WWE
When you think of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, what do you think of? The way he would drink beers in the ring, although most of the beer seemed to get all over the mat as opposed to down his gullet? Or maybe it’s the “What?” chant he inspired, which tediously stuck around even after Austin was no longer a major figure for WWE. However, there’s probably a good chance when you think of Stone Cold, you think of him flipping double barrel middle fingers at the drop of a hat. Well, to hear Austin tell it, his trademark middle fingers was something Vince McMahon hated and wanted Austin to stop.
Austin, while promoting his new beer line Broken Skull IPA, took some time to discuss the evolution of his Stone Cold character, which allowed the journeyman wrestler to finally break through to the main event circle. It was not smooth sailing, however. “Vince McMahon called me aside one time because he was worried about the middle fingers. Vince was totally onboard with the beer idea … but flipping someone off is flipping someone off, no matter what age you are,” he said. Austin went on to explain further:
“So Vince goes, ‘Steve, when you’re flipping everybody off and using that finger, USA is complaining. Is there another sign that you can use that everybody can do?’ And I said, ‘No, there’s not.’…I told Vince I was not going to change sh*t. Vince goes, ‘Well, OK.’ And, of course, the cash register was ringing, we kept flying the middle fingers, and it was what it was. After struggling to get a break in WCW and USWA, and then getting a break and having your legs chopped off from under you by another booker who took control, I was a little bit frustrated, a little bit pissed by the time I got that green light. I’d be damned if anybody was going to take anything from me. I’m going to run over you and we’re going to the top–or I’m going to the top, and you’re going to come along for the ride.”
Considering how iconic “Stone Cold” Steve Austin became, and how iconic his middle fingers became, it worked out well for everybody that Austin was able to stick to his guns and build the character the way he saw fit.
(Via Sports Illustrated)
