Stone Cold truth

[Guest Ray]

Anyone reading Austin's book? I'm too lazy to see if there's already a topic.

 

I've not read the whole thing yet, but he says some interesting things:

 

If I ran WWE in a perfect world, I'd take the business back ten or 15 years. I'm not talking about the music or the pyro. I'm talking about the wrestling style, bell to bell. If we change that the way I'm suggesting, guys are going to sell the moves more. That means slow down, take less chances and tell better stories.

 

and guys gotta sell. Not selling offensive moves kills the business. Hell, selling in the proper degree is a lost art.

AMEN!

 

Austin for head writer!

 

Another guy I really admired and loved to work with was Chris Benoit.

 

I loved doing my programs with Bret Hart in 1996 and 1997 when he made his comeback. I was handpicked by Bret to work with him at Madison Square Garden. I was real pround of that.

 

I think that match as Wrestlemania 13 was my favorite ever.

 

Steve was hired by WWF because he could wrestle, because he could work with anyone and have a good, solid match. He was hired to be a mechanic, which meant he would never go higher than the Intercontinental Title.

Interesting...

[Guest JMA]

I've been reading it... in the store.

 

It's been pretty good so far.

[Tawren 0]

If I ran WWE in a perfect world, I'd take the business back ten or 15 years. I'm not talking about the music or the pyro. I'm talking about the wrestling style, bell to bell. If we change that the way I'm suggesting, guys are going to sell the moves more. That means slow down, take less chances and tell better stories.

 

and guys gotta sell. Not selling offensive moves kills the business. Hell, selling in the proper degree is a lost art.

In other news, Austin is doing a great job helping the heels on Raw get over by selling their offense.

[AndrewTS 0]

Tawren: Thank you.

 

Austin is a huge hypocrite. Man, glad he took a stand against WWE's lousy writing, aren't you?

 

Make him a talent scout and get him the hell off TV.

[Tawren 0]

Tawren: Thank you.

 

Austin is a huge hypocrite. Man, glad he took a stand against WWE's lousy writing, aren't you?

 

Make him a talent scout and get him the hell off TV.

You're very, very, welcome.

 

[El Psycho Diablo 0]

It's easy to say "slow down the style", but think how many of the smaller (read: cruisers) that would just kill? (Not that they're getting a fair shot right now, anyway..but still)

 

Just who is Austin to say "The guys will sell the moves more" when he's the guy who's been able to play Superman since 97/98ish?

 

I'm sure him taking out the entire Alliance in one night was just a case of him trying to get those guys over, too.

 

His whole "put the buisness back where it belongs" crap is just talk, considering he gets to beat up guys every Monday, and he's not even a wrestler anymore. If anything he should be getting HIS ass kicked around now.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Another guy I really admired and loved to work with was Chris Benoit.

"And I never put him over either." - Stone Cold

[Guest Ray]

In other news, Austin is doing a great job helping the heels on Raw get over by selling their offense.

Indeed. See Batista on Monday.

 

It's easy to say "slow down the style", but think how many of the smaller (read: cruisers) that would just kill? (Not that they're getting a fair shot right now, anyway..but still)

Are you saying cruiserweights have to wrestle 100 miles an hour to have good matches?

 

Just who is Austin to say "The guys will sell the moves more" when he's the guy who's been able to play Superman since 97/98ish?

Are you kidding? Yeah, Austin looked unstopabble at Wrestlemania 17, when he was cheating his ass off. Nope, no selling at all for five years. It's idiotic to act as if Austin didn't sell.

 

I'm sure him taking out the entire Alliance in one night was just a case of him trying to get those guys over, too.

No, that would be VINCE MCMAHON killing WCW.

 

His whole "put the buisness back where it belongs" crap is just talk, considering he gets to beat up guys every Monday, and he's not even a wrestler anymore. If anything he should be getting HIS ass kicked around now.

I guess you missed Batista kicking Austin's ass on Monday. Do you really think Austin should get his ass kicked by Christian or the other crappy mid-carders on Raw?

 

"And I never put him over either." - Stone Cold

Did you miss the Raw tag match where Benoit and Jericho beat Austin and Triple H? Did you even see the Austin-Benoit Smackdown match, where the announcers were having a heart attack at the end because Benoit almost won? Austin made Benoit look like he was going to win. Should Austin have lost to the injured Benoit at KOTR 01? Do you even know what the hell you are talking about?

