Nothing revolutionized the professional wrestling business like the Monday Night Wars - the winner-take-all, drag-down fight between Vince McMahon’sWWEand Ted Turner’s WCW that put the two companies in a battle for supremacy from the late-1990s through the early aughts.Wrestling fanaticism and fandom were at an all-time high, and many major players emerged or saw a career resurgence during this period, providing some of the most memorable moments in WWE and WCW history.
One name that stands the tallest from this time is"Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the legendary anti-authority anti-hero who flipped off his boss as often as he drank beer and handed out Stunners. In several recent interviews, Austin has discussed his view of his legacy, and has given several clues as to whether he will actually appear at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas next month.
Steve Austin Isn’t Big On Legacy
It’s Just Not His Thing
Steve Austin’s appeal and longevity can be attributed to many things, but in reality, wrestling fans wanted something different from what Vince McMahon was offering them, andhe represented the frustrated, angry everyman of the time that mirrored the world, and his shadow hangs large in the wrestling world to this day. During arecent interview with Zack Heydorn at The Takedown on SI, Austin was asked about his legacy, something he had little desire to acknowledge.
“I can’t get too philosophical about anything I did. When I decided to get into the business of pro wrestling, my mom and dad shook their heads because they didn’t get it. They didn’t like it. They didn’t watch it. I did and I fell in love with it. Nobody had any plans for me a lot of the times. I just kept finding my way and catching breaks here, there, and then hitting on the Stone Cold thing and just knocking a couple of grand slams.I don’t like to even speak about legacies or any of that stuff anymore. Just it was what it was. I had a good time. If you want to remember me, you can, if you don’t, you don’t. I was around for a period of time, and it didn’t last a long time. I had some really good matches. There was more guys out there that have some better matches than I did, although I had some classics. I had so many moments. Those character building moments that they had planned for Stone Cold and I think that’s what people will remember. But to make it any more important than that, would be silly.”
Call it humility or call it honesty, Austin doesn’t see the need for ceremony or celebration for his work, and that it was simply a time when he was there and helped get the company over. Whether he wants to acknowledge it or not, it’s impossible to ignorethe impact Austin has had on the industry, leading the charge for the successful WWE win through the Monday Night Wars, and one of the most notable figures in professional wrestling history.
Will He Or Won’t He Help Cody?
Mania Is In Vegas, After All.
In the main event ofWrestleMania XL, it was a who’s who of talent coming to the aid of both Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, including The Rock, John Cena, Seth Rollins, and The Undertaker. The crowd in Philadelphia went ballistic for all the surprise appearances,but one notable name that was not seen was Steve Austin.Although it was slightly teased during a backstage segment where Rock attacked Cody outside the arena, Austin and WWE could not reach an agreement to have him appear at the event.
During arecent interview with “Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez”, however, Austin seemed to tease an appearance atWrestleMania 41.
“WrestleMania this year will be in Vegas, and I was doing an interview a while back, and I said that’s like right here. If he needs another hand, I’ll be there.”
The build-up to this year’s main event took an unexpected and shocking turn, asJohn Cena turned heel for the first time in 20 yearsand aligned himself with The Rock after Rhodes refused to sell him his soul. Although Rhodes may not have needed Austin’s help in Philadelphia,he certainly seems like he needs all the help he can get leading into Las Vegas, and nothing would electrify the crowd quite like that glass shattering leading to another Austin/Rock stare down.
Our Take On Steve Austin’s Comments
Vegas Would Add Another Layer To His Legacy
While Steve Austin may not be interested in talking about his legacy, wrestling fans continue to debate who had the biggest impact on the industry and who’s truly the greatest of all time. In a time when Cody Rhodes is so over,he’s got both The Rock and John Cena turning heel and CM Punk cutting reaction promos like it’s 2011, the industry landscape would not be where it is today in terms of its realistic approach and edgy content without Austin paving the way.
It’s impossible not to speculate whether Austin will appear on Night Two to assist Rhodes, especially after WWE and Fanatics announcedAustin’s appearances at WWE Worldon both days ofWrestleManiaweekend. Whether it’s a stare down, or a Stunner to Rock, or Cena, an appearance in Vegas bySteve Austinwill continue to add to a legacy filled with middle fingers and industry-changing matches that defined an era, definitions that continue to echo throughWWEto this day.
