The Steve Austin Show – SAS CLASSIC
Episode: Wade Keller Weekly Wrestling Review + Listener Calls
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Steve Austin
Special Guest: Wade Keller
Theme: Live listener Q&A, classic wrestling stories, candid opinions, and a rapid-fire breakdown of current WWE shows
Episode Overview
In this vibrant episode, Steve Austin reconnects with his fans through a throwback call-in show, answering wrestling and life questions straight from the audience. The episode also features a spotlight segment with Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch, as the duo offers hard-hitting analysis on recent WWE events, key character developments, and industry trends. With no major WWE event immediately preceding the session, topics jump across eras, promotions, and personal stories, keeping the pace brisk and varied.
1. Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage – [01:40–05:56]
- Steve reveals the call-in format was a spontaneous, fan-driven decision, emphasizing gratitude for the strong response despite minimal promotion.
- Preview: Listener calls are unscripted, spanning everything from classic wrestling tales to personal advice.
- Steve discusses building out his studio on “317 Gimmick Street” for easier, future fan interaction.
- Teases a wrap-up segment with Wade Keller on current Raw and Smackdown happenings—underscored by Austin’s DirecTV issues preventing him from watching the full shows.
2. Listener Call Highlights & Austin’s Unfiltered Wisdom
Roman Reigns and Fan Reactions – [06:21–10:27]
- Caller (Justin, Huntington, WV): Seeks Steve’s take on Roman Reigns' career trajectory and crowd heat.
- Steve: “I think he's got a great physique, good looking guy, pretty damn good worker... If they get his storyline straightened out, I think the kid's going to be fine... I loved his matches with AJ.” [06:44]
- Discussion of crowd polarization—comparison to John Cena.
- Notable Quote: “He just needs good stories and he needs great opponents ... Roman doesn’t need a belt. He just needs good stories and he needs great opponents and he needs to kick ass and show fire.” [09:48]
Keys to Star Power in Wrestling – [10:35–15:34]
- Caller (Sean, Tulsa): Asks what Steve would value most when hiring a wrestler.
- Steve: “Do they really grab your attention? Is there any charisma to this person? And they don’t necessarily have to be a good looking person, just some type of pop factor or wow factor.” [11:10]
- Lauds Jerry “The King” Lawler as an example of charisma and promo skill, noting it’s not always about appearance.
- Conversation on authenticity: “You want to believe in the product, you want to believe in the storylines, right? ... When I said something as Stone Cold Steve Austin, I believed it 120%.” [14:39]
If Not for Wrestling... – [17:25–20:15]
- Caller (Elliot, Buffalo): Wonders what Steve’s life would be if wrestling hadn’t worked out.
- Steve: “I did not have a plan B. I did not have an option to fail...” [17:40]
- Shares real stories about working a freight dock, love for ranching, and daily routines: shooting range, dog walks, sushi.
Dream General Manager—Paul Heyman Memories – [20:34–21:57]
- Caller (Brandon): Asks which famous GM Steve would want to work for.
- Steve: “If you know anything about me, you know that I'm a Paul Heyman guy. … I really enjoyed working with Paul so much... he helped me focus and helped me kind of define who and what I was.” [20:52]
Boxing, the McGregor/Mayweather Spectacle – [22:02–25:07]
- Banter about old boxing versus MMA, with Steve reminiscing about the greats.
- On McGregor vs. Mayweather: “I just know that McGregor is so dynamic and he's heavy handed. I don't know if he can hit Floyd, but if he does, I think bad things will happen.” [22:40]
- Notable Quote: “Anytime someone's in a fight, anybody has a chance because it's a fighter's chance.” [23:45]
Legion of Doom Stories & Tag Team Wrestling – [27:37–32:27]
- Caller (Derek, Twin Lakes): Requests stories about the Legion of Doom.
- Steve credits LOD for the idea behind his iconic Smoking Skull Belt: “It was Mike, Hawk and Animal... they said, 'Hey man, you got this WWF Championship belt, but you're Stone Cold Steve Austin, you ought to have your own belt.'” [29:20]
- Reflections on the evolution of tag team wrestling and NXT’s Dash & Dawson.
Beer With Anyone, Alive or Dead – [32:36–33:31]
- Caller (Ryan): Who would Steve share a beer with?
- Steve: “John Wayne, Evel Knievel, Elvis Presley... I’d have to open the bar up and have about 10 or 15 in there.” [32:48]
- Shoutout to Houston memories and Raising Cane restaurant in Denton, TX.
On Summer Vacations & The Fate of Broken Skull Ranch – [34:44–35:31]
- Caller (Brian): Dream summer spot and status of the ranch.
- Steve: “Sparks, Nevada... go on the mountain range riding my utility vehicle with my brother in law.” [34:53]
- Confirms “Broken Skull Challenge” TV show continues filming in L.A.
State of the Wrestling Business & Performance Center Mentoring – [35:52–38:46]
- Caller (Adila, Toronto): Asks about the lack of competition in wrestling and Steve’s involvement with up-and-coming talent.
- Steve: “Competition is paramount. I wish there was another WCW around. ... Competition is king.” [36:35]
- On Performance Center: “I wouldn’t say I’m mentoring anyone ... I’d love to if I can ever get time. ... I know they have a world-class training facility down there.” [37:55]
Most Memorable “Stunner” Ever – [38:57–40:09]
- Caller (Nicholas): Favorite Stone Cold Stunner delivery.
- Steve: “My favorite stunner had to be the first one on Vince McMahon. … That caught the attention of the world.” [39:12]
3. Weekly Wrestling Review with Wade Keller – [40:51–72:58]
Podcast Updates & Cody Rhodes’ Success – [41:51–45:25]
- Wade Keller announces his podcast moving to Podcast One “the week of July 10th or the 17th.” [42:00]
- Detailed praise for Cody Rhodes’ rise post-WWE, winning the ROH World Title, and impending New Japan Pro Wrestling main event with Okada.
