Stone Cold Steve Austin personified the new era of wrestling during the late 90’s early 2000’s. Gone were the days of saying your prayers, taking your vitamins, throwing salt into your opponents eyes, and stuffed-animal wrestling. The late 90’s was all about kicking the door down, taking no prisoners, and telling authority to shove it. When the WWE needed a general to lead to them to victory during the ratings wars, Austin was that man. Stone Cold’s no-nonsense approach was immediately identifiable by the fans, young and old alike: He drank beer, kicked ass, won titles, and didn’t give a rat’s ass who was in his way. Countless blue collar wrestling fans saw a part of them self in Austin, who was the WWE’s working class wrestler.
Austin, along with his unforgettable feuds that spawned countless memorable matches The Rock (WM 15, 17, and 19), Vince McMahon, Triple H, and Kurt Angle, invented some of the most popular catch-phrases off all time (“That’s the bottom line ‘cause Stone Cold says so”, “Don’t Trust Anybody” and “What?”). The man was pure gold on the mic and his words seemed to tear into his opponents like teeth marks. Every Stone Cold promo involved the audience in which helped make fans feel as if they were a part of the show in some way.
Lastly, the Stone Cold Stunner, aside from also being one of the most memorable finishers in wrestling history, was the perfect in-ring compliment to Austin. The move struck hard and fast and could be delivered seemingly out of nowhere. Best of all, no one was safe from Austin’s wrath………ever! Friend or foe, Stone Cold Steve Austin was as untrustworthy and unpredictable as the rattlesnake he was nicknamed after, which put the television audience on the edge of their seat just to see what he would do next.
Stone Cold Steve Austin is the kind of wrestler that comes around once in a lifetime and is the kind of worker a promoter looks to build their promotion around. He is the consummate entertainer that helps the show far surpass the price of admission. When the glass shattered, it was time for an ass kicking!

Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFb9WhlGzn4

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