Source: Complex.com

Because Stone Cold Said So: Steve Austin Talks “WWE All Stars” And Wrestlemania 27

If you’re a wrestling head and you hear “GIMME A HELL YEAH!” then you immediately know the bald-headed SOB behind it. And with WWE All Stars dropping this week, plus Wrestlemania 27 set for this Sunday on PPV—and Tough Enough coming back to TV next week!—it was the perfect time to talk with WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin. The champ took some time to discuss his role in the game, his life inside the squared circle, and his favorite moments in Wrestlemania history. So read on, sumbitch.

By Elton Jones

Complex: Have you gotten to play WWE All-Stars yet?
Steve Austin: Yeah, I got a chance to play it at THQ. I had a damn blast.

How was your experience with this one differet from other wrestling game you’ve been in?
Man, I tell you what; I don’t know how they did it, but I sure look good. That’s the best I’ve ever looked in my life and I appreciated that. Technology has come so far, and I just love the visual effects; this one has that rainbow smear when a guy really has the crap kicked out of him. I liked being able to cut my promos in this one, too. They got me paired up with CM Punk in one of the Fantasy dream matches: You got the new generation you can put in one ring and fight with any legend you want.

Who are some of the best wrestlers in the game?
As far as effectiveness, I put Stone Cold Steve Austin as number one.

Of course.
I think it all depends on the skill of the player. You can learn how well you can work those control and moves, go off of your defense or whatever it is. All the guys come with a certain skill level. At the end of the day, you can match anyone up, so it all depends on how good you are at the game.

Are there any other superstars or legends you’d like to see added to the game?
Is Nick Bockwinkel in there? I’d like to see Adrian Adonis in it. He’s one of my favorites myself.

What about Brian Pillman?
I’d love to see him in there. He was ahead of his time. He came along with Justin “Thunder” Liger from back in the day. He was a high flier. When I was a tag team with him as the Hollywood Blondes, he added greatness to the game.

Do you play any other video games in your spare time?
I’ve been in a hundred video games, but I’ve never had the attention span for them. That’s not a knock on games—I don’t even watch a lot of TV. I’m always outdoors doing something. I’m always stayin’ busy.

What’s your favorite Wrestlemania matchup of all time?
I gotta go with two favorites. My first favorite is Wrestlemania 13 with Bret “Hitman” Hart just ’cause it was an important match in the history of the business. It was just two guys going in doing a double-turn: I came in as a heel and left as a babyface, he came in as a babyface and left as a heel. And at Wrestlemania 17, I had a match with the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, The Rock. He’s one of my favorite opponents of all time. And we lit the place up with 68,00 people watching inside that dome.

That match is one of my favorites too, man. Those last chair shots you put on dude were infamous.
I had the inkling I wanted to turn heel after that match, and I did. Looking back, I told Vince, “If I had to do it again, I would’ve called an audible and given him a Stunner so I would stay a babyface.” It was a hellacious match, back and forth with great false finishes. Me and The Rock had a great chemistry in the ring that was unparalleled. He brought out the best in me and I brought the best in him. We both really respected each other and trusted each other.

As far as Wrestlemania 27 on Sunday, what match are you looking forward to the most?
Well obviously, I’m looking forward to Lawler vs. Cole. Jerry is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time. I love his storytelling and I love what he does on the mic. Michael Cole has been valuable as a heel announcer. You just wanna hate his guts and punch him in the mouth, and that’s what a great heel should make you wanna do. So he’s done his job real effectively. It’s a great storyline that’s been built and it’s ready to go.

What’s going to be interesting for me is The Undertaker vs. Triple H. Will The Undertaker go 19-0 or will Triple H break the streak?
Personally, I can’t give you my opinion on the first match since I’m involved in it. But as far as Undertaker and Triple H goes, I gotta say my prediction is that Undertaker will go 19-0. As strong as Triple H is, if anybody could beat ’Taker it’s Triple H. I just don’t see the streak being broken. Here’s the thing: It’s never been done before and it will never be done again. For a guy to last almost 20, who knows? A year from now, we might be saying “Can he go 20-0?” It’s just an unparalleled feat that will never be done again. Never.

