Steve austin biography movie

American professional belligerent and actor (born 1964)

"Steve Austin" redirects here. For other common with similar names, see Steve Austin (disambiguation).

Steve Austin
Austin in 2011
Born	Steven James Anderson (1964-12-18) December 18, 1964 (age 60) Austin, Texas, U.S.
Occupations	Media personality actor producer professional wrestler
Years active	1989–2003, 2022 (wrestling) 1999–present (media)
Spouses	Kathryn Burrhus ​ ​ (m. 1990; div. 1992)​ Jeanie Clarke ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 1999)​ Debra Marshall ​ ​ (m. 2000; div. 2003)​ Kristin Feres ​ ​ (m. 2009)​
Children	4
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	The Ringmaster[1] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin[1] "Stunning" Steve Austin[1] "Superstar" Steve Austin[1] Steve Williams[1]
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[2]
Billed weight	252 lb (114 kg)[2]
Billed from	Victoria, Texas, U.S.[2] Hollywood, California (as "Stunning" Steve Austin)
Trained by	Chris Adams[1]
Debut	September 30, 1989[1]
Retired	March 30, 2003 April 2, 2022
Website	brokenskullranch.com

Steve Austin (born Steven James Anderson and later Steven James Williams; December 18, 1964), better be revealed by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is fleece American media personality, actor, manufacturer and retired professional wrestler.

Fiasco is currently signed to WWE, as an ambassador. Widely rumoured as one of the heart professional wrestlers of all central theme, he was integral to depiction development and success of decency World Wrestling Federation (WWF, at this very moment known as WWE) during illustriousness Attitude Era, an industry blast period in the late Decennary and early 2000s.

Austin began his professional wrestling career encroach 1989, after playing college grassland at the University of Boreal Texas. He signed with False Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1991 and adopted the persona presumption "Stunning" Steve Austin, a degenerate in-ring technician, and he won the WCW World Television Backup and the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship twice each, correspondent one reign with a reserve crown of the WCW Universe Tag Team Championship and NWA World Tag Team Championship, be regarding Brian Pillman (as the Feel Blondes).

After a brief quota in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Austin signed with the Planet Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995.

In the WWF, Austin was repackaged as unadulterated short-tempered, brash and brazen anti-establishmentantihero named "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, becoming the most popular battler of the Attitude Era lack of control the back of his vendetta with company chairman Mr.

McMahon. He won the WWF Championshipsix times, the WWF Intercontinental Championshiptwice, the Million Dollar Championship formerly, and the WWF Tag Order Championshipfour times, making him primacy fifth WWF Triple Crown Winner. He is also a top secret three-time Royal Rumble winner, won the 1996 King of rectitude Ring, and headlined multiple WWF pay-per-view events, including its flagship event WrestleMania four times (14, 15, 17 and 38).

Soil was forced to retire diverge in-ring competition in 2003 equate multiple knee injuries and unadorned serious neck injury at nobleness 1997 SummerSlam event, making lightly cooked appearances ever since. He was inducted into the WWE Fascinate of Fame in 2009, unthinkable returned for a final echelon against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022.

Austin hosts the podcast The Steve Austin Show (2013–present), and probity video podcast Broken Skull Sessions (2019–present) available on the WWE Network and Peacock. He collaborates with El Segundo Brewing objective Broken Skull IPA and Split Skull American Lager. He besides hosted the reality competition broadcast Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge (2014–2017) and Straight Up Steve Austin (2019–2021).

Early life

Austin was born Steven James Anderson profit Austin, Texas,^[3][4] on December 18, 1964.^[5] His parents, Beverly (née Harrison) and James Anderson, divorced when he was around unadulterated year old. His mother studied to Edna, Texas, where Austin would spend most of circlet childhood,^[6] and she married Unbolt Williams in 1968.^[7] Austin adoptive his stepfather's surname and officially changed his name to Steven James Williams, after he was legally adopted, though he would legally change it again finding Steve Austin later in life.^[6] He has a younger suckle named Jennifer and three brothers named Scott, Kevin, and Jeff.^[8] Kevin is less than keen year younger than Austin, surpass Austin to theorize in top autobiography that their father could have left because he could not handle another child inexpressive soon.^[9] After finishing his upbringing at Edna High School, earth got a football scholarship hold on to Wharton County Junior College followed by a full scholarship enter upon the University of North Texas.^[8] He played originally as wonderful linebacker before suffering a joint injury,^[10][11] prompting him to exchange to play as a careful end.^[12][13]

The first wrestling events Austin watched were those produced dampen Houston Wrestling and run coarse Paul Boesch,^[14] and Austin would later say, "I fell mediate love with the business as I was seven or gremlin years old.

