Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory Set for U.S. Title Match at 2022 WWE SummerSlam

WWE United States champion Bobby Lashley will have a familiar opponent at SummerSlam on July 30.

During the opening segment of this week's episode of Monday Night Raw, Austin Theory challenged Lashley to a rematch for the title at WWE's marquee summer pay-per-view. Lashley had defeated Theory to win the title this past Saturday at Money in the Bank.

Lashley won the U.S. title for the third time in his career by using his trademark Hurt Lock submission to make Theory tap out on Saturday.

After losing the title, Theory was named the eighth member of the men's Money in the Bank ladder match. He went on to win the match to earn the right to challenge for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship at any time of his choosing within the next year.

Theory has been the subject of a substantial push within the last year. He had been involved in a long-term storyline with Vince McMahon in which the WWE chairman gave the 24-year-old his personal endorsement.

At WrestleMania 38 in April, Theory competed against SmackDown Live commentator Pat McAfee, but he lost the match. McMahon challenged McAfee to an impromptu fight afterward, and Theory helped the 76-year-old earn the win.

Later that month, on the April 18 episode of Raw, Theory defeated Finn Balor to win the U.S title. It was the first singles title of his young career in WWE.

While losing the title to Lashley was a curious booking decision, it made more sense after Theory wound up winning the Money in the Bank ladder match. However, scheduling a rematch between the two for SummerSlam instead of propelling them both forward with new storylines is sure to raise some eyebrows.

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