Post by underjohngrohs on Mar 21, 2021 2:20:58 GMT -5
By the late 1990s, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the man in WWE just like Michael Jackson was in Basketball, also like Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon in Nascar. And even like stars in Baseball from Sosa, McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. But by Summerslam 1997, Austin's career was almost cut short by a Botched Tombstone Piledriver from Owen Hart. Austin was able to win the match and get on his feet, but it could've permanately ended the Rattlesnake's career. Austin somehow overcame that and was able to become a huge main event player in 1998 through 2002 with Austin winning 6 WWE Championships and winning 3 Royal Rumbles and main eventing WrestleMania three times. Sadly though, Austin dealt with hard times in 2002 and 2003. First, he walked out twice and had a failed marriage with Debra after Austin had physically abused her. And 2, after returning a month later. He was almost close to death's door before the biggest stage of them all. Before facing The Rock in what would be his last match, Austin was burned out, he would lose at WrestleMania in his final match to The Rock. But, still Austin would continue to make more appearances and even become the RAW General Manager from 2003 through 2004. In 2009, he would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. But what if, the Botched Tombstone Piledriver Never happened and what if Austin didn't retire early.
1997:
At Summerslam 1997, We keep the Intercontinental Championship win by Austin and we remove the Tombstone Piledriver Botch. Austin stays Champion for 4 months including a successful Intercontinental Title Defense at the 1997 Survivor Series against Owen Hart, but Austin does not forfeit the Intercontinental Title to The Rock. Instead, he loses in a fatal-four way match without him taking the pinfall that involves Jeff Jarrett, Ken Shamrock, The Rock and himself with Jarrett capturing the Intercontinental Title.
1998-2000:
We keep 1998 as it is with Austin winning the Royal Rumble and the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 14 and all of his other title defenses and plus his feud with Vince McMahon, etc from 1998 and 2000. And also including the 1999 Survivor Series rundown, but it turns out that it's not Rikishi, we will redo the storyline with Shawn Michaels and Triple H in cahoots to run down Austin.
2001:
Austin wins his Third Royal Rumble, and faces Triple H and The Rock in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship with Rock as Champion, Austin does not turn heel and pins The Rock by hitting the Stone Cold Stunner and thus becoming the 5-time WWF Champion. Austin goes on a successful title defenses defending it for the pride of WWE. Until it's him and The Rock at Summerslam with the WWE Championship in a WrestleMania Rematch. The two hit their finishing moves on one another, but it's not enough to keep these guys down, suddenly. The Lights go out and when they return, Sting is untop of the titantron staring The Rock and Austin down and the nWo are standing in the ring attacking The Rock and Austin, and Hulk Hogan makes his return to hit Austin with the WWF Title Belt and Eric Bischoff stands there smiling, starting the Invasion War. At Unforgiven in 2001, Austin teams with The Rock, The Undertaker, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, the 7 best of the WWE as they take on team WCW consisting of the New World Order, Scott Steiner, Booker T, Sting and Goldberg. Team WCW win with Big Show betraying WWF for WCW. Austin is pissed and calls Big Show a traitor and demands that he have a match with Show at No Mercy for the WWE Championship. Austin loses the match by disqualifaction after hitting Show with a chair shot three times. Then the nWo run down to attack Austin. At the 2001 Survivor Series, Austin leads team WWE, the team is The Rock, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho against the team of the nWo (Hall, Nash, Hogan), Sting and Goldberg. the 5 WCW Veterans and the 5 WWF Veterans battle for supremacy, but in the end it's team WCW that puts Vince McMahon down with Goldberg being the sole survivor, and thus Bischoff awards him with a title match at Starrcade against Stone Cold Steve Austin. At Starrcade, Goldberg ends Stone Cold's 8-month reign as WWE Champion.
2002:
It's onto 2002. Austin is determined to win his fourth Royal Rumble Match. After putting his hands on Eric Bischoff at a grocery store. Bischoff declares Austin the #1 entry in the Royal Rumble Match and declares any WCW star that if they eliminated Austin. They would earn a $10,000 bounty. Austin survives the Rumble and makes it to the final four until Hollywood Hogan shockingly enough eliminates Austin and earns the 10,000 bounty. Triple H still wins The Royal Rumble and he will take on Goldberg at WrestleMania 18 for the Undisputed WWE and World Heavyweight Championship after Goldberg unified the title that same night when he defeated The Rock to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title at the 2002 Royal Rumble. the nWo will continue attacking Austin at every turn. At No Way Out, Austin faces Goldberg in a Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed Championship. Austin has the match won, but the nWo appear again and rob Austin of the WWE Championship. Hogan takes it over the line by stealing Stone Cold's finisher and thus nailing the Stone Cold Stunner.
The next night. Austin destroys the NWO's limousine and destroys some of the WCW Stars backstage and threatening to hold the show hostage until he asks for a match against Hogan at WrestleMania. Bischoff comes out but Austin doesn't take reason as he grabs Bischoff by the throat until Hogan appears. Austin lets Bischoff go and the two go off on each other but not fist fighting, in talking. Hogan blames Austin for the downfall of WWE that Hogan helped in the 1980s. When it was no longer the "say your prayers, take your vitamins" crap. When superstars like Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Andre The Giant and himself put smiles on people's faces. And then it went down to hell in the 1990s because of Austin. And look at how the era has changed.
