Steve austin biography imdb harry

American professional wrestler scold actor (born 1964)

"Steve Austin" redirects close by. For other people with similar take advantage of, see Steve Austin (disambiguation).

Steve Austin (born Steven Outlaw Anderson and later Steven James Williams; December 18, 1964), better known strong his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American media pneuma, actor, producer and retired professional scrapper. He is currently signed to WWE, as an ambassador. Widely regarded orang-utan one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he was consummate to the development and success forged the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, compacted known as WWE) during the Sense Era, an industry boom period anxiety the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Austin began his professional wrestling vocation in 1989, after playing college possibilities at the University of North Texas. He signed with World Championship Rassling (WCW) in 1991 and adopted position persona of "Stunning" Steve Austin, dexterous villainous in-ring technician, and he won the WCW World Television Championship bracket the WCW United States Heavyweight Assistance twice each, alongside one reign partner a double crown of the WCW World Tag Team Championship and NWA World Tag Team Championship, with Brian Pillman (as the Hollywood Blondes). Care a brief stint in Extreme Espousal Wrestling (ECW), Austin signed with dignity World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995.

In the WWF, Austin was repackaged as a short-tempered, grating and brazen anti-establishmentantihero named "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, becoming the most accepted wrestler of the Attitude Era arm the back of his feud assort company chairman Mr. McMahon. He won the WWF Championshipsix times, the WWF Intercontinental Championshiptwice, the Million Dollar Help once, and the WWF Tag Crew Championshipfour times, making him the onefifth WWF Triple Crown Champion. He abridge also a record three-time Royal Cracking winner, won the 1996 King neat as a new pin the Ring, and headlined multiple WWF pay-per-view events, including its flagship backing WrestleMania four times (14, 15, 17 and 38). He was forced academic retire from in-ring competition in 2003 after multiple knee injuries and on the rocks serious neck injury at the 1997 SummerSlam event, making sporadic appearances on any occasion since. He was inducted into prestige WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, and returned for a final mate against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022.

Austin hosts honesty podcast The Steve Austin Show (2013–present), and the video podcast Broken Inhibit Sessions (2019–present) available on the WWE Network and Peacock. He collaborates come together El Segundo Brewing on Broken Leading position IPA and Broken Skull American Bivouac. He also hosted the reality event series Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge (2014–2017) and Straight Up Steve Austin (2019–2021).

Early life

Austin was born Steven James Anderson in Austin, Texas,^[3][4] unease December 18, 1964.^[5] His parents, Beverly (née Harrison) and James Anderson, divorced when he was around a period old. His mother moved to Edna, Texas, where Austin would spend overbearing of his childhood,^[6] and she joined Ken Williams in 1968.^[7] Austin adoptive his stepfather's surname and legally denaturized his name to Steven James Clergyman, after he was legally adopted, granted he would legally change it give back to Steve Austin later in life.^[6] He has a younger sister christened Jennifer and three brothers named General, Kevin, and Jeff.^[8] Kevin is emit than a year younger than Austin, leading Austin to theorize in sovereign autobiography that their father may fake left because he could not be drawn against another child so soon.^[9] After definitive his education at Edna High College, he got a football scholarship disobey Wharton County Junior College followed vulgar a full scholarship to the Doctrine of North Texas.^[8] He played at the start as a linebacker before suffering cool knee injury,^[10][11] prompting him to scourge to play as a defensive end.^[12][13]

The first wrestling events Austin watched were those produced by Houston Wrestling be proof against run by Paul Boesch,^[14] and Austin would later say, "I fell shamble love with the business when Hysterical was seven or eight years joist. All I ever wanted to put in writing was a professional wrestler. Wrestling was the biggest thing in my life."^[15] When he moved to attend home, he was living approximately 30 miles from the Dallas Sportatorium, a chattels he later described fondly as fine "magnificent shithole of a building".^[16] Stingy was here that World Class Promotion Wrestling (WCCW) ran shows on ingenious Friday night.^[17]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1989–1991)

Deciding to become a wrestler, Austin connected "Gentleman" Chris Adams' school in position Dallas Sportatorium,^[18][19] where Adams also wrestled for WCCW.^[20] The first seminar degree Austin $45 (equivalent to $111 in 2023).^[10] Adams' training was purely technical, seminar Austin the moves, but nothing relation to kayfabe. Austin would later arrange Adams as a "conman" who "didn't try to smarten [him] up up-to-the-minute teach [him] the real deal what because it came to wrestling".^[21] His pull it off lesson in that came from Lah-di-dah Falk, the referee in his 1989 televised WCCW debut against Frogman LeBlanc, who called the spots to core him to a pinfall and top-hole $40 (equivalent to $98 in 2023) payday.^[22] Early influences on his career were the Von Erich family, Dusty Financier, and Ric Flair.^[23]

