WWE
Hall of Famer Steve Austin recently spoke with Justin
Barrasso of Sports Illustrated to promote tonight's
"Straight Up Steve Austin" season two premiere
on the USA Network. Tonight's season two premiere
will feature Austin hanging out with country music
star Luke Combs. Other upcoming episodes in the eight-week
season include WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Charlotte
Flair, rapper Ice T, NFL Legend Brett Favre, and others.
Austin
praised Flair and said her episode captures how deep
of a person she is outside of the ring.
"Anybody
that knows anything about the wrestling business knows
that my favorite of all-time is (the Nature Boy) Ric
Flair," Austin said. "And even though I've
known Charlotte for years, this is the longest I have
ever spent with her. We had so much fun during that
episode. She's polished, she's a star, but I think
this episode also captures how deep of a person she
is outside of the ring."
Austin
said the episode with Favre also stands out. It was
noted how Favre extended his career for as long as
possible, finally wrapping up after 20 seasons with
the NFL, while Austin's 14 year pro wrestling career
ended in 2003 due to mounting neck issues. Austin
said he would've done the same as Favre and kept going,
if he was able to. He also commented on how hard it
was to walk away from the ring.
"If
my issue wasn't neck and neurological issues, I would
have done the same as Brett and kept going,"
Austin said. "When I walked away from the business
of professional wrestling, I had to make the call.
The doctor didn't make the call. Vince McMahon didn't
make the call. It was the hardest decision I had to
make, one that took me a long time to come to grips
with.
"It
was so hard for me to leave the business, so I can
understand why Brett chose to hang on as long as he
could. He's one of the top quarterbacks to ever play
the game. That's another episode I really hope people
enjoy watching."
Austin
also discussed the SmackDown pairing of Paul Heyman
and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. After working
with Heyman years ago, Stone Cold remains in awe of
Heyman, watching him create magic with Reigns on Friday
nights. Austin called them a great package.
"That's
such a great package. They complement each other so
well," Austin said. "Roman can work his
ass off. He's always been very solid in the ring,
but now there's this bond and this chemistry between
Roman and Paul.
"That's
what Paul Heyman does. He makes anybody he's with
that much better. It happened for me, too. If you
want to suspend your disbelief, you can't but help
believe he's Roman's rock of knowledge. The presentation,
the package and the chemistry between these two looks
and sounds like money."