Kevin Sullivan says he wouldn’t have turned Steve Austin heel at WrestleMania 17. For those who may not recall, Austin aligned with Mr. McMahon at the show.
On the latest edition of his “Tuesdays With the Taskmaster” podcast for AdFreeShows, the retired professional wrestler and booker said it was a big mistake. He said,
“I would have never turned ‘Stone Cold’ heel. He was playing a little goofy banjo guitar [shakes head] … brother, he’s Billy the Kid, he ain’t Billy the Kid the goat, you know what I mean? I don’t like to knock what people do creatively because we see things different, right?”
He added, “But you can’t make that type of mistake. There’s some things you just can’t do.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, decisions made by bookers and promoters can have a significant impact on the careers of the wrestlers involved. One decision that has been widely debated among fans and industry insiders is the turning of Steve Austin heel at WrestleMania 17. Kevin Sullivan, a retired professional wrestler and booker, recently shared his thoughts on this controversial move.
For those who may not remember, WrestleMania 17 took place in 2001 and featured a match between Steve Austin and The Rock for the WWF Championship. In a shocking turn of events, Austin aligned himself with his longtime rival, Mr. McMahon, and became a villainous character. This decision was met with mixed reactions from fans and has been a topic of discussion ever since.
During an episode of his podcast “Tuesdays With the Taskmaster,” Sullivan expressed his belief that turning Austin heel was a big mistake. He criticized the creative decision to change Austin’s character, stating, “He was playing a little goofy banjo guitar… brother, he’s Billy the Kid, he ain’t Billy the Kid the goat, you know what I mean?”
Sullivan’s argument is that Austin’s character was already established as a rebellious anti-hero, known for his no-nonsense attitude and defiance of authority. Turning him into a villainous character went against the essence of what made Austin so popular in the first place. Sullivan believes that some creative decisions are simply too risky to make, and turning Austin heel was one of them.
While it is important to note that creative decisions in professional wrestling are subjective and can vary based on individual perspectives, Sullivan’s opinion carries weight due to his experience in the industry. As both a wrestler and a booker, he understands the intricacies of character development and the potential consequences of certain creative choices.
The decision to turn Steve Austin heel at WrestleMania 17 remains a topic of debate among wrestling fans to this day. Some argue that it was a necessary move to freshen up Austin’s character and create new storylines, while others believe it was a misstep that ultimately hurt his popularity. Regardless of one’s opinion, it is clear that the decision had a significant impact on Austin’s career and the landscape of professional wrestling.
In conclusion, Kevin Sullivan’s recent comments on the turning of Steve Austin heel at WrestleMania 17 have reignited the debate surrounding this creative decision. While opinions may differ, it is undeniable that this move had a lasting impact on Austin’s career and remains a topic of discussion in the wrestling community. As fans continue to analyze and dissect the world of professional wrestling, it is important to remember that creative decisions are not always black and white, but rather subjective and open to interpretation.