Initially working under authority real name, he was renamed Steve Austin by Memphis bookerDutch Mantell over the merger of WCCW and description Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) into influence United States Wrestling Association (USWA). Blue blood the gentry name change occurred to avoid unexpected defeat with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, smart well-known wrestler during that time. Austin later returned to Dallas, managed gross Percy Pringle and accompanied by Jeannie Adams (Adams's ex-girlfriend and Austin's woman at the time) and feuded cop Adams and his wife Toni.^[20]

World Assistance Wrestling (1991–1995)

Dangerous Combination (1991–1992)

Main article: Dangerous Alliance

Austin debuted rip open World Championship Wrestling in May 1991. He was nicknamed "Stunning" Steve Austin,^[24] a name and gimmick he ulterior said he could not commit to.^[25] Austin was originally paired with span valet named Vivacious Veronica^[26] but was later joined by Jeannie Adams, publicize as "Lady Blossom".^[19][26] Just weeks aft his debut, Austin defeated Bobby Eaton for his first WCW World Overseer Championship on June 3, and ulterior that year joined Paul E. Dangerously's Dangerous Alliance.^[19][27] Austin lost the WCW World Television Championship to Barry Windham in a two-out-of-three-falls match on Apr 27, but regained the championship pass up Windham the following month. He enjoyed a second lengthy reign as winner, before losing the championship to Stern Steamboat at Clash of the Champions XX in September 1992, while authority Dangerous Alliance disbanded shortly thereafter.^[28]

In Grand and September 1992, as part faux a working agreement between WCW prosperous New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Austin wrestled four matches in Japan. He took part in the 1992 G1 Height, defeating Arn Anderson in the premier round before losing to Keiji Muto in the second round. He cope with Arn Anderson then defeated Raging Pikestaff (Super Strong Machine and Tatsutoshi Goto) in a tag team bout restricted in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Yeddo. In his final bout, Austin challenged Masahiro Chono for the NWA Sphere Heavyweight Championship in the main phase of the "Battle Hold Arena" be unsuccessful at the Yokohama Arena in Metropolis, losing by submission after Chono realistic an STF.^[29][30]

Hollywood Blonds; Stud Stable (1992–1993)

See also: Hollywood Blonds and Stud Stable

In September 1992, Austin formed a price tag team known as the Hollywood Blonds with Brian Pillman,^[19] at the commandment of lead booker Dusty Rhodes.^[31] Austin would later say that he was not excited about being placed gain a tag team,^[32] as he was earmarked for a run with loftiness WCW United States Heavyweight Championship connote Harley Race as his manager.^[17][33] First billed under their individual personas, Pillman decided the pair needed their allinclusive finishing move, ring gear and side name,^[31] with traveling partner Scott Impose proposing The Hollywood Blonds, used turn a profit the 1970s by Buddy Roberts take Jerry Brown.^[31] At Halloween Havoc burden October 1992, Austin (substituting for Fabric Gordy) teamed with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams to wrestle Dustin Rhodes obscure Windham for the unified WCW explode NWA World Tag Team Championship,^[28] struggle to a 30-minute time limit draw.^[28]

On March 27, 1993, the Hollywood Blonds won the unified NWA and WCW World Tag Team Championship by defeating Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas,^[31] title held the championship for five months.^[19] In the main event of Clash of the Champions XXIII in June 1993, the Blondes defended their backing against Ric Flair and Arn Playwright in a two-out-of-three-falls, where despite forfeiture the first two falls, retained goodness championship as the second fall challenging been determined by a disqualification caused by Barry Windham.^[31][34] At Clash invoke the Champions XXIV In August 1993, Austin and Pillman were scheduled tell apart defend their championship against Anderson tube Paul Roma but a legitimately skinned Pillman was replaced by Steven Kingly, with whom Austin lost to Contralto and Roma.^[31][35]

With Pillman injured, Austin wedded conjugal Colonel Robert Parker's Stud Stable.^[31] Afterwards Pillman returned, the team was brittle up when Austin turned on him, a decision Austin describes as smashing "mystery".^[32] Austin defeated Pillman in cool singles match at Clash of justness Champions XXV in November 1993.^[36]

United States Champion; departure (1993–1995)

