Source: Chicago sun-Times
The WWE is in desperate need of some big-time star power, and Stone Cold Steve Austin is on his way to provide it. Austin, who has been missing from WWE television since his beer-drinking contest with JBL on ”Saturday Night’s Main Event” last March, is set to come back and will be ”opening cans,” as he would like to say, all over the WWE.
Austin has been in Australia filming the WWE film ”The Condemned” for the past few months and will be on hand in time to make an impact at ”WrestleMania.” Austin has flat-out refused an invitation to return to the ring for now, so look for him to ease back into the fold as a guest referee or enforcer at ”WrestleMania 23.”
Stone Cold is what the WWE is missing — a reason to watch the TV shows every week. He is edgy, unpredictable and entertaining. The WWE roster is strong and probably an upgrade from the glory days of the late 1990s, but there is a gaping hole at the top. Austin will fill that hole, but for how long will be the question.
As commissioner or enforcer, Austin will give the shows a quick boost — but without getting in the ring, it will be interesting to see if he can hold fans’ attention over the long haul.
Austin also is going to walk a fine line between keeping his old persona intact while promoting his movie without it coming off as a weak attempt to generate ticket sales. Either way, the Rattlesnake will create a stir on Monday nights.
AROUND THE RING: If you have not seen ”Wrestling Society X” on MTV yet, it is worth a look. The show is fast-paced and full of high-flying, daredevil-type moves. It might be hard to get fans involved in the story lines given the limited amount of time, but it is very entertaining. … ”Saturday Night’s Main Event” will make its return to NBC on March 10. This should be a good way to promote ”WrestleMania” to a different audience. … Sounds like Melina, Nitro and Carlito are in the WWE doghouse. All three are just going through the motions on house shows, some insiders say, and the Ric Flair promo on Carlito on Monday was done to try to light a fire under some of the younger stars. … Samoa Joe will wrestle his last match for Ring of Honor on Feb. 27 at the Windy City Fieldhouse in Chicago. Joe is leaving RoH to focus full-time on TNA. … Michael Cole now is considered the No. 1 announcer in the WWE and has replaced Jim Ross at the top.
