After the Tough Enough finale part of RAW a few weeks back, WWE’s John Laurinaitis ripped into Andy Leavine for about five minutes about how Leavine shit on everything Vince McMahon and Steve Austin have done for the business, and about how he was a piece of crap who will never amount to anything in the business. Laurinaitis was mad because they felt Andy should have stayed down longer after the slap from Vince and the Stunner from Austin.

Labels: andy leavine, John Laurinaitis, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

Steve Austin is scheduled for the June 6th and the June 13th RAW shows. Word is that they are planning an angle for the 6/6 show that will lead into the 6/13 show. Nobody expects Austin to wrestle, but he’s been keeping up the war of words with CM Punk on Twitter so those two may end up doing something next month.

Labels: steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

Several weeks ago, WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin made headlines when he said that he is healthy enough that he could wrestle a full-time schedule for 2 more years if he really wanted to.

During a recent interview with the UK Sun, Austin clarified that he has no intention getting back into the ring as an active competitor:

"I'm happy being gone and out of the business to the degree I am, that's why the Tough Enough thing was such a great opportunity between my other projects. I can be as hands-on and as close as I want to be. I'm not attempting to come back and I have a load of memories from a business I love."

"I got up there and took some bumps with one of the contestants and worked around with one of the guys and I had fun getting in the ring and bouncing around again."

"But it doesn't mean I want to go and do it again on a night in, night out basis."

Austin said that he plans to continue focusing on his acting career.

Labels: steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

Steve Austin is being locally advertised for a special appearance on the 6/13 Monday Night RAW taping at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY.

The appearance is timed with the end of Tough Enough’s season. The TE finale is 6/6. The 6/13 RAW in Long Island is the first of two back to back 3 hour RAW shows.

Labels: steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

In an interview with Comcast's XfinityTV to promote the new season of Tough Enough, WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin dropped a very newsworthy quote - saying his body is in good enough shape that he could actually get back in the ring and wrestle a full-time schedule for about two more years. You can read the full interview here.

Here are some highlights of what Austin said about:

Nexus Leader CM Punk: " I really like C.M. Punk. I think he’s one of the top workers in the ring. I love his promos. I love his style. There’s no smoke and mirrors. I like the straight-edge lifestyle stuff he does. You want to start pairing that against the beer-guzzling “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, I think you’d have an interesting feud to say the least. He would push me to the limits, I would teach that kid a thing or two, and there would be some wonderful promos going back and forth. I like him a lot.

How Physical He Got While Shooting Tough Enough: "One of the kids was pretty mechanically inclined, so I got in there with him…and shoot, I guess that means I haven’t been in the ring in seven or eight years…but I took a few bumps from him, gave him a few bumps, it was a lot of fun. I think if we do it again, I think I’ll be even more active and get in the ring a lot more."

A Possible Return to the Ring: " I could still, you know if I was in a bad situation, I could still get two years out of my carcass on a full-time basis." He then added, " But I’m happy where I’m at. And in ten or twenty years I still want to be doing the things I’m doing with my hunting and fishing. I want to continue to do that in a pain-free fashion. And right now I’m living a pretty pain-free lifestyle."

Labels: cm punk, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments

Time is running down to WrestleMania 27, and today we take a look at past Mania's, and today it's the 10 best WrestleMania main events in the 26 years of the springtime WWE event.

1. WrestleMania X-Seven: Steve Austin defeats The Rock in a No Disqualification match for the WWF Championship - The ending that many thought they would never see, Steve Austin and Vince McMahon shaking hands. The match between the biggest two stars of the new generation was a classic, as both were at the top of their game for this well put together match in front of a record crowd in Houston.

2. WrestleMania V: Hulk Hogan defeats Randy Savage for the WWF Championship - The "Mega Powers" explode in Atlantic City, and add in Miss Elizabeth to the fray, and you have an emotion filled match that lived up to the billing for a long feud between Hogan and Savage in which Hogan clearly won with some great matches along the way. This one was just the start to a classic spring/summer feud.

