[1997-12-08-WWF-Raw] Steve Austin and Vince McMahon

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[Loss]

The first live appearance of Vince since Survivor Series and the fans hate him, even though he acts like his old jovial self. Vince points out that Austin endangered the lives of WWF fans by driving his truck to ringside and using it as a weapon last night. He mentions that Austin once again attacked a referee and he is demanding that Austin defend the IC title tonight against The Rock tonight on RAW.

 

This brings Austin out and he isn't taking orders from Vince. Vince says the phrase "I'm the proud owner of the World Wrestling Federation" for the first time, and also tells Austin "I'm your boss". Vince isn't backing down but seems nervous. I love it! Austin swearing while Vince is on him about his language is funny, although something clearly got edited out.

 

It's clear they have something here with this dynamic, although it will get even better when Vince fully morphs into Mr. McMahon 100%.

[ajtroma]

You knew, absolutely, knew that this impeding Vince-Austin feud was going to be good. This planted that seed.

[Kevin Ridge]

It is heel in the works Vince but he is wisely not over doing it yet as talks about the concern for safety of WWF fans when Austin drove the truck down which the crowd loved. I like that they did things gradual from concerned owner to evil boss.

[soup23]

I had forgotten this interaction took place in late 1997. The chemistry is there between these two and it is dynamic. Cole/Kelly/JR has to be one of the oddest three man announce booths in WWF history.

[PeteF3]

I honestly didn't see it coming at the time, but it's clear from the moment Vince appears on-camera where they're going with all this. He's looking out for the fans, but doing it in a disingenuous manner designed to maximize boos or cheers, depending on what he says. Loss' qualms about Austin giving the ref the Stunner last night are satisfied here, or at least they should be, as Vince brings that up as another Stone Cold transgression. Vince blames the second referee for counting Rocky down when the first ref was about to disqualify him--thus, Vince is DEMANDING that Austin defend the IC title against Rock once again. Austin is out to rebut, and JR compares him to Latrell Sprewell. This is early in the run and a lot of the familiar beats aren't there yet (Vince announces the match without saying "...in this very ring"), but seeing two fantastic foils--possibly the best since Dusty & Flair--playing off of each other is so great to see after a year and a half where heeling seems to be all about being too cool for school and working against your opponent rather than with him.

[Exposer]

Vince is upset with Austin's behavior as of late. He brings up Austin driving a truck to the ring at IYH & using it as a weapon. He mentions Austin stunning the ref during the match as well. He demands that The Rock gets an IC Title rematch later in the show. Austin comes out & starts trash talking Vince as always. Vince telling Austin he's the boss & reprimanding him for his language is hilarious. Austin's vulgar responses are really funny. Austin does the "Hell Yeah!" schtick for the first time here. He says he's going to the back to drink a cold beer & think about if he wants to wrestle because he does what he wants, when he wants. Great segment to begin establishing the Mr. McMahon character & start turning Austin into more a of baby face.