Steve Austin And The Big Show On If John Cena Holds Back Talent, Problems With Three Hour RAW
On episode 312 of The Steve Austin Show, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin welcomed Big Show back to the podcast to discuss a number of topics including the internet wrestling community's view that John Cena holds back his WWE colleagues, why WWE Monday Night RAW has such short matches and more. According to Austin, now is the perfect opportunity for WWE talent to step up since the roster has been ravaged by injuries in recent months. Moreover, Austin stated that John Cena does not hold anyone back.
"If you get on the internet, there [are] so many people that say, 'oh, when is Cena going to finally put somebody over? When is Cena going to stop holding everybody down?' Cena's gone! Seth Rollins is gone. Cesaro kept trying and he was almost there, he almost makes it, and he gets back down. I love that guy. Neville got hurt. He's a dynamic guy. He's going to be good. He's a veteran in the [professional wrestling] business. Luke Harper I love. But anyways, all those guys were all gone. Randy Orton, a tried and true veteran, second or third generation. He'd never hold anybody back." Austin continued, "but my point is, nobody is holding [anybody] down here because if there was ever an opportunity to shine, it's right now with five spots on the roster open."
Big Show agreed with Austin's notion that Cena does not hold down talent.
"That's such bulls–t anyway, Steve. When people say that, it's a smart mark on a couch trying to be a wrestling coach. That's not the way this business works. This business is about opportunity. You're given opportunity. Everybody has an opportunity. John Cena's on top for as long as he [has] been on top because, the cat, you can't catch him. He outworks everybody around. He's in shape. He has a look. He cuts the best promos. He represents the company well whenever he does it. He's a tried and true guy who puts asses in seats. I'm sorry, I want John Cena on the show, just like when you were working, I wanted 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin on the show. I wanted [The] Rock on the show because I knew there were going to be asses in the seats and I was going to make a good payday. John Cena doesn't hold anybody down. John Cena has made more stars since he has gotten in the ring, made more stars. That's the thing people don't understand. Being champion isn't about winning. When you get that strap, nine times out of 10, everything is on your head. You've got to fill asses in seats, keep ratings up, and you're there to get other guys over. You know, when you're the champ, that's the whole deal. You're trying to get other talent up to your level and get them over."
See Also: Big Show Talks WWE Future, How He's Been Booked, Vince McMahon Relationship, Talent Advice, More
Big Show acknowledged that WWE Monday Night RAW matches are often short, as the company is worried about the television audience losing interest and channel surfing. Also, 'The Giant' expressed frustration of the three-hour format of WWE's flagship television program.
"We've got that extra hour on TV on RAW. I don't think that helps us sometimes because it's too much talk and there's too much bulls–t and the matches that should have more time don't get enough time. It's like a lot of matches that I've had lately [have] been six minutes. Okay, well, I've got a minute of entrance, the other guy has a minute of entrance, [so] you've got four minutes [left]. You can't tell a story in under four minutes. You can't. It's impossible. And the matches that people think are so great are the matches that usually have two segments [or] three segments because we give you time to get emotionally invested. I think that's one thing we make a mistake of because we're too concerned about people channel flipping because there's so much going on, so they keep RAW so fast paced. I think we hurt our product a little bit sometimes by not giving people matches they can get emotionally invested in."
Click here to listen to the show. If you use any of the quotes that appear in this article, please credit The Steve Austin Show with an H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Source: The Steve Austin Show