Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted July 24, 2002 There has been no contact by any WWE official with Steve Austin, except for Jack Lanza, who has been Austin's top agent in setting up matches. Lanza worked with Austin on most of his major matches to lay them out and book them creatively. According to Lanza, Austin has continued working out, and is in fantastic shape. In addition, he is apparently getting "antsy" at home and anxious to return to the spotlight. There is still major heat from both Vince McMahon and Jim Ross towards Austin, and that would be the biggest hurdle to clear for Austin to return to WWE. In addition, there are still the issues of how Austin is booked, and the creative direction of WWE in general. Even so, many believe that Austin could be back in WWE sooner rather than later. Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Psycho Diablo Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Let me be the first (and only?) to say about a Stone Cold Comeback.. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no and no. Even with the stupid booking, I've been a happy viewer ever since that stupid bastard got off my TV. Austin is to me like HHH is to most of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NazMistry Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Let me be the first (and only?) to say about a Stone Cold Comeback.. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no and no. Even with the stupid booking, I've been a happy viewer ever since that stupid bastard got off my TV. Austin is to me like HHH is to most of you. I agree whole-heartedly. The product seems to be getting better so we don't need that Prima Donna Austin coming back. Besides, would he even work with Uncle Eric? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest chirs3 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Let me be the first (and only?) to say about a Stone Cold Comeback.. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no and no. Hear hear. Good booking, bad booking, weird booking, doesn't matter. Keep him away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SteveyP93 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 I hope he comes back. I miss his work, I really do. And plus, for a man who did so much in the business, who revolutionized the business, that his last match on ppv would be against the Big Show and Flair. I want him back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted July 24, 2002 When Austin returns you know he's going to want his ME spot back. Do you think will continue to get guys like Eddy Guererro start to make inroads to the ME with Austin around only working with the select few? (I know he would work with Guererro, but there have been several undercard wrestlers he has refused to work with). If Monday Night was any kind of a sign they are doing just fine without him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SteveyP93 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 If he came back just for Benoit v. Austin, I'd be a happy man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AlwaysPissedOff Report post Posted July 24, 2002 As an an insanely huge Austin mark, I'd want and love to see him back. Fuck what others say, he's one my favorite wrestlers ever next to Flair and Steamboat, and I would watch with a smile on my face if/when the glass breaks and he comes out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Flying Dutchman Report post Posted July 24, 2002 My question is can he possibly come back as a face, especially after the Raw magazine that completely buried him and exposed his problems with Debra to the more casual viewers? I for one think that if he returns, it will have to be as a heel. One thing that is definitely for sure...casual viewers want to see Austin vs. Goldberg...and the WWE is desperate right now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AlwaysPissedOff Report post Posted July 24, 2002 True, Dutch. I think playing the heel is what he does best, especially looking back at last year after the Triple H injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SteveyP93 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 I was just watching tapes and DVDs from the No Mercy, Survivor Series, and even SummerSlam periods from last year...say what you want about it being financially successful, but heel Austin rules! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Flying Dutchman Report post Posted July 24, 2002 His heel schtick with HHH was truly awesome to me. Then they had the dueling hugs and whatnot, but that's something entirely different. Austin can play an excellent heel. Plus, everyone who watched Night of Champions saw the huge pop Goldberg got when Vince mentioned his name. There's no possible way they'd be able to play him off as anything but a monster face. Don't get me wrong...I don't want Austin back. You don't walk out on your job and leave your co-workers in a rut like that. But if he does come back...at least use him correctly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SteveyP93 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 I'm so pissed at what he did, because it was the most selfish, self-absorbed act in recent years. He walked out when the goings were tough. On the other hand, he is just so god damn good that I'd probably welcome him back with open arms were he to return. More than anything, I just want to see good matches at my ppvs, and he certainly does that (except for that DUD against Taker at Backlash). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest humongous2002 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 As much as I miss Austin on my tv every monday night, I personally think that WWE is better off without him for now. This is time to elevate new superstars to the main event level like RVD, Edge, Brock, Benoit,Book, Y2J and hopefully Eddie G. and if Austin does come back he's got to realize that he's not number 1 anymore. In other words Steve it's time to pass the torch to make the company happy and the fans happy too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nevermortal Report post Posted July 24, 2002 I'd pop for the glass breaking. But....WWE just doesn't need him now. When they are making new stars, etc, they don't need another "old" guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Austin would be a face, the fans wouldn't want to boo him, after him being away for so long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Austin3164life Report post Posted July 24, 2002 As much as I love Steve Austin and love what he does in the ring and on the microphone, I feel that the WWE needs to move on instead of move backwards. True, it's sad to see that Austin left pro-wrestling on a bad note, but that was his decision ultimately. I would pop like a mo-fo if Austin made a return as a heel and feuded with Benoit (which was planned), but I think the WWE needs to push newer talent as the top stars. If Austin were to come back and possibly put Benoit over as a face in a summer feud, then I wouldn't mind if Austin had retired. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AndrewTS Report post Posted July 24, 2002 My question is can he possibly come back as a face, especially after the Raw magazine that completely buried him and exposed his problems with Debra to the more casual viewers? I for one think that if he returns, it will have to be as a heel. One thing that is definitely for sure...casual viewers want to see Austin vs. Goldberg...and the WWE is desperate right now... Goldberg who? Seriously...I don't think that many viewers even remember him. And after a Raw like that--fuck Goldberg. They don't need his worthless ass. Plus, Greenberg ended Bret Hart's career, and Austin's had a bad neck for years now--you really think Austin should risk paralysis to wrestle that overrated fuckhead? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mattdotcom Report post Posted July 24, 2002 His heel schtick with HHH was truly awesome to me. Then they had the dueling hugs and whatnot, but that's something entirely different. That was ANGLE, not Hunter. He's too intense for loooooooooove...unless it's X-Pac. (On-screen, I've seen him hug X-Pac, HBK, and Steph). Now, onto the matter at hand. Would I want Austin back? Not really. Even though he was my favorite wrestker for around five years, I find myself enjoying the product more without him around. Maybe if he was able to reinvent himself like in 2001, he could fit in. But could I really get behind him? I doubt it. The real question, in my eyes, is would the fans trust him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted July 24, 2002 If Austin comes back and people are all Happy to see him, then that gives him license to just fuck off and leave whenever he wants. Die hard fans will just forgive him.... Dawww I forgive him walking off and screwing up Raw and Storylines. Austin comes back like nothing has happen then it will be sickening example to Other wrestlers to fuck up and leave and come back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Big McLargeHuge Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Considering that any kind of Benoit or Eddy main event program was at Austin's request, I'd love to see him back. BUT, since he probably won't do anything significant, have him put over as much 'younger' talent as possible. Then leave. In fact this applies to Hogan, Trips and UT, as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 24, 2002 It's a win-lose proposition. If Steve Austin returns then you have to expect a bump in the ratings (not huge but slightly) and if he is still motivated (Likely he would be, too prove everyone wrong) and then he is worth bringing back. The Lose part is bigger. First, think about the new elevated stars like RVD, Eddy, Brock, Jeff Hardy,Booker, Beniot, Cena, Edge and Storm. What happens to them, unless they decide to finally remove Undertaker down a peg, one of them will have to leave the scene. The wrestlers were completly against Austin's power play and the group may very well start a mutiny. Eric Bischoff and Steve Austin don't exchange xmas cards for a reason, Austin hates Eric's ass with all sorts of passion. Austin would have to really suck it up to work along side Bisch. And...the biggest lose factor, The general public will see Austin's return as another storyline for the "Fake Sport" and that will cause another black eye to the face of WWE...I think it's best Austin stays away for a few more months before even neogotiating a deal. Do I wish for Austin's return? Depends which Austin we get, 1997 Austin that broke all the rules, 1999 austin that sleptwalked the entire year, '01 Austin heel that produced pounds of **** gold. or Unmotivated '02 prima donna. I don't want that. I want the REAL Austin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Human Fly Report post Posted July 24, 2002 If Austin comes back it opens the door for X-Pac to come back as well (if X-Pac is really even gone). Also, alot of people hate on X-Pac around here (for good reason) but, just because Austin is more over does that mean he should just be allowed back and all sins forgiven? It would be hard to complain about WWE not firing X-Pac, or Nash etc. when they continually bring Austin back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Flying Dutchman Report post Posted July 24, 2002 To clarify, I didn't mean he had the dueling hugs with HHH. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bob_barron Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Eh fuck Austin- how do we know if he comes back he wont start crying and run back home Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Big McLargeHuge Report post Posted July 24, 2002 You don't. You don't know that about anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shaved Bear Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Austin should stay of WWF tv, he made his choice now he has to stick with it, and since things seem to finally be looking up for the WWF they need him less than ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted July 24, 2002 People in the back don't respect Steve anymore. If he wanted to leave, he should have said so. Ric Flair was nice enough to tell Vince and put over Hart and Perfect. However, it's people like Austin, Luger and Jarrett that lose all respect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Just call me Dan Report post Posted July 24, 2002 Austin will not and cannot just walse back on TV, claim his spot back and continue squashing people. The guy will have to humble himself and will have to elevate new stars. I see him in an Undertaker role. he guy can be really dominant, but sell hard for new talent and recognize them/mini-feud with them. Steve has the biggest rub to give anyone, no question about it. Say what you want about him, but when that time comes, and it will, the person who takes out Austin will be legendary. I'm a die hard Austin fan and I'll forgive him in a second because I've fucked up in my life time and second chances were a good thing. Him as a heel would be gold, coupled with the fact that one man's career will be forever made because Austin came back and he was chosen to be put over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted July 24, 2002 I think the lockerroom would be an unpleasant face being that Vince, Rock, HHH, Undertaker, Funaki and JR have all come out and spoken publicly against Steve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
