Source: WWE.com

One of the greatest WWE Superstars to ever enter the squared circle is, without question, WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Because of The Texas Rattlesnake, there is no series of numbers in WWE history as legendary as “3:16.” At King of the Ring 1996, “Austin 3:16” was immortalized after “Stone Cold” defeated Jake “The Snake” Roberts and exclaimed, “’Austin 3:16’ says I just whooped your ass!”

Of course, The Rattlesnake was referencing Roberts’ quoting the Bible and the verse John 3:16. That famous Biblical verse has garnered a fair amount of media attention in the past week following Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow’s NFL playoff performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tebow, who used to inscribe “John 3:16” on his eye-black in college, passed for 316 yards. Additionally, the NCAA Heisman Trophy winner also averaged 31.6 yards per completion and the game’s overtime broadcast drew a 31.6 rating. Adding to the eerie numerical coincidences is the fact that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw the game’s only interception of third down and 16 yards to go.

Happenstances aside, the John 3:16 reference reminded the WWE Universe of “Stone Cold’s” famous speech. WWE.com spoke with the WWE Hall of Famer about the origins of his famous catchphrase and Tebow’s use of it today.

WWE.com: At King of the Ring, when you famously exclaimed “Austin 3:16,” was it something you had been thinking about, or did it just come to you?

STONE COLD” STEVE AUSTIN: As I was getting my lip stitched up following my match against Marc Mero, I was told that Jake Roberts just did an interview about me referencing “John 3:16.” I knew the verse, but I also remembered that at football games there was always a fan in the end zone holding up a sign that said “John 3:16.” So it was a pretty famous quote to begin with, and after I won the tournament it just came to me on the fly. To me, it was pure luck that “Austin 3:16” would become what it did.

WWE.com: Did you ever think that an “Austin 3:16” T-shirt would become one of the hottest sellers in WWE history?

AUSTIN: I remember I used to ask if there were any T-shirt ideas for me and there wouldn’t be. Then, after King of the Ring, I was asked for some ideas and I immediately thought, “Put ‘Austin 3:16’ on the front and a skull with ‘Stone Cold’ chiseled into its head on the back.” I don’t know how many of those were sold, but I know it was the number one selling T-shirt in WWE history.

WWE.com: The big news in sports right now is Tim Tebow. He used to wear “John 3:16” on his eye-black when he played in college, and he has taken the NFL by storm. As a devout Christian, Tebow is making the Biblical verse a top search term. You told TMZ.com recently that if he throws for exactly 316 yards again this weekend to beat the New England Patriots, you would relinquish the famous “3:16” to Tebow fully. What are your thoughts about him?

AUSTIN: I first started following Tebow’s career when he was a Florida Gator – not because of him, and hell, not even because of the Gators, but because I was a fan of then-Florida coach Urban Meyer. Because of that I witnessed Tebow’s phenomenal collegiate career. Now he’s a pro, and sure he’s having a great run right now, but it’s a whole new season next year. We’ll see how it plays out and if he’s even starting. I’m no football analyst or a real religious person, but I think he’s a great role model for young kids and I wish him the best. So yeah, if he can throw for another 316 yards and beat the New England Patriots, the “3:16” is all his.

WWE.com: What’s your prediction? Do you think it will happen?

AUSTIN: No, I don’t. But if anyone can pull it out of their rear- end, Tebow can. The kid sucks for three quarters and then wins. [Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady is one of my favorites, and one of the all-time greats, but New England’s defense isn’t great, so it could be another shootout like the Pittsburgh game. You never know what could happen, just like a WWE match.

WWE.com: Being that he’s a devout Christian, we may not see “Tebow 3:16” T-shirts to rival your “Austin 3:16” shirts. When referencing you and Tebow, some critics have pointed out that what you said could be considered blasphemous. Do you feel that has any truth?

AUSTIN: When I did “Austin 3:16,” it wasn’t meant to be anti-religious or anything. In fact, I can’t tell you how many priests and nuns have asked me for my autograph throughout my career. There was nothing sacrilegious about it. “’Austin 3:16’ says I just whooped your ass” was prophetic, and it became a phrase that defined my career. It is still one of the most popular phrases in WWE history, and anyone who doesn’t like it can piss off.

Source: TMZ
Photo source: BleacherReport.com

Before there was Tebow 3:16 in the NFL … there was Austin 3:16 in the WWE … and now the wrestling legend says he’s willing to surrender his iconic numbers to the NFL star, pending one GIANT condition.

TMZ spoke with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin — who tells us he watched Tebow’s Mile High Miracle this weekend and was blown away when he learned Tim threw for exactly 316 yards in the playoff victory.