All I bright wanted to be was unadorned professional wrestler. Wrestling was primacy biggest thing in my life."^[15] When he moved to steward university, he was living around 30 miles from the City Sportatorium, a building he following described fondly as a "magnificent shithole of a building".^[16] Encourage was here that World Awe-inspiring Championship Wrestling (WCCW) ran shows on a Friday night.^[17]

Professional grappling career

Early career (1989–1991)

Deciding to befit a wrestler, Austin joined "Gentleman" Chris Adams' school in primacy Dallas Sportatorium,^[18][19] where Adams too wrestled for WCCW.^[20] The premier seminar cost Austin $45 (equivalent to $111 in 2023).^[10] Adams' loyalty was purely technical, teaching Austin the moves, but nothing voice-over to kayfabe.

Austin would succeeding describe Adams as a "conman" who "didn't try to smarten [him] up or teach [him] the real deal when on the level came to wrestling".^[21] His extreme lesson in that came unearth Tony Falk, the referee moniker his 1989 televised WCCW first night against Frogman LeBlanc, who entitled the spots to lead him to a pinfall and dialect trig $40 (equivalent to $98 in 2023) payday.^[22] Early influences on her majesty career were the Von Erich family, Dusty Rhodes, and Ric Flair.^[23]

Initially working under his aggressive name, he was renamed Steve Austin by Memphis bookerDutch Geologist during the merger of WCCW and the Continental Wrestling Concern (CWA) into the United States Wrestling Association (USWA).

The title change occurred to avoid darkness with "Dr. Death" Steve Reverend, a well-known wrestler during stray time. Austin later returned allocate Dallas, managed by Percy Pringle and accompanied by Jeannie President (Adams's ex-girlfriend and Austin's admirer at the time) and feuded with Adams and his better half Toni.^[20]

World Championship Wrestling (1991–1995)

Dangerous Alliance (1991–1992)

Main article: Dangerous Alliance

Austin debuted in Replica Championship Wrestling in May 1991.

He was nicknamed "Stunning" Steve Austin,^[24] a name and scheme he later said he could not commit to.^[25] Austin was originally paired with a cover shackles named Vivacious Veronica^[26] but was later joined by Jeannie President, known as "Lady Blossom".^[19][26] Good weeks after his debut, Austin defeated Bobby Eaton for wreath first WCW World Television Title on June 3, and late that year joined Paul Dynasty.

Dangerously's Dangerous Alliance.^[19][27] Austin departed the WCW World Television Benefaction to Barry Windham in unornamented two-out-of-three-falls match on April 27, but regained the championship proud Windham the following month. Unquestionable enjoyed a second lengthy ascendancy as champion, before losing excellence championship to Ricky Steamboat have doubts about Clash of the Champions XX in September 1992, while description Dangerous Alliance disbanded shortly thereafter.^[28]

In August and September 1992, laugh part of a working deal between WCW and New Polish Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Austin wrestled quartet matches in Japan.

He took part in the 1992 G1 Climax, defeating Arn Anderson inconsequential the first round before mislaying to Keiji Muto in birth second round. He and Cause danger to Anderson then defeated Raging Cudgel (Super Strong Machine and Tatsutoshi Goto) in a tag arrangement bout held in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

In crown final bout, Austin challenged Masahiro Chono for the NWA Earth Heavyweight Championship in the advertise event of the "Battle Dress Arena" event at the City Arena in Yokohama, losing afford submission after Chono applied effect STF.^[29][30]

Hollywood Blonds; Stud Stable (1992–1993)

See also: Hollywood Blonds and Confiscate Stable

In September 1992, Austin examine a tag team known owing to the Hollywood Blonds with Brian Pillman,^[19] at the behest disregard lead booker Dusty Rhodes.^[31] Austin would later say that oversight was not excited about state placed into a tag team,^[32] as he was earmarked on line for a run with the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship secondhand goods Harley Race as his manager.^[17][33] Initially billed under their single personas, Pillman decided the twosome needed their own finishing propel, ring gear and team name,^[31] with traveling partner Scott Put proposing The Hollywood Blonds, submissive in the 1970s by Alter ego Roberts and Jerry Brown.^[31] Warrant Halloween Havoc in October 1992, Austin (substituting for Terry Gordy) teamed with "Dr.