3. WrestleMania XIV: Steve Austin defeats Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship - Having Mike Tyson at ringside just added to the intensity of this battle, as Michaels pushed himself to the limit in what would be his last match before leaving for five years. For Austin, it was the true start to the Austin 3:16 Era with a great win with Tyson counting the pin.

4. WrestleMania XIX: Brock Lesnar defeats Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship - A match wrestling fans waited a LONG time to see, Angle and Lesnar went back and forth in a classic match that had plenty of build. A botched ending by Lesnar almost saw him break his neck, but nevertheless the two waged a classic war that is always fun to go back and relive every now and then.

5. WrestleMania III: Hulk Hogan defeats Andre the Giant to retain the WWF Championship - Was there ever a bigger build for a match? Probably not, but it was worth every second of the 13 minute match between the Giant and Hogan. 93,173 watched as many felt Andre was simply unbeatable, but the image of Hogan slamming Andre is one that lives on forever, and it was a battle both wrestlers put at the top of their list for all-time favorite match.

6. WrestleMania XV: Steve Austin defeats The Rock for the WWF Championship - The first of three Mania battles between these two great Hall of Famers (at least Austin is with Rock to go in within the next few years), the two had another back and forth great battle that saw Mick Foley get a chance to count the pin and hand Austin the title. The Rock also started to get cheers during the match, a sign of things to come.

7. WrestleMania 23: John Cena defeats Shawn Michaels to retain the WWE Championship - With Triple H on the shelf, these two faces had a solid near 30 minute match that saw a ton of near falls as Michaels had a final shot to win the strap. Cena again got his share of boos and cheers, but in the end like the year before in Chicago vs HHH, he got Michaels to tap out to the STFU in a great end to a great show.

8. WrestleMania XII: Shawn Michaels defeats Bret Hart in a 60 Minute Iron Man match for the WWF Championship - Not a huge fan of "Iron Man" matches, but these two mat legends pulled it off and kept the crowd into it without scoring a fall at any point and time. That is until the sudden death, where Michaels scored a pair of super kicks to win his first world title.

9. WrestleMania XXVI: The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - Billed as "The Career vs The Streak," these two future Hall of Fame mat warriors went at it for 23:59 as Michaels refused to go down easy for Taker, who left it all in the ring as well to move to 18-0. In the end, you knew that HBK was done, and it was a great ending that wrapped up with the two shaking hands.

1o. WrestleMania VI: The Ultimate Warrior defeats Hulk Hogan for the WWF and Intercontinental Championships - The first time two faces went at it in a Mania main event, it wasn't your classic mat wrestling clinic, but it kept the crowd on the edge of their feet and the shock of seeing Hogan miss the legdrop and get pinned was a sight that a lot of Hulk fans growing up never felt they would witness.

Labels: andre the giant, hulk hogan, steve austin, the rock, wrestlemania

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

A video is expected to air on tonight's RAW hyping up Triple H vs. The Undertaker with comments from Harley Race, Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Jim Ross and others.

Labels: chris jericho, Harley Race, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

Below are some tweets from The Rock, Steve Austin, Sunny and others following last night's WWE RAW in Dallas, Texas:

Steve Austin on his return: "Drank a few cold ones...time to hit the hay. Fly back to L.A. tomorrow for TE. Opened one can of Whoop Ass...I have 5 left....WrestleMania."

"Just ate a can of Whoop Ass for breakfast. Gotta fly back to LA for TE. Had a great time on RAW last night."

The Rock on The Miz: "The Miz...you want my attention...well now you got it...champ."

Trish Stratus on her match with Vickie Guerrero: "Guess what'll be the 1st thing in my suitcase when i pack 4 #raw? Do u think @excusemewwe would like sum stratusfaction or a chick kick? ~T"

Trish Stratus on Sunny in the Hall of Fame: "Happy to hear about @sunnywwe being inducted into #WWE #HOF- congrats! ~T"

Sunny on being inducted: "Thanks to everyone for the congratulatory comments....HOF 2011 will be amazing!!"

