Just in case the “is she a heel or a face?” argument starts to lose steam, a new debate topic has emerged regarding SmackDown Women’s champ Becky Lynch. Should we compare her to Stone Cold Steve Austin? Does linking the two sell the Lasskicker short, or limit her options in the future?
Let’s ask Bex. That’s what the Las Cruces Sun News did ahead of a blue brand house show in New Mexico. Here’s what she had to say about a comparison made by Jim Ross and others:
“That means the world. You can’t get a better comparison than being compared to Stone Cold Steve Austin. He’s one of the greatest. He’s so smart in how he did things, his reactions and how we would sell things. Just his charisma and how we would talk. It was impossible to not want to cheer that guy because he was doing what we all wanted to do. None of us want to take crap from anybody and I think that’s the same thing Becky Lynch is doing right now too. That’s the highest honor you could possibly be given.”
Beyond if Badlass Becky Lynch is the Women’s Evolution version of the Texas Rattlesnake? Asked about the heel/babyface question:
“Whatever I am doing right now, I am loving it. Whatever this is, I love it.
Just in general, people around the world … you try and be the nice person, always. Everybody. And I think this is so relatable. For the most part, people are generally good and want to do the right thing. And sometimes, it just backfires on you. My dad used to always tell me no good deed goes unpunished. And I think that’s what you’re seeing with Becky right now, that she’s always done the right thing and it hasn’t gotten her where she wants it. And now she’s had enough and she’s saying ‘I don’t care who’s in my way.’
I left home at 16, traveled the world and slept on people’s couches. I came with a goal and I haven’t gotten that because I have been too focused on doing the right thing always when other people aren’t. That’s what we’re seeing and she’s had enough … she’s not letting them be an obstacle anymore.”
Personally, I don’t see an issue. Analogies are a useful shorthand, especially in trying to convince fans who think of something like women’s wrestling in one particular way to give a new version a chance. If WWE had Lynch suddenly wearing a sleeveless black leather vest and smashing Becky-weisers, I might call foul. But Austin didn’t invent the anti-hero archetype himself. He’s just the most famous wrestling version. The Irishwoman is offering her own interpretation, and as long as she’s allowed to continue to do so, a few Stone Cold references or jokes won’t affect that.
So, you’ve heard Becky and my takes. What’s yours?
Check out the Las Cruces Sun News’ entire article on Lynch here.