Stone Cold Steve Austin discusses WrestleMania, Ronda Rousey, and his new beer

WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin recently made a surprise return to Monday Night Raw for the first time in four years, for the WWE’s last show in Dallas before WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium on April 3rd. Tickets for WrestleMania 32, which will shatter the WWE attendance record, go on sale to the general public Friday at 10 a.m. To celebrate the occasion, Austin spoke to FTW about his experiences on the WWE’s grandest stage, his thoughts on current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, and The Rock’s acting career.

FTW: This will be the third WrestleMania held in Texas [both WrestleMania X-Seven and WrestleMania XXV were in Houston], and you headlined the first in a match against The Rock. What was that stage like, in your home state in front of 68,000 people?

Stone Cold Steve Austin: Man, it was awesome. You know, as a kid I’d been to rodeos and all kinds of sporting events at the Astrodome, so for them to set up a ring in the middle of that place was unbelievable. And Houston’s kinda my stomping grounds. I grew up 100 miles from there. It was just absolute pure excitement and adrenaline from the start to the finish of that match, and that match is widely considered one of the best in the history of WrestleMania. And to be in there with one of my favorite all-time opponents … it was unbelievable. Now coming all the way back to WrestleMania 32 in a new stadium with 105,000 capacity it’s going to be one hell of an extravaganza to say the least.

FTW: You’ve been pretty adamant that you’re not going to make an in-ring comeback, so I’m curious what your reaction is when you watch wrestlers from your generation like The Undertaker and Sting still out there. Does seeing them make you want to jump in the ring again?

Austin: Oh man I watch those guys and Undertaker just got finished with a hell of a match against Brock Lesnar at Hell in a Cell. We used to always kid each other about who was going to last the longest, and clearly he outlasted me by a longshot. Sting kinda got dinged up in that match with Seth Rollins a while back. I had to ride off into the sunset when I did, when I look back I have nothing but fond memories. Seeing these guys still being able to hang on, and like Taker, putting on a great performance — I’m proud of them, and he’s had one of the greatest careers in the history of the business in my opinion. But for me myself, it was time to put it off and I am where I am now, but I’m proud of those guys.

Austin at WrestleMania X-Seven. Courtesy of WWE.

FTW: Hypothetically, if you could headline WrestleMania 32 against anyone — past or present — who would you want to face?

Austin: Hypothetically, because I am not going to have a match, it’d have to be between two guys. It’d be Brock Lesnar or John Cena. Brock Lesnar because of the physical task it would be to beat that guy. John Cena from the standpoint … the fact that I could take him to a level he’s never been before, and I say that with utmost respect for John because he’s been a tremendous champion and a top guy for so long. Those two guys would be considered.

FTW: Seth Rollins won the title in that fantastic finish at last year’s WrestleMania, and he’s had a pretty long title reign. How do you think Rollins has performed as a champion?

Austin: I think he’s performed outstanding as a champion. I love the moveset that he uses in the ring. I love the psychology. The sequences that he puts together are some that I’ve never seen before. The displays of athleticism that he gives us … tremendous. I mean he had a classic at SummerSlam against John Cena, it was 20 minutes from start to finish. If they would have had 10 minutes more it would’ve been even more epic, but I think he’s been the guy, the right guy to be the champ and he’s carried that belt about as well as he can. Now I don’t want to go into a booking discussion because I would have booked him a little bit stronger and made him win more, but Seth Rollins is the right guy to have that belt at this point in time.

FTW: Is there anyone on the current roster right now who maybe hasn’t had their shot yet, that you look at and think they could be a great heavyweight champion?

Austin: Well I still think Cesaro for some reason always gets lost in the shuffle. I think the world of that guy and he can work his ass off in the ring. He’s just missing one thing, but I think before it’s all said and done he’ll find it and be a major star.

FTW: Is there anyone that reminds you of yourself?