Austin fires back accusing Hogan of walking out of the company that helped him. Hogan then says that 2 weeks ago after Austin 3:16 was born, July 7, 1996. He didn't give a damn about the fans. Nobody was talking about Austin 3:16, they were talking about the New World Order. Austin talks about how when Hogan came to WCW. He was there, and he could've had one match with Hogan. He could've taken the WCW Championship and still whooped ass night after night and not listen to what Eric Bischoff or Ted Turner had to say. The argument intesifies until Hogan agrees to a match with Austin. Austin and Hogan main event the show. Triple H and Goldberg are the next to last match before Austin and Hogan with Triple H winning the title and having his WrestleMania moment. Austin defeats Hogan in the main event, and after. Both men shake hands,
after WrestleMania 18. Austin takes a little bit of time off as request by Austin to McMahon. Austin returns in the Summer of 2002 without Debra, we are keeping the Austin/Debra divorce, we do not have Austin beat up Debra as well. They split up without any violence. At the 2002 King of The Ring, RAW's Brock Lesnar wins the King of The Ring, the next night after the King of The Ring. Stone Cold makes his return and confronts Brock Lesnar. We have Lesnar vs Austin at Summerslam with Lesnar using his title shot early, he defeats The Undertaker, The Rock and Kurt Angle in a fatal-four way match at Vengeance for the title. Lesnar and Austin fight for the title at Summerslam, it's an extremely close match between the two. Austin eventually wins the WWE Championship and ends Lesnar's undefeated streak. But we are doing that to keep Brock strong, at Unforgiven. Austin's seventh reign as Champion does not very last long as Brock wins back the WWE Championship.
as a free agent in October. Austin must decide whether to go to Eric Bischoff's RAW or Stephanie McMahon's SMACKDOWN. Austin chooses Monday Night RAW exclusively at the 2002 Survivor Series and stuns Bischoff after. As Punishment, Bischoff books Austin in a Handicap Match against 3 Minute Warning at Armageddon. Austin wins the match.
2003:
Despite a short rivalry with Bischoff, Austin reveals his plans to win the 2003 Royal Rumble to face the World Heavyweight Champion whether it be Triple H or Scott Steiner. Austin enters the Rumble at #17 and goes on a stunning spree. Austin lasts long for a while, until #23 appears and it's Hulk Hogan making his return, Hogan and Austin stare each other down and the two go at it with Hogan and Austin fighting off other competitors. Hogan hits his signature boot on Austin and goes for the leg drop but Austin ducks and hits the Stone Cold Stunner on Hogan tossing Hogan out immediately, but Austin's back is turned as he is eliminated by Chris Jericho. Hogan and Austin will get into a rivalry that of course sets up the potential rematch at WrestleMania 19. Austin and Hogan both sign the contract for No Way Out. At WrestleMania 19, just like it was at WrestleMania 18. Austin wins the match, and Hogan officially passes the torch to Austin. The next night on RAW. Austin and Hogan get jumped by Evolution with Triple H hitting Austin and Hogan with the World Heavyweight Title Belt putting the two off of TV for a while.
After Judgment Day 2003, Austin makes his return and hunts Evolution down by beating them up and using bear traps on them. Co-GM Mick Foley who is now with Eric Bischoff announces that at Bad Blood, Austin would face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title, but Bischoff pulls a loop and agrees that Austin will face Triple H for the title at Hell in A Cell, but only if Austin can survive a Gauntlet Match against Evolution on the same night. On the first match, Austin beats Evolution in the Gauntlet Match, but he's attacked after the match. Despite being attacked. Stone Cold and Triple H's match goes on, Austin and Triple H beat each other from head to toe. Austin almost wins the World Title by hitting the Stunner on Triple H. But it's The Game that kicks out. The Game eventually wins the match without help from Evolution by hitting the pedigree on Austin to retain the World Title, putting Austin out of World Title contention for a while.
In the Summer of 2003, Austin and Mick Foley both try to motivate Kane to being a monster again. Kane eventually loses a Mask vs Title Match to Triple H at Madison Square Garden and is unmasked. Kane attacks both Austin and Foley who try to save Kane from a beatdown from Evolution. Kane goes on a rampage and even hospitalizes Austin by throwing him through a plate glass window, he then tombstones Linda McMahon and even sets his good friend J.R. on fire, that of course upsets Austin to the point that he demands a match with Kane at Summerslam in an Unsanctioned Match so he can beat the living hell out of him. The match is made for Summerslam with Austin and Kane. Austin gets in some good offense against Kane. But Kane is so dominant, even two stunners do not put Kane down. Kane eventually wins the match by hitting a Tombstone Piledriver on the Steel Steps. After the match, Austin is put on a stretcher. But Kane's not finished with Austin. Kane tips the Ambulance over with Austin in it and destroys it. Kane then lights a match and sets the Ambulance on fire. Austin takes time off again.
But after Unforgiven, Austin returns to accept an open Intercontinental Championship Invational Challenge from Christian and successfully wins his second Intercontinental Championship over Christian. A title that Austin had not held for six years. Austin makes open challenges for the Intercontinental Title, he is also involved in the 2003 Survivor Series Elimination Match as a part of Team RAW that consists of Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam and Booker T as they take on Team SMACKDOWN consisting of Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and The Big Show. Team SMACKDOWN win the match with Benoit making Austin tap out to the crossface cleanly. At Armageddon, Austin drops the Intercontinental Title to Randy Orton.
2004:
But despite losing the Intercontinental Title, Austin wants to win the World Heavyweight Championship and clearly wants to headline WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion because he's never headlined WrestleMania with a Championship. But Goldberg shows up and declares his intentions to go to WrestleMania with the World Heavyweight Title, Bischoff proposes that both Austin and Goldberg would face off to determine who would face Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Title. Austin and Goldberg fight to a draw with Evolution beating both Austin and Goldberg, but Austin and Goldberg turn the tables on Evolution. Triple H then declares that there will be no title match for both Austin and Goldberg until Shane McMahon shows up and declares that at the 2004 Royal Rumble. Triple H would defend the World Heavyweight Title against both Austin and Goldberg. There is tension between Austin and Goldberg as they try to outdo one another. At the Rumble, Triple H retains the World Heavyweight Title after Austin stuns Goldberg to try to get the win. After the match, Goldberg attacks Austin by hitting a spear and jackhammer turning Goldberg into a heel. This leads to a rivalry between Austin and Goldberg. The two agree to wrestle at WrestleMania XX with Austin winning the match by hitting three stunners on Goldberg. Both Austin and Goldberg are traded to the SMACKDOWN Brand and ultimately their feud is not over.
