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Stone Cold Steve Austin
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{{short description|American professional wrestler and actor (born 1964)}} {{Redirect|Steve Austin|other people with similar names}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=May 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Stone Cold Steve Austin | image = Steve Austin by Gage Skidmore.jpg | caption = Austin at the 2010 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] | birth_name = Steven James Anderson | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|12|18}} | birth_place = [[Austin, Texas]], U.S.<!--Please do not change it to Victoria, Texas as he was not born there, his character was billed from there only!--> | occupation = {{hlist|Media personality|actor|producer|professional wrestler}} | party = | yearsactive = 1989–2003, 2022 (wrestling)<br />1999–present (media) | spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Kathryn Burrhus|1990|1992|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Lady Blossom|Jeanie Clarke]]|1992|1999|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Debra Marshall]]|2000|2003|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Kristin Feres|2009}}}} | children = 3 | website = {{URL|https://brokenskullranch.com}} | module = {{Infobox professional wrestler | child = yes | names = The Ringmaster<ref name="Cagematch">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&name=Steve+Austin |title=Steve Austin |website=Cagematch |access-date=October 18, 2023}}</ref><br />"'''Stone Cold'''" '''Steve Austin'''<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />"Stunning" Steve Austin<ref name="Cagematch"/><br />"Superstar" Steve Austin<ref name="Cagematch"/><br/>Steve Williams<ref name="Cagematch"/> | height = 6 ft 2 in<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/stonecoldsteveaustin/|title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin profile|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409151305/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/stonecoldsteveaustin|url-status=live}}</ref> | weight = 252 lb<ref name="wwebio"/> | billed = [[Victoria, Texas]]<ref name="wwebio"/><br/>[[Hollywood, California]] (as "Stunning" Steve Austin) | trainer = [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]]<ref name="Cagematch"/> | debut = September 30, 1989<ref name="Cagematch"/> | retired = [[WrestleMania 19|March 30, 2003]]<ref name="Cagematch"/> | signature = Stone Cold Steve Austin Signature.png }} }} '''Steve Austin''' (born '''Steven James Anderson''' and later '''Steven James Williams'''; December 18, 1964), better known by his [[ring name]] "'''Stone Cold'''" '''Steve Austin''', is an American media personality, actor, producer and retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]]. He is signed to [[WWE]] as an ambassador. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he was integral to the development and success of the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now known as WWE) during the [[Attitude Era]], an industry boom period in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Austin began his professional wrestling career in 1989, after playing [[college football]] at the [[University of North Texas]]. He signed with [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1991 and adopted the persona of "'''Stunning'''" '''Steve Austin''', a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] in-ring technician, and he won the [[WCW World Television Championship]] and the [[WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] twice each, alongside one reign with a double crown of the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] and [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]], with [[Brian Pillman]] (as the [[Hollywood Blondes]]). After a brief stint in [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW), Austin signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995. In the WWF, Austin was repackaged as a short-tempered, brash and brazen [[anti-establishment]] [[antihero]] named "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, becoming the most popular wrestler of the Attitude Era off the back of his [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with company chairman [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]]. He won the [[WWF Championship]] [[List of WWE World Heavyweight Champions|six times]], the [[WWF Intercontinental Championship]] [[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|twice]], the [[Million Dollar Championship]] once, and the [[WWF Tag Team Championship]] [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|four times]], making him the fifth [[WWF Triple Crown Champion]]. He is also a record three-time [[Royal Rumble match|Royal Rumble]] winner, won the [[King of the Ring (1996)|1996 King of the Ring]], and headlined multiple WWF pay-per-view events, including its flagship event [[WrestleMania]] four times ([[WrestleMania XIV|14]], [[WrestleMania XV|15]], [[WrestleMania X-Seven|17]] and [[WrestleMania 38|38 - Night 1]]). He was forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2003 after multiple knee injuries and a serious neck injury at the [[SummerSlam (1997)#Steve Austin incident|1997 SummerSlam]] event, making sporadic appearances ever since. He was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in [[WWE Hall of Fame (2009)|2009]], and returned for a final match against [[Kevin Owens]] at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022. Austin hosts the podcast ''The Steve Austin Show'' (2013–present), and the video podcast ''Broken Skull Sessions'' (2019–present) available on the [[WWE Network]] and [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]]. He collaborates with El Segundo Brewing on Broken Skull [[india pale ale|IPA]] and Broken Skull [[American lager|American Lager]]. He also hosted the reality competition series ''Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge'' (2014–2017) and ''[[Straight Up Steve Austin]]'' (2019–2021). ==Early life== Steve Austin was born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref>[[Stone Cold Steve Austin#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin.''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.9)</ref><ref name="BiographyBio">{{cite web |date=March 15, 2021 |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin |url=https://www.biography.com/athlete/stone-cold-steve-austin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202953/https://www.biography.com/athlete/stone-cold-steve-austin |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Biography}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220195512/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |archive-date=February 20, 2020 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |website=canoe.com}}</ref> After his parents divorced, his mother moved the family to [[Victoria, Texas]], raising Austin and his two brothers, Scott and Kevin, as a single parent. She later married Ken Williams, who adopted the children; Austin's name was legally changed to Steven James Williams. The family eventually settled in [[Edna, Texas]]. Austin also has a third brother, Jeff, and a sister, Jennifer.<ref name="truth10">[[Stone Cold Steve Austin#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (pp. 10, 12–13),</ref><ref name="BSR">{{cite web |last=Austin |first=Steve |title=Bio – Steve Austin Broken Skull Ranch |url=http://brokenskullranch.com/bio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219182321/http://brokenskullranch.com/bio |archive-date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=August 29, 2014 |work=Broken Skull Ranch}}</ref> He attended [[Edna High School]] and played college football at [[Wharton County Junior College]] before transferring to the [[University of North Texas]].<ref name="BSR" /> He began as a [[linebacker]] but switched to [[defensive end]] after a knee injury.<ref name="OutOfTheRing">{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Luiane |date=April 18, 2011 |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin is out of the ring but still in front of the camera |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20110418__Stone_Cold__Steve_Austin_is_out_of_the_ring_but_still_in_front_of_the_camera.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201552/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/entertainment/20110418__Stone_Cold__Steve_Austin_is_out_of_the_ring_but_still_in_front_of_the_camera.html |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 5, 2015 |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin on Johnny Manziel: The pressure is on that cat |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2015/11/06/stone-cold-steve-austin-on-johnny-manziel-the-pressure-is-on-that-cat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202534/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2015/11/06/stone-cold-steve-austin-on-johnny-manziel-the-pressure-is-on-that-cat/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]}}</ref><ref name="OTR">{{cite web |date=May 6, 1998 |title=The TSN Off The Record Stone Cold Steve Austin interview |url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1998/05/06/the-bottom-line/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202501/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1998/05/06/the-bottom-line/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Slam Wrestling}}</ref><ref name="Complex">{{cite web |last1=Sibor |first1=Doug |last2=Silvers |first2=Adam |last3=Evans |first3=Gavin |date=December 18, 2014 |title=35 Things You Didn't Know About "Stone Cold" Steve Austin |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/12/35-things-you-did-not-know-about-stone-cold-steve-austin/stone-cold-steve-austin-3-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203217/https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/12/35-things-you-did-not-know-about-stone-cold-steve-austin/stone-cold-steve-austin-3-16 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Complex}}</ref> Austin developed an early interest in professional wrestling, regularly watching [[Houston Wrestling]] promoted by [[Paul Boesch]].<ref name="411HOF">{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Steve |date=November 9, 2012 |title=411 Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2012: Steve Austin |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2012-steve-austin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204027/https://411mania.com/wrestling/411-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2012-steve-austin/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=411Mania}}</ref><ref name="HouChron">{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Ken |url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/Hall-of-Fame-opens-to-wrestler-Stone-Cold-Steve-1730328.php |title=Hall of Fame opens to wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=20 June 2021 |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201459/https://www.chron.com/life/article/Hall-of-Fame-opens-to-wrestler-Stone-Cold-Steve-1730328.php |url-status=live }}</ref> While in college, he lived near the [[Dallas Sportatorium]], where [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] (WCCW) held events.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kirkland |first=Justin |date=April 18, 2021 |title=My Lunch Date With Stone Cold Steve Austin and His Mom's Frito Pie |url=https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/food/a36132558/stone-cold-steve-austin-frito-pie-recipe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620141413/https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/food/a36132558/stone-cold-steve-austin-frito-pie-recipe/ |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Esquire}}</ref><ref name="CAC">{{cite web |last=Oliver |first=Greg |date=May 18, 2012 |title=Laughs and sage advice from Austin at CAC banquet |url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2012/05/18/laughs-and-sage-advice-from-austin-at-cac-banquet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630031305/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2012/05/18/laughs-and-sage-advice-from-austin-at-cac-banquet/ |archive-date=June 30, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Slam Wrestling}}</ref> He legally changed his name to Steve Austin in December 2007.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} ==Professional wrestling career== {{Multiple issues|section=yes |{{Kayfabe|section| date = June 2018}} {{Overly detailed|section|date=June 2018}} }} ===Early career (1989–1991)=== Steve Austin began his wrestling training in 1989 under [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]] at the Dallas Sportatorium, while Adams was affiliated with [[World Class Championship Wrestling|World Class Wrestling Association]] (WCWA, formerly WCCW).<ref name="OutOfTheRing" /><ref name="truth55">[[Stone Cold Steve Austin#AustinRoss2003|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.55)</ref><ref name="slam">{{cite web |title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin bio |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160113124330/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/austin.html |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=June 6, 2008 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref name="DallasOb">{{cite web |last=McDonald |first=Chris |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Blood, Sweat and Fire: Dallas' Heroes Helped Make Wrestlemania a Sports Powerhouse |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/blood-sweat-and-fire-dallas-heroes-helped-make-wrestlemania-a-sports-powerhouse-8159025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202516/https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/blood-sweat-and-fire-dallas-heroes-helped-make-wrestlemania-a-sports-powerhouse-8159025 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=[[Dallas Observer]]}}</ref> Although the training emphasized technical skills, Austin later expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of instruction on the business side of wrestling.<ref name="Truth">{{cite web |last=Clevett |first=Jason |date=November 12, 2003 |title=The Stone Cold truth, WWE style |url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2003/11/12/the-stone-cold-truth-wwe-style/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203540/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2003/11/12/the-stone-cold-truth-wwe-style/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Slam Wrestling}}</ref> Austin made his in-ring debut later that year in a televised WCWA match using his real name at the time, Steve Williams.<ref>{{cite web |title=35 Things You Didn't Know About Stone Cold Steve Austin |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/12/35-things-you-did-not-know-about-stone-cold-steve-austin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625082457/https://www.complex.com/sports/2014/12/35-things-you-did-not-know-about-stone-cold-steve-austin/ |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref> During the merger of WCWA and the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]]-based [[Continental Wrestling Association]] into the [[United States Wrestling Association]] (USWA), he began wrestling under the name "Steve Austin," a change made to avoid confusion with [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]]. He competed primarily in Dallas and was managed by Percy Pringle (later known as [[Paul Bearer]] in [[WWE|WWF]]) during this period. One of his early storylines involved a feud with his trainer, Chris Adams.<ref name="DallasOb" /> === World Championship Wrestling (1991–1995) === Austin joined [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in May 1991 and adopted the ring name "Stunning" Steve Austin.<ref name="AustinWCW">{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Kevin |date=September 14, 2019 |title=Epic Error: Remembering When WCW Fired 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin 24 Years Later |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2853682-epic-error-remembering-when-wcw-fired-stone-cold-steve-austin-24-years-later |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130221232/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2853682-epic-error-remembering-when-wcw-fired-stone-cold-steve-austin-24-years-later |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref name="HB1">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Si |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Steve Austin and Brian Pillman - The Hollywood Blonds Story |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-brian-pillman-hollywood-blonds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516152734/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-brian-pillman-hollywood-blonds/ |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories}}</ref> He won the [[WCW World Television Championship]] on June 3, defeating [[Bobby Eaton]], and later became a member of [[Paul Heyman|Paul E. Dangerously]]’s [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] stable, the [[Dangerous Alliance]].<ref name="slam" /><ref>[[Stone Cold Steve Austin#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.89)</ref> After briefly losing the title to [[Barry Windham]] in April 1992, Austin regained it the following month before dropping it to [[Ricky Steamboat]] at [[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions XX: 20th Anniversary|Clash of the Champions XX]] in September. Around the same time, the Dangerous Alliance disbanded.<ref name="truth91">Austin Ross 2003, Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.91-93)</ref> In late 1992, Austin began teaming with [[Brian Pillman]], soon called the [[Hollywood Blonds]]. The team gained popularity and won the unified [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|WCW]] and [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]] in March 1993, holding the titles for five months.<ref name="slam" /><ref name="HB1" /> Following Pillman’s injury, Austin lost the titles alongside [[William Regal|Steven Regal]] as substitute partner and joined [[Robert Fuller (wrestler)|Colonel Robert Parker]]’s [[Stud Stable]].