WWE: 10 Best Steve Austin Podcasts To Download Now

2. Jim Ross - Episodes 14/15

The beauty of this conversation lies in Austin's fondness for Ross, and his desire to show Jim as a human being, and not just the voice of the WWE. They start off by discussing their respective lifestyle changes now that they're off the road. Ross shares his dietary adjustments and workout regime, and Austin quips, "You can never out-train a sh-tty diet!" Words to live by. And then they embark on very personal chat that goes deep into JR's family history - his roots in Oklahoma, his academic and athletic achievements, and the lessons learned from life on a farm. It's amazing to hear how Jim gravitated towards sports broadcasting at a young age, but not necessarily for wrestling (though he was a fan of that, too). As is the case with many great careers, Jim's started down in the belly of the beast. His unique position with Mid-South wrestling afforded him an education on the front lines: he learned what elements contribute to compelling matches, and how to book feuds properly (a lesson we could all keep in mind during this Daniel Bryan saga). He was in the room (and sometimes more vitally, in the car) with all the old greats, absorbing the kinds of information that would one day make him a beloved, insightful commentator. You'll notice that Austin talks less and less as he enables Jim to be himself and tell his stories. You'll find out why he calls "bullsh-t" on fans who claim that Vince killed the territories. You'll find out what happened during the golden era of kayfabe, when babyfaces failed to romance the female fans, and heels failed to win at bar fights. Bah gawd, you must take a listen!