50 Things You Didn’t Know About Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, has had an illustrious career both inside and outside the ring. Here are 50 things you might not know about him:
Early Life and Background
1. Birth Name: He was born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, in Austin, Texas.
2. Adopted Name: He later took his stepfather’s surname and became Steven James Williams.
3. Football Talent: Austin was a standout football player in high school and received a scholarship to Wharton County Junior College.
4. University: He later transferred to the University of North Texas, where he continued playing football.
5. Inspiration: Austin was inspired to become a professional wrestler after watching a match featuring “Gentleman” Chris Adams.
Wrestling Career Beginnings
6. Training: He was trained by Chris Adams at the Dallas Sportatorium.
7. Debut: Austin made his wrestling debut in 1989 for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW).
8. Ring Name: His first ring name was “Steve Austin,” inspired by the Six Million Dollar Man character.
9. Early Promotions: He wrestled for several promotions early in his career, including WCW, where he adopted the “Stunning Steve Austin” persona.
10. Tag Team Success: Austin found success in WCW as part of the tag team “The Hollywood Blonds” with Brian Pillman.
Rise to Fame
11. WCW Departure: He was fired by WCW in 1995 while recovering from a triceps injury.
12. ECW: Austin joined Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and developed his mic skills with edgy promos.
13. WWE Debut: He joined WWE (then WWF) in late 1995 as “The Ringmaster,” with Ted DiBiase as his manager.
14. Name Change: He adopted the “Stone Cold” moniker in 1996 after his then-wife suggested he drink his tea before it got “stone cold.”
Iconic Persona
15. Austin 3:16: His famous “Austin 3:16” promo after winning the 1996 King of the Ring tournament propelled him to superstardom.
16. Catchphrases: Austin’s catchphrases, including “Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass” and “And that’s the bottom line, ’cause Stone Cold said so,” became iconic.
17. Feud with McMahon: His feud with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is considered one of the greatest in wrestling history.
18. Attitude Era: Austin was a central figure in WWE’s “Attitude Era,” helping the company dominate the wrestling industry.
19. Stone Cold Stunner: His finishing move, the “Stone Cold Stunner,” became one of the most famous moves in wrestling.
Championships and Accolades
20. World Titles: Austin is a six-time WWE Champion.
21. Royal Rumble: He is the only wrestler to win the Royal Rumble three times (1997, 1998, 2001).
22. WrestleMania: He headlined multiple WrestleMania events, including WrestleMania XIV, XV, and X-Seven.
23. Hall of Fame: Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
24. Slammy Awards: He has won several Slammy Awards, including Best Heel and Best Entrance Music.
Personal Life
25. Marriages: Austin has been married four times and has three daughters.
26. Residences: He owns a ranch in Tilden, Texas, known as the “Broken Skull Ranch.”
27. Acting Career: He has appeared in several films, including “The Expendables” and “The Longest Yard.”
28. TV Host: Austin has hosted TV shows such as “Redneck Island” and “Broken Skull Challenge.”
29. Podcast: He hosts a successful podcast, “The Steve Austin Show,” where he interviews fellow wrestlers and celebrities.
Lesser-Known Facts
30. Nickname Origin: The nickname “Stone Cold” was inspired by a serial killer, but Austin adopted it to signify his tough persona.
31. Beer Drinking: His beer-drinking antics in the ring became a signature part of his character.
32. Injuries: Austin suffered a career-threatening neck injury in 1997 but continued to wrestle at a high level.
33. Leave of Absence: He took a hiatus from WWE in 2002 due to creative differences but returned later.
34. Acting Debut: His acting debut was in a 1999 episode of “Nash Bridges.”
35. Video Games: Austin has been featured in numerous WWE video games and is often a cover star.
36. Broken Skull IPA: He launched his own beer, the “Broken Skull IPA,” in collaboration with El Segundo Brewing Company.
37. Animal Lover: Austin is a known animal lover and has several dogs.
38. Charity Work: He supports various charities, including Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.
39. Reality TV: He appeared on the reality show “Tough Enough” as a trainer.
Cultural Impact
40. Merchandise Sales: Austin was one of WWE’s top merchandise sellers during his peak years.
41. TV Ratings: His segments and matches consistently drew high TV ratings for WWE.
42. Inspiration: Many modern wrestlers cite Austin as a major influence on their careers.
43. Hall of Fame Speech: His Hall of Fame induction speech is considered one of the best in WWE history.
44. Legacy: Austin is often credited with helping WWE win the “Monday Night Wars” against WCW.
Personal Preferences
45. Favorite Wrestler: Austin has cited Ric Flair as his favorite wrestler.
46. Hobbies: He enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching football.
47. Music Taste: Austin is a fan of country music and classic rock.
48. Favorite Movie: One of his favorite movies is “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”
49. Favorite TV Show: He enjoys watching “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead.”
Fun Fact
50. Retirement: Despite retiring from in-ring competition in 2003, Austin remains a beloved figure in wrestling, making occasional appearances and contributing to the industry in various capacities.
These facts highlight the multifaceted career and personal life of Stone Cold Steve Austin, showcasing why he remains an enduring and beloved figure in professional wrestling.
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