The Steve Austin Show – SAS CLASSIC
Guest: Hornswoggle aka Dylan Postl
Date: February 19, 2026 | Duration: ~86 minutes
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, Steve Austin is joined by Dylan Postl, best known to wrestling fans as Hornswoggle. The discussion is frank, irreverent, and full of insight, as they delve into Dylan’s recent WWE release, his decade-long run, life’s hurdles, the craft of wrestling, and his future ambitions post-WWE. The pair swap stories about wrestling, road life, family struggles, personal growth, and the business behind the business—all in Steve’s signature unfiltered style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Receiving the WWE Release & Immediate Aftermath
[12:03 - 13:01]
- Dylan learned he’d been released from WWE (alongside Sandow, Barrett, Santino, others) via a morning call. The news felt like “a bag of bricks.”
- His immediate worry was supporting his son, especially after being off the road for most of the last year.
- No anger towards WWE: “They let a guy that shouldn’t have made it be a WWE Superstar for… ten years now.” – Dylan Postl [12:20]
2. Overcoming Adversity (Childhood & Health Issues)
[13:02 - 14:43]
- Discusses early-life struggles: major back surgery at age six, post-surgery paralysis, and family turmoil after a house fire.
- Dylan’s mom left the family due to alcoholism; credits his stepmom for stepping in during tough times.
Quote:
“I couldn’t… I had no feeling from about the armpits down.” — Dylan Postl on surgery complications [13:34]
3. Family, Step-Families, and Support System
[14:43 - 17:03]
- Praise for his stepmom and dad; close relationship with brothers, even if they fought growing up.
- Felt acceptance as a little person within his family and community.
4. Entry Into Wrestling: Indie Beginnings
[17:17 - 21:22]
- Participation in backyard wrestling; building rickety rings.
- Trained by Ken Anderson (“the Ken Anderson”) at age 17; treated just like any other trainee with no shortcut for his size.
Memorable quote:
“I’ve never wanted to be a midget wrestler. I was a small cruiserweight; everyone wanted me to do the midget shit. I just wanted to wrestle.” — Dylan Postl [20:07]
5. WWE Call-up & Early Experiences
[22:00 - 24:16]
- After ~1.5 years on local indies, Dylan lands a WWE tryout via Ken Anderson and Tommy Dreamer.
- At age ~19, thrown immediately "on the road," traveling with the likes of Daivari, Great Khali, and Mark Henry—a “traveling circus.”
Fun moment:
“Kali would say, ‘This my son…’ and pick me up at the bar. He was awesome… a good pal.” — Dylan Postl [24:42]
6. Learning from Pros: The Influence of Fit Finlay
[27:02 - 29:58]
- Deep gratitude and admiration for Fit Finlay, who saw value in Dylan when others may not have.
- “Absolute smartest man in wrestling—top to bottom… If he can’t come up with something, he’ll have it in five minutes.” — Dylan Postl [27:19]
Steve Austin reflects:
“If you spend two or three years with Fit Finlay, you’re gonna be world champion.” — Steve Austin [28:29]
7. Wrestling as a Business, Money, and Maturity
[31:11 - 34:41]
- Admits money mindset was “nonexistent” at age 20.
- Spent first WWE earnings frivolously; reality hit when his son was born, leading to more financial responsibility, urged by his penny-pinching father.
8. Road Life, Vices, & The Dad Shift
[34:41 - 36:12]
- “Never excessively” partied but enjoyed the nightlife, especially before becoming a dad; likes vodka water now (“I feel better about myself at the end of the day!” [35:45]).
- Parenting calmed his lifestyle considerably.
9. Fatherhood & Family Life Post-Wrestling
[36:16 - 40:28]
- Cherishes time as a single dad after slowing down; deeply values being present for his son now that he’s off the road.
Touching moment:
“Single dad life is the best thing ever—I absolutely love it… I didn’t miss his first day of school, and that means a lot to me.” — Dylan Postl [39:11]
10. Life, Relationships, and Wrestling Friendships
[40:28 - 44:05]
- Remains close with Kofi Kingston, John Cena (“called me at 3:30 in the morning when my son was born”), and a tight-knit group.
- Wrestling friendships endure beyond the locker room: “The thing you take most from this business… is the friendships that you make.” — Dylan Postl [43:11]
11. Life After WWE: Adjusting and Looking Ahead
[44:05 - 47:17]
- Discusses the uncertain transition and “security blanket” lost when leaving WWE.
- WWE pays released talents for 90 days; can’t appear on TV or iPPV but can work local indies.
Austin’s perspective:
“There is life after wrestling.” — Steve Austin, echoing Paul Orndorff’s advice, [45:00]
12. Career Highlights & Memorable WWE Moments
[47:57 - 61:14]
- Favorite moments: being made an honorary DX member, working with Triple H and Shawn Michaels, winning the Cruiserweight Title (“They say I killed the Cruiserweight division—I’m fine by that!” [56:59]), and the Mr. McMahon’s “illegitimate son” storyline.