Goldberg never leaves the WWE and stays until his contract is up by 2006. Goldberg wins the next match at Judgment Day by hitting Austin with brass knucks, on the SMACKDOWN after Judgment Day. Goldberg sadistically beats Austin down after Austin has a hard fought match with the WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. Austin gets jackhammered onto the steel steps by Goldberg. At the Great American Bash, the two face off again. But this time their match goes into a draw with Goldberg spearing Austin into the barricade after the two brawled after the bell. GM Kurt Angle reserves both Austin and Goldberg to face each other one more time at Summerslam in a Street Fight Match and the winner would face the WWE Champion, whether it be Eddie Guerrero or JBL at No Mercy. Austin wins the Brutal Street Fight Match against Goldberg and will face Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship at No Mercy. I am not putting the belt on JBL in this storyline, I will have Eddie stay Champion. In the weeks leading up to the match at No Mercy. Austin doesn't trust Eddie one bit because of Eddie's lying, cheating and stealing ways. Austin says that he knows Eddie is going to use the easy way out to win. Eddie declares that he won't cheat and lie and steal to beat Austin, but he says that he can't trust Austin either because his motto stands for "DTA Don't Trust Anybody". At No Mercy, Austin and Guerrero have what is potentially the match of the night. Guerrero and Austin kick out of both finishers, but in the end. Guerrero fights another day to keep the WWE Championship defeating Austin.
After, Austin feuds with JBL with Austin being tired of JBL's new attitude, the two agree to a traditional Survivor Series 5 on 5 Elimination Match. JBL's Team consists of RAW's Christian. SMACKDOWN'S Rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki and RAW's Snitsky to take on Austin's team of RAW's Shelton Benjamin, SMACKDOWN'S Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio and RAW's Eugene. JBL's team wins the match with Christian being the sole survivor defeating Mysterio, Austin and JBL are out of the match as they brawl backstage. At Armageddon. Austin and JBL face off with JBL getting a cheap victory over Austin with help from The Cabinet.
2005:
Austin and JBL's feud still continues all the way through the Royal Rumble with Austin winning a match against JBL and winning the #30 spot while JBL gets #1, that gives Austin a heck of an advantage. Austin however does put on a good showing, but lasts in the final four until he's eliminated by RAW's Batista. However, John Cena wins a Tournament at No Way Out to face the WWE Champion Kurt Angle who won the title at the 2004 Survivor Series over Eddie Guerrero. But Austin demands a title match with Angle at the 2005 No Way Out in which Angle accepts. Austin beats Angle to win his eighth WWE Championship and earns the right to headline WrestleMania 21 to face the new upcoming rookie John Cena for the WWE Championship. Austin wants Cena to go over him, officials say that Austin wants Cena to go over cause he's taking time off to film for WWE Movies. Cena wins the title at WrestleMania 21 defeating Austin. After the Match, Austin gives the belt to Cena presenting it to him of a passing of the torch moment.
Austin leaves to make the movie "The Condemned" but returns at ECW One Night Stand to help the ECW Originals fight off the Anti ECW Originals. ECW by demand of Austin are allowed to make appearances on SMACKDOWN. At the 2005 Summerslam, it comes to a head with Team ECW consisting of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Dudley Boys, Tommy Dreamer and Sandman defeat Team SMACKDOWN that consists of JBL, MNM, Christian and William Regal in a bloody Extreme Rules Tag Team Match. Austin takes time off again, but returns on RAW Homecoming to rekindle his feud with the McMahons by stunning both men, so we will keep that. Austin is eventually traded to the RAW Brand after this.
After being stunned by Stone Cold. McMahon takes action and fires Austin's good buddy JR. At the 2005 Taboo Tuesday. Austin faces Shane McMahon and Vince McMahon in a Handicap Street Fight Match with Austin winning the match and thus at the 2005 Survivor Series demands a rematch with John Cena for the WWE Championship. Austin says that Cena had the WWE Title for long, and now it's time for Austin to repay the debt. Austin and Cena eventually face off at Survivor Series with the title on the line. But as both men are knocked out. Edge's music plays as he shows up with Lita to cash in his Money in The Bank Briefcase. Edge announces to the ref that he's officially cashing in. Edge tosses Austin over the top rope and spears him to the outside. Edge then spears Cena in the ring and wins the WWE Championship at the 2005 Survivor Series for the first time. After, Austin and Cena both interrupt Edge's live sex celebration with Lita, and the next week, the two will face off to determine who will face Edge for the WWE Championship at the 2006 New Year's Revolution. Cena wins the match defeating Austin.
2006:
After being beaten by Cena, Austin tells Cena or Edge that if one of them win, he's coming for that championship and that's the bottom line. At New Year's Revolution. Edge beats Cena to retain the title and faces Austin at the 2006 Royal Rumble for the title. Austin says that he guarantees to make Edge a transitional champion. Weeks before the Royal Rumble, Austin stuns Edge's girlfriend Lita after holding her hostage with a net. Edge repays the favor by interrupting Austin's match with Chris Masters and busts him open on the announce table with the conchairto. At the 2006 Royal Rumble, Edge retains the WWE Championship via cheating as Austin was close to winning the title over Edge but with help from Lita. Edge remains the Champion.
