Austin at Circuit City

[Guest Super Pissed Smark]

From 411wrestling:

 

Steve Austin is still as popular as ever. The former WWE Champ made his first public appearance since leaving WWE last night at a Circuit City store in Richmond, VA.

 

An estimated 5000 people showed up to get an Austin autograph, and things got messy when Austin left without giving an autograph to everyone. Only about 3000 people got into the store to meet Austin which led to many upset fans. One man was actually charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest afterwards.

 

Trouble just seems to follow him around these days, doesn't it?

[TheFranchise 0]

Did he use the name Stone Cold?

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Thanks to 411 reader Jonathan Ramsey for sending in this report.

 

Hey, I was at the Austin autograph signing in Colonial Heights last night. It was for the Grand Opening of the new Circuit City and Austin was there (along with two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders) for a children's charity.

 

The numbers for the crowd is about right, as the place was packed. The line outside wrapped around the building and when it got inside, it snaked through all the aisles. I was lucky enough to be one of the first 100 people inside (which also entitled me to a free $50 gift card...swank).

 

He was scheduled to be there from 6 PM to 7 PM, but when 7 came around, the line was still back to the door. This prompted them to close the door and shut off all entrance to the building due to fire codes.

 

Ironically enough, at 7, Austin went to take a piss break and people started getting worried that he left. But, instead, he came back, stood up on the software rack, and saluted. Nice guy in person.

 

When I asked him if he'd be back cause the product has been shit lately, he responded with "I might have to (come back)". I also overheard him say that he and Debra are doing much better now (most likely due to marriage counseling).

 

Credit: 411Wrestling.com

[Guest CanadianChick]

I say Vince is begging on the phone with Austin to come back about.....now.

[Guest NoCalMike]

I don't see how Austin would help much right now. Yes he would get the "I'm back" pop, but things were still going downhill in the months leading up to Austin leaving.

[Guest El Satanico]

No "big name" blast from the past will truly help WWE stop their fall.

[Guest CanadianChick]

I didn't say Austin coming back would be good, but you know how much Vince loves quick fixes and probably thinks this is the answer to all his problems.

[Guest El Satanico]

Well Austin returning would actually be a quick fix that works out well. Austin would help the show, but not even Austin is enough to fully save it.

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

I don't see how Austin would help much right now. Yes he would get the "I'm back" pop, but things were still going downhill in the months leading up to Austin leaving.

The Raw Product is actually better right now then it was when Austin was there. They lost A LOT of the dead weight that was there when Austin was.

 

Hall, Nash, X-pac, Bradshaw, etc.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Besides Austin can help to cancel the HHH-effect by getting him out of production meetings.

[Guest dreamer420]

I'm not so sure that Vince and JR want him back right now. They were quite pissed when he "took his ball and went home" and I think a lot of things need to be worked out before the return of Austin. He will need to prove that he will be reliable and not walk out on the company again.

[Guest HartFan86]

Austin draws more people to a Circuit City then WWE can at House Shows with their whole roster.

 

That's just fucking pathetic on WWE's part. Get him back....now.

[Guest Anglesault]

Send Austin to Smackdown! if he comes back. Austin/Benoit, Austin/Angle, Austin/Guererro, Hell, Austin/Chavo could be really good.

[Guest Anglesault]

I'm not so sure that Vince and JR want him back right now. They were quite pissed when he "took his ball and went home" and I think a lot of things need to be worked out before the return of Austin. He will need to prove that he will be reliable and not walk out on the company again.

On that same token, I'm sure that they will have to promise to not book things with the specific purpose of pissing Steve off like they did all this year.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

The man drew bigger than anyone in the history of the company.

 

Then the biggest show of the year comes around (you know...the one that is supposed to be the blowoff of the year's events) and despite being the only guy carrying shit the whole year, HHH gets the main event (despite not being over at the time) and they dust off Hogan to promote the show. Meanwhile, Austin is booked to lose to a guy who wouldn't even make it two more months in the company.

