Wrestlemania Profile: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Wrestlemania means a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

While some people may have invented the ‘feel’ or the ‘work ethic’ of the big day, some people were literally launched into the stratosphere by a game-day performance.

Take case in point, Steve Austin.

By the time Wrestlemania 13 hit, ‘Stone Cold’ was already on his way to the top.

After entering the WWE from ECW, a heel Steve Austin became a bland ‘Ringmaster’, mouthed by manager Ted DiBiase.

During these early WWE days, Austin became embroiled in a feud with Savio Vega. This led to a surprisingly underrated classic, which saw Austin win with a ‘Million Dollar Dream’.

Combining the defecting Ted DiBiase to a classic speech at the King of the Ring, little did Austin know that he would make the company more than a million dollars in the upcoming year. More about that here.

As 13 dawned, Austin’s nemesis in life was one ‘Hitman’ Bret Hart. The two had a feud stemming from when Austin called out ‘Hitman’ during the Mind Games pay-per-view back from that previous September.

Survivor Series didn’t end the rage, and neither did the Royal Rumble.

So on to Wrestlemania, and a ‘Submission’ match!

While much has been written on the subject, long story short it’s a beautiful match. Not only was the contest a classic, but the imagery and the post-match angles were ones for the ages too!

Blood streaming down his face, Austin’s literal image of not giving up under pressure made him somewhat a sympathetic figure, completely contrasting his ‘stone cold’ personality.

After that encounter, Austin and Hart switched roles, and Austin would go on to have three Wrestlemania title matches.

1998 saw Austin battle Shawn, who as noted in the previous profile, was burning the candle at both ends. Austin won the WWE Championship, and thus officially became ‘The Man’.

1999 saw Austin battle The Rock, who had himself carry great momentum from not-so-great beginnings. Add in Vince McMahon’s invariably-hostile ego, and we got combustible elements in the city of brotherly love. Austin overcame evil yet again, and became a 3-time WWE Champion.

Austin was absent at 2000 as he recovered from spinal fusion surgery, stemming from the botched piledriver from Summerslam 1997.

2001 saw Austin battle The Rock yet again for the title, but instead of a typical good/bad dichotomy, it was just man vs. man. Or at least until the end when Vince McMahon interfered on Austin’s behalf. It was a shocking all-time moment that led to a heel turn that will be as fondly remembered as a popcorn fart.

2002 had Austin, well, in the undercard, and none too happy about it. Austin winning was an afterthought, as serious Creative issues would force Austin’s hand to eventually ditch the company. Temporarily.

Wrestlemania XIX would be Austin’s last competitive match. The main focus of the story was revolving around newly-turned-heel Hollywood Rock, who vowed to whip the bald-headed candy ass of Austin at the grandest stage. Rock lived up to it, as he pinned Austin after delivering three poetic Rock Bottoms.

Although Austin would retire from wrestling, his involvement at Wrestlemania was far from over.

In 2004 and 2007, he special guest refereed matches. One of them featured two men who leaved the WWE immediately afterwards (Brock Lesnar/Goldberg), and the other revolved around billionaire hair (Umaga/Bobby Lashley).

2005 saw him be a guest on Piper’s Pit, which was wildly entertaining. 

Finally in 2009, Austin celebrated his Hall of Fame induction with a ‘Salute to Texas’. 

Never has ATV’s on the big stage feel like such a big deal.

Overall, Austin owes a lot of his career to a bloody still image from 13. While he had been going to the top anyway, that night in 
 Chicago sealed his fate in the best way possible. From brewskis to Stunners, Austin’s Wrestlemania work shall be described as one big, “OH HELL YEAHHHH!”
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CONTESTS
Wrestlemania XII: Steve Austin w/ Ted DiBiase defeated Savio Vega via Submission (10:00) **3/4
Wrestlemania 13: Bret Hart defeated Steve Austin in a Submission Match after special guest referee Ken Shamrock deemed Steve Austin unable to compete due to blood loss. (22:05) ***** Launched Steve Austin into the stratosphere, and both men flipped roles post-match.
Wrestlemania XIV: Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels via pinfall to win the WWE Championship after Mike Tyson's fast-count (20:02) ***3/4. Austin officially became 'the man' after winning the belt.
Wrestlemania XV: Steve Austin defeated The Rock via pinfall in a No Disqualification match to win the WWE Championship after Mankind made the count. (16:52) ***1/2
Wrestlemania X-Seven: Steve Austin defeated The Rock via pinfall in a No Disqualification match to win the WWE Championship after Vince McMahon interfered on Austin's behalf. (33:06) ****3/4. This was the start of Austin's ill-fated heel turn.
Wrestlemania X-8: Steve Austin defeated Scott Hall (w/ Kevin Nash) via pinfall. (9:51) **
Wrestlemania XIX: The Rock defeated Steve Austin via pinfall after delivering a THIRD Rock Bottom. (17:53) ***3/4. This was Austin's last competitive match.
Wrestlemania XX: Special guest refereed Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg
Wrestlemania 21: Was a guest on Piper’s Pit.
Wrestlemania 23: Special guest referred “The Battle of the Billionaires”, Bobby Lashley (w/ Donald Trump) vs. Umaga (w/ Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon)
The 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania (aka Wrestlemania 25): Was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and did ‘A Salute to Texas’ during the show.
Overall Record: 5-2 (4 pinfall victories, 1 submission victory, 1 loss due to ref stoppage, 1 pinfall loss)
Overall Combined Length In-Ring: 2:09:49. That is an average of 18:25 a match.