WWE: Steve Austin on “What Chants” Origin, Sareee on Talks for New Contract Prior to Departure, Zelina Vega

Apr 30, 2023

Steve Austin Comments on Origin & Longevity of “What” Chants in Wrestling

A recent episode of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast had WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Austin revealing the origin of his famous “What” chant and his thoughts on its longevity in wrestling.

“It really does [surprise me], but it’s a testament to how impacted people were to that. You know, that started off as me leaving a voice message on Christian’s phone,” said Stone Cold. “I was working heel at the time, and I said hey man, this is a really good way to F with people and get on their nerves and under their skin. Because if you tell me something I just say What? And I throw it back at you, and it’s irritating, it’s what it was designed to be. Then I turned it into something that worked for me as babyface as a way to mock a certain situation. With cadence and delivery, people can escape it as far as talent doing a promo. But it’s very, it’s flattering to still see it around, but I have had so many people cussing me out and hating it. We ended up putting it on the t-shirt for God’s sake, and it sold a ton. So, I am thankful for the word, but if it disappeared tomorrow then I wouldn’t complain. I’m honored that it is still here.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Sareee Comments on Talk in WWE for a New Contract Prior to Her Departure

Sportiva held a recent interview with Sareee, former Sarray in WWE. One of the topics discussed included Sareee’s thoughts on WWE officials having talks of renewing her contract with the company prior to her departure.

“I didn’t fight on the main roster, but I felt that I had learned enough in WWE. I was able to absorb the spirit of entertainment that I had been missing. There was talk of renewing the contract, but I wanted to do wrestling that I believed in, and at 27 years old, I was at my most physically active, so I thought, I will regret it if I don’t do the wrestling I have wanted to do for a long time now.”

Sareee also gave her thoughts about the difficulties of adjusting to a new life in the United States following her signing with WWE and praised Shinsuke Nakamura for the help he provided towards her.

“There were many difficulties (life in the USA). Many wrestlers who went to WWE from Japan came to the U.S. with their spouses or families, but I was alone. I had no idea about everyday shopping or the detailed procedures for renting a house… Naturally, I was surrounded by American wrestlers, and it was not always easy to get the same ideas. For example, Japanese athletes are very attentive to isolated foreign wrestlers, eating together with them, etc., but American athletes are ‘people are people and I am me.’ It is not that they are cold, it is just natural, but it was difficult for me to get used to it.
They (Japanese talent in the U.S.) were very helpful to me. The star athletes that I would have never met or talked to if I had not gone to the U.S. cared about me. In particular, Shinsuke Nakamura and his family, including his wife and children, were very close to me. When I met him for the first time, he said, ‘If you are lonely and alone, come to me anytime. There will be food for you.’ Eventually, I started going out with the children on my days off, even when Nakamura was not around (laughs). There were also Asuka, IYO SKY, (Akira) Tozawa and KUSHIDA. In NXT, which I belonged to, Hideki Suzuki and Ikemen Jiro were with me until about halfway through (the run). At that time, there were quite a few Japanese wrestlers, which was encouraging.”

English translation via PostWrestling.com

Zelina Vega Comments on Upcoming SmackDown Women’s Title Match at WWE Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico

A recent episode of WWE The Bump show featured Zelina Vega as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Vega’s thoughts about getting to compete for the SmackDown Women’s Championship in front of fans in Puerto Rico.

“I try to formulate my words when it comes to that question because there’s no good combination of words that could describe how I feel. I’m representing for my family, I’m representing for everyone that’s rooting for me in Puerto Rico, my family that didn’t get to see me wrestle yet in Puerto Rico, and girls like me. I feel like it’s a lot of pressure, but I’m so happy to carry that, and I’m so happy to be able to say that I’m walking into Puerto Rico of all places [for this match.] It is against Rhea bloody Ripley. I understand what comes with that, and it’s no easy thing to defeat her. However, the last match that I did have as a singles, I did beat her in 45 seconds, so there is that. I’m feeling my good. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure, but I’m ready for it.
It’s been a while since I’ve been back there. This is actually my first time getting to perform in Puerto Rico, so there’s a lot of firsts that come with it. I’m even shaking a little bit thinking about it. I’m nervous, but the excitement, it’s completely taken over me. I don’t think I’ve ever shown this kind of vulnerability as far as how much this means to me and how nervous I actually am for this. It’s a good nervous, but it’s also, like I said, I feel like I’m bringing everybody with me, and that’s a crazy thing.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com