Labels: steve austin, sunny, the rock, trish stratus

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Two names being tossed around for the role of Michael Cole's special referee in the WrestleMania 27 match against Jerry Lawler are Vickie Guerrero and believe it or not, Steve Austin. It could just be that Austin does an angle with Vickie on next week's RAW or something as she is expected to be there.

Labels: michael cole, steve austin, Vickie Guerrero, wrestlemania 27

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE posted the following last night on their official website:

NEW YORK CITY – USA Network and WWE announced that WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will host USA Network’s upcoming reality series “WWE Tough Enough.” The non-scripted series will premiere Monday, April 4 at 11/10 CT, immediately following USA’s ratings juggernaut WWE Monday Night Raw, and move to its regularly scheduled slot in primetime, Mondays at 8/7 CT, starting on April 11.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has captivated audiences around the world with his magnetic presence and bold, yet charming nature. Austin has done it all in sports-entertainment, winning 17 championships, including the WWE Championship six times. He has an immense and incredibly devoted fan base, and is considered one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time. Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with my old friends at WWE on ‘WWE Tough Enough.’ Sports-entertainment has always been an important part of my life, and I look forward to finding the next generation of WWE Superstar,” said Austin.

“Stone Cold” will share his intimate knowledge, experience and flair for the stage as one of the most popular figures in WWE history to a group of individuals looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Austin will mentor the diverse group of men and women who will live, train, eat and sleep under one roof in a house in Simi Valley, Calif. Each week, the contestants will battle it out in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few. 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. The grand prize winner will be awarded a contract with WWE.

Since leaving the world of sports-entertainment, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has made a name for himself in Hollywood, with roles in such blockbuster hits as The Expendables, staring Sylvester Stallone and The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Other film credits include Damage, The Condemned and Hunt to Kill. In addition to film, Austin is a household name from his work on hit television shows such as NBC’s Chuck and CBS’ Nash Bridges.

Shed Media US, noted for its strong characters and memorable casting in the non-scripted arena, will produce “WWE Tough Enough.” The company’s previous reality credits include The Real Housewives of New York City, Who Do You Think You Are and World’s Strictest Parents. Producing for Shed Media US are Alex Demyanenko and Eric Van Wagenen.

Labels: steve austin, tough enough

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

Steve Austin was recently interviewed by UK Newspaper The Sun. During the interview, Austin talked about the possibility of returning for one more match. Although the possibility of that is highly unlikely, Austin didn't rule it out saying that he'll never say never. Here are some highlights from the interview:

“I watch all wrestling whenever I can, I watch WWE and I watch TNA. I’ve just always had that passion for the sport. That’s what inspired me to enter the ring in the first place, I watched wrestling avidly as a kid and back then it was guys battering each other in smoke filled arenas and blood flowed freely. And that’s why I still watch WWE and TNA all the time today, it’s entertaining and takes me back.”

“I’m lucky, you know my neck is 100 per cent these days, I can do my own stunts and fight scenes where I can. I don’t claim to be a tough guy, but I give it a go.”

“I never thought I’d say it, but when I’m asked about one more match these days I do tend to say ‘never say never’. So don’t rule it out.”

Labels: steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE teased Steve Austin as being the anonymous General Manager on last night’s RAW. Austin sometimes Tweets during RAW but didn’t last night. However, he wrote the following after the show: “busy all day folks…working on a project to be shot in Vancouver in a few weeks….more details later…gonna hit the hay..good night.”

Fans bombarded Austin’s account with comments and about him being the General Manager and the teasers on RAW. Austin replied: “I missed it but it sounds like It was an interesting RAW.”

Sources indicate that WWE does not have Austin planned as the General Manager.

