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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=October 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Stone Cold Steve Austin
| image = Stone Cold Steve Austin 2016-03-31 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Austin in 2016
| 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!-->
| alma_mater = [[University of North Texas]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Media personality|actor|producer|professional wrestler}}
| party =
| yearsactive = 1986–2003, 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"/>
| 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, 1986<ref name="Cagematch"/>
| retired = [[WrestleMania 19|March 31, 2003]]
| signature = Stone Cold Steve Austin Signature.png
}}
}}
'''Steve Austin''' (born '''Steven James Anderson''' and later '''Steven James Williams'''; December 18, 1964), known professionally as '''Stone Cold''', 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.{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}
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]]. He won the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] [[List of WWE Champions|six times]], the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] [[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|twice]], the [[Million Dollar Championship]] once, and the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] [[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)|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="BiographyBio2">{{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="truth102">[[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="Lee-2011">{{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="OTR2">{{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="411HOF2">{{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="HouChron2">{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Ken |date=April 3, 2009 |title=Hall of Fame opens to wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin |url=https://www.chron.com/life/article/Hall-of-Fame-opens-to-wrestler-Stone-Cold-Steve-1730328.php |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |website=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolstanholme |first=Danny |date=November 14, 2022 |title=What is Stone Cold Steve Austin's real name? |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/what-stone-cold-steve-austin-s-real-name |access-date=August 27, 2025 |website=[[Sportskeeda]]}}</ref>
==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, when Adams was affiliated with [[World Class Championship Wrestling|World Class Wrestling Association]] (WCWA, formerly WCCW).<ref name="Lee-2011"/><ref name="truth552">[[Stone Cold Steve Austin#AustinRoss2003|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.55)</ref><ref name="slam2">{{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="DallasOb2">{{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="Truth2">{{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="DallasOb2" />
=== World Championship Wrestling (1991–1995) ===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=I was by no means an overnight success. What success I eventually did attain was the result of hard work. I always had a competitive nature. I learned the mechanics of wrestling really well and really fast. I learned how to have a good match, but I didn't have the right gimmick. |source=—Austin discussing the lack of success he attained early in his career<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>}}
====Dangerous Alliance (1991–1992)====
{{Main|Dangerous Alliance}}
Austin debuted in [[World Championship Wrestling]] in May 1991. He was nicknamed "Stunning" Steve Austin,<ref name="AustinWCW">{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Kevin |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2853682-epic-error-remembering-when-wcw-fired-stone-cold-steve-austin-24-years-later |title=Epic Error: Remembering When WCW Fired 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin 24 Years Later |date=September 14, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref> a name and gimmick he later said he could not commit to.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-discusses-not-being-able-to-commit-to-stunning-steve/ |title=Steve Austin Discusses Not Being Able To "Commit To Stunning Steve" |date=April 24, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202639/https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-discusses-not-being-able-to-commit-to-stunning-steve/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin was originally paired with a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Valet|valet]] named Vivacious Veronica<ref name=truth86>[[#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.85-86)</ref> but was later joined by Jeannie Adams, known as "[[Lady Blossom]]".<ref name=slam>{{cite web |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 |title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin bio|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=June 6, 2008}}</ref><ref name=truth86/> Just weeks after his debut, Austin defeated [[Bobby Eaton]] for his first [[WCW World Television Championship]] on June 3, and later that year joined [[Paul E. Dangerously]]'s [[Dangerous Alliance]].<ref name=slam/><ref>[[#AustinRoss2003|Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'']] (p.89)</ref> Austin lost the WCW World Television Championship to [[Barry Windham]] in a [[two-out-of-three-falls match]] on April 27, but regained the championship from Windham the following month. He enjoyed a second lengthy reign as champion, before losing the championship to [[Ricky Steamboat]] at [[Clash of the Champions XX]] in September 1992, while the Dangerous Alliance disbanded shortly thereafter.<ref name="truth91">Austin Ross 2003, Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.91-93)</ref>
In August and September 1992, as part of a working agreement between WCW and [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), Austin wrestled four matches in Japan. He took part in the [[1992 G1 Climax]], defeating [[Arn Anderson]] in the first round before losing to [[Keiji Muto]] in the second round. He and Arn Anderson then defeated Raging Staff ([[Super Strong Machine]] and [[Tatsutoshi Goto]]) in a tag team bout held in the [[Ryōgoku Kokugikan]] in [[Tokyo]]. In his final bout, Austin challenged [[Masahiro Chono]] for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] in the main event of the "Battle Hold Arena" event at the [[Yokohama Arena]] in [[Yokohama]], losing by submission after Chono applied an [[Professional wrestling holds#STF|STF]].<ref name="KreikenbohmNJPW">{{cite web |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&page=4&promotion=7 |title=Steve Austin – matches – New Japan Pro Wrestling |access-date=January 3, 2024 |first=Philip |last=Kreikenbohm |website=Cagematch}}</ref><ref name="Campbell2012">{{cite web |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2012/07/07/njpw-battle-hold-arena-9231992/ |title=NJPW Battle Hold Arena 9/23/1992 |access-date=January 3, 2024 |first=Mike |last=Campbell |website=WrestlingRecaps.com |date=July 7, 2012 }}</ref>
==== Hollywood Blonds; Stud Stable (1992–1993) ====
{{see also|Hollywood Blonds|l1=Hollywood Blonds|Stud Stable}}
In September 1992, Austin formed a [[tag team]] known as the [[Hollywood Blonds]] with [[Brian Pillman]],<ref name=slam/> at the behest of lead booker Dusty Rhodes.<ref name="HB1">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Si |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-brian-pillman-hollywood-blonds/ |title=Steve Austin and Brian Pillman – The Hollywood Blonds Story |date=June 12, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516152734/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-brian-pillman-hollywood-blonds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin would later say that he was not excited about being placed into a tag team,<ref name="HB2">{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-says-the-hollywood-blonds-break-up-is-still-a-mystery/ |title=Steve Austin Says The Hollywood Blonds Break-Up Is Still A "Mystery" |date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204812/https://itrwrestling.com/news/steve-austin-says-the-hollywood-blonds-break-up-is-still-a-mystery/ |url-status=live }}</ref> as he was earmarked for a run with the [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Heavyweight Championship]] with [[Harley Race]] as his manager.<ref name="CAC"/><ref name="Fired">{{cite web |last=Zarka |first=JP |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/eric-bischoff-firing-steve-austin/ |title=Eric Bischoff Firing Steve Austin – 'Totally Disrespectful' |date=March 4, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726121033/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/eric-bischoff-firing-steve-austin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Initially billed under their individual personas, Pillman decided the pair needed their own finishing move, ring gear and team name,<ref name="HB1"/> with traveling partner [[Raven (wrestler)|Scott Levy]] proposing The Hollywood Blonds, used in the 1970s by [[Buddy Roberts]] and Jerry Brown.<ref name="HB1"/> At [[Halloween Havoc (1992)|Halloween Havoc]] in October 1992, Austin (substituting for [[Terry Gordy]]) teamed with [["Dr. Death" Steve Williams]] to wrestle [[Dustin Rhodes]] and Windham for the unified WCW and [[NWA World Tag Team Championship]],<ref name="truth91"/> wrestling to a 30-minute time limit [[Professional wrestling#Draw|draw]].<ref name="truth91"/>
On March 27, 1993, the Hollywood Blonds won the unified NWA and [[WCW World Tag Team Championship]] by defeating Ricky Steamboat and [[Shane Douglas]],<ref name="HB1"/> and held the championship for five months.<ref name=slam/> In the main event of ''[[Clash of the Champions XXIII]]'' in June 1993, the Blondes defended their championship against [[Ric Flair]] and [[Arn Anderson]] in a two-out-of-three-falls, where despite losing the first two falls, retained the championship as the second fall had been determined by a [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]] caused by [[Barry Windham]].<ref name="HB1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXIII |title=Clash of the Champions XXIII results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |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}}</ref> At ''[[Clash of the Champions XXIV]]'' In August 1993, Austin and Pillman were scheduled to defend their championship against Anderson and [[Paul Roma]] but a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Legit|legitimately]] injured Pillman was replaced by [[William Regal|Steven Regal]], with whom Austin lost to Anderson and Roma.<ref name="HB1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXIV |title=Clash of the Champions XXIV results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |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}}</ref>