- Steve: “Once you jump off the machine … and you’re able to have the kind of success that he’s had, man, that speaks volumes.” [45:25]
Highlight Segment: Enzo & Big Cass Breakup – [46:44–50:44]
- Steve: Recaps the Raw segment, lauds the acting, especially from Enzo: “Boy, I tell you what, they pulled it off … all is well in Shangri La, and BAM! It’s the big clothesline by Cass. Double cross.” [46:51]
- Wade: “I don't want anyone to tell me Kayfabe is dead … People liked Enzo. They disliked Cass. The acting was great.” [47:12]
- Detailed discussion of each man’s upside as a single and as characters—predictions for both.
Who Should Big Cass Study? – [50:44–52:12]
- Steve: “If you say baby face, I say Barry Windham. ... Just off the cuff, it’s hard for me to pinpoint someone.” [50:52]
- Wade: Suggests Kevin Nash and Rick Rude for Cass to study “for deliberate movement and credibility.” [51:24]
- Steve: “The next guy to really step up and show an intensity and a little bit more mean streak… intensity is what I'd say to Big Cass.” [52:14]
Roman Reigns: Evolution of a Top Guy – [53:06–58:12]
- Steve and Wade give nuanced takes on Roman’s recent promos and character development.
- Steve: “He’s just playing it and he's starting to loosen up and show some personality and I like it.” [53:28]
- Wade: “If he can feel authentic … big money, not just WWE having to talk about a thunderous reaction...” [57:29]
- Mutual agreement: journey is ongoing but trending in the right direction toward authenticity.
Brock Lesnar, Samoa Joe, and Paul Heyman: “Serious Business” – [58:18–64:09]
- Review of the Brock/Samoa Joe confrontation and Heyman’s masterful promo.
- Steve: “Man was just trying like hell to get Joe off his back... babies came out... Brock was in sell mode. Joe looked like a junkyard dog, mad as hell.” [58:23]
- Both agree Heyman and Lesnar are working to elevate Joe as a top-tier main eventer.
- Wade: “Your manhood crawling up inside your stomach and you'll look up at the trainer and say, ‘Oh, dear God.’ ... Just great Paul Heyman.” [63:16]
Smackdown & Raw Women's Division Highlights – [65:00–71:56]
- Praise for Carmella and James Ellsworth’s Money in the Bank segment.
- Steve: “Her character is really starting to come out. She's starting to really just get more confidence and get on a little roll here.” [65:17]
- On Sasha Banks’ gauntlet win: both hosts discuss babyface/heel dynamics, crowd reactions.
- Steve: “She has one of the best gimmicks in pro wrestling, in my opinion... I just love legit boss. I love Sasha Banks, but I like her as a heel better.” [69:24]
Wrap Up – [71:57–72:58]
- Wade emphasizes his new Podcast One schedule and encourages listeners to subscribe.
- Steve closes: “And that's the bottom line because Wade Keller said so.” [72:52]
4. Notable Quotes & Classic Stone Cold Moments
- “And that’s the bottom line.” – Steve Austin, several points
- “Oh hell yeah!” – Delivered multiple times at fan request
- e.g., [10:32], [25:33]
- On success: “I did not have a plan B. I did not have an option to fail…” [17:40]
- On the performance ethic: “I believed everything I said and did 120%. It was a shoot for me.” [14:39]
- On the stunner heard around the world: “The first [Stone Cold Stunner] on Vince McMahon ... that stunner right there would probably be the most important stunner of my career.” [39:12]
5. Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment | |----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:40 | Steve’s intro—call-in show idea, gratitude, studio talk | | 06:21 | 1st call: Roman Reigns’ position & crowd reactions | | 10:35 | What Steve looks for in a wrestler (hiring question) | | 17:25 | “What if wrestling hadn’t worked out for you?” | | 20:34 | Dream General Manager: Why Steve’s a Paul Heyman guy | | 22:02 | McGregor vs. Mayweather thoughts | | 27:37 | Legion of Doom stories, tag team wrestling commentary | | 32:36 | “Beer with anyone, alive or dead?” | | 34:44 | Summer vacation spots & Broken Skull Ranch update | | 35:52 | Is lack of competition hurting wrestling? | | 38:57 | Favorite Stone Cold Stunner ever | | 40:51 | Transition to Wade Keller’s wrestling review | | 46:44 | Enzo & Big Cass segment breakdown | | 50:44 | Who should Big Cass study? | | 53:06 | Roman Reigns, current main event dynamics | | 58:18 | Brock Lesnar, Samoa Joe, and Paul Heyman promo analysis | | 65:00 | Carmella, MITB, Sasha Banks’ gauntlet win | | 71:57 | Show wrap-up, Wade’s podcast schedule info |
6. Tone & Language
- Swaggering, warm, unfiltered, peppered with signature “Stone Cold” intensity and humor.
- Strong fan rapport: Steve always refers to listeners as “man,” “brother,” or by name, giving the show a personal, direct feel.
- Candid about his limitations (memory, technology issues), which humanizes but never deflates his authority or passion for the business.
- Analytical yet conversational when breaking down matches with Wade, offering sharp insights with a touch of old-school nostalgia.
7. For New Listeners
This episode is a classic showcase of everything that makes The Steve Austin Show beloved: honest wrestling takes, hilarious road stories, fan engagement, and a window into Steve’s everyday life. Whether you’re a nostalgia buff, a student of wrestling, or just want to hear two pros dissect WWE’s biggest stars, this installment covers it all—from backstage wisdom to the smallest in-ring detail—delivering that signature “bottom line.”