoa-kayden-carter-and-katana-chance-vs-kabuki-warriors-for-the-wwe-womens-tag-ti/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127072906/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/26/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-1-26-barnetts-review-of-the-royal-rumble-go-home-show-la-knight-vs-solo-sikoa-kayden-carter-and-katana-chance-vs-kabuki-warriors-for-the-wwe-womens-tag-ti/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=January 31, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}
On February 24 at Elimination Chamber: Perth, Theory and Waller co-hosted The Grayson Waller Effect featuring Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. After imitating The Rock, Rhodes and Rollins attacked Theory while Waller{{Cite web |title=McIntyre and Lynch punch their ticket to WrestleMania inside the Elimination Chamber |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312002403/https://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/2024 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |publisher=WWE}} The following month, Theory and Waller entered a tag team tournament, defeating The O.C. (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) on the March 22 episode of SmackDown and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in the finals a week later to qualify for the six-pack ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL.{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=March 22, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (3/22): Barnett's review of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar, WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky vs. Naomi in a non-title match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/03/22/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-3-22-barnetts-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-rey-mysterio-vs-santos-escobar-wwe-womens-champion-iyo-sky-vs-naomi-in-a-non-title-match/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323033251/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/03/22/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-3-22-barnetts-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-rey-mysterio-vs-santos-escobar-wwe-womens-champion-iyo-sky-vs-naomi-in-a-non-title-match/ |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}{{Cite web |last=Barnett |first=Jake |date=March 29, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (3/29): Barnett's review of Jade Cargill's appearance, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens vs. Pretty Deadly, WMXL tag team title ladder match qualifiers |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/03/29/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-3-29-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargills-appearance-randy-orton-and-kevin-owens-vs-pretty-deadly-wmxl-tag-team-title-ladder-match-qualifiers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330113710/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/03/29/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-3-29-barnetts-review-of-jade-cargills-appearance-randy-orton-and-kevin-owens-vs-pretty-deadly-wmxl-tag-team-title-ladder-match-qualifiers/ |archive-date=March 30, 2024 |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} At Night 1 of WrestleMania XL, Waller retrieved the SmackDown Tag Team Championship for A-Town Down Under to become the new champions, although they failed to win the Raw Tag Team Championship as that was won by The Awesome Truth (R-Truth and The Miz).{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=April 6, 2024 |title=WrestleMania XL results: Powell's live review of night one with The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women's World Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/06/wrestlemania-xl-results-powells-live-review-of-night-one-with-the-rock-and-roman-reigns-vs-seth-rollins-and-cody-rhodes-rhea-ripley-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-womens-world-championship/ |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}} On the April 19 episode of SmackDown, the SmackDown Tag Team Championship was renamed as the WWE Tag Team Championship and the team was presented with new title belts by WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque and SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis.{{Cite web |last=LAMBERT |first=JEREMY |date=April 19, 2024 |title=New WWE Tag Team Titles Given To Austin Theory And Grayson Waller On 4/19 WWE SmackDown |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/new-wwe-tag-team-titles-given-austin-theory-and-grayson-waller-419-wwe-smackdown?amp |url-status= |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=Fightful}} On the May 3 episode of SmackDown, A-Town Down Under defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in their first title defense.{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2024 |title=SmackDown results, May 3, 2024: AJ Styles slaps Cody Rhodes ahead of their title showdown at Backlash France |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2024-05-03 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=WWE |language=}} On the July 5 episode of SmackDown, A-Town Down Under lost the titles to #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), ending their reign at 90 days.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jeremy |title=DIY Capture WWE Tag Team Championships On Smackdown |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/diy-wwe-tag-team-championships-smackdown-7-5-24/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=411mania.com}} Austin Theory and Grayson Waller also had previously feuded with #DIY weeks before the title loss.{{Cite web |author=WWE.con Staff |title=Johnny Gargano takes on Grayson Waller |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2024-06-07/article/johnny-gargano-takes-on-grayson-waller |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=WWE.com}}{{Cite web |author= |title=Grayson Waller pulls Austin Theory into harm's way in match vs. Johnny Gargano {{!}} WWE on FOX |url=https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-ytz0o7c08k8am24i |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=Foxsports.com}}{{Cite web |last=Elizabeth |first=Claire |date=2024-05-31 |title=WWE SmackDown results, live blog: Queen of the Ring coronation |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/5/31/24168431/wwe-smackdown-results-live-blog-may-31-2024-nia-jax-queen-of-the-ring-coronation-ceremony-cody |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}} They failed to win the titles in a rematch on the following episode of SmackDown, ending their feud. After a promo on twitter A-Town Down Under got a NXT tag title shot Oct 8th.