Hey Scott,
Just read your latest mailbag and had a thought about this current Austin/Vince/CenaStunner situation. While the idea that this is just Vince being petty makes perfect sense given everything we know about him, it seems fairly likely to me that it's all a work to sow the seeds for Cena/Austin in Dallas next year. Even a company this short sighted knows they'll have a hard time even pretending to sell that show out if they don't have a big Stone Cold match to headline. And you would think Austin, happy in retirement though he may be, would have a hard time saying no to something that big.
I'm pretty sure he's already said no multiple times, probably with escalating language as he goes.
When somebody starts using the Lou Thesz Press, it's really and truly on between Austin & Vince.
ReplyDeleteIf health isn't a concern then I see no reason to not do the match.
ReplyDeleteI really wish that no one from the attitude era ever wrestled again and people would stop discussing if they would ever wrestle again. That includes jericho, kane, show, austin, rock, hhh, sting, and taker.
ReplyDeleteHopefully everyone who retired 15 year ago just stays retired.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible.
ReplyDeleteThat also includes Goldust, Hardys, Bully Ray, William Regal, R-Truth & Mark Henry
ReplyDeleteHe broke his neck 20 years ago. He's 50 and can't go like he used to. Everyone currently loves him. He's rich as hell. He'd probably look terrible in the ring due to 10 years or more of rust.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait till jobber gets here to rant about how Star Wars is the worst movie ever.
ReplyDeleteIf they have HHH vs Rock (with or without the Rhonda involvement) as well as Taker would Austin bring in any extra eyeballs that those guys missed?
ReplyDeleteBully Ray has one good feud left in him. I could see the Bully Ray character as a good first feud for Roman. Or a transitional feud for Rollins to get through some post summer slam, pre Rumble Pay Per Views.
ReplyDeleteGoldust is actually kind of awesome in the ring these days.
Exactly. Just leave the fond memories there.
ReplyDeleteThe fucking ROCK who is younger, and in better shape couldn't go when he came back. Let's remember Austin as he was.
Probably. But what's in it for Austin?
ReplyDeleteJust because he couldn't go at the same level doesn't mean he couldn't go.
ReplyDeleteRock hardly stunk up the joint in his return run.
Austin has said multiple times that there is no heat between him and Vince.
ReplyDeleteHe's not as rich as you think.
ReplyDeleteYeah, no.
ReplyDeleteEmphasis strongly placed on Big Show and Kane...
ReplyDeleteStunk up might be a little strong, but his return received mixed, at best, reviews.
ReplyDeleteWith all the money he made while on top and the steady stream of income he receives now, even if he isn't rich I'm willingly to bet he is more than comfortable.
ReplyDeleteTHREADJACK (We have no daily thread again)
ReplyDeleteLayla returned to the ring at a house show last night, maybe she is about to come back to help bulk out the face side of the Divas roster to 3 whole divas.
I don't think he's looking for a part time job or anything.
ReplyDeleteHe says he lost a lot of money when he breached his contract and sat at home drinking.
ReplyDeleteThat happens to most alcoholics.
ReplyDeleteIn his case however he probably makes more money just from merchandise & royalties every month than we do in a year.
He may not be as Rich as Rock but he's nowhere near as Poor as Flair.
The way I look at austin is the same way I look at elway or Jordan. They may be able to still go for a game or two and it would be awesome to see them go against today's stars. However, for health reasons and for quality games, I don't want to see them again.
ReplyDeleteIt's just like in 1998, I wouldn't want to see Bruno or superstar billy graham
Nope since HHH is the real star of the Attitude era.
ReplyDeleteAs of 2013 he was worth about $45 million. I think he's ok.
ReplyDeleteI also don't think he spends that much money either. He lives on a Texas ranch probably already paid for and Los Angeles which is also probably paid for. He also doesn't drive the fancy cars or buys fancy planes
ReplyDeleteCeleb net worth says 45M dollars. I never know how accurate that site is but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteAssuming that his house is paid for then his semi regular TV and movie work, his podcast, and royalties probably give him a decent living even if he blew every penny from his original run.
According to?
ReplyDeleteMaybe an alcoholic who drank at work and then beat up defenceless women isn't a character that modern WWE want bringing back.
ReplyDeleteAs a one off appearance he's just a legend so his character gets overlooked, but if he came back for a run of more than a couple of weeks his character would stand out like a sore thumb as being wildly outdated.