Austin: No, no one really reminds me of myself right now in the current system, but man I was turned up at a pretty high volume back in the day, and it was a little bit different landscape. It’s a little bit more family friendly. I see some of my influences here and there, but no one that reminds me of Stone Cold. But, that being said, I do see a lot of talent in that locker room. I see guys like a Bray Wyatt, guys like a Dolph Ziggler, of course Seth’s the world champion. These guys as they’re making their way to the top they certainly have a great crop of talent in that locker room as these guys continue to find themselves and find who and what they are. We’ll see how far they’re able to develop, and how high they can take it.

Don Feria/AP Images for WWE

FTW: Ronda Rousey made an appearance at WrestleMania last year and was phenomenal, and she’s been hinting that she hopes to make a return eventually. I know you’re a big MMA fan, would you like to see her make a transition to the WWE?

Austin: I’m a huge MMA fan. Huge Ronda Rousey fan, and she looked like she had so much fun in there. She was a natural. I’d love to see anything with regards to WWE, because I know she’s a fan as well. I tell you what, Ronda Rousey is on top of the world right now. As she goes, eyeballs follow her. She’s a major movie star, she’s the women’s champion, one of the best fighters in the world — and absolutely the best female fighter. Nothing but respect for her, and I’d love to see her involved in a WWE storyline somehow, some way.

FTW: So much of your career was defined by the rivalry with The Rock, and he’s become a huge megastar as well. Is it kind of surreal for you to be seeing The Rock starring in blockbusters and on HBO, or did you have a sense back then that he was always going to break out?

Austin: Well me and The Rock are good friends, and we have such mutual respect. He’s one of those guys that I really liked wrestling, one of my favorite opponents of all time. We were on an airplane one time and I was back there drinking a beer and we were talking. I said ‘where you headed, man? Heading back to Miami?’ It had been a long road trip. He goes ‘no, I’m going out to L.A.’ And I said ‘what are you doing out there?’ He said ‘well I’ve been working on some things.’

So Rock’s been out in Hollywood for a long time, before he got that first break as The Scorpion King [in The Mummy Returns], he already had his sights set that he was going to be in the movies. Who would have ever thought that it would turn out to he’d be the biggest movie star in the world? Rock was working on that way back in the day when he was still with WWE. So he pursued his dream, he’s realizing his dream, and I’m proud of him every time I see him come out with a new smash hit movie. Got nothing but respect for the guy, and he’s working his ass off. He has earned every bit of it.

Courtesy of WWE

FTW: One last thing. What’s Stone Cold’s favorite beer nowadays?

Austin: Well, I’m glad you asked that, because I’m coming out with a beer on November 13th in El Segundo, California, with El Segundo Brewing Company. The name of the beer is “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull IPA,” and this is a beer that I created with the owner of El Segundo Brewing Company. We sat down at a table and had several beers out there and I described my palette, and how I like my hops, and how the bitterness should trail off. So my favorite beer is my beer. We did a test batch and it was outstanding, the response that we got. I’m glad you asked me that question.

FTW: Is that going to be distributed nationwide?

Austin: We’re going to work on nationwide. Right now it’s going to be in California, and we’re going to try to make inroads into Texas, maybe Austin would be our first stop because that’s my hometown, that’s where I was born. You can order the beer online. Right now we’re going to crawl first, then we’re gonna walk, then we’re gonna run. To me, I always like to start something as a grassroots effort, and this is a passion project for me. If I can make a lot of money selling beer that’d be cool, but I didn’t get into it for that.

Steve Austin Biography

Steve Austin, also known as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, is best known as a Championship-winning professional wrestler in the WWF. After retirement, Austin pursued acting with roles on TV and film.
 
Synopsis

Steve Austin is an American professional wrestler and actor born on December 18, 1964 in Edina, Texas. Known as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, the pro wrestler won the WWF Championship from 1995-1999. After retiring, he went into acting where he starred in the TV show Nash Bridges (1998-1999) and films The Longest Yard (2005) and The Condemned (2007).

