Hall of Fame 101: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Real Name: Steve Austin (Legally changed)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 252 pounds
Hometown: Victoria, Texas
Finishing Move(s): Stone Cold Stunner, Mudhole Stomping, Lou Thez Press
Career Highlights: WWE Champion, WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE Million $ Champion, WWE World Tag Team Champion, 1997 Royal Rumble Winner, 1998 Royal Rumble Winner, 2001 Royal Rumble Winner, 1996 King of the Ring Winner, 5th Triple Crown Champion, WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Inductee, and 1997 Slammy Award Winner for Freedom of Speech

Stone Cold Steve Austin, born as Steve James Anderson, later changed his name to Steve Williams, and currently named Steve Austin, just like his ring name, is definitely the toughest SOB in the entire history of professional wrestling that wasn’t afraid to do anything to anybody and wasn’t afraid to say whatever was on his band. Austin was born and raised in Victoria, Texas, to his mother Beverly. After Austin’s father left the family and separated himself away from his son and wife, his mother, Beverly, remarried a man named Ken Williams, whom would be Austin’s stepfather, where Austin would get rid of the surname, Anderson, and would adopt the surname of Williams by legally changing it.

After Austin graduated from high school, he attended Wharton County Junior College on a football scholarship, and would then attend, after graduating from Wharton County Junior College, North Texas State University on a full football scholarship. Austin would then play football for four full years while attending North Texas State University.

After Austin graduated from North Texas State University, he would decide to become a professional wrestling, and would train at a wrestling school under professional wrestling, Chris Adams. Austin would make his professional wrestling debut in 1989 under his own real name for World Class Championship Wrestling, but then later given the name of Steve Austin by Memphis booker, Dutch Mantel. After his run with World Class Championship Wrestling, Austin would return to Dallas, Texas, and feud with Chris Adams, the man that trained him, along with Percy Pringle (later known as in the WWF, Paul Bearer), and his real life girlfriend at the time, and later on his wife, Jeannie Adams, whom was the ex-wife of Chris Adams, as the manager of Adams. Austin would be given the nickname of “Stunning” Steve Austin, and would leave the WCCW in 1990 after it folded out of business, and would sign with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) a year later.

Austin was scheduled to be managed by a lady known as Vivacious Veronica, but that idea was nixed and he was paired up with his girlfriend in real life at the time, Jeannie Adams, whom was going under the name of Lady Blossom. On June 3, 1991, Austin would beat Bobby Eaton just weeks after debuting to become the new WCW Television Champion. Austin would then join forces with the faction of Paul E. Dangerously, and would lose the title to Barry Windham in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match, almost a year later, on April 27, 1992. He would, however, regain the title on May 23, 1992 from Barry Windham.

Austin would begin his second reign as the WCW Television Champion before losing the belt to Ricky “the dragon” Steamboat on September 2, 1992. Shortly after Austin lost the belt to Steamboat, he would disband with Paul E. Dangerous and the Dangerous Alliance.

In January 1993, “Stunning” Steve Austin would be aligned with Brian Pillman as The Hollywood Blondes. They would defeat Ricky “the dragon” Steamboat and Shane Douglas to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles on March 3, 1993. They would hold the titles for five months before losing the titles to Ric Flair and Arn Anderson in a Tag Team 2 out of 3 Falls Match. Brian Pillman would later be injured, and Austin would join Col. Robert Parker and his Stud stable, and would see Brian Pillman return, with Austin backstabbing Pillman and joining starting a feud with him.

Austin would then win the WCW United States Championship at Starrcade 1993 by beating Dustin Rhodes in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match, but, however, would lose the title to Ricky “the dragon” Steamboat on August 24, 1994. Austin was scheduled to challenge Steamboat for the title in a rematch at Fall Brawl 1994, but Steamboat was injured via a back injury, and, thus, Austin won the match via forfeit and was awarded the title. Just minutes after winning the title via forfeit, Austin would be forced to defend his title that he just got against Steamboat’s replacement, Hacksaw Jim Duggan. The match lasted approximately 35 seconds, whereas Hacksaw Jim Duggan dethroned Austin and won the title.

In 1995, Austin would suffer a torn triceps, and would be fired by the then Vice President of WCW, Eric Bischoff, and would make his debut for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Bischoff was quoted as saying “I didn’t see Austin as a marketable wrestler by wearing complete black…black boots, black trunks, and black equipment”. Austin was then quoted as saying on his firing by Eric Bischoff “I thought the way Eric Bischoff fired me was a way of taking the coward’s way out”. Austin’s ECW debut would come not so much of a surprise since the owner of ECW was his former manager in WCW, Paul E. Dangerously, now undergoing the name of Paul Heyman. Since Austin was still injured and not fully able to compete from the torn triceps injury, Heyman hired Austin to be a Backstage Interviewer.