His character was tired as all hell when he was doing the sheriff gimmick.
ReplyDeleteI also don't want to see some shell of the guy who used to be Steve Austin. Brett Favre stuck around too long and it did nothing for his legacy. For Austin, I'm good with Wrestlemania 19 against his greatest in-ring counterpart as his finish line. If he DOES return however, I think Cena is the best possible choice. It's the biggest dream match they have left AND Cena is the sort of safe "big fight" performer that Austin would hopefully be able to trust
ReplyDeleteYou really fault Favre for playing one extra year?
ReplyDeleteHe has to live for the rest of his life on that money.
ReplyDeleteHe could invest in treasury notes alone with that and make a million bucks a year in interest.
ReplyDeleteRyback has pulled it out a few times.
ReplyDeleteAnd he earns interest on his saving and has income from his investments. He also still have money coming in from Royalties/Merch. He is doing occasional tv/movie work which is more money coming in.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like this is a pot of money which only goes down.
If he put it all into a checking account, yes. Does that seem likely?
ReplyDeleteHe continues to have a multi-stream income and likely will for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteIt's very possible that he's not wildly wealthy, but it's very unlikely that he will ever struggle in any sense of the word.
Obviously an Austin match is the best use of him from a "fill the 100k seats" business standpoint, but I would be perfectly fine with Austin as the Wrestlemania Host and/or enforcer for the Rock vs HHH match
ReplyDeleteNo, from a money standpoint I would probably stick around as long as I could for the benefit of my family. It just wasn't anything I wanted to see anymore as a fan
ReplyDeleteHe should be the Host
ReplyDeleteAs a Bears fan, I could have done without the run with the Vikes. Heh.
ReplyDeleteUm, how have interest rates been doing for the last 6 years or so? Hope you're not working as a financial advisor.
ReplyDeleteI'd be more than pleased with that.
ReplyDeleteI'm great with that.
ReplyDeleteYou do realize that he took the Vikings to the NFC championship game? Did that hurt his 'legacy'?
ReplyDeleteHe's not going to put $45m in a checking account.
ReplyDeleteI think it was fairly obvious that when I said "stuck around too long" I was referring more to the Jets run.
ReplyDeleteIn a given situation, I'd choose Favre that year over a LOT of other qbs in the league. (I'm a Patriots fan, so not over Brady, but...you know.)
ReplyDeleteThat happened before the Vikings.
ReplyDeleteLets him run through all the character's "greatest hits" gimmickry without running the risk of tiring it out during a 1-2 month build to Mania. He can just be the guy who does a few bits during the show and keeps things fun in Texas
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing most of you will never have a lot of money. Because you don't seem to understand how to maintain it.
ReplyDeleteAustin as a guest referee is the most likely scenario but not sure who Cena could face to bring in a ton of interest.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fairly obvious you haven't got a leg to stand on.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll be allright.
ReplyDeleteFine. Dividends. And dividends have been out standing in the last 6 years. The Dow Jones was in the whole in 2009, and has essentially tripled since then. So. Yeah. He doesn't have his millions in a savings account.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's when I thought he should have just retired. He proved he still had it during the Vikings years, but at the time I wished he would have just gone out on the high note with the Packers. Like Austin vs. Rock at WM19.
ReplyDeleteDaily Thread now up guys
ReplyDeleteNo. I think we do. You invest. 10 million in treasury notes, 5 million in other bonds. 10 million in blue chips and you've got a 2 million a year salary. A salary which you only need to pay 15% in taxes on.
ReplyDeleteYou "can't wait" for that? We must have largely different definitions of enjoyable situations.
ReplyDeleteMayo-be it seems that way.
Taker?
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the Jets are terrible. That's why I didn't like it at the time, felt like desperation. I just wanted to see him go out as peak-performance Green Bay Favre. The Vikings performance proved me wrong.
ReplyDeleteExcept you don't know what you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteOh we'll all be allright. Just talking football here. I do the same at a lot of different venues.
ReplyDeleteTill the market crashes again.
ReplyDeleteHow is the bond market doing these days? Not keeping up with inflation? Sounds like a great deal.
ReplyDeleteIn which case he doesn't lose his money. you have a reduced income for the few years that the market is low. You only "lose" the money if you sell during the crash.
