The Steve Austin Show - "Steve Still Likes Beer (Dr. Tom Prichard PART 2)" - SAS CLASSIC

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Steve Austin
Guests: Dr. Tom Prichard (main), Kristen Austin (second half)

Episode Overview

This episode of the Steve Austin Show is a double-header: the first half is the conclusion of Steve’s two-part conversation with legendary wrestling trainer Dr. Tom Prichard, focusing on wrestling psychology, character work, training the boss (Vince McMahon), and the launch of Prichard’s new wrestling school with Glenn “Kane” Jacobs. The second half sees Steve joined by his wife Kristen to humorously debunk viral rumors about his drinking and lifestyle, while offering classic Austin life updates and storytelling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Importance of Character in Wrestling ([00:10]-[04:11])

• Memory Lane: Steve recounts a pivotal road trip with Tom, where Tom challenged Steve and Brian Lee (“Prime Time”) to define their characters beyond their ring names.
  • Steve Austin: “I was just trying to be a pro wrestler. I wasn't thinking about a character... You were the first person that made me think about that.” ([01:43])
• Tom’s Teaching Philosophy: Tom stresses you don’t know if you can coach until you do it, and that wrestling – like ice cream – comes in different flavors. No single “right way.”
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “It's like ice cream, different flavors. You like Rocky Road, I like strawberries. It's all good.” ([04:00])
• Character Development: Tom urges students to study widely—movies, music, books—to discover what resonates for their in-ring personas.

2. Insider Stories: Vince McMahon Training and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre ([08:09]-[13:46])

• Vince as a Trainee: Tom tells stories about late-night training sessions with Vince McMahon, prepping for matches against Steve.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “I was making Vince McMahon’s first blade... but you cracked him hard way!” ([08:32])
• Commitment to Performance: Both Steve and Tom reflect on Vince’s willingness to “do anything” for the fans, including taking major bumps and even asking Tom to teach him the Stunner.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “He’s not the easiest guy to maneuver... He has that performer’s ego, he has a performer’s heart...” ([12:17])
• Bumping and Intensity: Steve laughs about Vince treating him like a rag doll in the cage match, driven by adrenaline and crowd heat.
  • Steve Austin: “He would throw me so hard I couldn't take a proper bump for him. Yeah.” ([13:35])

3. Launching the JP Wrestling Academy ([14:47]-[20:42])

• School Basics: Tom details how he and Glenn Jacobs (Kane), with Devin Driscoll and D1 Sports in Knoxville, are opening a new wrestling school.
  • Open House: Jan 3, Classes start: Jan 7, 16-week course; 20-student cap; 20x20 WWE-sized ring; 5 nights/week; 1 hour conditioning + 3 hours wrestling each night.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “I'm going to have a 16 week course... at D1 Sports Complex in Knoxville, Tennessee ... five nights a week ... character development... you get a certificate.” ([15:05]-[17:15])
• Contrast with Old-School Training: Steve compares his own early days: once a week, two hours, 25 students, “the drizzling shits” for true learning.
  • Steve Austin: “The good thing about what you're doing is, first of all, I ain't blowing smoke up your ass. You're an awesome teacher... but you just got to have that repetition.” ([18:45])
• Career Opportunities: Tom mentions alumni connections to help graduates start getting bookings. Open House Jan 3; JPWrestlingAcademy.com.

4. Modern vs. Classic Wrestling: Changes, Fundamentals, and Learning the Business ([21:15]-[25:46])

• Curriculum Philosophy: Tom emphasizes wrestling can’t be fully “cookie-cutter”; lessons adapt to students, and sometimes you need to move on and return later.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “Nobody takes a hip toss like Harley Race, except Harley Race. You can't mimic stuff like that.” ([22:36])
• Speed and Athleticism: Both discuss the faster, more athletic style of today compared to territory days, but agree fundamentals—“blocking and tackling”—remain vital.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “They're missing the veteran who's ... telling you when to slow down ... they're missing that because it doesn't exist anymore.” ([25:55])

5. Life After Wrestling: Transition and Life Lessons ([27:45]-[31:43])

• Retirement Adjustment: Steve discusses the abrupt, difficult transition after forced retirement. Tom shares his own story—how training kept him close to the business, but letting go took years.
  • Steve Austin: “When I got out ... I was 38. I wasn't ready to retire ... I didn't have an exit strategy.” ([28:14])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “It took me a little longer because I was so used to being around it ... even to this day ... you're still wired different just for the fact of what you've done.” ([29:53])

6. Family, Marriage, & Sobriety ([31:43]-[35:44])

• Marrying Outside the Business: Both recount meeting their wives (each through unusual circumstances) and reflecting on finding stability post-wrestling.
  • Steve Austin: “One of the greatest things that ever happened to me.” ([31:43])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “She's been with me this long, she's probably the best thing to happen to me because I would've been dead a long time ago.” ([34:31])
• Struggles with Addiction: Tom credits his wife and WWE’s intervention for saving him during a severe period, including rehab with Eddie Guerrero.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “Here come the ambulance ... Shane called me ... You're going to Atlanta ... [rehab] ... Thank God you're here, man… [with Eddie Guerrero].” ([34:44])