<ref name="HB1" /> The Hollywood Blonds dissolved shortly thereafter, and Austin defeated Pillman in a singles match in November.<ref name="HB2">{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |date=April 21, 2021 |title=Steve Austin Says The Hollywood Blonds Break-Up Is Still A "Mystery" |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-says-the-hollywood-blonds-break-up-is-still-a-mystery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204812/https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-says-the-hollywood-blonds-break-up-is-still-a-mystery/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clash of the Champions XXV results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421024241/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html |archive-date=April 21, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> At [[Starrcade '93: 10th Anniversary|Starrcade]] in December 1993, Austin defeated [[Dustin Rhodes]] to win the [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="slam" /> He lost the title to Ricky Steamboat in August 1994, was awarded it by forfeit at [[Fall Brawl '94: War Games|Fall Brawl]], and immediately lost it to [[Jim Duggan]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Featherstone |first=Chris |date=October 16, 2013 |title=A "Stunning" Turn Of Events |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2013/10/retro-wednesday-a-stunning-turn-of-events-566440/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204546/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2013/10/retro-wednesday-a-stunning-turn-of-events-566440/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WCW Fall Brawl 1994 results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#94 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#94 |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> He was unable to recapture the title in subsequent attempts.<ref>{{cite web |title=WCW Halloween Havoc 1994 results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#94 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222213821/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#94 |archive-date=February 22, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clash of the Champions XXIX results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXIX |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421024241/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html |archive-date=April 21, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> WCW executive [[Eric Bischoff]] later cited the company’s focus on more established stars as a factor in Austin’s declining role.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pabari |first=Ashash |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Eric Bischoff On If Hulk Hogan Overruled WCW's Plan to Put U.S. Title Back on Steve Austin in 1994 |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-wcw/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211219/https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-wcw/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=411Mania}}</ref> A proposed storyline involving [[Hulk Hogan]] was rejected.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Alex |date=September 16, 2020 |title=Steve Austin pitched to be related to WWE legend Hulk Hogan during WCW days, Eric Bischoff reveals |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/760479/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw-wwe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204523/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/760479/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw-wwe/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=Talksport}}</ref> After recovering from a knee injury, Austin returned in early 1995 and participated in a tournament for the vacant United States Championship but was eliminated in the quarter-finals. His final WCW match aired on May 21, 1995. During a tour of Japan, he suffered a torn triceps and was released by WCW while recovering on September 15.<ref name="slam" /><ref>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.117–118)</ref> ===Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995)=== After his release from WCW, Austin joined [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW), where he was brought in by promoter [[Paul Heyman]], who had previously managed him in WCW as Dangerously.<ref name="slam" /> Using the nickname "Superstar" Steve Austin, he debuted at [[ECW Gangstas Paradise|Gangstas Paradise]] on September 18, 1995.<ref name="Loverro2007">{{cite book |last=Loverro |first=Thom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JrGwTebNiUIC&pg=PA106 |title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling |date=2007 |publisher=[[Simon and Schuster]] |isbn=978-1-4165-6156-9 |pages=105–107}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> During his time in ECW, he delivered satirical promos criticizing WCW and its management, including segments parodying its programming. Austin used the ECW platform to develop a more aggressive, anti-authority persona that would later influence his "Stone Cold" character.<ref name="slam" /><ref name="cold120">Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.120)</ref> He credited Heyman with helping him refine his promo skills during this period.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Mike |date=June 1, 2015 |title=Did WWE just start the build to Lesnar vs. Austin at Mania 32? Selling, Punk, the end of his WWE ECW creative run and more: Complete Stone Cold Podcast with Paul Heyman coverage |url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/94108/did-wwe-just-start-the-build-to-lesnar-vs-austin-at-mania-32-selling-punk-the-end-of-his-wwe-ecw-creative-run-and-more-complete-stone-cold-podcast-with-paul-heyman-coverage.html?p=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082346/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/94108/did-wwe-just-start-the-build-to-lesnar-vs-austin-at-mania-32-selling-punk-the-end-of-his-wwe-ecw-creative-run-and-more-complete-stone-cold-podcast-with-paul-heyman-coverage.html?p=1 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref name="cold123">Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.123–125)</ref> Before departing the promotion, Austin briefly competed in the [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship]] scene, losing to [[Mikey Whipwreck]] at [[November to Remember (1995)|November to Remember]], and later participating in a three-way match at [[December to Dismember (1995)|December to Dismember]], which was won by [[The Sandman (wrestler)|The Sandman]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ECW November to Remember 1995 results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#111895 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209034901/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#111895 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ECW December to Dismember 1995 results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#120995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209034901/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#120995 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref> ===World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE=== ====The Ringmaster and birth of "Stone Cold" (1995–1996)==== Steve Austin joined the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in December 1995.<ref name="slam" /><ref name="Fired">{{cite web |last=Zarka |first=JP |date=March 4, 2019 |title=Eric Bischoff Firing Steve Austin – 'Totally Disrespectful' |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/eric-bischoff-firing-steve-austin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726121033/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/eric-bischoff-firing-steve-austin/ |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories}}</ref><ref name="cold123" /> He debuted on the December 18 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' under the ring name "The Ringmaster," a character introduced by [[Ted DiBiase]] and associated with the unsanctioned [[Million Dollar Championship]].<ref name="slam" /><ref>{{Citation |title=Steve Austin on the Brother Love show, WWF 1996 |url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/bOtNuZFBCCzE/ |access-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910022111/https://www.bitchute.com/video/bOtNuZFBCCzE/ |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> Austin’s first televised match saw him defeat [[Matt Hardy]].<ref>Ted DiBiase: The Million Dollar Man, p.193, Ted DiBiase with Tom Caiazzo, Pocket Books, New York, NY, 2008, {{ISBN|978-1-4165-5890-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Austin |url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&page=4&s=700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122200533/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&page=4&s=700 |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |publisher=Cagematch}}</ref> Unenthusiastic about the Ringmaster persona, Austin soon requested a character change. He adopted the moniker "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, shedding the more traditional wrestling gimmick in favor of a minimalist and cold, no-nonsense persona. With a shaved head, black trunks, and an increasingly aggressive demeanor, the "Stone Cold" identity began to take shape in early 1996.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-8">{{cite AV media |title=Monday Night War S01 E08: The Austin Era Has Begun |publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref name="StoneCold">{{cite web |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Steve Austin – How He Became "Stone Cold" in 1996 |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-stone-cold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607075415/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-stone-cold/ |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories}}</ref> Austin entered a brief feud with [[Savio Vega]], defeating him at [[WrestleMania XII]] but losing a [[Professional wrestling match types#Strap match|strap match]] at [[In Your House 8: Beware of Dog|In Your House: Beware of Dog]]. As part of the storyline, DiBiase departed the company following the loss, and the Million Dollar Championship was quietly retired.<ref name="StoneColdMania">{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |date=March 15, 2021 |title=Every Stone Cold Steve Austin WrestleMania Match Ranked |url=https://itrwrestling.com/features/every-stone-cold-steve-austin-wrestlemania-match-ranked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204658/https://itrwrestling.com/features/every-stone-cold-steve-austin-wrestlemania-match-ranked/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes}}</ref> ====Rise to prominence (1996–1997)==== [[File:Stone Cold Steve Austin Speech King of The Ring 1997.ogv|thumb|300px|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin delivering his iconic promo after winning the 1996 King of the Ring.]] Austin’s ascent began in earnest with his victory in the [[King of the Ring (1996)|1996 King of the Ring]] tournament. After defeating [[Jake Roberts|Jake “The Snake” Roberts]] in the final, Austin delivered a post-match promo mocking Roberts’s religious persona, declaring, “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass.” The phrase quickly became one of the most iconic slogans in professional wrestling and helped establish Austin’s identity as a brash, rebellious antihero.<ref name="slam" /><ref>{{cite web |date=March 16, 2017 |title=What is Austin 3:16 Day? |url=https://www.wwe.com/article/official-national-austin-316-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231143708/https://www.wwe.com/article/official-national-austin-316-day |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |work=WWE}}</ref> Later that year, Austin began a feud with Bret Hart, who had returned from a hiatus. Hart defeated Austin at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]], and their rivalry escalated into the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 Royal Rumble]] match, which Austin won by last eliminating Hart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Hamish |date=December 5, 2021 |title=10 Best Stone Cold Steve Austin Matches Of All Time (WWE, WCW & ECW) |url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/best-stone-cold-steve-austin-matches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005827/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/best-stone-cold-steve-austin-matches/ |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=December 7, 2021 |website=Atletifo Sports |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="PS32">{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Finn |date=February 25, 1997 |title=Power Slam Magazine |work="Back on Top" (Royal Rumble 1997) |publisher=SW Publishing |pages=12–15 |edition=issue 32}}</ref> This led to a four-way match for the vacant [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at [[In Your House 13: Final Four]], which Hart won.<ref name="pwhresults">{{cite web |date=February 16, 1997 |title=Final Four results |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412162128/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#13 |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |access-date=April 18, 2008 |publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments}}</ref> Austin retaliated the next night on ''Raw'' by interfering in Hart’s title defense, costing him the championship. The feud culminated at [[WrestleMania 13]] in a submission match, where Hart forced a bloodied Austin to pass out in the [[Sharpshooter (professional wrestling)|Sharpshooter]]. However, his refusal to submit earned established as fan favorite, while Hart’s increasingly aggressive conduct resulted in a shift toward a villainous role. Following WrestleMania, Austin continued to gain momentum. He briefly held the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]], first with [[Shawn Michaels]] and later with [[Mick Foley|Dude Love]].<ref>{{cite web |title=19970525 – Stone Cold & Shawn Michaels |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132122112 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129091829/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132122112 |archive-date=November 29, 2005 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |work=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=19970714 – Stone Cold & Dude Love |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212312 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130072545/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212312 |archive-date=November 30, 2005 |access-date=August 8, 2012 |work=WWE}}</ref> At [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]] in August 1997, Austin defeated [[Owen Hart]] to win the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]], but suffered a neck injury during the match, which sidelined him temporarily and forced him to vacate both the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles.<ref>{{cite web |title=WWF SummerSlam '97 results |url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug4_slam_results.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614125803/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug4_slam_results.html |archive-date=June 14, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |work=SLAM! Sports |publisher=[[Canoe.com|Canoe.ca]]}}</ref> Austin returned to television in September and delivered a Stone Cold Stunner to WWF Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] after being declared medically unfit to wrestle.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Traina |first=Jimmy |date=September 22, 2017 |title=Twenty Years Ago Today, Stone Cold Steve Austin Stunned Vince McMahon For The First Time Ever |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2017/09/22/stone-cold-steve-austin-gives-vince-mcmahon-first-stone-cold-stunner-msg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201918/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2017/09/22/stone-cold-steve-austin-gives-vince-mcmahon-first-stone-cold-stunner-msg |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> He reclaimed the Intercontinental title from Owen Hart at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]] and entered a feud with [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], who had taken possession of the championship belt. After defeating The Rock at [[D-Generation X: In Your House]], Austin forfeited the title back and threw the belt into a river, symbolically ending the feud.<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=1997 |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410082315/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm |archive-date=April 10, 2016 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |website=TheHistoryofWWE.com}}</ref> ====Feud with Vince McMahon (1998–1999)==== [[File:Austin with WWF title.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Austin as WWF Champion]] Austin’s on-screen rivalry with Vince McMahon became one of the defining storylines of the late 1990s WWF. After winning the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|1998 Royal Rumble]], Austin earned a [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] match at [[WrestleMania XIV]].<ref name="pwi100">{{cite news |title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts |work=Wrestling's Historical Cards |page=100}}</ref> At the event, he defeated Shawn Michaels to win the title for the first time, with [[Mike Tyson]] serving as a special enforcer.<ref name="slam" /> McMahon, portraying a controlling executive, opposed Austin’s defiant attitude and sought to make him a more cooperative, corporate champion. Austin openly resisted, and the tension between the two became the focal point of WWF programming throughout the year. Despite repeated attempts to remove him as champion, Austin successfully defended the title in several pay-per-view events. He briefly lost the championship to [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|First Blood match]] at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]], but regained it the following night on ''Raw''. The title was later vacated after a disputed triple threat match at [[Breakdown: In Your House|Breakdown]], in which both [[The Undertaker]] and Kane pinned Austin simultaneously.