ReplyDeleteat 45 million, it's irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but he played another season after that and played horribly.
ReplyDeleteYeah that would probably be the best idea but I'm not sure if they want to do that match?
ReplyDeleteThis whole "Austin and the other Texas guys are the key to selling out wm just bc they're from Texas as if this was 1982 and territories mattered" thing is getting up there with cena's heel turn, Montreal and the invasion rebooking.
ReplyDeleteOne year. Stupid people had been telling him to retire for like six.
ReplyDeleteGood thing he doesn't have to pay property taxes. Or have any ex wives or children.
ReplyDeleteIf he's dumping 45 mil into t- notes he needs a better advisor
ReplyDeleteIt got a bit tired, but it was fun for a few months.
ReplyDeleteThey have 11 months to build someone up from scratch.
ReplyDeleteI know, pushing from the midcard. It's a wacky scenario.
Right? :)
ReplyDeleteThey already tried Layla as a babyface and it went terribly for them. The time to push her as a face was immediately after the LayCool split, when she could have been the girl making amends for all her "mean girl" shit and nobody buying it, but her other big injury killed that idea out of the gate.
ReplyDeleteAustin was suppose to have a match with The Coach at Taboo Tuesday but backed out when the WWE wanted Coach to win
ReplyDeleteAs a Saints fan, I ADORE his Vikings run. Thanks for the pick, jackass.
ReplyDeleteNobody threw the killer pick quite like ol' number 4 did
ReplyDeleteSee Flair, Ric as an example of someone who keeps on going and going way past their expiration date.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd say refusing to job to a commentator on a C PPV was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to see Jordan because he's a fucking scumbag.
ReplyDeleteKICKWHAMLOLCENAWINS
ReplyDeleteEnd of an Era 2
ReplyDeleteFinally someone that shares my view of that degenerate gambler.
ReplyDeleteWas that the match where they stuck in out of shape Vader and drugged up Goldust as replacements?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of horrible mind-frame was Vince in at that point to make STEVE F'ING AUSTIN'S big comeback match... that?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know the mental math that went into figuring Vader + Goldust = Steve Austin.
ReplyDeleteIf Austin won, J.R. would be rehired. When Austin lost, Vince would be able to mock J.R. again.
ReplyDeleteBatista ended up replacing Austin got was injured in the match.
ReplyDeleteBatista =/= Steve Austin. Golust/Vader (at that time, anyway) =/= shit.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the raw 23 year anniversary show in a few weeks, so that they can give an award to Austin and then have vince come out and accept it because he wasn't invited.
ReplyDeleteVince never forgave him for the walkout in 2002. Lost people do what lost people do.
ReplyDeleteAustin didn't say that was the reasoning though. He told vince that he hurt his back moving. And vince decided it was easier for all just to BELIEVE THAT.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to see Stone Cold tell Vince to go ^%#{*+&! Himself, give me a hell yeah!!!
ReplyDeleteHis gimmick wasn't about beating women. That is only inplied because he actually struck his second wife in real life. I wish he would meet Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to take over his heart.
ReplyDeleteExcept that Bully Ray is an AWESOME heel and he would get virtually cheered while Roman would get boo'd out of the building more than usual. They don't even boo Roman now because he's feuding with Big Show, who has that X-Pac heat. Maybe that was their plan all along?
ReplyDeleteDid he play for the Hets?
ReplyDeleteWho gives a fuck? Just have him stay off my television. Same goes for Triple H, the Rock, Stephanie, Undertaker, Kane, Big Show... MOVE THE FUCK ON.
ReplyDeleteTrue but no one is going to fill 100,000 seats in one year no matter how strong you book them.
ReplyDeleteAustin didn't wrestle once in his 40s. He's not going to wrestle in his 50s. Get over it people
ReplyDeleteEspecially considering they're not going to do it
ReplyDeleteMake new stars, for chrissake!
ReplyDeleteI really think Austin's would only come back if he was broke and needed money. Really at this point his best use would be as a Terry Funk like middle aged wild man. Having him go out and try to manufacture a 30 minute classic with Cena is a disaster waiting to happen.
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me? I'm fully certain him and Cena could work a good match together.
ReplyDeleteI bet it KILLS Vince that neither him or HBK need the money.
ReplyDeleteI don't totally disagree but Austin has said before he want to wrestle full time for a few months before trying to have a match like that.