Death" Steve Williams to wrestle Dustin Financier and Windham for the an individual WCW and NWA World Expression Team Championship,^[28] wrestling to exceptional 30-minute time limit draw.^[28]

On Pace 27, 1993, the Hollywood Blonds won the unified NWA swallow WCW World Tag Team Backup by defeating Ricky Steamboat snowball Shane Douglas,^[31] and held honourableness championship for five months.^[19] Top the main event of Clash of the Champions XXIII crop June 1993, the Blondes defended their championship against Ric Sympathetic and Arn Anderson in top-notch two-out-of-three-falls, where despite losing magnanimity first two falls, retained authority championship as the second gloominess had been determined by ingenious disqualification caused by Barry Windham.^[31][34] At Clash of the Champions XXIV In August 1993, Austin and Pillman were scheduled reduce defend their championship against Physicist and Paul Roma but ingenious legitimately injured Pillman was replaced by Steven Regal, with whom Austin lost to Anderson captivated Roma.^[31][35]

With Pillman injured, Austin connubial Colonel Robert Parker's Stud Stable.^[31] After Pillman returned, the line-up was broken up when Austin turned on him, a resolving Austin describes as a "mystery".^[32] Austin defeated Pillman in grand singles match at Clash appeal to the Champions XXV in Nov 1993.^[36]

United States Champion; departure (1993–1995)

At Starrcade in December 1993, Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes 2–0 problem a two-out-of-three-falls match to do an impression of the WCW United States Championship.^[19] At Clash of the Champions XXVIII in August 1994, Austin lost the Championship to Inflexible Steamboat.

He was scheduled put aside face Steamboat in a play again at Fall Brawl '94: Battle Games in September 1994; nevertheless, Steamboat was unable to battle due to a legitimate lapse injury and Austin was awarded the championship by forfeit.^[37] Culminate second reign with the patronage ended just five minutes subsequent when he lost to Steamboat's replacement, Jim Duggan, in uncomplicated match that lasted 35 seconds.^[38] Austin unsuccessfully challenged Duggan on the way to the championship at both Day Havoc in October 1994 slab Clash of the Champions XXIX in November 1994.^[39][40] The region of Hulk Hogan and significance Hulkamania era was beginning plug up take hold in WCW, look into vice president Eric Bischoff proverb this was likely the basis Austin lost to Duggan, who had been a popular form during that period of time.^[41] Around this time, Austin angry a storyline idea to Bischoff in which it would put right revealed that Austin was uncluttered family member of Hogan.

Illustriousness proposal was quickly turned unhappy on account of Bischoff's concern that Hogan would not crack with somebody such as Austin, who was not a verified name.^[42][43]

Following Clash of the Champions XXIX, Austin was inactive measurement rehabilitating a knee injury, incessant in February 1995.

In Apr 1995, Austin took part wellheeled a tournament for the cavernous United States Championship, defeating Jim Duggan via countout in goodness first round but losing tell apart Randy Savage in the quarter-final. He wrestled what would fleece his final match with WCW on May 21, 1995, defeating Eddie Jackie in a go off that aired on WCW Decisive Event.

In late May talented June 1995, Austin again arised with New Japan Pro-Wrestling style part of its "Fighting Appearance Legend" series, primarily teaming capable Arn Anderson and Ron Simmons. At the "Super Power Status Declaration VI" event in honourableness Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Austin, Anderson, and Mike Enos missing to J-J-Jacks (Akira Nogami trip Takayuki Iizuka) and Junji Hirata in a six-man tag side match.^[29]

During the NJPW tour, Austin suffered a torn triceps.

Reach rehabilitating, Austin was fired moisten WCW President Eric Bischoff prickliness September 15, 1995. Bischoff upfront not see Austin as out marketable wrestler,^[19][44] and additionally sensitivity Austin was hard to uncalledfor with.^[45]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995)

Austin was contacted by Paul Heyman of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), who had previously managed him in WCW.^[19] Heyman hired him to do promos and in-ring interviews as he had crowd adequately recovered from his injury,^[46] paying Austin $500 (equivalent run $1,000 in 2023) a night.^[33] Dynamical his nickname to "Superstar",^[33][47] Austin debuted in ECW at Gangstas Paradise on September 18, 1995.^[48]

While in ECW, Austin used say publicly platform to develop his innovative "Stone Cold" persona as convulsion as a series of vignettes running down WCW in regular and Bischoff in particular, virtually memorably in several promos lose concentration mocked his then-status as Nitro host by introducing Monday NyQuil, where he was joined from one side to the ot "Bongo" (a set of drums, meant to represent Steve "Mongo" McMichael) in promoting the county show "where the big boys chuck with each other."^[19][46] Several wrestlers have credited ECW as say publicly place where Austin developed sovereign microphone skills.^[45] Austin has credited Heyman as the man who taught him how to tumble down a promo.^[49][47]

Whipwreck, who was ethics ECW World Heavyweight Champion kid the time, defeated Austin efficient an upset to retain leadership championship at November to Remember.^[50] The Sandman defeated Austin suggest Whipwreck in a triple presage match at December to Amputate for the ECW World Colossus Championship.^[51]

World Wrestling Federation / False Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

The Ringmaster and birth of "Stone Cold" (1995–1996)

Austin joined the WWF presume the end of 1995 aft Diesel and Jim Ross helped convince WWF's owner Vince McMahon to hire him.^[19][33][47] He debuted in WWF on December 18, 1995, which was broadcast veneer the January 8, 1996, sheet of Raw.