Early Life

Professional wrestler, born Steve Anderson, on December 18, 1964, in Victoria, Texas. Raised by his mother and stepfather, Ken Williams, he never knew his biological father, and soon took Williams's name, Steve grew up in Edna, Texas, as part of a big family. In high school, he was inducted into the National Honor Society before winning a football scholarship to the University of North Texas. In 1987, just a few credits shy of a degree in physical education, Steve Williams dropped out of college and began working on a loading dock near Houston, Texas.

Professional Wrestling Debut

In 1989, after developing a serious interest in professional wrestling, Williams joined a new wrestling school in Dallas. After graduation, he joined the United States Wrestling Association and in 1990 had his first professional match. During his first year on the tour, Williams traveled around the southern United States, earning $20 a fight and living in his car. In 1991, having dropped his good guy persona and taken on a new name, "Stunning" Steve Austin, he made his World Championship Wrestling (WCW) debut.

During his career with WCW, Austin formed a partnership with "Flyin" Brian Pillman; as the "Hollywood Blonds, they won the 1993 World Tag Team Championship. Austin also won the 1993 WCW United States Championship. In 1994, he tore his tricep while wrestling in Japan and was subsequently fired by WCW, a rejection he would not forget easily. After a stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling, Austin signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in late 1995. Another revamping of his image resulted in a new name, "Stone Cold," a new bald-headed look, and a new signature finishing move, the "Stone Cold stunner."

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WWF Success

From 1995 to 1999, Austin won four federation championships and numerous other tag team and individual titles. His persistence became legendary: after suffering a serious nerve injury to his neck in early 1997, Austin came back to win the WWF championship that year. He has a reputation among his fans as an aggressive rebel who defies all authority, especially the infamous owner of the WWF, Vince McMahon. Austin's long-running feud with McMahon, extending to several bouts within the ring, has raised WWF television ratings and increased Austin's popularity. Also known as the "Texas Rattlesnake," Austin is widely considered one of the WWF's most popular wrestlers. In 1998 alone, he made an estimated $1.2 million salary plus a huge sum in merchandising royalties.
 
Acting Pursuits

In addition to his success in the WWF, Austin has pursued an interest in acting. In 1998 and 1999, he appeared on several episodes of the TV series Nash Bridges as Jake Cage, a renegade policeman assisting the show's good guys.

Austin's marriage to his first wife, Kathy, was annulled. His second wife Jeannie, whom he married in 1995, once served as his valet, Lady Blossom. They have two children, Stephanie and Cassidy.

In January 2000, Austin underwent spinal surgery in order to correct damage done during his years of wrestling, putting him out of commission for six months to a year.

Stone Cold Steve Austin To Return To WWE But Not Wrestling? General Manager Position Up For The Rattlesnake?

one Cold Steve Austin and the WWE have hinted the return of the rattlesnake soon in the World Wrestling Entertainment. One thing is for sure though, his return won't happen in Wrestlemania come 2015, following the announcement of The Rock's non appearance at the grandest stage of them all by next year.

In Stone Cold's weekly podcast called "The Steve Austin Show," he the 'baddest SOB' claimed that he had "no desires" of coming back in the ring. A return to the show, however, is still unclear after talking about a "comeback."

Former WWE announcer, Jim Ross, meanwhile claimed that Stone Cold was referring to the "comeback" as a return to the gym for workouts.

"Steve was talking to a man [Ric Drasin] who used to train with 'Arnold' back in the day at the Gold's Gym in Venice and Steve said he was training to prepare to return to Gold's Gym to train. They were talking about training, not wrestling, and how working out at Gold's in Venice wasn't for everyone. When the fans heard Austin say that he was 'training for a comeback' they assumed that he meant to the ring which in turn means WrestleMania 31."

