10 Best WWE Stories Told On Steve Austin’s Podcast

6. "Vocal Inflections" (Paul Heyman)

Paul Heyman Jim Ross
WWE.com

Jim Ross told in his recent (unmissable) book how he always liked working with Paul Heyman because the ex-ECW figurehead p*ssed him off and pulled great commentary from him. The relationship, despite being frosty on-screen, was wonderful in execution and a rich one behind the scenes.

The admiration went both ways. On Austin's podcast in 2015, Heyman said that he was constantly learning whenever he worked with JR. In fact, when he joined the WWF for some colour work in 2001, Paul E noticed how Jim would spit the names of heels and calmly speak those of babyfaces. That contrasting inflection took his breath away.

It also prompted Heyman to create his now-famous "Brrrrrrrrock Leeeeeeeeesnaaaaar" delivery.

Ross was subtly guiding the audience to view faces as people to be admired and heels as those to dismiss as evil or vile. Heyman thought this was bloody genius, and he decided to start incorporating it into his own work from that point on.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.