<ref name="slam" /> Appointed as special guest referee for the title match between the other two at [[Judgment Day: In Your House|Judgment Day]], Austin refused to declare a winner and was (in storyline) fired. [[Shane McMahon]] reinstated him shortly afterward. At [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]], Austin was eliminated from a one-night tournament for the vacant title after interference from Shane. He went on to defeat The Undertaker in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Buried alive match|Buried Alive match]] at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House]] to qualify for the [[Royal Rumble (1999)|1999 Royal Rumble]]. In the Rumble match, Austin entered first but was attacked backstage and later eliminated last by Vince McMahon, who had entered at number two and was aided by The Rock. However, Austin defeated McMahon in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Steel cage match|steel cage match]] at [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] despite interference from [[Big Show|Paul Wight]], earning a title shot at [[WrestleMania XV]]. At WrestleMania, Austin defeated The Rock to win the WWF Championship for a third time.<ref name="slam" /> After losing the title to The Undertaker at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]], Austin was named the on-screen CEO of WWF in a storyline twist. He was later removed from the role after losing a handicap [[ladder match]] to Vince and Shane McMahon at [[King of the Ring (1999)|King of the Ring]]. Austin defeated The Undertaker to regain the title on an episode of ''Raw'' in June, and again in a First Blood rematch, under a stipulation that required Vince McMahon to leave the company in storyline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=411Mania |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-retro-repost-fully-loaded-1999/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201545/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-retro-repost-fully-loaded-1999/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> ====Championship reigns and The Alliance (1999–2001)==== [[File:Austinentrance.jpg|thumb|upright|Austin's signature "flipping off" the crowd pose]] Austin held on to the WWF Championship until [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] on August 22 when he lost it to [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] in a triple threat match also featuring [[Triple H]]. He failed to regain the championship against Triple H at [[No Mercy (1999)|No Mercy]] in October after an inadvertent interference from [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]. At [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]], Austin was written off television after being hit by a car in a backstage segment—a storyline used to explain his real-life departure to undergo neck surgery.<ref name="slam" /> Austin returned in April 2000 at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]], costing Triple H to lost the WWF Championship to The Rock. A storyline investigation revealed that Austin’s earlier hit-and-run had been orchestrated by Triple H, leading to a year long feud which concluded in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Three Stages of Hell match|Three Stages of Hell match]] at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] in February 2001, which Triple H won.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stone Cold vs Triple H Three Stages Of Hell At No Way Out |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/stone-cold-steve-austin-vs-triple-h-three-stages-of-hell-match-no-way-out-2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316211906/https://www.wwe.com/videos/stone-cold-steve-austin-vs-triple-h-three-stages-of-hell-match-no-way-out-2001 |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 16, 2023}}</ref> Austin challenged The Rock for the WWF Championship at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] after winning the [[Royal Rumble (2001)|2001 Royal Rumble]]. In the match’s final moments, Austin turned [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] by aligning with longtime rival [[Vince McMahon]] to secure the victory and his fifth WWF Championship.<ref name="slam" /> The next night on ''Raw'', he formed a short-lived alliance with [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Champion]] Triple H known as the "Two-Man Power Trip", with the duo holding the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|Tag Team Championship]] once.<ref>{{cite web |last=Beaston |first=Erik |date=June 30, 2015 |title=WWE Classic of the Week: Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Steve Austin |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2510794-wwe-classic-of-the-week-chris-jericho-vs-chris-benoit-vs-steve-austin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204749/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2510794-wwe-classic-of-the-week-chris-jericho-vs-chris-benoit-vs-steve-austin |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> That summer, WWF launched [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|the “Invasion” storyline]], featuring talent from the recently acquired [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|ECW]] promotions. Although initially positioned as the leader of Team WWF, Austin turned on the company at the [[WWF Invasion|Invasion]] pay-per-view and joined the opposing [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|Alliance]] faction.<ref name="slam" /> He would lose the WWF Championship to [[Kurt Angle]] at [[Unforgiven (2001)|Unforgiven]] in September but regained it over a month later. Austin captained the Alliance at [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] in November, in a winner-takes-all elimination match against Team WWF. He was pinned in the final fall by The Rock, resulting in the Alliance's storyline disbandment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=411Mania |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-rant-for-wwf-survivor-series-2001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201908/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-rant-for-wwf-survivor-series-2001/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> The following night on ''Raw'', Austin became fan favorite again when he attacked Angle and McMahon, and celebrated with [[Ric Flair]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering WWE's Original Undisputed Champion Storyline |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878358-remembering-wwes-original-undisputed-champion-storyline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204038/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878358-remembering-wwes-original-undisputed-champion-storyline |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |website=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref> He would lose the WWF title in a unification match to [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|World Champion]] [[Chris Jericho]] at [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]] in December.<ref>{{Cite web |title=411Mania |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-a-mania-reviews-vengeance-2001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201133/https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-a-mania-reviews-vengeance-2001/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021}}</ref> ====Final feuds and retirement (2002–2003)==== [[File:Rockaustinxix b.jpg|left|thumb|Austin (left) faces off against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX, which was Austin's last match until 2022.]] At the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|2002 Royal Rumble]], Austin reached the final four before being eliminated by Kurt Angle. The following month, he challenged Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF Championship at [[No Way Out (2002)|No Way Out]] but was defeated after interference from the recently signed [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|nWo]] faction.<ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=John |date=July 17, 2002 |title=nWo returns at No Way Out |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb18_nowayout-can.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719165819/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb18_nowayout-can.html |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=August 21, 2009 |work=Slam! Wrestling |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Initially scheduled to face [[Hulk Hogan]] at [[WrestleMania X8]], Austin instead wrestled and defeated [[Scott Hall]], following reported creative disagreements over the proposed match with Hogan.<ref name="Linder">{{cite web |last=Linder |first=Zach |date=March 31, 2014 |title=The untold stories behind 10 WrestleMania matches that almost happened |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10-wrestlemania-matches-that-almost-happened/page-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517011224/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10-wrestlemania-matches-that-almost-happened/page-11 |archive-date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |publisher=WWE}}</ref>{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=20}} Shortly after WrestleMania, Austin walked out of the company for several weeks, citing burnout and dissatisfaction with creative direction. He returned in April as part of the newly launched [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]] but left again in June 2002 after refusing to lose a televised match to then-rookie Brock Lesnar. His sudden departure was criticized on-air by WWE management and talent, and he remained absent from programming for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Stone Cold walks out of WWE in 2002 |url=https://www.thesportster.com/why-stone-cold-steve-austin-walked-out-of-wwe-in-2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316215922/https://www.thesportster.com/why-stone-cold-steve-austin-walked-out-of-wwe-in-2002/ |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |access-date=March 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gardner |first=William |title=WWE Byte This Report – Stone Cold Steve Austin |url=http://www.twnpnews.com/messages2/6000/6535.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406011842/http://www.twnpnews.com/messages2/6000/6535.shtml |archive-date=April 6, 2015 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |website=TWNP News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Hamish |date=December 17, 2022 |title=The True Story Behind Steve Austin Walking Out The WWE - Atletifo |url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/the-true-story-behind-steve-austin-walking-out-the-wwe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127230108/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/the-true-story-behind-steve-austin-walking-out-the-wwe/ |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 27, 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=21}}{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=26}} In an interview with Vince McMahon on his podcast in 2014, Austin publicly revealed for the first time that McMahon had fined him $650,000 upon his return, but he was able to lower the amount to $250,000.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2, 2014 |title=Vince McMahon addresses CM Punk on Stone Cold Podcast |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219081855/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |access-date=December 2, 2014 |publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> Austin reconciled with WWE in early 2003 and returned at [[No Way Out (2003)|No Way Out]], defeating [[Eric Bischoff]]. He was soon challenged by The Rock, who sought to avenge previous losses at WrestleMania. At [[WrestleMania XIX]], Austin was defeated by The Rock in what would be his final match for 19 years. Unbeknownst to fans at the time, the bout was intended as his retirement from active competition due to ongoing health concerns stemming from his 1997 neck injury.<ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=John |title=WWE shines at WrestleMania XIX |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/31/55003.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721000346/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/31/55003.html |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |access-date=December 25, 2010 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> ==== On-screen authority figure (2003–2004) ==== The following month, [[Linda McMahon]] brought Austin back to be the co-general manager of the Raw brand, a role he played for the remainder of the year, often getting into physical altercations with talent and personnel. Austin and Bischoff continued to feud over control of the brand. On the July 21 episode of ''Raw'', McMahon informed Austin he could not get physical with anyone unless provoked. At [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]] on November 16, Austin's hand-picked team of Booker T, [[Bubba Ray Dudley]], [[D-Von Dudley]], Rob Van Dam and Shawn Michaels faced Bischoff's team of Chris Jericho, [[Christian Cage|Christian]], [[Mark Henry]], [[Randy Orton]] and [[Scott Steiner]] in a [[Survivor Series match|5-on-5 Survivor Series elimination match]]. Austin's team lost after [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] interfered on behalf of Bischoff. After the match [[Jonathan Coachman]] came out to gloat and got beat up by Austin. As a result, Austin was "fired" from his position as co-general manager. Mick Foley took over Austin's former role and began petitioning to have Austin re-instated. Austin returned before the end of 2003, appearing at [[WWE Tribute to the Troops|Tribute to the Troops]]. He posed as [[Santa Claus]] before delivering a ''"Stone Cold Stunner"'' to both [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]] and [[John Cena]]. Austin returned to ''Raw'' on December 29 as its "Sheriff", giving a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' to Bischoff and rehiring Michaels, who had just been "fired" by Bischoff.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} Austin appeared on-and-off as 2004 began, culminating in him being the special guest referee for the Brock Lesnar vs. [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] match at [[WrestleMania XX]] on March 14. Following the match, Austin attacked both Lesnar and Goldberg with ''Stone Cold Stunners''. ====Part-time appearances (2005–2020)==== On April 3, 2005, Austin made his first appearance on WWE programming in a year at [[WrestleMania 21]] when he appeared with [[Roddy Piper]] on ''[[Piper's Pit]]''. They were interrupted by [[Carly Colón|Carlito]], who received a ''Stone Cold Stunner''. The segment ended with Austin and Piper celebrating with beer until Austin gave Piper a ''Stone Cold Stunner''. Austin was involved in the concluding segment at [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 12 in which he had a beer bash with the ECW locker room and brawled with the anti-ECW invaders, led by Bischoff. He returned at ''Raw Homecoming'' on October 3, delivering ''Stone Cold Stunners'' to Vince, Shane, Stephanie, and Linda McMahon. An angle including Jim Ross being fired led to a match in which Austin agreed to face [[Jonathan Coachman]] at [[Taboo Tuesday (2005)|Taboo Tuesday]] on November 1, with the stipulation of Ross regaining his announcing job had Austin won and Austin losing his job had he lost. Austin hurt his back before the match and could not wrestle unless he was heavily medicated, so the match was canceled. To explain away his failure to appear at Taboo Tuesday, Vince McMahon said on ''Raw'' that Austin had been involved in an accident, thus preventing him from competing. Batista substituted for Austin, defeating Coachman along with [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] and [[Goldust]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/november/taboo2005.htm|title=Taboo Tuesday 2005 Results|access-date=September 17, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=May 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518005525/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/november/taboo2005.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned to WWE to face [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL) in a beer-drinking contest at March 18, 2006, episode of ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII]]''. Austin inducted [[Bret Hart]] into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] on April 1, 2006.<ref name="slam"/> [[File:Stone Cold smashing beers.jpg|thumb|alt=|Austin is noted for his signature "beer smash", seen here at [[WrestleMania 25]].]] Austin returned to WWE programming in March 2007, partially to promote his starring role in the release of WWE Films' production ''[[The Condemned]]''. On March 31, he inducted Jim Ross into the Hall of Fame. At [[WrestleMania 23]] on April 1, Austin was the [[referee (professional wrestling)#Special referee|special guest referee]] for the match between [[Bobby Lashley]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]]. If Lashley lost, his manager [[Donald Trump]]'s head would be shaved, and if Umaga lost, his manager Vince McMahon's head would be shaved. During the match, Austin delivered ''Stone Cold Stunners'' to Umaga, Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and Trump. Lashley won the match; Trump, Austin, and Lashley then shaved McMahon's head. Austin ended the show by hitting the ''Stone Cold Stunner'' on both Vince and Trump.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xxiii.htm|title=WrestleMania 23 Results|access-date=September 17, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=March 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309092039/http://pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/march/xxiii.