
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, โSo the day starts. I have nothing that day at SmackDown, Iโm kind of lingering around wondering am I doing anything? I havenโt heard anything. Was it a setup? I donโt know. It didnโt 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 Hโs office, and he basically gives me the rundown of โHey, Pat McAfeeโs coming back. Weโre thinking you go out there, you cut a promo, and then kind of get on him, and then weโll have The Rock come out.โ Iโm just like, for real? Alright! So then theyโre sitting there, and then the head writer, heโs like, โHey, thereโs not a lot of time left now. Thereโs like 40 minutes, 30 minutes left. Go figure out what you want to say to Pat and then weโll figure out the rest, weโll tell you what youโre doing with Rock when he gets here.โ So Iโm like, well heโs 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 couldnโt, 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, Iโm like well this is where Iโve got to take it, Iโve got to get it back. So going out there, we had the same outfit on, so I ripped into him about that, you donโt 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:
โBefore 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, Iโm with Triple H and Nick Khan and weโre all walking outside. The busses are there, and this black car pulls up, six people get out, itโs just insane to me. Rock gets out, and Iโm like this is crazy. Heโs like the size of a blimp. He looks insane. Iโm like, What is going on? They walk over, I think theyโre just trying to get us on a bus so this could be private and nobody sees Rock. I think Nick Khan knocks on Charlotte Flairโs bus, and theyโre like, Hey, can you get off? Sheโs 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 โWhen we get out there, itโs going to be magic. Just feel it. Itโs 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 donโt 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:
โI 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. Iโm watching Stone Cold do this horrible stunner to Vince. Finally, Vince takes the stunner. We get out and I remember I picked up Vinceโs shoe, and his arm was around me, weโre 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. Iโm about to drink a whole beer because Stone Cold is going to walk through the curtain and heโs going to hand me one, and if I donโt drink it, thatโs so disrespectful. I was like, so here we go, first beer, Iโm going to be so drunk tonight. He comes through the curtain, heโs covered in beer on his shirt, and he hugs me, and I just taste all the beer. Thatโs enough of the beer I needed. He didnโt give me a beer, but he said โWas 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.