Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. For me, one of those things is watching "Stone Cold" Steve Austin wrestle. Austin took an unlikely path to become the face of the company as an antihero. Joining WWE (then WWF) in 1995, Stone Cold didn't take long to switch from his campy Ringmaster gimmick to the hard-nosed, beer-guzzling, vest-wearing "Stone Cold" persona. The two Monday Night War legends just missed each other by a day. Austin was assumed to be one of the few people in wrestling who would stick to his retirement, but the temptation to compete opposite Kevin Owens in a WrestleMania main event in his home state of Texas proved too good an opportunity to turn down. WM20 was WWEs biggest show to date. Thats the exact reaction you want out of your audience, so this was a win in every sense of the word. Rumors still come up that, with time and medical advancements, he could wrestle again. When I opened the package I noticed the case had been beat to hell and when I looked at the disc it had cracks in the middle of it and smudges all over it. Austin had his last WWE match at WrestleMania XIX in 2003 against The Rock before retiring due to injury. Why WWE's 2022 Royal Rumble Was Such A Disappointing Show, Why WWE Fired Shane McMahon (Will He Return? WWE Wrestling Points. Please logout and login again. Potential opponents for The Bionic Redneck next year include John Cena and perhaps even CM Punk. Austin surely would have had his hand raised against his former WCW counterpart. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig's interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own. Austin took an unlikely path to become the face of the company as an antihero. Every single thing these two performers did on Saturday connected with the audience, and it made for an unforgettable main event. He, of course, uttered the instantly iconic, Austin 3:16 promo that practically shot him straight up to the top of the card. Watch every Premium Live Event and enjoy some of your favorite WWE content on Shahid. By contrast to Austin, The Rock entered wrestling via his family, and though his kids arent old enough tohave WWE careers yet, The Great One has no shortage of youngerrelatives whove gotten into wrestling. 4:29. Fans were immediately drawn to the new Steve Austin, and the Texas Rattlesnake racked up a total of 6 world championship titles - a number that would've undoubtedlyrose higher were it not for a career-ending neck injury that forced Stone Cold to retire in 2003. Long before the days of Tweeting out instant criticisms, the WWE seemingly didnt mind its top star ripping into the Creative on their own TV. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Combine all of that with his personal home/life problems and you have a recipe for a man ready to burst. Instead, he donned a Stone Cold t-shirt. After hashing it out with Good Ol JR, Ross asked Austin if he could get him and The Big Irishman (re: Vince) in a room together to air out their grievances and get Austin back to work. The Rock and Stone Cold helped make WWE as popular as ever in the late '90s but both were gone by 2003. You could feel Biancas struggle, as well as Beckys desperation to keep the belt, and they played into our emotions to perfection. Kevin Owens is perfect as a safe-pair-of-hands opponent, and Stone Cold's return would be huge for both WWE and its fans (not to mention Steve himself, most likely). The Rock thrived in the Attitude Era, too, particularly for his provocative promo style. Ryan Satin reacts to Bianca Belair reclaiming the RAW women's title after defeating Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. Combine all of that with his personal home/life problems and you have a recipe for a man ready to burst. Check out the latest episodes of the show where Jim Parsons and Norman Quarrinton cover the latest news and events happening in the worlds of WWE, AEW and more! Many were also surprised just how much fun it was. By contrast, The Rock became a titan of wrestling and then became an even bigger deal in Hollywood. In 2001, Austin would have excellent matches with Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit that proved he could still have a technical bout, but for most of his run atop WWE, Austin would engage in wild brawls that made fans at the time think of rival company ECW. As WWE rebuilt after The Rock left, it was particularly bittersweet for the knowledge that a talent theyd launched, in some ways,bcame bigger than wrestling itself. Indeed, by all accounts, The Two Man Power Trip angle of the two working together was intended to build to them eventually clashing. Item was as described. Its incredible that Austin was able to have the career he had in such limited time, but what if his career didnt end after losing to The Rock at WM19? Austin then popped up again during WrestleMania night two, stunning his old nemesis Vince McMahon, wrestler Austin Theory, and former NFL star Pat McAfee. Who would get the honor of wrestling Austin in his last match? A staple of the Attitude Era, The Texas Rattlesnake retired from professional wrestling in 2003, when he was beaten by The. Kevin Owens' character and move-set both draw heavilyfrom Stone Cold's well of influence, and the Prizefighter even adopted the Stunner as his finisher in recent years,further provinghim the obvious opponent for Steve Austin in 2022. Published Feb 4, 2021. Sold by: pre-owned Catch up on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and all the big WWE action via the WWE Network or BT Sport. Speaking to Chris Jericho on the latest episode of his Broken Skull Sessions Podcast, Austin explained why he'd always turn the boss down. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. There wouldnt have been a better opponent for Punk then Stone Cold. The promos between the two would have been some of the best in wrestling history. In terms of WWE storylines, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin decided to return to the ring because Kevin Owens kept insulting him and his home state of Texas. Sign up for BINGE to watch. This is where our alternative post-2003 timeline merges with reality, as there is a chance that 'Stone Cold' may indeed make a comeback. So it was that WWE lost two huge stars. While Batista has done well in movies, its still difficult not to think of him as a wrestler first. Condition: Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Attitude Era were perfect complements to one another. It is being. The two were ready-made opponents. Recently on a hot-streak alongside Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens cut a promo on February 14th's edition ofMonday Night RAW,referring to thefolks of Texas as "a bunch of Redneck morons." Well take a look and remove the review if it doesnt follow our guidelines. "But I just love the damn business, and it hurt me so much to leave it. 4:29 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Returns To Kick Off Raw October 19, 2015. Stone Cold had been running fast and hard for himself for years even before he got to the WWE. Had it not been for the Three Amigos and Frog Splash he hit on Rey, I may have rated his performance lower, but the heat he got for that was insane. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WWE - Stone Cold Says So (DVD, 2003) at the best online prices at eBay! The No-Holds Barred stipulation allowed for Steve Austin to get some of his trademark brawling in, but dont get it twisted: The amount of actual bumps he took was shocking. What are you training for? The build-up would have started after Goldberg dropped the World Heavyweight Title to Triple H. Goldberg would have been portrayed as the subtle heel before being turned into a full-blown villain, especially after WWE realized that Da Man had no intention of staying for more than his one year contract. Watch WrestleMania and other WWE Premium Live Events on Flow. Stone Cold Returns As Co - General Manager 4/28/2003 AttitudePOP 1.9M views 2 years ago Stone Cold Confronts The Purple Bastard Simon Dean! Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. PW Insider went on to describe the pitch to Austin as a "Hail Mary idea" and added that "as of today, Austin still has yet to commit to wrestling". Ryan Satin reacts toStone Cold Steve Austin defeating Kevin Owens in his first match since 2003. Hopefully this will make more sense if I let it play out a little, but right now Im much more confused about this anything. decluttr_store, Verified purchase: He's already a WWE Hall of Fame inductee, and arguably the biggest wrestling star in history, with the possible exceptions of The Rock and soon-to-be biopic subject Hulk Hogan. Stone Cold is set to make his spectacular in-ring return There have been rumours circulating which suggest that Stone Cold will soon be returning to in-ring action in WWE. Stone Cold Returns To RAW / The Rock Confronts Steve Austin 3/3/2003 AttitudePOP 1.66M subscribers Subscribe 12K Share 1.1M views 9 months ago RAW March 3, 2003 For Full Unedited Segment. Follow him on Twitter @miketchin. Be the first one to comment on this story. 1:00. Related: WWE: Which Show Was The Biggest Of All Time. 'Stone Cold would have challenged for RAWs top title in the Spring of 2003, whether in one-on-one bouts with Triple H or as a part of multiple person matches. Goldberg would have gone through The Rock, Chris Jericho, and Triple H like he did in actuality, but the Austin vs Goldberg clash would have been saved for WrestleMania 20. Condition: First, heres a recap of the match results: - The Usos defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs via pinfall to retain the SmackDown tag team titles, - Drew McIntyre defeated Happy Corbin via pinfall after being the first person ever to kick out of the End of Days, - The Miz and Logan Paul defeated Rey and Dominik Mysterio via pinfall, - Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch via pinfall to become the new Raw Womens champion, - Cody Rhodes defeated Seth Rollins via pinfall after hitting the Cross Rhodes multiple times (as well as a Bionic Elbow), - Charlotte Flair defeated Ronda Rousey via pinfall to retain the SmackDown Womens Championship, - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin defeated Kevin Owens via pinfall in a No Holds Barred match after hitting the Stunner. The Rattlesnake had been ornery since before WrestleMania X8 and supposedly upset that he was not in a main event spot; even though his match with Scott Hall was one of the featured undercard matches. Whoever handled travel in the office made the moves and then called the brass - word traveled fast and Jim Ross called Austin as he was boarding the plane pleading with his friend to get back to work. 4:05. | A part of what was harder about Steve Austins retirement was that, even if his legend did grow in the years to follow, he had legitimate neck issues thatprevented him fromwrestling again. The PPV was scheduled for a gargantuan 5 hours. This first time was just for a few weeks, however, citing he was burnt out. I just said, Man, stay away. And Ive stayed away.". Tell us what you think in the comments below! Its always very frustrating when communications break down, not because you cant reach an agreement, but because one side just decides to shut down. WrestleMania always tempts WWE legends back to the ring, but will 2022's annual grappling extravaganza feature the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin? Although the match was clearly curated around what Austin would and wouldn't be able to do considering his age and how long he had been away from the ring, it was a huge success. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. In hindsight though, it's a minor miracle Austin's run atop WWE even ran as long as it did. Maybe it would have happened with both men as legends. No, it wasnt the what? chants. Writes about sweaty, oily wrestlers for a living. Moments Material. He's the author of the wrestling book, The Long Way Home. Following the rumours that Austin was set for a match, PW Insider reported that WWE reached out to Austin in late December/early January to "gauge his interest in doing something at the show". Stone Cold Returns To Raw 2000 Part 1. While Stone Cold wouldwork in authority roles, health issues forced him from the ring. Three Men and a Little Lady (DVD, 1990) (#165959292796), NEW DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR Blue Streak STANDARD FD-106X (#165798088333), Thank you love the package. . Digital Spy participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I just simply looked in the mirror and realized I look like shit. Austin reiterates at the end of the clip that he is back in the gym, and sharing his progress on social media, because he didn't like what he saw in the mirror. While both segments are certainly a fine sendoff for his legendary career, retirements have a way of not sticking in wrestling, and there's a real possibility Austin isn't done for good. By bringing back that match template for Austin vs. Owens, WWE gave Austin the best chance he had at still performing satisfactorily, even though he's not the athlete he once was. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. After nearly 20 years away from the ring, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin made his triumphant WWE return this weekend at WrestleMania and it was a moment that will be remembered for a long time to come. 2 Wouldn't Return Phone Calls Then he worked the grueling schedule demanded of the tippy top guy in the company. The Texas Rattlesnake was not returning or taking any phone calls. March 30, 2003. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. There was one prize in WWE that was more valuable than any championship; it was ending The Undertakers undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Sold by: Stone Cold would have no longer wrestled a full-time schedule, but there would have been a few intriguing scenarios that may have convinced The Rattlesnake to don the black jacket from time to time. That can be a scent, a theme park like Disneyland, or even some type of food that triggers all your senses. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. A feud with Stone Cold would have helped carry Owens' momentum forward and would have solidified Owens' place in the main event scene. He had great, chaotic fights with people like The Rock, Mick Foley, a pre-biker character Undertaker, and Triple H, and despite not being pretty, these brawls never failed to leave fans entertained. Most recently, Michael helped launch Screen Rant's new horror section, and is now the lead staff writer when it comes to all things frightening. The opponent fans might immediately anticipate Stone Coldcould face atWrestleMania 38is Kevin Owens. Owens also uses Austin's famous finisher The Stunner as his own. The Streak slowly grew from a trivia fact to hallowed record. PS. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will return to the ring 19 years after losing his last Wrestlemania match to "The Rock" while Roman Reigns is set to take on Brock Lester in the biggest match yet.. Something went wrong. WrestleMania is WWE's Super Bowl - the eventeveryone watches while pretending they've been keeping up the entire year - andstars from WWE's acclaimed Attitude Era appeal to that casual viewership. However, midway through he takes a break to address the speculation surrounding another potential return. Highlights Austin's 1st year in the WWE. The WWE Hall of Famer has made it clear several times that he doesn't want. WWE was solidly behind Reigns as The Guy at that time and the accolade of retiring Stone Cold would be another that WWE would have likely bestowed on Reigns, regardless of how enraged fans would be. Stone Cold Calls Out Batista - Goldberg Returns 2003 [via torchbrowser.com] 9:25. Theres a long history of wrestlers trying to make it outside of the business. Even if Austin werent forced to retire, he would have left the squared circle for a short while to pursue acting. FIFA World Cup - Best Goals from Every Angle, Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. Kevin Owens would have made an appropriate opponent for Austins swansong, but so would John Cena in an Attitude Era vs Ruthless Aggression clash. Stars from WWE's acclaimed Attitude Era don't come much bigger than Stone Cold Steve Austin. Unlike many WWE legends, Stone Cold has actually stayed retired. That could all change ifWrestleMania 38 rumorsare to be believed. More:Why WWE Fired Shane McMahon (Will He Return?). How much trust was now gone, not to mention the sheer amount of money that was left on the table by leaving the company. The night after WrestleMania 19, Austin would have turned his attention to a man he was very familiar with and to a title steeped in history: Triple H and the World Heavyweight Championship. Likely as not, it would have happened in both contexts and more. Austin recently said on his podcast that he physically could have one more match. The APA reflect on their special bond and friendship: WWE Untold sneak peek. There are some people who go a whole career without getting that kind of a reaction from a crowd of 75,000 people. See more WWE - Stone Cold Says So (DVD, 2003), - Top Rated Plus - opens in a new window or tab, - eBay Money Back Guarantee - opens in a new window or tab, - for PayPal Credit, opens in a new window or tab, about earning points with eBay Mastercard, Report this item - opens in new window or tab. By returning at WrestleMania 38, Austin got to flip his patented middle finger at this forced ending. A fresh take on sports: the biggest news and most entertaining listicles, Stone Cold Steve Austin reveals why he refused Vince McMahon's offers for WWE return, Tommy Fury clarifies rules for Jake Paul fight (exclusive), Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk: Ukrainian's current physique ahead of fight, Tyson Fury interview: Tommy Fury has his work cut out with Jake Paul. Related:Every Major Steve Austin vs. The Rattlesnake had been on borrowed time, ever since Owen Hart dropped him on his head at SummerSlam 1997. The fans were invested in Bianca finally getting her revenge on Becky Lynch, and when it happened, they were elated to finally cheer on their favorite. It took me a long time, damn near three years to get over the fact that I left the business.". Related:5 Reasons Stone Cold Was The Face Of The Attitude Era (& 5 Why It's The Rock). New York would have been 100% behind Stone Cold. diamondhousefinds. 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