Below are some top WWE news stories of the day, involving Batista and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
• In 2005, Batista and John Cena reached the top of WWE on the same night at WrestleMania 21, when they won the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship respectively.
Despite rumors of real-life tension, Batista clarified in an interview with Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT that these claims were exaggerated by fan speculation and online rumors.
He emphasized his respect for Cena, stating, “I get along with John. I really respect John a lot more than people think I do for some reason. I think the internet and fans have built this rivalry between us, which really isn’t.”
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• In an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWF/E referee Mike Chioda reflected on officiating the historic WrestleMania 15 match between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWF Championship.
During the match, Chioda took a chair shot to the head from Austin and was willing to do so, citing the physical nature of the sport and his lack of fear in getting hurt.
After the match, Chioda returned backstage, where Jim Ross informed him he would receive a $2,500 bonus for taking the chair shot. Chioda humorously expressed his excitement, even offering to take another shot if needed.
Here’s what Chioda said:
“As a referee, you always looked at it like all the boys do all this crazy stuff, chairshots and everything, so I was like man you know, if it gashes me, splits me open, it does. That’s what the guys do.
That chair shot rang my bell for 3 days. JR came back and he goes ‘You are getting a bonus for $2,500’. I was like holy sh*t, I can take another chair shot if you need me.”