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He then appeared in a video on the June 11 episode of ''Raw'' as part of "Mr. McMahon's Appreciation Night", where he shared his thoughts on his past feuds with McMahon. Austin appeared on the August 18 episode of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', as a possible illegitimate child of McMahon. He hit McMahon and Coachman with ''Stone Cold Stunners'' before leaving. He appeared at [[SummerSlam (2007)|SummerSlam]] on August 26 to aid [[Matt Hardy]] in battling [[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]] in a beer-drinking contest. The match ended in a no-contest after Austin handed a beer to MVP and gave him the ''Stone Cold Stunner''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/august/2007.htm|title=SummerSlam 2007 Results|access-date=October 22, 2007|publisher=PWWEW.net|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413110500/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/august/2007.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Austin made another appearance at [[Cyber Sunday (2007)|Cyber Sunday]] on October 28, where he guest refereed a World Heavyweight Championship match between Batista and The Undertaker. On the November 5 episode of ''Raw'', Austin made an appearance to confront [[Santino Marella]] for criticizing ''The Condemned''.<ref name="beer bath">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11052007/articles/stonecoldsantino|title='Stone Cold' drops a box-office bomb on Santino|date=November 5, 2007|first=Corey|last=Clayton|access-date=December 31, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629075416/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11052007/articles/stonecoldsantino|url-status=live}}</ref> The argument ended as Marella received a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' from Austin, who then walked backstage only to return with a [[Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)|Budweiser]] beer truck to hose down Marella and his valet [[Maria Kanellis|Maria]] with beer.<ref name="beer bath"/> Austin appeared on the ''Raw 15th Anniversary'' special, attacking Vince McMahon. On October 26, 2008, at [[Cyber Sunday (2008)|Cyber Sunday]], Austin was the special guest referee during a match between Batista and Chris Jericho for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/7880726/results/|title=Stunnin' New Champion|access-date=October 26, 2008|publisher=WWE|archive-date=September 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920114305/http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/7880726/results|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 12, 2009, on ''Raw'', Austin was announced to be the first member of the Hall of Fame class of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=One and only "Hall-Raiser"|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/articles/9109986|access-date=February 15, 2009|publisher=WWE|archive-date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629075440/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/articles/9109986|url-status=live}}</ref> He was inducted by his long-term on-screen rival Vince McMahon, who referred to Austin as "the greatest WWE Superstar of all time". During the induction, Austin said he was officially closing the door on his wrestling career and starting a new chapter in his life. He would appear at [[WrestleMania 25]] the next night, driving an ATV to the ring. Austin appeared as the [[List of WWE Raw guest stars|guest host]] of ''Raw'' on March 15, 2010, moderating a contract signing between McMahon and [[Bret Hart]] for their match at [[WrestleMania XXVI]] on March 28. In early 2011, Austin was announced as the head trainer and host for the revival of ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]''. On the March 7 episode of ''Raw'', Austin interrupted the contract signing of the special guest referee for the [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] and [[Jerry Lawler]] match at [[WrestleMania XXVII]] on April 3, originally scheduled to be JBL; Austin attacked JBL with a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' and signed the contract instead.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|url=https://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_48305.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/7: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live Raw - Taker-Hunter stipulation, Stone Cold's TV return, WrestleMania hype, Cena-Rock|date=March 7, 2011|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|publisher=TDH Communications Inc.|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044248/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_48305.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Lawler won by submission, the [[Anonymous Raw General Manager]] reversed the decision and disqualified Lawler, claiming that Austin had "overstepped his authority". Austin appeared on ''Raw'' the following night with the cast from ''Tough Enough'', while also getting into an altercation with [[The Miz]] and [[Alex Riley]]. On the June 6 episode of ''Raw'', Austin appeared to declare [[Andy Leavine]] as the winner of ''Tough Enough''. He also served as the special guest referee in the evening's tag team main event of [[John Cena]] and Alex Riley against The Miz and [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]], hitting Miz with a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' and aiding Cena. However, the Anonymous Raw General Manager awarding the match to The Miz and R-Truth via disqualification. Austin did not take kindly to his decision being overturned and gave Cole a ''Stone Cold Stunner'', which was followed with an ''[[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry takeover|Attitude Adjustment]]'' by Cena. Austin and Cena closed the show with a beer bash. Austin later appeared as the special guest General Manager on the "[[WWE All-Stars]]" episode of ''Raw'', during which he destroyed the Anonymous Raw General Manager's laptop by running over it with his ATV. In July 2012, Austin was announced as the cover star of the special edition of the video game [[WWE '13]]. He then began a brief, verbal feud on [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] with fellow cover star [[CM Punk]] in the months leading to release. [[File:Hogan Rock and Austin WrestleMania XXX.jpg|thumb|alt=|Austin (center) with [[Hulk Hogan]] (left) and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at [[WrestleMania XXX]]]] Austin appeared at [[WrestleMania XXX]] on April 6, 2014, with Hulk Hogan and The Rock in the opening segment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brett |first=Tom |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wrestlemania-30-results-daniel-bryan-finally-reaches-gold-but-the-wwe-universe-left-stunned-by-the-9243139.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wrestlemania-30-results-daniel-bryan-finally-reaches-gold-but-the-wwe-universe-left-stunned-by-the-9243139.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Wrestlemania 30 results: Daniel Bryan finally reaches gold but WWE Universe left stunned by The Undertaker|date=April 7, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Austin made an appearance on the October 19, 2015, episode of ''Raw'', introducing The Undertaker and promoting the [[WrestleMania 32]] event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/index.php/2015/10/19/1019-wwe-raw-report-caldwells-live-results-lesnar-taker-more-on-pre-hiac-episode/|title=10/19 WWE Raw: Caldwell's Full Report|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 19, 2015|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|publisher=TDH Communications Inc.|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026031838/http://www.pwtorch.com/index.php/2015/10/19/1019-wwe-raw-report-caldwells-live-results-lesnar-taker-more-on-pre-hiac-episode/|url-status=live}}</ref> Austin again appeared on ''Raw'' the following week, where he promoted the ''[[WWE 2K16]]'' video game in a backstage segment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/index.php/2015/10/26/1026-wwe-raw-results-caldwells-live-report-on-hiac-fall-out/|title=10/26 WWE Raw Results – Caldwell's Live Report on HIAC fall-out|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 26, 2015|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|publisher=TDH Communications Inc.|archive-date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116121111/http://www.pwtorch.com/index.php/2015/10/26/1026-wwe-raw-results-caldwells-live-report-on-hiac-fall-out/|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 32]] on April 3, 2016, Austin (alongside [[Mick Foley]] and Shawn Michaels) confronted [[The League of Nations (professional wrestling)|The League of Nations]], with Austin delivering ''Stone Cold Stunners'' to [[Rusev (wrestler)|Rusev]] and [[Wade Barrett|King Barrett]]. While Austin was celebrating with Michaels and Foley, [[The New Day (wrestling)|The New Day]] tried to convince Austin to dance with them in celebration. While Austin reluctantly danced along at first, he soon hit [[Xavier Woods]] with a ''Stone Cold Stunner''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-wrestlemania-live-results-20160403-story.html|title=Wrestlemania 32 results: Roman Reigns defeats HHH; The Undertaker defeats Shane McMahon|last=Mitchell|first=Houston|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=February 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228114010/http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-wrestlemania-live-results-20160403-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During [[WWE Raw 25 Years|''Raw''{{'}}s 25th anniversary episode]] on January 22, 2018, Austin appeared and performed a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' on Shane and Vince McMahon.<ref>{{cite web|last=Campbell|first=Brian|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-25-results-recap-new-champion-austin-stuns-mcmahon-taker-too-sweet/|title=WWE Raw results, recap: New champion, Austin stuns McMahon, Taker, 'Too Sweet'|date=January 23, 2018|access-date=May 16, 2018|publisher=[[CBS News]]|archive-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124195540/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-25-results-recap-new-champion-austin-stuns-mcmahon-taker-too-sweet/|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 22, 2019, Austin appeared on the ''[[List of WWE Raw special episodes|Raw Reunion]]'' episode and raised a toast alongside [[Triple H]], [[Hulk Hogan]], [[Ric Flair]], and various other wrestlers from his era.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/07/22/7-22-wwe-raw-results-powells-review-raw-reunion-featuring-steve-austin-ric-flair-dx-hulk-hogan-and-many-more-alexa-bliss-talkshow-with-becky-lynch-the-build-to-summerslam-continues/|title=7/22 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review Raw Reunion featuring Steve Austin, Ric Flair, DX, Hulk Hogan, and many more, Alexa Bliss talkshow with Becky Lynch, the build to SummerSlam continues|date=July 22, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723041939/https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/07/22/7-22-wwe-raw-results-powells-review-raw-reunion-featuring-steve-austin-ric-flair-dx-hulk-hogan-and-many-more-alexa-bliss-talkshow-with-becky-lynch-the-build-to-summerslam-continues/|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 9, he made an appearance on ''Raw'' at [[Madison Square Garden]] for the contract signing between [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Braun Strowman]]. Having been interrupted by [[AJ Styles]], he hit Styles with a ''Stone Cold Stunner''.<ref name="Raw09092019">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-stone-cold-steve-austin-steals-the-show-in-madison-square-garden-return/|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin steals the show in Madison Square Garden return|date=September 9, 2019|last=Crosby|first=Jack|work=[[CBSSports]]|access-date=September 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915095805/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-stone-cold-steve-austin-steals-the-show-in-madison-square-garden-return/|archive-date=September 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On the March 16, 2020 episode of ''Raw'', Austin made an appearance to promote "3:16 Day" as a holiday. He shared a beer with commentator [[Byron Saxton]] before giving him a ''Stone Cold Stunner''. He then shared a beer with [[Becky Lynch]] and [[The Street Profits]] ([[Angelo Dawkins]], and [[Montez Ford]]) before giving The Street Profits ''Stone Cold Stunners''.<ref name="Raw03162020">{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/03/16/3-16-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-stone-cold-steve-austin-in-fan-free-setting-a-j-styles-undertaker-contract-signing-for-wrestlemania/|title=3/16 WWE Raw Results: Keller's report on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in fan-free setting, A.J. Styles-Undertaker contract signing for WrestleMania, Edge live in-ring interview|date=March 16, 2020|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=March 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317053034/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/03/16/3-16-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-stone-cold-steve-austin-in-fan-free-setting-a-j-styles-undertaker-contract-signing-for-wrestlemania/|archive-date=March 17, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ==== One-off return to competition and sporadic appearances (2022–present) ==== After 19 years away from in-ring competition, Austin defeated [[Kevin Owens]] in an impromptu [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match|No Holds Barred match]] at Night 1 of [[WrestleMania 38]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve Austin Says He's Lucky To Finish His Career In Dallas, Praises The WWE Universe {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/steve-austin-says-he-s-lucky-finish-his-career-dallas-praises-wwe-universe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403143536/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/steve-austin-says-he-s-lucky-finish-his-career-dallas-praises-wwe-universe |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}</ref> He made a second appearance the following night, delivering stunners to Vince McMahon, [[Austin Theory]], and [[Pat McAfee]].<ref name="stunner38">{{cite news |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |title=ince McMahon Takes The Worst Stunner Ever From Steve Austin At WrestleMania 38 |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-takes-worst-stunner-ever-steve-austin-wrestlemania-38 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503114858/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-takes-worst-stunner-ever-steve-austin-wrestlemania-38 |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}</ref> He made another brief appearance at [[WrestleMania 41]] in 2025, crashing an [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]] into the ringside barricade.<ref name="WM41N2">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=April 20, 2025 |title=WrestleMania 41 results: Powell's live review of night two with Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship, Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/04/20/wrestlemania-41-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-cody-rhodes-vs-john-cena-for-the-wwe-championship-iyo-sky-vs-bianca-belair-vs-rhea-ripley-for-the-womens-world-championship/ |access-date=April 20, 2025 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> ==Legacy== [[File:Me&austin b.jpg|thumb|Austin with a fan]] Since his retirement in 2003, Austin has been widely regarded and cited as one of the greatest and most influential professional wrestlers of all time. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' ranked him third on their top 101 greatest wrestlers of all-time list.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Winkie|first=Luke|title=A definitive ranking of the 101 greatest wrestlers|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2021|magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-date=July 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731185657/http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/07/26/wwe-wcw-ecw-100-best-wrestlers-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, [[SPORTbible]] ranked Austin as the greatest wrestler of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportbible.com/wwe/news-top-10s-the-25-greatest-wrestlers-of-all-time-have-been-named-and-ranked-20200929 | title=The 25 Greatest Wrestlers of All Time Have Been Named and Ranked | date=September 29, 2020 | access-date=August 9, 2022 | archive-date=May 25, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525225807/https://www.sportbible.com/wwe/news-top-10s-the-25-greatest-wrestlers-of-all-time-have-been-named-and-ranked-20200929 | url-status=live }}</ref> He has been described as the most influential wrestler in ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' history,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Jason |title=Raw 20th Anniversary: 10 Most Influential Superstars |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1485050-10-superstars-most-responsible-for-a-raw-20-year-anniversary |date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |website=Bleacher Report |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208044540/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1485050-10-superstars-most-responsible-for-a-raw-20-year-anniversary |url-status=live }}</ref> and the poster boy for the Attitude Era.