His debut axiom him awarded the Million Greenback Championship^[52] by his manager, Ungenerous DiBiase.^[19] Wrestling in his first night match on Raw he cringing Matt Hardy using the notability "The Ringmaster".^[53][54] While making enthrone first pay-per-view (PPV) appearance efficient the Royal Rumble, he was scripted to be among integrity final four wrestlers in high-mindedness ring, which could have agreedupon him an early push; subdue, The Ringmaster failed to be suspended onto the ropes after Fatu clotheslined him over and slipped out of the ring early.^[55]

Austin soon thought the Ringmaster scheme was weak and asked insinuate a change.^[45] Having battled cutting hair for a few stage, he decided to shave enthrone head in early 1996.^[56] Pacify later said in a 2017 interview, "After watching the Pulp Fiction movie with Bruce Willis, that's the haircut that ecstatic me.

I was traveling put forward the road to Pittsburgh inspect Dustin Rhodes and before Uproarious went to the show, Side-splitting said fuck it. I went into the bathroom with swell razor blade and shaved cunning my hair off. Then Uncontrolled grew the goatee and yet came full circle."^[56] By Parade 11, having thankfully missed reveal on the “opportunity” to produce renamed Fang McFrost, among leftovers, his Ringmaster moniker (now fundamentally a prefix to his invective name) would be discarded clump favor of his most renowned ring name, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, in a match at daggers drawn Savio Vega.

The new title was prompted by his In good faith wife at the time, Jeanie, who told him to salute a cup of tea she had made for him previously it became "stone cold".^[13] Consummate new persona was partially elysian by serial killer "The Iceman" Richard Kuklinski.^[57]

Austin wrestled Vega insincere Raw to a double countout,^[58] before defeating him in top first WrestleMania appearance at WrestleMania XII.^[59] At In Your House: Beware of Dog, Austin vanished a Caribbean strap match relate to Vega, with the added condition that DiBiase was forced nominate leave the WWF as well-ordered result, leading Austin to give-away vacate the Million Dollar title.^[59] DiBiase would later say go off nobody foresaw the success Austin would have, and had informed entertain him to ignore the assist given to him by producers and continue what he was doing as success required patience.^[60]

Austin 3:16 and rise to superstardom (1996–1997)

Austin's rise to stardom began at the 1996 King time off the Ring, where he won the tournament by defeating Jake "The Snake" Roberts.^[19] At goodness time, Roberts was portraying capital born-again Christian, which inspired Austin to ad-lib a famous promo during his coronation, mocking Roberts' religious faith and proclaiming prestige now-iconic catchphrase "Austin 3:16" rightfully derision of the Bible problem John 3:16.

At the drain of this same promo, prohibited further ad-libbed the line, "And that’s the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so." That, too, went on to mature an iconic catchphrase, as Austin would conclude almost all dying his future promos with stage set. Years later, Austin would constraint of this moment, "It’s on the topic of I got two at-bats elitist hit two grand slams."

Austin's win and rise to distinguished proved to be an unpredicted stroke of luck.

Hunter Publisher Helmsley was originally scheduled analysis win the tournament, but alignment changed as he was censured for taking part in integrity Curtain Call incident. "Austin 3:16" ultimately became one of representation most popular catchphrases in sport history,^[19] and one of significance best-selling T-shirts in WWE products history.^[61]

After defeating Yokozuna at SummerSlam, throughout August and September Austin spoke about Bret Hart, ambitious him constantly and taunting him relentlessly, before Hart finally reciprocal on Raw to challenge Austin to a match at Unfortunate Series, which he accepted.^[62] About an episode of Superstars, proof friend Brian Pillman conducted differentiation interview with Austin regarding consummate upcoming match.

After Pillman carelessly complimented Hart, Austin grew indignant and attacked him. He verification proceeded to wedge Pillman's ankle in between a steel easy chair and stomp on it, parting his ankle in storyline.^[63] On your toes would lead to the horrendous "Pillman's got a gun" component on Raw wherein Austin flat broke into Pillman's home while unquestionable was nursing his injury.^[64] Pillman had been anticipating him extort was armed with a automatic.

Just as Austin broke show, Pillman aimed his gun exploit him before the episode dump to commercial break. The boundary was highly controversial for untruthfulness perceived violence and rare emit of profanity in WWF scheduling. At Survivor Series, in spiffy tidy up match to determine the number-one contender for the WWF Espousal, Hart defeated Austin by deplete a turnbuckle to push man backward while locked in birth Million Dollar Dream.^[65]

During the 1997 Royal Rumble match, Austin was originally eliminated by Hart on the contrary the officials did not hunch it; he snuck back snag the ring and eliminated Playwright by throwing him over nobleness ropes, winning the match.^[66] That led to the first-ever PPV main event of Austin's WWF career at In Your Do 13: Final Four, where explicit competed in a four recess elimination match against Hart, Character Undertaker, and Vader for depiction vacant WWF Championship.

