The greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, The Honky Tonk Man has recalled advice he gave Steve Austin when Austin was receiving adulation against his wishes.
Steve Austin entered the World Wrestling Federation in early 1996 as the hated Ringmaster aligned with Ted DiBiase. DiBiase had crowned Austin the Million Dollar Champion and looked to lead the former WCW star to success in his new home.
That partnership wasn’t long for this world however as DiBiase soon left for WCW and Austin wanted to stand on his own. He soon was shorn of his Ringmaster moniker and embraced his Stone Cold side and wrestling icon was born.
Speaking to fellow WWE Hall Of Famers Gerald Brisco and JBL on Stories With Brisco And Bradshaw The Honky Tonk Man revealed some words of wisdom he imparted to Steve Austin when Austin wasn’t getting the expected response as a villain from the crowd:
“He said, ‘These fans are cheering for me. Man, I want to be a heel. I don’t know what to do. They’re cheering everything I do. I said, ‘Steve, keep doing what you’re doing. Do the same thing. Don’t change it. If they want to cheer for you, just keep doing it. Let them switch you.’ I said, ‘If they switch you, they’re gonna love you. No matter what.’ So he kept doing the finger and ‘Hell yeah!’ and all that stuff and it worked for him.”