If you could have one more big-time match on the Wrestlemania stage against anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Man, past or present? I’d have to throw Hogan in there. I’d love to have a great match with Nick Bockwinkel. I’d love to get in the ring with Bruiser Brody. I loved Adrian Adonis and would have loved to work with hm. He’s just a nasty, vicious villain. Those few guys and matches are high on my list.

Is there any one final thing you’d like to tell any of your fans right now?
Aw man, I love my damn fans. I had a blast bein’ in that ring. I’ve always appreciated the sport. I’m havin’ a blast with Tough Enough [premieres 4/4 on USA Network]. I hope the fans check it out and I’d like to hear what the fans think about it.

Thanks, Mr. Austin; it’s been an honor. Hope we see you on Sunday.
Of course! I’ll be there whuppin’ ass!

Austin was on KTLA in Los Angeles yesterday morning to promote Tough Enough.

Source: ESPN.com

Interview

If there was ever a storyline that writes itself, it’s the beer-drinking, bird-flipping, Stone-Cold stunning Steve Austin against the anti-alcohol, preaching-from-his-perch, Straight Edge superstar known as CM Punk.

The S.O.B. vs. the S.E.S. Like I said, the storyline writes itself.

And it’s a match-up WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin loves to talk about as he simulates the beat down in THQ’s new video game “WWE All-Stars,” a game that features some of wrestling’s most beloved legends taking on today’s top superstars in Fantasy Warfare matches that pit everyone from Hulk Hogan against John Cena, to Andre The Giant versus The Big Show, to, of course, Austin battling Punk.

“I’ve been in about 100 video games, but by far this is my favorite,” Austin tells me over the phone as we talk about everything from “All-Stars” to his role at this Sunday’s Wrestlemania. “I was glad that they paired me up with CM Punk. I like that kid. I like what he does in the ring, I like his gimmick. And the action in the ring in ‘All-Stars’ is amazing.

“Plus, I like the fact that they made me look in better shape than I’ve ever been in my entire life. If I could’ve looked like that in real life, I could’ve just worked the big man gimmick and not took so many bumps.”

Jon Robinson: So how perfect of a feud would “Stone Cold” versus CM Punk have been if you were still wrestling?

Steve Austin: When you have a storyline like that, and the way CM cuts his promos, I think it would damn sure be entertaining and fans would latch onto it. He’s done well in WWE, and I think he’s got bigger fish to fry and bigger things to do in that company. I look for big things from him. And damn right, that would be a good program. I would love to be a part of that.

Jon Robinson: Who else off the current roster would you have been excited to feud with?

Steve Austin: John Cena has done well for himself. I like the way he talks, I like the way he handles his business, and he works his ass off. Another guy is Randy Orton. Everyone thinks Randy has gone down the same path as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, so I think that would be another natural storyline.

Jon Robinson: There are so many great legends in the game, from Andre The Giant to Ricky Steamboat and Bret Hart. As a fan growing up, who was your favorite wrestler?

Steve Austin: I was a Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes guy. Ric Flair continues to be my favorite wrestler of all time. I loved Harley Race and Nick Bockwinkel and all of those guys, but I’m a big Flair guy.

Jon Robinson: Did you ever meet Andre The Giant?

Steve Austin: I met him one time when I was in WCW. He came to the back and he was on crutches. He was starting to move a little slow, and it wasn’t too much longer that he passed away. But I only met “The Boss” one time. That’s what everybody called him. Everyone called him “The Boss.” I used to love Andre The Giant. I could sit around all day and listen to Andre stories. He was such a wonderful, unique guy who everyone loved being around. The thing about Andre, he just had this magical mystique about him. That’s why when people talk about fantasy match-ups from generation to generation in this game, I want to see Andre versus The Big Show. They’re almost carbon copies of one another as far as size, but you have different styles and different demeanors. That would’ve been a really cool match to see go down.

Jon Robinson: Do you think Big Show is underrated by the fans in terms of how quick and agile he is for being that huge?