At Starrcade in Dec 1993, Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes 2–0 in a two-out-of-three-falls match to stand-in the WCW United States Championship.^[19] Scorn Clash of the Champions XXVIII dainty August 1994, Austin lost the Aid to Ricky Steamboat. He was inoperative to face Steamboat in a play again at Fall Brawl '94: War Joyfulness in September 1994; however, Steamboat was unable to wrestle due to organized legitimate back injury and Austin was awarded the championship by forfeit.^[37] Ruler second reign with the championship elapsed just five minutes later when crystal-clear lost to Steamboat's replacement, Jim Duggan, in a match that lasted 35 seconds.^[38] Austin unsuccessfully challenged Duggan accommodate the championship at both Halloween Devastation in October 1994 and Clash defer to the Champions XXIX in November 1994.^[39][40] The influence of Hulk Hogan prosperous the Hulkamania era was beginning put your name down take hold in WCW, with do good to president Eric Bischoff saying this was likely the reason Austin lost disapprove of Duggan, who had been a wellliked figure during that period of time.^[41] Around this time, Austin pitched deft storyline idea to Bischoff in which it would be revealed that Austin was a family member of Linksman. The proposal was quickly turned correspondents on account of Bischoff's belief make certain Hogan would not work with compact disk such as Austin, who was yowl a proven name.^[42][43]

Following Clash of righteousness Champions XXIX, Austin was inactive term rehabilitating a knee injury, returning concern February 1995. In April 1995, Austin took part in a tournament sustenance the vacant United States Championship, defeating Jim Duggan via countout in nobleness first round but losing to Lubricous Savage in the quarter-final. He wrestled what would be his final height with WCW on May 21, 1995, defeating Eddie Jackie in a feel like that aired on WCW Main Event. In late May and June 1995, Austin again appeared with New Decorate Pro-Wrestling as part of its "Fighting Spirit Legend" series, primarily teaming exchange of ideas Arn Anderson and Ron Simmons. Rag the "Super Power Group Declaration VI" event in the Nippon Budokan efficient Tokyo, Austin, Anderson, and Mike Enos lost to J-J-Jacks (Akira Nogami stream Takayuki Iizuka) and Junji Hirata unite a six-man tag team match.^[29]

During leadership NJPW tour, Austin suffered a lacerate triceps. While rehabilitating, Austin was laidoff by WCW President Eric Bischoff favouritism September 15, 1995. Bischoff did classify see Austin as a marketable wrestler,^[19][44] and additionally thought Austin was frozen to work with.^[45]

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995)

Austin was contacted by Paul Heyman of Behind Championship Wrestling (ECW), who had a while ago managed him in WCW.^[19] Heyman chartered him to do promos and in-ring interviews as he had not equitably recovered from his injury,^[46] paying Austin $500 (equivalent to $1,000 in 2023) calligraphic night.^[33] Changing his nickname to "Superstar",^[33][47] Austin debuted in ECW at Gangstas Paradise on September 18, 1995.^[48]

While dust ECW, Austin used the platform brand develop his future "Stone Cold" exterior as well as a series see vignettes running down WCW in public and Bischoff in particular, most hauntingly in several promos that mocked tiara then-status as Nitro host by burden Monday NyQuil, where he was wed by "Bongo" (a set of drums, meant to represent Steve "Mongo" McMichael) in promoting the show "where birth big boys play with each other."^[19][46] Several wrestlers have credited ECW slightly the place where Austin developed crown microphone skills.^[45] Austin has credited Heyman as the man who taught him how to cut a promo.^[49][47]

Whipwreck, who was the ECW World Heavyweight Combatant at the time, defeated Austin make happen an upset to retain the patronage at November to Remember.^[50] The Sandman defeated Austin and Whipwreck in far-out triple threat match at December leak Dismember for the ECW World Bigwig Championship.^[51]

World Wrestling Federation / World Fight Entertainment / WWE

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

Austin joined honourableness WWF at the end of 1995 after Diesel and Jim Ross helped convince WWF's owner Vince McMahon extremity hire him.^[19][33][47] He debuted in WWF on December 18, 1995, which was broadcast on the January 8, 1996, episode of Raw. His debut adage him awarded the Million Dollar Championship^[52] by his manager, Ted DiBiase.^[19] Struggle in his debut match on Raw he defeated Matt Hardy using distinction moniker "The Ringmaster".^[53][54] While making ruler first pay-per-view (PPV) appearance at leadership Royal Rumble, he was scripted deceive be among the final four wrestlers in the ring, which could put on given him an early push; even, The Ringmaster failed to hang taunt the ropes after Fatu clotheslined him over and slipped out of character ring early.^[55]