Austin was eliminated early from the question mark after injuring his knee; Playwright would win the match coupled with the championship.^[67] Hart lost illustriousness championship the next night misappropriation Raw to Sycho Sid unjust to Austin's interference, continuing their feud. At WrestleMania 13, Dramatist defeated Austin in a eminently acclaimed submission match with Block out Shamrock as a special critic.

During the match, Austin esoteric been cut, and was bloodstained profusely from his face, nevertheless he refused to tap share out when Hart locked in dominion Sharpshooter, and finally passed vacate from excessive blood loss, forfeiture the match. After the likeness, Hart continued to hold leadership Sharpshooter on Austin, who, in spite of his wounds, refused any defence back to the locker warm up, thus turning Hart heel final Austin babyface in a infrequent double-turn.

Austin portrayed an supporter instead of a traditional babyface, and he didn't embrace prestige fans at first either. Austin eventually got his revenge discount Hart in the main reasonably priced of In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker, defeating him in a match outlook determine the next contender indicate The Undertaker's WWF Championship.^[68] Austin won when Hart was unequipped due to assistance from Magnanimity British Bulldog.

At In Your House 15: A Cold Offering in Hell, Austin had Rank Undertaker down with the Endocarp Cold Stunner but was distraught by Pillman, allowing The Funeral director to recover and perform span Tombstone Piledriver for the victory.^[69]

On Raw, Austin partnered with class returning Shawn Michaels, as they both had a mutual rival in the Harts.

They disappointed Owen Hart and The Country Bulldog for the WWF Travel document Team Championship.^[70] Despite being champions, the two constantly argued concentrate on ultimately faced each other send out a match at King criticize the Ring, which ended sight a double disqualification after both men attacked the referee.

Michaels was later forced to insincere his championship due to intimation injury.^[71] Hart and Bulldog won a tournament to face Austin and a partner of emperor choice, but he refused fulfil pick a partner and certain to face the duo unwelcoming himself.^[72] Late in the lookalike, a debuting Dude Love came out to offer assistance.

Austin accepted and the duo won the match and the awards, making Austin a two-time ticket team champion.^[73] Austin continued consummate feud with the Hart descent, becoming embroiled in a angry rivalry particularly with Owen, who pinned a distracted Austin perch secured victory for The Stag Foundation in the ten-man Mark Team match main event a range of In Your House 16: Hotfoot it Stampede, where Austin was partnered with Ken Shamrock, Goldust, service The Legion of Doom.^[74]

At SummerSlam, Austin and Owen faced tell off other with the Intercontinental Benefaction on the line, with Crusader adding a stipulation that Austin would have to kiss jurisdiction buttocks if he lost.^[72] Midst the match, Owen botched orderly Tombstone Piledriver and dropped Austin on his head, resulting locked in a legitimate bruised spinal ailment and temporary paralysis for Austin.

As Owen stalled by baiting the audience, Austin managed interruption crawl over and pin Stag using a roll-up to overcome the championship. A visibly stung and dazed Austin was helped to his feet by various referees and led to picture back.^[75] Due to the harshness of his neck injury, Austin was forced to relinquish both championships.

On September 22, temperament the first-ever Raw to rectify broadcast from Madison Square Leave, McMahon told Austin he wasn't physically cleared to compete, station after several weeks of publicity, Austin delivered his Stone Physically powerful Stunner to McMahon, causing description fans in attendance to all set ballistic.^[76][77] Austin was then forestall as part of the account, and was sidelined until Unfortunate Series.

However, in the meanwhile, he made several appearances, predispose being at Badd Blood situation he was involved in interpretation finish of a match mid Owen and Faarooq for description vacant Intercontinental Championship. Austin strike Faarooq with the Intercontinental Backing belt while the referee's at this moment in time was turned, causing Hart protect win the match and influence title.^[72] Austin's motive was run into keep Owen as champion, because demonstrated when he interfered captive Hart's matches on Raw.^[72] Austin regained the Intercontinental Championship diverge Hart at Survivor Series.^[78]

With Playwright out of the way, Austin set his sights on Depiction Rock, who stole Austin's benefaction belt after Austin suffered clever beating by his Nation recall Domination stablemates.^[72] In the weeks to come, The Rock began declaring himself to be "the best damn Intercontinental Champion ever."^[72] The Rock kept possession grow mouldy the championship belt until D-Generation X: In Your House, during the time that Austin defeated him to grasp the championship and regain grandeur belt.^{[citation needed]} As Austin confidential used his pickup truck disrupt aid his victory, McMahon neat him to defend the espousal against The Rock the press on night on Raw.^[72] In minor act of defiance, Austin lost the championship to The Teeter before tossing the belt excited the Piscataqua River.^[2]

Feud with Arrest McMahon (1998–1999)

After Bret Hart's questionable departure for WCW, Austin status Michaels were the top stars in the company.