When Austin was healthy enough to wrestle in ECW, he would undergo the name of “Superstar” Steve Austin, where he’d develop his future Stone Cold Steve Austin character and took stabs at Eric Bischoff and WCW. Austin would face ECW Original, The Sandman, as well as feud to Mikey Whipwreck, whom beat Austin at November to Remember 1995 to retain the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. At December to Dismember 1995, The Sandman beat both “Superstar” Steve Austin and Mikey Whipwreck in a Triple Threat Match to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Austin would be given a call to come work for the WWF, and thus, left ECW. Paul Heyman was stated as saying “I wanted Austin to become the ECW World Heavyweight Champion, but he refused and thought he was better as being the hunter more than being the hunted”.

In late 1995, Mr. McMahon would consider on hiring Austin, thanks to some convincing from Austin’s real life best friend, Jim Ross, and Kevin Nash, whom was competing under the name of Diesel in the WWF. Austin would come aboard with the WWF and would compete under the moniker of The Ringmaster, and would be managed by “Million $ Man” Ted DiBiase, and was awarded the WWE Million $ Championship. The Ringmaster would make his Pay Per View debut at Wrestlemania 12 and defeated Savio Vega. The Ringmaster would shave his head bald and would start going by the name of Stone Cold Steve Austin and would lose to Savio Vega at In Your House 8: Beware of Dog in a Caribbean Strap Match and this would mark the last time we saw “Million $ Man” Ted DiBiase, as the pre match stipulation stated that he would leave if Austin had lost.

Austin would tell Dok Hendrix (Michael Hayes) that he purposely lost to rid himself of “Million $ Man” Ted DiBiase since Ted was heading to WCW, the rival company/promotion of the WWF. King of the 1996 would be a history making event that would shape the rest of Austin’s career. Not only did Austin beat Jake “the snake” Roberts to become the 1996 King of the Ring Winner, but he would also coin the term “Austin 3:16” which would be significant in Austin’s future with the WWF.

Austin’s career would just begin to rise as he would begin a feud with Bret “Hitman” Hart, whom beat Austin at Survivor Series 1996, and then at the 1997 Royal Rumble Match, Austin would last eliminate Hart to become the 1997 Royal Rumble Winner. This would end up leading Austin to his first ever Pay Per View main event at In Your House 13: Final Four, where Austin, Bret “Hitman” Hart, Vader, and Undertaker competed in a 4 Man Battle Royal with the winner becoming the new WWF Champion, since Shawn Michaels vacated the title due to injury. Bret “Hitman” Hart would become the new WWF Champion, but would lose the title the next night on Raw to Sycho Sid, due to some interference from Austin. This would lead to the ultimate and historic Submission Match between Austin and Hart at Wrestlemania 13, with Ken Shamrock as the referee. Hart would ultimately win the match after making Austin pass out due to loss of blood and because of the intense pain Austin was in. This would lead to a rare “double turn” where Austin would be face and Hart would be heel, where the two would end their feud at In Your House 14: Revenge of the Taker, with the winner becoming the number one contender for the WWF Championship. Austin would win the match and was challenging Undertaker for the WWF Championship at In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell, and lost the match to Undertaker.

On May 25, 1997, Austin and Shawn Michaels would become the WWF World Tag Team Champions after beating the team of Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. The lost the titles on July 14, 1997 after they vacated the belts due to Michaels suffering an injury. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog would win a tournament to win back the belts, but they would lose them again to Austin and his new partner, Dude Love.

At Summerslam 1997, Austin fought Owen Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, which Austin would win, even though he suffered a legitimate injury due to a botched Piledriver. Austin would vacate both the WWF Intercontinental Championship and the WWF World Tag Team Titles due to the injury.

On September 22, 1997, it was the biggest and best feud that brought in all of the ratings and it started with Austin attacking Mr. McMahon in the ring and giving him the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin would go a few months later to win the 1998 Royal Rumble Match by last eliminating The Rock. Mr. McMahon would announce Mike Tyson as the guest enforcer for the match at Wrestlemania 14 between Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin with McMahon quoted as calling Mike Tyson “The Baddest Man on the Planet”. Austin took offense and went to attack Mike Tyson and McMahon. Wrestlemania 14 came looming where Austin beat Michaels to win his first ever WWF Championship after he gave Michaels the Stone Cold Stunner and Mike Tyson counted the pinfall, thus turning on D-Generation X by knocking out Michaels with a solid fist to the fast.