With Pillman injured, Austin joined [[Colonel Robert Parker]]'s [[Stud Stable]].<ref name="HB1"/> After Pillman returned, the team was broken up when Austin turned on him, a decision Austin describes as a "mystery".<ref name="HB2"/> Austin defeated Pillman in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Singles match|singles match]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions XXV]]'' in November 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXV |title=Clash of the Champions XXV results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |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}}</ref>
====United States Champion; departure (1993–1995)====
At [[Starrcade (1993)|Starrcade]] in December 1993, Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes 2–0 in a two-out-of-three-falls match to win the [[WCW United States Championship]].<ref name=slam/> At ''[[Clash of the Champions XXVIII]]'' in August 1994, Austin lost the Championship to Ricky Steamboat. He was scheduled to face Steamboat in a rematch at [[Fall Brawl '94: War Games]] in September 1994; however, Steamboat was unable to wrestle due to a legitimate back injury and Austin was awarded the championship by forfeit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Featherstone |first=Chris |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2013/10/retro-wednesday-a-stunning-turn-of-events-566440/ |title=A "Stunning" Turn Of Events |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=WrestlingInc |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204546/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2013/10/retro-wednesday-a-stunning-turn-of-events-566440/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His second reign with the championship ended just five minutes later when he lost to Steamboat's replacement, [[Jim Duggan]], in a match that lasted 35 seconds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#94 |title=WCW Fall Brawl 1994 results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413111226/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/fall.html#94 |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin unsuccessfully challenged Duggan for the championship at both [[Halloween Havoc (1994)|Halloween Havoc]] in October 1994 and ''[[Clash of the Champions XXIX]]'' in November 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#94 |title=WCW Halloween Havoc 1994 results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |archive-date=February 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222213821/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/havoc.html#94 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash2.html#XXIX |title=Clash of the Champions XXIX results |access-date=July 15, 2008 |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |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}}</ref> The influence of [[Hulk Hogan]] and the ''Hulkamania'' era was beginning to take hold in WCW, with vice president [[Eric Bischoff]] saying this was likely the reason Austin lost to Duggan, who had been a popular figure during that period of time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pabari |first=Ashash |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-wcw/ |title=Eric Bischoff On If Hulk Hogan Overruled WCW's Plan to Put U.S. Title Back on Steve Austin in 1994 |date=November 13, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=411Mania |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211219/https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-hulk-hogan-steve-austin-wcw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Around this time, Austin pitched a storyline idea to Bischoff in which it would be revealed that Austin was a family member of Hogan. The proposal was quickly turned down on account of Bischoff's belief that Hogan would not work with somebody such as Austin, who was not a proven name.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lovell |first=Blake |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw/ |title=Eric Bischoff On Steve Austin Pitching Storyline To Work With Hulk Hogan In WCW, Austin Wanting To Be Revealed As Hogan's Family Member |date=September 15, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=411Mania |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202821/https://411mania.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Alex |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/760479/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw-wwe/ |title=Steve Austin pitched to be related to WWE legend Hulk Hogan during WCW days, Eric Bischoff reveals |date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |work=Talksport |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204523/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/760479/eric-bischoff-steve-austin-hulk-hogan-wcw-wwe/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following ''Clash of the Champions XXIX'', Austin was inactive while rehabilitating a knee injury, returning in February 1995. In April 1995, Austin took part in a tournament for the vacant United States Championship, defeating Jim Duggan via [[Professional wrestling#Countout|countout]] in the first round but losing to [[Randy Savage]] in the quarter-final. He wrestled what would be his final match with WCW on May 21, 1995, defeating Eddie Jackie in a bout that aired on ''[[WCW Main Event]]''. In late May and June 1995, Austin again appeared with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of its "Fighting Spirit Legend" series, primarily teaming with Arn Anderson and [[Ron Simmons]]. At the "Super Power Group Declaration VI" event in the [[Nippon Budokan]] in Tokyo, Austin, Anderson, and [[Mike Enos]] lost to [[J-J-Jacks]] ([[Akira Nogami]] and [[Takayuki Iizuka]]) and [[Junji Hirata]] in a [[six-man tag team match]].<ref name="KreikenbohmNJPW"/>
During the NJPW tour, Austin suffered a torn [[triceps]]. While rehabilitating, Austin was fired by WCW President [[Eric Bischoff]] on September 15, 1995. Bischoff did not see Austin as a marketable wrestler,<ref name=slam/><ref>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.117–118)</ref> and additionally thought Austin was hard to work with.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-8">{{cite AV media|title=Monday Night War S01 E08: The Austin Era Has Begun|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
===Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995)===
{{quote box|width=30%|align=right|quote=[[Paul Heyman|Paul E.]] gives me a call and gives me a free platform to start venting and cutting the promos and putting a microphone in front of my face. I get a chance to speak what's on my mind and from my heart, and I find that is where the best promos come from, the ones that come from your gut and your heart — and from your brain, because you've got to feel them. Words don't mean anything if you don't mean them. So that was the basis for everything that Stone Cold was to become. |source=—Austin discussing his time in ECW<ref name="CAC"/>}}
Austin was contacted by [[Paul Heyman]] of [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW), who had previously managed him in WCW.<ref name=slam/> Heyman hired him to do [[List of professional wrestling terms#Promo|promo]]s and in-ring interviews as he had not adequately recovered from his injury,<ref name=cold120>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.120)</ref> paying Austin $500 ({{Inflation|US|500|1995|fmt=eq}}) a night.<ref name="Fired"/> Changing his nickname to "Superstar",<ref name="Fired"/><ref name="cold123">Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.123–125)</ref> Austin debuted in ECW at [[ECW Gangstas Paradise|Gangstas Paradise]] on September 18, 1995.<ref name="Loverro2007">{{cite book|first=Thom|last=Loverro|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JrGwTebNiUIC&pg=PA106|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>
While in ECW, Austin used the platform to develop his future "Stone Cold" persona as well as a series of vignettes running down WCW in general and Bischoff in particular, most memorably in several promos that mocked his then-status as ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Nitro]]'' host by introducing ''Monday [[NyQuil]]'', where he was joined by "Bongo" (a set of drums, meant to represent [[Steve McMichael|Steve "Mongo" McMichael]]) in promoting the show "where the big boys play with each other."<ref name=slam/><ref name=cold120/> Several wrestlers have credited ECW as the place where Austin developed his microphone skills.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-8"/> Austin has credited Heyman as the man who taught him how to cut a promo.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|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|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|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2018|work=PWInsider|archive-date=December 1, 2017|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|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cold123" />
Whipwreck, who was the [[ECW World Heavyweight Champion]] at the time, defeated Austin in an upset to retain the championship at [[November to Remember (1995)|November to Remember]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#111895|title=ECW November to Remember 1995 results|access-date=July 15, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209034901/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#111895|url-status=live}}</ref> The Sandman defeated Austin and Whipwreck in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]] at [[December to Dismember (1995)|December to Dismember]] for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#120995|title=ECW December to Dismember 1995 results|access-date=July 15, 2008|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|archive-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209034901/http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ecw/results/1995d.html#120995|url-status=live}}</ref>
===World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE===
====The Ringmaster and birth of "Stone Cold" (1995–1996)====
