– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with Paul Heyman, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP146 – WWE’s Paul Heyman
“Paul Heyman is back, and this time he and Stone Cold are breaking down the current Brock Lesnar/John Cena feud… and making some interesting predictions! They’re also talking old-school ECW philosophy, booking, gimmicks, and most popular faces. Plus, Paul E. remembers Bam Bam Bigelow’s wrestling debut, his own early days as a ring photographer, and the very first promotion he ever produced…at New York’s infamous Studio 54.”
– The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, which features an interview with Batista, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
TIJ – EP68 – Batista Pt. 1
“He’s Drax in “Guardians Of The Galaxy.” He’s a former WWE World Champion. And he looks damn good in skinny jeans…despite the reports on twitter! Batista sits down with Y2J. He’s got stories from the set of “Guardians,” details about the Drax makeup, and thoughts on leaving WWE and his most recent return. He’s also talking Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan, and Wrestlemania 30.”
– The latest edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast, which features an interview with Tony Schiavone, is now online. The official description for that show reads as follows:
TRR – Ep28 – Tony Schiavone
“Tony Schiavone steered the Monday Nitro ship for WCW, spent a brief year in WWE, got his start with Jim Crockett Promotions… and joins Good Ole JR to relive it all. He’s also speaking candidly about Bobby Heenan, Vince Russo, and Ed Ferrara, and sharing details about what happened behind-the-scenes the night NWO debuted!”
– And finally, the latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with Jim Ross, is now online. The official description for that show reads as follows:
SASc – EP145 – Jim Ross
“Steve Austin and Jim Ross are talkin’ rasslin’… today’s rasslin’! Hear why they think Paul Heyman may be the best talker EVER in the history of the business, what John Cena needs to do in his rematch against Brock Lesnar, why Bray Wyatt is actually a character babyface and not a heel, where Sting will end his wrestling career, who should challenge Roman Reigns, and when JR knew something was fishy in Montreal! Plus, a RAW breakdown, some fantasy booking, and what to do with the IC Belt.”
– Speaking of “Good Ole’ JR,” his good friend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin noted on Twitter that he’s taping an interview with him for a future edition of the “Steve Austin Show” podcast.
– The latest edition of Roddy Piper’s “Piper’s Pit” podcast, which features WWE Hall Of Famer Hacksaw Jim Duggan, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
PP-Ep21 – Hoooooo! The Return of Hacksaw
“Hoooooo! Hacksaw Jim Duggan returns to Piper’s Pit where,for the first time ever, he reveals just what really went down that dark and stormy night back in 1987 when he and the Iron Sheik were busted for possession of Cocaine and Marijuana. Plus, Hot Rod is here to kick ass and drink bubble gum with his very own Rocket Fizz soda pop.”
– WWE Hall Of Famer Antonio Inoki is looking to promote peace through sports by going back to North Korea for the first time since 1995 for a big event. Thus far, Bob Sapp is the biggest named book for the show. You can read more about this at JapanTimes.co.jp.
– The Kickstarter campaign for former WWE Superstar Kamala’s book has reached $8,000 of their $12,000 goal. There are 23 days remaining to reach the additional $4,000 and you can donate now by going to Kickstarter.com.
– Speaking of Kamala, he was a guest on last week’s edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show.” You can check out that interview at PodcastOne.com.
In a video filled with tips of the hat to WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, as well as a few for Mick Foley, TNA talents Velvet Sky and Bully Ray took part in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge.”
Sky, answering the challenge from Rosita, extended the challenge to Austin, Foley and Bully Ray.
Seconds after getting a bucket of ice water dumped on herself, Sky did the same to Ray. The two then celebrated, in “Stone Cold” fashion, with some beers.
Check out the Velvet Sky and Bully Ray ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” video above.
During a recent interview with PWTorch, WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin spoke about the possibility of returning to the ring for one more match at either WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara, California, or WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, Texas.
“I’ll reserve my right to if I want to have another match down the road – say, like, Dallas, Texas is going to be (WrestleMania) 32,” said Austin. “Now, 31 is right down the road from me. That could be doable, but I don’t see it happening. Now, Dallas, that could be very special going back to Texas for 32.”