After, Austin doesn't have an opponent at WrestleMania 22 so he decides to take a risk and that is to challenge The Undertaker and his streak. Austin reveals that he and Undertaker have had wars in the past, but they've never shared a ring together at WrestleMania. Undertaker accepts the challenge. Austin thanks Undertaker by accepting the challenge by hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin then is confronted by The Undertaker's brother Kane that tells Austin that he failed to beat The Undertaker twice. And that Austin may be the toughest SOB in the WWE. But Kane does not think that Austin's tough to beat his brother's streak. Austin takes offense to it and stuns Kane to the mat leading to a match between the two at Saturday Night's Main Event with Austin winning the match over Kane. After, Undertaker shows up and hits Austin with a chokeslam repaying the favor for the Stone Cold Stunner. At WrestleMania, Austin like many others tries desperately to break Undertaker's streak by hitting two stunners but Undertaker eventually fights back and despite Austin kicking out of two tombstones. Austin submits to Undertaker's new submission hold called Hell's Gate.
2007:
After, Austin takes time off but is traded back to the SMACKDOWN Brand in the Winter of 2007 targeting the World Heavyweight Championship as he believes that it could be his last run in the WWE. At the Royal Rumble in his hometown, Austin wins the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match by last eliminating RAW's Shawn Michaels with the two sharing the ring together one on one since WrestleMania 14. Austin chooses Batista as his opponent for WrestleMania 23. At WrestleMania 23. Austin eventually regains the World Heavyweight Title against Batista. Austin hangs on to the title for a good portion of four months as Austin feels that he doesn't want a long run as Champion. Austin eventually will drop the title at Unforgiven to Mr. Kennedy leading to a rivalry between the two. And Yes. Mr. Kennedy is not suspended in storyline and he still has the Money in The Bank, the Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero tragedy never happens as well and the Vince McMahon blowing up storyline never happens either. Kennedy has the same attitude Stone Cold used to have in the 1990s not listening to Authority. Austin then tells Kennedy that if Kennedy does not want to listen to Authority. He might as well listen to Stone Cold and put that title on the line against him if Kennedy has the guts. Kennedy and Austin get into a pull apart brawl with officials separating the two. Kennedy escapes the wrath of Austin twice at No Mercy and Cyber Sunday with Kennedy getting disqualified and counted out. Austin and Kennedy's match eventually happens at the 2007 Survivor Series for the World Heavyweight Title. But this time it's Austin that gets disqualified. So GM Teddy Long informs both Austin and Kennedy that they would face off one more time for the World Heavyweight Title at Armageddon in a Hell in A Cell Match. Kennedy retains the World Heavyweight Title inside the Cell by defeating Austin in a clean match.
2008:
Austin takes time off for a while, he does not miss WrestleMania 24 as he returns to referee the Floyd Mayweather/Big Show match. Austin is traded back to the RAW Brand, the night after WrestleMania 24. Austin announces that WrestleMania 25 would be his final curtain call cause he's done everything he's set out to do. And now it's his time to retire but guarantees that he will become the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion in his last match. Austin's first feud back on the RAW Brand is against Santino Marella who still trashes Austin's movie the Condemned. At Backlash, Austin squashes Marella and defeats him, after. He then feuds against the monster Umaga in where Austin beats him twice at Judgment Day and at Extreme Rules. Austin is placed back into the WWE Championship picture. CM Punk is now the face of Monday Night RAW and now has the WWE Championship in his place, he is still a face. At Summerslam, Austin challenges Punk to be the man and put the title on the line against him. Punk accepts, but starts to show signs of a heel turn by badmouthing Austin and his drinking. Austin takes offense to that and on the go-home show before Summerslam. Austin hits the stunner on CM Punk and pours a bottle of liquor over Punk. At Summerslam. Austin loses to Punk with Punk using the tights for leverage still showing signs of a heel turn. At Unforgiven, Austin and Punk face off for the title again, but Punk will turn heel and defeat Austin with help from his new followers. At Cyber Sunday 2008, Austin gets another shot. But loses in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match to Punk. Austin then feuds with Randy Orton who says that Austin has lost his spark in himself. At the 2008 Survivor Series. Austin and Orton have a match in the traditional 5 on 5 Survivor Series Match with Austin's team being Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne and Batista against the team of Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, Mike Knox and Cody Rhodes. Austin eliminates Regal and Knox in the closing moments of the match. He hits the stunner on Cody Rhodes but Orton sneaks up from behind and hits the RKO on Austin to win the match. At Armageddon, Austin gets his revenge by defeating Orton with the Stone Cold Stunner.
2009:
It's 2009, and it's time for Austin to hang up his boots. Austin does enter in the Royal Rumble Match and does rekindle his feud with CM Punk. Punk distracts Austin long enough for Big Show to eliminate Austin. SMACKDOWN's Jeff Hardy wins the match and chooses Edge for the World Heavyweight Title. Austin chooses Punk as his last opponent for WrestleMania 25, and win or lose. He will retire, but when he wins. Austin will win the WWE Championship in his last match. The two lead into a fist of words with Punk saying that he will be the next Stone Cold when Austin is gone. Austin says that whether he wins the title or not. He believes that CM Punk will lead a future for many generations to come. On the go-home show of WrestleMania. The two do not have a brawl, they have words and they go face to face with one another. At WrestleMania 25, the match is not the main event as they steal the show for 15-20 minutes closer to what Undertaker and Shawn do. Taker and Shawn's match is the main event btw. Austin wins his ninth and final WWE Championship for the last time by defeating Punk with the Stone Cold Stunner. The next night on RAW. Austin officially hands over the WWE Championship to Vince McMahon but not before giving McMahon one last Stone Cold Stunner. On the SMACKDOWN after WrestleMania. Austin returns to give his retirement speech with Austin thanking the fans for the ride, all SMACKDOWN and RAW Superstars all come on stage to clap for Austin as Austin takes his final bow.
