WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin recently talked to Sports Illustrated about a number of topics, including Kevin Owens possibly being the "new Stone Cold." According to the Texas Rattlesnake, he doesn't think Owens needs to be associated with him in order to find success and believes the comparisons should end to keep the spotlight on the former Universal Champion.
"With Kevin Owens, don't throw my name on there," Austin said. "This guy can talk a lot of trash, he is great in the ring, and he's using my finisher, but hell, no one is going to be the next Steve Austin. I remember when people were saying I was going to be the next Ric Flair when I was in WCW."
"No one's ever going to be the next Ric Flair, and you're not going to see the next Hulk Hogan or the next Bret Hart, either. It just doesn't happen that way. People like to say that because of the similarities, but what we should be saying is, 'I want this guy to be the next big thing.'" That a great point and it would be better for him to be the first Kevin Owens rather than the new anybody!
As for why Austin chose to allow KO to use his Stunner finisher, he says that was never an issue for him. "My finish was being used by someone else before I really made it famous, or trademarked it, so to speak," he explained. "So I told him, go ahead and use the Stone Cold Stunner."
Austin went on to talk about being a fan of Owens' and it's clear that he believes he has a lot of potential as a top babyface. After all, we've seen him as a top heel but as Owens continues taking the fight to Shane McMahon, it's hard to escape the feeling that WWE may have found its next breakout star.