ReplyDeleteI wish Austin would be like Michaels and just come out and say he isn't wrestling at Mania 32. Otherwise we will keep hearing speculation for the next 11 months
ReplyDeleteVader and Goldust were Coach's henchmen for the match when they replaced Austin with Batista.
ReplyDeleteExcept The Mountie. He can come back any time
ReplyDeleteAnd considering you never had a job, you don't seem to get that Austin has other jobs besides working with WWE.
ReplyDeleteThis gimmick is played.
ReplyDeleteU mad bro?
ReplyDeleteIts just a shame in the timing of the whole Austin/Vince thing, as WM32 is legit the last chance of seeing an Austin match.
ReplyDeleteYes it was probably like a 5% chance of ACTUALLY happening, but this doesnt help at all
You're kidding me...Coach winning? Who proposed that bullshit?
ReplyDeleteWas that the whole Vader tripping and falling thing and taking a horrible spinebuster?
ReplyDeleteYour boy Vinnie Mac
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure he has, just nobody wants to accept no for an answer.
ReplyDeleteWho the fuck celebrates a 23rd anniversary?
ReplyDeleteI firmly believed you were trolling until I looked it up.
ReplyDeleteWHAT. IN. THE. ACTUAL. FUCK.
What about all that stuff he's said he'd be up for Re: Brock Lesnar via the Heyman interview?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should move the fuck on?
ReplyDeleteAllow me to amend it: He has said don't bother asking him to come out of retirement unless you have a really, really, really, REALLY juicy storyline on your hands.
ReplyDeleteYou have literally no insight into this.
ReplyDeleteAustin is smart enough not to come back too often, because he knows if he does his pops will decrease in size each time.
ReplyDeleteDark Empire is one of the best-regarded series. Follow that up with Dark Empire 2 and Empire's End to complete the arc, though the quality drop-off after the original is pretty significant, especially for Empire's End.
ReplyDeleteCrimson Empire 1 and 2 are quite good, as is the Rogue Squadron series.
If you got into the game or novel, the comic adaptation of Shadows of the Empire is worth reading; like the game and novel, it tells the story from its own perspective. Novel from the movie characters' perspective; game from Dash Rendar's; comic from the bounty hunters'.
Much of the Tales of the Jedi series is worth reading, though the prequels caused big retcons to be needed to fit within even Legends (the Rule of Two, specifically) continuity.
I've heard very good things about Invasion, though I think that might rely on being familiar with the New Jedi Order book series.
Legacy is also supposed to be a good series, though it doesn't really have much of a conclusion from what I've heard.
Dawn of the Jedi is also one of the good later series, which again, has an abrupt end without much of a conclusion.
I've heard mixed things about the original Marvel series and the newspaper strips, but they're interesting if only because they were some of the only Expanded Universe material for many years. I'm not sure how it's organized in the "Unlimited" product, but they're probably buried in some sort of "Classic Star Wars" collection, as that's how Dark Horse re-published them.
Pot, meet kettle
ReplyDeleteCena turning heel and Austin coming back to beat his ass about all I can come up with.
ReplyDeleteI'm not into the trolling thing
ReplyDeleteHe has negative insight.
ReplyDeleteWe are in fact less informed after reading his posts than we were before.
I don't mind Jericho because he puts people over.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind Triple H because he only does it at Mania and it helps make Mania seem more important, he's got an aura and that helps.
Dito the Faces Of Fear.
ReplyDeleteI dont know about 30 minutes though. Rock came back and he was sucking wind. And he looks to be more in shape than austin.
ReplyDeleteWho are you to doubt a poster named "yeehaw"?
ReplyDeleteObviously your new to the wwe.
ReplyDeleteAny ex-WWE guy who finds success elsewhere pisses Vince off, which is why he's not letting any other guys go mainstream anymore.
ReplyDeleteTriple H loves it though because he can be all "Nobody loves this business more than me-uh"
He keeps saying "Never say never" but it sure sounds like just a NEVER
ReplyDeleteThank you for this. I'm new to comics and the Unlimited App and all these comics can get a little overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteCall me crazy, but I think the biggest thing preventing Austin from coming back is that he knows WWE would fuck it up like they do with everything else. He is neither stupid nor blind. Better chance at seeing him on NXT than at WM.
ReplyDeleteAnd Repo Man.
