Steve Austin (formerly Steven Williams and Steven Anderson) or 'Stone Cold' as he is better known to not only fans of the WWE, but millions of people worldwide, has been announced as the first member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2009.
The Start of Austin's Career
Austin's prestigious career began in 1989, when he won his first match against Frogman LeBlanc in the small regional promotion WCCW (World Class Championship Wrestling), after dropping out of college and training with 'Gentleman' Chris Adams.
From here Austin went on to wrestle for USWA (United States Wrestling Association), feuding with Adams before being picked up by WCW (World Championship Wrestling), who were at the time arguably the biggest wrestling company around. Debuting in 1991 as 'Stunning' Steve Austin he wasted no time, defeating Bobby Eaton to win theWCW World Television Title just weeks after joining the company, a belt that he would not lose for almost a year.
During his 4 year stint in WCW he also held the WCW World Tag Team Championships with Brian Pillman, and was a two-time WCW United States Champion, although the second reign was short lived as Jim Duggan defeated him in a 35 second match just minutes after he was awarded the title.
Austin Fired from WCW
In 1995 Austin was fired by then WCW Vice President Eric Bischoff who famously said that he was un-marketable and didn't have what it took to make it in the wrestling industry, comments that would come back to bite Bischoff later in Austin's career when it would be the Austin inspired 'Attitude Era' that caused the demise of Bischoff's WCW brand.
The WWE (Formerly WWF) signed Austin in late 1995 and he debuted in early 1996 as Ted DiBiase's protegé; 'The Ringmaster', being awarded the Million Dollar Championship and feuding with Savio Vega. The conclusion of this feud saw the end of 'The Ringmaster' gimmick and the birth of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.
"Austin 3:16 Says I Just Whipped Your Ass!"
June 23rd 1996 was both a momentous date for Austin and for the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) as it was the turning point in Austin's career and the point at which the Attitude Era was born.
After winning the King of the Ring tournament by defeating born-again Christian Jake 'The Snake' Roberts with his brand new 'Stone Cold Stunner' finishing move, Austin delivered a promo that would lead to one of, if not the most popular catch phrase in wrestling history.
Speaking from his 'throne' directly after the match, the newly crowned King of the Ring said:
"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!"
Austin then went on to feud with Bret 'The Hitman' Hart leading to a submission match at Wrestlemania XIII which many consider to be one of the best matches in Wrestlemania history, ending in a win for Hart when Austin lost conciousness while refusing to tap out to the 'SharpShooter'.
His next major feud came about when he went after the WWF Intercontinental Championship, winning it from Owen Hart for the first time at Summerslam 97. During this match Hart botched a piledriver, breaking Austin's neck (an injury that would eventually lead to his retirement from in ring competitionat Wrestlemania XIX some six years later.)
Steve Austin Vs. Vince McMahon
After quickly recovering, Austin's anti-hero character continued to evolve and his fan base grew and grew, by the time he won the Royal Rumble for a second time in 1998 he was one of the top faces in the business. He became the WWF Heavyweight Champion at Wrestlemania XIV with help from Mike Tyson and by this point was heavily involved in a feud with the owner of the company; Vince McMahon. This was a rivalry which would continue off and on for the length of Austin's career, winning Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Feud of the Year award in 1998 and 1999.
During his career he also held the WWF/E Heavyweight Championship another five times, the WWF/E Tag Team Titles four times and is still the only person to win the Royal Rumble an unprescidented three times (1997, 1998, 2001.)
Stone Cold Post-Retirement
After losing to The Rock at Wrestlemania XIX Austin retired from in ring competition, but has since been involved as the Special Referee in a slew of high profile matches, cut numerous promos and even inducted Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
In 2007 Austin appeared in his first motion picture, 'The Condemned' which was a WWE films production. The movie was well received and Austin is currently working on a new project named 'Damage' which is set for release in 2010.
To find out who else is set to join Stone Cold in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Click Here.
Or to find out more about the Texas Rattlesnake Click Here.
Jay Davies - Jay Davies is a 25 year old graduate of the University of Lincoln's School of Journalism, currently residing in South Yorkshire, ...
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