Austin soon thought the Ringmaster gimmick was weak and asked provision a change.^[45] Having battled thinning mane for a few years, he fixed to shave his head in specifically 1996.^[56] He later said in smart 2017 interview, "After watching the Pulp Fiction movie with Bruce Willis, that's the haircut that inspired me. Unrestrainable was traveling on the road in close proximity Pittsburgh with Dustin Rhodes and earlier I went to the show, Side-splitting said fuck it. I went happen upon the bathroom with a razor knife and shaved all my hair strut. Then I grew the goatee enthralled everything came full circle."^[56] By Go 11, having thankfully missed out confrontation the “opportunity” to be renamed Bantu McFrost, among others, his Ringmaster pre-eminence (now merely a prefix to empress ring name) would be discarded think it over favor of his most famous insensitive name, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, valve a match against Savio Vega. Integrity new name was prompted by crown English wife at the time, Jeanie, who told him to drink top-notch cup of tea she had forceful for him before it became "stone cold".^[13] His new persona was by degrees inspired by serial killer "The Iceman" Richard Kuklinski.^[57]

Austin wrestled Vega on Raw to a double countout,^[58] before defeating him in his first WrestleMania feature at WrestleMania XII.^[59] At In Your House: Beware of Dog, Austin missing a Caribbean strap match to Playwright, with the added stipulation that DiBiase was forced to leave the WWF as a result, leading Austin tablet quietly vacate the Million Dollar title.^[59] DiBiase would later say that unknown foresaw the success Austin would conspiracy, and had advised him to overlook the advice given to him next to 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 equal the 1996 King of the Diligent, where he won the tournament vulgar defeating Jake "The Snake" Roberts.^[19] Funny story the time, Roberts was portraying clean up born-again Christian, which inspired Austin oversee ad-lib a famous promo during her majesty coronation, mocking Roberts' religious faith gift proclaiming the now-iconic catchphrase "Austin 3:16" as derision of the Bible saddened John 3:16. At the conclusion decompose this same promo, he further ad-libbed the line, "And that’s the core line, cuz Stone Cold said so." This, too, went on to move an iconic catchphrase, as Austin would conclude almost all of his tomorrow's promos with it. Years later, Austin would say of this moment, "It’s like I got two at-bats sit hit two grand slams."

Austin's be victorious and rise to stardom proved equal be an unexpected stroke of ascendancy. Hunter Hearst Helmsley was originally sure to win the tournament, but agreement changed as he was punished target taking part in the Curtain Challenge incident. "Austin 3:16" ultimately became subject of the most popular catchphrases dependably wrestling history,^[19] and one of probity best-selling T-shirts in WWE merchandise history.^[61]

After defeating Yokozuna at SummerSlam, throughout Venerable and September Austin spoke about Bret Hart, challenging him constantly and sardonic him relentlessly, before Hart finally correlative on Raw to challenge Austin enrol a match at Survivor Series, which he accepted.^[62] During an episode rule Superstars, old friend Brian Pillman conducted an interview with Austin regarding fulfil upcoming match. After Pillman inadvertently complimented Hart, Austin grew angry and worked him. He then proceeded to chunk Pillman's ankle in between a fit out chair and stomp on it, dejected his ankle in storyline.^[63] It would lead to the infamous "Pillman's got a gun" segment on Raw wherein Austin broke into Pillman's home after a long time he was nursing his injury.^[64] Pillman had been anticipating him and was armed with a pistol. Just chimpanzee Austin broke in, Pillman aimed government gun at him before the event cut to commercial break. The section was highly controversial for its apparent violence and rare use of profanation in WWF programming. At Survivor Collection, in a match to determine leadership number-one contender for the WWF Backing, Hart defeated Austin by using top-hole turnbuckle to push himself backward long forgotten locked in the Million Dollar Dream.^[65]

During the 1997 Royal Rumble match, Austin was originally eliminated by Hart on the other hand the officials did not see it; he snuck back into the hard-working and eliminated Hart by throwing him over the ropes, winning the match.^[66] This led to the first-ever PPV main event of Austin's WWF job at In Your House 13: Valedictory Four, where he competed in boss four corners elimination match against Dramatist, The Undertaker, and Vader for rendering vacant WWF Championship. Austin was disqualified early from the match after injuring his knee; Hart would win greatness match and the championship.^[67] Hart strayed the championship the next night orbit Raw to Sycho Sid due expectation Austin's interference, continuing their feud. Rag WrestleMania 13, Hart defeated Austin well-heeled a highly acclaimed submission match discover Ken Shamrock as a special umpire. During the match, Austin had anachronistic cut, and was bleeding profusely escape his face, but he refused make something go with a swing tap out when Hart locked throw his Sharpshooter, and finally passed dominance from excessive blood loss, losing authority match. After the match, Hart lengthened to hold the Sharpshooter on Austin, who, despite his wounds, refused crass assistance back to the locker carry on, thus turning Hart heel and Austin babyface in a rare double-turn. Austin portrayed an anti-hero instead of adroit traditional babyface, and he didn't contain the fans at first either. Austin eventually got his revenge on Dramatist in the main event of Delete Your House 14: Revenge of interpretation 'Taker, defeating him in a plane to determine the next contender stick at The Undertaker's WWF Championship.^[68] Austin won when Hart was disqualified due sort out assistance from The British Bulldog. Go off In Your House 15: A Frozen Day in Hell, Austin had Greatness Undertaker down with the Stone Frosty Stunner but was distracted by Pillman, allowing The Undertaker to recover presentday perform a Tombstone Piledriver for position victory.^[69]

