I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 250

Sonnen is Austin's guest on this episode of  Unleashed
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

If you're new, here's the rundown: I listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are better wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but these are the ones in my regular rotation that I feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If I can save other folks some time, I'm happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show — Unleashed
Episode: 250 (Aug. 27, 2015)
Run Time: 1:33:16
Guest: Chael Sonnen (9:25)

Summary: Though he swears it’s not a plug, Sonnen opens up his chat with Austin raving about their mutual sponsor, Alpha Brain. He then discusses the idea of “getting over” as it relates to mixed-martial arts, the importance talking trash, if he watches his old fights and a great deal about Connor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. Sonnen details his own work with Global Force Wrestling and weighs in on TNA, MMA and wrestling fan crossover, Dana White, Jim Cornette, Brock Lesnar vs. the Undertaker, wrestlers who put people over and Sheamus. At the end he raises the curtain a bit on his family life, his new weekly political podcast and if he has any future in wrestling.

Quote of the week: “I’m spot on, it’s a spot on analysis. And it might be hard for you to discuss because you are Stone Cold, but my analysis there is perfect, and it’s relatable and I’m right. (Donald Trump) came out and he stood by himself, the same as you did.”

Why you should listen: The absolute best part is Austin revealing a phone call he took from Vince McMahon after inadvertently stoking the rumor mill about facing Lesnar in a Texas Death Match at WrestleMania 32. Other than that, the wrestling chatter is fairly interesting, but generally only when Austin is talking — it’s actually a lot similar to one of his old listener call-in shows. If you’re into MMA and UFC, especially McGregor, you’ll probably enjoy the first segment quite a bit.

Why you should skip it: Thank the sweet Lord I didn’t have to listen to Sonnen and Cornette at the same time because heaven only knows who is more up their own butt. Even for those who like MMA (I don’t hate it, just not interested) Sonnen comes off as too full of himself as to make wading through the bombast worthwhile. Some of his wrestling opinions are absurd, and the story about his airplane encounter with Sheamus is only amusing in the way it reveals what a weirdo Sonnen truly must be.

Final thoughts: I’ll cop to not knowing much about Sonnen. He’s inarguably brash, but I do get the sense he’s consistent, and so I doubt any of his fans will be put off by his tenor here. As with most guests from the MMA world, my brain tends to shut off when the topic turns that direction, but Sonnen is legitimately knowledgeable about the world of pro wrestling and, though I might disagree with some of his logic, at least deserves to hold up half a conversation with Austin. Still, it’s not the world’s most interesting interview, and if you’re dying to hear Austin weigh in on the SummerSlam main event, you’re going to want to wait for next week’s Wade Keller phone call.