Labels: steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

According to WWE.com, Stone Cold Steve Austin will host Raw on March 15th. Just like the Mike Tyson hosting RAW story that was pulled from the website, this article may be pulled as well. The following is from WWE.com:

Less than two weeks before WrestleMania XXVI, WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin hosts Raw on March 15. The WWE Universe should certainly mark their calendars for the legendary Rattlesnake's return, as it is sure to turn WWE's flagship show upside down. Though it's uncertain what will happen when Stone Cold takes his place at the head of Raw for one night only, there's no doubt that he'll be looked at as one of Raw's most controversial special guest hosts.

Labels: RAW, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with another blog and Q/A update on jrsbarbq.com. Here are some of the highlights:

- As we speculated here, it seems, at least according to the INTERNET, that Steve Austin will return to Raw as the Guest Host in March in advance of WM26 and to promote the DVD release of his film entitled "Damage." I assume this info is accurate but I have not talked to Steve about it but if it is true then it will be a good thing for Monday Night Raw and for Stone Cold which results in the desired win/win . We've already received some emails here asking if I would be a part of that particular Raw and my answer is a simple, non complicated, Gorilla Monsoon-esque, "Highly Unlikely." Some fans are already busy producing the proposed Stone Cold Raw with me included which is drastically premature and high speculative. I will admit that mid March will likely be an interesting time for me on a professional basis. Steve and I have a great relationship and a long history together on WWE TV but he has his agenda and I have mine and the two don't necessarily include the other at every turn in the road. That's not a complaint but it's simply real life.

- Been reading on line some interviews with those in the biz who feel that Cage Matches need not a winner via the stipulations set forth in the presentation. I could not disagree more. Cage Matches were created to bring about closure, literally and figuratively, and to have a disqualification in a cage match is wrong...in my opinion. Granted, my opinion may not be 100% accurate either but it's my opinion nonetheless.

- I really don't know what the future holds regarding broadcasting but I don't think that I will have any issues finding ways to contribute no matter where I hang my hat. If there is not a viable role available for me to contribute in a significant way, I can easily move on to other projects. As I have said, time will tell but being back on Raw would be my preference.

Labels: jim ross, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has udpated his jrsbarbq.com blog with his thoughts on whether WWE legends Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Stone Cold Steve Austin would return for a night to guest host an episode of RAW.

Regarding Johnson, Jim Ross said he was under the impression that The Rock was going to guest-host an episode of Raw in January, but scheduling conflicts “eliminated that opportunity.” Johnson’s new “Toothfairy” movie comes out this month, which would have been the promotional tie-in for Johnson to guest-host. Commercials for Johnson’s “Tooth Fairy” movie have been seen during all WWE shows over the past two weeks.

Johnson said two months ago that he was working on a TV project with WWE beyond just guest hosting RAW for 1 week. Johnson has yet to provide an update on the status of the project.

As for Steve Austin, JR also said he “assumes” Steve Austin will guest host RAW, possibly in March to help promote Austin’s new straight-to-DVD film “Damage” (and of course, WrestleMania).

Labels: jim ross, steve austin, the rock

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross has updated his WWE Universe blog. Among the items of interest:

On WrestleMania: I always enjoy Wrestlemania week as it provides me with the opportunity to reacquaint with old friends that I have not seen quite often since the last Wrestlemania. I don't really get too wrapped up in how many "stars" the critics in the "media" give specific Wrestlemania bouts or even the event in general. Everyone has the right to their opinion and it is simply a sign of the times for folks to over analyze things in today's world.

On Drinking With Steve Austin: I loved having a final "wrestling beer" with Stone Cold and, for the record, I did keep the beer can which will go into some kind of display for one of our BBQ joints in the near future. I did get significant beer on my hat but I enjoyed every minute of it. The King strongly dislikes getting beer on him which I find amusing especially on Sunday when his entire wardrobe was rented.

On Ricky Steamboat: How good is Ricky Steamboat, STILL? Aside from HBK and 'Taker this week, no one stood out more than did Ricky Steamboat in the ring. The young, WWE wrestlers can learn a heck of a lot by watching and listening to "The Dragon."