Austin joined the WWF at the end of 1995 after [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]] and [[Jim Ross]] helped convince WWF's owner [[Vince McMahon]] to hire him.<ref name=slam/><ref name="Fired"/><ref name=cold123/> He debuted in WWF on December 18, 1995, which was broadcast on the January 8, 1996, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. His debut saw him awarded the [[Million Dollar Championship]]<ref>{{Citation|title=Steve Austin on the Brother Love show, WWF 1996|url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/bOtNuZFBCCzE/|language=en|access-date=September 10, 2021|archive-date=September 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910022111/https://www.bitchute.com/video/bOtNuZFBCCzE/|url-status=live}}</ref> by his manager, [[Ted DiBiase]].<ref name=slam/> Wrestling in his debut match on ''Raw'' he defeated [[Matt Hardy]] using the moniker "The Ringmaster".<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 |publisher=Cagematch |url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&page=4&s=700 |access-date=January 4, 2015 |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122200533/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=635&page=4&s=700 |url-status=live }}</ref> While making his first [[List of WWE pay-per-view events|pay-per-view]] (PPV) appearance at the [[Royal Rumble (1996)|Royal Rumble]], he was scripted to be among the final four wrestlers in the ring, which could have given him an early [[Push (professional wrestling)|push]]; however, The Ringmaster failed to hang onto the ropes after [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Fatu]] clotheslined him over and slipped out of the ring early.<ref>{{cite web|last=Santarossa|first=Adam|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-royal-rumble-error/news-story/d46b7a83a0a28142871a178dd77df787|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin reveals Royal Rumble error|date=March 2, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2018|website=[[news.com.au]]|archive-date=January 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108104234/http://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-royal-rumble-error/news-story/d46b7a83a0a28142871a178dd77df787|url-status=live}}</ref>
Austin soon thought the Ringmaster gimmick was weak and asked for a change.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-8"/> Having battled [[Pattern hair loss|thinning hair]] for a few years, he decided to [[Head shaving|shave his head]] in early 1996.<ref name="shavedhead">{{cite web|date=May 16, 2017|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin reveals the key battle that defined him|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-the-key-battle-that-defined-him/news-story/2472ca164b548f7794c6eb5ce27f2294|access-date=June 8, 2020|website=NewsComAu|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621062929/https://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sports/stone-cold-steve-austin-reveals-the-key-battle-that-defined-him/news-story/2472ca164b548f7794c6eb5ce27f2294|url-status=live}}</ref> He later said in a 2017 interview, "After watching the ''[[Pulp Fiction]]'' movie with [[Bruce Willis]], that's the haircut that inspired me. I was traveling on the road to [[Pittsburgh]] with [[Dustin Rhodes]] and before I went to the show, I said fuck it. I went into the bathroom with a razor blade and shaved all my hair off. Then I grew the [[goatee]] and everything came full circle."<ref name="shavedhead" /> By March 11, having thankfully missed out on the "opportunity" to be renamed Fang McFrost, among others, his Ringmaster moniker (now merely a prefix to his ring name) would be discarded in favor of his most famous ring name, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, in a match against [[Savio Vega]]. The new name was prompted by his English wife at the time, Jeanie, who told him to drink a cup of tea she had made for him before it became "stone cold".<ref name="Complex"/> His new persona was partially inspired by serial killer [[Richard Kuklinski|"The Iceman" Richard Kuklinski]].<ref name="StoneCold">{{cite web |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-stone-cold/ |title=Steve Austin – How He Became "Stone Cold" in 1996 |date=October 2, 2020 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607075415/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-stone-cold/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Austin wrestled Vega on ''Raw'' to a double countout,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidepulse.com/2011/03/23/what-the-world-was-watching-wwf-monday-night-raw-march-11-1996/|title=What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night Raw – March 11, 1996|work=InsidePulse|first=Logan|last=Scisco|date=March 23, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231144136/https://insidepulse.com/2011/03/23/what-the-world-was-watching-wwf-monday-night-raw-march-11-1996/|url-status=live}}</ref> before defeating him in his first [[WrestleMania]] appearance at [[WrestleMania XII]].<ref name="StoneColdMania">{{cite web |last=Kilbane |first=Lyle |url=https://itrwrestling.com/features/every-stone-cold-steve-austin-wrestlemania-match-ranked/ |title=Every Stone Cold Steve Austin WrestleMania Match Ranked |date=March 15, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Inside The Ropes |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204658/https://itrwrestling.com/features/every-stone-cold-steve-austin-wrestlemania-match-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[In Your House 8: Beware of Dog|In Your House: Beware of Dog]], Austin lost a Caribbean strap match to Vega, with the added stipulation that DiBiase was forced to leave the WWF as a result, leading Austin to quietly vacate the Million Dollar title.<ref name="StoneColdMania"/> DiBiase would later say that nobody foresaw the success Austin would have, and had advised him to ignore the advice given to him by producers and continue what he was doing as success required patience.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rose |first=Bryan |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ted-dibiase-stone-cold-steve-austin-s-rise-i-don-t-think-anybody-could-have-predicted-it |title=Ted DiBiase On Stone Cold Steve Austin's Rise: "I Don't Think Anybody Could Have Predicted It" |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Fightful |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202923/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ted-dibiase-stone-cold-steve-austin-s-rise-i-don-t-think-anybody-could-have-predicted-it |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Austin 3:16 and rise to superstardom (1996–1997)====
{{quote box|width=25%|align=left|quote= "You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere! Talk about your Psalms, talk about [[John 3:16]]... Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"|source=Austin addressing [[Jake "The Snake" Roberts]] in his coronation promo at [[King of the Ring (1996)|King of the Ring 1996]]}}
Austin's rise in popularity began at the [[King of the Ring (1996)|1996 King of the Ring]], where he won the tournament by defeating [[Jake Roberts|Jake "The Snake" Roberts]].<ref name=slam/> The win would prove to be an unexpected stroke of luck as [[Triple H|Hunter Hearst Helmsley]] was originally scheduled to win the tournament, but he was [[Legitimate (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] punished for taking part in the [[The Kliq#The MSG "Curtain Call"|Curtain Call incident]] before the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Dakota |date=December 5, 2022 |title=The Infamous Curtain Call Incident Led To Some Big Consequences For Triple H |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1122517/the-infamous-curtain-call-incident-led-to-some-big-consequences-for-triple-h/ |access-date=August 11, 2025 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> At the time, Roberts was portraying a [[born again|born-again Christian]], which inspired Austin to [[Ad libitum|ad-lib]] a famous promo during his post-win coronation, [[kayfabe]]<ref name="wwe.com" /> mocking Roberts' religious faith and proclaiming the now-iconic catchphrase "Austin 3:16" as derision of the Bible verse [[John 3:16]]. At the conclusion of this same promo, he further ad-libbed the line, "And that's the bottom line, [[Ipse dixit|cuz Stone Cold said so]]." This was the first usage of the "bottom line" and "Austin 3:16", which eventually would become one of the most iconic catchphrases in wrestling history,<ref name="slam" /> and one of the best-selling T-shirts in WWE merchandise history.<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><ref name="Cunha-2025">{{Cite web |last=Cunha |first=Tomás |date=June 8, 2025 |title=Steve Austin's Greatest WWE Rivals |url=https://www.thesportster.com/steve-austin-greatest-wwe-rivals-ranked-chemistry/ |access-date=August 11, 2025 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref> Years later, Austin would say of this moment, "It's like I got two at-bats and hit two grand slams."{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}[[File:Stone Cold Steve Austin Speech King of The Ring 1997.ogv|thumb|300px|"Stone Cold" Steve Austin on [[King of the Ring (1996)]], on his right side [[Michael Hayes (wrestler)|Dok Hendrix]] and pointing to [[Jake Roberts|Jake "The Snake" Roberts]]]]His raw speech, which included the word "ass" and the unintentional [[Sacrilege|sacrilegious]] reference,<ref name="wwe.com">{{Cite web |title="Stone Cold" talks Tebow and "3:16" {{!}} WWE |url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/austin-tebow |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=www.wwe.com |language=en}}</ref> sparked the gradual cultivation of his persona as a foul-mouthed, [[Everyday sadism|sadistic]] and [[antihero]] character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sixsmith |first=Ben |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Steve Austin and the age of the antihero |url=https://thespectator.com/book-and-art/steve-austin-wwe-age-antihero-wrestling/ |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=The Spectator World |language=en-US}}</ref> After defeating [[Yokozuna (wrestler)|Yokozuna]] at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam]], throughout August and September Austin spoke about [[Bret Hart]], challenging him constantly and taunting him relentlessly, before Hart finally returned on ''Raw'' on October 21, 1996, after a six-month hiatus to challenge Austin to a match at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]], which he accepted.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 20, 2015 |title=WWF: Monday Night Raw (10.21.96) |url=https://pdrwrestling.net/2015/01/19/wwf-monday-night-raw-10-21-96/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231194111/https://pdrwrestling.net/2015/01/19/wwf-monday-night-raw-10-21-96/ |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |work=pdrwrestling.com}}</ref> This would mark the start of the long Austin-Hart rivalry.<ref name="Cunha-2025"/>
[[File:Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1996.jpg|thumb|upright|Austin in 1996.]]
