In “Recoil,” WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin plays a mysterious stranger named Ryan Varrett. In the town of Hop, Washington, he finds himself at odds with an evil crime lord, Drayke (Danny Trejo) and a corrupt police department. As Varrett, “Stone Cold” sets out to triumph over evil in this action-packed thriller. WWE.com looks back at 10 moments when The Texas Rattlesnake overcame the odds and triumphed over his nefarious foes throughout his Hall of Famer career.
“Stone Cold” fights corporate power at WrestleMania XV
The
odds could not have been more stacked against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
than they were heading into WrestleMania XV. Ever since Austin won the
WWE Title at WrestleMania XIV, The Chairman made it his mission to
first dethrone The Texas Rattlesnake and then prevent him from
reclaiming the title any way he could. With his powerful faction, The
Corporation, and WWE Champion The Rock behind him, Mr. McMahon went as
far as entering the Royal Rumble Match and actually winning.
It
appeared as though Austin would not have a chance to reclaim the WWE
Title. But when The Chairman relinquished his WrestleMania opportunity,
then-WWE Commissioner Shawn Michaels announced that the Royal Rumble
Match runner-up – “Stone Cold”- would instead battle The Rock. On The
Grandest Stage of Them All, The Texas Rattlesnake overcame the nefarious
Corporation, even as Mr. McMahon tried to assist The Rock, and he
reclaimed the WWE Championship.
“Stone Cold” takes down The Alliance
Following Shane and Stephanie McMahon’s formation of The Alliance consisting of WCW and ECW competitors; they immediately began making their presence felt in WWE. WWE Superstars were taken off-guard and Mr. McMahon watched as The Alliance tried to overrun his empire. Due to his alliance with The Chairman, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin had adopted a more emotional personality and did not initially defend WWE. Mr. McMahon pleaded with The Rattlesnake to bring back his more aggressive side and even sacrificed himself to be beat up at the hands of Austin.
When Diamond Dallas Page and Rhyno squared off with The Undertaker and Kane on Raw, it was not long before The Alliance made their way to the ring and WWE Superstars responded resulting in an all-out brawl. As the battle raged in the ring and amongst Superstars backstage, “Stone Cold” sped into the arena in his pick-up truck and began taking out WCW and ECW competitors. It wasn’t until The Texas Rattlesnake reached the ring that the full extent of his impact was felt. Austin dealt Stunners to any WCW or ECW competitor in his path, standing tall with his fellow WWE comrades.
“Stone Cold” outsmarts The New World Order
Following the shocking revelation that Ric Flair was co-owner of WWE with Mr. McMahon, The Chairman brought “a lethal dose of poison” into WWE to kill his creation in 2002. That poison was none other than the infamous New World Order – “Hollywood” Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. At No Way Out, The New World Order made the error of costing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin the Undisputed Championship and spray painting their trademark “nWo” on his back.
The New World Order was unaware of what The Texas Rattlesnake was capable of, but they would soon find out. Without warning, The WWE Hall of Famer began his retaliatory strikes on the black and white clad faction. Nearly running down Scott Hall with his pick-up truck, Austin forced Hogan and Nash to flee the arena only to find their limousine tires flat. As the pair sought refuge in an office, Austin lured them out using Hall as bait. When Hogan and Nash attempted to retrieve Hall, Austin locked them in a cage and returned to the ring with Hall in tow. It was then that “Stone Cold” pummeled “The Bad Guy” in the center of the ring, leaving him with “3:16” spray painted on his back.
Calling Dr. “Stone Cold”
In October 1998, Mr. McMahon spent some time in a medical facility while recovering from a broken ankle. During the Monday Night Raw broadcast, WWE cameras were on location to check the status of The Chairman throughout the evening. At one point, Mr. McMahon received a visit from Mankind which resulted in the debut of the legendary Mr. Socko.
However, Mankind and Mr. Socko weren’t Mr. McMahon’s only visitors that evening. Dressed in doctor’s scrubs, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin used the opportunity to attack his arch nemesis. Austin pummeled Mr. McMahon’s ankle and proceeded to infamously whack the nefarious Chairman over the head with a bedpan. The WWE Chairman’s night ended when The Texas Rattlesnake shocked his enemy with a defibrillator.
