Source: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Retired pro wrestling star “Stone Cold” Steve Austin recently blogged on his official website about his first run in and the advice he received from former TNA writer Dutch Mantel when both were working for TNA founder Jerry Jarrett’s USWA promotion:
“So back to the match…we stunk out the joint and damn near killed the town off…it was the drizzling sh!ts as Dutch would soon point out when I came back to the dressing room. Course, I thought we had totally gone out and absolutely dazzled the crowd in attendance with a deep layer of psychology, mixed with an abundance of wrestling knowledge and a lifetime supply of grace and athleticism…That’s how stupid you are when you’re green in the business…I was rotten. Plain and simple. And, as Big Bill DeMott would say…Greener than goose sh!t. Now anybody who knows Dutch Mantell, knows he certainly isn’t bashful about giving his opinion on anything…And since he’s the booker…And responsible for the towns he’s booking, mainly because his job depends on it, he’s gotta look after his ass. And on top of that he’s a guy who likes to help young cats who want to make it in the business.
Brother, what in the Hell was that sh!t? I was dumb enough to reply-It was a match…That was the absolute drizzling sh!ts…Really? I asked…Yeah, I was plenty stupid back then. He then proceeds to rip me apart for at least a lifetime it seemed. He called Chris Champion over and demonstrated how I had screwed up half the wrestling holds I had used. This ass chewing session was a 9.9 out of 10. I think he actually invented a few new cuss words to use on me. The Dutchisms were relentless, ruthless, and certainly unparalleled at this point in my life. Then he points at a steel chair…You see that steel chair, right there? Yes… I want you to grab that chair and watch every match on the card. That’s the only way you’re going to learn this sh!t. He turned and walked away. He had just given me some of the best advice anyone had ever given to me in the wrestling business. And his delivery and technique were spot on. I got it. From that point on for the rest of my career I watched damn near every match of every card my whole career. Obviously when I was white hot in the WWE I did not have time to watch as much, but I’ll never forget that night.
Thanks to Jerry Jarrett for the job. Thanks to Dutch for all the advice and help while I was there. And, most of all…Thanks for cussing my ass out, it was the best advice I ever got.
Steve Austin”
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