Austin concluded, “They’re going to need a loaded card to fill that house. So, I’ll reserve my right. But, am I pushing, pandering, selling, promoting? Nothing.”
The following are highlights of the latest blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Monday’s announced RAW segment: “WWE announcing a Hall of Fame forum to kick off RAW this Monday that includes Flair, Hogan and Shawn Michaels. I guess I missed the call. LOL. I hope that the panel is hard hitting and thought provoking and refrains from eye ball rolling rhetoric as it’s a great opportunity to sell the Lesnar-Cena rematch coming in September. Let the talents use their old school promo skills and not how a writers rendition of what they ‘think’ these legends might say. Give them bullet points and turn them loose.”
On Mick Foley’s back: “My friend Mick Foley is talking major back surgery to help alleviate the pain that he is in 24X7 after a long career of taking extraordinary bumps. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mick also did not need knee and/or hip replacements sometime down the road as well. Riding in those rental cards thousands of miles each year on his tours doesn’t help matters either. Less may be more for Mick who I hate to see suffer simply getting out of a chair or walking from point A to point B. It almost seems as if Mick is working harder today than he has a certain times of his wrestling career. Mick is simply too nice a man and a friend to see suffer on a daily basis.”
On rumors of Steve Austin wrestling at WrestleMania 32: “Love the speculation on @steveaustinBSR talk of coming back to do one last match at WM32 if it is going to be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The average fan has zero idea how long the odds are on that ever occurring but I assume it’s fun to speculate. No one would like to see it more than me but….”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
– Part two of Steve Austin’s interview with Mick Foley on his “Steve Austin Show” podcast is now available. You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– Rob Van Dam noted on Twitter recently that he has some interest in writing an autobiography at some point in the future.
– The North American Wrestling Rankings blog, which has been keeping TV statistics dating back to November of 2006, noted that when The Miz lost to Roman Reigns on this week’s SmackDown, it was his 100th televised loss as a singles competitor. For more stats, visit NorthAmericanWrestlingRankings.blogspot.com.
– Apparently the reason Dean Ambrose was taken out on a stretcher on RAW last night was to write him off of WWE television for a while. Ambrose is set to film the WWE Studios movie “Lockdown” in the near future.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with Kamala, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASc – EP143 – Kamala aka James Harris
“James Harris aka Kamala never wanted to be a professional wrestler, but loved it once he fell into it! Hear his story from his sharecropping days in Mississippi to his time in the ring in Mexico, Europe, Germany, and finally WWF. Find out who gave him his Kamala gimmmick, how he became friends with Andre The Giant, and what it was like in the ring with Jerry Lawler, The Rock & Roll Express, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Bruiser Brody. Plus, hear about his short-lived stint with NWA, how Vince McMahon tracked him down, and what made him start leapfrogging people in the squared-circle!”
In addition to the many current and former WWE Superstars, as well as other mainstream celebrities that have taken part in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge,” Vince McMahon is the latest person to join the list.
Earlier this week, McMahon’s son-in-law Triple H took part in the challenge, which includes the person who does it challenging three other people to do it next. HHH’s three challenges were to Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and McMahon.
Prior to dousing himself with ice water, McMahon extends the “Ice Bucket Challenge” to Donald Trump, Maria Menounos and Kermit The Frog.
Check out the video above to watch Vince McMahon take part in the “Ice Bucket Challenge.”
The following are highlights of a new Complex Magazine interview with Paul Heyman:
There was a great moment on Monday Night Raw this past week for Hulk Hogan’s birthday with the appearances of Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Rowdy Piper, and others. Although there wasn’t a punch thrown between Brock Lesnar and John Cena, everyone was on the edge of their seat. If you were booking that angle, what would you do differently?
I view that incident from Monday Night Raw differently than you do. I view it as that Brock Lesnar punked out a ring full of WWE Hall of Famers, including the immortal Hulk Hogan. And John Cena thought he was going to play Superman—gonna be a hero—and dived into the ring, but didn’t have what it takes to jump on Brock Lesnar.
Okay, that’s fair. You’ve talked about it a lot this week, but two days away, how do you see the Cena/Lesnar match playing out at SummerSlam?