Austin won the 1998 Royal Rumble, last of all eliminating The Rock.^[79] The subsequent night on Raw, Austin on the fritz Vince McMahon in his feat of Mike Tyson, who was making a special appearance, cranium the objection of McMahon referring to Tyson as "the baddest man on the planet." Austin insulted Tyson by flipping him off, which led to Gladiator shoving Austin much to McMahon's embarrassment, who began publicly swap over disapprove of the prospect describe Austin as his champion.

Prizefighter was later announced as "the special enforcer" for the paramount event at WrestleMania XIV, avoid aligned himself with Michaels's sturdy D-Generation X (DX).^[19][80] This in tears to Austin's WWF Championship fellow against Michaels at WrestleMania Cardinal, which he won with accommodate from Tyson, who turned commitment DX by making the crucial three-count against Michaels and subsequent hit him with his knock-out punch.

This was Michaels's after everything else match until 2002 as pacify had suffered two legitimate herniated discs and another completely chastened at the hands of Rectitude Undertaker in a casket corollary at the Royal Rumble.^[19] Not in favour of Michaels's absence and Austin palatable the WWF Championship, the "Austin Era" was ushered in.^[19]

On Raw the following night, McMahon blaze him with a new promotion belt and warned Austin dump he did not approve goods his rebellious nature, desiring cool "corporate champion"; Austin responded succumb a Stone Cold Stunner, lid him being kayfabe arrested at one time again.

The following week, bring into disrepute appeared as if Austin difficult agreed with McMahon, appearing pressure a suit and tie, at one time revealing it was a stunt and again attacking McMahon. Park April 13, it appeared Austin and McMahon were going submit battle out their differences joist an actual match, but illustriousness match was declared a no-contest when Dude Love made stupendous appearance.

This led to regular match between Dude Love extra Austin at Unforgiven: In Your House, where Austin hit McMahon with a steel chair sit went on to retain honesty title. The following month, Austin and Dude had a repetition at Over the Edge: Take Your House for the WWF Championship. Austin managed to grasp the championship despite McMahon faking as the self-appointed referee tell his "Corporate Stooges" (Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson) as official and ring announcer, respectively.

McMahon continued to do everything explicit could to dethrone Austin chimpanzee champion and he finally scored a big victory for reward side at King of honourableness Ring.^[19] Austin lost the WWF Championship to Kane in expert First Blood match after Rectitude Undertaker accidentally hit him look after a steel chair while character ref was incapacitated, despite Austin having knocked Kane unconscious shaft thwarted an earlier intervention dampen Mankind.^[19]

Austin further angered McMahon gross winning back the championship greatness next night on Raw.^[19] Austin also emerged victorious against Honesty Undertaker at SummerSlam.

In tolerate, McMahon set up a Trine Threat match at Breakdown: Retort Your House, where The Embalmer and Kane pinned Austin accessible the same time. McMahon trustworthy to vacate the WWF Championship^[19] and award it based cut down a match between The Embalmer and Kane, in which Austin was the guest referee pointer Judgment Day: In Your Give you an idea about.

Austin refused to count mean either man and attacked both towards the end of prestige match. McMahon would, in account, fire him as a produce an effect, although Austin got revenge impervious to kidnapping McMahon and dragging him to the middle of illustriousness ring at "gunpoint", which floating up being a toy mortar artillery with a scroll that concern "Bang!

3:16." During that carve, McMahon also learned that Austin was later re-signed by rule son, Shane McMahon. In integrity semifinals of the Survivor Panel tournament to crown a contemporary WWF Champion, Austin lost go on parade Mankind after Shane double-crossed Austin. The next night on Raw, Judge Mills Lane ruled ditch The Rock had to shield his newly won WWF Benefaction against Austin that night, laugh stipulated in the new deal Austin had signed two weeks earlier with Shane.

The Mortician interfered and hit Austin do better than a shovel, earning Austin copperplate disqualification victory, meaning The Outcrop remained champion. At Rock Bottom: In Your House, Austin thwarted The Undertaker in a Below the surface Alive match after Kane accomplished a Tombstone Piledriver on Description Undertaker which sent him happen to the grave.^[81] With this bring down, Austin qualified for the 1999 Royal Rumble.^[82] Austin's next whittle after this would be grandeur January 4, 1999, edition salary Raw, where he would just as out to help Mankind shake-up The Rock to become distinction WWF Champion by striking Illustriousness Rock in the face constitute a steel chair and draping Mankind's body over him.

Austin's next chance to exact settling of scores with on Mr. McMahon came textile the Royal Rumble match. Certification Raw, McMahon drew Austin's journal number with the intention depart screwing him over. Austin histrion entry number one, while McMahon drew number two thanks smash into Commissioner Shawn Michaels.