Post-WWE:
Austin is eventually inducted into the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame and does make occasional appearances for WWE and not AEW, He is named the NXT General Manager in Late 2019 taking William Regal's place. Austin is teaching the NXT Stars now in the performance center.
1997:
At Summerslam 1997, We keep the Intercontinental Championship win by Austin and we remove the Tombstone Piledriver Botch. Austin stays Champion for 4 months including a successful Intercontinental Title Defense at the 1997 Survivor Series against Owen Hart, but Austin does not forfeit the Intercontinental Title to The Rock. Instead, he loses in a fatal-four way match without him taking the pinfall that involves Jeff Jarrett, Ken Shamrock, The Rock and himself with Jarrett capturing the Intercontinental Title.
1998-2000:
We keep 1998 as it is with Austin winning the Royal Rumble and the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 14 and all of his other title defenses and plus his feud with Vince McMahon, etc from 1998 and 2000. And also including the 1999 Survivor Series rundown, but it turns out that it's not Rikishi, we will redo the storyline with Shawn Michaels and Triple H in cahoots to run down Austin.
2001:
Austin wins his Third Royal Rumble, and faces Triple H and The Rock in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship with Rock as Champion, Austin does not turn heel and pins The Rock by hitting the Stone Cold Stunner and thus becoming the 5-time WWF Champion. Austin goes on a successful title defenses defending it for the pride of WWE. Until it's him and The Rock at Summerslam with the WWE Championship in a WrestleMania Rematch. The two hit their finishing moves on one another, but it's not enough to keep these guys down, suddenly. The Lights go out and when they return, Sting is untop of the titantron staring The Rock and Austin down and the nWo are standing in the ring attacking The Rock and Austin, and Hulk Hogan makes his return to hit Austin with the WWF Title Belt and Eric Bischoff stands there smiling, starting the Invasion War. At Unforgiven in 2001, Austin teams with The Rock, The Undertaker, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle, the 7 best of the WWE as they take on team WCW consisting of the New World Order, Scott Steiner, Booker T, Sting and Goldberg. Team WCW win with Big Show betraying WWF for WCW. Austin is pissed and calls Big Show a traitor and demands that he have a match with Show at No Mercy for the WWE Championship. Austin loses the match by disqualifaction after hitting Show with a chair shot three times. Then the nWo run down to attack Austin. At the 2001 Survivor Series, Austin leads team WWE, the team is The Rock, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho against the team of the nWo (Hall, Nash, Hogan), Sting and Goldberg. the 5 WCW Veterans and the 5 WWF Veterans battle for supremacy, but in the end it's team WCW that puts Vince McMahon down with Goldberg being the sole survivor, and thus Bischoff awards him with a title match at Starrcade against Stone Cold Steve Austin. At Starrcade, Goldberg ends Stone Cold's 8-month reign as WWE Champion.
2002:
It's onto 2002. Austin is determined to win his fourth Royal Rumble Match. After putting his hands on Eric Bischoff at a grocery store. Bischoff declares Austin the #1 entry in the Royal Rumble Match and declares any WCW star that if they eliminated Austin. They would earn a $10,000 bounty. Austin survives the Rumble and makes it to the final four until Hollywood Hogan shockingly enough eliminates Austin and earns the 10,000 bounty. Triple H still wins The Royal Rumble and he will take on Goldberg at WrestleMania 18 for the Undisputed WWE and World Heavyweight Championship after Goldberg unified the title that same night when he defeated The Rock to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title at the 2002 Royal Rumble. the nWo will continue attacking Austin at every turn. At No Way Out, Austin faces Goldberg in a Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed Championship. Austin has the match won, but the nWo appear again and rob Austin of the WWE Championship. Hogan takes it over the line by stealing Stone Cold's finisher and thus nailing the Stone Cold Stunner.
The next night. Austin destroys the NWO's limousine and destroys some of the WCW Stars backstage and threatening to hold the show hostage until he asks for a match against Hogan at WrestleMania. Bischoff comes out but Austin doesn't take reason as he grabs Bischoff by the throat until Hogan appears. Austin lets Bischoff go and the two go off on each other but not fist fighting, in talking. Hogan blames Austin for the downfall of WWE that Hogan helped in the 1980s. When it was no longer the "say your prayers, take your vitamins" crap. When superstars like Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Andre The Giant and himself put smiles on people's faces. And then it went down to hell in the 1990s because of Austin. And look at how the era has changed.
Austin fires back accusing Hogan of walking out of the company that helped him. Hogan then says that 2 weeks ago after Austin 3:16 was born, July 7, 1996. He didn't give a damn about the fans. Nobody was talking about Austin 3:16, they were talking about the New World Order. Austin talks about how when Hogan came to WCW. He was there, and he could've had one match with Hogan. He could've taken the WCW Championship and still whooped ass night after night and not listen to what Eric Bischoff or Ted Turner had to say. The argument intesifies until Hogan agrees to a match with Austin. Austin and Hogan main event the show. Triple H and Goldberg are the next to last match before Austin and Hogan with Triple H winning the title and having his WrestleMania moment. Austin defeats Hogan in the main event, and after. Both men shake hands,
after WrestleMania 18. Austin takes a little bit of time off as request by Austin to McMahon. Austin returns in the Summer of 2002 without Debra, we are keeping the Austin/Debra divorce, we do not have Austin beat up Debra as well. They split up without any violence. At the 2002 King of The Ring, RAW's Brock Lesnar wins the King of The Ring, the next night after the King of The Ring. Stone Cold makes his return and confronts Brock Lesnar. We have Lesnar vs Austin at Summerslam with Lesnar using his title shot early, he defeats The Undertaker, The Rock and Kurt Angle in a fatal-four way match at Vengeance for the title. Lesnar and Austin fight for the title at Summerslam, it's an extremely close match between the two. Austin eventually wins the WWE Championship and ends Lesnar's undefeated streak. But we are doing that to keep Brock strong, at Unforgiven. Austin's seventh reign as Champion does not very last long as Brock wins back the WWE Championship.