Austin, however, cleared the air for everyone saying that a "comeback" is possible but has no plans for now. He previously stated that:

"I'd consider anything if the perfect situation or opportunity arose and it would be more than a million-dollar question. I don't want to sit here and promote a match, sell a match or talk about making a comeback. The dirt sheets, or whatever you call them, and I talk to Dave Meltzer and Wade Keller all the time and they're nice guys and I would consider them friends. I see Dave at almost every MMA fight, but I don't want to stir any pots or hint or tease anything."

"People get their panties in a wad and say, 'Stone Cold, either do it or not.' So, anything can happen, but I'm not going to endorse, promote, sell or tease anything in regards to a match."

For more news about Stone Cold Steve Austin's WWE return and other WWE news, keep it locked in here at Kpopstarz.com.

WWE Rumors: Stone Cold Steve Austin Returning To WWE As New General Manager?

There have been a lot of people speculating on who would take over as the new “authority figure” on WWE television should Team Authority lose this Sunday at Survivor Series. Well, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin could very well be the man for the job.

At the WWE SmackDown taping on Tuesday night, a new stipulation was added to the Team Authority vs. Team Cena match at Survivor Series. Not only are Triple H and Stephanie McMahon’s job on-the-line, but Triple H announced that should Team Cena lose this Sunday that every member of Team Cena would be fired.

The added stipulation nearly guarantees that Team Cena will pick up the victory at Survivor Series but it doesn’t guarantee that every person who joined John Cena’s team on Monday will still be on Cena’s team on Sunday.

Survivor Series is taking place in St. Louis, Missouri which happens to be Randy Orton’s hometown. Orton, who was written off of WWE television several weeks ago when he was “curb-stomped” by Seth Rollins, has been working on “Condemned 2,” which is a WWE film. So if WWE wants Orton Sunday in his hometown, they’ll get Orton on Sunday in his hometown.

Realistically, Team Cena has two team members who could either back out due to the added stipulation or be taken out backstage before the match, making the audience think that Team Cena is outnumbered once again. Those two men are Erick Rowan and Dolph Ziggler. One of the two will be taken off the team on Sunday opening up an Orton return in his hometown, kicking off his run as a babyface.

Now to the good part. As most fans do, I expect Team Cena to win, forcing the Authority out of power. As mentioned before, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is a likely candidate to take over.

Last year, when Triple H turned heel and screwed Daniel Bryan out of the WWE championship, the plan was for Vince McMahon to make a return at some point before WrestleMania 30, in an attempt to force Triple H and Stephanie McMahon out of power. The storyline would lead to a match between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who would be representing Vince McMahon, and Triple H, with the winner getting full control of WWE.

Now WWE could be doing that same storyline but somewhat backwards. Austin could be announced as WWE’s new general manager on RAW Monday, following Survivor Series, and, in an attempt to regain power, Triple H will eventually challenge “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to a match at WrestleMania 31, with the same stipulation mentioned above.

Most WWE fans will likely roll their eyes at a potential Triple H vs. “Stone Cold” match, as they’d likely rather see Austin in the ring with nearly anyone else. But Austin’s main concern about returning for one more match is making sure he can have a great match, and he feels like he could have a five-star caliber match with Triple H.

Other potential authority figures have been mentioned, should Team Authority lose on Sunday. Jim Ross mentioned on his podcast that he’d like to see Jerry “The King” Lawler as the new WWE general manager, and suggested that Lawler could eventually turn into a heel GM.

In my opinion, the most likely new authority figure on WWE television will either be Vince McMahon himself or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Back in 2003, Austin was the RAW co-general manager with Eric Bischoff, and he did a phenomenal job in his role. Also, up until a few weeks ago, WWE added a ton of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin merchandise to their online store and began promoting Austin’s podcast weekly, making fans think that WWE was preparing for an Austin return.

Other names that have been thrown out there for a new WWE authority figure have been William Regal, who has played the role of the WWE commissioner in the past and is currently the NXT general manager; Mick Foley who, like Regal, has played the role of WWE commissioner in the past. Also, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan have been rumored to be candidates for the job.

