The Steve Austin Show – “Ric Flair 30-for-30 Q&A PART TWO” (SAS Classic)

Release Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Steve Austin
Podcast Network: PodcastOne

Episode Overview

In this episode, Steve Austin dives headfirst into fan questions—most notably his reactions to ESPN's “30-for-30” documentary on Ric Flair. The episode morphs into an impassioned, in-depth reflection on Flair’s legacy, classic pro wrestling psychology, and Steve’s personal experiences both watching and working alongside wrestling legends. Austin also fields questions about blood in wrestling, the nuances of his own in-ring persona, and the camaraderie and mentorship that define great wrestling careers.

Key Discussions & Insights

Ric Flair’s 30-for-30: Austin’s Reaction and Reflections

[00:02–14:23]

• Austin’s roots as a Flair fan:

  • Steve expresses how Flair was the largest single influence on his in-ring style. He admits that “the first part of my career, I modeled my style after him.”

    “If there was anybody that was born to be a pro wrestler, it’s Ric Flair.” – Steve Austin [03:12]

  • Flair’s evolution: Austin talks through Flair’s early days—his build, the turning point following his plane crash, and how he fused elements of Buddy Rogers into his Nature Boy persona.

• The meticulous crafting of ‘Ric Flair’:

  • Austin highlights that Flair’s character was built via “trial and error” and was an evolution over time—not an overnight phenomenon.
  • He praises the documentary’s inclusion of stories from Jim Cornette, Greg Gagne, and Flair’s family, noting how they emphasized both the sacrifice and obsession that came with Flair’s success.
  • Austin is impressed by Flair’s candor, especially around prioritizing wrestling over family, saying, “Was it selfish? Yes… but that’s just the business. Rick was the business.” [06:51]

• Flair vs. Hogan—Respect Without Heat:

  • Austin addresses the legendary Flair/Hogan debate and their different positions—one the world-class worker and regional hero, the other the mainstream box office star.

    “You were either an NWA guy or a WWF guy… I was an NWA guy, hands down.” – Steve Austin [08:19]

• Flair’s Impact on Peers and Austin:

  • Steve touches on the effect Flair had on countless wrestlers, both in style and in promos.
  • “There wasn’t a Richard Fleer… it was Nature Boy Ric Flair, 24/7.” – [10:36]

• Flair as the Ultimate ‘Veteran’:

  • Steve uses Sting as an example: Flair’s over-the-top selling “made Sting.” He recalls how Flair’s psychology and professional generosity put others over, notably during the famous Flair-Sting battles.

    “Ric Flair lit his ass up and that’s the bottom line on that. And everybody knows it.” – Steve Austin [12:14]

• Magic of Flair vs. Steamboat:

  • Austin sings the praises of both legends, noting the psychological brilliance, lack of visible cues, and flawless in-ring chemistry.

    “You couldn’t see the transitions… they kayfabed it. They worked so well together.” – [13:28]

• Contrast to Modern Wrestling:

  • Austin respectfully contrasts past and present, believing Flair/Steamboat matches would “hold up in today’s wrestling scene. Hands down, bar none, end of story.” [14:04]

Blood in Wrestling (WrestleWar ’92 and WrestleMania 13)

[15:40–27:40]

• Blood in the old days:

  • Reflecting on past WarGames and “getting color”, Austin acknowledges the high risk in retrospect, stating it “seemed like the dumbest thing in the world” now, but “we weren’t thinking about it. We were just doing it.”

    “That was just the way the business was. That’s the way we were all wound up.” – Steve Austin [16:40]

• WrestleMania 13: Austin, Bret Hart, and Blading:

  • Austin gives an in-depth account of the legendary “I Quit” match, clarifying Bret Hart offered to blade him—not the other way around—taking the heat for breaking company policy.

    “It was his umbrella policy. He was taking responsibility to help a brother out, and by helping a brother out, he helped get me over.” – Steve Austin [24:41]

  • He credits the iconic image—blood streaming from his face while locked in the Sharpshooter—as life-changing for his career.

