The Mandalorian's Pedro Pascal on season 3, Neighbours announces seven more returning cast. Lets imagine that Austins neck was magically cured after his third Mania match with The Rock. Hed seldom admit it at the time, but Owen dropping him on his neck forever changed him, even after he had the surgery. Kevin Owens is perfect as a safe-pair-of-hands opponent, and Stone Cold's return would be huge for both WWE and its fans (not to mention Steve himself, most likely). The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Condition: Are you training for an event?' Austin had his last WWE match at WrestleMania XIX in 2003 against The Rock before retiring due to injury. If an Austin comeback were to occur, then there is no better time than now for Stone Cold to make a huge payday. He had great, chaotic fights with people like The Rock, Mick Foley, a pre-biker character Undertaker, and Triple H, and despite not being pretty, these brawls never failed to leave fans entertained. Austin had his last WWE match at WrestleMania XIX in 2003 against The Rock before retiring due to injury. The Rock has underscored this difference for having delivered the dream matches Austin didnt. The Rock and Stone Cold helped make WWE as popular as ever in the late '90s but both were gone by 2003. Austin was only 38 when he had to call it quits; there was still a lot he couldve done inside the squared circle. A big reason for thatin 2022 isthe Texas Rattlesnakeactually wrestling, as rumors suggested Austin might compete at WrestleManiafor the first time since 2003,but WWE and Austin himself seemed to be downplaying the idea that it would happen. Feeling slighted, the guy, who by his own admission and the offices, was one of the most demanding superstars of all time; took his ball and went home. Ric Flair has had his money woes. Related:Why WWE's 2022 Royal Rumble Was Such A Disappointing Show. Stone Cold made a triumphant in-ring return after 19 years and yes, the bell rang. When Stone Cold decides hed had enough, he grabbed his then-wife, Debra and scurried on home. While Austin was on the losing end at Mania, The Rattlesnake had a big enough name to warrant a shot at Triple Hs big gold belt. Immediately I thought theres no way this thing will even play, but it did so Im happy with that. This surprise performance was quite the spectacle, and delighted the nearly 80,000 people (allegedly) in attendance in Dallas, Texas and the millions watching live on Peacock or the WWE Network. Stone Cold Calls Out Batista - Goldberg Returns 2003 [via torchbrowser.com] 9:25. There was no bigger match to have held then the dream match fans had been clamoring for since 1998. | Yet, as mentioned above, Austin has always been upfront about how hard it was to move on after he retired the first time. He went on to wrestle his fellow biggest names of the Attitude Era like The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker. However, Austin wouldn't have. By bringing back that match template for Austin vs. Owens, WWE gave Austin the best chance he had at still performing satisfactorily, even though he's not the athlete he once was. Must-see Ric Flair documentary now streaming on Peacock, Snickers and 2K23 to present WrestleMania 39, WWE's Tamina on 'The Rock' gifting house: 'Thats just his heart', The Miz becomes first two-time Grand Slam Champion in WWE history, Get more from World Wrestling Entertainment, Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more, FOX SPORTS, SPEED, SPEED.COM & 2023 Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC. Related: WWE: Which Show Was The Biggest Of All Time. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. "I think Vince tried talking me into coming back a couple of times. Please logout and login again. AttitudePOP 1.66M subscribers Subscribe 13K 1M views 10 months ago RAW February 10, 2003. Just never stop running your mouth. Steen took those words to heart, and that advice helped in Kevin Steens transition to Kevin Owens. 4:29. WWE - Stone Cold returns to RAW December 2003. kevin billon. Factoring in his many layoffs due to injury and Austins eight-month hiatus after walking out in June 2002, Stone Cold was only on top for about three years. According to most parties involved, after Stone Cold hung up on Jim Ross on the plane, that was it. You could feel Biancas struggle, as well as Beckys desperation to keep the belt, and they played into our emotions to perfection. This was a very confusing decision. Long before the days of Tweeting out instant criticisms, the WWE seemingly didnt mind its top star ripping into the Creative on their own TV. While The Rock was no slouch, he got by on charisma and never had to work at the level Austin did on his way up, and its not the quality of The Great Ones matches that fans missed about him. For whatever the reason, since the guy walked out on them, the brass decided they might as well monetize it, get ratings for their Confidential series and get in front of whatever Austin or the Dirtsheets might say about the incident. By Michael Chin. WrestleMania always tempts WWE legends back to the ring, but will 2022's annual grappling extravaganza feature the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin? It's quite possible Austin's passion for wrestling was reignited by that experience, which saw an entire stadium chanting his name and saying "you still got it." 6:17. Related: WWE: Why Triple H Has Retired From Wrestling. Stone Cold Steve Austin retired from the company 19 years ago. But the Rattlesnake actually had the audacity to call the office and get his flights changed instead of doing it himself. Austin has seen that speculation and decided to respond. First, heres a recap of the match results: - The Usos defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs via pinfall to retain the SmackDown tag team titles, - Drew McIntyre defeated Happy Corbin via pinfall after being the first person ever to kick out of the End of Days, - The Miz and Logan Paul defeated Rey and Dominik Mysterio via pinfall, - Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch via pinfall to become the new Raw Womens champion, - Cody Rhodes defeated Seth Rollins via pinfall after hitting the Cross Rhodes multiple times (as well as a Bionic Elbow), - Charlotte Flair defeated Ronda Rousey via pinfall to retain the SmackDown Womens Championship, - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin defeated Kevin Owens via pinfall in a No Holds Barred match after hitting the Stunner. According to several