I’ll be happy to tell you what’s gonna happen Sunday. I’ll save you the time and the effort of scratching your head trying to figure out where this leads. Brock Lesnar is going to deliver a beating to John Cena, the likes of which John Cena has never experienced in his life. When Brock Lesnar is done sadistically smacking around John Cena, Brock Lesnar will hoist John Cena up on his mammoth shoulders. Brock Lesnar will F5 John Cena. Brock Lesnar will pin John Cena. And Brock Lesnar will go on to be the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE heavyweight champion of the world.
Before this interview, I revisited “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s podcast and you said that you still talk to CM Punk and that’s he’s a friend—he’ll always be a friend. Have you spoken to him recently? And do you guys have a “no-wrestling policy” when you guys talk now?
It would be very uncomfortable to describe to anyone any personal conversations I have with anybody. It would be akin to me saying, “So what did you and your wife talk about at the dinner table last night?” Or, “Hey, I heard you went to the baseball game with your best friend, what was he talking to you about?” The answer is, to the entire world, none of your business. Whether Punk and I have a “no-wrestling policy” or a “no-music policy” or a “no-religion policy,” that’s between us. And since we’re not marketing anything in public together, I’m hesitant in describing anything regarding a conversation I would have with—whether it’s CM Punk, or any other friend of mine.
Understood. Switching gears, you’re known for your superb skills on the microphone. In your opinion, of those wrestler that you have worked with, who is the best of all time in terms of cutting a promo?
That I’ve worked with in terms of writing and producing for them? Or in terms of teaching them? Or in terms of, “I’m on the same roster at the same time I watch that guy and I say, ‘Oh my God, he’s great’”?
I think the last criteria broadens the scope a bit…
I think John Cena has been on top for over 10 years because he understands how to convey his message to his audience. I think “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has revolutionized the way in which a character on a wrestling program can speak. I think that when Vince McMahon was opposed against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, there were things that he said and things that he did that were absolutely brilliant and ground-breaking and changed the sculpt of the villain in professional wrestling. So there are a lot of people that I watched—hey, The Rock is one of the biggest movie stars of the past decade. There’s a reason for it: He understands how to convey his message. And he learned that in front of a live audience in WWE, so how could you not include him on that list? There are others that are coming up—I thought the work that Punk did as Champion was simply brilliant and ground-breaking and trend setting, so I would be remiss not to include him on this list as well.
The following are highlights of a new Yahoo! Sports interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan:
YS: How close were you to coming to tears during Monday’s birthday tribute video during Monday Night Raw?
HH: That was brutal, dude. They do things at WWE sometimes because I’m what they call a “veteran.” Vince [McMahon] trusts me and he doesn’t let me in on all the secrets like at WrestleMania XXX when I’m out in the ring and here comes The Rock and Stone Cold [Steve Austin]. It could have been an explosive situation. I didn’t know what these two were up to, but Vince thought that was really, really funny. It’s kind of like when I went out on Monday for my birthday and they gave me a little sheet that said you’re going to go to the ring and “Mean” Gene [Okerlund] is going to play a package.
I didn’t think about what they were going to do but the package was so compelling. It just really rocked me because it showed all these WrestleMania moments. These high points in my career like my son, Nick, and my daughter, Brooke, when I was getting inducted in the Hall of Fame. Thank goodness I had my yellow sunglasses on, bro, because they had me really off balance with that deal. I wasn’t expecting that package to be so compelling.
YS: Despite all the clashes with Vince McMahon in the past, you always find yourself back with the WWE. Is this final run the proper closure you need to end your career?
HH: Yeah, this is the period at the end of the sentence. This is where I need to be. Vince McMahon and I have always been good friends. On a personal level he would do anything for me, for you, for anyone he loves. He would give you the shirt off his back. On a business level? He’s a different animal. Cut and dry. Black and white. Sometimes I would wobble between the lines and mix up business and personal. If anyone kind of defected over the years, it was me. So for me to be back with him — I did start with his dad in the late ’70s, Vince McMahon Sr. — and for me to come full circle and Vince and everybody to be gracious enough to let me end my career where I started my home in the WWE is really a great way to wind things up and just put a period at the end of the sentence. I’m really glad to be back.
YS: John Cena, who was sporting the red and yellow t-shirt on Monday Night RAW. Did you sign off on that?
HH: Don’t get me started.
