The Real Reason We Never Saw Steve Austin And Jeff Jarrett Wrestle

Austin Jarrett
WWE.com

He didn't get over with the crowd nor the "boys"; infamously, by claiming Austin 3:16 was "blasphemous", he buried any chance he had of working a major programme with the major star. According to Vince Russo, blogging on InsidePulse, Austin's "bald head was boiled red". He was "freakin' furious". Austin, according to Russo, chewed Jarrett's ass out backstage.

Austin took much, hilarious pleasure in reminding Jarrett him of his displeasure.

Months later, with Austin on a tear, he took out "everyone of the WWF Superstars" that had targeted him on a rampage ahead of the 1998 Royal Rumble. When it was Jarrett's turn, Austin smashed him, and ripped the piss out of his trademark strut before lashing him with the double bird. This was telling, but nobody told Vince Russo - even though, swerve, he knew better - who saw far more main event potential in Jeff than Austin did. He also reckoned Buff Bagwell was more charismatic than the Rock, but that's an article for another day.

Russo pitched Jarrett as an opponent for Austin in 1998, as Jarrett got over under his misogynist, guitar-smashing gimmick. Austin was apoplectic - Russo knew nothing of continuity, but Austin sure as sh*t did - and vetoed the idea immediately. Austin didn't even fancy paying Jarrett a poetic receipt by stiffing him with potatoes on a one-shot B-level pay-per-view.

This wasn't purely spiteful, much as it seemed that way.

CONT'D...(4 of 5)

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Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!