- Praises both Hunter and Shawn for welcoming him and providing learning opportunities.
- Avid Ultimate Warrior fan: “He was my hero growing up… There’s no better entrance than Ultimate Warrior.” — Dylan Postl [52:48]
13. Getting Over, Crowd Connection, and “Midget” Comedy
[61:14 - 66:47]
- Steve asks about getting over: both agree the secret is genuine connection with the audience, especially kids in Hornswoggle’s case.
- Dylan struggled at first, wanting to be “one of the boys” rather than a comedy act, but learned to embrace what fans wanted.
“You hit it on the head with that one word: connection.” — Steve Austin [62:49]
- Career highlight matches: WeLC match with El Torito, blending comedy and real action, especially performing for tough crowds in Jersey and Chicago.
14. Controversies: Wellness Policy Suspension
[67:10 - 70:09]
- Discusses public WWE suspension: insists never a drug user, only failed because he couldn’t provide a sample due to “shy bladder.”
- Wishes the company had clarified he didn’t fail a drug test; “That was my thing… why not say it that way?” [68:35]
15. Branching Out: Movie & TV Ambitions
[70:18 - 74:38]
- Loved working on WWE film Leprechaun: Origins and Muppets Most Wanted.
- Considering branching out into acting, inspired by the likes of Peter Dinklage: “People literally view him as a six-foot actor. He isn’t seen as a midget actor—it’s awesome. I couldn’t be happier for him.” — Dylan Postl [77:02]
16. Physical Toll, Recovery, and Gym Routine
[71:36 - 74:38]
- Admits body feels “29 going on 50” from years of bumps; multiple surgeries but generally healthy.
- Now a regular at the gym, following a regimen set by John Cena’s trainer.
17. Moving Forward: Positivity, Indy Wrestling and Outlook
[74:38 - 80:25]
- Leans on his own indie promotion (ACW Wisconsin), conventions, and his local wrestling school for focus and income.
- Looking to expand Pro Wrestling Tees and maintain a strong social presence (pending WWE approval to keep his handle).
Closing wisdom:
"Life's short, but so am I—which means there's always another step." — Dylan Postl [80:25]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “I always said, it could all end tomorrow… and you can go back to being a normal kid from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.” — Dylan Postl [33:04]
- “Fit Finlay… the absolute smartest man in wrestling, top to bottom.” — Dylan Postl [27:19]
- “You hit it on the head with that one word: connection.” — Steve Austin [62:49]
- “They let a guy that shouldn’t have made it be a WWE Superstar for… ten years now.” — Dylan Postl [12:20]
- “There is life after wrestling.” — Steve Austin, quoting Paul Orndorff [45:00]
- “Life’s short, but so am I—which means there’s always another step.” — Dylan Postl [80:25]
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Podcast proper begins / Steve Austin welcomes Dylan Postl: [11:25]
- The WWE release, taking the news: [12:03]
- Overcoming paralysis after childhood surgery: [13:02]
- Discussing family structure and support: [14:10]
- Backyard wrestling & Ken Anderson training: [17:17]
- First WWE road trips: [22:00]
- On working with Fit Finlay: [27:02]
- Money, maturing, and supporting his son: [33:49]
- Impact of fatherhood: [36:12]
- Relationship with Kofi Kingston & John Cena: [40:28]
- Transitioning after WWE: [44:05]
- 90-day no-compete clause explained: [45:54]
- Favorite WWE moments (DX, Cruiserweight, Vince): [47:57]
- Getting over and crowd connection: [61:14]
- WeLC match stories: [65:02]
- Wellness policy suspension explained: [67:10]
- Movie roles & acting ambitions: [70:18]
- Physical health and gym routine: [73:39]
- Post-WWE plans & positive mindset: [74:38]
- Final advice—"there is life after wrestling": [80:10]
Tone and Language
The episode is warm, direct, and laced with Steve Austin’s signature humor and profanity. Both men are candid—sometimes vulnerable, often self-deprecating, and always deeply appreciative of the professional wrestling community.
Takeaways
- Resilience: Postl refuses to let life’s setbacks define him, whether it’s childhood paralysis, a turbulent family life, or a sudden WWE release.
- Connection: Getting over with the audience is essential—it's about real connection, not just physical prowess or comedy spots.
- Adaptability: Postl is pragmatic and positive about his uncertain future, focusing on his son, indie wrestling, and the potential for acting gigs.
For anyone navigating big life or career changes, Postl’s journey is a reminder:
Stay grateful, hustle hard, look for opportunities, lean on your friends—and never lose your sense of humor.
Find Dylan Postl:
- Twitter: @WWEHornswoggle (subject to change)
- Local indie promotion: ACW Wisconsin
“Life’s short, but so am I—which means there’s always another step.”
— Dylan Postl, [80:25]