7. Wrestling Lingo and Marriage ([35:44]-[37:03])

• Carny Language at Home: Humorous exchange about their wives understanding wrestling slang.
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “When I said, hey, would you give me that gimmick over there, please? ... she knew exactly what I was talking about.” ([36:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wrestling Character:
  • Steve Austin: “You were the first person that made me think about that.” ([01:43])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “It doesn't matter what you say to people, but they'll always remember how you made them feel.” ([04:11])
• On Vince McMahon’s Work Ethic:
  • Steve Austin: “He would do absolutely anything to give the fans their money's worth.” ([09:48])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “That's part of his work ethic that you gotta respect.” ([12:43])
• On Leaving Wrestling:
  • Steve Austin: “Once I got out ... I was 38. I wasn't ready to retire.” ([28:14])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “It's just something that's in you. As long as you're alive, I think that's going to be a part of it.” ([31:43])
• On Marriage:
  • Steve Austin: “One of the greatest things that ever happened to me.” ([31:43])
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “She would've left me a long time ago if she didn't get it, I'm convinced.” ([36:41])
• On Wrestling School Philosophy:
  • Dr. Tom Prichard: “You have to crawl before you walk ... in 16 weeks, you're not going to learn everything ... but you can have a 15 to 20 minute match and tell a story.” ([23:48])

Second Half – Austin Family Road Trip, Rumor Control, and Life Updates

([38:28]-[65:11])

1. Road Trip Stories and Family Hijinks ([38:28]-[43:49])

• Steve and Kristen recount their hectic trip from the ranch to LA, including dog Callie’s pool antics, adopting a “new” old horse, and the classic Austin sense of humor about being a “limo driver” for wife and pets.
  • Steve Austin: “It looks like I'm driving Miss Daisy... Who the fuck is he talking to?” ([40:11])
  • Kristen Austin: “Usually a free horse never means free ... already paid for his physical.” ([40:57])

2. Debunking Internet Rumors: Beer, Diets, and Cannabis ([43:49]-[54:50])

• Steve addresses viral rumors claiming he quit beer, took up pot, and became a full-time yogi.
  • “I ain't give up no damn alcohol... I quit drinking temporarily to reach a goal weight.” ([46:54])
  • Explains cutting alcohol while dieting, plugging his “Broken Skull IPA” and the story behind its creation.
    • Steve Austin: “It's the best damn IPA in the United States of America.” ([48:18])
  • Confirmed: he still loves and markets beer, occasionally needs to “cut down” for diet, and is not a regular marijuana user, despite a humorous story about a joint and a border stop.
    • Steve Austin: “As far as the medicinal marijuana goes, I ain't a dope guy. I tried smoking some dope, didn’t like it.” ([54:50])
  • On yoga: not giving up his hard-edged persona, just enjoying DDP Yoga for flexibility and strength.

3. Life Updates: Fitness, Hiking, and Hobbies ([56:05]-[62:21])

• Candid takes on workout routines, hiking mishaps, memorable banter over Kristen’s addiction to carrying water, and Steve’s forgetfulness leaving gear behind after a hunting trip.

4. Southern California Wildfires, Pets, and Future Plans ([62:21]-[65:11])

• Reflections on recent wildfires near Thousand Oaks and Malibu, gratitude for family safety, and city-life quirks.
  • Steve Austin: “Devastation is crazy, man ... let’s leave it on a high note.” ([64:43])
• Ending on a promise: Steve Austin: “After being sober for 32 days, I get a fuckin’ cheat meal. So I'm gonna go and eat a shit pile of sushi tonight.” ([65:05])

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• Introduction & Character Development: [00:10]-[04:11]
• Vince McMahon Training Stories: [08:09]-[13:46]
• Prichard Wrestling School Plans: [14:47]-[20:42]
• Modern vs. Classic Wrestling: [25:46]-[27:45]
• Life After Wrestling: [27:45]-[31:43]
• Marriage & Sobriety Stories: [31:43]-[36:43]
• Saying Goodbye/School Promotion: [37:03]-[37:51]
• Austin Family Road Trip & Horse Story: [38:28]-[44:00]
• Debunking Rumors (Beer, Pot, Yoga): [43:49]-[54:50]
• Fitness, Hiking, Hunting Mishaps: [56:05]-[62:21]
• Wildfires and Final Life Updates: [62:21]-[65:11]

Conclusion

This episode exemplifies Steve Austin’s mix of humor, straight-shooting, and wrestling storytelling. Dr. Tom Prichard’s insights on wrestling psychology and training are essential listening for wrestling fans and aspiring pros. The second half, with Kristen, provides levity, personal anecdotes, and sets the record straight on Steve's lifestyle—he’s still the same beer-loving, hard-training Stone Cold, just taking diet breaks and getting in better shape.

The episode works both as a glimpse into wrestling’s past and present, a window into life after the ring, and a reminder not to believe every rumor you read online—especially about Stone Cold and his beer.

Notable Quote to Close:

"I ain't gonna quit drinking for the rest of my life, Kristen. I'm in the beer business."
– Steve Austin ([49:35])