Steve Austin: I’ll tell you what, he’s kind of a freaky guy. He can do a lot. I’d like to see him dominate more and kick a little more ass and be a total non-stop machine. He does a lot of things well, I just think he should have more of a mean streak and kick a lot more ass.

Jon Robinson: Looking back on your career, did you have a favorite opponent to work with in the ring?

Steve Austin: I’ll tell you what, the chemistry that I had with Bret “Hitman” Hart in the ring, and the respect and the trust we had for each other was unbelievable. Another guy was The Rock. We brought out the best in each other and every time we got in the ring, magical things happened. We always wanted to be the best on the card and make people glad they came out to the show. I also really enjoyed working with Shawn Michaels. He’s the best performer I ever saw in the ring.

Jon Robinson: Do you think it was your feud with Bret Hart that really helped make you a main event talent?

Steve Austin: Wrestlemania 13 in Chicago was probably my favorite match with Wrestlemania 17 against The Rock being number two. But as far as an importance level in terms of my career, that match against Bret said that I was a player and that I was there to stay. I also think it woke up the office because when I first came to WWE, I just came in as “The Ringmaster.” Their plan for me was to be a mechanic. But after six months of doing that, I came up with the “Stone Cold” thing. I was just starting to talk trash and they were just starting to take the leash off of me when Bret hand picked me to work with him when he was making one of his comebacks. From there we went to Wrestlemania 13, and I’ll tell you what, Bret, and that match in particular have been huge parts of my career.

Jon Robinson: You’re hosting the new season of Tough Enough. When talking to these young wrestlers, what do you tell them in terms of making your own breaks as opposed to sitting around and waiting for the breaks to happen for you? If you didn’t start talking trash, “The Ringmaster” might have come and gone without there ever being a “Stone Cold.”

Steve Austin: Some weird things happened for me to sneak through and get the opportunity I got, but I was so prepared, I was so ready for my break to happen. I had already been working seven and a half years in the business, all I needed was a break. If you get a break, if you get a microphone stuck in front of your mouth, you better give it your all and go for it. Any opportunity you get, you gotta take it. I want these kids in Tough Enough to come through and pay some dues while they’re under my watch. This is a different system. This is a contest. There aren’t the different territories like there were back in the day. It’s all about opportunity and preparation. If you’re ready when you’re opportunity comes, you can go a long way.

Jon Robinson: Is that why someone like Alberto Del Rio can step in and instantly be a main event talent. He’d already been wrestling in Mexico for years before coming to WWE and came into the company with that seasoning almost like the old school wrestlers who came from the territories.

Steve Austin: He’s got that seasoning. He’s been working for ten years and he’s got a little bit of an MMA background going for him. He’s got a good look to him. He’s a good looking kid who plays the arrogance thing well. He kind of reminds me of a Gino Hernandez type from the old World Class days. Gino was ahead of his time. But I see a very bright future for that kid. He has everything you look for … he talks well, he’s a good looking kid, and he works well in the ring. There are a lot of big things to come for that kid if he keeps his head on straight.

Jon Robinson: Wrestlemania is coming up this Sunday and you’re refereeing the match between Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler. How did it feel the other night to dump all that beer over Cole’s head?

Steve Austin: Damn, that was fun. [laughs] Michael Cole has done a tremendous job playing the role of the heel announcer. He has that cocky swagger about him, and he’s crossed that line to where now you’re seeing the true Michael Cole. He’s a good guy, but he’s really turning it on. I’ve been really proud of what he’s done from a work standpoint. Then you have Jerry Lawler, who is one of my favorite wrestlers of all time. If you never saw him work in his prime or never saw some of his work in the Mid South, then you really missed out. He’s a great talker, a great worker in the ring, and there’s no better person to be in this match with Cole than Lawler. Then you have me as the referee and Jack Swagger roaming ringside and I think anything can happen that night.

Jon Robinson: When you’re pouring beer on Michael Cole and the crowd is going crazy and people start to chant: “One more match,” do you ever get the itch to come back for maybe one more main event?