During an episode of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'', old friend Brian Pillman conducted an interview with Austin regarding his upcoming match. After Pillman inadvertently complimented Hart, Austin grew angry and attacked him. He then proceeded to wedge Pillman's ankle in between a steel chair and stomp on it, breaking his ankle in storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwfoldschool.com/wwf-superstars-of-wrestling-1996/|title=WWF Superstars of Wrestling|publisher=WWF Old School|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231194012/https://wwfoldschool.com/wwf-superstars-of-wrestling-1996/|url-status=live}}</ref> It would lead to the infamous "[[Pillman's got a gun]]" segment on ''Raw'' wherein Austin broke into Pillman's home while he was nursing his injury.<ref>{{Citation|title=Steve Austin attacks Brian Pillman and then invades his house entire segment, WWF 1996|url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/IJvYQUfzh94G/|language=en|access-date=September 27, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115192813/https://www.bitchute.com/video/IJvYQUfzh94G/|url-status=live}}</ref> Pillman had been anticipating him and was armed with a pistol. Just as Austin broke in, Pillman aimed his gun at him before the episode cut to commercial break. The segment was highly controversial for its perceived violence and rare use of profanity in WWF programming, although Pillman and Vince McMahon both publicly apologised after.<ref name="LooseCannon">{{Cite AV media |title=Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon |type=DVD |publisher=[[WWE]] |year=2006}}</ref> At Survivor Series, Austin met Hart as expected in a match to determine the number-one contender for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], in what would be Austin's first major PPV match in his WWF career.<ref name="Jager-2022">{{Cite web |last=Jager |first=Brett |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Why Bret Hart Vs Steve Austin At Survivor Series 1996 Is One Of The Best Matches In The Event's History |url=https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-bret-hart-vs-steve-austin-survivor-series-1996-one-of-best-matches-in-event-history/ |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref> Hart defeated Austin by using a turnbuckle to push himself backward while locked in the Million Dollar Dream,<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/|access-date=December 7, 2021|website=Atletifo Sports|language=en-GB|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005827/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/best-stone-cold-steve-austin-matches/|url-status=live}}</ref> in a match that lasted almost half an hour. Despite the loss and his status as a heel character, Austin received significant cheers from the crowd.<ref name="Jager-2022" />
During the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 Royal Rumble]] match, Austin was originally eliminated by Hart but the officials did not see it; he snuck back into the ring and eliminated Hart by throwing him over the ropes, winning the match.<ref name="PS32">{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Finn |title=Power Slam Magazine |edition=issue 32 |work="Back on Top" (Royal Rumble 1997)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=February 25, 1997|pages=12–15}}</ref> This led to the first-ever PPV main event of Austin's WWF career at [[In Your House 13: Final Four]], where he competed in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|four corners elimination match]] against Hart, [[The Undertaker]], and [[Big Van Vader|Vader]] for the vacant [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]]. Austin was eliminated early from the match after injuring his knee; Hart would win the match and the championship.<ref name="pwhresults">{{cite web|title=Final Four results|date=February 16, 1997|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#13|access-date=April 18, 2008|publisher=Wrestling Supercards and Tournaments|archive-date=April 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412162128/http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#13|url-status=live}}</ref> Hart lost the championship the next night on ''Raw'' to [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] due to Austin's interference, continuing their feud. At [[WrestleMania 13]], Hart defeated Austin in a highly acclaimed [[Professional wrestling match types#Variations of singles matches|submission match]] with [[Ken Shamrock]] as a special referee. During the match, Austin had been cut, and was bleeding profusely from his face, but he refused to tap out when Hart locked in his Sharpshooter, and finally passed out from excessive blood loss, losing the match. After the match, Hart continued to hold the Sharpshooter on Austin, who, despite his wounds, refused any assistance back to the locker room, thus turning Hart [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] and Austin [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] in a rare [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#D|double-turn]]. Austin portrayed an anti-hero instead of a traditional babyface, and he didn't embrace the fans at first either. Austin's public popularity surged following the Wrestlemania clash,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zarka |first=J. P. |date=April 8, 2025 |title=Bret Hart vs Stone Cold: 15 Untold Stories of Their HOF Feud |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/bret-hart-stone-cold-steve-austin-wrestlemania-13-wwe-hall-of-fame-untold-stories/ |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=Pro Wrestling Stories |language=en-US}}</ref> and Austin 3:16 merchandise t-shirts were reported in May 1997 to have become the best-selling WWF t-shirts since [[Hulkamania]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 27, 1997 |title=WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION NEWS |magazine=The Wrestling Gazette |issue=153}}</ref> Austin eventually got his revenge on Hart in the main event of [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]], defeating him in a match to determine the next contender to The Undertaker's WWF Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/april/1997.htm|title=In Your House XIV: Revenge of the Taker|work=PWWEW.net|access-date=May 24, 2008|archive-date=May 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506134552/http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/april/1997.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Austin won when Hart was disqualified due to assistance from [[Davey Boy Smith|The British Bulldog]]. At [[In Your House 15: A Cold Day in Hell]], Austin had The Undertaker down with the Stone Cold Stunner but was distracted by Pillman, allowing The Undertaker to recover and perform a [[Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]] for the victory.<ref>{{cite web |last=Pantoja |first=Kevin |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/random-network-reviews-in-your-house-a-cold-day-in-hell/ |title=Random Network Reviews: In Your House A Cold Day in Hell |work=411Mania |date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231093301/https://411mania.com/wrestling/random-network-reviews-in-your-house-a-cold-day-in-hell/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On ''Raw'', Austin partnered with the returning Shawn Michaels, as they both had a mutual enemy in the Harts. They defeated [[Owen Hart]] and The British Bulldog for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{citation|url=https://pdrwrestling.net/2012/03/02/wwf-raw-is-war-05-26-97/|title=WWF: Raw is War (05.26.97)|work=PDRWrestling|access-date=December 31, 2018|date=March 2, 2012|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231194250/https://pdrwrestling.net/2012/03/02/wwf-raw-is-war-05-26-97/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being champions, the two constantly argued and ultimately faced each other in a match at [[King of the Ring (1997)|King of the Ring]], which ended in a double disqualification after both men attacked the referee. Michaels was later forced to vacate his championship due to an injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132122112 |title=19970525 – Stone Cold & Shawn Michaels |work=WWE |access-date=August 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051129091829/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132122112 |archive-date=November 29, 2005}}</ref> Hart and Bulldog won a tournament to face Austin and a partner of his choice, but he refused to pick a partner and decided to face the duo by himself.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm|title=1997|website=TheHistoryofWWE.com|access-date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=April 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410082315/http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Late in the match, a debuting [[Mick Foley|Dude Love]] came out to offer assistance. Austin accepted and the duo won the match and the titles, making Austin a two-time tag team champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212312 |title=19970714 – Stone Cold & Dude Love |work=WWE |access-date=August 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130072545/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413212312 |archive-date=November 30, 2005}}</ref> Austin continued his feud with the Hart family, becoming embroiled in a heated rivalry particularly with Owen, who pinned a distracted Austin and secured victory for [[The Hart Foundation#The (New) Hart Foundation|The Hart Foundation]] in the ten-man Tag Team match main event of [[In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede]], where Austin was partnered with Ken Shamrock, [[Dustin Rhodes|Goldust]], and [[The Road Warriors|The Legion of Doom]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Canton |first=John |url=https://tjrwrestling.net/tjr-retro-wwf-canadian-stampede-1997-review/ |title=TJR Retro: WWF Canadian Stampede 1997 Review |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=TJR Wrestling |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622162011/https://tjrwrestling.net/tjr-retro-wwf-canadian-stampede-1997-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