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kelly |first=Adam |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/stone-cold-says-so-steve-austin-on-vince-mcmahon-the-wwe-and-hulk-hogan-39327/ |title='Stone Cold' Says So: Steve Austin on Vince McMahon, the WWE and Hulk Hogan |date=December 1, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203458/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/stone-cold-says-so-steve-austin-on-vince-mcmahon-the-wwe-and-hulk-hogan-39327/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Alex |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/644036/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe-attitude-era-icon-wcw/ |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin was the Attitude Era icon WWE needed in war with WCW |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Talksport |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625124736/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/644036/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe-attitude-era-icon-wcw/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Rich |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-14006856 |title=WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin makes very interesting point about Becky Lynch |date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Daily Mirror |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201909/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-14006856 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several former world champions have named Austin as part of their "[[Mount Rushmore]]" of wrestling, including The Rock,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lundberg |first=Robin |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/03/30/the-rock-wrestling-mount-rushmore |title=The Rock and the Mount Rushmore of Wrestling: Unchecked |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203136/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/03/30/the-rock-wrestling-mount-rushmore |url-status=live }}</ref> The Undertaker,<ref>{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-undertaker-mount-rushmore-pro-wrestling-ric-flair-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-andre-the-giant/ |title=The Undertaker Lists His Pro Wrestling Mount Rushmore |date=June 21, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=Comicbook |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211720/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-undertaker-mount-rushmore-pro-wrestling-ric-flair-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-andre-the-giant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hulk Hogan,<ref>{{cite web |last=Crosby |first=Jack |url=https://fansided.com/2015/07/06/hulk-hogan-reveals-his-mt-rushmore-of-wwe-stars-leaves-the-rock-off |title=Hulk Hogan reveals his Mt. Rushmore of WWE stars, leaves The Rock off |date=July 6, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=[[FanSided]] |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628232620/https://fansided.com/2015/07/06/hulk-hogan-reveals-his-mt-rushmore-of-wwe-stars-leaves-the-rock-off/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ric Flair,<ref>{{cite web |last=Conway |first=Tyler |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2738777-ric-flair-posts-mt-rushmore-with-himself-stone-cold-the-rock-and-hulk-hogan |title=Ric Flair Posts Mt. Rushmore with Himself, Stone Cold, the Rock and Hulk Hogan |date=October 15, 2017 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203833/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2738777-ric-flair-posts-mt-rushmore-with-himself-stone-cold-the-rock-and-hulk-hogan |url-status=live }}</ref> and John Cena,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/video/2014/03/24/si-now-john-cenas-wrestling-mt-rushmore |title=John Cena's wrestling Mt. Rushmore |date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205044/https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/video/2014/03/24/si-now-john-cenas-wrestling-mt-rushmore |url-status=live }}</ref> and a 2012 poll conducted by WWE saw Austin picked second on a fan voted version of the concept.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heintz |first1=Eric |last2=Linder |first2=Zach |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/mount-rushmore-2012 |title=The Mount Rushmore of WWE |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |work=WWE |archive-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625131406/https://www.wwe.com/classics/mount-rushmore-2012/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When Vince McMahon inducted Austin into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, he referred to Austin as "the greatest WWE superstar of all time".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/11240/Hall-of-Fame-09-Coverage-The-Induction-of-Stone/ |title=Hall of Fame '09 Coverage: The Induction of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin |date=April 4, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2021 |work=WrestlingNewsSource |archive-date=September 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908040640/https://www.wrestlingnewssource.com/news/11240/Hall-of-Fame-09-Coverage-The-Induction-of-Stone/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin was the biggest box office draw in WWE since Hulk Hogan. His contributions in saving WWF and winning the Monday Night Wars against WCW helped future superstars like John Cena, who would go onto establish WWE as a global brand. He headlined [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], the first WrestleMania to achieve a 1 million buy rate. The event was universally acclaimed and is often regarded as the greatest pay-per-view in professional wrestling history. It is also noted as the pinnacle of the Attitude Era, occurring just a week after WWE bought out their competition, WCW.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Statistics « Events Database « Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&view=statistics |website=Cagematch.}}</ref> During his early years as a wrestler, Austin was a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#technician|technical wrestler]]. However, after [[Owen Hart]] accidentally injured Austin's neck in 1997, Austin changed his style from technical to brawler.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?style=light&article=steveaustin |title=Pro Wrestling FAQ |publisher=Wrestleview.com |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706191504/http://www.wrestleview.com/faq/?style=light&article=steveaustin |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-neck-injury/ |title=Steve Austin – The Neck Injury That Changed His Life Forever |date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516161015/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-neck-injury/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His most famous finishing move is the [[Stunner (professional wrestling)#Stone Cold stunner|''Stone Cold Stunner'']],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/stone-cold-still-cant-believe-donald-trump-took-a-stunner-66125/ |title='Stone Cold' Still Can't Believe Donald Trump Took a Stunner |first=James |last=Montgomery |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=March 31, 2016 |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503165042/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/stone-cold-still-cant-believe-donald-trump-took-a-stunner-66125/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and he credits [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Michael Hayes]] with introducing the move to him.<ref>{{cite web |last=Henry |first=Justin |url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-wwe-hall-of-famer-stone-cold-steve-austin/4 |title=Things You Didn't Know About WWE Hall Of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin |date=June 10, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Cultaholic |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201236/https://cultaholic.com/posts/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-wwe-hall-of-famer-stone-cold-steve-austin/4 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following his retirement, he gave permission to [[Kevin Owens]] to use the move as his own finisher, but both have downplayed comparisons between the two.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fritz |first=Brian |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/kevin-owens-on-wwe-king-of-the-ring-why-hes-not-next-steve-austin/15aagulaoz37m1gwkuigu4er8a |title=Kevin Owens on WWE King of the Ring, why he's not the next 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin |date=August 19, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Sporting News |publisher=[[DAZN]] |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616162541/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/wwe/news/kevin-owens-on-wwe-king-of-the-ring-why-hes-not-next-steve-austin/15aagulaoz37m1gwkuigu4er8a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/07/29/wwe-stone-cold-steve-austin-kevin-owens-stunner |title=Steve Austin on Kevin Owens: 'Don't Put the Brakes on Him' |date=July 29, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628010348/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/07/29/wwe-stone-cold-steve-austin-kevin-owens-stunner |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/kevin-owens-on-why-he-does-the-stunner-just-the-way-stone-cold-did/ |title=Kevin Owens On Why He Does The Stunner Just The Way Stone Cold Did |date=March 19, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202837/https://itrwrestling.com/news/kevin-owens-on-why-he-does-the-stunner-just-the-way-stone-cold-did/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During his time as The Ringmaster, he used the ''Million Dollar Dream'' as a finishing move since it was [[Ted DiBiase]]'s finisher. During his time in WCW, Austin used the ''Stun Gun'' (a move innovated by [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]] as the ''Hot Shot'') and the ''Hollywood & Vine'' (a standing modified [[figure-four leglock]]) as his finishers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/bret97review.htm |title=Bret "The Hitman" Hart (1997) |date=June 25, 2005 |first=Graham |last=Cawthon |access-date=January 3, 2020 |website=History of WWE |archive-date=November 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115205554/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/bret97review.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Sporting a bald head and goatee, coupled with his ring attire which consisted of plain black trunks and boots,<ref name="RawStar">{{cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/07/22/stone-cold-steve-austin-monday-night-raw-reunion |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin Looks Back at How Monday Night Raw Made Him a Star |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205129/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/07/22/stone-cold-steve-austin-monday-night-raw-reunion |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Singlet">{{cite web |last=Windsor |first=William |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/12/steve-austin-reveals-that-wwe-wanting-him-in-a-singlet-for-648446/ |title=Steve Austin Reveals That WWE Wanted Him In A Singlet For Ringmaster Run |date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212123/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/12/steve-austin-reveals-that-wwe-wanting-him-in-a-singlet-for-648446/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin relied solely on his personality to become popular.<ref name="RawStar"/><ref name="Rumble97">{{cite web |last=Snowden |first=Jonathan |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2872747-how-the-1997-royal-rumble-made-steve-austin-an-icon-and-revolutionized-wrestling |title=A Rumble to remember |date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202804/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2872747-how-the-1997-royal-rumble-made-steve-austin-an-icon-and-revolutionized-wrestling |url-status=live }}</ref> As "Stone Cold", Austin was portrayed on-screen as an anti-authority rebel who would consistently cuss and defy the company rules and guidelines of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. One of Austin's taunts during the [[Attitude Era]] was to show the [[the finger|middle finger]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/steve-austin-interview-aj-styles-carried-roman-reigns-061416 |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin says AJ Styles 'carried' Roman Reigns |date=June 14, 2016 |work=[[Fox Sports|FOX Sports]] |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706191434/https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/steve-austin-interview-aj-styles-carried-roman-reigns-061416 |url-status=live }}</ref> To complement his persona, Austin was the recipient of two additional nicknames, commentator and real life friend Jim Ross dubbed him "The Texas Rattlesnake" due to the character's "...mannerisms, the motivation, the mindset, you can't trust this son of a bitch",<ref>{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/jim-ross-stone-cold-steve-austin-texas-rattlesnake-nickname-how-interview/ |title=Jim Ross Reveals How He Gave Stone Cold Steve Austin His Texas Rattlesnake Nickname |date=July 9, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=Comicbook |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204542/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/jim-ross-stone-cold-steve-austin-texas-rattlesnake-nickname-how-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while Austin later named himself "The Bionic Redneck" on account of the injuries he had suffered to his arms, neck and knees.<ref>{{cite web |last=Windsor |first=William |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2017/01/steve-austin-on-who-created-bionic-redneck-name-622577/ |title=Steve Austin On Who Created 'Bionic Redneck' Name, Why He Didn't Reveal WM 19 Bout Would Be His Last |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212043/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2017/01/steve-austin-on-who-created-bionic-redneck-name-622577/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin has said he is "eternally indebted" to Ross for helping his character become popular.<ref>{{cite web |last=Windsor |first=William |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2016/12/steve-austin-on-who-gave-idea-for-smoking-skull-belt-620570/ |title=Steve Austin On Who Gave Idea For Smoking Skull Belt, Who Came Up With Name For Stunner, More |date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204502/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2016/12/steve-austin-on-who-gave-idea-for-smoking-skull-belt-620570/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On both his podcasts, Austin credited Bret Hart as the wrestler who got him over the most, had most influence on his early wrestling style, and who he had his best matches with.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHCFiTaTBs | title=Bret Hart | the Steve Austin Show | website=[[YouTube]] | date=August 6, 2021 | access-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303000215/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwHCFiTaTBs | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://watch.sportsnet.ca/watch/Steve_Austin_The_Broken_Skull_Sessions_Bret_Hart_56655 | title=Sportsnet NOW - Steve Austin: The Broken Skull Sessions: Bret Hart | access-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303000219/https://watch.sportsnet.ca/watch/Steve_Austin_The_Broken_Skull_Sessions_Bret_Hart_56655 | url-status=live }}</ref> Austin would later go on to induct Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgf0WQf7pcw | title=Bret Hart Hall of Fame 2006 Hall of Fame Induction | website=[[YouTube]] | date=April 7, 2020 | access-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303000215/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgf0WQf7pcw | url-status=live }}</ref> The match between Austin and [[Bret Hart]] at [[WrestleMania 13]] has been widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling matches of all time,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2017 |title=The 10 Best WrestleMania Matches in History |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/the-10-best-wrestlemania-matches-in-history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613215712/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/the-10-best-wrestlemania-matches-in-history.html |archive-date=June 13, 2019 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=Paste}}</ref> and has been voted by [[IGN]] as the greatest match in WrestleMania history, and was number 1 among their list of top 20 WrestleMania matches of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Jon |date=June 16, 2012 |title=Top 20 Matches in Wrestlemania History |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/23/top-20-matches-in-wrestlemania-history?page=20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425045401/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/23/top-20-matches-in-wrestlemania-history?page=20 |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=IGN}}</ref> The match would later receive the inaugural "Immortal Moment" Award at the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2025)|2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.]]<ref>{{cite web |date=March 31, 2025 |title=Bret "The Hitman" Hart & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to receive inaugural "WWE Immortal Moment" Award |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/article/bret-hart-stone-cold-steve-austin-immortal-moment-hall-of-fame-2025 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=[[WWE]]}}</ref> A 12-minute match between Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin drew a 9.5 rating on June 28, 1999. It stands as the highest-rated segment in Raw history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heisel |first=Scott |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Revisiting The Highest-Rated Segment In The History Of Monday Night Raw |url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/monday-night-raw-highest-rated-segment-all-time/ |website=UPROXX}}</ref> According to the data collected by US-bookies, Stone Cold Steve Austin is still WWE’s best merchandise seller earning an estimated $3,600,000 from merchandise on WWE Shop site. John Cena takes the #2 spot, earning almost $2,700,000 from WWE Shop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Sanchez |title=STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN IS TOP MERCHANDISE SELLER ON WWE SHOP |date=January 12, 2022 |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/top-merch-seller-wwe-shop/ }}</ref> 'Austin 3:16' T-shirt is amongst the best selling T-shirts in wrestling history<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2022 |title=The Best-Selling T-Shirts In Wrestling History |url=https://itrwrestling.com/features/best-selling-t-shirts-wrestling-history/ |website=Inside The Ropes}}</ref> In August 2001, Austin began using his catchphrase "What?" to interrupt wrestlers who were trying to speak and to allow fan participation chants.