STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN
| Real Name: Steve Williams Also Known As: "Stunning" Steve Austin, The Ringmaster Date of Birth: December 18, 1965 From: Victoria, Texas Height: 6'2" Weight: 245 pounds Finishing Move: The Stone Cold Stunner Famous Quote: "Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass." , "Cause Stone Cold said so!" |
He's known as the "toughest SOB" in the World Wrestling Federation. A former defensive end football player at North Texas State University, Austin was working on a freight dock when he discovered the world of professional wrestling. Eight years later he would become arguably the most recognized and successful wrestling star in the history of the business.
Who would have guessed that Steve Austin would become the phenomenon that he has. After he finished school and while working on the freight dock, he spotted an ad on TV for Chris Adams' wrestling school, so he took a chance and signed up.
In 1989 Steve Austin became the first graduate of Chris Adam's wrestling school in Texas, and he defeated Frogman Lablanc in his professional debut. Austin used his real name Steve Williams, but later changed his surname to avoid being confused with the "other" Steve Williams (Dr. Death).
Austin and Adams started teaming in the USWA (Dallas fraction). The team didn't last long though. Austin turned heel and broke away from his mentor and defeated him on several occasions. But Austin wasn't done with Adams yet. To add insult to injury, Austin took on Jeannie Clarke, the ex-wife of Adams (and now Austin's wife), as a valet. Adams countered with his current wife, Toni, and the series of mixed tag team matches between the couples is still regarded as one of the sport's hottest feuds. Austin also hired Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) as his manager.
In 1991, with Jeannie still at his side, Austin moved from Texas to Tennessee (still USWA), where he pinned Jeff Jarrett for the Southern title. However, the belt was held up because Austin had his feet on the ropes for leverage. Two weeks later, Austin lost the tournament final, for the title, to Jarrett. Three months later, a disgusted Austin left the USWA - and Jeannie - for potential stardom in WCW. With Austin's arrival in the WCW, he got a new valet, Vivacious Veronica, but she was soon dumped, and the "Stunning" one and Jeannie reunited.
With Jeannie at his side, he knew that he was ready for a title, and it soon followed, when Austin beat Bobby Eaton for the WCW TV Title on June 3, 1991, in Birmingham, Alabama. Following his victory, Austin feuded with Dustin Rhodes. Austin knew that he had more potential, so he wanted another title, the U.S. Title. He was close to getting it, but he lost a tournament final to Sting on August 25. Austin and Jeannie parted again when Paul E. Dangerously bought Austin's contract from the valet. Austin was now a part of the Dangerous Alliance, which included Arn Anderson, Rick Rude, Larry Zbyzsko, Bobby Eaton, and Madusa. Austin continued to defend the TV Title against all comers, including Ron Simmons (Faarooq), Dustin Rhodes, Scott Steiner, and Van Hammer. But eventually he lost it to Barry Windham on April 27, 1992, in Atlanta. Austin didn't give up though May 23, 1992, he regained the belt by beating Windham in Chattanooga. Austin's second title reign didn't last as long as the first, as he lost it to Ricky Steamboat at Clash of Champions XX, September 2, 1992, in Atlanta.
The next big episode in Steve Austin's career came after Paul E. Dangerously left WCW, and the Dangerous Alliance broke up. Austin formed the team of The Hollywood Blonds with the late Brian Pillman in 1993. The combination of Austin and Pillman is by many considered to be one of the best tag teams ever. Austin and Pillman took the name Hollywood Blonds, from the original Blonds, Gerry Brown and Buddy Roberts. The 'Blonds became Tag Team Champions by defeating the team of Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas on March 2, 1993, in Macon, Georgia. They were a dominating team, but they lost the titles to Arn Anderson and Paul Roma, when Pillman was injured and Lord Steven Regal took his place at the Clash of Champions, August 18, 1993, in Daytona, Florida. With Pillman injured, Austin started focusing on singles action again. He also got a new manager in Colonel Parker (Tennessee Lee), who wouldn't manage Pillman, resulting in Brian turning face. Austin defeated Pillman, and set his sight for a title shot. Austin did get his title shot at Starrcade 1993, December 27, 1993 in Charlotte NC, where he defeated Dustin Rhodes for the U.S. Title. In June 1994, Austin wanted things his way, so he and Colonel Parker split. Austin retained the belt until August 28, 1994 in Cedar Rapids, where he lost the title to Ricky Steamboat. Until the defeat, he had defeated good wrestlers like the Great Muta and Johnny B. Badd (Marc Mero). Austin wanted a rematch. He got it at Fall Brawl 94 on September 18, 1994, in Roanoake, Virginia. He was supposed to wrestle Ricky Steamboat, but he couldn't make it due to an injury. The title was awarded to Austin, only for him to immediately lose it to Hacksaw Jim Duggan.
Steve Austin suffered a knee injury in November of 1994, and he returned way too early, in February of '95, at which time he rehired Colonel Parker. Rumours of a Hollywood Blonds reunion circulated, when Austin suffered a serious tricep muscle tear while on tour with New Japan Wrestling. WCW boss Eric Bischoff terminated Austin's contract because of the injury, as well as Bischoff's belief that Austin wasn't marketable. What a mistake THAT turned out to be.
After a short recover from his injuries, Austin went to ECW, where he billed himself "The Extreme Superstar" Steve Austin. Austin made his debut in the ECW arena, September 23, as the "Stevester", a parody of the Hulkster. Austin also made a classic Eric Bischoff parody. In ECW the Stone Cold persona was born. Austin hadn't completely recovered from his injuries, so he used a lot of time on the microphone, giving many great interviews. Everyone was anticipating Austin to win the ECW title, but he didn't. He received two title shots, and he ended up losing both, but not cleanly. The first match was versus Mikey Whipwreck in a match that saw Whipwreck held onto Austin's tights. The second match was a three way dance against the Sandman and Whipwreck. Austin pinned Mikey, but was later pinned by the Sandman, who had his feet on the ropes.
Austin knew he could do better, so in December of 1995 he signed with the WWF. It was here that this long haired, rhinestone robe-wearing egotist would go through a complete overhaul. Originally known as The Ringmaster, Steve enjoyed only mediocre success. But then came the bald head, the goatee, the careless attitude (which he claims he developed after watching an HBO special on serial killers), and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was born. His "Austin 3:16" catchphrase became a marketing goldmine, and his feud with WWF owner Vince McMahon revolutionized the industry, drawing more "mainstream" exposure to pro wrestling than ever before.
Today, Steve Austin is still one of the most recognized wrestling stars in the world despite being sidelined (possibly permanently) with a neck injury. He's a multi-time WWF world champion, and one of the main reasons that the WWF has enjoyed record television ratings and pay-per-view buyrates. Through it all, he's done things his way. Win or lose, "Stone Cold" is content so long as he can drink his beer and drop his victim with the Stone Cold Stunner.
Major Titles Won:
WWF World Championship (4)
WWF Intercontinental Championship (2)
WWF Tag Team Championship (3)
WWF King of the Ring tournament winner
WCW Television Championship
WCW United States Championship
WCW Tag Team ChampionshipOther Credits:
Frequently portrays the character of Jake Cage on CBS' "Nash Bridges"
Guest starred on syndicated TV's "V.I.P." in 1998 as himself