“Stone Cold” banishes evil and saves Stephanie McMahon
In
later 1998 and 1999, The Undertaker created one of the most evil
factions to ever exist in WWE. Known as The Ministry of Darkness, their
mission was to spread The Phenom’s gothic vision for the future of WWE
and to oust Mr. McMahon from power. One of The Deadman’s most evil acts
was the abduction of The Chairman’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon. The
first time she was abducted, she was quickly discovered and moved to
safety, however, the second time; The Undertaker had plans to marry The
Billion Dollar Princess.
There was seemingly no one that could
prevent the evil Undertaker from carrying out his plans on Raw, as Big
Show and Ken Shamrock tried and were held off by The Ministry. However,
the dark power of The Phenom’s faction couldn’t hold-off an onslaught
from WWE Champion “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake
plowed through every member of The Ministry in his path and sent The
Undertaker reeling before the ceremony could be completed. Although he
was Mr. McMahon’s sworn enemy, it did not stop Austin from doing the
right thing and saving The Chairman’s daughter.
The Intercontinental Title goes for a swim
Before they clashed for the WWE Championship, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock battled over the prestigious Intercontinental Title. The rivalry over the title was so intense that The Great One actually stole the championship from The Texas Rattlesnake. At D-Generation X: In Your House in 1997, “Stone Cold” unleashed on The Rock at his Nation of Domination faction, reclaiming the title in an awesome rush of pure chaos where even the official was met with a Stunner.
The next night on Raw, Mr. McMahon decided that due to “Stone Cold’s” use of “excessive force” against The Rock, The Chairman was going to strip Austin of the title. Adding further insult, Mr. McMahon planned to award the title to The Rock. However, rather than surrender the title, Austin stunned The Great One and teased plans for the title. One week later, Austin delivered on his promise by tossing the Intercontinental Title off a bridge and into a river. “Stone Cold” proved that there were no lengths too great in his efforts to overcome those who would seek his demise.
Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon and The Rock get a Beer Bath
During his rivalry with Mr. McMahon, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin would also cross paths with the Chairman’s group of Superstars, The Corporation, specifically then WWE Champion, The Rock. The Texas Rattlesnake and The People’s Champ had previously battled over the Intercontinental Title, but with the pair about to square off for the WWE Title at WrestleMania XV, the stakes were even higher. One week before The Show of Shows, Mr. McMahon, The Rock and Shane McMahon decided to berate Austin on Monday Night Raw. This opened up the opportunity for the WWE Hall of Famer to up the ante.
The Texas Rattlesnake stormed into the arena driving a beer truck. As the rig came to a halt at ringside, Mr. McMahon, Shane and The Rock were left completely baffled. Before the trio inside the ring could regain their composure, “Stone Cold,” wielding a hose connected to the truck, doused them in beer. In what would go down as one of the most memorable moments in WWE history, it also came to define the unpredictability of “Stone Cold” in his struggle against an opposing force.
“Stone Cold” ensures Mr. McMahon vs. Bret Hart at WrestleMania XXVI
Nearly 13 years after the infamous Montreal Screwjob, Bret “Hit Man” Hart returned to WWE to confront Mr. McMahon. That night at Survivor Series 1997 was also the first time that Mr. McMahon’s true nature as a ruthless executive came to light. Of course, The Chairman would eventually find himself embroiled in a legendary rivalry with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. So when the time came for Mr. McMahon and Bret Hart to sign a contract for a match at WrestleMania XXVI, there was no one better to ensure the WWE Chairman’s cooperation than The Texas Rattlesnake.
Austin shared a personal and well-documented history with both “Hit Man” and Mr. McMahon. But on this particular night, The Texas Rattlesnake would make sure The Chairman – his greatest nemesis – would get what was coming to him. Austin intimidated Mr. McMahon into signing the contract, with The Chairman and the WWE Universe under the impression that Hart was injured. However, The Rattlesnake and his WrestleMania XIII opponent then revealed that Hart was not hurt and Mr. McMahon would face The Excellence of Execution at 100 percent. Thanks to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bret Hart would finally have his revenge on The Chairman on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The Texas Rattlesnake has a Zamboni license
At Breakdown: In Your House in September 1998, the Triple Threat Match between WWE Champion “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Kane ended when both The Phenom and The Big Red Monster pinned The Texas Rattlesnake at the same time. Without a clear winner, Mr. McMahon decided that he would crown a new WWE Champion the next night on Raw. During the presentation ceremony, The Chairman was prepared to give Undertaker and Kane each a title, one the classic WWE Championship and the other as Austin’s custom made Smoking Skull title.