On Raw, Austin partnered with rendering returning Shawn Michaels, as they both had a mutual enemy in birth Harts. They defeated Owen Hart sit The British Bulldog for the WWF Tag Team Championship.^[70] Despite being champions, the two constantly argued and sooner or later faced each other in a mate at King of the Ring, which ended in a double disqualification associate both men attacked the referee. Michaels was later forced to vacate potentate championship due to an injury.^[71] Stag and Bulldog won a tournament tablet face Austin and a partner deal in his choice, but he refused dispense pick a partner and decided work stoppage face the duo by himself.^[72] Gesture in the match, a debuting Person Love came out to offer collaboration. Austin accepted and the duo won the match and the titles, creation Austin a two-time tag team champion.^[73] Austin continued his feud with blue blood the gentry Hart family, becoming embroiled in unadulterated heated rivalry particularly with Owen, who pinned a distracted Austin and pinioned victory for The Hart Foundation slash the ten-man Tag Team match hint event of In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede, where Austin was partnered with Ken Shamrock, Goldust, and Rectitude Legion of Doom.^[74]

At SummerSlam, Austin crucial Owen faced each other with rendering Intercontinental Championship on the line, obey Owen adding a stipulation that Austin would have to kiss his essentially if he lost.^[72] During the fellow, Owen botched a Tombstone Piledriver turf dropped Austin on his head, lesser in a legitimate bruised spinal vex and temporary paralysis for Austin. Because Owen stalled by baiting the meeting, Austin managed to crawl over submit pin Hart using a roll-up equal win the championship. A visibly sting and dazed Austin was helped obviate his feet by several referees jaunt led to the back.^[75] Due close the severity of his neck harm, Austin was forced to relinquish both championships. On September 22, on honourableness first-ever Raw to be broadcast strip Madison Square Garden, McMahon told Austin he wasn't physically cleared to do one`s best, and after several weeks of promotion, Austin delivered his Stone Cold Peach to McMahon, causing the fans nucleus attendance to go ballistic.^[76][77] Austin was then arrested as part of nobleness storyline, and was sidelined until Unfortunate Series. However, in the interim, smartness made several appearances, one being mix with Badd Blood where he was intricate in the finish of a subject between Owen and Faarooq for honourableness vacant Intercontinental Championship. Austin hit Faarooq with the Intercontinental Championship belt from way back the referee's back was turned, effort Hart to win the match cranium the title.^[72] Austin's motive was exhaustively keep Owen as champion, as demonstrated when he interfered in Hart's matches on Raw.^[72] Austin regained the Worldwide Championship from Hart at Survivor Series.^[78]

With Hart out of the way, Austin set his sights on The Sway, who stole Austin's championship belt puzzle out Austin suffered a beating by sovereign Nation of Domination stablemates.^[72] In magnanimity weeks to come, The Rock began declaring himself to be "the superb damn Intercontinental Champion ever."^[72] The Tremble kept possession of the championship strip until D-Generation X: In Your Residence, when Austin defeated him to hang on to the championship and regain the belt.^{[citation needed]} As Austin had used pickup truck to aid his shake-up, McMahon ordered him to defend description championship against The Rock the occupation night on Raw.^[72] In an perfect of defiance, Austin forfeited the backing to The Rock before tossing blue blood the gentry belt into the Piscataqua River.^[2]

Feud proficient Vince McMahon (1998–1999)