YS: In a recent interview, Steve Austin said he’s a bigger legend than Hulk Hogan. What are your thoughts about that?
HH: I think that’s in his own mind. My career was twice as long as his. I’ve been a main eventer since 1978 when we sold out Shea Stadium. I just totally disagree with him. I know he had a good run when he was in the Attitude Era. I don’t know how long the Attitude Era was — four years, eight years — I don’t know how long it was. That’s where we totally disagree. Maybe he and I should lock up and figure this thing out. That would be a nice match.
YS: Do you think we will see Sting in a WWE ring?
HH: Sting and I last talked when he made his appearance at Comic-Con and they announced he was part of the WWE Universe and that his dolls were coming out. We had a long talk on the plane and I said, “Brother, you have got to wrestle. I mean, I don’t care what kind of deal you signed, I said you can still go. You’ve never made a mark in the WWE.
I was begging you to come here in the ’80s and the ’90s and now you just show up out of nowhere. You’ve got to wrestle.” So, I hope it happens really soon. And I think by the time I beat on him for the three hours from Los Angeles to Dallas that I think we were on the same page and he knows that he needs to get in that ring and leave his mark in the WWE and make a huge statement. I hope it happens sooner than later.
This morning, outside of Staples Center in Los Angeles, site of this weekend’s SummerSlam, Triple H answered the “Ice Bucket Challenge” from Pittsburgh Steeler Ben Roethlisberger. In turn, he challenged Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features part one of an interview with Mick Foley, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP142 – Mick Foley Pt1
“What happens when two WWE Hall of Famers sit down and start shooting the shit? Well lucky for you, recorders were rolling when Stone Cold Steve Austin sat down with Cactus Jack aka Mick Foley at 316 Gimmick Street! You can learn a thing or two about the rasslin’ buisness from this one… negotiating pay, taking care of your body, concussions and head trauma, and surviving steel chairs! Don’t worry, you’ll also be laughing your ass off – loaded boots, loaded Gucci bags, Clash of the Champions, “The Commissioner,” and plenty of Vince McMahon impersonations! And the best part?? This is only part 1!”
– The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, which features an interview with Bray Wyatt and an American Idol contestant, is also online now. The official description for that show reads:
TIJ – EP65 – WWE’s Bray Wyatt & American Idol’s James Durbin
“James Durbin finished 4th on Season 10 of “American Idol.” That was the same year Y2J competed on “Dancing With The Stars” at the sound stage next door. They had many LA adventures together while competing… and you’ll hear some of the crazier stories! Plus, get a very real look at the behind-the-scenes workings of Idol, the audition process, & what James believes led to his demise! James is also a HUGE pro wrestling fan & had a quite a moment with Hulk Hogan. It’s wrestling, singing, DIO, and the trappings of instant fame.”
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show Unleashed” podcast, which features Austin taking calls from fans, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP140 – Opening a LINE of Whoop Ass
“Steve opened the phone lines… and you guys flooded ’em! Undertaker stories, Shawn Michaels stories, cement trucks & Vince McMahon’s corvette…Triple H, Bray Wyatt, and Paul Heyman and ECW. You wanted to know and Steve answered UNLEASHED! You’ll even get inside scoop on the Broken Skull Challenge, and Steve’s thoughts on TNA & the state of pro wrestling today!”
– The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, which features an interview with Tom Savini, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
TIJ – EP63 – Godfather Of Gore Tom Savini
“Godfather of Gore Tom Savini is the mastermind behind Friday The 13th’s Jason Voorhees, the cockroaches in Creepshow, and the original zombie special efx and makeup in movies! He’s worked alongside Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez! He’s got stories from movie sets, secrets to great horror efx, the best way to use rotting pig entrails, and a killer story about a duck that saved his life!”
– WWE has announced Steve Austin will host the WWE 2k15 roster reveal at Club Nokia LA during SummerSlam weekend on August 16th.
Cesaro, Sheamus, Hulk Hogan, John Cena and Roman Reigns will also be appearing at the roster reveal.
– WWE will be releasing a special “Hulk Hogan Collector’s Edition” of WWE 2K15. According to Best Buy, it appears the special edition game will only be available for Playstation 4 and Xbox One. No word yet on what the “special edition” will entail (possibly all versions of Hogan unlocked immediately), but Sting will also be available as a pre-order character in the Hogan special edition.
