Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
UPDATE x 4: Even though there have been public denials, there are still major issues between WWE and Steve Austin.
During WrestleMania week, WWE sent a cease and desist letter to ProWrestlingTees.com about several Steve Austin items in their official store that they sell for him. Several of the Austin items that were up for sale are no longer available.
Meanwhile, John Cena is usin the springboard stunner as a way to “infuriate Austin”. Austin, former WWE creative team member and documentarian Chris Bell, and his brother Mark (Bigger, Stronger, Faster) said the move was “gimmick infringement on Austin’s podcast. Austin then spoke about why the move shouldn’t be used as Cena was using it.
The issues between the two led to Austin not attending WrestleMania weekend. As previously reported, WWE had a flight booked, but Austin didn’t show up. Austin turning down the new season of Tough Enough was said to be a big reason for their current situation. He said on his podcast he turned it down due to scheduling issues with his reality show on CMT. Basically, Austin is downplaying the issues as he doesn’t want it to turn into a bigger deal than it already is.
UPDATE x 3: On the latest edition of the Steve Austin podcast, Austin joked that John Cena “stole his move” via the springboard Stunner. Austin was reviewing WrestleMania 31 with guests Mark and Chris Bell and referred to the move as “gimmick infringement.”
He did note on a more serious note that they could have turned it into a new finisher for Cena if they’d let him pick up some wins with it instead of allowing the kick-out.
Also on the podcast, Austin talks with Chris Bell about his new documentary “Prescription Thugs”, Mark Bell’s experiences as a writer for WWE, bodybuilding and more. You can listen to it here.
UPDATE x 2: On the newest edition of The Steve Austin Show, Steve Austin took the time to discuss the recent rumors regarding his relationship with the WWE. Here is the breakdown…
* There is no heat on him for not appearing at WrestleMania 31. He says that there were never any creative plans in place for him on the show. He also shot down the rumor that he was supposed to be on a flight to the event with the Undertaker. Austin was not there because he was not scheduled to be there. NOTE: As we reported, although there were no set plans in place, WWE expected him to be in town for WrestleMania 31 and planned to talk to him about an idea they had in mind for him. When he never showed up, they weren’t able to present the idea to him.
* On the rumors that he turned down Tough Enough, He isn’t doing the show but did not turn down the offer. He said that he agreed to host the show when it was scheduled for a February/March shoot. To me went on, the show got pushed back, and then CMT wanted to go forward with doing more episodes of the Broken Skull Challenge. Austin went back to work on his Broken Skull Challenge, and due to those commitments, won’t be doing Tough Enough. He adds that the timing issue is no one’s fault, and that it takes a lot of work to put together a reality show like Tough Enough.
* Austin spoke about reports that Vince McMahon was not happy with some of the questions he asked on the WWE Network podcasts. He says that it isn’t true and that there is no heat between he and Vince. Austin also says that there were talks of doing more podcasts on the Network, but for whatever reason, a deal was not made and they are moving on without him.
* The bottom line from Austin is that at this time WWE is going one way, and he is going another. He feels that they could hook up again and that they could do good business. WWE is in his blood, and closed with “there’s no heat, nowhere. It’s cool, moving on.”
He kept things very cool and seemed to downplay the issues. It’s possible that the two sides may have talked since WrestleMania and that’s why he’s playing coy.
UPDATE: Here is the latest on the situation between Steve Austin and Vince McMahon.
As previously announced by WWE, Chris Jericho will be hosting a live podcast this Monday on the WWE Network, where he will interview John Cena. A source close to the situation says that there has been a falling out between Steve Austin and Vince McMahon. McMahon was reportedly not happy with the Austin podcast with Triple H, which led to the deal with Jericho being made.
While not confirmed, the issues seem to be around Austin asking about Chyna possibly getting in the WWE Hall of Fame, the fallout of Chyna resurfacing and then talking about HHH and accusing him of physical abuse.
ORIGINAL: As we previously reported, Steve Austin was supposed to appear at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara, but didn’t due to an issue with Vince McMahon.
WWE had been planning for Austin at the to attend the show during last week. He was supposed to fly into San Jose on the same flight as The Undertaker. When the plane landed, Austin wasn’t there. WWE even had someone there to pick him up. They were still hopeful he would arrive eventually.
The issue between Austin and McMahon appears to be over criticism of Austin’s WWE Network podcast. Vince was said to be so angry that one person claimed they’ve never seen him that mad about anything. This could be why Chris Jericho’s podcast is airing on the network now instead.
Meanwhile, WWE wanted Austin to host Tough Enough again but he turned them down for unknown reasons.
