This statement stinks of, A. being a huge mark for Edge (which we know is the case), or B. knowing absolutely nothing about Steve Austin. Seeing you aren't a noob to professional wrestling, and you're not an idiot, you obviously belong in group A.
1.) Regardless of me being an Edge fan, it shouldn't make a difference. You're clearly an Austin fan, does that mean no one should listen to a word you're saying because you're acting biased toward the situation? No, obviously you want people to pay attention to you. Thus, being a fan one way or another makes no difference.
2.) Steve Austin
was technical, long before most people gave a shit about him. Now, once again "I" do not care what Austin people want to try and sell here - but the majority only recall the guy who did the average brawling, with a press, and a stunner to cap off
most matches. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to hide his true style as a Main Eventer.
Austin has a deep moveset, and is much more than a brawler. If you've watched any of his matches against Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, RVD, Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, and Owen Hart, you would know this is true. As LJL said, he's gone move for move with Benoit, Angle and Jericho later in his career, and you know it. You've seen a lot of these matches, so stop playing this card. He isn't Hulk Hogan, and you know it.
First, I have no idea what the Hogan reference has to do with this. Hogan actually wrestled, and never used brawling to win matches.
Second, the Steamboat reference can be thrown out unless you're using his Stunning Steve years - at which point, I can easily say "Edge is leap years better than Hacksaw - who beat Austin in 38 seconds". [/end discussion]
Now, in all the matches with Benoit, Jericho, Angle, Michaels, and Hart(s) - Austin had to put forth a better effort than his traditional brawling because that shit never worked on them - and it won't work on Edge.
Furthermore, more often than not, each of those names you listed off got the better of Austin, or beat him as much (likely more) than he beat them. Which only further proves that when Austin is up against someone like them, like Edge, he's at a disadvantage and has a harder time winning.
WrestleMania 13, vs. Bret Hart
Austin Lost.
Summerslam 1997, vs. Owen Hart
One of the worst, most "scripted" finishes the business has ever had to be apart of. All because, ironically enough, Austin got hurt. I'm glad you pointed this specific match out - just to defuse another huge argument Edge haters try to use..
Being injury prone. Austin has had more injuries in his career, including ones that ultimately forced him to quit. Edge may suffer injuries - but he's still going. Including breaking his neck, yet not even that has stopped him. It's put Austin away for good.
Summerslam 2001, vs. Kurt Angle
Austin lost. And if memory serves, he hit like 4-5 stunners and couldn't even win. Wow, I'm loving how much you're helping me bury Austin without even knowing it.
No Mercy 2001, vs. Kurt Angle and RVD
This is not a Triple Threat match. Austin looked good in those matches, because he had two other people carrying the match. Simple enough.
Vengeance 2001, vs. Kurt Angle
This is one match that's good enough to say Austin got the better out of.. ..
buuutt, two things come to mind regarding it.
1.) Angle didn't lose because Austin beat him with traditional wrestling. Angle lost because he got to a point where he wanted to beat Austin with his own finishing move, and Austin reversed it into a stunner and victory.
2.) It was in a tournament (much like this is) and Austin lost that Tournament to a very similar wrestler to Edge, in Chris Jericho, if I do recall. Interesting.
No Way Out, 2002 vs. Chris Jericho
Austin lost.
I could also add in dozens of matches prior to 1996, but we'll keep it in his prime.
Add all of them in for all I care, the only thing you're proving is that Austin can lose more in matches he looks great in. What does that mean here? That he can lose to Edge, yet come out looking better throughout? Alright, I'll agree.. Edge can win, but Austin puts on the better match.
Exactly, a past-his-prime Mick Foley. What was Foley's record, in his prime, against Austin?? Not good. Foley never pinned Austin, clean, in a one-on-one match. Edge beating Foley means nothing here.
So, wait, because Austin had matches with alter-ego's of Foley and won the majority; yet Edge faced Foley when many considered him past his prime (even though he was still wrestling 3 years after their Mania match, including winning a Heavyweight Championship in TNA) it shouldn't count? Why again??
When did he beat Batista in a Street Fight?
2005 or 2007. One of those years, they went back and forth and that included a Street Fight. Regardless - I know for a fact Edge has gotten the better of Batista (2007), and Batista is a hell of a lot stronger than Austin.
As for HBK, it's not like he hasn't pinned Edge as many times as Edge has pinned him. Difference being -- HBK would win clean. Austin owned HBK, when both were in their prime.
Uhm, Royal Rumble 2005. Edge won clean. They've also had several other matches, street fight(s) included, in which Edge has won clean. I fail to see how he wins should mean anything though - Edge can play a heel and win dirty, it shouldn't matter.
Austin won a lot by cheating, does that mean he shouldn't win here? It's irrelevant.
As for Austin
"owning" HBK when both were in their prime - now who's talking trash? Austin and HBK had a draw (KotR 97) when both were at top levels. HBK had defeated Austin in 96, before Austin took off. And finally, their Mania XIV match does
NOT count for shit. HBK had a broken fricken back, and still managed to carry Austin to looking impressive. I'd hardly say HBK (who retired for 4 years after THAT match) was "in his prime" though, so you can throw that trash talking right out the window.
Austin has beaten The Undertaker, HHH, The Rock, and Mick Foley in similar matches. Austin wins this round, no doubt.
Edge has defeated every name on that list, except for the Rock (in Tag matches he has, though) so I fail to see how Austin should win - when both men have beaten the same names.
Austin won fairly, or clean - Edge cheated. A win is a win. Edge won unfairly because it's in his nature to do so. The overall point is, if he's able to get away with it - and as often as he has, I'd say he's the master of doing so - then what's the difference? He won, that's the main point.
17 consecutive chair shots put The Rock away at WrestleMania 17, and Austin dropped HHH, who was inside of a fucking car, to take care of him at the Survivor Series in 2000. Do you honestly think Edge has taken more punishment than that, and won? He hasn't. The match with Foley doesn't add up to either of the events I've provided.
Great way to end a post, Nick. Where the hell was this even going?
Do you imagine that Austin is going to drag Edge out of the ring, and drop him in a car from a forklift? Or perhaps you'd imagine the official will randomly fall down long enough for Austin to be handed a chair from Mr. McMahon to bash Edge some 17 fricken times, so he can win (with brawling, I might add)? PLEASE.. Nick, tell me the point of this drivel.
Ah, the "punishment" that Austin dished out from 17 chair shots and using heavy metal machines - yeah, I'm sure if either were to happen - Edge would likely not survive the punishment. Nor would anyone else, including Austin - who was hit by a car, and put out for over a year.
Either way - Edge has the ability to win here.