At [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]] 1997, Austin and Owen faced each other with the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] on the line, with Owen adding a stipulation that Austin would have to kiss his buttocks if he lost.<ref name="History"/> During the match, Owen [[Botch (professional wrestling)|botched]] a Sit-out Piledriver and dropped Austin on his head, resulting in a legitimate bruised spinal cord and temporary paralysis for Austin. As Owen stalled by baiting the audience, Austin managed to crawl over and pin Hart using a [[Pin (professional wrestling)#Roll-up|roll-up]] to win the championship. A visibly injured and dazed Austin was helped to his feet by several referees and led to the back.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug4_slam_results.html |title=WWF SummerSlam '97 results |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614125803/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/aug4_slam_results.html|url-status=dead |work=SLAM! Sports |publisher=[[Canoe.com|Canoe.ca]]|archive-date=June 14, 2015|access-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref> Due to the severity of his neck injury, Austin was forced to relinquish both championships. On September 22, on the first-ever ''Raw'' to be broadcast from [[Madison Square Garden]], McMahon told Austin he wasn't physically cleared to compete, and after several weeks of build-up, Austin delivered his Stone Cold Stunner to McMahon, causing the fans in attendance to go ballistic.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Traina |first=Jimmy |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2017/09/22/stone-cold-steve-austin-gives-vince-mcmahon-first-stone-cold-stunner-msg |title=Twenty Years Ago Today, Stone Cold Steve Austin Stunned Vince McMahon For The First Time Ever |date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="AustinVince">{{cite web |last=King |first=Christopher |url=https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-vince-mcmahon/ |title=Steve Austin and Vince McMahon – The Untold Story |date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Stories |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201857/https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/steve-austin-vince-mcmahon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin was then arrested as part of the storyline, and was sidelined until [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]]. However, in the interim, he made several appearances, one being at [[Badd Blood: In Your House|Badd Blood]] where he was involved in the finish of a match between Owen and [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]] for the vacant Intercontinental Championship. Austin hit Faarooq with the Intercontinental Championship belt while the referee's back was turned, causing Hart to win the match and the title.<ref name="History"/> Austin's motive was to keep Owen as champion, as demonstrated when he interfered in Hart's matches on ''Raw''.<ref name="History"/> Austin regained the Intercontinental Championship from Hart at [[Survivor Series (1997)|Survivor Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1997/results/|title=Survivor Series 1997 official results|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=November 9, 1997|access-date=January 4, 2011|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526032445/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1997/results|url-status=live}}</ref>
With Owen Hart out of the way, Austin set his sights on [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], who stole Austin's championship belt after Austin suffered a beating by his [[Nation of Domination]] stablemates.<ref name="History"/> In the weeks to come, The Rock began declaring himself to be "the best damn Intercontinental Champion ever."<ref name="History"/> The Rock kept possession of the championship belt until [[D-Generation X: In Your House]], when Austin defeated him to retain the championship and regain the belt.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} As Austin had used his pickup truck to aid his victory, McMahon ordered him to defend the championship against The Rock the next night on ''Raw''.<ref name="History"/> In an act of defiance, Austin forfeited the championship to The Rock before tossing the belt into the [[Piscataqua River]].<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>
====Feud with Vince McMahon (1998–1999)====
After Bret Hart's [[Montreal Screwjob|controversial departure]] for WCW, Austin and Michaels were the top stars in the company. Austin won the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|1998 Royal Rumble]], lastly eliminating The Rock.<ref name=pwi100>{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|page=100}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', Austin interrupted Vince McMahon in his presentation of [[Mike Tyson]], who was making a special appearance, over the objection of McMahon referring to Tyson as "the baddest man on the planet." Austin insulted Tyson by [[The finger|flipping him off]], which led to Tyson shoving Austin much to McMahon's embarrassment, who began publicly to disapprove of the prospect of Austin as his champion. Tyson was later announced as "the special enforcer" for the main event at [[WrestleMania XIV]], and aligned himself with Michaels's stable [[D-Generation X]] (DX).<ref name=slam/><ref name="wmtyson">{{cite web |last=Keller |first=Wade |author-link=Wade Keller |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_38025.shtml |title=Austin confronts Tyson, brawl breaks out |date=January 24, 1998 |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |publisher=TDH Communications Inc. |access-date=January 11, 2010 |archive-date=November 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120140139/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_38025.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> This led to Austin's WWF Championship match against Michaels at WrestleMania XIV, which he won with help from Tyson, who turned on DX by making the deciding three-count against Michaels and later hit him with his knock-out punch. This was Michaels's last match until 2002 as he had suffered two legitimate herniated discs and another completely crushed at the hands of The Undertaker in a casket match at the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|Royal Rumble]].<ref name=slam/> With Michaels's absence and Austin winning the WWF Championship, the "Austin Era" was ushered in.<ref name=slam/>
[[File:Austin with WWF title.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Austin as [[WWE World Championship|WWF Champion]]]]
On ''Raw'' the following night, McMahon presented him with a new championship belt and warned Austin that he did not approve of his rebellious nature, desiring a "corporate champion"; Austin responded with a ''Stone Cold Stunner,'' leading him being kayfabe arrested once again. The following week, it appeared as if Austin had agreed with McMahon, appearing in a suit and tie, before revealing it was a ruse and again attacking McMahon. On April 13, it appeared Austin and McMahon were going to battle out their differences in an actual match, but the match was declared a no-contest when Dude Love made an appearance. This led to a match between Dude Love and Austin at [[Unforgiven: In Your House]], where Austin hit McMahon with a steel chair and went on to retain the title. The following month, Austin and Dude had a rematch at [[Over the Edge: In Your House]] for the WWF Championship. Austin managed to retain the championship despite McMahon acting as the self-appointed referee and his "Corporate Stooges" ([[Gerald Brisco]] and [[Pat Patterson (wrestler)|Pat Patterson]]) as timekeeper and ring announcer, respectively. McMahon continued to do everything he could to dethrone Austin as champion and he finally scored a big victory for his side at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]].<ref name=slam/> Austin lost the WWF Championship to [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] in a First Blood match after The Undertaker accidentally hit him with a steel chair while the ref was incapacitated, despite Austin having knocked Kane unconscious and thwarted an earlier intervention by Mankind.<ref name=slam/>
Austin further angered McMahon by winning back the championship the next night on ''Raw''.<ref name=slam/> Austin also emerged victorious against The Undertaker at [[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam]]. In response, McMahon set up a Triple Threat match at [[Breakdown: In Your House]], where The Undertaker and Kane pinned Austin at the same time. The following Monday on ''Raw'', Austin famously rode out to the ring on a zamboni and attacked McMahon<ref>https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3985368/</ref>, who had decided to vacate the WWF Championship<ref name=slam/> and award it based on a match between The Undertaker and Kane, in which Austin was the guest referee on [[Judgment Day: In Your House]]. Austin refused to count for either man and attacked both towards the end of the match. McMahon would, in storyline, fire him as a result, although Austin got revenge by kidnapping McMahon and dragging him to the middle of the ring at "gunpoint", which ended up being a toy gun with a scroll that read "Bang! 3:16." During that segment, McMahon also learned that Austin was later re-signed by his son, [[Shane McMahon]]. In the semifinals of the [[Survivor Series]] tournament to crown a new WWF Champion, Austin lost to Mankind after Shane double-crossed Austin. The next night on ''Raw'', [[Mills Lane|Judge Mills Lane]] ruled that The Rock had to defend his newly won WWF Championship against Austin that night, as stipulated in the new contract Austin had signed two weeks earlier with Shane. The Undertaker interfered and hit Austin with a shovel, earning Austin a disqualification victory, meaning The Rock remained champion. At [[Rock Bottom: In Your House]], Austin defeated The Undertaker in a Buried Alive match after Kane performed a Tombstone Piledriver on The Undertaker which sent him into the grave.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1998/12/14/foley-screwed-again-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129014128/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/1998/12/14/foley-screwed-again-2/ |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |title=Foley Screwed Again At Rock Bottom |publisher=Slam Wrestling |last=Powell |first=John |date=December 14, 1998 |access-date=September 14, 2008}}</ref> With this victory, Austin qualified for the [[Royal Rumble (1999)|1999 Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/dark-pegasus-video-review-in-your-house-26-rock-bottom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210112941/https://411mania.com/wrestling/dark-pegasus-video-review-in-your-house-26-rock-bottom/ |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |title=Dark Pegasus Video Review: In Your House 26 – Rock Bottom
|first=J.D. |last=Dunn |publisher=411mania.com |date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref> Austin's next appearance after this would be the January 4, 1999, edition of ''Raw'', where he would come out to help Mankind defeat The Rock to become the WWF Champion by striking The Rock in the face with a steel chair and draping Mankind's body over him.
[[File:Steve Austin soaks in cheers.jpg|thumb|upright|Austin celebrates with referee [[Earl Hebner]].]]