Moments before Mr. McMahon could present the championships, “Stone Cold” made his way into the arena. But there would be no stopping The Texas Rattlesnake on his way to the ring as he sped through the backstage area on a Zamboni. Once the WWE Hall of Famer reached ringside, he slammed the vehicle into the side of the ring, and ran off the top of it, clotheslining Mr. McMahon and unleashing his relentless fury.
“Iron Mike” helps “Stone Cold” overcome the odds
In 1997, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin joined an elite group of Superstars by winning the Royal Rumble Match, securing a WWE Title opportunity at WrestleMania XIV. That very same night, Shawn Michaels retained the WWE Championship. The next evening on Raw, Mr. McMahon announced that legendary boxer Mike Tyson, who watched the Royal Rumble event from a luxury box the night before, would be the special referee in the WWE Championship Match at The Show of Shows. Austin did not take kindly to Tyson’s role and the two clashed inside the ring. This prompted The Chairman to instead make Tyson the special enforcer for the match, and it also appeared “Iron Mike” would side with HBK and D-Generation X.
At WrestleMania, the odds seemed stacked against “Stone Cold.” The battle between Austin and Michaels raged under the watchful eye of Tyson. The bout was competitive and truly highlighted why both Superstars would become WWE Hall of Famers. As the battle continued, the WWE official was taken out of action. When HBK attempted to take Austin down with Sweet Chin Music, The Texas Rattlesnake countered with a Stunner. Shockingly, Tyson entered the ring, made the count and crowned “Stone Cold” the new WWE Champion, helping Austin overcome the odds.
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Austin takes out The
Alliance
Following Shane and Stephanie McMahon’s formation of The Alliance consisting of
WCW and ECW competitors; they immediately began making their presence felt in
WWE. WWE Superstars were taken off-guard and Mr. McMahon watched as The
Alliance tried to overrun his empire. Due to his alliance with The Chairman,
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin had adopted a more emotional personality and did not
initially defend WWE. Mr. McMahon pleaded with The Rattlesnake to bring back
his more aggressive side and even sacrificed himself to be beat up at the hands
of Austin.
When Diamond Dallas Page and Rhyno squared off with The
Undertaker and Kane on Raw, it was not long before The Alliance made their way
to the ring and WWE Superstars responded resulting in an all out brawl. As the
battle raged in the ring and amongst Superstars backstage, “Stone Cold” sped
into the arena in his pick-up truck and began taking out WCW and ECW
competitors. It wasn’t until The Texas Rattlesnake reached the ring that the
full extent of his impact was felt. Austin dealt Stunners to any WCW or ECW
competitor in his path, standing tall with his fellow WWE comrades.
Austin takes out the
nWo
Following the shocking revelation that Ric Flair was co-owner of WWE with Mr.
McMahon, The Chairman brought “a lethal dose of poison” into WWE to kill his
creation in 2002. That poison was none other than the infamous New World Order
– “Hollywood” Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. At No Way Out, The New World
Order made the error of costing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin the Undisputed
Championship and spray painting their trademark “nWo” on his back.
The New World Order was unaware of what The Texas
Rattlesnake was capable of, but they would soon find out. Without warning, The
WWE Hall of Famer began his retaliatory strikes on the black and white clad
faction. Nearly running down Scott Hall with his pick-up truck, Austin forced
Hogan and Nash to flee the arena only to find their limousine tires flat. As
the pair sought refuge in an office, Austin lured them out using Hall as bait.
When Hogan and Nash attempted to retrieve Hall, Austin locked them in a cage
and returned to the ring with Hall in tow. It was then that “Stone Cold”
pummeled “The Bad Guy” in the center of the ring, leaving him with “3:16” spray
painted on his back.
Austin visits McMahon
in the hospital
In October 1998, Mr. McMahon spent some time in a medical facility while
recovering from a broken ankle. During the Monday Night Raw broadcast, WWE
cameras were on location to check the status of the Chairman throughout the
evening. At one point, Mr. McMahon received a visit from Mankind which resulted
in the debut of the legendary Mr. Socko.
