The Steve Austin Show: Vampiro Returns! – SAS Classic

Release Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Ian Hodgkinson (Vampiro)
Location: Steve’s home, Los Angeles (317 Gimmick Street)

Episode Overview

In this classic reunion, Steve Austin welcomes Ian “Vampiro” Hodgkinson—Hall of Fame pro wrestler, Lucha Underground commentator, and revered figure in international wrestling. The conversation covers the state of Lucha Underground, the wild evolution of wrestling style, challenges inside the locker room, Vampiro’s music projects, the grind of wrestling in Mexico, and the importance of health, including a deep dive into the plant-based lifestyle. The tone is irreverent, candid, and at times deeply personal as both men reflect on the wrestling industry’s past and its rapidly-changing present.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Catching Up & The State of the Business

• Lucha Underground Update

  • Lucha Underground is in the midst of a new season with a refreshed, more positive atmosphere.
  • “The attitude in the dressing room last time was just a little bit too intense... Too many cliques... We kind of weeded that out.” (Vampiro, 04:48)

• Challenges with Cliques in Wrestling

  • Comparing past WCW cliques to modern locker room politics; impact on morale.
  • “There’s cliques in the WWE dressing room, but they were cool... not a lot of animosity.” (Austin, 06:01)
  • “Once you have the cliques that are power hungry... that ruins you as a person. That’s what really soured me in WCW.” (Vampiro, 06:10)

• The Evolution of Wrestling Styles

  • Discussion on the risk escalation in modern wrestling, especially in Lucha and AAA.
  • “I see you guys jumping off the highest stuff... Action on steroids... how much further can you go?” (Austin, 08:49)
  • “It’s the culture of the fans... Fans are expecting everybody to step it up every single time in the ring... It’s only a matter of time before somebody... lands wrong.” (Vampiro, 09:41)

2. Lucha Legends & Mexican Wrestling Culture

• Spotlight on Pentagon Jr. & La Parka

  • Pentagon Jr. is well-liked but working so much he's “getting a little pudgy.”
  • La Parka: “He will fight you in church if you say the wrong word... very Bruiser Brody-ish.” (Vampiro, 13:28)
  • Original La Parka is “old school tough,” driven by resentment from years of struggle.

• Adjustment to Life in Mexico

  • Vampiro has relocated to Guadalajara, credits love as the reason.
  • “She's the love of my life...changed my whole outlook on things.” (Vampiro, 18:39)

3. Producing and Evolving Modern Lucha

• Vampiro’s Expanded Role in AAA & Lucha Underground

  • Now executive producer for live shows, deeply involved in training, writing, and editing.
  • AAA’s explosive growth: From 200 to ~600 live shows per year; expansion through Latin American streaming platforms. (22:05 onward)

• Training the Next Generation

  • Comprehensive development: “We help with nutrition, coaching, education... teach them how to work for the camera before they even get in the ring.” (Vampiro, 26:38)
  • Contrast between the old “pills and alcohol” era and today’s focus on mental health and professionalism.

4. Working TV vs. Live Performance

• Working Toward TV

  • Austin wrestles with “working the hard camera” versus organic crowd work.
  • Vampiro: "We don’t do the generic thing where everybody looks the same... But we do give them a heads up because we're live and global." (29:07)

• Production Philosophy

  • Lucha Underground only reshoots in rare cases, prefers “ECW style realism.”
  • “If you fall on your face, that's what's going on TV.” (Vampiro, 32:53)

5. Industry Incidents & the Promo Scene

• Sexy Star Incident & Locker Room Fallout

  • Vampiro defends Sexy Star: “Do I think she shot on the girl? No. Do I think she lost her temper? Yes... There was major heat going in.” (33:52)
  • Intense locker room reaction, rare in modern times.

• Opportunities for Women

  • Contrasting WWE’s women’s evolution to Mexico’s macho culture, Vampiro laments the lack of opportunity for female wrestlers.

6. Reflections on Past Promotions, Character Work

• Wrestling Society X Memories

  • Show ahead of its time: “Crazy matches—piranhas in a fish tank, exploding cages... My fondest memory is meeting Zach Wylde.” (Vampiro, 38:59)

• Branding, Writing, and Roles

  • “We’re pro wrestling, 100%. Is it sports entertainment? To an extent...” (Vampiro, 50:39)

7. Life Beyond the Ring

• Music & Creative Pursuits

  • Vampiro’s music: fronts punk and rockabilly bands, involved in Trackster (global music collaboration platform).
  • “I’m just a dude playing guitar. That’s my release.” (Vampiro, 56:47)
  • Details styles, gear, and inspirations: “I’m a Ramones guy... Johnny Ramone... New York Dolls, Sex Pistols.” (Vampiro, 53:12)

• Personal Life

  • Now a vegan, martial artist, Krav Maga instructor, mental health advocate.
  • “Plant-based diet... It saves lives... It helps people with mental health issues. I’m living proof.” (Vampiro, 88:17)

8. Wrestling Training, Health, and Recovery

• Home Gyms & “Old School” Lifting

  • Both Steve and Vampiro compare their garage gyms to “pumping iron era” Gold’s Gym setups.
  • Mutual admiration for old-school methodology. (77:07)

• Training Adjustments After Injury

  • Extensive discussion on arthritis, injuries, and the healing effects of veganism and bodyweight training.
  • “With martial arts... my arthritis doesn’t hurt at all.” (Vampiro, 79:43)

9. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “He’s the last of the hardcore old school indie guys... Bruiser Brody-ish. He’ll fight you in church if you say the wrong word.”
  —Vampiro re: La Parka (13:28)

• “God dang, I was thinking, man, I’m going to suplex Ric Flair, this is going to be the easiest thing in the world... He’s the heaviest 235 pounder ever.”
  —Steve Austin (42:41)

• “If you can’t get big on a squat rack, crowbar, and a bench, you got no business being in the gym.”
  —Vampiro, describing home gyms (77:07)

• “The more you misbehave, the more accepting people are... Everything is forgiven as long as you put butts in the seats.”
  —Vampiro on wrestling’s cyclical nature (44:02)

Highlighted Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Lucha Underground’s new vibe, cliques | 04:28–08:49 | | Modern high-flying style evolution | 09:41 | | Pentagon Jr., La Parka, and tough old timers | 11:34–15:40 | | Vampiro’s life in Guadalajara | 18:29–18:39 | | AAA live shows & training programs | 22:05–28:12 | | TV versus live work, hard camera debate | 28:12–32:00 | | Sexy Star controversy & fallout | 33:20–36:07 | | Women’s wrestling differences (US vs. Mexico) | 36:37–37:59 | | Wrestling Society X memories | 38:52–40:14 | | Physical toll, injuries, and vegan health | 78:28–84:44 | | Music, gear, creative outlets | 51:11–57:12 | | Final advocacy for plant-based lifestyle | 88:16–88:53 |

Final Thoughts

The episode offers a raw insider’s look at both the gritty realities and creative joys of professional wrestling, especially around Lucha Underground and Mexican lucha libre. Vampiro’s journey from tough guy to creative producer, musician, and advocate for healthier living is woven into tales of locker room politics, physical wear and tear, and enduring punk spirit. Sprinkled with practical wisdom, jokes, and wrestling geekery, it’s a must-listen for fans seeking the real human stories behind the squared circle.

“I beg you to everybody who’s worried about their health, their future, their kids or whatever it is, give [the plant-based diet] a try because it really will make a difference. On my website at the end of April...I have an online pro wrestling school...I will give you what I think are the keys you need to take to the table.”
—Vampiro, 88:17