Steve Austin REFUSED to Work with this WWE Star: Inside Their Rivalry

In the late 1990s, WWE fans were excited about a potential feud between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Jeff Jarrett. However, Austin flatly refused to work with Jarrett due to deep-seated personal and professional issues. This backstage conflict became one of WWE’s most notorious behind-the-scenes rivalries.

Jeff Jarrett’s Return and Controversial Promo

In 1997, Jeff Jarrett returned to WWE with high expectations, especially after delivering a scathing promo that targeted WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, WCW President Eric Bischoff, and Austin himself. Jarrett mocked Austin’s “3:16” catchphrase, calling it blasphemous. But Austin, whose popularity was at its peak, wasn’t informed of the promo’s content beforehand, and it struck a nerve. When Jarrett returned backstage, Austin made his anger known, viewing the promo as an attack on his brand and livelihood.

The Roots of the Rivalry: Old Grudges in USWA

Austin’s grudge against Jarrett went beyond WWE. In the early days of his career in the USWA, Austin struggled financially, working under Jarrett’s father, promoter Jerry Jarrett, who paid him poorly. Austin reportedly survived on boiled potatoes, while Jarrett enjoyed more privileges as the promoter’s son. Austin never forgot the disparity and carried that resentment into his WWE years.

Austin’s Refusal to Work with Jarrett

Despite the appeal of a feud, Austin refused to work with Jarrett, citing his perceived lack of in-ring intensity. Austin, known for his hard-hitting style, felt Jarrett didn’t bring enough physicality. In an interview, he bluntly stated that Jarrett “couldn’t hit the ropes hard enough to bust an egg.” This made Austin feel the rivalry would damage his own credibility.

Clearing the Air Years Later

Over the years, both Austin and Jarrett have addressed the tension between them. On Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions in 2022, the two discussed their history, ultimately expressing mutual respect and moving past their old grievances. Their ability to reconcile reflects the changing dynamics in wrestling, where even the most intense rivalries can find resolution.

Austin and Jarrett’s story remains a fascinating chapter in WWE’s backstage drama, revealing the complexities of egos, past grudges, and career-defining decisions.