Steve Austin: I’ll tell you what, sometimes you do, but it’s just like an itch that you scratch and it goes away. We had that ring at Tough Enough, and it’s the same WWE ring they use every week, and I got the chance to bounce around and take some bumps from one of the kids in the contest and gave him a few bumps. Could I still do it? Damn right I could. It may not be quite as good as I used to, but I got it out of my system. I hope people enjoy Tough Enough because I had so much fun doing it, but that’s about as close as I want to be to a business that I love.

Jon Robinson: One of my favorite things you do is catch the flying beer cans that someone on the set throws your way. You hardly ever drop them. Were you a baseball player growing up? How do you make so many one-handed beer catches?

Steve Austin: I’ve always been an athlete. I played baseball, and then I played football in college, and I’ll tell you what, I’ve got some pretty good hands. My hands are about the size of a first baseman’s glove and those cans just stick to them. There’s something about being in front of a live camera where if that beer is within three feet of me, I’m going to catch it. If I could only catch a football like that, I’d be in the NFL.

Jon Robinson: You’d be like Randy Moss out there.

Steve Austin: Only without the 4.4 speed. [laughs]

Jon Robinson: You’re more the Jason Witten type.

Steve Austin: I love Witten. He’s a big corn fed looking guy and a hellacious receiver. He had a great year, but the Cowboys really need to get it together. Last year was just such a huge disappointment and there isn’t a leader on that team. Someone needs to step up and say: “Hey, this is my team and this is how we need to do things.” Maybe Jason Garrett is going to turn those guys around with a little leadership and an alpha male presence that they have lacked the last few years.

Jon Robinson: As a Cowboys fan, do you think Tony Romo is the guy to lead them to the next level?

Steve Austin: Let me tell you something, if that guy got cut right now, there would be a dozen teams trying to pick him up. He’s got a great arm, he’s consistent, he’s accurate, but there’s just that one thing … you look in his eyes and you wonder what Tony is going to do now. Physically, he has the tools. Mentally, he gets the game. I just think he needs to 100-percent commit to being the quarterback of that team and forget about going on vacation with this person or that person. He just needs to stay focused. If that guy could stay focused, he’d be lights out. Until then, he’s just going to be a really good quarterback who could crap the bed at any moment.

Jon Robinson: Sounds like he needs some “Stone Cold” in him.

Steve Austin: Damn right he does. You have to have that killer instinct in that game. It doesn’t matter if you’re a quarterback or a linebacker, you’ve gotta put people on ice.

Jon Robinson: The other big storyline in WWE right now is the return of The Rock. What did you think of him getting physical with Miz and Cena on Monday night?

Steve Austin: I thought it was great entertainment. It’s good for Rock, it’s good for John, it’s good for Miz, and it’s good for the fans. Everybody is winning all the way around. He got out of the business and went on to do what he’s done and I’m proud of how successful he has become. But now that he’s back, it’s a win-win for everybody, but especially the fans. Whether you love him or you hate him, depending on what your opinion of Cena is, he’s definitely made an impact and it will be interesting to see how this thing plays out.

Jon Robinson: I think The Miz actually benefits the most by the interaction as he’s stepped up and looks like he belongs with two of the biggest stars in WWE history. Looking at Miz, when did you first realize he had what it takes to carry the title?

Steve Austin: I saw The Miz a few weeks ago when he came to Tough Enough and talked to the kids, and I told him to his face: “Man, I didn’t think you were going to make it.” And he understood that. I give that guy so much credit for working his ass off. He’s great on the mic, he continues to get more physical in the ring, and he’s a charismatic guy who always maintains himself well and represents the company in a positive way. I told those kids at Tough Enough: “Here’s a guy, who was like me where he’s not going to be the biggest wrestler, he’s not going to be the best wrestler, he’s not going to be the best looking wrestler, but he he’s got enough things going for him and he wants it bad enough that he’s going to find success and he has.” I’m very proud of The Miz.

Jon Robinson: Wrestling is like boxing where so many fighters say they are retired, but then they all come back. What is it about yourself and someone like Shawn Michaels where you’re able to walk away and that’s it.

