Steve Austin has given a controversial opinion regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy [CTE].

The progressive and fatal brain disease is associated with concussions and repeated strikes to the head. It is also linked to the onset of dementia.

In recent years, the link between CTE and contact sports has been studied as many athletes who have competed in American football, ice hockey and other combat sports have suffered the condition later on in life.

During the new Mr. McMahon docuseries that was released on Netflix, the topic of CTE in wrestling was brought up in episode 6 as the Chris Benoit murder-suicide was discussed. Former wrestler Christopher Nowinski, who has studied the link after his, appeared in the show and stated that he was “certain” that Benoit has CTE judging by the way he wrestled, with clips of Benoit’s diving headbutt shown.

Vince McMahon dismissed theories surrounding CTE and steroid abuse, stating that Chris Benoit “went nuts.”

Others in the series were not as open about the link between the blows to the head and the condition, including Steve Austin. Appearing on the show, Austin referenced the injury he suffered in his match against Owen Hart at SummerSlam 1997 but stated that he can’t remember having too many concussions during the course of his career. In response to CTE itself, Austin stated that he is not a believer in the condition:

“I worked for a long time, I got dropped on my head one time, I got concussed there. But other than that I can’t remember having too many concussions in the business of pro wrestling. My take on that has always been if you’re just wrestling and you got a bunch of concussions you’re probably doing something wrong. I’m not a CTE guy, I just don’t believe in it.”

Also in the series, Vince McMahon denied The Undertaker suffered a concussion at WrestleMania 30.

H/t to TJRWrestling.