ReplyDeleteQuestioning dougie instead of reprimanding him for his rudeness is very unbecoming of you.
ReplyDeleteSo is the thinking that WM won't sell out regardless of the programs leading into it.
ReplyDeleteIT'S FUCKING WRESTLEMANIA.
It's like the Super Bowl. If the 8-8 Jaguars met the 9-7 Rams in the big game, does ANYONE think it wouldn't draw a sellout crowd and still bank huge ratings? No. Because it's the Super Bowl.
Some events transcend the participants. Wrestlemania, especially one in Jerry's World, will draw a sellout if it's headlined by Kane v Big Show.
HELL YEAH!
ReplyDeleteWell, who cares who gets cheered. I just want awesome feuds. I suppose Vince cares. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteVince seems to be okay with the Rock's success.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I mean, he could not have made it any clearer than he already has, repeatedly, that if he was gonna come back, it would have to be for a sure-fire, can't-miss and engaging storyline. Seeing what happened to The Rock at the Rumble, who could blame him?
ReplyDeleteAlthough really, at this point, only the most delusional could think he's coming back. Check his podcast appearances with Vince and HHH. He's not in ring shape. He, of course, could GET in ring shape, theoretically, but the last time he made any noise at all about wanting to wrestle or being able to wrestle was years ago.
He saw the window close (I think an angle with Punk that granted the two of them a great deal of creative control was the last thing Austin would really have come back for) and has moved on for good.
You hate micheal Jordan?
ReplyDeleteI donr understand so austin and jesus have a beer on Jesus's Colorado cable acess show?
ReplyDeleteThis year's Mania didn't sell out.
ReplyDeleteI think he said something more along the lines of, "I'm not pissed off at them, and as far as I know I'm still on good terms with WWE."
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure a few Divas have used the Thesz Press since Austin retired.
ReplyDelete"Even though I've tried multiple times to get movie roles-uh"
ReplyDeleteWoah there buddy. I think it's safe to say that an Austin vs Lesnar has a better chance of selling out than R-Truth main eventing against The Miz for instance.
ReplyDeleteDid the main event feature Big show vs Kane?
ReplyDeleteGame.Set.Match
I would have put the possibility of Austin higher than HBK though.
ReplyDeleteWell the man did get his own father killed if you believe that theory.
ReplyDeleteIt led to his suspension from the NBA that they covered as a retirement because they didn't want the bad PR on them and their goldenboy. If you believe that theory.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness though, until that pick he had a remarkable run.
ReplyDeleteWasn't he hurt the entire time too?
ReplyDeleteGoldust? At least the guy works hard.
ReplyDeleteHe had Cena there to carry him.
ReplyDeleteI've always suspected that
ReplyDeleteYep.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I can't remember the specific issues now (hopefully someone can help), but I loved John Ostrander's jedi-noirish stories about Quinlan Vos, a Jedi who tries to stay on the light side but really walks the line. Supporting character/sidekick Villie was hilarious.
ReplyDeleteYeah, in the Triple H interview on Howard Stern that aired around Blade 3's release he talks about how he's looking for more movie roles, and we all know that he was gunning for the lead in the Conan reboot.
ReplyDeleteI mean, a guy can change his mind but there was definitely a time where Triple H as trying to go the Rock route.
Rock is a special case because he is willing to come back and use his star power to help WWE now.
ReplyDeleteThe Rock wasn't exactly WWE's favorite son from 2004 to 2011 when he rarely appeared on television. They didn't hate the guy, but they didn't trump his success and support his movies as they do now.
Guess I'm in the minority, but I actually still think Austin will wrestle at Mania 32. Vince will panic at and offer Austin a one-time offer that he can't pass up, despite their differences. Austin holds the cards, no doubt. But I do think the combination of a career payday for a few days work, Austin's age, and the fact that it's Texas are pretty persuasive factors.
ReplyDeletetouche.
ReplyDelete100% agree about Dark Empire. That series was the catalyst to a renewed interest in the Star Wars brand after Marvel completely underwhelmed with their original comic run. The painted covers and the water colour set a high standard for all future Star Wars related comics.
ReplyDeleteTehehe, which of your boyfriends did I insult? Rocky? KORPORATEKANE!?
ReplyDeleteHomophobia is not very cool.
ReplyDeleteNot a big EU fan, but Legacy was very good. John Ostrander just writes good comics.
ReplyDelete