Austin's next chance to exact revenge on McMahon came during the Royal Rumble match. On ''Raw'', McMahon drew Austin's entry number with the intention of screwing him over. Austin drew entry number one, while McMahon drew number two thanks to Commissioner Shawn Michaels. During the Royal Rumble match, Austin followed McMahon out of the ring and into the backstage area, only to be ambushed by members of [[The Corporation (professional wrestling)|The Corporation]], and an injured Austin was taken to the hospital. Austin, however, returned in an ambulance and re-entered the match, delivering a Stone Cold Stunner to [[Ray Traylor|Big Boss Man]] and eliminating him. With the match down to Austin and McMahon, The Rock came down to the ring to distract Austin, who was eliminated by McMahon, thus McMahon winning the Royal Rumble.<ref name=slam/>
McMahon turned down the number-one contender spot, and Michaels promptly awarded Austin the championship shot the next night on ''Raw''. At [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House|St. Valentine's Day Massacre]], Austin faced McMahon in a [[Steel Cage match|steel cage match]], with the championship opportunity at [[WrestleMania XV]] at stake.<ref name=slam/> During the match, [[Big Show|Paul Wight]] made his WWF debut, coming from under the ring and attacking Austin, but Wight's attack propelled Austin into the side of the cage forcing the cage to give way and dropping Austin to the floor first, making him the victor.<ref name=slam/> The week before WrestleMania, Austin interrupted The Rock, Vince, and Shane McMahon's interview segment by driving a beer truck to the ring and using a hose to spray the trio with beer.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.givemesport.com/1557086-wwe-news-on-this-day-in-1999-stone-cold-steve-austin-gave-the-corporation-that-beer-bath|title = On this day in 1999, Stone Cold Steve Austin gave the Rock and the Corporation THAT beer bath|date = March 22, 2020|access-date = January 26, 2021|archive-date = December 29, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201229133534/https://www.givemesport.com/1557086-wwe-news-on-this-day-in-1999-stone-cold-steve-austin-gave-the-corporation-that-beer-bath|url-status = live}}</ref> Austin defeated The Rock at WrestleMania XV to win his third WWF Championship.<ref name=slam/> Austin faced The Rock in a rematch the following month at [[Backlash: In Your House|Backlash]], in which Shane was the referee. During the match, Vince approached the ring, only to hand Austin back his Smoking Skull championship belt and take Shane out of the proceedings. Austin won the match when another referee made the count. Austin would lose the championship to The Undertaker at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]]. Due to events revolving around Vince, [[Stephanie McMahon|Stephanie]] and [[Linda McMahon]] made Austin the chief executive officer (CEO) of the company as part of the storyline. Vince and Shane challenged Austin to a handicap [[ladder match]] at [[King of the Ring#1999|King of the Ring]] with the title of CEO on the line, which the McMahons won. The next night on ''Raw'', Austin challenged and defeated The Undertaker to win his fourth WWF Championship. The two would compete in a "First Blood" match at [[WWF Fully Loaded 1999|Fully Loaded]], with the stipulation that if Austin lost he would never compete for the WWF Championship again, but if Austin won, Vince would depart the company; Austin won after interference from X-Pac.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-retro-repost-fully-loaded-1999/|title=411Mania|access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201545/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-retro-repost-fully-loaded-1999/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Championship reigns and The Alliance (1999–2001)====
[[File:Me&austin b.jpg|thumb|Austin with a fan]]
Austin held on to the WWF Championship until [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] on August 22 when he lost it to Mankind in a triple threat match also featuring [[Triple H]].<ref name=slam/> in the two months that followed, Triple H would gain possession of the title. Austin would get his rematch at [[No Mercy (1999)|No Mercy]] on October 17 against Triple H, but Austin lost after The Rock accidentally struck him with a sledgehammer shot meant for Triple H. The three were advertised for a triple-threat match at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] on November 14, where Austin was run down by a car.<ref name=slam/> The segment was to [[glossary of professional wrestling terms#write off|write him off television]], with the neck injury suffered two years prior posing a real threat of early retirement,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fritz |first1=Brian |last2=Russo |first2=Ric |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-11-19-9911180281-story.html |title=Is Austin powerless? |date=November 19, 1999 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425185547/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1999-11-19-9911180281-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was advised to undergo surgery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shoop |first1=Stephen A. |last2=Falcon |first2=Mike |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/health/doctor/lhdoc051.htm |title=Piledriver slams Austin into surgery |date=December 14, 1999 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820170238/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/health/doctor/lhdoc051.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin would later describe this as "the worst storyline I was ever involved in".<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Jeffrey |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-austin/ |title=Steve Austin Reveals Getting Hit by Car at Survivor Series '99 as Worst Angle He Was Ever Involved With |date=November 2, 2018 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=411Mania |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203816/https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-austin/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Austin made a one-off appearance at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]] on April 30, 2000, attacking Triple H and Vince McMahon to help The Rock reclaim the WWF Championship. After Austin's official return at [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]] on September 24, Commissioner Mick Foley led an investigation to find out who ran Austin over, with the culprit revealed to be [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]].<ref name="slam"/> At [[No Mercy (2000)|No Mercy]] on October 22, Austin faced Rikishi in a No Holds Barred match, during which Austin attempted to run Rikishi down in a truck, but was prevented from doing so by officials, and the match was deemed a no contest; Austin was subsequently arrested. During a handicap match against Rikishi and [[Kurt Angle]], Triple H came down with the apparent intention of teaming with Austin, only to hit Austin with a sledgehammer and reveal he had instructed Rikishi to run him over. At [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]] on November 19, Triple H aimed to run Austin down again during their match but his plot failed when Austin lifted Triple H's car with a forklift, then let it drop 20 feet. Austin won his third [[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble]] match on January 21, 2001,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010128/ai_n9605892|title=Stone Cold rumbles to Houston aiming to sell out Astrodome|first=Blackjack |last=Brown |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=December 6, 2007|date=January 28, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101113130/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010128/ai_n9605892 <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> last eliminating Kane. His rivalry against Triple H ended at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25 in a Three Stages of Hell match, with Triple H defeating Austin two falls to one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/stone-cold-steve-austin-vs-triple-h-three-stages-of-hell-match-no-way-out-2001|title=Stone Cold vs Triple H Three Stages Of Hell At No Way Out|access-date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=March 16, 2023|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|url-status=live}}</ref>
With The Rock defeating Angle for the WWF Championship at No Way Out, Austin was again set to face him at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] on April 1. In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, animosity grew between Austin and The Rock, stemming from Austin's wife, [[Debra Marshall|Debra]], being assigned to be The Rock's manager by McMahon. The match at WrestleMania was made a no disqualification match. During the match, McMahon came to the ring, preventing The Rock from pinning Austin on two separate occasions and giving Austin a steel chair. Austin then hit The Rock several times with the chair before pinning him to win the WWF Championship for the fifth time.<ref name=slam/> After the match, Austin shook hands with McMahon, turning heel for the first time since 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlecrap.com/inductions/the-softer-side-of-stone-cold|title=Stone Cold Joins Vince McMahon|access-date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=April 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401180400/https://www.wrestlecrap.com/inductions/the-softer-side-of-stone-cold/|url-status=live}}</ref> During a steel cage match with The Rock in a rematch for the WWF Championship the following night on ''Raw is War'', Triple H came down to the ring with a sledgehammer. After teasing siding with The Rock, Triple H instead aligned himself with Austin and McMahon, attacking The Rock and put him out of action. Austin further cemented his heel turn the following Thursday on ''SmackDown!'', when, during an interview with [[Jim Ross]] about his actions at WrestleMania, he thought Ross was denouncing their friendship and then assaulted Ross. Austin and Triple H became a team known as [[The Power Trip|The Two-Man Power Trip]].<ref name="slam"/> Austin altered his character considerably over the next few months by becoming a whiny, temperamental prima donna who complained incessantly when he felt he was not getting respect. He also developed a strange infatuation with McMahon, going to great lengths to impress him, even going so far as to hug him and bring him presents.
Austin and Triple H ran roughshod over all their opponents, until coming up against The Undertaker and Kane. After defeating them for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] at [[Backlash (2001)|Backlash]] on April 29, they held the tag team titles, the WWF Championship (Austin) and the Intercontinental Championship (Triple H) all at once. On the May 21 episode of ''Raw is War'', Austin and Triple H defended their tag team championship against [[Chris Jericho]] and [[Chris Benoit]]; during the match, Triple H tore his [[Quadriceps femoris muscle|quadriceps]], and the team lost the match and the tag team championship in a highly acclaimed bout,<ref>{{cite web |last=Beaston |first=Erik |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2510794-wwe-classic-of-the-week-chris-jericho-vs-chris-benoit-vs-steve-austin |title=WWE Classic of the Week: Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit vs. Steve Austin |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Alex |url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/718270/raw-wwe-stone-cold-steve-austin-triple-h-chris-jericho-benoit-greatest-match/ |title=The greatest match in RAW history WWE will NEVER celebrate was Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H vs Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=Talksport |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514232244/https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/718270/raw-wwe-stone-cold-steve-austin-triple-h-chris-jericho-benoit-greatest-match/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with Jim Ross saying the quartet created "magic",<ref>{{cite web |last=Lovell |first=Blake |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-triple-h-steve-austin-chris-jericho-chris-benoit-wwe-raw/ |title=Jim Ross On Memorable Triple H & Steve Austin vs. Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit Match On WWE RAW, Triple H Tearing His Quad |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=411Mania |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203735/https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-triple-h-steve-austin-chris-jericho-chris-benoit-wwe-raw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while wrestling journalist [[Dave Meltzer]] awarded the match [[Star (classification)|four-and-a-three-quarter stars out of a possible five]] in his ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Podgorski |first=Alex |url=https://tjrwrestling.net/almost-5-star-match-reviews-stone-cold-steve-austin-and-triple-h-vs-chris-jericho-and-chris-benoit-wwe-raw-may-21st-2001/ |title=(Almost) 5-Star Match Reviews: Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Triple H – WWE RAW, May 21st 2001 |date=May 21, 2021 |access-date=June 22, 2021 |work=TJR Wrestling |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203857/https://tjrwrestling.net/almost-5-star-match-reviews-stone-cold-steve-austin-and-triple-h-vs-chris-jericho-and-chris-benoit-wwe-raw-may-21st-2001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin officially broke up The Power Trip on that week's ''SmackDown!'', criticizing Triple H for his injury and for hitting him with the sledgehammer. He continued to align himself with McMahon and began feuding with Jericho and Benoit by himself, leading to a triple-threat match at [[King of the Ring (2001)|King of the Ring]] on June 24; despite interference from the debuting [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]], Austin retained the championship.