FYI — the numbers have a special meaning with Stone Cold, who created the famous faux bible verse back in the ’90s to humiliate his enemies — “Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass!!!”

Now, Austin tells us, “Austin 3:16 still rules” … but adds, “If Tebow can throw for 316 yards again this weekend then hell, he can have the numbers and I’ll have no problem with it.”

Austin continues, “A guy named John was using it before me … so if Tebow can do it again, more power to him!”

“I wish him all the luck in the world,” Austin says … adding, “I’m not a Denver fan but Tim’s a great role model for kids.”

Sorry this is a little late. I was super busy today…

HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY STEVE AUSTIN!!! Hope you are having a wonderful birthday!!!
(Twitter trend: #HappyBirthdayStoneCold #HappyBirthdaySteveAustin)

Austin has also launched his new website: BROKENSKULLRANCH.COM!!!

SteveAustinWeb.com will also have a new layout change & new content coming for the 2012 new year!

Actor Steve Austin grabbing some Red Bull energy drinks as he leaves the Sutton Place Hotel and heads to the set of ‘Maximum Conviction’ in Vancouver, Canada.

Just a reminder, Austin’s Bottom Line DVD is out today on Blue-Ray and DVD!

Source: WrestlingInc.com
Watch interview: here

WWE.com has published a video of Paul Heyman recalling Steve Austin’s brief tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling.

“Steve had two matches in ECW, I wish he had 2000,” Heyman says. “He wrestled Mikey Whipwreck at the November to Remember 1995 for the ECW World Title and he wrestled Mikey Whipwreck and The Sandman in a Three-Way Dance for the ECW World Title in December 1995. I wanted to build ECW around Steve Austin as the World Champion. I even pitched to Steve winning the Title at the November to Remember 1995, but he was such a fan of Mikey Whipwreck, he thought it would be better if Mikey won the match and also, Steve thought it was better for his character.”

Heyman continues, “And this is where Steve was so ahead of the game, far ahead of everybody else. Steve thought it was better for his character to lose and b—h about it, cause then he had something else to be angry about. Then he had another reason to push that character all the way to the line, all the way to the wall. And he knew that in losing, he could become a bigger star than if he won the ECW World Title.

“It was just so smart. He was so far ahead of everybody else.”

The DVD will be for sale on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Documentary Chapters
WWE Signature
Open
Football and Wrestling
Rookie of the Year
From Hollywood California
A Platform
Fang McFrost
Main Event Momentum
1% Tough, 99% Lucky
Raising Hell
Tyson & Austin
Austin Era Has Begun
Cultural Phenomenon
Stooges
The Boss
Rattlesnake vs. Brahma Bull
Difficult Decisions
Return to Mania
Stone Cold Comedy
Really? I’m not coming!
One More Round
The Law of Monday Night RAW
The Show Never Ends
New Horizons
Somewhere Down In Texas

Disc 1 – Special Features
Autograph
Hair Club
The Rattlesnake
Tangled
Punked
The Stunner
Bleed For Me

Disc 2 – Extras
An Introduction From “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

USWA – May 1990
Stunning Steve Austin vs. Gentleman Chris Adams

WCW Saturday Night – July 30, 1994
Stunning Steve Austin & Ric Flair vs. Sting & Ricky Steamboat

King of the Ring – June 23, 1996
King of the Ring Final
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Jake The Snake Roberts

WrestleMania 13 – March 23, 1997
Submission Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross

In Your House: D-Generation X – Dec. 7, 1997
Intercontinental Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Rocky Maivia

WrestleMania 14 – March 29, 1998
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross

Disc 3 – Extras

Over the Edge – May 31, 1998
No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match for the WWE Championship
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Dude Love

SummerSlam – Aug. 30, 1998
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker

Raw – March 22, 1999
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Big Show

WrestleMania XV – March 28, 1999
No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock

WrestleMania X-7 – April 1, 2001
No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross

Disc 4 – Extras
WCW Saturday Night – June 5, 1993
A Flare for the Old

Hardcore TV – Oct. 10, 1995
“A Bunch of Violent Crap”

Hardcore TV – Oct. 31, 1995
Monday Nyquil

Hardcore TV – Dec. 19, 1995
“Flat Out Disgusted”

In Your House: Mind Games – Sept. 22, 1996
“My Exact Opinion of Bret Hart”

Livewire – Oct. 19, 1996
“Stone Cold” on Livewire

Raw – Nov. 4, 1996
Home Invasion

Slammy Awards Show – March 21, 1997
1996 New Sensation Award

Slammy Awards Show – March 21, 1997
Freedom of Speech Award

Raw – April 21, 1997
Ambulance Attack

Raw – Sept. 22, 1997
The World’s Most Famous Stunner

Raw – Jan. 19, 1998
Tyson and Austin!

