The Steve Austin Show – Sam Roberts Part Two – SAS CLASSIC

Date: September 4, 2025
Podcast: PodcastOne
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Sam Roberts (Sirius XM, Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast)

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this classic episode, Steve Austin sits down at his iconic “316 Gimmick Street” in Los Angeles with radio personality and wrestling superfan Sam Roberts. The conversation traverses Sam’s path to radio stardom, their shared love of pro wrestling, deep dives into classic wrestling eras, current wrestling product critiques, and the nuances of building a career in broadcasting. Expect lively banter, genuine behind-the-scenes insights, passionate wrestling talk, and trademark Stone Cold humor. This is a family-friendly, yet candid, exploration of wrestling fandom, media, and making it in a tough industry.

MAIN THEMES

• Sam Roberts' journey in broadcasting and radio
• The evolution and current state of professional wrestling
• Influences, territory wrestling history, and legendary performers
• Media careers: paying dues, carving out your voice, and ‘making it’
• Candid thoughts on NXT, "too much wrestling content", and character presentation

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Sam Roberts’ Start in Radio and Broadcasting

• Sam credits his early love of talking and entertaining as his motivation.
• He attended Syracuse but didn’t enter the prestigious Newhouse communications school, instead majoring in sociology.
• Quote:
  “All you have to do is have a 3.5 GPA and they'll let you transfer into Newhouse. I've never been able to concentrate on anything I wasn't into. So a 3.5 GPA was way out of the realm of possibility.” (39:43)
• Jumped into college radio, hustled for an Opie & Anthony internship, and methodically worked up the Sirius XM ladder for years.
• Paid his dues through menial internships, identifying and filling "holes" in the show, and chasing every opportunity.
• Quote:
  “My mission from day one was...when my internship is over, they're saying, we can't do this without you.” (52:15)
• Now, Sam is moving to a full-time, daily show—a culmination of nearly a decade of persistence.

Timestamps

• [39:43] – College and major choices
• [43:28] – Early passion for broadcast, human growth hormone story
• [45:04] – First steps with Opie & Anthony

2. Wrestling Origins: From Childhood to Tape Trading

• Sam’s wrestling fandom began as an infant, with his siblings watching Hogan and Slaughter, cementing an early love.
• He became a Macho Man fan right away—attracted to the outfits, intensity, and personality.
• Became a dedicated tape trader in high school, digging up footage from World Class, USWA, and other territories to piece together wrestling history.
• Quote (on Macho Man):
  “He always had something entertaining to say. He always looked entertaining. And as a kid, I said, that's the guy.” (25:17)
• World Class Championship Wrestling stood out for its innovation and energy.
  “This was so far ahead of its time and I don't think it ever gets enough credit.” (27:51)

Timestamps

• [24:33] – Early wrestling memories
• [26:01] – Macho Man's influence
• [27:51] – World Class and the Von Erichs

3. Old School Territory Talk & Wrestling Psychology

• Extensive discussion about legendary talents and territory systems—Von Erichs, Freebirds, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and Superstar Billy Graham.
• Steve Austin’s first-hand recollections from the Sportatorium and respect for icons like Michael Hayes, Ric Flair, and Adrian Adonis.
• Quote (on Michael Hayes/Freebirds):
  “Michael P.S. hayes...Everything about him changed. He was a piece of trash, and that's what I really respected about what those guys were doing.” (31:12)

Timestamps

• [28:11] – Sportatorium atmosphere & Von Erichs
• [30:08] – Michael Hayes/Freebirds stories
• [33:22] – Ric Flair as the ultimate pro wrestler

4. Media, Podcasts, and Carving a Voice

• Discussion about Sam’s approach to content: prepping for more material than he can use, trusting instincts, and finding entertaining "kernels."
• Steve reflects on running a free-form “show about nothing” and the importance of authenticity.
• Quote:
  “All I want to do is be myself and make a living doing it.” (43:28)
• On prepping for 3 hours:
  “If an idea pops up...my mind is just tuned to say that kernel becomes 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, whatever it is.” (54:22)
• Reflections on the crowding of wrestling podcasts and importance of focusing on one’s passion—a wrestling podcast serves the dedicated base without alienating the general audience.