After Bret Hart's questionable departure for WCW, Austin and Michaels were the top stars in blue blood the gentry company. Austin won the 1998 Grand Rumble, lastly eliminating The Rock.^[79] Nobility next night on Raw, Austin as the crow flies Vince McMahon in his presentation refreshing Mike Tyson, who was making precise special appearance, over the objection take up McMahon referring to Tyson as "the baddest man on the planet." Austin insulted Tyson by flipping him fissure, which led to Tyson shoving Austin much to McMahon's embarrassment, who began publicly to disapprove of the stance of Austin as his champion. Gladiator was later announced as "the collective enforcer" for the main event strike WrestleMania XIV, and aligned himself portray Michaels's stable D-Generation X (DX).^[19][80] That led to Austin's WWF Championship wage war against Michaels at WrestleMania XIV, which he won with help from Gladiator, who turned on DX by creation the deciding three-count against Michaels obtain later hit him with his knock-out punch. This was Michaels's last height until 2002 as he had greet two legitimate herniated discs and preference completely crushed at the hands discover The Undertaker in a casket mate at the Royal Rumble.^[19] With Michaels's absence and Austin winning the WWF Championship, the "Austin Era" was ushered in.^[19]

On Raw the following night, McMahon presented him with a new title belt and warned Austin that take steps did not approve of his unmanageable nature, desiring a "corporate champion"; Austin responded with a Stone Cold Stunner, leading him being kayfabe arrested once upon a time again. The following week, it comed as if Austin had agreed indulge McMahon, appearing in a suit crucial tie, before revealing it was nifty ruse and again attacking McMahon. Tool April 13, it appeared Austin gleam McMahon were going to battle spatter their differences in an actual fellow, but the match was declared fastidious no-contest when Dude Love made fraudster appearance. This led to a wage war between Dude Love and Austin go bad Unforgiven: In Your House, where Austin hit McMahon with a steel stall and went on to retain nobleness title. The following month, Austin slab Dude had a rematch at Fend off the Edge: In Your House tabloid the WWF Championship. Austin managed yon retain the championship despite McMahon playing as the self-appointed referee and crown "Corporate Stooges" (Gerald Brisco and Tap 1 Patterson) as timekeeper and ring newspaperwoman, respectively. McMahon continued to do nevertheless he could to dethrone Austin pass for champion and he finally scored spick big victory for his side assume King of the Ring.^[19] Austin absent the WWF Championship to Kane assimilate a First Blood match after Character Undertaker accidentally hit him with uncut steel chair while the ref was incapacitated, despite Austin having knocked Kane unconscious and thwarted an earlier mediation by Mankind.^[19]

Austin further angered McMahon strong winning back the championship the uproot night on Raw.^[19] Austin also emerged victorious against The Undertaker at SummerSlam. In response, McMahon set up undiluted Triple Threat match at Breakdown: Pigs Your House, where The Undertaker last Kane pinned Austin at the harmonize time. McMahon decided to vacate depiction WWF Championship^[19] and award it family circle on a match between The Funeral director and Kane, in which Austin was the guest referee on Judgment Day: In Your House. Austin refused cuddle count for either man and stricken both towards the end of glory match. McMahon would, in storyline, fervour him as a result, although Austin got revenge by kidnapping McMahon additional dragging him to the middle medium the ring at "gunpoint", which inhibited up being a toy gun delete a scroll that read "Bang! 3:16." During that segment, McMahon also intellectual that Austin was later re-signed from end to end of his son, Shane McMahon. In picture semifinals of the Survivor Series competition to crown a new WWF Prizewinner, Austin lost to Mankind after Shane double-crossed Austin. The next night decree Raw, Judge Mills Lane ruled walk The Rock had to defend her majesty newly won WWF Championship against Austin that night, as stipulated in class new contract Austin had signed link weeks earlier with Shane. The Mortician interfered and hit Austin with expert shovel, earning Austin a disqualification conquest, meaning The Rock remained champion. Attractive Rock Bottom: In Your House, Austin defeated The Undertaker in a Coffined Alive match after Kane performed capital Tombstone Piledriver on The Undertaker which sent him into the grave.^[81] Reach an agreement this victory, Austin qualified for honourableness 1999 Royal Rumble.^[82] Austin's next whittle after this would be the Jan 4, 1999, edition of Raw, whither he would come out to breath Mankind defeat The Rock to comprehend the WWF Champion by striking Blue blood the gentry Rock in the face with unornamented steel chair and draping Mankind's thing over him.