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/stone-cold-steve-austin-details-inventing-the-what-chant/ |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin Details Inventing The 'What?' Chant |date=March 22, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201916/https://itrwrestling.com/news/stone-cold-steve-austin-details-inventing-the-what-chant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences at WWE shows have since widely used this chant during performer promos,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-what-chants-need-to-stop-steve-austin-carmella-smackdown-120716 |title='What' chants are the worst thing about WWE and they need to stop |date=December 7, 2016 |website=FOX Sports |access-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706191134/https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/wwe-what-chants-need-to-stop-steve-austin-carmella-smackdown-120716 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-on-fox-twitter-stop-what-chant-disrespectful-crowd-steve-austin-wwe-raw/ |title=WWE Twitter Account Pushes for Fans to Stop Doing the What Chant |date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Comicbook |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203156/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-on-fox-twitter-stop-what-chant-disrespectful-crowd-steve-austin-wwe-raw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Austin has stated his regret at inventing the chant.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fowler |first=Matt |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/26/stone-cold-steve-austin-i-loved-being-a-damn-heel |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin: "I Loved Being a Damn Heel" |date=March 26, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=IGN |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201651/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/03/26/stone-cold-steve-austin-i-loved-being-a-damn-heel |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin's entrance theme was composed by [[Jim Johnston (composer)|Jim Johnston]], who said that in composing the song, he looked upon Austin's persona as an "ass-kicker guy who did not enter a room with subtlety. He needed something that reflected that".<ref name="ThemeSong">{{cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/03/29/jim-johnston-steve-austin-theme-song |title=Jim Johnston Discusses the Creation of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Theme Song, His 32 Years With WWE |date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=April 28, 2021 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |archive-date=April 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428163923/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/03/29/jim-johnston-steve-austin-theme-song |url-status=live }}</ref> Looking to capture the unpredictable nature of the character, Johnston thought of using the sounds of a car crash and smashing glass, and recalled that he instantly felt the theme fit the character and that "it felt like it had already been his theme for years".<ref name="ThemeSong" /> Austin says the song was inspired by [[Rage Against the Machine]]'s song "[[Bulls on Parade]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Casey |first=Connor |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/steve-austin-reveals-which-rock-song-inspired-entrance-theme-bulls-on-parade-glass-shatters/ |title=Steve Austin Reveals Which Rock Song Inspired His Iconic Entrance Music |date=June 30, 2018 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=Comicbook |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204614/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/steve-austin-reveals-which-rock-song-inspired-entrance-theme-bulls-on-parade-glass-shatters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The theme song was revamped in 2000, with the rock band [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] recording the new version, used for the first time at the [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]] PPV event in September.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashton |first1=Kristine |last2=Nelson |first2=Lathum |last3=Schneider |first3=Mitch |url=http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/disturbed-to-perform-revamped-theme-song-for-wwfs-stone-cold-steve-austin-band-joins-mtvs-return-of-the-rock-tour/ |title=Disturbed to perform revamped theme song for WWF's Stone Cold Steve Austin |date=September 9, 2000 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=MSOPR |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202813/http://www.msopr.com/press-releases/disturbed-to-perform-revamped-theme-song-for-wwfs-stone-cold-steve-austin-band-joins-mtvs-return-of-the-rock-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin's entrance theme is regarded as one of the greatest of all time,<ref>{{cite web |last=Neumann |first=Sean |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-top-25-wwe-entrance-songs-of-all-time/ |title=The Top 25 WWE Entrance Songs of All Time |date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212103/https://www.vice.com/en/article/vbyq9a/the-top-25-wwe-entrance-songs-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wilkins |first=Ernest |url=https://consequence.net/2017/04/the-50-greatest-wrestling-themes/9/ |title=The 50 Greatest Wrestling Themes |date=April 1, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205709/https://consequence.net/2017/04/the-50-greatest-wrestling-themes/9/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lawless |first1=Matt |last2=Paddock |first2=Matty |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/greatest-wwe-entrance-music-themes-16521329 |title=The greatest WWE entrance music themes of all time |date=June 15, 2019 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=Daily Mirror |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203755/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/greatest-wwe-entrance-music-themes-16521329 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Mueller |first=Chris |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2915942-the-rock-stone-cold-and-the-15-most-iconic-entrance-songs-in-wwe-history |title=The Rock, Stone Cold and the 15 Most Iconic Entrance Songs in WWE History |date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204229/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2915942-the-rock-stone-cold-and-the-15-most-iconic-entrance-songs-in-wwe-history |url-status=live }}</ref> and one which defined the Attitude Era.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Alex |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/692638/wwe-attitude-era-theme-songs-entrance-music-stone-cold-the-rock-dx/ |title=The WWE entrance songs that defined the Attitude Era from The Rock to Stone Cold Steve Austin and D-Generation X |date=April 9, 2020 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=Talksport |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204019/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/692638/wwe-attitude-era-theme-songs-entrance-music-stone-cold-the-rock-dx/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Other media== ===Acting and hosting=== Austin had guest roles on ''[[Celebrity Deathmatch]]'' and Seasons 4 and 5 of CBS's ''[[Nash Bridges]]'', where he played [[San Francisco Police Department]] Inspector Jake Cage. He has appeared on ''[[V.I.P. (American TV series)|V.I.P]]'' and ''[[Dilbert (TV series)|Dilbert]]''. His motion picture debut was in a supporting role as Guard Dunham in the 2005 remake of ''[[The Longest Yard (2005 film)|The Longest Yard]]''. Austin had his first starring film role, as Jack Conrad, a dangerous convict awaiting execution in a [[El Salvador|Salvadoran]] prison, who takes part in an illegal deathmatch game that is being broadcast to the public in the 2007 [[action film]] ''[[The Condemned]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} In 2010, Austin appeared in ''[[The Expendables (2010 film)|The Expendables]]'' as Dan Paine, the right-hand man for the primary antagonist of the film James Munroe, played by [[Eric Roberts]], and bodyguard with [[Gary Daniels]] who plays The Brit. Shortly after Austin re-teamed with Eric Roberts and Gary Daniels in ''[[Hunt to Kill]]''.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} It was his last American theatrical release film until 2013. Austin appeared as Hugo Panzer on television series ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]''. He has also starred in ''[[Damage (2009 film)|Damage]]'', ''[[The Stranger (2010 film)|The Stranger]]'', ''[[Tactical Force]]'', ''[[Knockout (2011 film)|Knockout]]'', ''[[Recoil (2011 film)|Recoil]]'', ''[[Maximum Conviction]]'', and ''[[The Package (2013 film)|The Package]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Jim|title=Tuesday Blog..NOLA RAW Thoughts, Big Show, Red Neck island, UFC, FCW Staff, Big 12 Football, Sauce It Today!|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/tuesday-blognola-raw-thoughts-big-show-red-neck-island-ufc-fcw-staff-big-12-football-sauce-it-t|publisher=J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q|date=May 29, 2012|access-date=June 2, 2012|author-link=Jim Ross|archive-date=March 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323013843/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/tuesday-blognola-raw-thoughts-big-show-red-neck-island-ufc-fcw-staff-big-12-football-sauce-it-t|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2013, Austin started a weekly podcast named ''The Steve Austin Show'' which is family-friendly, while his second podcast ''The Steve Austin Show – Unleashed!'' is more adult-oriented.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show|title=Steve Austin Show Unleashed at PodcastOne|work=PodcastOne|access-date=February 16, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216121224/http://podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show|url-status=live}}</ref> As of May 2015, the podcasts averaged 793,000 downloads a week and had nearly 200 million overall downloads.<ref>{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|url=http://www.thewrap.com/how-5-former-wwe-stars-took-careers-from-the-top-rope-to-hollywoods-bottom-line/|title=How 5 Former WWE Stars Took Careers From the Top Rope to Hollywood's Bottom Line|work=[[TheWrap]]|date=May 22, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=August 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820113227/https://www.thewrap.com/how-5-former-wwe-stars-took-careers-from-the-top-rope-to-hollywoods-bottom-line/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2018, Austin announced that the "Unleashed" version of the podcast had been dropped and merged with the family-friendly version in order to appeal to more sponsors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0205/636706/steve-austin-reveals-why-his-unleashed-podcast-was-combined-with/|title=Steve Austin Reveals Why His 'Unleashed' Podcast Was Combined With His Family Friendly Show|work=Wrestling Inc.|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=March 5, 2018|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306023522/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0205/636706/steve-austin-reveals-why-his-unleashed-podcast-was-combined-with/|url-status=live}}</ref> The podcast has also transitioned to a live broadcast for the [[WWE Network]] (podcasted after a short exclusivity period) with monthly specials since 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/stone-cold-live-on-wwe-network|title="Stone Cold" Live on WWE Network - WWE Corporate|work=WWE Corporate|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190635/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2015/stone-cold-live-on-wwe-network|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> In November 2019, Austin began an interview segment on the WWE Network called the ''Broken Skull Sessions'', taking its name from the ranch owned by Austin.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/11/20/wwe-wrestling-news-steve-austin-interview-show-undertaker |title=Steve Austin Brings Out a Different Side of The Undertaker in New Interview Show |date=November 20, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065122/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/11/20/wwe-wrestling-news-steve-austin-interview-show-undertaker |url-status=live }}</ref> The premiere episode featured [[The Undertaker]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |title=Steve Austin 'Thrilled' to Be Working for WWE Again |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/11/20/wwe-wrestling-news-steve-austin-interview-show-undertaker |access-date=January 3, 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 20, 2019 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065122/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/11/20/wwe-wrestling-news-steve-austin-interview-show-undertaker |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin hosted the reality competition show ''Redneck Island'' on [[Country Music Television|CMT]], which began in June 2012<ref>{{cite web |last=Fowler |first=Matt |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/07/stone-cold-steve-austins-redneck-island |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin's Redneck Island |work=[[IGN]] |date=May 7, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115113336/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/07/stone-cold-steve-austins-redneck-island |url-status=live }}</ref> and concluded with its fifth season in April 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1764308/redneck-island-winners-riley-and-becky-on-what-comes-next/ |title=Redneck Island Winners Riley and Becky on What Comes Next |last=Heinichen |first=Claire |website=[[TV by the Numbers]] |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219112918/http://www.cmt.com/news/1764308/redneck-island-winners-riley-and-becky-on-what-comes-next/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In July 2014, his reality competition show ''[[Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge]]'' premiered on CMT.<ref name="BSRC2">{{cite web |last=Caldwell |first=James |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_78250.shtml#.U21kT4GSwbs |title=AUSTIN NEWS: Premiere date for Steve Austin's new reality competition show on CMT |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |publisher=TDH Communications Inc. |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=May 10, 2014 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220143/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_78250.shtml#.U21kT4GSwbs |url-status=live }}</ref> The show entered into its fifth season in September 2017.<ref name=BSC5>{{cite web|last=Fishman|first=Scott|date=September 26, 2017|title='Broken Skull Challenge' Season 5: On Set With Steve Austin|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/385910/broken-skull-challenge-season-5-on-set-with-steve-austin/|work=[[TV Insider]]|publisher=NTVB Media|access-date=January 14, 2018|archive-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115124749/https://www.tvinsider.com/385910/broken-skull-challenge-season-5-on-set-with-steve-austin/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Filmography== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 1999 | ''[[Beyond the Mat|Beyond The Mat]]'' | Himself | Documentary |- | 2005 | ''[[The Longest Yard (2005 film)|The Longest Yard]]'' | Guard Dunham | |- | 2007 | ''[[The Condemned]]'' | Jack Conrad / Jack Riley | |- | 2009 | ''[[Damage (2009 film)|Damage]]'' | John Brickner | [[Direct-to-video]] |- | rowspan="4"| 2010 | ''[[The Expendables (2010 film)|The Expendables]]'' | Dan Paine | |- | ''[[The Stranger (2010 film)|The Stranger]]'' | Tom "The Stranger" Tomashevsky | Direct-to-video |- | ''[[Hunt to Kill]]'' | U.S. Border Patrol Agent Jim Rhodes | Direct-to-video |- | ''Whoop Ass'' | Himself | Short film |- | rowspan="3"| 2011 | ''[[Recoil (2011 film)|Recoil]]'' | Ryan Varrett | Direct-to-video |- | ''[[Knockout (2011 film)|Knockout]]'' | Dan Barnes | Direct-to-video |- | ''[[Tactical Force]]'' | SWAT Captain Frank Tate | Direct-to-video |- | 2012 | ''[[Maximum Conviction]]'' | Manning | Direct-to-video |- | rowspan="2"| 2013 | ''[[The Package (2013 film)|The Package]]'' | Tommy Wick | Direct-to-video |- | ''[[Grown Ups 2]]'' | Tommy Cavanaugh | |- | 2014 | ''Chain of Command'' | Ray Peters | Direct-to-video |- | 2015 | ''[[Smosh: The Movie]]'' | Himself | |} {|class="wikitable sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Television |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 1998 | ''[[V.I.P. (American TV series)|V.I.P.]]'' | Himself | |- | 1998–2002 | ''[[Celebrity Deathmatch]]'' | Himself | Voice |- | 1999–2000 | ''[[Nash Bridges]]'' | Inspector Jake Cage | Recurring role, 6 episodes |- | 2000 | ''[[Dilbert (TV series)|Dilbert]]'' | Himself | Voice; Episode "The Delivery" |- | 2003 | Hollywood Squares | Himself | 5 Episodes |- | 2005 | ''[[The Bernie Mac Show]]'' | Himself | |- | 2010 | ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]'' | [[The Ring (Chuck)#Hugo Panzer|Hugo Panzer]] | 2 episodes |- | 2011 | ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]'' | Himself | Host and TV wrestling trainer |- | 2012–2016 | ''Redneck Island'' | Himself | Host |- | 2014–2017 | ''[[Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge]]'' | Himself | Host |- | 2019–present | ''[[Straight Up Steve Austin]]'' | Himself | Host |- | 2020 | ''[[The Undertaker|Undertaker: The Last Ride]]'' | Himself | Documentary series |- | 2023–present | ''Stone Cold Takes on America'' | Himself | Host |} {|class="wikitable sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Podcast |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 2019–present | ''The Broken Skull Sessions'' | Himself | |} == Music videos == {| class="wikitable" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" |Music videos |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- |2019 |¿Quién tu eres? |Himself |Music video debut<ref name="Forbes">{{cite web |last1=Andrea |first1=Bossi |title=Bad Bunny Releases Music Video With Steve Austin Cameo: '¿Quién Tu Eres?' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreabossi/2019/12/23/bad-bunny-releases-music-video-with-steve-austin-cameo-quin-tu-eres/ |website=Forbes |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref> |} ==Video games== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WCW Video games |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 1994 | ''[[WCW: The Main Event]]'' | Video game debut |} {|class="wikitable sortable" |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | WWE Video games |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#ccc;" | Year ! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |- | 1998 | ''[[WWF War Zone]]'' | [[WWE|WWF/E]] Video game debut <br /> Cover athlete |- | rowspan="2"| 1999 | ''[[WWF Attitude]]'' | Cover athlete |- | ''[[WWF WrestleMania 2000 (video game)|WWF WrestleMania 2000]]'' | |- | rowspan="4"| 2000 | ''[[WWF SmackDown! (video game)|WWF SmackDown!]]'' | |- | ''[[WWF Royal Rumble (2000 video game)|WWF Royal Rumble]]'' | Cover athlete |- | ''[[WWF No Mercy (video game)|WWF No Mercy]]'' | |- | ''[[WWF SmackDown! 2: Know Your Role]]'' | |- | rowspan="4"| 2001 | ''[[With Authority!]]'' | |- | ''[[WWF Betrayal]]'' | |- | ''[[WWF Road to WrestleMania]]'' | Cover athlete |- | ''[[WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It]]'' | |- | rowspan="3"| 2002 | ''[[WWF Raw (2002 video game)|WWF Raw]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE WrestleMania X8 (video game)|WWE WrestleMania X8]]'' | Cover athlete |- | ''[[WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth]]'' | |- | rowspan="4"| 2003 | ''[[WWE Crush Hour]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE WrestleMania XIX (video game)|WWE WrestleMania XIX]]'' | Cover athlete |- | ''[[WWE Raw 2]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain]]'' | |- | rowspan="2"| 2005 | ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning 2]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006]]'' | |- | 2006 | ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007]]'' | |- | 2007 | ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008]]'' | |- |2009 |''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010]]'' |DLC |- | 2009 | ''[[WWE Legends of WrestleMania]]'' |Cover athlete |- | 2010 | ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011]]'' | |- | rowspan="2"| 2011 | ''[[WWE All Stars]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE '12]]'' | |- | rowspan="2"| 2012 | ''[[WWF WrestleFest#Follow-up titles|WWE WrestleFest]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE '13]]'' | |- | 2013 | ''[[WWE 2K14]]'' | |- | rowspan="2"| 2014 | ''[[WWE SuperCard]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE 2K15]]'' | |- | rowspan="2"| 2015 | ''[[WWE Immortals]]'' | |- | ''[[WWE 2K16]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe-2k16-cover|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin is on the cover of 'WWE 2K16'|last=Schwartz|first=Nick|date=July 6, 2015|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=June 24, 2018|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021524/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe-2k16-cover|url-status=live}}</ref> | Cover athlete |- | 2016 | ''[[WWE 2K17]]'' | |- | rowspan="4"| 2017 | ''WWE Champions'' | |- | ''WWE Tap Mania'' | |- | ''[[WWE 2K18]]'' | |- | ''WWE Mayhem'' | |- | 2018 | ''[[WWE 2K19]]'' | |- | 2019 | ''[[WWE 2K20]]'' | |- | 2020 | ''[[WWE 2K Battlegrounds]]'' | Cover athlete |- | 2022 | ''[[WWE 2K22]]'' | |- | 2023 | ''[[WWE 2K23]]'' | |- | 2024 | ''[[WWE 2K24]]'' | |- | 2025 | ''[[WWE 2K25]]'' | |} ==Personal life== Austin played college football at the University of North Texas. Austin married his high school girlfriend Kathryn Burrhus on November 24, 1990. However, he later pursued a relationship with English wrestling manager [[Lady Blossom|Jeanie Clarke]], with whom he was working. His marriage to Burrhus was annulled on August 7, 1992, while he was in Japan<ref>[[#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin.''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.79)</ref> and he married Clarke on December 18, on his 28th birthday. They had two daughters, Stephanie (born 1992) and Cassidy (born 1996), before divorcing on May 10, 1999.<ref name=sct97>[[#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p. 95-98)</ref><ref name=TSCTVideo>[Stated in ''The Stone Cold Truth'' video]{{full citation|date=May 2024}}</ref> Austin also adopted Clarke's daughter Jade from a previous relationship with [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]].<ref name=sct97/><ref name=TSCTVideo /> In 2010, Austin became a grandfather for the first time when Jade gave birth to a son.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/18293-austins-adopted-daughter-jade-adams-gives-birth/ |title=Austin's adopted daughter Jade Adams gives birth |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=WrestleView |last=Nemer |first=Paul}}</ref> Since then, Jade had two more children with her husband [[Adam Windsor|Adam Bryniarski]], a British independent wrestler.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article10014906.shtml |title=WWE News: Steve Austin becomes a grandfather, father of the baby is an independent wrestler |date= October 29, 2010|access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Prowrestling.net |author= Saff}}</ref> Bryniarski died in 2022 at age 41.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/04/22/adam-bryniarski-adam-windsor-passes-away-at-41/ |title=Adam Bryniarski (Adam Windsor) passes away at 41 |date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=POST Wrestling |last=Pollock |first=John}}</ref> On September 13, 2000, Austin married wrestling manager [[Debra Marshall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html |title=Steve Williams and Debra's Marriage Certificate |access-date=April 8, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422190330/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldcert1.html |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |website=[[The Smoking Gun]]}}</ref> On June 15, 2002, Marshall called the police to the couple's home. She told officers that Austin had hit her and then stormed out of the house before police arrived.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1455205/for-the-record-quick-news-on-stone-cold-steve-austin-eminem-osama-bin-laden-pink-jay-z-more/|title=For The Record: Quick News On Stone Cold Steve Austin, Eminem, Osama Bin Laden, Pink, Jay-Z & More|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=June 14, 2002|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702115308/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455205/for-the-record-quick-news-on-stone-cold-steve-austin-eminem-osama-bin-laden-pink-jay-z-more/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Vries|first=Lloyd|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pro-wrestler-accused-of-wife-beating/|title=Pro Wrestler Accused Of Wife-Beating|publisher=[[CBS News]]|date=June 17, 2002|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702232338/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pro-wrestler-accused-of-wife-beating/|url-status=live}}</ref> An arrest warrant was issued by the [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar County]] district attorney's office on August 12 and Austin turned himself in the following day, at which point he was charged with [[domestic abuse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/sports/steve-austin-arrest-warrant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006002017/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/sports/steve-austin-arrest-warrant |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |title=Steve Austin Arrest Warrant |work=[[The Smoking Gun]] |date=August 14, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=5577 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105143830/http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=5577 |archive-date=November 5, 2002 |title=Steve Austin arrested |work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter|Wrestling Observer]] |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=August 13, 2002 |access-date=March 4, 2023}}</ref> He pleaded [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] on November 25, and was given a year's probation, a $1,000 fine, and ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonecoldplea1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817110113/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/wrestler-steve-austin-taps-out-wife-assault|archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=dead|website=[[The Smoking Gun]]|title=Wrestler Steve Austin Taps Out In Wife Assault|date=November 1, 2002|access-date=April 8, 2007}}</ref> In 2007, Marshall told [[Fox News]] that<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/pro-wrestling-wife-claims-drug-abuse-domestic-violence-out-of-hand-in-the-wwe|title=Pro Wrestling Wife Claims Drug Abuse, Domestic Violence 'Out of Hand in the WWE'|work=[[Fox News]] |date=June 27, 2007|access-date=August 21, 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911065634/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286924,00.html |archive-date=September 11, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> WWE knew of the abuse, but worked to keep her from revealing that Austin had hit her as it would cost the company millions of dollars.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/exclusive-debra-marshall-ex-wife-of-stone-cold-steve-austin-tells-what-really-goes-on-in-pro-wrestling-world |title=Exclusive! Debra Marshall, Ex-wife of Stone Cold Steve Austin Tells What Really Goes on in Pro-Wrestling World|work=[[Fox News]]|access-date=June 29, 2007 |date=June 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021220214/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287361,00.html|archive-date=October 21, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Austin responded to the incident in 2003 through ''WWE Raw Magazine'', citing his regret over their relationship breaking down and stating his love for Marshall. He also ridiculed allegations that the incident was alcohol-related.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=25}} He filed for divorce from Marshall on July 22, 2002, which was finalized on February 5, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/stonedivorce1.html|website=[[The Smoking Gun]]|title="Stone Cold" Divorce Filing|date=August 28, 2002|access-date=April 8, 2007|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030132224/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/stone-cold-divorce-filing|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2003, during the hours leading up to WrestleMania XIX, Austin was rushed to the hospital for twitchiness and a high heart rate.<ref>{{cite web |title="I wasn't cleared to leave the hospital, but I left" - Superstar opens up on his WWE retirement match against The Rock |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-cleared-leave-hospital-i-left-superstar-opens-wwe-retirement-match-the-rock |website=Sports Keeda |date=April 17, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194250/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-i-cleared-leave-hospital-i-left-superstar-opens-wwe-retirement-match-the-rock |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, Austin denied allegations that he was an alcoholic, stating that wrestling fans had mistaken his character's excessive consumption of beer as a real-life trait of his and insisting that he drinks responsibly.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=25}} In March 2004, he was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend [[Tess Broussard]] during a dispute at his home in [[San Antonio, Texas]], according to a police report. No arrests were made and no charges were filed in the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/stone-cold-steve-austin-roughs-girlfriend|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin Roughs Up Girlfriend|website=[[The Smoking Gun]]|date=March 29, 2004|access-date=November 30, 2008|archive-date=August 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817110058/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/stone-cold-steve-austin-roughs-girlfriend|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, the ''Wrestling Observer'' newsletter reported that Austin had legally changed his name to Steve Austin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Tim |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/12/steve-austin-changes-his-name-503704/ |title=Steve Austin Changes His Name, Styles Bashes JBL, More |date=December 26, 2007 |access-date=June 23, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211104/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/12/steve-austin-changes-his-name-503704/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2009, Austin married his fourth wife, Kristin Feres.<ref name="BSR"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboysindians.com/Cowboys-Indians/April-2012/Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin/Steve-Austin-From-Wrestling-Star-to-Action-Hero/|title=Interview with Wrestler and Actor Stone Cold Steve Austin, Continued|work=Cowboys & Indians|access-date=August 27, 2013|archive-date=November 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109051027/http://www.cowboysindians.com/Cowboys-Indians/April-2012/Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin/Steve-Austin-From-Wrestling-Star-to-Action-Hero/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Austin voiced support for [[same-sex marriage]] on his podcast.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Payne |first1=Marissa |title=WWE's 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's support of gay marriage shouldn't be a surprise |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2014/04/24/wwes-stone-cold-steve-austins-support-of-gay-marriage-shouldnt-be-a-surprise/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref> Also in 2014, Austin released his first beer, Broken Skull IPA, with El Segundo Brewing Company in California. In March 2022, they released another collaboration, Broken Skull American Lager.<ref>{{cite web |title=Give Us a 'Hell Yeah': Stone Cold Steve Austin is Teaming with El Segundo for New Beer |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/stone-cold-steve-austin-has-a-new-beer-out-13517196 |website=Dallas Observer |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107211629/https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/stone-cold-steve-austin-has-a-new-beer-out-13517196 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wrestler Steve Austin celebrates 3:16 day by releasing new beer |url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/wrestler-steve-austin-celebrates-316-day-by-releasing-new-beer/TANQ7V74RNH5RGETMSAIIUDM34/ |website=Fox 13 Memphis |date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107211630/https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/wrestler-steve-austin-celebrates-316-day-by-releasing-new-beer/TANQ7V74RNH5RGETMSAIIUDM34/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The beers are distributed in 35 states with El Segundo brewing over 5,000 barrels of Broken Skull annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stone Cold Steve Austin And El Segundo Brewing's Beer Partnership Is Thriving |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hudsonlindenberger/2022/12/08/stone-cold-steve-austin-and-el-segundo-brewings-beer-partnership-is-thriving/?sh=4e6b6e45382d |website=Forbes |access-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123200803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hudsonlindenberger/2022/12/08/stone-cold-steve-austin-and-el-segundo-brewings-beer-partnership-is-thriving/?sh=4e6b6e45382d |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin has owned two large ranches, the first, the Broken Skull Ranch was near [[Tilden, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mbu |first=Joshua |date=2024-01-15 |title=Retired WWE hard man Stone Cold Steve Austin unrecognizable in latest video |url=https://www.the-express.com/sport/wrestling/124429/WWE-Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin-unrecognizable |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=Daily Express US |language=en}}</ref> In 2018 he purchased the Broken Skull Ranch 2.0 in [[Gardnerville, Nevada]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamrani |first=Christopher |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin is racing toward a new frontier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5668690/2024/07/31/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe/ |access-date=2024-11-16 |work=The New York Times |date=July 31, 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ==Championships and accomplishments== [[File:WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin.jpg|thumb|Austin is a six-time [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]]...]] [[File:Stone Cold Steve Austin hof.jpg|thumb|...and a [[WWE Hall of Fame]] inductee (class of 2009).]] * '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]''' ** Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2012)<ref name="Cauliflower2012">{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Steve|title=Austin, Steamboat delight at Cauliflower Alley Club reunion|url=http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2012/04/18/austin-steamboat-delight-at-cauliflower-alley-club-reunion/|work=Slam Wrestling|date=April 18, 2012|access-date=September 27, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103211629/http://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2012/04/18/austin-steamboat-delight-at-cauliflower-alley-club-reunion/|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''''[[Guinness World Records]]''''' ** [[World record]]: Most wins of the WWE [[Royal Rumble]] (3 times)<ref>{{cite web |last=Glenday |first=Craig |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2013/7/san-diego-comic-con-a-geeky-hotbed-of-record-breaking-49972 |title=San Diego Comic-Con – a geeky hotbed of record breaking |date=July 18, 2013 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=[[Guinness World Records]] |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626215228/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2013/7/san-diego-comic-con-a-geeky-hotbed-of-record-breaking-49972 |url-status=live }}</ref> *'''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]''' **Class of 2022<ref>{{cite news |title=Steve Austin & More: International Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame Class Of 2022 Announced |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=156794 |access-date=March 14, 2022 |work=PW Insider |date=March 13, 2022 |archive-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313165817/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=156794 |url-status=live }}</ref> * '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''''' ** [[PWI Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1998, 1999) <small>vs. [[Vince McMahon]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ** [[PWI Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1997)<small> vs. [[Bret Hart]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] at [[WrestleMania 13]]</small><ref name="PWI Awards"/> ** [[PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (2001)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> ** [[PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year|Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]] (1998)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> ** [[PWI Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] (1990)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> ** [[PWI Wrestler of the Year|Wrestler of the Year]] (1998, 1999, 2001)<ref name="PWI Awards"/> ** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]]'' in 1998 and 1999<ref name="iwdpwi98">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/1998.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1998|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306131525/http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1998.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="iwdpwi99">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/1999.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1999|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407004123/http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/1999.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ** Ranked No. 19 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the ''[[PWI Years]]'' in 2003 ** Ranked No. 50 of the top 100 tag teams of the ''PWI Years'' with [[Brian Pillman]] in 2003 ** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Stanley Weston Award (Lifetime Achievement)|Stanley Weston Award]] (2019)<ref name="PWI2019Part2">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OfficialPWI/status/1216786415356456961|title=Feud: @JohnnyGargano vs. @AdamColePro, Match: @CodyRhodes vs. @dustinrhodes, Rookie: @FlyinBrianJr. The @OfficialPWI staff is also proud to announce @steveaustinBSR as the Stanley Weston Award winner for lifetime achievement|date=January 13, 2020|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-date=January 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117083656/https://twitter.com/OfficialPWI/status/1216786415356456961|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]''' ** Class of 2016<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97943/professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame-moving-from-upstate-new-york-to-texas.html?p=1|title=Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame moving from upstate New York to Texas|date=November 19, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2015|work=PWInsider|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422162823/http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97943/professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame-moving-from-upstate-new-york-to-texas.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> *'''[[Sports Illustrated]]''' **Ranked No. 1 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pullar III |first1=Sid |title=20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/features/10-greatest-wwe-wrestlers-of-all-time |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref> *'''Texas Wrestling Federation''' ** TWA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with [[Rod Price (wrestler)|Rod Price]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=871|title=TWA Tag Team Titles|work=WrestlingData|accessdate=February 16, 2022|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216205721/https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=titles&titel=871|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''[[World Championship Wrestling]]''' ** [[WCW World Television Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Television Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/tvwcw.html|access-date=July 1, 2008|last=Duncan|first=Royal|title=World Television Championship history|publisher=Solie|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326201722/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/tvwcw.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/|access-date=July 1, 2008|title=United States Championship history|publisher=WWE|archive-date=April 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422144441/http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/unitedstates|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with Brian Pillman<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttwcw.html|access-date=July 1, 2008|last=Duncan|first=Royal|title=WCW World Tag Team Championship history|publisher=Solie|archive-date=June 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609184814/http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ttwcw.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of NWA World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with Brian Pillman<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-t.html|title=NWA World Tag Team Title|website=Wrestling-Titles.com|access-date=March 10, 2020|archive-date=February 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226101011/http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-t.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''[[WWE|World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE]]''' ** [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|6 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|access-date=July 1, 2008|title=WWE World Championship history|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223053803/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/|title=Intercontinental Championship history|access-date=September 17, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=February 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215091500/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|4 times]]) – with [[Shawn Michaels]] (1), [[Mick Foley|Dude Love]] (1), [[The Undertaker]] (1), and [[Triple H]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=WWE World Tag Team Championship|access-date=September 18, 2007|publisher=WWE|archive-date=November 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114122031/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[Million Dollar Championship]] ([[Million Dollar Championship#Reigns|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web|title=Million Dollar Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/million-dollar-championship|access-date=August 11, 2021|website=WWE|language=en|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726004325/https://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/million-dollar-championship|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring (1996)|1996]])<ref>{{cite web |last=Sapp |first=Sean Ross |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/resources/every-king-ring-winner-wwf-and-wwe-history |title=Every King Of The Ring Winner In WWF And WWE History |date=June 18, 2021 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=Fightful |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204005/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/resources/every-king-ring-winner-wwf-and-wwe-history |url-status=live }}</ref> ** Royal Rumble ([[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997]], [[Royal Rumble (1998)|1998]], [[Royal Rumble (2001)|2001]])<ref>{{cite web |last=Koontz |first=Joey |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/wwe/story/_/id/25833488/wwe-royal-rumble-key-stats-2020-men-royal-rumble-match |title=Will history be made at the 2020 WWE Royal Rumble? |date=January 20, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=ESPN |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203931/https://www.espn.co.uk/wwe/story/_/id/25833488/wwe-royal-rumble-key-stats-2020-men-royal-rumble-match |url-status=live }}</ref> **[[List of WWE tournaments#Undisputed WWF Championship #1 Contender Tournament (2002)|Undisputed WWF Championship #1 Contenders Tournament (2002)]] ** [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WWE Men's Triple Crown winners|Fifth]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunning |first=Kyle |url=https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/articles/list-of-all-wwe-grand-slam-triple-crown-champions-in-history |title=List of All WWE Grand Slam & Triple Crown Champions in History |date=August 16, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=eWrestlingNews |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202802/https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/articles/list-of-all-wwe-grand-slam-triple-crown-champions-in-history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/wwe-triple-crown#fid-26046468 |title=WWE's Triple Crown winners: photos |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=WWE Official Website |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205935/https://www.wwe.com/classics/wwe-triple-crown#fid-26046468 |url-status=live }}</ref> ** [[Slammy Award]] (2 times) *** Freedom of Speech ([[1997 Slammy Awards|1997]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/andthewinneris|title=And the winner is...|access-date=May 16, 2018|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=June 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601193650/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/andthewinneris|url-status=live}}</ref> *** Best Original [[WWE Network]] Show – {{small|Stone Cold Podcast}} ([[2015 Slammy Awards|2015]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/full-list-2015-wwe-slammy-award-winners-204201|title=Full list of 2015 WWE Slammy Award winners|date=December 22, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|archive-date=May 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174732/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/full-list-2015-wwe-slammy-award-winners-204201|url-status=live}}</ref> ** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] (2 times) ***[[WWE Hall of Fame (2009)|Class of 2009]] – individually *** [[WWE Hall of Fame (2025)|Class of 2025]] - Immortal Moment vs. [[Bret Hart]] at [[WrestleMania 13]] * '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]''''' ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Box Office Draw|Best Box Office Draw]] (1998, 1999) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Bruiser Brody Memorial Award (Best Brawler)|Best Brawler]] (2001) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (1997, 1998) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Heel|Best Heel]] (1996) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best on Interviews]] (1996–1998, 2001) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Non-Wrestler|Best Non-Wrestler]] (2003) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (1997) {{small|vs. [[The Hart Foundation#The (New) Hart Foundation|The Hart Foundation]]}} ** Feud of the Year (1998, 1999) {{small|vs. Vince McMahon}} ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (1997) {{small|vs. Bret Hart in a submission match at WrestleMania 13}} ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Charismatic|Most Charismatic]] (1997, 1998) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] (1990) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Tag Team of the Year|Tag Team of the Year]] (1993) {{small|with Brian Pillman as [[The Hollywood Blonds#Steve Austin and Brian Pillman|The Hollywood Blonds]]}} ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Worked Match of the Year|Worst Worked Match of the Year]] (1991) {{small|with [[Terry Taylor|Terrance Taylor]] vs. [[Bobby Eaton]] and [[P. N. News]] in a [[Scaffold match]] at [[The Great American Bash 1991|The Great American Bash]]}} ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (1998) ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2000)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|title=Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|archive-date=May 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505214329/http://pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} == Further reading == *{{Cite news |last=Kamrani |first=Christopher |date=2024-07-31 |title='Stone Cold' Steve Austin is racing toward a new frontier |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5668690/2024/07/31/stone-cold-steve-austin-wwe/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |work=The Athletic |language=en-US |url-access=subscription}} ==Bibliography {{anchor|Books}}== * {{cite book|last=Sammond|first=Nicholas|year=2005|title=Steel Chair to the Head: The Pleasure and Pain of Professional Wrestling|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-3438-5|ref=Sammond2005}} * {{cite book|first=Mick|last=Foley|author-link=Mick Foley|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweat Socks|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2000|isbn=978-0-06-103101-4|ref=Foley2000}} * {{cite book|author=PSI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Presents: 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007}} <!-- ISBN needed? --> * {{cite book|first1=Steve|last1=Austin|first2=Jim|last2=Ross|author-link2=Jim Ross|last3=Brent|first3=Dennis|title=The Stone Cold Truth|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|isbn=978-0-7434-7720-8|url=https://archive.org/details/stonecoldtruth00aust}} ==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Stone Cold Steve Austin|b=no|n=no|q=Stone Cold Steve Austin|s=no|v=no|species=no|display=Stone Cold Steve Austin}} * {{Official website}} * [https://www.podcastone.com/Steve-Austin-Show The Steve Austin Show on PodcastOne] * {{WWE superstar}} * {{Professional wrestling profiles}} * {{IMDb name|name=Steve Austin}} {{Stone Cold Steve Austin}} {{Navboxes| |list1= {{WWE Championship}} {{NWA World Tag Team Championship}} {{World Tag Team Championship (WWE)}} {{WWE Intercontinental Championship}} {{WWE United States Championship}} {{WCW World Television Championship}} {{WCW World Tag Team Championship}} {{Million Dollar Championship}} {{Royal Rumble winners}} {{King of the Ring winners}} {{Grand Slam-Triple Crown Champions}} {{WWE Hall of Fame}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Austin, Steve}} [[Category:Stone Cold Steve Austin| ]] [[Category:1964 births]] [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] [[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]] [[Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers]] [[Category:21st-century American male actors]] [[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]] [[Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers]] [[Category:American agnostics]] [[Category:American male film actors]] [[Category:American male professional wrestlers]] [[Category:American male television actors]] [[Category:American male voice actors]] [[Category:American people convicted of assault]] [[Category:American people of English descent]] [[Category:American people of German descent]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] [[Category:American people of Swedish descent]] [[Category:American sports podcasters]] [[Category:American sportspeople convicted of crimes]] [[Category:American television hosts]] [[Category:Articles containing video clips]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Male actors from Austin, Texas]] [[Category:Male actors from California]] [[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]] [[Category:Male actors from San Antonio]] [[Category:Million Dollar Champions]] [[Category:NWA/WCW World Television Champions]] [[Category:NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions]] [[Category:North Texas Mean Green football players]] [[Category:People from Edna, Texas]] [[Category:People from McMullen County, Texas]] [[Category:People from Victoria, Texas]] [[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]] [[Category:Professional wrestlers from Texas]] [[Category:Professional wrestling authority figures]] [[Category:Professional wrestling podcasters]] [[Category:Sportspeople from Austin, Texas]] [[Category:Professional wrestlers from Los Angeles]] [[Category:Sportspeople from San Antonio]] [[Category:Texas culture]] [[Category:Dangerous Alliance members]] [[Category:Million Dollar Corporation members]] [[Category:Stud Stable members]] [[Category:University of North Texas alumni]] [[Category:WCW World Tag Team Champions]] [[Category:WWE Champions]] [[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]] [[Category:WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champions]] [[Category:King of the Ring tournament winners]] [[Category:Royal Rumble match winners]] [[Category:World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)]] [[Category:Wharton County Pioneers]] [[Category:NWA World Tag Team Champions]]
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