Theory didn’t have much notice before his surprise title match with Brock Lesnar!
Before he became Mr. Money in the Bank, Theory had a chance to face Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship inside Madison Square Garden back in March. With his original opponent Bobby Lashley out with a shoulder injury, Lesnar’s challenger was a closely guarded secret leading up to the show and wasn’t revealed until he made his entrance in front of the live crowd.
Fans were shocked when the former member of The Way revealed himself to be the surprise challenger, looking for retribution after the events of February’s Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event in Saudi Arabia which saw Lesnar deliver a brutal F5 to Theory from the top of one of the chamber’s pods.
The match was a quick affair with Lesnar pinning his challenger after an F5.
Now, a new report from Fightful Select details a conversation with Theory in which the former United States Champion reveals he was just as surprised as the Madison Square Garden crowd that he’d be taking on The Beast Incarnate. In fact, he told Fightful that he only found out about the match partway through the live event, about an hour before the competition took place. Furthermore, the card in the back only listed “Brock Lesnar vs. _________.”
After the bout, Roman Reigns came out to attack Lesnar ahead of their title unification match at WrestleMania 38. Blindsiding the Beast Incarnate with a Superman Punch, Reigns also busted him open with a series of chair attacks before delivering a Rock Bottom onto the steel steps.
Roman Reigns defeated Lesnar in the main event of night two of WrestleMania 38 and has reigned as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion ever since.