Chris Masters Reflects on Missed WWE Championship Opportunities Chris Masters recently spoke with Chris Van Vliet about his career in WWE and the reasons he never secured a championship title. Masters recounted how his opportunities were often altered by creative decisions, citing specific instances where his planned victories were changed at the last minute. He mentioned that he and Carlito were originally set to win titles at WrestleMania, but the plan was switched the day before. Masters explained that Carlito was being positioned as a babyface, and The Spirit Squad wanted to give them a boost by having them win the belts. Masters also discussed his attempt to win the Intercontinental Championship. He revealed that he was scheduled to win the title in a four-way match in Vegas, but his plans were derailed by an intervention related to his prescription painkiller abuse. During a meeting with Johnny Ace, he was informed that he would need to attend rehab. Masters admitted that he failed to follow through with the intervention, which ultimately cost him the opportunity. Regarding the tag team titles, Masters stated he had no control over their outcome, as it was a result of creative decisions beyond his influence. He also touched on Vince McMahon’s consideration of making him the youngest champion, noting that Vince was exploring options with multiple wrestlers at the time. Masters hinted that John Cena may have given him the thumbs down at some point, though he did not elaborate. The interview highlights the unpredictable nature of WWE storytelling and the challenges wrestlers face in securing titles, often due to factors beyond their control.#vince_mcmahon #john_cena #chris_masters #carlito #the_spirit_squad
Stone Cold Steve Austin Reflects on 3:16 Day, WWE Legacy, and Wrestling Icons It’s 3:16 Day, a celebration that marks the 30th anniversary of Steve Austin’s iconic “Austin 3:16” promo from the 1996 King of the Ring event, a moment that propelled him to superstardom. During an interview with The Takedown on SI, Austin discussed the significance of the day, his career, and his thoughts on wrestling legends. While he admitted he doesn’t dwell on the promo itself, he expressed pride in its enduring legacy. “Almost three decades and it’s something for it to still be a thing,” he said. “You can’t give yourself your own nickname and make it something real cool. You just get it bestowed upon you by your friends.” Austin joked that he never officially declared 3:16 Day as his own, but the tradition has persisted, and he’s happy to be reflecting on it 30 years later. The promo, which became a cultural phenomenon, marked a turning point in Austin’s career. It led to his rise as a household name, his world championship reign, and his legendary feud with Vince McMahon. Austin praised McMahon’s work in the ring, noting that despite McMahon’s lack of prior wrestling experience, he quickly adapted and became a formidable performer. “Vince was green. He’d never wrestled before… For some reason, that guy just had an innate ability to perform and he thrived on the reactions of the people,” Austin recalled. He highlighted McMahon’s methodical approach during matches, comparing his ring presence to that of “Superstar” Billy Graham. “He had one of the best bodies. Vince interviewed him several times and worked together with him many times. I always thought maybe there was some ‘Superstar’ influence as far as his (Vince’s) ring presentation.” Austin also reflected on his rivalry with McMahon, which defined an era of WWE.#wwe #stone_cold_steve_austin #the_takedown #vince_mcmahon #the_rock
