Austin Theory Discusses His Memorable Segments With The Rock And Steve Austin

Austin Theory in WWE
Austin Theory | WWE

WWE star Austin Theory appeared on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, where he talked about a number of topics including his segment with The Rock.

Theory said, โ€œSo the day starts. I have nothing that day at SmackDown, Iโ€™m kind of lingering around wondering am I doing anything? I havenโ€™t heard anything. Was it a setup? I donโ€™t know. It didnโ€™t feel like one, but if it was, then wow, you got me. But I remember we have an hour before the show kicks off. So we were in Colorado, so the time is probably like a couple of hours [back]. So we had an hour before the show, I get a call, and I end up going to Triple Hโ€™s office, and he basically gives me the rundown of โ€˜Hey, Pat McAfeeโ€™s coming back. Weโ€™re thinking you go out there, you cut a promo, and then kind of get on him, and then weโ€™ll have The Rock come out.โ€™ Iโ€™m just like, for real? Alright! So then theyโ€™re sitting there, and then the head writer, heโ€™s like, โ€˜Hey, thereโ€™s not a lot of time left now. Thereโ€™s like 40 minutes, 30 minutes left. Go figure out what you want to say to Pat and then weโ€™ll figure out the rest, weโ€™ll tell you what youโ€™re doing with Rock when he gets here.โ€™ So Iโ€™m like, well heโ€™s not even here, this is crazy. So I go away and I started thinking in my head. I started thinking too about the last time I was in the ring with Pat McAfee, and how the promos were. I remember he said some things that I couldnโ€™t, I could only say what I was able to say. But I feel like there was some more freedom there for him. So in my mind, Iโ€™m like well this is where Iโ€™ve got to take it, Iโ€™ve got to get it back. So going out there, we had the same outfit on, so I ripped into him about that, you donโ€™t look like me in a tank top. I called him something and then Rock comes out.โ€

On meeting The Rock prior to the segment:

โ€œBefore Rock comes out, kind of going back to when I met Rock, I remember, I came up with what I wanted to say on Pat I was like, Okay, I got it. And then I just get a text, come outside. I come outside, and it was one of the writers, and he said, Come with me. And then next thing I know, Iโ€™m with Triple H and Nick Khan and weโ€™re all walking outside. The busses are there, and this black car pulls up, six people get out, itโ€™s just insane to me. Rock gets out, and Iโ€™m like this is crazy. Heโ€™s like the size of a blimp. He looks insane. Iโ€™m like, What is going on? They walk over, I think theyโ€™re just trying to get us on a bus so this could be private and nobody sees Rock. I think Nick Khan knocks on Charlotte Flairโ€™s bus, and theyโ€™re like, Hey, can you get off? Sheโ€™s like, alright. So she just gets off, and then we get on the bus. Then I just remember I was in the back of the bus with The Rock, and he was kind of telling me โ€˜When we get out there, itโ€™s going to be magic. Just feel it. Itโ€™s going to be good.โ€™ And I kid you not being out there with him. He did like these Jedi mind tricks with his eyes, when I just knew when to go, when to say something, and just feeling it with him. He would just, I donโ€™t know, just with his eyes. I was like, oh man. But it was such an experience and I just felt so on top of my game.โ€

On being on the receiving end of The Stone Cold Stunner:

โ€œI guess I just really to live for everything. So at the time of WrestleMania, getting stunned by Austin. I fell out the ring, I kept one eye open. Iโ€™m watching Stone Cold do this horrible stunner to Vince. Finally, Vince takes the stunner. We get out and I remember I picked up Vinceโ€™s shoe, and his arm was around me, weโ€™re walking up the stage, and I just remember being like, yo that was so f*cking awesome. I think he just gave me haha or whatever. But at that moment I was just in it. Never having alcohol in my life, I came to the back after that match thinking in my head, already living in the future. Iโ€™m about to drink a whole beer because Stone Cold is going to walk through the curtain and heโ€™s going to hand me one, and if I donโ€™t drink it, thatโ€™s so disrespectful. I was like, so here we go, first beer, Iโ€™m going to be so drunk tonight. He comes through the curtain, heโ€™s covered in beer on his shirt, and he hugs me, and I just taste all the beer. Thatโ€™s enough of the beer I needed. He didnโ€™t give me a beer, but he said โ€˜Was a hell of a stunner kid. That was a great sell.โ€™ It was awesome.โ€

You can check out the complete podcast in the video below.