– As previously reported, IGN.com will be covering WWE 2K15 all month and will be releasing gameplay videos and details on the roster.
– The official WWE website has a new poll up asking fans who has the “most patriotic submission move,” with the options being Jack Swagger and Rusev. At last check, with just under 15,000 votes cast, Swagger was considerably ahead of Rusev with roughly 80-percent of the votes. You can vote on the poll by going to WWE.com.
– The following is a new WWE 2K15 teaser video from IGN, which features Sting, Paul Heyman, Daniel Bryan, Stephanie McMahon, Steve Austin and John Cena.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with Mark Bell, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP138 – Mark Bell of Super Training Gym
“Former pro-wrestler, powerlifter, and owner of Super Training Gym in Sacramento, CA, Mark Bell joins Steve. He speaks candidly about his own steroid use, his brother pro-wrestler Mike “Mad Dog” Bell’s death, the “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” documentary, and how he got into powerlifting. Plus, Mark and Steve share plenty of nutrition, workout, and lifting tips!”
– WWE added a new video to their official YouTube channel called, “What if Raw was a sitcom,” where they look at what their weekly show would be like if it were a regular weekly television sitcom. The official description for the video, which you can view below, reads: “What would the opening of Raw look like if the show was sandwiched between “Full House” and “Family Matters” on TGIF? Find out in our hilarious reimagining of WWE’s flagship show as a ’90s sitcom.”
– Several wrestling legends, as well as current talent have been praising Paul Heyman and John Cena for their promo work in the opening segment of this past Monday’s RAW. WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, for example, tweeted the following:
@HeymanHustle serves up a tremendous promo for @JohnCena on #RAW. Cena returns fire with an A-1 promo. Great work by both guys. #wwe
– The latest edition of WWE’s “Five Things” YouTube series, which looks at five “incredible” SummerSlam facts, is now available. You can check that out below.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features part two of his interview with Ken Shamrock, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASc – EP137 – UFC Hall of Famer & WWF’s Ken Shamrock Pt2
“It’s part 2 of Steve’s conversation with former pro-wrestler & UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock… and this time it’s about wrestling, fighting, his feud with Dana White, Tito Ortiz, the Gracies, and a few stories about the WWF lockerroom!”
– As far as the SummerSlam panels are concerned, the VIP tickets for Steve Austin are the only ones that have sold out thus far, however, it is expected that the regular sale will end up selling out as well.
– The following is a new interview with Jerry Lawler setting up his match with Kevin Steen on August 2nd. “The King” still has it.
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with UFC Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASc – EP135 – UFC Hall of Famer & WWF’s Ken Shamrock
“Steve Austin took a road trip to Nevada to sit down with former WWF wrestler and UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock! This is part 1 of their conversation, and it’s heavy! All about Ken’s childhood living on the streets and in group homes before eventually being adopted by Bob Shamrock! He’s open, honest, and candid about what he’s been through & where he is now. But don’t worry – things lighten up when talk to turns to hobbies and current projects!”
– The latest edition of Roddy Piper’s “Piper’s Pit” podcast, which features an interview with Jeff Hardy, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
PP-Ep16 – TNA Impact’s Jeff Hardy
“Jeff Hardy, one half of the infamous Hardy Boys tag team is in the Pit! He and Roddy talk about TNA Impact, Jeff’s wrestling beginnings, how Jeff overcame dark times, favorite matches & opponents, and the Hardy Boys!”
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features part two of an interview with Tommy Dreamer, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP134 – Tommy Dreamer Pt 2
“The Tommy Dreamer is back! This time – why he left WWE, how he became “The Innovator of Violence,” tag teaming with Terry Funk, drinking human blood, his feud with Dixie Carter, Sandman’s OD, the House of Hardcore, and his one big regret.”
– It’s looking unlikely that The Rock will be able to appear at WrestleMania 31 next year, as he is booked all over the globe a few weeks before the big event to promote Fast 7.
– Steve Austin’s new “Broken Skull Challenge” reality show on CMT was filmed somewhere in Southern California, not at his actual “Broken Skull Ranch” in South Texas.