Raw – March 30, 1998
The Easy Way or the Hard Way

Raw – Sept. 28, 1998
Zamboni 3:16

Raw – Oct. 5, 1998
Paging Dr. Austin

Raw – Oct. 12, 1998
McMahon’s Cement Corvette

Disc 4 – Extras
Raw – October 19, 1998
Bang 3:16

Raw – March 22, 1999
“Stone Cold” Beer Truck

Raw – April 19, 1999
The Funeral of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Survivor Series – Nov. 19, 2000
Austin’s Revenge

SmackDown – March 22, 2001
Jim Ross Interviews Steve Austin and The Rock

SmackDown – July 5, 2001
Gift Giving Mood

SmackDown – July 12, 2001
Mr. McMahon’s Alliance Woes

SmackDown – July 19, 2001
The Old “Stone Cold”

Raw – Jan. 14, 2002
Whataburger

SmackDown – June 7, 2003
The Highlight Reel

Blu-Ray Exclusives

“Stone Cold” Answers Your Twitter Questions
The Sportatorium
The T-Shirt
The Broken Skull Ranch

Blu-ray Exclusive Matches

No Mercy – May 16, 1999
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker vs. Triple H

Raw – Oct. 8, 2001
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle

No Mercy – Oct. 21, 2001
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam

WrestleMania XIX – March 30, 2003
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock

Blu-ray Exclusive Moments
WCW Saturday Night – May 15, 1993
A Flair for the Gold

Superstars – Nov. 17, 1996
The Biggest Draw in the World

Superstars – March 23, 1997
The Foundation of the WWE

Raw – Aug. 18, 1997
You Want a Pear? You Want an Apple?

Raw – March 17, 2003
Post-Raw: “Stone Cold” Has Some Words with The Rock

WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – April 4, 2009
Vince McMahon Inducts “Stone Cold” Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame

WrestleMania 25 – April 5, 2009
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Salutes Texas

Source: WrestlingInc.com

Interview: TheScore

Arda Ocal and Jimmy Korderas of Aftermath Radio on thescore.com and iTunes chat with WWE Hall Of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin.

In the interview, Austin admits that he does have one more match left in him, that he would have liked to face Brock Lesnar but had it done right years ago in WWE, and he would like to face CM Punk at WrestleMania XXVIII, though he would have preferred Punk to be a heel, and the money needs to be right. Highlights:

On working for projects, his new website, including working with Steven Seagal in a new movie release upcoming soon in the future: “I am happy to be working with the guy. I have always been a Seagal fan, Ive heard a lot of stories about him. Its kinda right in the middle of my dear season. I’m down here in Texas in the deer stand looking at deer, learning my lines, and getting tuned up in the gym.”

Does he feel that there could be one more match inside of him still? Possibly stepping in the ring against CM Punk at a future Wrestlemania: “If it was the right time, right place could I do it (have one more match). Yeah. I got alot of respect for the kid (CM Punk), love the promos he cuts, love his work in the ring. He’s a guy that paid his dues, worked his way to top guy status, and I wish him all the best in the world. It’s a weird situation right now because he’s a babyface and I think he became a babyface too soon, and I would have liked to work him when he was a heel. It comes down to money and what’s on the table.”

Thoughts on Brock Lesnar. Giving his thoughts on all former talents like Brock Lesnar saying he would like to face Steve Austin if he came back to WWE, and current superstars calling him out on places like Twitter and other interviews: “As far as Brock Lesnar goes, I think he’s firmly entrenched in the UFC, and I think yes that was the big match to him that he would have liked to have had in the WWE at that time. Hell, I would have loved to have worked with Brock too, had it been done right.”

Austin also comments on his DVD, the famous “double turn” at WrestleMania 13, if there were discussions of a match against Hulk Hogan, Tough Enough, “What,” and more.

Hey guys! Sorry for the lack of updates here at SteveAustinWeb.com. There hasn’t been anything too much going on with Steve. And there hasn’t been much going on with me, except for a few personal issues (family, finances, health, etc… life in general).

As far as the other websites (Stone Cold Legacy, Rock & Austin, and the Tough Enough page), they are currently on hiatus. I am also working on a new fansite dedicated to the TV show “Swamp People” called SwampPeopleFanpage.com, plus my personal websites.

I am usually on Twitter during Monday Night RAW and I am always checking my e-mail.

I hope to be back on track early 2012. I was just giving a little update on what’s been happening.

Take care and God bless!