Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions: The Big Show FULL RECAP
Steve and the Big Show firmly shake hands and then jokingly discuss the “workers handshake” which is an intentionally soft handshake to show other wrestlers you were light in the ring. Big Show noted the only person he didn’t mind that from was Mean Gene, since it was always a joke.
Steve Austin jokes that he conducted 1% of the work in the studio by hanging the Texaco sign.
Big Show discussed playing Dungeons and Dragons with Vince Vaughan, Tom Morello and other celebrities in Los Angeles.
In terms of making his return, Show received a text at 12:02 am from Vince to compete on Monday Night Raw.
Big Show was sweating a double powerbomb bump from AOP since it was his first bump in 2 years, but once it occurred, his body was completely fine.
Big Show looked up to Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Two of his favourite wrestlers of all-time. He felt no one was tougher than Double-A.
The change to Honeycomb cereal because of Andre being featured in the commercial and wanted to be big like him.
When Stone Cold thinks of giants, Andre and the Big Show are the only two who come to mind.
It gave Big Show credibility when WCW positioned him as Andre’s son, but felt it backfired since their styles were different and felt shady pretending to really be his son.
Stone Cold saw tremendous potential in The Giant, but could visibly tell he was very green.
In his first match against Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc in 1995, he was essentially lost and waited for the next move.
The two joked about the Yeti (Ron Reese)
Austin asked why Ron never made it. Show noted he was a nice guy, but just couldn’t connect the dots and perhaps there was only room for one giant in the territory.
Show notes that as The Giant, he compensated for his lack of experience by taking bumps. He noted that being green, he couldn’t suggest alternatives to fit the psychology of the match.
The Giant was disillusioned in WCW and felt like a kid in a candy store since he was working with all of the big stars such as Hogan, Flair, Sting, Savage, Nash etc.
Randy Savage always suggested, “Less is more. You’re going too fast. Slow down.” Show used an analogy of learning the equations without knowing how to use math, which he later gained in WWF.
Austin noted that one of The Giant’s crutches was just simply yelling. Steve noted that Braun relies too heavily on this too. The Big Show noted this was insecurity slipping through.
When on the topic of the nWo, The Big Show noted he is happy about them going into the WWE Hall of Fame, but wishes to give them the “Stone Cold Salute.” A great faction and drew plenty of money, but regretted getting beat down, not gaining revenge and then simply being recruited to join. He felt this was politicking as a way for those three to protect themselves.
When asked about working with Sting, Show noted he was a consummate professional, nice and saved him from making mistakes. Always provided him with advice. Steve noted those two shared great chemistry.
The Big Show was sad for the business when WCW closed and felt it was one less place to make money. He felt the beginning of the end was when the nWo buried the babyfaces.
Big Show shared a story about how he showed up to an autograph signing in Chicago ahead of Bret Hart, Luna Vachon, Jeff Jarrett and Bam Bam Bigelow, He was asked to leave due to not having enough experience and being too young.
The Big Show’s dealings with Eric Bischoff were fairly positive. but noted Eric was very influenced by Hogan, Nash and Hall.
The Big Show noted his transition to WWF was so difficult because they were taught so differently.
The two relive the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre moment where The Big Show debuted and attacked Stone Cold.
The Big Show noted that when he and Stone Cold fought the next week following the PPV, he made a critical business mistake. Vince asked Show, “what do you want to do with Steve?” since he wanted the two to compete at Wrestlemania the following year, but he didn’t know how to respond. Show openly agreed to put Steve over, but felt Vince didn’t respect the fact he wouldn’t stick up for himself.
Austin asked Show who he went to upon arriving. “Things were so bad, I started riding with Public Enemy.”
The Rock was very good to him. Billy Gunn also started helping him out.
His big contract pissed a lot of people off.
The input he provided was minimal as his opponents called the matches.
Austin asked Show about his relationship with The Undertaker. “When I fell on my face, he took me under his wing.” The Big Show noted that Brian Adams (formally Crush) likely put in a good word for him and that helped since Brain and Taker were close.
Taker lectured The Big Show on bumping too much, overselling, not enough aggression, in-ring cardio, “what the f%!” were you thinking doing that?”
The Big Show envied Stone Cold and The Undertaker for being so experienced yet having so much enjoyment.
Show noted his biggest issue was inconstancy since he could hit a home run and then strikeout.
Austin shared an example of The Undertaker changing his style and knowing he could blow the roof off the building like the other athletes, but it didn’t fit his character or style. Show agreed that it can easily tear one up inside.