However, Mankind and Mr. Socko weren’t Mr. McMahon’s only
visitors that evening. Dressed in doctor’s scrubs, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
used the opportunity to attack his arch nemesis. Austin pummeled Mr. McMahon’s
ankle and proceeded to infamously whack the nefarious Chairman over the head
with a bedpan. The WWE Chairman’s night ended when The Texas Rattlesnake
shocked his enemy with a defibrillator.
Throwing the IC title
into river
Before they clashed for the WWE Championship, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and
The Rock battled over the prestigious Intercontinental Title. The rivalry over
the title was so intense that The Great One actually stole the championship
from The Texas Rattlesnake. At D-Generation X: In Your House in 1997, “Stone
Cold” unleashed on The Rock at his Nation of Domination faction, reclaiming the
title in an awesome rush of pure chaos where even the official was met with a
Stunner.
The next night on Raw, Mr. McMahon decided that due to
“Stone Cold’s” use of “excessive force” against The Rock, The Chairman was
going to strip Austin of the title. Adding further insult, Mr. McMahon planned to
award the title to The Rock. However, rather than surrender the title, Austin
stunned The Great One and teased plans for the title. One week later, Austin
delivered on his promise by tossing the Intercontinental Title off of a bridge
and into a body of water. “Stone Cold” proved that there were no lengths too
great in his efforts to overcome those who would seek his demise.
Austin Beer Bath
During his rivalry with Mr. McMahon, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin would also cross
paths with the Chairman’s group of Superstars, The Corporation, specifically
then WWE Champion, The Rock. The Texas Rattlesnake and The People’s Champ had
previously battled over the Intercontinental Title, but with the pair about to
square off for the WWE Title at WrestleMania XV, the stakes were even higher.
One week before The Show of Shows, Mr. McMahon, The Rock and Shane McMahon
decided to berate Austin on Monday Night Raw. This opened up the opportunity
for the WWE Hall of Famer to up the ante.
The Texas Rattlesnake stormed into the arena driving a beer
truck. As the rig came to a halt at
ringside, Mr. McMahon, Shane and The Rock were left completely baffled. Before
the trio inside the ring could regain their composure, “Stone Cold,” wielding a
hose connected to the truck, doused them in beer. In what would go down as one
of the most memorable moments in WWE history, it also came to define the
unpredictability of “Stone Cold” in his struggle against an opposing force.
McMahon/Hart contract
signing
Nearly thirteen years after the infamous Montreal Screwjob, Bret “Hit Man” Hart
returned to WWE to confront Mr. McMahon.
That night at Survivor Series 1997 was also the first time that Mr.
McMahon’s true nature as a ruthless executive came to light. Of course, The
Chairman would eventually find himself embroiled in a legendary rivalry with
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin. So when the time came for Mr. McMahon and Bret Hart
to sign a contract for a match at WrestleMania XXVI, there was no one better to
ensure the WWE Chairman’s cooperation than The Texas Rattlesnake.
Austin shared a personal and well-documented history with
both “Hit Man” and Mr. McMahon. But on this particular night, The Texas
Rattlesnake would make sure The Chairman – his greatest nemesis – would get
what was coming to him. Austin intimidated Mr. McMahon into signing the
contract, with The Chairman and the WWE Universe under the impression that Hart
was injured. However, The Rattlesnake and his WrestleMania XIII opponent then
revealed that Hart was not hurt and Mr. McMahon would face The Excellence of
Execution at 100 percent. Thanks to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bret Hart would
finally have his revenge on The Chairman on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Austin clotheslines
McMahon off the top of a zamboni
At Breakdown: In Your House in September 1998, the Triple Threat Match
between WWE Champion “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Undertaker and Kane ended
when both The Phenom and The Big Red Monster pinned The Texas Rattlesnake at
the same time. Without a clear winner, Mr. McMahon decided that he would crown
a new WWE Champion the next night on Raw. During the presentation ceremony, The
Chairman was prepared to give Undertaker and Kane each a title, one the classic
WWE Championship and the other as Austin’s custom made Smoking Skull title.
Moments before Mr. McMahon could present the championships,
“Stone Cold” made his way into the arena. But there would be no stopping The
Texas Rattlesnake on his way to the ring as he sped through the backstage area
on a zamboni. Once the WWE Hall of Famer reached ringside, he slammed the
vehicle into the side of the ring, and ran off the top of it, clotheslining Mr.
