In a recent interview, Eric Bischoff, the former President of WCW, revealed a fascinating tale about Steve Austin’s early days in the wrestling industry. Long before Austin became the face of the Attitude Era in the WWE, he had a wild idea for getting himself into Hulk Hogan’s orbit in WCW. The storyline pitch, which would have seen Austin as Hogan’s little brother, is a testament to Austin’s creative genius and his willingness to take risks.
A Brief Background on Steve Austin
Born on December 18, 1964, in Austin, Texas, Steve Austin is a third-generation wrestler. His great-grandfather “Giant” Baba was a well-known wrestler in Japan, while his grandfather “Doc” Sarpolis was a wrestler in the United States. Austin’s father, also a wrestler, trained him in the art of professional wrestling. After starting his career in the late 1980s, Austin quickly made a name for himself in the wrestling world, known for his rugged, hard-hitting style and his charismatic persona.
Austin’s WCW Days
In the early 1990s, Austin joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he began to build a reputation as a talented and unpredictable wrestler. During his time in WCW, Austin formed a alliance with Ric Flair, with whom he won the WCW World Tag Team Championship. However, his time in WCW was short-lived, as he was fired in 1995 due to his growing popularity and increasing salary demands.
The Wild Storyline Pitch
According to Eric Bischoff, Steve Austin approached him backstage at Center Stage in Atlanta in 1996, shortly after Hogan arrived in WCW. Bischoff revealed that Austin pitched a storyline where he would be Hogan’s little brother, a character he had been thinking about for some time. The idea was to create a dynamic where Hogan, the established face of the company, would be the wise and experienced elder, while Austin, the young upstart, would be the reckless and impulsive little brother.
Bischoff was impressed by Austin’s creativity and enthusiasm, but ultimately decided against pursuing the storyline. “I thought it was a great idea, but I didn’t think it was the right fit for the company at the time,” Bischoff said. “I wanted to establish Hogan as the top guy, and I didn’t want to create a situation where Hogan was being overshadowed by his little brother.”
Fan Reaction Analysis
While the idea of Steve Austin as Hulk Hogan’s little brother may seem absurd today, it’s easy to see the appeal of the storyline pitch. Austin’s charisma and unpredictability would have made him a great fit for the role, and the dynamic between Hogan and Austin would have been a compelling watch. Fans would have likely eaten up the storyline, eager to see how the two wrestling legends would interact with each other.
Future WWE Implications
While the storyline pitch never came to fruition, it’s interesting to consider how it might have affected the WWE. Austin’s rise to fame in the Attitude Era was in part due to his ability to connect with fans and create a sense of unpredictability. If Austin had been able to capitalize on his WCW days and establish himself as a top star in the company, it’s possible that the WWE might have looked very different today.
Conclusion
Steve Austin’s wild WCW storyline pitch is a testament to the creative genius of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. While the idea may have been ahead of its time, it’s clear that Austin was willing to take risks and push the boundaries of what was possible in the wrestling world. As we look back on wrestling history, it’s fascinating to consider what might have been if Austin had been able to bring his little brother storyline to life.
FAQ
Q: What was Steve Austin’s idea for getting into Hulk Hogan’s orbit in WCW?
A: Austin pitched a storyline where he would be Hogan’s little brother, a character he had been thinking about for some time.
Q: Why did Eric Bischoff decide against pursuing the storyline?
A: Bischoff wanted to establish Hogan as the top guy in the company and didn’t want to create a situation where Hogan was being overshadowed by his little brother.
Q: What might have been if Austin had been able to bring his little brother storyline to life?
A: It’s possible that Austin might have established himself as a top star in WCW and potentially altered the course of his career in the WWE.
Q: What does this reveal about Steve Austin’s creative genius?
A: The storyline pitch shows that Austin was willing to take risks and push the boundaries of what was possible in the wrestling world, making him one of the most creative and innovative wrestlers of all time.