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STEVE AUSTIN SPEAKS OUT, EXPOSING WWE’S CRITICAL ISSUE IN CURRENT ERA

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin blasts WWE's current "micromanaged" and "overly friendly" product, saying scripted promos have killed authenticity. The Hall of Famer claims today's stars aren't allowed to be real.

Steve Austin speaks out, exposing WWE’s critical issue in current era
Austin exposes WWE’s biggest current problem - COURTESY/PHOTO

"Cold Stone" When it comes to what he believes to be the main issue facing the WWE today, Steve Austin is not holding back. The product simply does not feel the same now, according to the man who helped define a whole generation of wrestling.

Austin claims that corporate structure and a culture that prioritises control over innovation have sanitised the show is spirit. He claims that the roster's talent is not the reason behind this.

Austin revealed the details of WWE's transformation in an interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Dirty Mo Media. When he was given a promo script after undergoing neck surgery in 2000, the change came as a shock.

Austin remarked, "I simply believe that was the latter days of the Wild Wild West." It has something to do with introducing a restrictor plate, which is why I adore it.

"You know, a lot more corporate sponsors were coming in, and things needed to get a little more pleasant because guys were starting to be a little more micromanaged," Austin remembered the precise moment when everything changed for him.

He said, "I will never forget having to travel in 2000 to have my C3–4 fused up due to some neck issues." And that is when they started occasionally giving you things like this after I returned.

"And you were going to say this." However, he did not like scripted advertisements back then, and he does not now.

Austin clarified, "I am going to listen to you talk crap if you are going to talk trash to me, and I am going to go out there and address what you just said." Although we are tearing each other down, we are also strengthening one another.

"You mean we are working together? Our goal is to sell tickets. That is business.

He made it clear that his approach focused on emotion rather than memorisation. "I do not rely on my memory for work. I start with my gut and heart feelings and use my brain to piece it together.

The line that struck like a surprise then arrived. "It is much friendlier now. It is micromanaged. We did not even practice back then. We recently completed it.

Austin's message is very clear: authenticity is more important than nostalgia. What makes a character believable is lost when spontaneity is removed.

The genuineness of the delivery was more memorable than just "Stone Cold's" catchphrases. He feels that today's celebrities are not permitted to use that.

Since he is aware of the talent on the current roster, he is not criticising it. However, he believes that they are engaging in a game where the guidelines are too strict, the advertisements are too well-made, and the soul is too predetermined.

THE SHIELD FACTOR: WHY SETH ROLLINS BELIEVES SPLITTING THE TEAM SAVED THREE LEGENDARY CAREERS

Is the Shield reuniting? Seth Rollins shuts down fans as Roman Reigns prepares to battle CM Punk at WrestleMania 2026.

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Rollins reflects on the 2014 chair shot that redefined modern professional wrestling

Seth Rollins has always been a lightning rod in wrestling, and he still feels the fallout from breaking up The Shield. Back in June 2014, he took everyone by surprise; he just turned on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a steel chair, siding with Triple H and The Authority. That moment didn’t just shake up The Shield. It changed wrestling for good.

He talked about it on Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe not long ago, saying that one decision flipped the whole industry on its head. The three of them, Rollins, Reigns, and Ambrose, had found their groove as a team. But splitting up was the push they all needed. If they’d stayed together, no way would they have become the stars they are now. Still, after all these years, Rollins gets grilled by grown adults! asking him why he did it.

“I still get asked about that. Seriously, it’s been 12 years, and people come up to me and say, ‘Why’d you break up The Shield?’ These are adults! They watched it as teens, sure, but come on. You know it’s not real. Does it really hurt that much? Wow,” he said. He just can’t believe a scripted moment from so long ago still hits people so hard.

No one can argue with what The Shield did for wrestling. All three guys are either holding or chasing world titles in WWE and AEW. Right now, Rollins has his own battles. He’s heading toward WrestleMania 42, but he’s coming off emergency surgery for a hernia, and that’s thrown his plans into chaos. Wrestling Observer Radio even reported that his big match against a returning rival might be off the table.

Roman Reigns, on the other hand, is gearing up for a huge showdown with CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. And with Elimination Chamber coming up in Chicago on February 28, 2026, everyone’s watching the top stars. On the February 16 episode of Raw, Je’Von Evans punched his ticket to the Men’s Elimination Chamber by beating GUNTHER and Dominik Mysterio. Now he’s in there with Randy Orton, LA Knight, and Cody Rhodes.

For the women, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton, and Alexa Bliss have already made it in. WWE is feeling the heat about ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium, so they’re leaning hard on the stories and history of their biggest names to pump up excitement for the two-night event in April.

INSIDE LIV MORGAN’S CALCULATED PLAN TO CHOOSE HER WRESTLEMANIA 42 CHAMPIONSHIP OPPONENT

Liv Morgan claims a dream match with AJ Lee would "solve world hunger" as she weighs her WrestleMania 42 title shot options.

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Liv Morgan eyeing WrestleMania 42 title shot

Liv Morgan has a wild sense of humour—she actually said that a match between her and AJ Lee would do more than just entertain fans. According to her, it’d solve world hunger. Seriously. In a recent chat with GQ Sports, Liv read a fan comment that said, “Her vs. AJ Lee would feed families,” and she took it even further: “We’d feed more than families. Like, world hunger would not be a thing.” When they asked how she pictured the match ending, Liv didn’t hesitate. “With me winning, obviously. But she’s a feisty one. Still, I’m putting my money on me.”

Fans have been dying to see Liv Morgan vs. AJ Lee ever since AJ returned to WWE last year. There’s a catch, though—rumour has it AJ Lee’s got a different WrestleMania 42 opponent lined up. And Liv? She’ll still be challenging for a Women’s Championship at the big event, but this dream match probably needs a little more time.

Liv’s still weighing her options for WrestleMania 42.

After she won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, Liv told everyone at the PLE post-show that she’s not in a rush to choose her opponent. “I can pick any champion I want, and I don’t want to make some quick decision I regret. I’m taking my time. I’ll decide when it feels right and when I know who’s right.” She doubled down on that on RAW this week, saying she’s even planning to scope out SmackDown to see if she wants to go after Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.

But if you’re looking for clues, Liv might’ve already dropped one—she ambushed Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer right after Stephanie defended her title against Raquel Rodriguez on RAW. Looks like Liv’s keeping her cards close, but she’s not shy about making a statement.

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