 

Jesus Christ, if I knew a bunch of Austin haters would make dumbass replies, I wouldn't have bothered to post this topic.

[Guest Boo_Bradley]

That's the 1st Rico pic I've seen since the Gay Gimmick, My oh my....channeling Adrain Street Just a Lil are we...yikes!

 

 

 

Exotic AS

Edited November 7, 2003 by Boo_Bradley

[Austin3164life 0]

The book looks interesting, and I've been a bit anxious to see Austin backstage (non-kayfabe wise) and see his interaction with others in the business. I think I might go to Barnes&Nobles to pick it up.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Did you miss the Raw tag match where Benoit and Jericho beat Austin and Triple H?

 

I was refering to SINGLES wise. Oh, and JERICHO pinned Austin.

 

Did you even see the Austin-Benoit Smackdown match, where the announcers were having a heart attack at the end because Benoit almost won?

 

Therefore, it was MEANINGLESS.

[Guest Ray]

It was meaningless because Benoit didn't win?

 

I guess you're going to tell me Wrestlemania 13 was meaningless to Austin's career because Austin didn't win, right?

 

Benoit came out of that match looking like gold.

[Guest Askewniverse]

Did you miss the Raw tag match where Benoit and Jericho beat Austin and Triple H?

 

I was refering to SINGLES wise. Oh, and JERICHO pinned Austin.

What about the time that Benoit pinned Austin in a tag match? Would that win be meaningless because it was "just a tag match?"

 

In case you're wondering, the match that I'm talking about took place on the 6/7/01 edition of SmackDown.

[haVoc 0]

Sold everywhere my ass. I went down to the book store in the train station 4 days ago and they didn't carry it. Is it a $30 hard cover book or can you get a cheap soft cover as well?

[Just call me Dan 0]

I think the paperback will be released later, but, for now, you have to shell out for the hard cover.

[Guest Corino 1000]

I haven't read it yet but from commercials it looks good.

[Tawren 0]

I haven't read it yet but from commercials it looks good.

Yes. Commercials will let you know whether or not a book is good.

[Guest Corino 1000]

I haven't read it yet but from commercials it looks good.

Yes. Commercials will let you know whether or not a book is good.

Yes actually from the type of book it is you can tell whether it looks good or bad from commercials they play.

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

Another guy I really admired and loved to work with was Chris Benoit.

"And I never put him over either." - Stone Cold

*yawn*

 

Austin put over Benoit (and Angle) more in 2001 than any main eventer before him. Did you people actually watch the shows or just repeat what people on the internet tell you?

[haVoc 0]

But, Scott Keith told them so.....

[Just call me Dan 0]

I haven't read it yet but from commercials it looks good.

Yes. Commercials will let you know whether or not a book is good.

Your sarcasm is getting old. I actually thought the book looked like it would be good when hearing him talk about the chain Pillman gave him. It gave some insight on the kind of stuff he may talk about. If you have nothing to contribute, then stop posting your worthless crap please.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Sounds like I should skip this book, it sounds awfully hypocritical.

 

I also thought it was sad when he talked about wanting to "do business" with guys when the only person he did business with was The Rock.

[Austin3164life 0]

Sounds like I should skip this book, it sounds awfully hypocritical.

 

I also thought it was sad when he talked about wanting to "do business" with guys when the only person he did business with was The Rock.

Considering the talent pool in the "Attitude" peak (98-99), I'm glad that he did. Imagine seeing Austin vs. Billy Gunn or something like that.

[Just call me Dan 0]

Not sure what you're getting at there JOTW, but if you want to talk about making money with someone, you forgot Vince.

 

By the way, hows that Goldberg boycott going?

[Lil' Bitch 0]

*yawn*

 

Austin put over Benoit (and Angle) more in 2001 than any main eventer before him. Did you people actually watch the shows or just repeat what people on the internet tell you?

 

Whenever Austin fought Benoit one on one, Austin ALWAYS got the better of him and if he didn't, it was a DQ loss.

 

And oh yeah, that wonderful 2 week reign Angle had, which only happened because of 9-11.

 

Those were real put overs.

[haVoc 0]

Here is a book review from 411mania.com

 

The Credits

 

The Stone Cold Truth, by Stone Cold Steve Austin, with Jim “J.R.” Ross. As told to Dennis Brent.