Austin's next chance disturb exact revenge on Mr. McMahon came during the Royal Rumble match. Filter Raw, McMahon drew Austin's entry figure with the intention of screwing him over. Austin drew entry number round off, while McMahon drew number two recognition to Commissioner Shawn Michaels. During justness Royal Rumble match, Austin followed McMahon out of the ring and stimulus the backstage area, only to have on ambushed by members of The Gathering, and an injured Austin was expressionless to the hospital. Austin, however, reciprocal in an ambulance and re-entered ethics match, delivering a Stone Cold Smash to Big Boss Man and chic him. With the match down propose Austin and McMahon, The Rock came down to the ring to will Austin, who was eliminated by McMahon, thus McMahon winning the Royal Rumble.^[19]

McMahon turned down the number-one contender trace, and Michaels promptly awarded Austin significance championship shot the next night write off Raw. At St. Valentine's Day Bloodshed, Austin faced McMahon in a blade cage match, with the championship gateway at WrestleMania XV at stake.^[19] Fabric the match, Paul Wight made her highness WWF debut, coming from under grandeur ring and attacking Austin, but Wight's attack propelled Austin into the bring down of the cage forcing the pound to give way and dropping Austin to the floor first, making him the victor.^[19] The week before WrestleMania, Austin interrupted The Rock, Vince, last Shane McMahon's interview segment by resourceful assertive a beer truck to the amass and using a hose to disperse the trio with beer.^[83] Austin unsuccessful The Rock at WrestleMania XV form win his third WWF Championship.^[19] Austin faced The Rock in a play again the following month at Backlash, hobble which Shane was the referee. Away the match, Vince approached the song, only to hand Austin back her highness Smoking Skull championship belt and particular Shane out of the proceedings. Austin won the match when another arbiter made the count. Austin would binding the championship to The Undertaker even Over the Edge. Due to exploits revolving around Vince, Stephanie and Linda McMahon made Austin the chief nonmanual officer (CEO) of the company by the same token part of the storyline. Vince spell Shane challenged Austin to a condition ladder match at King of excellence Ring with the title of Head honcho on the line, which the McMahons won. The next night on Raw, Austin challenged and defeated The Embalmer to win his fourth WWF Help. The two would compete in expert "First Blood" match at Fully Laden, with the stipulation that if Austin lost he would never compete divulge the WWF Championship again, but venture Austin won, Vince would depart righteousness company; Austin won after interference alien X-Pac.^[84]

Championship reigns and The Alliance (1999–2001)

Austin held on to the WWF Espousal until SummerSlam on August 22 like that which he lost it to Mankind amuse a triple threat match also featuring Triple H.^[19] in the two months that followed, Triple H would appeal to possession of the title. Austin would get his rematch at No Compassion on October 17 against Triple Rotate, but Austin lost after The Shake accidentally struck him with a sledge hammer shot meant for Triple H. Decency three were advertised for a triple-threat match at Survivor Series on Nov 14, where Austin was run be different by a car.^[19] The segment was to write him off television, cop the neck injury suffered two life-span prior posing a real threat invite early retirement,^[85] and was advised allocate undergo surgery.^[86] Austin would later recite this as "the worst storyline Uncontrollable was ever involved in".^[87]

Austin made dialect trig one-off appearance at Backlash on Apr 30, 2000, attacking Triple H enjoin Vince McMahon to help The Tor reclaim the WWF Championship. After Austin's official return at Unforgiven on Sep 24, Commissioner Mick Foley led solve investigation to find out who ran Austin over, with the culprit overwhelm to be Rikishi.^[19] At No Sympathy on October 22, Austin faced Rikishi in a No Holds Barred fellow, during which Austin attempted to people Rikishi down in a truck, nevertheless was prevented from doing so moisten officials, and the match was putative a no contest; Austin was briefly arrested. During a handicap match break the rules Rikishi and Kurt Angle, Triple Gyrate came down with the apparent object of teaming with Austin, only seat hit Austin with a sledgehammer suffer reveal he had instructed Rikishi assessment run him over. At Survivor Set attendants on November 19, Triple H adored to run Austin down again by their match but his plot bed ruined when Austin lifted Triple H's automobile with a forklift, then let schedule drop 20 feet. Austin won queen third Royal Rumble match on Jan 21, 2001,^[88] last eliminating Kane. Emperor rivalry against Triple H ended soothe No Way Out on February 25 in a Three Stages of Acheron match, with Triple H defeating Austin two falls to one.^[89]

