WWE News: Jim Ross on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin cussing him out

What's the story?

Jim Ross and Steve Austin have a pretty good friendship, but most friends will find themselves fighting every now and then. The WWE Hall Of Fame announcer recently spoke on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast about The Rattlesnake where he opened up about one time when Ross was trying to do Austin a favour but it turned out to not really register as a "favour" in Stone Cold's eyes.

In case you didn't know...

The last spot of a show is usually reserved for the biggest names on the card, but sometimes a performer might rather get their work done early so they can get ready and head to the next town. After all, WWE Superstars are always on the road and all that travelling can wear someone down if you're going at it until all hours of the night.

Heart of the matter

Jim Ross told Sam Roberts about one time when he booked Stone Cold Steve Austin for a match earlier in the card. While he was actually trying to do Austin a favour, it was met with a lot of pushback to say the least.

Ross said Blackjack Lanza called him which wasn't uncommon, but this instance wasn't like the rest. Instead, Lanza informed Ross that he had Steve Austin there who wanted to speak to him. The house show was on the West Coast and booked for a Sunday night before television the next day. Ross thought he was helping Austin out by booking him in a tag match before intermission so he could get on the road sooner. But boy, was he wrong.

"He handed Austin the phone and after he got done over modulating on my phone and cussing, I figured that A) he didn't like tag matches and B) he couldn't figure out why he wasn't going on last. And I said," well, I thought the tag match would give you something of a break instead of carrying the whole load and going on before intermission would get you on the road earlier.' I said, ' you've got a big night at RAW the next night and it's an early night because we're on West Coast time.' And he gave me, 'man, I worked my entire GD life for this, to be a top guy, and not have to do that and I want to go on last. That's what top guys do.'"

Jim Ross further explained that was how The Rattlesnake was and it was also how other talents were as well although he didn't disclose anyone else's name in the process to provide an example.

What's next?

As the pro wrestling business evolves, there will be people on top who want to close out a show and send the crowd home happy.

Author's take

Stone Cold had a valid point and it really showed his dedication by not accepting anything less than going on last.

But in all reality, WWE used to book Hulk Hogan matches before intermission all the time so they could promote during intermission that he would be back at a later date to close out the show and seek his revenge for whatever antics transpired in the match before intermission. But to each their own.