Steve Austin: I love that business, but it was time to ride off into the sunset. I’m happy, I’m healthy, and I have things going on. I remember talking to my old traveling partner, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff a long time ago and he looked at me square in the eyes and told me: “Steve, there is life after wrestling.” So many guys can’t seem to find one. Some of them do, some of them don’t, some go on to a lower level, but I’d never go to a lower level. I’m “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and I can never do anything but be with the best and that’s WWE. With that being said, I’m proud of what I’ve done, I love the business and I love the fans and doing this Tough Enough show is about as close as I want to get to being back in that ring.

Jon Robinson: Besides, there’s always “WWE All-Stars.”

Steve Austin: I’m not technically a gamer, but I played that game at THQ and it’s the damndest video game I’ve ever been in. It’s a really cool game and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Source: Wrestling-Edge.com

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and PSYCH Star James Roday to Guest Star on Tough Enough

USA Network unveils its new Monday night programming block with the premiere of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, a non-scripted series in collaboration with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Shed Media US. Hosted by WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, WWE TOUGH ENOUGH premieres April 4, 2011, featuring a group of twelve individuals looking for an once-in-a-lifetime shot to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. The grand-prize winner will be awarded a contract with WWE, joining its roster of talent.

WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will premiere at 11/10c, the day after WrestleMania XXVII and immediately following USA’s ratings juggernaut WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, and then will move into its regularly scheduled timeslot, Mondays at 8/7c, starting on Monday, April 11. The series premieres with a one-hour episode followed by nine (9) one-hour episodes.

Renowned WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Booker T and Bill Demott – from the original WWE TOUGH ENOUGH series – serve as trainers to a diverse group of men and women will live, train and compete together in a house in Simi Valley, California. To see who has what it takes to be the next WWE Superstar or Diva, the contestants will battle it out each week in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics including showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire. Each episode will feature a current WWE Superstar, who will introduce the contenders to a quality that they must possess to make it to the top of the sports entertainment world. Along the way, viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports entertainment organization.

Each episode will conclude with the elimination of one of the hopefuls who is left outside of the ring, while those that remain will move one step closer to their dream.

In the final episode, the remaining contestants will battle it out for the grand prize.

Hollywood star and former WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and star of USA’s PSYCH, James Roday, will guest on the series.

Source: BuzzFocus.com

We recently had the awesome opportunity to visit the set of USA Network’s reboot of WWE Tough Enough. Located in the deserts of Simi Valley, California, an old sprawling ranch complex doubles as the location where the show’s contestants will live and vie for the ultimate prize: a contract with the WWE.

After our arrival, we were taken on a tour of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s office. It had the feel of a neo-Western: rugged and manly but there was no mistaking that we were in 2011. There were two old Fort Knox safes strategically placed in the room. A painting of cowboys playing poker and holding guns hung behind a massive wooden desk. Next to it was an unused (though not functioning) World War II bomb. A 1947 Knucklehead motorcycle was parked by the fireplace to act as centerpiece of this mancave. It was as if someone entered Ron Swanson’s dreams and pulled that office out into reality.

After the tour, we were ushered into a refurbished barn where the ring that will test each of the contestants’ skills was located. There, we sat down and spoke with trainer-judges Bill DeMott, Trish Stratus, and Booker T; and new host “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

DeMott was, most surprising, sweet. Known as a “heel” throughout most of his wrestling career, this 300 plus pounds of a man couldn’t help himself but to gush over the upcoming talent who were participating in WWE Tough Enough and those popping up throughout the wrestling world. And when he wasn’t heaping praise on the newbies, he was blushingly declaring his love for his two teenage daughters and baby son.

Stratus, who is not only beautiful and can kick your butt on any given day, revealed herself to be truly funny and lighthearted gal before seemingly segwaying into her time as host The Second City’s Next Comedy Legend for Canadian TV (think Last Comic Standing but for sketch and improve comedians) and as an improv student with the famed troupe in Toronto.