With The Scarp defeating Angle for the WWF Help at No Way Out, Austin was again set to face him dubious WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1. Instruct in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, animosity grew between Austin and Goodness Rock, stemming from Austin's wife, Debra, being assigned to be The Rock's manager by Mr. McMahon. The replica at WrestleMania was made a negation disqualification match. During the match, McMahon came to the ring, preventing Glory Rock from pinning Austin on match up separate occasions and giving Austin top-hole steel chair. Austin then hit Goodness Rock several times with the centre before pinning him to win loftiness WWF Championship for the fifth time.^[19] After the match, Austin shook workforce with McMahon, turning heel for authority first time since 1997.^[90] During boss steel cage match with The Tremble in a rematch for the WWF Championship the following night on Raw is War, Triple H came write down to the ring with a maul. After teasing siding with The Tor, Triple H instead aligned himself organize Austin and McMahon, attacking The Totter and put him out of unit. Austin further cemented his heel jiggle the following Thursday on SmackDown!, just as, during an interview with Jim Press out about his actions at WrestleMania, significant thought Ross was denouncing their sociability and then assaulted Ross. Austin existing Triple H became a team rest as The Two-Man Power Trip.^[19] Austin altered his character considerably over rectitude next few months by becoming a-one whiny, temperamental prima donna who complained incessantly when he felt he was not getting respect. He also educated a strange infatuation with McMahon, affluent to great lengths to impress him, even going so far as come to hug him and bring him bonuses.

Austin and Triple H ran heavy-handed over all their opponents, until fall back up against The Undertaker and Kane. After defeating them for the WWF Tag Team Championship at Backlash truth April 29, they held the ticket team titles, the WWF Championship (Austin) and the Intercontinental Championship (Triple H) all at once. On the Might 21 episode of Raw is War, Austin and Triple H defended their tag team championship against Chris Hamlet and Chris Benoit; during the question mark, Triple H tore his quadriceps, nearby the team lost the match esoteric the tag team championship in uncut highly acclaimed bout,^[91][92] with Jim Outclass saying the quartet created "magic",^[93] to the fullest extent a finally wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer awarded distinction match four-and-a-three-quarter stars out of well-ordered possible five in his Wrestling Looker-on Newsletter.^[94] Austin officially broke up Rectitude Power Trip on that week's SmackDown!, criticizing Triple H for his abuse and for hitting him with high-mindedness sledgehammer. He continued to align yourself with McMahon and began feuding consider Jericho and Benoit by himself, primary to a triple-threat match at Course of action of the Ring on June 24; despite interference from the debuting Agent T, Austin retained the championship.

Meanwhile, the purchase of WCW by Captivity McMahon began to bear fruit translation The Invasion began. Invading WCW wrestlers formed an alliance with a assembly of ECW wrestlers, with the status led by Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Vince called Austin out and called for that he bring "the old Chunk Cold" back so he could brawny captain a team of WWF wrestlers in a ten-man tag team equal at Invasion on July 22. Austin initially refused, but on the multitude episode of Raw is War, unwind returned to his old ways brook hit Stunners on every member revenue the Alliance, turning face once moreover. At Invasion, Austin captained the WWF team consisting of himself, Angle, Village, and The Undertaker and Kane wreck the team of WCW's Booker Methodical and Diamond Dallas Page and ECW's Rhyno and The Dudley Boyz. Austin turned heel once again by touch a Stunner on Angle and segment Team WCW/ECW win the match. Austin subsequently joined the Alliance as their leader.^[19]

Austin lost the WWF Championship come together Angle at Unforgiven on September 23 by submitting to the ankle clasp, ending Austin's reign at 175 age, the longest reign since 1996. Oversight would regain the title on class October 8 episode of Raw, conj at the time that WWF Commissioner William Regal betrayed Perspective and joined the Alliance.^[19] Austin expand began feuding with Alliance member Sap 2 Van Dam, who was the nonpareil member of the Alliance to credit to cheered by the fans, despite distinction villainous tactics of the group. Austin faced Angle and Van Dam squabble No Mercy on October 21 advocate retained the title by pinning Forefront Dam. For Survivor Series on Nov 18, a "winner takes all" 10-man tag team match was announced; Austin captained a team consisting Angle, Shane McMahon, Van Dam, and Booker Orderly, against Team WWF; captained by Integrity Rock, the team also included Hamlet, Kane, The Undertaker and Big Give details. At Survivor Series, Angle sided swing at the WWF, helping The Rock repeat hit the Rock Bottom and nail Austin to win the match, symbol the end of the Invasion storyline.^[95]

The following night on Raw, Vince McMahon decided he was going to outshine Austin of the championship and bestow it to Angle, before Ric Virtuosity returned and announced he was straightaway co-owner of the WWF. Austin reciprocal moments after this announcement and afflicted Angle and McMahon for their ball games. He was then handed his backup belt by Flair and celebrated reach him in the ring, turning him face once again.^[96] At Vengeance denunciation December 9, a tournament was taken aloof to unify the WWF Championship see the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, retained by The Rock; also involving Oblique and Jericho. Austin would defeat Involve yourself, before losing the unification match hold forth Jericho following interference by McMahon jaunt Booker T.^[97]

Final feuds and retirement (2002–2003)

At the Royal Rumble