Scott's Mailbag
Rants

Smiley Happy Babyface Stone Cold

By Scott Keith on 11 May 2025

Vince McMahon's default is “smiley happy babyface,” sometimes to great success (Hogan, Cena), and other times to great failure (Diesel, Roman Reigns). Fortunately, the WCW situation forced McMahon's hand and Stone Cold Steve Austin stayed the cold-blooded badass.

Two questions:

1.) What would have happened if SCSA became the smiley happy babyface during the Attitude Era?

I think it would have killed the character, and consequently he would have been saddled with some stupid mid-card Russo storyline.

2.) Could SCSA ever have worked in this role?

Controversial opinion, but I think it might have worked after his heel turn in 2001-2002. Steve Austin is a naturally convivial person (watch his podcast). Besides, basically every appearance since his retirement has been what I'm describing. Essentially the GM/Sheriff Austin character, but he actually wrestles.

I think it would have killed the character during the big run. People would have seen through it instantly and rejected it, like Diesel. As for the post-Invasion, I think it might have worked better, but really the main issue was him switching too much from heel to babyface in the first place, and he needed to pick a lane and consistently stick with it.