Pages: 312, with a 16-page color photo section.

 

We all know who Steve Austin and Jim Ross are. Dennis Brent has also aided in writing the latest WWE Cookbook, and is also mentioned in the book as being a former WCW employee, although it is not mentioned in what specific regard.

 

 

The Beginning

 

The book is written from Austin’s first-person perspective, with short anecdotes from his parents and J.R. interspersed through the chapters. Austin begins with an account of the night before Wrestlemania XIX in Seattle, where a combination of anxiety, caffeine, ephedra, and dehydration sent him to the hospital for a suspected heart attack. The ‘voice’ of the narration comes across very well, and it’s easy to imagine Austin narrating the entire book himself, as I believe he does on the AudioBook version. One thing in particular from the prologue stuck with me, however.

 

Austin starts feeling the effects of the past few weeks of stress catching up with him, so he calls the hotel front desk twice for a doctor, then manages to get a hold of WWE personnel by chance in the hallway, and has them call an ambulance to take him to the hospital. What slowly sinks in is that he’s in a room alone, before the biggest show of the year and what will be his final in-ring appearance as a wrestler – and he’s totally and utterly alone.

 

 

The Early Years

 

From there, the book goes into the standard childhood biography, talking about Austin’s family, his penchant for mischief with his brothers, and his adolescence playing high school football in Texas. Some interesting notes: I wasn’t aware that Austin was adopted. While most folks are aware of his “real life” as Steve Williams, he was born Steve Anderson. His birth father split soon after Steve’s birth, and when his mother remarried a musician named Ken Williams, Steve’s new stepdad adopted both Steve and gave him his name. Austin comes across as someone very close to his family, almost completely at odds with his on-screen character, but when it comes down to it, not all that surprising.

 

He goes on to explain how he married his high school sweetheart, and got into wrestling through watching a commercial for Chris Adams’ wrestling school. Over time, Adams becomes the impetus for Steve’s career, as well as being the catalyst for Steve’s second marriage to the woman who would eventually become the mother of his two children.

 

Austin is very honest about the fact that he was unfaithful to his first wife, resulting in the annulment of their marriage. He speaks with regret, but also with openness and candor, admitting that he was young and stupid. Often in the book he uses this honest candor when talking about his mistakes, not as excuse but as explanation.

 

 

Making It Big

 

Austin eventually made it to WCW, where he enjoyed many successful years as part of the Dangerous Alliance, partnering with Brian Pillman in the Hollywood Blondes, and traveling with legends and close friends like Rick Rude. Austin goes into great detail about his relationship with Pillman, expressing grief about his loss, but again showing that blunt honesty about how Pillman’s lifestyle added to his unknown heart condition and most likely speeded his untimely death.

 

When Austin tore his tricep and went on an injury hiatus, he was fired by WCW in an incident that has been often misquoted and repeated ad infinitum, and which Austin finally clarifies. He was called up by one of WCW’s office personnel, and told that he should give Eric Bischoff a call as soon as he could. Bischoff informed Austin over the phone that due to what WCW was paying him, and the length of time he’d been out, that they were exercising their right to terminate his contract. Austin said he’d been expecting it, and that they could just send him the paperwork. He explains that his offense came not from being fired, that was just business, but that WCW’s headquarters were only a short drive from where he was staying. In his eyes, Bischoff could have delivered the message personally to soften the blow. So the old chestnut about Austin being fired by Federal Express – false.

 

Austin speaks glowingly about his relationship with Paul Heyman, his previous manager from the Dangerous Alliance, and how Heyman was paying him $500 a week to just come to an ECW show and cut promos. Coming into the ECW Arena and just laying into his past employers at WCW, Austin began laying the groundwork for the character he would eventually make into the predominant wrestling personality of the 1990s.

 

In the WWE

 

A minor annoyance in the book is the constant revisionism of replacing all references to the World Wrestling Federation with “WWE”. I know it’s the new name of the company, and that they’re not allowed to profit from the WWF initials anymore. But still – Steve Austin didn’t come into the WWE as the Ringmaster, he was Ted DiBiase’s protégé in the WWF.

 

The tone of the book changes slightly when Austin’s WWF/WWE years become the focus. Austin doesn’t shy away from giving his opinions on the state of the company, as well as what seems to be an honest account of his relationship with Vince McMahon. According to Austin, Vince is a guy who loves his business more than anything else. Vince is, by Austin’s account, a man who is so gung-ho about personal control that he gets angry at himself for sneezing or yawning in public. A lot of folks will take this to fuel the popular conception of Vincent McMahon as a control freak, or some Machiavellian doge in his ivory tower, playing chess games with his employees’ careers and his company’s future. I think Austin’s account of Vince is closer to the truth, that of a man who sees his company as an extension of his own life, and loves it just as much.

 

Austin also talks about the people he’s worked with in his career, from his matches with Bret Hart that he feels made him a true star, to his ill-fated match with Owen Hart that altered the course of his entire life. As the story goes, Owen and Steve had agreed on the tombstone piledriver spot in the match to wow the crowd with a sudden reversal. Austin says he was adamant about insisting Owen drop to his knees with the move, but Owen just smiled and said “No, I drop on my ass.” Austin repeated his insistence, and Owen gave the same response. Austin, figuring Owen was just ribbing him, went on his way until the match.

 

By both Austin and J.R.’s accounts, Owen never contacted Steve after the incident, and the two didn’t speak much, if at all, before Owen’s accidental death. Austin explains his feelings on the matter as being hurt, and that he can’t know what Owen was feeling, only that he thinks an apology should have been made, in some form. Jim Ross interjects with an addition, explaining that he urged Owen to call Austin, but Owen made excuses and procrastinated, most likely out of extreme shame and embarrassment.

 

Steve also speaks highly of Shawn Michaels, and how their current friendship is better than when they were both at their prime, due to where both men are currently at this point in their lives. Looking at the two men from a distance to gain perspective, it’s obvious how Michaels has changed. Austin’s changes have been more subtle, and the book makes them clear to the reader.

 

 

His Personal Life

 

A lot of people will read this book wanting to know the dirt on two things: Austin’s divorce from Debra, and his walking out on the WWE. As to the first, they will be disappointed, as Austin explains that he cannot comment on the situation because of a court-enforced gag order. He states quite clearly “You’ve all seen the news reports.” He goes on to state that he will always love Debra, but that some people aren’t meant to be married. With that being said, I think it’s best that this part of Austin’s life was kept out of the book, and not resurrected for the entire world to pass unqualified judgment upon.

 

Austin spares no words talking about his decision to walk out on WWE, and the tone of the book returns to that honest and blunt style of narration. Austin reveals that his physical condition was a great factor, and that he has never fully recovered from the neck injury. He references his dissatisfaction at having to work an undercard match at Wrestlemania X-8 as a major factor, as well as being told he was going to lose to Brock Lesnar in the opening rounds of the 2002 King of the Ring on free television. Whether people agree or disagree with Stone Cold’s actions, the reasons he gives are clear-cut and as open as can be.

 

He speaks with equal candor about his time away and his return to the company, burying the hatchet with Eric Bischoff in the process. The ending chapters of the book go into Austin’s thoughts about where he’s headed with his life, as well as where he feels the direction of WWE is going and should be going. The words come across as truth, the honest opinions of a man who is still dissatisfied with certain things and isn’t afraid to air his differences.

 

 

The overview

 

For people expecting dirt dished or scandals exposed, this isn’t the book to find that kind of information. (Go read Chyna’s book for that.) If folks are expecting a completely kayfabed in-character roller coaster ride, this isn’t the book for that either. (go read Rock’s biography if that’s your thing.)

 

This book gives you Stone Cold Steve Austin, with no punches pulled and little embellishment as I can see it. While it doesn’t show the extreme revisionist history that Hulk Hogan’s biography had, there are portions where things seem a little… simpler than they may have actually been. And while the book isn’t as obviously ghostwritten as Angle’s biography was, there are moments that seem to be merely restating things we’ve seen on the “Best of RAW” DVDs.

 

I feel the book is a good reflection of who Steve Austin is, as both a man and as a wrestler. I may not agree with everything he’s done, or the opinions he holds and speaks about in the book – but I think I understand the guy better for having read it. I can relate a little more personally, for example, realizing that Austin and I share two similar medical conditions (partial hearing loss from trauma/noise, and occasional minor muscle contractions and spasms). The book doesn’t make Steve Austin out to be a regular guy, but that’s because he isn’t. What it does do is make him a little more human, which has been his appeal all along.

 

The photos inside, including the color insert, tell the story of Austin’s life visually. Yet they’re almost an afterthought to the descriptions given in the narrative. It’s a nice touch, however, to see a young Steve Williams goofing around with his brothers, or seeing “Stunning Steve” and “Flyin’ Brian” next to each other one more time, or to laugh at the photo of Austin’s first match in the WWF (versus a barely-recognizable Scott “Scotty 2 Hotty” Taylor).

 

 

The finish

 

I’d put this book down as the third-best wrestling biography I’ve read (behind Have a Nice Day! and The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire) in recent years. At a $26.00 cover price, I’d recommend waiting for the inevitable 10% discount that usually comes with new releases, or if you’re not big on having a hardcover library, wait for the paperback.

 

Is it a life-changing book? Nope. Will it alter the face of wrestling? No. Is it an entertaining read? Definitely, from cover to cover.

 

And that’s the bottom line.

 

~M.

[humongous2002 0]

It's easy to say "slow down the style", but think how many of the smaller (read: cruisers) that would just kill? (Not that they're getting a fair shot right now, anyway..but still)

 

Just who is Austin to say "The guys will sell the moves more" when he's the guy who's been able to play Superman since 97/98ish?

 

I'm sure him taking out the entire Alliance in one night was just a case of him trying to get those guys over, too.

 

His whole "put the buisness back where it belongs" crap is just talk, considering he gets to beat up guys every Monday, and he's not even a wrestler anymore. If anything he should be getting HIS ass kicked around now.

You took the words out of my mouth, Austin is full of shit and he has become part of the many problems WWE is facing today.

[Guest Ray]

*yawn*

 

Austin put over Benoit (and Angle) more in 2001 than any main eventer before him. Did you people actually watch the shows or just repeat what people on the internet tell you?

 

Whenever Austin fought Benoit one on one, Austin ALWAYS got the better of him and if he didn't, it was a DQ loss.

 

And oh yeah, that wonderful 2 week reign Angle had, which only happened because of 9-11.

 

Those were real put overs.

Are you going to keep making these replies?

 

I already explained. He doesn't have to lose the match to put the other guy over. Benoit looked great after 5/31/01 was over. Austin only "won" because McMahon ran in. Angle looked great after Summerslam 2001 was over. Austin only "won" because he got himself DQed. In both matches, it looked like his opponents would win. That IS putting them over.

 

But you seem to have such a narrow view of what "putting over" someone is. According to your logic, Austin wasn't "put over" in any way at WM13, because he didn't get a pin.

 

You took the words out of my mouth, Austin is full of shit and he has become part of the many problems WWE is facing today.

Do you people even think before posting this sheepish crap? Did you not read where I totally destroyed his position?

 

 

Christ, give this lame Austin bashing a rest. It's weak and stupid.

[Guest MikeSC]

*yawn*

 

Austin put over Benoit (and Angle) more in 2001 than any main eventer before him. Did you people actually watch the shows or just repeat what people on the internet tell you?

 

Whenever Austin fought Benoit one on one, Austin ALWAYS got the better of him and if he didn't, it was a DQ loss.

 

And oh yeah, that wonderful 2 week reign Angle had, which only happened because of 9-11.

 

Those were real put overs.

Are you going to keep making these replies?

 

I already explained. He doesn't have to lose the match to put the other guy over. Benoit looked great after 5/31/01 was over. Austin only "won" because McMahon ran in. Angle looked great after Summerslam 2001 was over. Austin only "won" because he got himself DQed. In both matches, it looked like his opponents would win. That IS putting them over.

 

But you seem to have such a narrow view of what "putting over" someone is. According to your logic, Austin wasn't "put over" in any way at WM13, because he didn't get a pin.

 

You took the words out of my mouth, Austin is full of shit and he has become part of the many problems WWE is facing today.

Do you people even think before posting this sheepish crap? Did you not read where I totally destroyed his position?

 

 

Christ, give this lame Austin bashing a rest. It's weak and stupid.

God, imagine the heat Flair would get nowadays.

 

He didn't put Sting over at Clash I. Never put over Terry Funk ever. Didn't put very many people over --- if you use the logic of some on the boards.

-=Mike

[Just call me Dan 0]

Well, a bunch of bandwagon jumpers who haven't watched wrestling for more than 4 years just wouldn't be able to use that logic now would they?