“Stone Cold” Steve Austin laments WWE’s Loss of Authenticity
WWE’s current product lacks the “soul” of its past, according to wrestling icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who argues that excessive corporate control and scripting are stifling creativity and diminishing the believability of its performers. The wrestling legend shared his candid assessment during a recent conversation on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Dirty Mo Media podcast, offering a glimpse behind the curtain of how the professional wrestling landscape has evolved.
Austin’s critique isn’t aimed at the current WWE roster’s talent, but rather at the system that he believes constrains them. He contends that the emphasis on control over genuine expression is detrimental to the product’s overall quality.
The shift, according to Austin, became acutely apparent upon his return to the ring in 2000 following neck surgery. “I just think that was still the last days of the Wild Wild West,” he explained, drawing a parallel to the introduction of restrictions that limit performance. “And, you know, I love it-has something to do like, you know, introducing a restrictor plate.” He observed a growing trend of micromanagement, a move toward “a more friendly tone,” and an increased presence of corporate sponsorships.
Austin pinpointed his recovery from a C3-4 spinal fusion in 2000 as the turning point.He recalled being handed a prepared script upon his return, a practise that immediately clashed with his improvisational style. “And this is what you were going to say,” he remembers being told,a sentiment that signaled a departure from the more organic approach he favored.
For Austin, the essence of compelling wrestling lies in the dynamic exchange between performers. “If you’re going to talk some trash to me, I’m going to listen to you talk that trash, and I’m going to go out there and answer everything you just said,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative environment where performers “tear each other down, but we’re building each other up,” ultimately working together to “sell tickets.”
The former champion underscored that his approach was rooted in authenticity and instinct, not rote memorization. “I don’t work from memory. I work from what I feel in my heart, my gut, and then put it together with my brain.” He contrasted this with the current environment, which he described as “way more friendly” and “micromanaged,” recalling a time when rehearsals were nonexistent.
Austin’s central argument isn’t a nostalgic longing for the past, but a concern for the present and future of professional wrestling. He believes that removing spontaneity erodes a character’s credibility. It wasn’t merely his signature catchphrases that resonated with audiences, he argues, but the genuine delivery behind them-a quality he fears is increasingly absent in today’s WWE.
while acknowledging the talent within the current roster…
