There have been plenty of backstage rivalries and off-screen feuds between wrestlers. However, the issues between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jeff Jarrett have endured to this day, leading to real-life beef between the two.
But how did this happen, and why has Jarrett not looked past it after so many years?
Jeff Jarrett reveals real-life heat with Stone Cold Steve Austin
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In 1998, Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart formed a team that dominated the division. They beat Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man for the Tag Team Championships with Debra by their side. Debra was a former valet, who became much more popular as the wife of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Debra played Jarrett’s on-screen girlfriend, but her relationship with Steve Austin jeopardized that storyline. On his podcast, My World, Jarrett revealed this to be the reason behind his issues with Austin and explained how the storyline ended.
“Yes, I mean, me and Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle were on a plane going overseas when their relationship first started, and Percy kicked me and said, ‘Buddy, your act’s over.’
“Just as a joke. But he’d been around Paul, Percy, whatever you wanna call him, he’d been around a long time. He knew, he knew.” (H/T– SK)
Jarret’s run in the company ended soon after his storyline with Debra ended. He dropped the IC Title to Chyna at No Mercy 1999 and joined rival promotion WCW.
The real-life heat soured many relationships
While Jarrett’s association with Debra and the WWE ended, it also sparked issues between Austin and himself. It even affected his relationship with Jim Ross. On his podcast, he blamed JR for trying to keep Austin happy at his expense.
“We’ve all been in this industry a long time, but one of Jim’s big roles was keep his dressing room happy and, most notably, keep his top stars happy.
“It’s just that simple, and so I don’t want to get long-winded and go off on a tangent, but your question was, ‘Do you think mine and Austin’s relationship was a factor in Jim’s viewpoint of me?’ A thousand percent.”
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On his own podcast, Grilling JR, the former Talent Relations Executive declared Jarrett comparing himself to Austin was ‘a stretch’.
He said, “For Jeff Jarrett to compare himself to be on the same level of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin is somewhat ludicrous in my opinion. Obviously Jeff, in his own defense, thought he was a top guy as well.”
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Do you think Jarrett will bury the hatchet with Stone Cold Steve Austin?
Read More: WWE Legend Jeff Jarrett Explains How He and Vince McMahon Buried the Hatchet