Timestamps

• [53:13] – Personality development and inspiration
• [54:03] – How Sam prepares shows
• [58:47] – Podcasting for wrestling fans vs. general radio

5. Modern Wrestling Critique — WWE, NXT, and the Industry’s State

• The panel discusses the current WWE product: three-hour Raws, diluted storytelling focus, and missing intensity compared to the Attitude Era.
• Sam’s take: “I think they're doing better now with the moments that pop up...like Brock beating the Undertaker. But in terms of the week to week...I don't have that feeling.” (35:09)
• Steve agrees, citing a loss of “urgency” and spontaneity versus Monday Night Wars.
• NXT is praised as the most compelling wrestling product today, with creative freedom and storytelling akin to past eras.
• Quote (Sam on NXT):
  “Nothing as far as pro wrestling goes, has me more locked in than NXT right now.” (62:21)
• Both rave about the NXT women (Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bayley) and their ability to main event and work real pro style matches.
• Discussion of Finn Balor’s presentation: Steve critiques overplaying the body paint gimmick and failing to connect through "the eyes".
• Roman Reigns' lack of emotional connection (blue contact lenses, rapid push) sparks a debate on babyface/heel dynamics.

Timestamps

• [37:53] – “Too much” wrestling content (3+ hours of Raw)
• [62:21] – Why NXT excels
• [64:12] – Praise for NXT women
• [67:23] – Finn Balor and character presentation critique
• [74:38] – Roman Reigns, character, and fan connection

6. Sam Roberts vs. Kevin Pollock: The "Paying Dues" Debate

• Sam addresses the minor controversy with actor Kevin Pollock, who claims Sam hasn’t “paid his dues” in radio.
• Sam’s response: On-air experience, longevity, hustle, and sacrifice—as real as anybody’s grind.
• Stone Cold eggs Sam into (light-hearted) shots fired territory.
• Quote:
  “I've been here. Just because he just turned on his radio doesn't mean...it wasn't for me.” (49:11)
• Reflection on rejection and persistence in breaking into radio: Sam’s tenacity with sending resume tapes, and advice for aspiring broadcasters.

Timestamps

• [48:25] – Sam “paying dues” and career challenges
• [49:46] – Kevin Pollock controversy

7. Wrestling Fandom: Glass Half Full vs. Half Empty

• Sam contrasts his positive, passionate “fan” perspective with other cynics, even name-dropping Peter Rosenberg as more negative.
• Debate: critical versus optimistic take on the wrestling product.
• Quote:
  “I still have that fan in me. I don't want to get to the point where I'm nitpicking what's wrong with it...” (61:12)

8. New Japan, Strong Style, and Lucha Underground

• Quick look at New Japan’s strong style and how it’s evolved—story trumps “just smacking the hell out of each other.”
• Steve encourages Sam to check out Lucha Underground, finding it unique once you “immerse in the experience.”

Timestamps

• [69:44] – Lucha Underground, embracing new presentation
• [71:16] – Value of New Japan’s TV show vs. PPV

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• Steve on Tape Trading:
  “I thought you would like a Casanova. No, that came much later.” [27:08]
• Sam on Professionalism:
  “If I can't do it at this point, like, if I go out there and stink, then this wasn't the right career path.” [47:09]
• Steve on Storytelling:
  “You want those stories to be executed with some precision and, and. And not too much rigidity…” [72:11]
• Sam on NXT Women:
  “They headlined, they main evented the Philly show with Charlotte and Sasha. And to headline with women, especially in Philadelphia…if they're not delivering, that's suicide.” [65:30]
• Steve on Wrestling’s Magic Moments:
  “When the heat turned and when it came time to really get dirty...everything about him changed. He was a piece of trash, and that's what I really respected…” [31:12]

IMPORTANT SEGMENTS & TIMESTAMPS

• [13:34] – Show start / Family friendly episode
• [15:45] – Sam on interviewing X-Pac/Sean Waltman
• [24:33] – Sam discusses how he became a wrestling fan
• [33:22] – Ric Flair’s influence; Steve’s favorite wrestler
• [37:53] – Does WWE Raw run too long now?
• [45:04] – How Sam broke into radio and paid his dues
• [54:22] – Sam’s show prep process and philosophy
• [62:21] – NXT as the hottest product in wrestling
• [64:12] – Praise for NXT women
• [67:23] – Finn Balor paint critique; connecting with audience
• [74:38] – Reigns’ "blue eyes" and realness debate

TONE & STYLE

• Playful, anecdotal, classic Stone Cold humor
• Knowledgeable, passionate, and nostalgic about wrestling
• Candid career advice and industry reality checks
• Inside baseball for wrestling and broadcast radio fans

SUMMARY

A quintessential Steve Austin Show episode blending wrestling nostalgia with insider career wisdom, featuring Sam Roberts’ distinctive passion and perspective. From Von Erichs fever in Texas to NXT’s women main eventing in Philly; from paying radio dues to fending off criticism; from hardcore fandom to nuanced critique, the episode delivers laughs, stories, and genuine guidance for wrestling and media fans alike. Whether you’re chasing your dream or just love wrestling’s larger-than-life moments, this conversation is packed with substance and fun.

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