people (namely Bruce Prichard, Vince, and JR), this wasnt the first time Austin hightailed it home. We need to confirm your email address. So when "Kingdom" began to play over the loudspeakers at WrestleMania, it was one of those moments where I said to myself, "I never thought Id see this happen.". More: WWE: Every Vince McMahon WrestleMania Match Ranked From Worst To Best. "If I couldnt be 110 percent Stone Cold Steve Austin, it just wasnt worth doing. What were some of the details involving Stone Cold Steve Austins self-imposed exile? Here are 10 Things Fans Need To Know About Stone Cold's Walkout In 2002, Explained. For a time, Triple H was one of Stone Cold Steve Austins biggest rivals. However, Austin wouldnt have gotten his hands on the World Heavyweight Championship, as that title was reserved for another bald ass-kicker. I have such fond memories of taking in the product with my dad and arguing with my brother about Stone Cold being better than The Rock. Sports Tube. Steve Austin would fall into a similar category. Austin was never known to be generous with wins and losses, but Stone Cold may have softened in his old age and allowed Owens to be the one to have his hand raised. Austin took an unlikely path to become the face of the company as an antihero. The Rock thrived in the Attitude Era, too, particularly for his provocative promo style. When not writing, Michael enjoys going to concerts, taking in live professional wrestling, and debating pop culture. Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these, Carlos Beltran admits 'stain' on Astros' 2017 World Series title. And to me, going back for one match, being like man, why? 2:18. Notes - Delivery *Estimated delivery dates include seller's handling time, origin ZIP Code, destination ZIP Code and time of acceptance and will depend on shipping service selected and receipt of cleared payment. After several months of being incommunicado and not doing anything except wallowing and wasting away in San Antonio, the Rattlesnake one day received a postcard from his friend and Head Of Talent at that time, Jim Ross. After dispensing Goldberg at WM20, Austin would have noticed the changing landscape around him and emerging stars such as John Cena and Randy Orton. Then he worked the grueling schedule demanded of the tippy top guy in the company. RAW (2000): Stone Cold Steve Austin Returns! Austin then popped up again during WrestleMania night two, stunning his old nemesis Vince McMahon, wrestler Austin Theory, and former NFL star Pat McAfee. The stage is perfectly set for Stone Cold Steve Austin to swoop inand give Kev a surprise opponent, then, as (arguably) WWE's biggest-ever babyface, defend the honor of his home state. Austin was assumed to be one of the few people in wrestling who would stick to his retirement, but the temptation to compete opposite Kevin Owens in a WrestleMania main event in his home state of Texas proved too good an opportunity to turn down. But that doesn't mean Vince McMahon hasn't tried to convince him to come back in the past. Watch every Premium Live Event and get unlimited access to WWE's premium content - available to you anywhere, anytime, on any device. The Streak slowly grew from a trivia fact to hallowed record. Austins own star power certainly exceeded expectations, but he kept up the high quality of work right up through his final matches. If Austin were able, the two would have had a match, and it would have been at WrestleMania 29, as Punk was white hot then. Sign up for BINGE to watch. Kent Rohan. For his part, one can be sure WWE boss Vince McMahon will be ready and willing to offer Austin tons of money to do so, and that temptation may just be too much to resist. Im the biggest Charlotte Flair fan, but bringing Ronda back, somehow getting the fans on her side again, then having her lose was an odd decision from my viewpoint. The fast-talking Owens came into the main roster like a ball of fire. The once-mighty Austin had little interest in a conversation. In 2018, WWE struck a highly lucrative deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority to produce two live events per year in Saudi Arabia. Here are 10 things fans need to know about his journey. Goldberg debuted on the RAW after WrestleMania 19. WWE legend 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is reportedly set to make a return at WrestleMania 38. Be the first one to comment on this story. When Steve Austin left WWE, there was no promise of his legacy outliving him in the company. Stone Cold Steve Austin Returns Unforgiven 2000 w/ Backstage Segments Redneck 3-16 Follow WWF PPV Unforgiven 2000 ->Stone Cold Arrives & Conducts Investigations w/ Rock,Stephanie & more - 0:00 -> Stone Cold Returns To The Ring - 6:16 Browse more videos Playing next 31:21 WWF Championship: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Kurt Angle - Unforgiven 2001 WWF - Unforgiven 2000-Stone Cold Steve Austin Returns. Moments Material. Hulk Hogan achieved some success in movies but was always known first and foremost as a wrestler. Condition: Though WWE's core fanbase may bemoan the company's nostalgia addiction as they watch yet another aging star hobble around the ring narrowly avoiding injury, the strategy is shrewd marketing. 4:29 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Returns To Kick Off Raw October 19, 2015. Owens also uses Austin's famous finisher The Stunner as his own. The Texas Rattlesnake brought joy into my home on a weekly basis, and theres no other performer I was more invested in as my fandom began. The narrative of this story for a lot of fans is that Steve didnt want to job to Lesnar so he went home. But the guy was beaten to hammered heck, physically and emotionally. In recent weeks, Owens not having a match lined up at WrestleMania has become a storyline and he has been trash-talking Texas as of late. Austin was so touched by the novelty that he picked up the phone and called his friend. Kevin Owens would have made an appropriate opponent for Austins swansong, but so would John Cena in an Attitude Era vs Ruthless Aggression clash. The fans were invested in Bianca finally getting her revenge on Becky Lynch, and when it happened, they were elated to finally cheer on their favorite. Stone Cold Returns No Way Out 2003! WrestleMania is WWE's Super Bowl - the eventeveryone watches while pretending they've been keeping up the entire year - andstars from WWE's acclaimed Attitude Era appeal to that casual viewership. 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