as a free agent in October. Austin must decide whether to go to Eric Bischoff's RAW or Stephanie McMahon's SMACKDOWN. Austin chooses Monday Night RAW exclusively at the 2002 Survivor Series and stuns Bischoff after. As Punishment, Bischoff books Austin in a Handicap Match against 3 Minute Warning at Armageddon. Austin wins the match.
2003:
Despite a short rivalry with Bischoff, Austin reveals his plans to win the 2003 Royal Rumble to face the World Heavyweight Champion whether it be Triple H or Scott Steiner. Austin enters the Rumble at #17 and goes on a stunning spree. Austin lasts long for a while, until #23 appears and it's Hulk Hogan making his return, Hogan and Austin stare each other down and the two go at it with Hogan and Austin fighting off other competitors. Hogan hits his signature boot on Austin and goes for the leg drop but Austin ducks and hits the Stone Cold Stunner on Hogan tossing Hogan out immediately, but Austin's back is turned as he is eliminated by Chris Jericho. Hogan and Austin will get into a rivalry that of course sets up the potential rematch at WrestleMania 19. Austin and Hogan both sign the contract for No Way Out. At WrestleMania 19, just like it was at WrestleMania 18. Austin wins the match, and Hogan officially passes the torch to Austin. The next night on RAW. Austin and Hogan get jumped by Evolution with Triple H hitting Austin and Hogan with the World Heavyweight Title Belt putting the two off of TV for a while.
After Judgment Day 2003, Austin makes his return and hunts Evolution down by beating them up and using bear traps on them. Co-GM Mick Foley who is now with Eric Bischoff announces that at Bad Blood, Austin would face Triple H for the World Heavyweight Title, but Bischoff pulls a loop and agrees that Austin will face Triple H for the title at Hell in A Cell, but only if Austin can survive a Gauntlet Match against Evolution on the same night. On the first match, Austin beats Evolution in the Gauntlet Match, but he's attacked after the match. Despite being attacked. Stone Cold and Triple H's match goes on, Austin and Triple H beat each other from head to toe. Austin almost wins the World Title by hitting the Stunner on Triple H. But it's The Game that kicks out. The Game eventually wins the match without help from Evolution by hitting the pedigree on Austin to retain the World Title, putting Austin out of World Title contention for a while.
In the Summer of 2003, Austin and Mick Foley both try to motivate Kane to being a monster again. Kane eventually loses a Mask vs Title Match to Triple H at Madison Square Garden and is unmasked. Kane attacks both Austin and Foley who try to save Kane from a beatdown from Evolution. Kane goes on a rampage and even hospitalizes Austin by throwing him through a plate glass window, he then tombstones Linda McMahon and even sets his good friend J.R. on fire, that of course upsets Austin to the point that he demands a match with Kane at Summerslam in an Unsanctioned Match so he can beat the living hell out of him. The match is made for Summerslam with Austin and Kane. Austin gets in some good offense against Kane. But Kane is so dominant, even two stunners do not put Kane down. Kane eventually wins the match by hitting a Tombstone Piledriver on the Steel Steps. After the match, Austin is put on a stretcher. But Kane's not finished with Austin. Kane tips the Ambulance over with Austin in it and destroys it. Kane then lights a match and sets the Ambulance on fire. Austin takes time off again.
But after Unforgiven, Austin returns to accept an open Intercontinental Championship Invational Challenge from Christian and successfully wins his second Intercontinental Championship over Christian. A title that Austin had not held for six years. Austin makes open challenges for the Intercontinental Title, he is also involved in the 2003 Survivor Series Elimination Match as a part of Team RAW that consists of Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam and Booker T as they take on Team SMACKDOWN consisting of Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and The Big Show. Team SMACKDOWN win the match with Benoit making Austin tap out to the crossface cleanly. At Armageddon, Austin drops the Intercontinental Title to Randy Orton.
2004:
But despite losing the Intercontinental Title, Austin wants to win the World Heavyweight Championship and clearly wants to headline WrestleMania as the World Heavyweight Champion because he's never headlined WrestleMania with a Championship. But Goldberg shows up and declares his intentions to go to WrestleMania with the World Heavyweight Title, Bischoff proposes that both Austin and Goldberg would face off to determine who would face Triple H at the Royal Rumble for the World Heavyweight Title. Austin and Goldberg fight to a draw with Evolution beating both Austin and Goldberg, but Austin and Goldberg turn the tables on Evolution. Triple H then declares that there will be no title match for both Austin and Goldberg until Shane McMahon shows up and declares that at the 2004 Royal Rumble. Triple H would defend the World Heavyweight Title against both Austin and Goldberg. There is tension between Austin and Goldberg as they try to outdo one another. At the Rumble, Triple H retains the World Heavyweight Title after Austin stuns Goldberg to try to get the win. After the match, Goldberg attacks Austin by hitting a spear and jackhammer turning Goldberg into a heel. This leads to a rivalry between Austin and Goldberg. The two agree to wrestle at WrestleMania XX with Austin winning the match by hitting three stunners on Goldberg. Both Austin and Goldberg are traded to the SMACKDOWN Brand and ultimately their feud is not over.