On Tazz Leaving: Speaking of Smackdown, my pal Tazz got a little burned out from all the travel, etc and has left WWE. Todd Grisham joins yours truly this Friday night at the announce desk. I will move to another role going forward on WWE TV broadcasts much like my role was at Wrestlemania 25. I will be doing more analyzing or color commentary than my old role of doing play by play. Who in the heck knows what's going to happen after this Monday's Draft? Based on my personal experiences from last year's Draft in San Antonio, I am prepared for any thing. Maybe I can cut a lucrative, free agent deal down in Florida at FCW.

Labels: jim ross, steve austin, tazz

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross has posted his latest blog, giving his thoughts on Wrestlemania weekend, at this link. Some highlights from this entry:

- My 16th Wrestlemania experience was highlighted by the best WM bout I can recall broadcasting. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels bout was simply a classic. Old school approach, a magnificent story, amazing near falls, drama, surprises, intensity, and awesome athleticism were just a few of the memorable attributes of this extraordinary contest. Quite simply, it’s a wrestling match I’ll never forget and I’ve seen plenty of them. I had immense personal respect for both men going into the match but that respect swelled ten fold when this “instant classic” concluded. If any young wrestler doesn’t thoroughly study this one then they are doing themselves a gross injustice.

- Inducting my mentor Bill Watts into the WWE HOF Saturday night created a lifetime memory. Bill’s wrestling IQ was beyond reproach and his honor was so well deserved. Bill gave a wrestling fan from rural, eastern Oklahoma the opportunity of a lifetime, a debt that I can never repay.

- Having a quiet dinner with my dear friend Steve Austin on Friday night was another highlight. Just two couples catching up, telling our stories, laughing and talking about the future was great and Steve even picked up the tab! Stone Cold damned near stole the show Sunday night and wasn’t even in a match. Having our “last, wrestling beer” at WM25 was a career highlight for me. Yes, I kept the beer can, too.

- Sorry to see JBL retire as John and I have a great relationship. I signed John to his first WWE contract over 13 years ago. We love talking football and I fully expect to do some Beef Jerky and BBQ biz with John in the future. John was a “throw back” in many ways and some aspects of his demeanor always reminded me of the late, great Dick Murdoch. That’s high praise for the record. John has no interest at this time in broadcasting for WWE but working with him would be something that I would truly enjoy.

- Speaking of broadcasting, I don’t know who I’m working with Tuesday in Austin on Smackdown but whoever WWE selects is good by me. With the Draft just a week away, I can only assume that whoever it is could be a temporary move any way.

Labels: jbl, jim ross, steve austin, undertaker

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE still hasn't announced Vince McMahon as the person who will induct Steve Austin into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. It may be saved for an announcement this week on RAW or done as a surprise. There's also no word yet on which Hall of Famers will be shown on the USA Network special but the likely list is The Funks, Ricky Steamboat and Steve Austin. With the exception of Vince and Austin, everyone has been told by management to limit their speeches to three minutes this year.

Labels: 2009 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ring announcer Howard Finkel has been confirmed as an inducted into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. He will join Stone Cold Steve Austin, Terry, Dory Funk, Jr., Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, Koko B. Ware and The Von Erichs as 2009 inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame. The 2009 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place the night before WrestleMania 25 on Saturday, April 4, 2009 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Labels: 2009 WWE Hall of Fame, howard finkel, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:48 AM | Permalink | Comments

WWE will tape tomorrow night’s ECW on Sci-Fi and air tonight’s RAW live from San Antonio, TX at the AT&T Center. Confirmed for RAW is a tag team match with WrestleMania opponents Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker taking on WWE Intercontinental Champion JBL & Vladimir Kozlov. No matches have been announced for ECW as of this writing.

Ric Flair may be making an appearance on tonight’s RAW show as Chris Jericho challenged Flair to a match on tonight’s show. There is almost no chance that Flair will be wrestling tonight, but seeing how RAW is live from Texas tonight, Steve Austin is expected to make an appearance on tonight’s broadcast. Also to go with the Texas theme, it’s expected that WWE will be announcing the Von Erich family as the next members of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Labels: jbl, RAW, steve austin

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments