WWE Hall of Famer ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate about kayfabe and wrestling’s growing transparency during his April 30th appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. When questioned whether WWE reveals too much about its scripted nature, Austin firmly stated his preference for maintaining wrestling’s mystique. He admitted, “Man, I’m still a little old school on that,” emphasizing his traditional perspective.
To illustrate his point, Austin referenced legendary magician Harry Houdini, comparing wrestling’s illusion to magic tricks. Austin explained that the mystery is what keeps audiences engaged, adding, “I want to figure out how he does it.” Even though he can’t know how it happened, he’s going to keep wondering and be excited for the next time he does that.
While acknowledging wrestling’s scripted nature, Austin insisted that preserving the illusion is crucial for fan engagement. “I know it’s not magic, it’s an illusion,” he said, “but let me keep wondering about that illusion.” His comments come at a time when WWE has embraced more behind-the-scenes content, and stars like The Rock openly call wrestling “a complete work.”
“Man, I’m still a little old school on that. I’m a big magic fan, but if Harry Houdini is still around, I don’t want him to tell me how he does it. I know it’s not magic, it’s an illusion,but let me keep wondering about that illusion.”
‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin on the magic of pro-wrestling
Despite modern trends, Austin’s old-school stance resonates with fans who miss when wrestling’s secrets were closely guarded. His perspective reflects an era where the blurred line between reality and fiction heightened the drama in the ring. For many, that sense of mystery remains a key part of wrestling’s timeless appeal.
Why did Stone Cold Steve Austin deny $1 million offer from Logan Paul?
Logan Paul, the former United States Champion, revealed on his Impaulsive podcast that he offered Stone Cold Steve Austin $1 million to appear in a Prime Energy costume during an event. However, the WWE Hall of Famer declined the offer, and the collaboration never happened. Austin later explained his reasoning, which was rooted in practical business considerations.
Austin explained that his primary focus is on his beer business, Broken Skull Beer, which is currently available in around 25 to 30 states. Since he wasn’t familiar with Prime Energy’s product, he didn’t feel comfortable endorsing it. He admitted he didn’t know the ingredients or whether the drink was good or bad. For Austin, promoting a product he doesn’t use or understand simply didn’t align with his values.
“No man, it’s just not my gimmick, you know. Like I said, he’s doing really well. Obviously he’s hustling and he’s going and getting it and more power to him. It just wasn’t a great fit for Steve Austin.”
Stone Cold Steve Austin on denying Logan Paul’s PRIME bottle offer
He made it clear that his refusal wasn’t a personal issue with Logan Paul. Austin acknowledged Paul’s success and hustle, giving him full credit for his achievements. However, he emphasized that endorsing an energy drink just wasn’t the right fit for him. Austin’s brand has always been tied to authenticity, and he didn’t want to compromise that by promoting something unrelated to his own ventures.