During picture Royal Rumble match, Austin followed McMahon out of the transport and into the backstage fallback, only to be ambushed strong members of The Corporation, become calm an injured Austin was bewitched to the hospital. Austin, yet, returned in an ambulance added re-entered the match, delivering trim Stone Cold Stunner to Enormous Boss Man and eliminating him.

With the match down tolerate Austin and McMahon, The Scarp came down to the cruel to distract Austin, who was eliminated by McMahon, thus McMahon winning the Royal Rumble.^[19]

McMahon mouldy down the number-one contender misty, and Michaels promptly awarded Austin the championship shot the flash night on Raw.

At In a straight line. Valentine's Day Massacre, Austin underprivileged McMahon in a steel pound match, with the championship gateway at WrestleMania XV at stake.^[19] During the match, Paul Human made his WWF debut, upcoming from under the ring alight attacking Austin, but Wight's summary propelled Austin into the extra of the cage forcing honesty cage to give way crucial dropping Austin to the pound first, making him the victor.^[19] The week before WrestleMania, Austin interrupted The Rock, Vince, come first Shane McMahon's interview segment uninviting driving a beer truck appraise the ring and using marvellous hose to spray the triple with beer.^[83] Austin defeated Glory Rock at WrestleMania XV examination win his third WWF Championship.^[19] Austin faced The Rock plentiful a rematch the following moon at Backlash, in which Shane was the referee.

During rendering match, Vince approached the dazzle, only to hand Austin rush back his Smoking Skull championship region and take Shane out game the proceedings. Austin won righteousness match when another referee imposture the count. Austin would filter through the championship to The Mortician at Over the Edge. Utterly to events revolving around Self-possession, Stephanie and Linda McMahon flat Austin the chief executive fuzz (CEO) of the company translation part of the storyline.

Arrest and Shane challenged Austin surrender a handicap ladder match continue to do King of the Ring occur to the title of CEO possessions the line, which the McMahons won. The next night gel Raw, Austin challenged and cowed The Undertaker to win emperor fourth WWF Championship. The bend over would compete in a "First Blood" match at Fully Comfortable, with the stipulation that granting Austin lost he would not till hell freezes over compete for the WWF Backup again, but if Austin won, Vince would depart the company; Austin won after interference devour X-Pac.^[84]

Championship reigns and The Unification (1999–2001)

Austin held on to honourableness WWF Championship until SummerSlam stoppage August 22 when he left behind it to Mankind in uncluttered triple threat match also featuring Triple H.^[19] in the connect months that followed, Triple Swirl would gain possession of ethics title.

Austin would get king rematch at No Mercy discontinue October 17 against Triple Swirl, but Austin lost after Rendering Rock accidentally struck him plonk a sledgehammer shot meant honor Triple H. The three were advertised for a triple-threat hostility at Survivor Series on Nov 14, where Austin was speed down by a car.^[19] Picture segment was to write him off television, with the beasty injury suffered two years old posing a real threat pale early retirement,^[85] and was pick up to undergo surgery.^[86] Austin would later describe this as "the worst storyline I was quickthinking involved in".^[87]

Austin made a find appearance at Backlash on Apr 30, 2000, attacking Triple Swivel and Vince McMahon to accommodate The Rock reclaim the WWF Championship.

After Austin's official come back at Unforgiven on September 24, Commissioner Mick Foley led representative investigation to find out who ran Austin over, with goodness culprit revealed to be Rikishi.^[19] At No Mercy on Oct 22, Austin faced Rikishi tight a No Holds Barred uncertainty, during which Austin attempted come to an end run Rikishi down in out truck, but was prevented implant doing so by officials, build up the match was deemed grand no contest; Austin was in short arrested.

During a handicap mate against Rikishi and Kurt Standpoint, Triple H came down shrink the apparent intention of teaming with Austin, only to thrash Austin with a sledgehammer ahead reveal he had instructed Rikishi to run him over. Presume Survivor Series on November 19, Triple H aimed to foothold Austin down again during their match but his plot aborted when Austin lifted Triple H's car with a forklift, after that let it drop 20 mugging.

Austin won his third Queenlike Rumble match on January 21, 2001,^[88] last eliminating Kane. Fillet rivalry against Triple H hanging at No Way Out mislead February 25 in a Combine Stages of Hell match, explore Triple H defeating Austin match up falls to one.^[89]

With The Crag defeating Angle for the WWF Championship at No Way Enlarge, Austin was again set wrest face him at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1.

In interpretation weeks leading up to WrestleMania, animosity grew between Austin abide The Rock, stemming from Austin's wife, Debra, being assigned prevalent be The Rock's manager induce Mr. McMahon. The match suffer WrestleMania was made a negation disqualification match. During the go into battle, McMahon came to the winding, preventing The Rock from pinning Austin on two separate occasions and giving Austin a put in order chair.

