Stone Cold Steve Austin – The Star Of All Stars

April 16 – PC Tunney breaks down Stone Cold Steve Austin’s massive legacy as a Legend of WrestleMania!

Stone Cold Steve Austin is a national treasure and an American icon. Whether he is stomping a mudhole and walking it dry in the ring, winning off-road ATV races, hosting a podcast or TV show, selling us Broken Skull Ranch beer, or playing with his cats Macho and Poncho… the Rattlesnake simply entertains. His WrestleMania career contains one of the greatest matches of all-time that included a double turn and the greatest WrestleMania trilogy ever. 

WrestleMania XII – Stone Cold w/Ted DiBiase defeats Savio Vega

This was one of Austin’s first appearances as Stone Cold after leaving behind The Ringmaster gimmick. Austin, still a heel at the time, showed off his brawlingly aggressive style, leading to a pinfall victory.

WrestleMania XIII – Stone Cold defeated by Bret Hart

This is the match I consider one of the greatest in WrestleMania history. Austin and Hart had such great chemistry, and this rivalry ignited the Attitude Era. The iconic shots of Austin’s crimson colored face while in the Sharpshooter will live in the minds of wrestling fans forever. Ken Shamrock was a special guest referee here as well. This was a No DQ submission match that ended with Austin passing out. The rare double turn was successful and the WWF now had what would be their greatest star of all time.

WrestleMania XIV – Stone Cold defeats Shawn Michaels (c) w/HHH and Chyna

The build to this Mania main event was highlighted by the addition of a special guest enforcer. The enforcer? “The Baddest Man On The Planet,” IRON MIKE TYSON. Tyson’s addition bolstered WWF’s mainstream appeal and added many eyeballs to the product. Dealing with a severe back injury, The Heart Break Kid still delivered as Mr. WrestleMania always does. Austin would become WWF Champion on this night and would celebrate with Mike Tyson, who looked to be as if he was on Austin’s side all along to the dismay of Mr. McMahon. 

WrestleMania XV – Stone Cold defeats The Rock (c) w/Mr. McMahon

This match had a no DQ stipulation with Mankind as special guest referee. This was also the beginning of Mania’s greatest trilogy. At the time, Rock was the Corporate Champion backed by Mr. McMahon. Everyone could relate to Austin’s rebellion against the Corporation and his boss. Who hasn’t wanted to cast double birds at management?!?  Austin would reclaim his championship fending off McMahon, defeating The Rock amongst the chaos of plenty of steel chairs. 

WrestleMania XVII – Stone Cold defeats The Rock (c)

The second match of this trilogy had a no DQ stipulation again. The build to this match has arguably the greatest vignettes ever, highlighted by Limp Bizkit’s song “My Way.” In a twist, Austin aligned himself mid match with Mr. McMahon, his hated rival. This alliance shocked fans and led to Austin’s heel turn. How could the Rattlesnake turn his back on the working man?!? 

WrestleMania XVIII – Stone Cold defeats Scott Hall w/X-Pac

Austin, still aligned with Mr. McMahon, was now feuding with the invading nWo. Many thought we would get Austin VS Hogan, but instead, The Hulkster was saved for The Rock. You can’t deny the magnitude and success of Hogan VS Rock, but I still would have loved to see Austin destroy Hulkamania. Scott Hall takes one of the best Stunners in history, and overall this was a solid match. 

WrestleMania XIX – Stone Cold defeated by The Rock

The final match of their epic trilogy, this was “The Final Battle”. Austin, once again a babyface, and Rock, in his Hollywood heel persona, would finish their story without a championship on the line. This was just two of the greatest battling one last time for supremacy. The Rock would be victorious after three Rock Bottoms. Make no mistake though, we all won that night. The two icons would even share a beer post match.

WrestleMania XXXVIII – Stone Cold defeats Kevin Owens

After nineteen years of numerous rumors and gossip of “one more match” for the Rattlesnake, the stage and opponent finally lined up for wrestling fans. The stage…AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The opponent…Kevin Owens. The interaction started out under the guise of an episode of The KO Show. Owens taunted, insulted, and then challenged Austin to a No Holds Barred match. This challenge was immediately accepted. Stone Cold would be victorious in a match that saw the duo battle into the crowd, a few beer baths, and plenty of chaos. 

“You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn’t get you anywhere. Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16… Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass!”