The Attitude Era began right here with the supremacy of Austin 3:16. Austin would start rebellion with Mr. McMahon, with McMahon trying to do everything in his power to put an end to the Austin 3:16 era. He put Dude Love in his way twice, once with McMahon as the referee, as well as Gerald Brisco as Ring Announcer and Pat Patterson as Timekeeper. But Austin prevailed both times. Austin, however, would lose the WWF Championship at the 1998 King of the Ring Pay Per View to Kane in a First Blood Match, but would regain the belt back the next night on Raw from Kane to be put back on top of the mountain. Austin would then beat Undertaker in the main event of Summerslam 1998 to retain the title yet again. Undertaker and Kane would pin Austin simultaneously at Breakdown to have the title declared vacant, whereas Austin would not be champion anymore. Austin would end up putting a gun to the head of McMahon that when shot said “Bang 3:16” and then was quoted as saying “Austin 3:16 says I just pissed my pants”. McMahon would get ultimate revenge against Austin was they screwed Austin out of winning the WWF Championship that was declared vacant at Survivor Series 1998 by Shane McMahon screwing Austin in his match against Mankind. At Rock Bottom: In Your House, Austin would beat Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match to earn a spot in the 1999 Royal Rumble Match.

Austin would enter the 1999 Royal Rumble Match at entry number one, with his archrival, Mr. McMahon entering number 2. McMahon would end up winning the 1999 Royal Rumble Match by last eliminating Austin due to a distraction from the WWF Champion, The Rock. At In Your House: St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Austin would beat McMahon in a Steel Cage Match when Big Show debuted and threw Austin into the cage and broke it off its hinges, landing Austin to the floor and giving him the win, which allowed Austin to challenge The Rock for the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania 15. Austin would win back the WWF Championship in the main event of Wrestlemania 15 after beating The Rock. At In Your House: Over the Edge, Austin would lose the WWF Championship to Undertaker.

However, in the main event of King of the Ring 1999, Austin would face both Vince and Shane McMahon in a 2 on 1 Handicap Match with the winner (or winners) gaining control of the WWF, which saw the McMahon’s win the match and earn control of the WWF.

At Survivor Series 1999, Stone Cold Steve Austin was hit by a car driven by (whom was revealed the next year as Rikishi, setup to do it by Triple H) and was written out of the storylines, and would feud with Rikishi and Triple H when it was revealed that they both were in cahoots. In 2001 at the Royal Rumble Pay Per View, Austin would last eliminate Kane from the match to win the 2001 Royal Rumble Match. And thus, he would defeat The Rock at Wrestlemania 17 to win back the WWF Championship.

Austin would hold onto the title up until Unforgiven 2001 when he lost the lost to Kurt Angle. At this time, Austin is heel and part of the Alliance, alongside his real life wife, Debra. And Austin would gain back the title a few weeks later by beating Kurt Angle. At Survivor Series 2001, The Alliance would lose the Winner Take All 10 Man Tag Team Elimination Match to the WWF for the Alliance to be put out of business. But Austin would, however, remain with the WWF because of being the holder of the WWF Championship, and would defend the title against Kurt Angle at Vengeance 2001 and winning. Jericho would beat The Rock to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. The main event would then be both superstars competing to become the first ever WWF Undisputed Championship, which was won by Chris Jericho, thanks to outside interference from Booker T. Austin would then feud with the nWo that debuted at No Way Out 2002, when they interfered and cost Austin the match against Jericho.

Austin would beat Scott Hall at Wrestlemania 18, and would then lose to Undertaker at Backlash 2002 thanks to Flair not seeing Austin’s foot on the rope. Austin would then face Ric Flair and Big Show in a 2 on 1 Handicap Match, which he won, but would then abruptly leave the WWF over monetary issues.

Austin would return in February of 2003 and would beat Eric Bischoff in a match at No Way Out which Austin has waited to do since his firing in his earlier career. Austin’s last official match would be against The Rock at Wrestlemania 19, which he would lose. Austin would return as Co-General Manager of Raw, and would stop that position when his team lost to Eric Bischoff’s team at Survivor Series 2003. He would then referee some top notch matches, including Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20 and Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga at Wrestlemania 23.

Stone Cold Steve Austin would then be inducted as the head of the class into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 where his legacy would live on forever and be immortal. He would then be announced as the host for the return of Tough Enough in 2011. Stone Cold Steve Austin is a legend and does deserve the success and honors he has received, as well as his credited history as an actor, and a retire professional wrestler. And that’s the bottom line because Stone Cold said so!

Next time on Hall of Fame 101...

Ric Flair