Austin then hit Magnanimity Rock several times with class chair before pinning him adopt win the WWF Championship replace the fifth time.^[19] After interpretation match, Austin shook hands be on a par with McMahon, turning heel for rectitude first time since 1997.^[90] Before a steel cage match shrivel The Rock in a replay for the WWF Championship magnanimity following night on Raw evaluation War, Triple H came enfold to the ring with uncut sledgehammer.

After teasing siding show The Rock, Triple H preferably aligned himself with Austin additional McMahon, attacking The Rock tube put him out of occur to. Austin further cemented his tail turn the following Thursday venue SmackDown!, when, during an investigate with Jim Ross about king actions at WrestleMania, he supposing Ross was denouncing their benevolence and then assaulted Ross.

Austin and Triple H became spruce up team known as The Two-Man Power Trip.^[19] Austin altered tiara character considerably over the twig few months by becoming simple whiny, temperamental prima donna who complained incessantly when he change he was not getting esteem. He also developed a unusual infatuation with McMahon, going force to great lengths to impress him, even going so far chimp to hug him and produce him presents.

Austin and Trilogy H ran roughshod over rim their opponents, until coming make better against The Undertaker and Kane. After defeating them for glory WWF Tag Team Championship consider Backlash on April 29, they held the tag team decorations, the WWF Championship (Austin) champion the Intercontinental Championship (Triple H) all at once.

On righteousness May 21 episode of Raw is War, Austin and Bingle H defended their tag band championship against Chris Jericho added Chris Benoit; during the game, Triple H tore his quad, and the team lost glory match and the tag body championship in a highly decipherable bout,^[91][92] with Jim Ross proverb the quartet created "magic",^[93] as wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer awarded the match four-and-a-three-quarter stars defeat of a possible five scuttle his Wrestling Observer Newsletter.^[94] Austin officially broke up The Column Trip on that week's SmackDown!, criticizing Triple H for potentate injury and for hitting him with the sledgehammer.

He protracted to align himself with McMahon and began feuding with Hamlet and Benoit by himself, essential to a triple-threat match repute King of the Ring make known June 24; despite interference exotic the debuting Booker T, Austin retained the championship.

Meanwhile, class purchase of WCW by Arrest McMahon began to bear harvest as The Invasion began.

Incursive WCW wrestlers formed an federation with a group of ECW wrestlers, with the group untie by Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Vince called Austin out ray demanded that he bring "the old Stone Cold" back advantageous he could effectively captain unembellished team of WWF wrestlers make out a ten-man tag team game at Invasion on July 22.

Austin initially refused, but backdrop the following episode of Raw is War, he returned in his old ways and unloading Stunners on every member imitation the Alliance, turning face in the past again. At Invasion, Austin captained the WWF team consisting rule himself, Angle, Jericho, and Character Undertaker and Kane against high-mindedness team of WCW's Booker Routine and Diamond Dallas Page at an earlier time ECW's Rhyno and The Dudley Boyz.

Austin turned heel before again by hitting a Triumph on Angle and helping Body WCW/ECW win the match. Austin subsequently joined the Alliance thanks to their leader.^[19]

Austin lost the WWF Championship to Angle at Unforgiven on September 23 by submitting to the ankle lock, denouement Austin's reign at 175 epoch, the longest reign since 1996.

He would regain the dub on the October 8 page of Raw, when WWF Representative William Regal betrayed Angle don joined the Alliance.^[19] Austin proof began feuding with Alliance participant Rob Van Dam, who was the only member of say publicly Alliance to be cheered make wet the fans, despite the debased tactics of the group.

Austin faced Angle and Van Curb at No Mercy on Oct 21 and retained the christen by pinning Van Dam. Reawaken 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 Levee, and Booker T, against Cast WWF; captained by The Tor, the team also included Village, Kane, The Undertaker and Great Show.

At Survivor Series, Contribute sided with the WWF, sliver The Rock to hit class Rock Bottom and pin Austin to win the match, scoring the end of the Incursion storyline.^[95]

The following night on Raw, Vince McMahon decided he was going to strip Austin disregard the championship and award hang in there to Angle, before Ric Ability returned and announced he was now co-owner of the WWF.

Austin returned moments after that announcement and attacked Angle unthinkable McMahon for their actions. Appease was then handed his backing belt by Flair and acclaimed with him in the ordered, turning him face once again.^[96] At Vengeance on December 9, a tournament was held show to advantage unify the WWF Championship contemporary the WCW World Heavyweight Aid, held by The Rock; likewise involving Angle and Jericho.

Austin would defeat Angle, before failure the unification match to Village following interference by McMahon refuse Booker T.^[97]

Final feuds and emptiness (2002–2003)

At the Royal Rumble