Austin asked, “when did you learn to work like a giant?” Show replied, “I worked with this real prick for two weeks in Europe. He was the coolest guy outside of the ring to hang out with. Great sense of humour. But inside the ring, he would stomp my ass for 8 minutes straight, hit me with his finish, pour beer on me and that was the end of it.” Of course, this was Austin he was referencing. John Laurinaitis and Fit Finlay urged him to fight like a giant, but he was unsure what it meant since this guy hasn’t called anything. It all clicked after getting hit hard from Austin that he needs to send him some aggressive receipts.
The Big Show noted that he learned Stone Cold forced others to step up in the ring with him, so that forced him to change his mindset.
Show brought up an example of Braun Strowman being too giving to Sami Zayn.
The topic of being demoted to OVW was brought up.
Show felt he was out of ring shape due to recent surgery on his knee. He blew up, missed a few spots which made The Undertaker livid. He went from main eventing Wrestlemania to OVW.
Coming out of OVW, Show took the business more seriously since everything he received was taken away. It was an expensive education, but it was worth it.
The Big Show noted Vince like him but didn’t know how to bring out that potential. His relationship with Vince didn’t start to improve until John Laurinaitis came along. He noted that Jim Ross was very disappointed with his physique. It was an old school lesson which Show didn’t appreciate at the time.
Vince never placed The Big Show in the Andre category but expected more out of him due to his charisma, size and athleticism.
Austin asked The Big Show about potentially working with Shaq, since O’Neal’s schedule is so hectic, it never worked out. Show noted he could carry the two to a respectable match but would prefer a tag match with others involved who could bump.
Austin asked The Big Show about his relationship with Kurt Angle, which immediately made him smile. “Kurt Angle is the absolute nicest. I love him to death. He’s such an amazing talent.” Show put over how he never ran out of cardio and despite being an Olympic Gold Medalist, never took himself too seriously.
Austin notes that he once blew Kurt Angle up and from time to time, will text him, “never forget Fresno.”
The Big Show also noted he loved Brock Lesnar and put over his athleticism. The footage of the ring crashing was shown and Show noted it felt amazing.
Big Show’s favourite version of his character was towards the end of his career from 2011-2014. That’s where he felt confident and Vince viewed him as dependable.
Brock is the most explosive strong guy he’s ever been in the ring with. Mark Henry is one of the most physically strong person he’s ever been in the ring with. John Cena is the most functionally strong he’s ever been in the ring with and compares him to a forklift.
He briefly touched on his relationship with Mark Henry. Show briefly noted he’s never been defeated in an arm-wrestling competition.
The Big Show is a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and believes it’s the human spirit at its purest. Often, the first time these athletes receive proper medical care is at the Special Olympics.
When will he officially hang up the boots? He would like to have the odd match overseas.
Big Shows favourite person to work within the ring was John Cena. There were no headaches there.
Sheamus was the toughest competitor he’s ever faced since he’s incredibly intense.
Austin notes that Kane labels Big Show as the best big man ever, but Big Show says it’s the other way around.
The Big Show teared up over Austin bring up Kane’s praise
“Treat every day like it’s your first day of work” was the best advice he’s received
Stone Cold notes that The Big Show has become so well versed in the world of pro-wrestling that he turned into a mentor who frequently gives back and greatly helped Mark Henry among others.
The Big Show often finds himself teaching the Cruiserweights.
Austin asked Show if his currently acting gig satisfies him the way wrestling did. He does and The Big Show Show airs on Netlfix as a joint partnership with WWE. Wrestlers must find something with that same creativity outside of the business and this show provides him with the same thrill as pro-wrestling.
Austin asked what is the current state of WWE and where do you believe the sports entertainment business is heading?
Big Show I think we’ve never had more athletic talent than we’ve ever had now in WWE.
Austin: Is that good or bad?
Show: It’s good if done right. But the one thing I’m upset about is they’re too nice. Too friendly. Too comfortable. Too happy to be working there. Vince will tell you himself. You’re going to have to step on toes if you’re going to make it in this business. I want to see some toe stepping. I’m not talking about being a dick. I want to see someone stand up, does business, has that drive that if he has to eat through somebody, that’s fine. We’re not all friends. We’re not all going to go to Chipotle together. We’re here to make money. We’re not all going to play Madden on a computer in a back locker room together.
One person he has always seen a lot in and has become the talk of the town is Drew McIntyre. He’s always liked Drew and despite the ups and downs but now he looks like a million bucks, experienced, seasoned and snug when he works.
Big Show wants to see Big E get a little more aggressive.
Steve Austin has an invite to make an appearance during Season 2 of the Big Show Show and it was noted that Rikishi, Mick Foley and Mark Henry all excelled during their guest roles. Show would like to feature Mark Henry more heavily throughout the second season.