McMahon and unleashing his relentless fury.
Defeating HBK
following an assist from Mike Tyson
In 1997, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin joined an elite group of Superstars by
winning the Royal Rumble Match, securing a WWE Title opportunity at
WrestleMania XIV. That very same night, Shawn Michaels retained the WWE
Championship. The next evening on Raw, Mr. McMahon announced that legendary
boxer Mike Tyson, who watched the Royal Rumble event from a luxury box the
night before, would be the special referee in the WWE Championship Match at The
Show of Shows. Austin did not take kindly to Tyson’s role and the two clashed
inside the ring. This prompted The Chairman to instead make Tyson the special
enforcer for the match, and it also appeared “Iron Mike” would side with HBK
and D-Generation X.
At WrestleMania, the odds seemed stacked against “Stone
Cold.” The battle between Austin and Michaels raged under the watchful eye of
Tyson. The bout was competitive and truly highlighted why both Superstars would
become WWE Hall of Famers. As the battle continued, the WWE official was taken
out of action. When HBK attempted to take Austin down with Sweet Chin Music,
The Texas Rattlesnake countered with a Stunner. Shockingly, Tyson entered the
ring, made the count and crowned “Stone Cold” the new WWE Champion, helping
Austin overcome the odds.
Austin defeats The
Rock at WrestleMania XV
The odds could not have been more stacked against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
than they were heading into WrestleMania XV.
Ever since Austin won the WWE Title at WrestleMania XIV, The Chairman
made it his mission to first dethrone The Texas Rattlesnake and then prevent
him from reclaiming the title any way he could. With is powerful faction, The
Corporation, and WWE Champion The Rock behind him, Mr. McMahon went as far as
entering the Royal Rumble Match and actually winning.
It appeared as though Austin would not have a chance to
reclaim the WWE Title. But when The Chairman relinquished his WrestleMania
opportunity, then-WWE Commissioner Shawn Michaels announced that the Royal
Rumble Match runner-up – “Stone Cold”- would instead battle The Rock. On The
Grandest Stage of Them All, The Texas Rattlesnake overcame the nefarious
Corporation, even as Mr. McMahon tried to assist The Rock, and he reclaimed the
WWE Championship.
Austin rescues Steph
from Undertaker
In later 1998 and 1999, The Undertaker created one of the most evil
factions to ever exist in WWE. Known as The Ministry of Darkness, their mission
was to spread The Phenom’s gothic vision for the future of WWE and to oust Mr.
McMahon from power. One of The Deadman’s most evil acts was the abduction of
The Chairman’s daughter, Stephanie McMahon. The first time she was abducted,
she was quickly discovered and moved to safety, however, the second time; The
Undertaker had plans to marry the Billion Dollar Princess.
There was seemingly no one that could prevent the evil
Undertaker from carrying out his plans on Raw, as Big Show and Ken Shamrock
tried and were held off by The Ministry. However, the dark power of The Phenom’s
faction couldn’t hold-off an onslaught from WWE Champion “Stone Cold” Steve
Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake plowed through every member of The Ministry in
his path and sent The Undertaker reeling before the ceremony could be
completed. Although he was Mr. McMahon’s sworn enemy, it did not stop Austin
from doing the right thing and saving The Chairman’s daughter.
Article source: http://www.wwe.com/inside/wweviewingroom/10-triumphant-stone-cold-moments
Having heard enough, The Rock entered the arena and
Big
McMahon planned on handing the title to Kurt Angle, who believed himself
to no one’s surprise, the co-owners clashed on all matters
One week after taking back the WWE reins, the Chairman
Bischoff and Austin clashed on many issues during their shared term
WWE’s first African-American General Manager eventually returned
“Physical and social attractiveness deliver substantial benefits in all social interaction – making a person more persuasive, able to secure the cooperation of colleagues, attract customers and sell products,” Hakim wrote.
In Henry’s mind, records are made to be broken. In 1991 a young Henry did just that -breaking four national junior records. But the accolades would not stop there. He placed fourth at the U.S. Nationals and at the Junior World Championships came in sixth. His first year of competing was unprecedented, shattering records and becoming the top super-heavyweight in the United States.
impressive achievement for the Texas native.