Goldberg never leaves the WWE and stays until his contract is up by 2006. Goldberg wins the next match at Judgment Day by hitting Austin with brass knucks, on the SMACKDOWN after Judgment Day. Goldberg sadistically beats Austin down after Austin has a hard fought match with the WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero. Austin gets jackhammered onto the steel steps by Goldberg. At the Great American Bash, the two face off again. But this time their match goes into a draw with Goldberg spearing Austin into the barricade after the two brawled after the bell. GM Kurt Angle reserves both Austin and Goldberg to face each other one more time at Summerslam in a Street Fight Match and the winner would face the WWE Champion, whether it be Eddie Guerrero or JBL at No Mercy. Austin wins the Brutal Street Fight Match against Goldberg and will face Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Championship at No Mercy. I am not putting the belt on JBL in this storyline, I will have Eddie stay Champion. In the weeks leading up to the match at No Mercy. Austin doesn't trust Eddie one bit because of Eddie's lying, cheating and stealing ways. Austin says that he knows Eddie is going to use the easy way out to win. Eddie declares that he won't cheat and lie and steal to beat Austin, but he says that he can't trust Austin either because his motto stands for "DTA Don't Trust Anybody". At No Mercy, Austin and Guerrero have what is potentially the match of the night. Guerrero and Austin kick out of both finishers, but in the end. Guerrero fights another day to keep the WWE Championship defeating Austin.
After, Austin feuds with JBL with Austin being tired of JBL's new attitude, the two agree to a traditional Survivor Series 5 on 5 Elimination Match. JBL's Team consists of RAW's Christian. SMACKDOWN'S Rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki and RAW's Snitsky to take on Austin's team of RAW's Shelton Benjamin, SMACKDOWN'S Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio and RAW's Eugene. JBL's team wins the match with Christian being the sole survivor defeating Mysterio, Austin and JBL are out of the match as they brawl backstage. At Armageddon. Austin and JBL face off with JBL getting a cheap victory over Austin with help from The Cabinet.
2005:
Austin and JBL's feud still continues all the way through the Royal Rumble with Austin winning a match against JBL and winning the #30 spot while JBL gets #1, that gives Austin a heck of an advantage. Austin however does put on a good showing, but lasts in the final four until he's eliminated by RAW's Batista. However, John Cena wins a Tournament at No Way Out to face the WWE Champion Kurt Angle who won the title at the 2004 Survivor Series over Eddie Guerrero. But Austin demands a title match with Angle at the 2005 No Way Out in which Angle accepts. Austin beats Angle to win his eighth WWE Championship and earns the right to headline WrestleMania 21 to face the new upcoming rookie John Cena for the WWE Championship. Austin wants Cena to go over him, officials say that Austin wants Cena to go over cause he's taking time off to film for WWE Movies. Cena wins the title at WrestleMania 21 defeating Austin. After the Match, Austin gives the belt to Cena presenting it to him of a passing of the torch moment.
Austin leaves to make the movie "The Condemned" but returns at ECW One Night Stand to help the ECW Originals fight off the Anti ECW Originals. ECW by demand of Austin are allowed to make appearances on SMACKDOWN. At the 2005 Summerslam, it comes to a head with Team ECW consisting of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Dudley Boys, Tommy Dreamer and Sandman defeat Team SMACKDOWN that consists of JBL, MNM, Christian and William Regal in a bloody Extreme Rules Tag Team Match. Austin takes time off again, but returns on RAW Homecoming to rekindle his feud with the McMahons by stunning both men, so we will keep that. Austin is eventually traded to the RAW Brand after this.
After being stunned by Stone Cold. McMahon takes action and fires Austin's good buddy JR. At the 2005 Taboo Tuesday. Austin faces Shane McMahon and Vince McMahon in a Handicap Street Fight Match with Austin winning the match and thus at the 2005 Survivor Series demands a rematch with John Cena for the WWE Championship. Austin says that Cena had the WWE Title for long, and now it's time for Austin to repay the debt. Austin and Cena eventually face off at Survivor Series with the title on the line. But as both men are knocked out. Edge's music plays as he shows up with Lita to cash in his Money in The Bank Briefcase. Edge announces to the ref that he's officially cashing in. Edge tosses Austin over the top rope and spears him to the outside. Edge then spears Cena in the ring and wins the WWE Championship at the 2005 Survivor Series for the first time. After, Austin and Cena both interrupt Edge's live sex celebration with Lita, and the next week, the two will face off to determine who will face Edge for the WWE Championship at the 2006 New Year's Revolution. Cena wins the match defeating Austin.
2006:
After being beaten by Cena, Austin tells Cena or Edge that if one of them win, he's coming for that championship and that's the bottom line. At New Year's Revolution. Edge beats Cena to retain the title and faces Austin at the 2006 Royal Rumble for the title. Austin says that he guarantees to make Edge a transitional champion. Weeks before the Royal Rumble, Austin stuns Edge's girlfriend Lita after holding her hostage with a net. Edge repays the favor by interrupting Austin's match with Chris Masters and busts him open on the announce table with the conchairto. At the 2006 Royal Rumble, Edge retains the WWE Championship via cheating as Austin was close to winning the title over Edge but with help from Lita. Edge remains the Champion.
