As noted before, a recent episode of the Steve Austin Show podcast had AEW president Tony Khan as the guest discussing a variety of topics related to All Elite Wrestling.
Another topic discussed during the interview was Austin’s thoughts on the infamous live episode of his podcast in 2016 on the WWE Network featuring Dean Ambrose, now known as Jon Moxley, as the guest.
In the interview, there appeared to be some tension between Austin and Ambrose, with Ambrose responding awkwardly to some questions. On the podcast, Austin accused Ambrose of “resting on his laurels” and said that he needed to find a spark. Ambrose/Moxley also revealed in a recent interview with Wade Keller that he “mentally shut down” after being “pissed off” by something Austin asked. Moxley also said that he told producers that he didn’t want to answer any questions about his upbringing, but Austin, seemingly unaware of the request, asked him questions about that anyway.
Within five seconds, I’m getting these fucking questions, I don’t remember what they were, and he said something that pissed me off and I just fucking mentally shut down, and I love Steve. If that had been a regular interview, I’d have hung up on them, but I was like, ‘I fucking love Steve.
Austin stated that he still regrets how poorly his interview with Ambrose went and the issues it caused for both of them afterwards.
“I’ve been carrying a thousand pounds on my back ever since [the podcast]. I felt so bad about that interview and I was leading it. I was there to get people over and make them come off like a million bucks. We came off on the wrong street, kept making left turns, and were never on track. He had his reasons and I had mine. For all this time, I felt like shit about that interview. People said, ‘the Stone Cold podcast got canceled [on WWE Network] because of that interview.’ No, I had fulfilled my commitment. Everyone thought there was heat between myself and Dean Ambrose [Jon Moxley]. I didn’t really know Dean well but I respected his talent. His fans are crapping all over me. My fans were wondering what was wrong. That interview is one thing I think about almost every single day. It still haunts me.”
Austin also stated that he was relieved to learn recently that Moxley held no ill will towards him because of that infamous interview and hopes to be able to have Moxley appear again on his podcast in the future.
“I got his number from a mutual friend and we had the best 30-minute conversation, getting back on the same page. There was never any personal animosity with us. I thought he might hate my guts. He never hated my guts. Whoever thought I was picking on Dean or whatever…I think he’s going to come down to Los Angeles and we’ll do another podcast together. This has haunted me for so damn long and when I make someone look the way they’re not supposed to look, that haunts me. I’m looking forward to talking to Jon Moxley.”