• Wrestling Etiquette and Mutual Respect (with Chris Benoit):

  • Austin relays a story about ensuring Benoit “got over” in their match, using the seniority umbrella analogy to explain the code between top guys.

    “You really got me over.” – Chris Benoit to Steve Austin [27:08]

    • Austin describes this as “one of the biggest compliments I ever got after a match by a guy that I worked with.”

Austin’s In-Ring Persona: The Walk, Trash Talk, and Crowd Connection

[28:20–32:00]

• Stone Cold’s Entrance:

  • Fan question: “What did you say as you walked to the ring?”
  • Austin reveals he’d talk genuine trash, never gibberish:

    “That’s right, motherfucker. I’m going to beat… I’m going to… it was just a constant stream of F bombs.” – Steve Austin [29:10]

  • Compares his conviction to Flair’s, stating that living your character is essential:

    “As much as Ric Flair believed in his character and his persona, the same did Stone Cold, dude. That’s who and what I was—a bad motherfucker.” [30:30]

• The Power of the Pop:

  • Austin discusses the energy from going to the turnbuckle and soaking in the audience reaction, describing it as “an adrenaline shot you will never, ever forget.”

    “You got that shit right, motherfuckers. We’re going to raise hell up in this motherfucker.” [31:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ric Flair as a role model:

  “If there was anybody that was born to be a pro wrestler, it’s Ric Flair.” [03:12]

• On true character immersion:

  “There wasn’t a Richard Fleer… it was Nature Boy Ric Flair, 24/7.” [10:36]

• On being ‘over’ in wrestling:

  “Ric Flair lit his ass up and that’s the bottom line on that. And everybody knows it.” [12:14]

• On the evolution of matches:

  “Good work holds up, good people, great talent hold up. They get over the next generation.” [14:12]

• On ‘getting color’:

  “It wasn’t nothing but a thing like a chicken wing on a shoestring. Man. Go out there, pick your spot, and get you some color.” [17:36]

• On the iconic WrestleMania 13 finish:

  “That iconic photo of me just giving it everything, I got to get out of that hold with blood streaming down my face… was iconic.” [23:38]

• On his in-ring trash talk:

  “That’s just… in any competitive endeavor, some people talk shit, some people don’t. Also realize you’re playing in front of 20,000 people and… a worldwide audience.” [29:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] – Opening/Ric Flair 30-for-30 documentary discussion
• [12:45] – Reflecting on Flair’s work with Sting and Steamboat
• [14:23] – Transition to blood and violence in wrestling
• [15:40] – WarGames ’92 and blading
• [19:00] – WrestleMania 13 and the story behind the blood with Bret Hart
• [24:41] – Chris Benoit match and understanding wrestling respect
• [28:20] – Austin’s entrance, walk, and in-character trash talk
• [29:56] – The importance of the crowd and connecting with fans

Summary

For lifelong wrestling fans and new listeners alike, this episode is a heartfelt, reflective, and often hilarious deep-dive into what makes pro wrestling legendary in the eyes of one of its greatest icons. Steve Austin’s passion for the craft, his unabashed admiration for Ric Flair and Bret Hart, and his colorful, candid storytelling make this an essential listen for anyone interested in wrestling psychology, history, or character-building.

Bottom line:

“Stone Cold Steve Austin, I’m fixing to beat somebody’s ass. That’s the kind of shit that I was saying.” – Steve Austin [31:56]

Recommended viewing, per Steve:
“30-for-30 Ric Flair – Nature Boy” – ESPN

“Flat out awesome in my opinion… let me know a lot about the man I didn’t know.” – Steve Austin [14:04, 40:34]

Listener questions or feedback?
questions@steveaustinshow.com

For the love of the business—Watch the 30-for-30, keep up the Broken Skull Challenge, and never forget the power of a well-told story.