Features

Steve Austin Comments on Becky Lynch’s Rise in WWE, Why He Thinks “The Man” Gimmick is Money

By John Canton • Published 14th February 2019
TJR Wrestling

World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin knows as well as anybody in wrestling history what it’s like to become the hottest thing in the wrestling business on your way to being a top star. That’s what Becky Lynch has been doing over the last six months and Austin is a big fan of the Irishwoman, who is likely going to headline this year’s WrestleMania with Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair even though Lynch is currently “suspended” in storylines.

A lot of fans, including myself, like to refer to her as “Stone Cold” Becky Lynch in a joking manner because of the way she has been booked and has to always fight back against authority figures. It’s because that’s how Vince McMahon likes to book that type of character.

Austin recently appeared on the MMA Tonight show on Sirius to talk about wrestling, MMA and other things. He was asked about Becky Lynch and had some supportive things to say. Thanks to WrestlingInc for the transcript of the quotes:

Austin on Lynch being compared to him:

“Well, I guess she is, if everybody is saying she is. She does remind me a lot of myself. If you line up that women’s roster and you lineup that roster back in the day when I was still in the ring, and you said, ‘Hey, I need you to pick out my next breakout Superstar.’ I don’t think you’re gonna pick out Becky Lynch and I damn sure know you wouldn’t pick me out of that lineup.”

Austin on why Lynch’s work ethicis a big reason why she has risen to a top spot:

“She has willed herself, she has worked her ass off. Studied the game, she got hot, then been cooled off. She’s got a little bit of attitude behind her, got a little ticked off and said, ‘Hey man, I’m gonna be a star.’ Vince McMahon wants everybody there to be a star, he’s going to set you up and he’s going to give you opportunities. She’s made the most of the opportunities and when they tried to slam the door she just kicked the door down and burst right through it.”

Austin on Lynch using “The Man” gimmick:

“I’ve loved what she’s done, I love what she’s doing. I like her swagger. And she’s the hottest thing going right now. She’s not a person who’s dwelling on this being the most athletic match in the world, she’s a great worker in the ring, but it’s character driven. ‘The Man’ I love this gimmick, if you’re a young lady, calling yourself ‘The Man’ just like Ric Flair used to be—’To be the man, you gotta beat the man’—but, this is a whole different entity with the way Becky presents it, and obviously, she’s a female, it’s an awesome gimmick and it’s money.”

You can listen to a clip of Austin talking about Lynch below.

TJR Thoughts: It’s not a surprise that Austin has praise for a talented worker like Lynch, who has been on fire as “The Man” in WWE. She wasn’t the chosen one so to speak, just like Austin wasn’t, but when you catch the fans eyes the way Lynch has and the way Austin did over 20 years, that’s when you have something special.