Booker T best described the philosophy of wrestling as “making the fans ‘feel’”. He saw the sport as part athleticism and part telling a story to the people who follow wrestling and shell out a lot of money for tickets and merchandizing. If it weren’t for them, he said, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Austin talked about his favorite opponents (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and The Rock), about the time Lee Majors called him up to discuss the Steve Austin moniker (Major’s character in The Six Million Dollar Man was named Steve Austin), and how he loves working with new wrestling during his semi-retirement. He also told us that, unlike on other reality competition shows, the judges DO get along really well and that it makes for better television.
(He then sheepishly admitted that the only reality shows he watches –- other than the ones that air on History and Food Network – were The Bachelor and The Bachelorette because his wife enjoys them.)

After meeting with the judges, the producers invited us watch a taping of an episode and then to speak with the contestants. While going into the details of the taping and some of the contestant interviews would reveal a boatload of spoilers, we can say that without a doubt, the reboot of WWE Tough Enough is highly entertaining for WWE fans and extremely informative for those who know little of professional wrestling.
Now, some of the contestants did stand out. Here are three you should be on the lookout for:

Christina Crawford – not only is this 22-year-old Floridian a member of the UFC dance team (she is quite athletic), she is also the younger sister of Victoria Crawford, a.k.a. WWE Diva Champion Alicia Fox, so pro-wrestling runs in his veins.

Rima Fakih – as the reigning Miss USA, she is the most famous of the bunch but don’t let that crown and regal wave fool you. She knows her wrestling, citing The Ultimate Warrior and Bret “The Hitman” Hart as childhood idols, and would “rather by body slammed everyday than wear pageant clothes”.

Jeremiah Riggs – a former US Army Ranger and professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, this guy is Tough with a capital T. In addition to being a talented athlete, he has a charismatic swagger and spouts out philosophical mottos like “never lose sleep, never lose focus”. He stands out among the men vying to be the next WWE Superstar.

WWE Tough Enough premieres Monday, April 4 at 11pm Eastern/10pm Central immediately following WWE Monday Night Raw and moves to its regular timeslot — Mondays at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central — starting on April 11.

Featured on the website will be host/trainers & contestant bios, episode guides, results/eliminations, screen captures, photos, videos, interviews, and more!

http://steveaustinweb.com/toughenough

Check it out!!!

Source: BuzzFocus.com

While on set of WWE Tough Enough in Southern California, we got some footage of Stone Cold Steve Austin answering questions regarding his participation in USA Network’s upcoming reality series. Pay attention to his hilarious answers to what TV shows he watches as well as the origin of his ring name.

The newest edition of WWE Tough Enough will premiere on USA Network on April 4, 2011 following WWE Raw. This is also the day after WrestleMania XXVII.

Click here to view the entire interview! Hopefully, this will be available on YouTube soon…

The Rock is featured on the cover of the May issue of WWE Magazine. The May issue hits newsstands in April.



*Also featured in the magazine is a Stone Cold “Tough Enough” interview/article and one with Shawn Michaels as well*

Source: Examiner.com: Pro-Wrestling

On Wednesday, a complete breakdown of this week’s Monday Night RAW ratings were released and RAW scored its highest rating since late 2009. The major factor in the high number was due to the appearance of WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin who was making his return after a 1 year absence. Austin’s return helped RAW score a 3.92 rating. RAW did a 3.94 for the first hour and a 3.9 for the second hour. Austin’s segment came at the end of the first hour and scored a 4.4 rating according to Jim Ross.

The previous 2 weeks, WWE RAW scored a 3.82 on February 28th and a 3.85 on February 21. The February 21st show was the much hyped appearance of a “mystery figure” that many were hoping would be Sting. Unfortunately, for those fans, it turned out to be The Undertaker. In addition to the mystery figure, the WWE Universe tuned in to see if The Rock would show up and how John Cena would respond to the Rock’s comments his return on 2 1/4. Additionally, it was the night after WWE’s Elimination Chamber PPV.

The 2/14 episode of RAW revealed The Rock as the guest host for WrestleMania 27. The show only scored in the low 3′s. However, The Rock wasn’t advertised like he was for 2/28 which drew a 3.82. Despite the huge mainstream attention that WWE received over The Rock’s return, it appears that Austin is still the most popular wrestler in WWE history.