[[File:Austinentrance.jpg|thumb|upright|Austin's signature "[[The finger|flipping off]]" the crowd pose]]
Meanwhile, [[History of World Championship Wrestling#Acquisition by the World Wrestling Federation and aftermath|the purchase of WCW]] by Vince McMahon began to bear fruit as [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|The Invasion]] began. Invading WCW wrestlers formed an [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|alliance]] with a group of ECW wrestlers, with the group led by Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Vince called Austin out and demanded that he bring "the old Stone Cold" back so he could effectively captain a team of WWF wrestlers in a ten-man tag team match at [[WWF Invasion|Invasion]] on July 22. Austin initially refused, but on the following episode of ''Raw is War'', he returned to his old ways and hit Stunners on every member of the Alliance, turning face once again. At Invasion, Austin captained the WWF team consisting of himself, Angle, Jericho, and [[The Brothers of Destruction|The Undertaker and Kane]] against the team of WCW's Booker T and [[Diamond Dallas Page]] and ECW's [[Rhino (wrestler)|Rhyno]] and [[The Dudley Boyz]]. Austin turned heel once again by hitting a Stunner on Angle and helping Team WCW/ECW win the match. Austin subsequently joined the Alliance as their leader.<ref name="slam"/>
Austin lost the WWF Championship to Angle at [[Unforgiven (2001)|Unforgiven]] on September 23 by submitting to the ankle lock, ending Austin's reign at 175 days, the longest reign since 1996. He would regain the title on the October 8 episode of ''Raw'', when WWF Commissioner William Regal betrayed Angle and joined the Alliance.<ref name="slam"/> Austin then began feuding with Alliance member [[Rob Van Dam]], who was the only member of the Alliance to be cheered by the fans, despite the villainous tactics of the group. Austin faced Angle and Van Dam at [[No Mercy (2001)|No Mercy]] on October 21 and retained the title by pinning Van Dam. For [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] on November 18, a "winner takes all" 10-man tag team match was announced; Austin captained a team consisting Angle, Shane McMahon, Van Dam, and Booker T, against Team WWF; captained by The Rock, the team also included Jericho, Kane, The Undertaker and [[Big Show]]. At Survivor Series, Angle sided with the WWF, helping The Rock to hit the Rock Bottom and pin Austin to win the match, marking the end of the Invasion storyline.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-rant-for-wwf-survivor-series-2001/|title=411Mania|access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201908/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-rant-for-wwf-survivor-series-2001/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The following night on ''Raw'', Vince McMahon decided he was going to strip Austin of the championship and award it to Angle, before [[Ric Flair]] returned and announced he was now co-owner of the WWF. Austin returned moments after this announcement and attacked Angle and McMahon for their actions. He was then handed his championship belt by Flair and celebrated with him in the ring, turning him face once again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878358-remembering-wwes-original-undisputed-champion-storyline|title=Remembering WWE's Original Undisputed Champion Storyline|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204038/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1878358-remembering-wwes-original-undisputed-champion-storyline|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]] on December 9, a tournament was held to unify the WWF Championship and the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship]], held by The Rock; also involving Angle and Jericho. Austin would defeat Angle, before losing the [[Championship unification|unification match]] to Jericho following interference by McMahon and Booker T.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-a-mania-reviews-vengeance-2001/|title=411Mania|access-date=June 21, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201133/https://411mania.com/wrestling/steve-a-mania-reviews-vengeance-2001/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Final feuds and retirement (2002–2003)====
At the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] on January 20, 2002, Austin entered at number nineteen and lasted until the final four, but was eliminated by Kurt Angle. On the January 28 episode of ''Raw,'' he defeated Angle to earn a shot at Chris Jericho's Undisputed WWF Championship at [[No Way Out (2002)|No Way Out]] on February 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/58.shtml|title=WWF RAW Results (January 28, 2002)|work=WrestleView|first=Paul|last=Nemer|date=January 28, 2002|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231194010/https://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/58.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In the build-up to No Way Out, McMahon had signed the [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), who immediately began a feud with Austin. The nWo would make their debut at No Way Out. At No Way Out, Austin refused a beer gift from the nWo, and they cost him his match against Jericho later that night.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb18_nowayout-can.html|title=nWo returns at No Way Out|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|first=John|last=Powell|date=July 17, 2002|access-date=August 21, 2009|archive-date=July 19, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719165819/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/feb18_nowayout-can.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Problems were beginning to surface backstage, however, as Austin was unhappy regarding [[Hulk Hogan]]'s return to the WWF.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=20}} He was reported as refusing to lose to Hogan in a proposed match between the two at [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17, while Hogan reportedly told McMahon the same regarding losing to Austin. In recent years, Austin claimed he didn't want the match as he didn't want to wrestle at a slower pace, and that he "didn't think we could deliver".<ref name="Linder">{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Zach|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10-wrestlemania-matches-that-almost-happened/page-11|title=The untold stories behind 10 WrestleMania matches that almost happened|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=May 16, 2018|publisher=WWE|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517011224/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/10-wrestlemania-matches-that-almost-happened/page-11|url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, Austin would face and defeat [[Scott Hall]] at WrestleMania.<ref name="Linder"/>
[[File:Rockaustinxix b.jpg|left|thumb|Austin (left) faces off against [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at [[WrestleMania XIX]], which was Austin's last match until 2022.]]
Austin no-showed the ''Raw'' after WrestleMania and took a week-long break without the company's consent, citing exhaustion. McMahon claimed his actions caused fury among fans who had paid to see him that night.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/why-stone-cold-steve-austin-walked-out-of-wwe-in-2002|title=Stone Cold walks out of WWE in 2002|date=June 2, 2022|access-date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=March 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316215922/https://www.thesportster.com/why-stone-cold-steve-austin-walked-out-of-wwe-in-2002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Austin returned on the April 1 episode of ''Raw'', the first of the new "[[WWE brand extension|brand extension]]" era. The show was centered around which show he would sign with, and he ultimately chose Raw. Austin entered a feud with The Undertaker that resulted in a number-one contender's match for the Undisputed WWF Championship at [[Backlash (2002)|Backlash]] on April 21, which Austin lost despite having his foot on the rope when he was pinned. He would later be betrayed by Big Show after being put in a tag team match with him by Ric Flair, and was subsequently betrayed by Flair himself in the following weeks. Austin then defeated Big Show and Flair in a handicap match at [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] on May 19. In a May interview on WWE's internet program, ''Byte This!'', Austin stunned the company and fans by launching a verbal attack on the direction the company was heading in and slated the creative team for not using him the way he felt they previously did.<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|website=TWNP News|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406011842/http://www.twnpnews.com/messages2/6000/6535.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The WWE rehired [[Eddie Guerrero]] for Austin to feud with, while also prepping Austin for a feud with [[Brock Lesnar]]. However, Austin balked at the proposition that he lose a King of the Ring qualifying match on ''Raw'' to Lesnar, and ultimately walked out of the company.<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/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127230108/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/the-true-story-behind-steve-austin-walking-out-the-wwe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin later explained that he thought hot-shotting a rookie made Austin look weak, and airing the match on free television with no build-up did not give Lesnar a proper stage for such a big win over a star of Austin's magnitude. Further fanning the flames amongst Austin's growing number of detractors was a well-publicized domestic dispute incident between Austin and his wife Debra ([[#Personal life|see below]]).
[[File:Stone Cold Steve Austin.jpg|thumb|upright|Austin in Iraq, 2003]]
After Austin again [[List of professional wrestling terms#no show|no-showed]] the June 10 episode of ''Raw'', his storylines were immediately dropped.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Van Horn |first1=Shawn |last2=Vieira |first2=Benjamin |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Why Stone Cold walked out of WWE 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 |website=The Sportster}}</ref> Austin had walked out of the company again, publicly stating he felt underwhelming storylines were presented to him by the creative team. McMahon, along with longtime Austin supporter and real-life friend Jim Ross, [[Bury (professional wrestling)|buried]] Austin on WWE programming, referring to him as "taking his ball and going home" because he was not getting his way, whilst also explaining to the fans that neither he nor Ross was able to persuade Austin to change his mind. McMahon insisted that Austin owed an apology to all the fans across the world, especially those who paid solely to see him that night. McMahon toasted to Austin's career with a beer thanking him for all his hard work nonetheless. The same night, Austin's entrance theme was played during an in-ring segment by Flair, but it transitioned to Guerrero's theme and he entered the arena. The Rock also made an appearance on ''Raw'' that night, despite being drafted to ''SmackDown!'', and announced his frustrations towards Austin and threw a can of beer at McMahon.