If Team Authority ends up losing on Sunday, it’s likely that “Stone Cold” Steve Austin could be announced as the new WWE general manager.

WWE Classic of the Week: Kurt Angle vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Unforgiven 2001

The second half of 2001 was a six-month period dedicated exclusively to telling the story of The Alliance vs. WWE, a story that saw Vince McMahon's company invaded and nearly put out of business by an unholy pairing of WCW and ECW stars, headed by the chairman's own children, Stephanie and Shane.

At the heart of the program was the rivalry between Kurt Angle and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin over the WWE Championship.

The Olympic gold medalist may once have been a milk-drinking goofball of a villain, but the betrayal of the promotion by The Texas Rattlesnake unleashed a side of Angle that fans had never seen, leading to his ascension as the top babyface in the company and the savior of WWE.

Just weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11 shook the United States and changed the world forever, United States hero Angle entered his hometown of Pittsburgh to challenge the vile "Stone Cold" for the top prize in the industry.

But first, their story.

20 WTF Moments In Stone Cold Steve Austin’s WWE Career

WWE.com

When you think of Stone Cold Steve Austin, what comes to mind first? The signature sound of breaking glass as he’d march down the entrance ramp? The time he doused Shane and Vince McMahon with a beer truck? His record as a six-time WWF Champion? “What?”

There’s a lot of reasons why many people still consider the toughest S.O.B. to be the greatest wrestling talent of all time. Austin himself will be the first to admit that he wasn’t the world’s best wrestler, but his endless charisma and strong character made him utterly compelling. He very well could have just been another pre-Attitude Era wrestler long since forgotten, but once he uttered the famous “Austin 3:16” speech, he appealed to charged-up young men the world over who also wanted to drink beer and slap their boss around.

However, Stone Cold’s WWE career is not without its blemishes.

As a performer with WWE from 1995 (as the Ringmaster) until 2005 (when he was the Raw sheriff before leaving completely), a whole lot changed in the company in those 10 years. He saw the start and finish of the beloved Attitude Era, the buying of WCW, the Invasion, and the debut of the new guard like Randy Orton and John Cena.

Austin also had some baffling, confusion-inducing moments that we just can’t forget.

Stone Cold Steve Austin: I've already had my 'last match' in WWE

WE made a concerted effort at WrestleMania 31 to throw in some old-school flair with The Rock making a memorable appearance and members of both DeGeneration X and the nWo getting into a dust-up during the Triple H vs. Sting match. With all the "Attitude Era" star power in the ring that Sunday, many fans were left wondering where exactly "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was during the show.

Austin, 50, was not there, of course, and fans predicted that he may get his own spotlight return one year later during WrestleMania 32, which just happens to be set to emanate live from his home state of Texas.

Those flames were stoked even further in June when Austin, while interviewing Paul Heyman on a podcast that aired live on WWE Network, appeared to admit that he would at least consider facing "The Beast" Brock Lesnar at the event. "I'd beat his ass," Austin exclaimed. "If I was going to fight Brock Lesnar, I'd beat his ass, and you know that as well as I do, Paul."

Despite all the hype and likely prayers from WWE fans, it does not look that a dream match between Austin and Lesnar -- or any match featuring Austin, for that matter -- will take place in the squared circle either at WrestleMania 32 or in the future.

"I think I've left everything I've got in the ring," Austin told the Associated Press on Monday, referencing his serious neck and knee injuries.

"There's no reason to go back in the ring and prove anything. I had to ride off into the sunset a little bit earlier than I'd have liked. But that final match I had at WrestleMania [19] with The Rock was my last match."

And yes, that appears to be the bottom line from Austin on that subject.

Austin, a six-time world champion, will grace the cover of the WWE 2K16 video game, which will be released on Oct. 27 and also feature him as a playable character. He also currently hosts "Stone Cold Podcast, Live" on WWE Network.