Rey Mysterio vs Austin Theory WWE Payback 2023 Live Blog

Rey Mysterio retained the WWE United States Championship against Austin Theory in a rematch at WWE Payback 2023. Check below for live updates and highlights from the match.

Storyline

Rey Mysterio faced Santos Escobar in the finals of the #1 contender tournament for the US Title. He was unable to continue the match, and hence Escobar earned the shot to face Theory. However, the latter attacked Escobar even before their match started. Adam Pearce then allowed Rey Mysterio to take Santos Escobar’s place to face Austin Theory. Rey won that match and became the new US Champion. 

The following week, Rey was confronted by Theory as the latter told him to return his title because Rey was not even scheduled to face him. Adam Pearce then scheduled a #1 contender match between LA Knight and Austin Theory which the latter won. WWE then revealed this match would take place at Payback. 

Live Updates

#USChampion @reymysterio defends against @_Theory1 TONIGHT at #WWEPayback!

8PM ET/5PM PT
Streaming exclusively on @peacock in U.S. and @WWENetwork everywhere else.

🦚 https://t.co/ZYCUeRocL1
🌎 https://t.co/aEwGYUp0uE pic.twitter.com/az6lg80Fyi

— WWE (@WWE) September 2, 2023

Austin Theory is the first one to walk out to the ring. He is followed by the WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. The entire LWO walks and cheers for Rey from Rey as the latter moves towards the ring. 

Austin Theory charges towards Rey as soon as the bell rings. Rey fights back as he hits Theory with several punches from the second rope. Theory hits Rey with a nasty clothesline before hitting the suplex for a two-count.

Theory hits the second fisherman suplex. He goes for another one, but Rey changes into a roll-up. Theory drops Rey again and puts him in the headlock. Theory continues his offence as he drives Rey to the turnbuckle. 

Austin sets up Rey on the top rope, he goes there and hits him and punches him before trying to rip his mask off. Rey fights back and then hits Theory with the moonsault from the top rope. After a few punches, Rey sends Theory out of the ring with a hurricanrana. Rey slides out of the ring and hits a tornado DDT to Theory.

Rey sends Theory flying with a second-rope springboard. He positions Theory for the 619 but Theory counters and hits Rey with the spinning powerbomb for a two-count. Rey counters A-Town Down before both hit each other with drop kicks of their own.

Rey and Theory have some back-and-forth before Rey hits the 619. However, Theory counters the splash and picks up Rey for his signature, but Rey counters it with a roll-up and gets the pinfall.