After, Austin doesn't have an opponent at WrestleMania 22 so he decides to take a risk and that is to challenge The Undertaker and his streak. Austin reveals that he and Undertaker have had wars in the past, but they've never shared a ring together at WrestleMania. Undertaker accepts the challenge. Austin thanks Undertaker by accepting the challenge by hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin then is confronted by The Undertaker's brother Kane that tells Austin that he failed to beat The Undertaker twice. And that Austin may be the toughest SOB in the WWE. But Kane does not think that Austin's tough to beat his brother's streak. Austin takes offense to it and stuns Kane to the mat leading to a match between the two at Saturday Night's Main Event with Austin winning the match over Kane. After, Undertaker shows up and hits Austin with a chokeslam repaying the favor for the Stone Cold Stunner. At WrestleMania, Austin like many others tries desperately to break Undertaker's streak by hitting two stunners but Undertaker eventually fights back and despite Austin kicking out of two tombstones. Austin submits to Undertaker's new submission hold called Hell's Gate.
2007:
After, Austin takes time off but is traded back to the SMACKDOWN Brand in the Winter of 2007 targeting the World Heavyweight Championship as he believes that it could be his last run in the WWE. At the Royal Rumble in his hometown, Austin wins the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match by last eliminating RAW's Shawn Michaels with the two sharing the ring together one on one since WrestleMania 14. Austin chooses Batista as his opponent for WrestleMania 23. At WrestleMania 23. Austin eventually regains the World Heavyweight Title against Batista. Austin hangs on to the title for a good portion of four months as Austin feels that he doesn't want a long run as Champion. Austin eventually will drop the title at Unforgiven to Mr. Kennedy leading to a rivalry between the two. And Yes. Mr. Kennedy is not suspended in storyline and he still has the Money in The Bank, the Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero tragedy never happens as well and the Vince McMahon blowing up storyline never happens either. Kennedy has the same attitude Stone Cold used to have in the 1990s not listening to Authority. Austin then tells Kennedy that if Kennedy does not want to listen to Authority. He might as well listen to Stone Cold and put that title on the line against him if Kennedy has the guts. Kennedy and Austin get into a pull apart brawl with officials separating the two. Kennedy escapes the wrath of Austin twice at No Mercy and Cyber Sunday with Kennedy getting disqualified and counted out. Austin and Kennedy's match eventually happens at the 2007 Survivor Series for the World Heavyweight Title. But this time it's Austin that gets disqualified. So GM Teddy Long informs both Austin and Kennedy that they would face off one more time for the World Heavyweight Title at Armageddon in a Hell in A Cell Match. Kennedy retains the World Heavyweight Title inside the Cell by defeating Austin in a clean match.
2008:
Austin takes time off for a while, he does not miss WrestleMania 24 as he returns to referee the Floyd Mayweather/Big Show match. Austin is traded back to the RAW Brand, the night after WrestleMania 24. Austin announces that WrestleMania 25 would be his final curtain call cause he's done everything he's set out to do. And now it's his time to retire but guarantees that he will become the WWE or World Heavyweight Champion in his last match. Austin's first feud back on the RAW Brand is against Santino Marella who still trashes Austin's movie the Condemned. At Backlash, Austin squashes Marella and defeats him, after. He then feuds against the monster Umaga in where Austin beats him twice at Judgment Day and at Extreme Rules. Austin is placed back into the WWE Championship picture. CM Punk is now the face of Monday Night RAW and now has the WWE Championship in his place, he is still a face. At Summerslam, Austin challenges Punk to be the man and put the title on the line against him. Punk accepts, but starts to show signs of a heel turn by badmouthing Austin and his drinking. Austin takes offense to that and on the go-home show before Summerslam. Austin hits the stunner on CM Punk and pours a bottle of liquor over Punk. At Summerslam. Austin loses to Punk with Punk using the tights for leverage still showing signs of a heel turn. At Unforgiven, Austin and Punk face off for the title again, but Punk will turn heel and defeat Austin with help from his new followers. At Cyber Sunday 2008, Austin gets another shot. But loses in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match to Punk. Austin then feuds with Randy Orton who says that Austin has lost his spark in himself. At the 2008 Survivor Series. Austin and Orton have a match in the traditional 5 on 5 Survivor Series Match with Austin's team being Matt Hardy, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne and Batista against the team of Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, Mike Knox and Cody Rhodes. Austin eliminates Regal and Knox in the closing moments of the match. He hits the stunner on Cody Rhodes but Orton sneaks up from behind and hits the RKO on Austin to win the match. At Armageddon, Austin gets his revenge by defeating Orton with the Stone Cold Stunner.
2009:
It's 2009, and it's time for Austin to hang up his boots. Austin does enter in the Royal Rumble Match and does rekindle his feud with CM Punk. Punk distracts Austin long enough for Big Show to eliminate Austin. SMACKDOWN's Jeff Hardy wins the match and chooses Edge for the World Heavyweight Title. Austin chooses Punk as his last opponent for WrestleMania 25, and win or lose. He will retire, but when he wins. Austin will win the WWE Championship in his last match. The two lead into a fist of words with Punk saying that he will be the next Stone Cold when Austin is gone. Austin says that whether he wins the title or not. He believes that CM Punk will lead a future for many generations to come. On the go-home show of WrestleMania. The two do not have a brawl, they have words and they go face to face with one another. At WrestleMania 25, the match is not the main event as they steal the show for 15-20 minutes closer to what Undertaker and Shawn do. Taker and Shawn's match is the main event btw. Austin wins his ninth and final WWE Championship for the last time by defeating Punk with the Stone Cold Stunner. The next night on RAW. Austin officially hands over the WWE Championship to Vince McMahon but not before giving McMahon one last Stone Cold Stunner. On the SMACKDOWN after WrestleMania. Austin returns to give his retirement speech with Austin thanking the fans for the ride, all SMACKDOWN and RAW Superstars all come on stage to clap for Austin as Austin takes his final bow.
Post-WWE:
Austin is eventually inducted into the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame and does make occasional appearances for WWE and not AEW, He is named the NXT General Manager in Late 2019 taking William Regal's place. Austin is teaching the NXT Stars now in the performance center.