 

Karma kicks in: Hogan's push bombs in ratings, then he leaves WWE again.

 

HHH: Bombs ratings big time on RAW, can't have a good match and fans and wrestlers alike are sick of him.

 

Austin: Draws more than HHH to circuit City and gets 6 months off to rest.

 

 

Austin wins. Bring him back.

[Guest HartFan86]

The man drew bigger than anyone in the history of the company.

 

Then the biggest show of the year comes around (you know...the one that is supposed to be the blowoff of the year's events) and despite being the only guy carrying shit the whole year, HHH gets the main event (despite not being over at the time) and they dust off Hogan to promote the show. Meanwhile, Austin is booked to lose to a guy who wouldn't even make it two more months in the company.

 

Karma kicks in: Hogan's push bombs in ratings, then he leaves WWE again.

 

HHH: Bombs ratings big time on RAW, can't have a good match and fans and wrestlers alike are sick of him.

 

Austin: Draws more than HHH to circuit City and gets 6 months off to rest.

 

Austin wins. Bring him back.

Send that to Titan Towers, now.

[Guest HartFan86]

Send Austin to Smackdown! if he comes back. Austin/Benoit, Austin/Angle, Austin/Guererro, Hell, Austin/Chavo could be really good.

As awesome as that would be, it's not gunna. If Austin is still drawing huge like he always has, then he'll go straight to Raw.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Austin has a big rub in him to give to someone, and he's always been willing to do that, so they should absolutely try to get him back if they can.

 

JR and Vince's personal feelings have nothing to do with this. It's about the money, and if Austin's return means more money for them, they'll do it.

[Guest Brian]

I agree with ricky. Austin's got at least one big rub left in him (maybe two)/

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

The man drew bigger than anyone in the history of the company.

Well, technically, Ric Flair has drawn more and drawn larger shows than anyone in the WWE at any time, ever.

 

I don't think Vince will be a huge hurdle for an Austin return. Vince likes to make money. If Austin can prove he still makes money or Vince gets desperate enough, things will happen.

 

I don't like the guy myself, but that's probably more for his character than himself. Although, I can't help but wonder how much blame goes to him for those RAWs that did nothing but revolve around him.

[Guest HartFan86]

The man drew bigger than anyone in the history of the company.

Well, technically, Ric Flair has drawn more and drawn larger shows than anyone in the WWE at any time, ever.

I don't think Flair outdrew Hogan....and remember, it's all about the money.

 

Hogan was making 5.0 + buyrates in the 80's when Flair was doing 3.0's and under. (Check out ProWrestlingHistory.com)

 

And Austin's merchindise sold more than anyone in history....including Flair.

 

So I would say Flair would be under both Austin and Hogan.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Hogan was making 5.0 + buyrates in the 80's when Flair was doing 3.0's and under. (Check out ProWrestlingHistory.com)

Hogan wasn't putting on PPVs 12 times a year, though.

 

Both Flair and Hogan also have those HUGE stadium matches from way back when. I know Flair has done quite a few of those, while Hogan has done at least some. A Hogan vs Andre stadium match from something like 1980 is on Hulk Still Rules.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

What reason would Austin have for coming back? The guy has a history of being somewhat paranoid, and I don't think for one second that Vince wouldn't try to find a way to get back at Austin if he comes back. Also, how would the locker room react to Austin returning? What is the status of Austin's contract? Would he demand more money to return to Titan Towers? If he did want more money to return, why would Vince fork it over? When your business isn't doing well, "spen more money" shouldn't be your solution to fix things. They just brought in Steiner, they want to bring in Goldberg too. I think it would be best for both sides in the long run to just leave the past in the past and stop trying ot relive it.

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

Also, how would the locker room react to Austin returning?

If Austin made the Arena's sell out, PPV Buy Rates go up, and get higher ratings, then I'm sure most would get over it.

 

Wrestling is a Business and the more success you have, then the more you get paid. Even if you're only riding the coat tails of other guys.

 

Some guys care more about getting paid then they do about their spots.

 

But, I'm sure the Torch would say different.