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=July 12, 2024 |title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (7/12): Powell's review of DIY vs. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory for the WWE Tag Titles, Tiffany Stratton celebrates her MITB win, Nia Jax vs. Michin |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/07/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-7-12-powells-review-of-diy-vs-grayson-waller-and-austin-theory-for-the-wwe-tag-titles-tiffany-stratton-celebrates-her-mitb-win-nia-jax-vs-michin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713222116/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/07/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-7-12-powells-review-of-diy-vs-grayson-waller-and-austin-theory-for-the-wwe-tag-titles-tiffany-stratton-celebrates-her-mitb-win-nia-jax-vs-michin/ |archive-date=July 13, 2024 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}
== Championship pursuits (2024–present) ==
On the September 6, 2024 episode of SmackDown A-Town Down Under faced Kevin Owens in a 2-on-1 handicap match but were unsuccessful as Theory was pinned, after the match Waller carried on the attack on Kevin Owens and the two double teamed Owens and then left.{{Cite web |last=Elizabeth |first=Claire |title=WWE SmackDown results, live blog (Sept. 6, 2024): Cody Rhodes addresses Solo Sikoa |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/9/6/24237696/wwe-smackdown-results-live-blog-sept-6-2024-cody-rhodes-addresses-solo-sikoa-the-bloodline |access-date=September 15, 2024 |website=Cagesidedseats.com|date=6 September 2024 }} On the September 13, 2024 episode of SmackDown Austin Theory and Grayson Waller faced Kevin Owens & his mystery partner Randy Orton in a tag team match but were unsuccessful.{{Cite web |last=Canton |first=John |title=WWE SmackDown Results – September 13, 2024 |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/wwe-smackdown-results-september-13-2024/ |access-date=September 14, 2024 |website=Itrwrestling.com|date=14 September 2024 }}
After a promo on social media the previous week, Theory and Waller returned to NXT on September 24, challenging Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) for the NXT Tag Team Championship, which they accepted. Later that night, they defeated Cedric Alexander and Je'Von Evans following a backstage confrontation.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Jeremy |title=WWE News: A-Town Down Under Defeat Je'Von Evans & Cedric Alexander On NXT, Wes Lee & Zachary Wentz Brawl |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-news-a-town-down-under-defeat-jevon-evans-cedric-alexander-on-nxt-wes-lee-zachary-wentz-brawl/ |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=411mania.com}} On the October 8 episode of NXT, they failed to win the titles from Fraxiom.{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Joshua |title=WWE NXT Results 10/8/24 |url=https://www.wrestlingheadlines.com/wwe-nxt-results-10-8-24/amp/ |access-date=October 25, 2024 |website=Wrestlingheadlines.com|date=8 October 2024 }}
On the January 24 episode of SmackDown, it was announced by SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis that A-Town Down Under would be moving to the Raw brand as part of the transfer window.{{Cite web |last=NASH |first=ANTHONY |title=A-Town Down Under Moved To WWE RAW |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1538010-a-town-down-under-moved-to-wwe-raw |url-status=live |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=Www.wrestlezone.com}}
Other media
- Theory and Waller appeared on WWE 2K23{{Cite web |author= |title=Austin Theory |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k23/austin-theory |url-status=live |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=Www.thesmackdownhotel.com}}{{Cite web |author= |date=24 February 2024 |title=Grayson Waller |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k23/grayson-waller |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2024 |website=Www.thesmackdownhotel.com}} ,WWE 2K24 {{Cite web |author= |title=Austin Theory |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k24/austin-theory |url-status=live |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=Www.thesmackdownhotel.com}}{{Cite web |author= |title=Grayson Waller |url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k24/grayson-waller |url-status=live |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=Www.thesmackdownhotel.com}} and WWE 2K25.
Championships and accomplishments
{{Multiple images
| total_width = 260
| image1 = Austin Theory at Alpha 1.jpg
| image2 = Grayson Waller - WWE Live (Nottingham UK, October 2023) (cropped).jpg
| footer = A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) are 1-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked Theory No. 45 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2023{{cite web|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2023|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2023.html|access-date=November 7, 2022|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database}}
- Ranked Waller No. 261 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2024{{cite web|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2024|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2024.html|access-date=September 16, 2024|publisher=The Internet Wrestling Database}}
- WWE
- WWE Tag Team Championship{{Efn|Austin Theory and Grayson Waller won the WWE Tag Team Championships as the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. The title was renamed on the April 19, 2024, episode of SmackDown.}} (1 time){{cite web|title=WWE Tag Team Championship |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/wwe-tag-team-championship|access-date=September 16, 2024|publisher=WWE}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{WWE superstar|austin-theory|Austin Theory}}
- {{WWE superstar|grayson-waller|Grayson Waller}}
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=12006&name=A-Town+Down+Under A-Town Down Under's profile at Cagematch.net]
- {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{WWE personnel}}
{{WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship}}