For the remainder of 2002, Austin kept a low profile and did not make any public appearances. It was reported, however, by the end of the year, that Austin and McMahon met and resolved their differences. He then agreed to return to the company in early 2003. In an interview with ''WWE Raw Magazine'',{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=19}} he announced deep regret over the situation that led to his departure and the manner in which he had left, and deeper regret over inaccurate speculation regarding his alleged grudges held against other WWE wrestlers,{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=22}} claiming he had no problem with Hall rejoining the company. However, he admitted he still held strong reservations about his singles match with Hall at WrestleMania only lasting seven minutes and felt the build-up to the match did not live up to the expectations of his fans or Hall's, and was angered by speculation suggesting he disagreed with [[Kevin Nash]] re-joining the company, insisting he and Nash have always been good friends.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=20}} He did, however, maintain his displeasure with the storylines and creative changes the WWE had imposed around the time of his departure.{{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|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast|title=Vince McMahon addresses CM Punk on Stone Cold Podcast|date=December 2, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2014|publisher=WrestleView|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219081855/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast|url-status=live}}</ref>
Austin confessed he had a major rift with Triple H's role in the company upon his return in 2002 but insisted as of 2003, they resolved their issues.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=23}} Also, he claimed a brief dispute with The Rock was resolved quickly upon his return, and that none of his disputes with the talent roster continued or played the major part in his departure.{{sfn|Austin|Ross|Brent|2003|p=23}} In February, Austin returned at [[No Way Out (2003)|No Way Out]] on February 23 by defeating [[Eric Bischoff]]. Austin would wrestle only one match between then and WrestleMania, in another short match against Bischoff on ''Raw''. He entered a feud with The Rock, who returned around the same time as a smug, Hollywood sell-out heel. The Rock was offended that the WWE fans voted for Austin in a WWE Magazine poll to determine the 'Superstar of the Decade'. He expressed his frustration at having never defeated Austin at WrestleMania, and challenged Austin to a match at [[WrestleMania XIX]] on March 30. Austin was then defeated by The Rock at WrestleMania XIX, in what would be Austin's final match for 19 years.<ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Powell|title=WWE shines at WrestleMania XIX|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/31/55003.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721000346/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/31/55003.html|url-status=usurped|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]] 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) ====
On March 7, 2022, [[Kevin Owens]] invited Austin as a special guest on the KO Show at [[WrestleMania 38]] following several promos where Owens disrespected Austin's native Texas, where WrestleMania 38 was scheduled to take place. The next day, Austin accepted the invite.<ref>{{cite web |author=WWE.com Staff |title="Stone Cold" Steve Austin to confront Kevin Owens on "The KO Show" at WrestleMania |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/stone-cold-steve-austin-the-ko-show-wrestlemania |website=[[WWE]] |date=March 8, 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308180241/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/stone-cold-steve-austin-the-ko-show-wrestlemania |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> At the end of WrestleMania 38 Night One, Owens revealed that the invite to talk on the KO show was a ruse and that he actually wanted to fight Austin. He challenged Austin to a [[No Holds Barred match]], which Austin accepted, marking his first wrestling match in WWE in over 19 years. He would go on to win after hitting Owens with a ''Stone Cold Stunner''. After the match, Austin gave another ''Stone Cold Stunner'' to Owens and one to Byron Saxton before celebrating with his brother, Kevin.<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 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |website=www.fightful.com |date=April 3, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |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 |url-status=live }}</ref> The match received positive reviews from critics, with Kevin Pantoja of 411Mania and John Canton of TJR Wrestling giving the match a rating of 3.5/5 and 3/5 stars, respectively. Both noted the high entertainment value of Austin's return, aside from the rating of the match itself.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/pantojas-wwe-wrestlemania-38-night-one-review/ | title=411Mania | access-date=October 30, 2022 | archive-date=October 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030172733/https://411mania.com/wrestling/pantojas-wwe-wrestlemania-38-night-one-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/tjr-wwe-wrestlemania-38-review/ | title=The John Report: WWE WrestleMania 38 Review – TJR Wrestling | date=April 4, 2022 | access-date=October 30, 2022 | archive-date=October 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030174235/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/tjr-wwe-wrestlemania-38-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref> On Night Two of WrestleMania 38, after McMahon defeated [[Pat McAfee]] in an impromptu match, Austin made another appearance, giving [[Austin Theory]] a ''Stone Cold Stunner''. He then began drinking beer with McMahon before hitting him with a one more iconic ''Stone Cold Stunner'', paying homage to how the majority of on-screen interactions between the two have ended for almost 25 years.<ref name=stunner38 /> Austin then toasted with McAfee but hit him with a ''Stone Cold Stunner'' too.<ref name=stunner38>{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-takes-worst-stunner-ever-steve-austin-wrestlemania-38|title=ince McMahon Takes The Worst Stunner Ever From Steve Austin At WrestleMania 38|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503114858/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/vince-mcmahon-takes-worst-stunner-ever-steve-austin-wrestlemania-38|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10031592-stone-cold-steve-austin-stuns-vince-mcmahon-mcafee-theory-at-wwe-wrestlemania-38|title=Stone Cold Steve Austin Stuns Vince McMahon, McAfee, Theory at WWE WrestleMania 38|first=Doric|last=Sam|publisher=Bleacher Report|date=April 4, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425234913/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10031592-stone-cold-steve-austin-stuns-vince-mcmahon-mcafee-theory-at-wwe-wrestlemania-38|url-status=live}}</ref>
On April 20, 2025, at Night 2 of [[WrestleMania 41]], Austin made his first appearance in three years, and crashed an ATV into the barricade.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE Announces Sell Out Of 63,226 In Attendance For WWE WrestleMania 41 Sunday|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-sell-out-63226-attendance-wwe-wrestlemania-41-sunday|website=fightful.com|date=April 20, 2025}}</ref><ref name="WM41N2">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|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/|date=April 20, 2025|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=April 20, 2025}}</ref>
==Legacy==
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 the 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 the WWF 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=August 10, 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 expressed his surprise at the staying power of the chant, stating in a 2011 interview: "it's been interesting!"<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/vbyq9a/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>
From 2019 to 2021 Austin hosted ''[[Straight Up Steve Austin]],'' the show followed Austin along with celebrity guest travel across the country, swapping stories about their lives and careers the show aired on the [[USA Network]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News – USA Network Renews "Straight Up Steve Austin" for Season 2 {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/01/10/usa-network-renews-straight-up-steve-austin-for-season-2-817513/20200110usa01/ |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}</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=August 20, 2024}}</ref>
|}
==Video games==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | 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
|-
| 1998
| ''[[WWF War Zone]]''
| [[WWE|WWF/E]] Video game debut; 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 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]]''
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| 2023
| ''[[WWE 2K23]]''
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| 2024
| ''[[WWE 2K24]]''
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| 2025
| ''[[WWE 2K25]]''
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==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 before divorcing in 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 needed|date=May 2024}}</ref> Austin also adopted Clarke's daughter from a previous relationship with [[Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams]].<ref name=sct97/><ref name=TSCTVideo />
In 1998 Austin was the recipient of [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton, Ontario's]] "Key to the City," he is the only person to ever be bestowed the honor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Radley |first=Scott |date=August 14, 2025 |title=Hamilton has presented the key to the city just once. The recipient might surprise you |url=https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/hamilton-has-presented-the-key-to-the-city-just-once-the-recipient-might-surprise-you/article_36387d6a-d44b-5b92-9c94-40999b53333e.html |access-date=September 8, 2025 |work=The Hamilton Spectator |language=en |issn=1189-9417}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Oliver |first=Greg |date=September 28, 1998 |title=Hamilton honours Stone Cold Steve Austin |url=https://stage.slamwrestling.net/index.php/1998/09/28/hamilton-honours-austin/ |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=Slam Wrestling |language=en-US}}</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 {{linktext|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 |date=March 2, 2022 |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 ranches: the Broken Skull Ranch was near [[Tilden, Texas]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mbu |first=Joshua |date=January 15, 2024 |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=November 16, 2024 |website=Daily Express US |language=en}}</ref> and 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=November 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=July 31, 2024 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Austin is a fan of the [[Dallas Cowboys]] as well as [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=LaDarius |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Is Stone Cold Steve Austin a Cowboys fan? WWE legend sets record straight |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-is-stone-cold-steve-austin-cowboys-fan-wwe-legend-sets-record-straight |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Stone Cold' is a Hammer {{!}} West Ham United F.C. |url=https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2009/october/07-october/stone-cold-hammer |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=www.whufc.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023 Austin made his debut as a UTV [[dune buggy]] racer in Nevada for the GFI racing team and has since won multiple races. He drives the #316 car in reference to his wrestling catchphrase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Runkle |first=Michael Teo Van |title=How 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Started Off-Road Racing After Wrestling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelvanrunkle/2024/05/31/how-stone-cold-steve-austin-started-off-road-racing-after-wrestling/ |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNLTD Off-Road Racer – Steve Austin |url=https://unlimitedoffroadracing.com/drivers/steve-austin/ |access-date=September 8, 2025 |website=unlimitedoffroadracing.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamrani |first=Christopher |date=July 31, 2024 |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=September 8, 2025 |work=The New York Times |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=November 26, 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 Match|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=July 31, 2024 |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=August 11, 2024 |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]
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{IMDb name|name=Steve Austin}}
{{Stone Cold Steve Austin}}
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