"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is a retired American professional wrestler, actor, and media personality. Considered one of the greatest wrestlers ever, he was key in the World Wrestling Federation's success during the Attitude Era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
December 18, 1964: Birth of Steve Austin
Steven James Anderson, later known as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, was born on December 18, 1964.
1968: Austin's Mother Remarries
After divorcing Austin's father, Beverly Anderson married Ken Williams in 1968. Austin was legally adopted by Williams and his name was changed to Steven James Williams.
1989: Steve Austin Begins Wrestling Career
In 1989, after playing college football, Steve Austin began his professional wrestling career, training at "Gentleman" Chris Adams' school in the Dallas Sportatorium.
1989: Austin's Televised WCCW Debut
In his televised WCCW debut in 1989, Austin wrestled against Frogman LeBlanc, earning $40.
November 24, 1990: Stone Cold Steve Austin Marries Kathryn Burrhus
On November 24, 1990, Stone Cold Steve Austin married his high school girlfriend Kathryn Burrhus.
May 1991: Austin Debuts in WCW
Austin debuted in World Championship Wrestling in May 1991, using the nickname "Stunning" Steve Austin.
June 3, 1991: Austin Wins First WCW World Television Championship
Just weeks after his WCW debut, Austin defeated Bobby Eaton for his first WCW World Television Championship on June 3, 1991.
1991: Steve Austin Joins WCW
Steve Austin signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1991, adopting the persona of "Stunning" Steve Austin.
April 27, 1992: Austin's WCW World Television Championship Reign
Austin lost the WCW World Television Championship to Barry Windham on April 27, 1992, but later regained it. He held the championship for a second time before losing it to Ricky Steamboat.
August 7, 1992: Stone Cold Steve Austin's First Marriage Annulled
Stone Cold Steve Austin's marriage to Kathryn Burrhus was annulled on August 7, 1992.
September 1992: Formation of The Hollywood Blonds
In September 1992, Austin formed the tag team The Hollywood Blonds with Brian Pillman in WCW.
September 1992: Austin Wrestles in Japan
In September 1992, Austin participated in four matches in Japan as part of a working agreement between WCW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He wrestled in the 1992 G1 Climax, a tag team bout, and challenged Masahiro Chono for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
October 1992: The Hollywood Blonds at Halloween Havoc
At Halloween Havoc in October 1992, Austin (replacing Terry Gordy) teamed with "Dr. Death" Steve Williams to wrestle Dustin Rhodes and Barry Windham for the WCW and NWA World Tag Team Championship, resulting in a draw.
March 27, 1993: The Hollywood Blonds Win Tag Team Championship
The Hollywood Blonds won the unified NWA and WCW World Tag Team Championship on March 27, 1993, defeating Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas.
June 1993: The Hollywood Blonds Defend Championship at Clash of the Champions XXIII
At Clash of the Champions XXIII in June 1993, The Hollywood Blonds defended their championship against Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, retaining the title despite losing two falls.
August 1993: The Hollywood Blonds at Clash of the Champions XXIV
At Clash of the Champions XXIV in August 1993, Austin and a replacement partner, Steven Regal (filling in for an injured Brian Pillman), lost their tag team championship to Arn Anderson and Paul Roma.
November 1993: Austin Turns on Pillman
In November 1993, after returning from injury, Stone Cold Steve Austin turned on his tag team partner, Colonel Robert Parker's Stud Stable, in a move described as a "mystery". This led to a singles match at Clash of the Champions XXV, where Austin defeated Pillman.
December 1993: Austin Wins WCW United States Championship
Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Dustin Rhodes in a two-out-of-three-falls match at Starrcade in December 1993 to become the WCW United States Champion.
August 1994: Austin Loses WCW United States Championship
Stone Cold Steve Austin lost the WCW United States Championship to Ricky Steamboat at Clash of the Champions XXVIII in August 1994.
September 1994: Austin Briefly Regains and Loses WCW United States Championship
In September 1994, at Fall Brawl '94: War Games, Stone Cold Steve Austin was awarded the WCW United States Championship by forfeit after Ricky Steamboat suffered a back injury. However, his second reign was short-lived as he lost the title to Jim Duggan just five minutes later in a match lasting 35 seconds.
October 1994: Austin Challenges Duggan at Halloween Havoc
Stone Cold Steve Austin unsuccessfully challenged Jim Duggan for the WCW United States Championship at Halloween Havoc in October 1994.
November 1994: Austin's Second Unsuccessful Challenge Against Duggan
Stone Cold Steve Austin faced Jim Duggan again for the WCW United States Championship at Clash of the Champions XXIX in November 1994 but was unsuccessful in regaining the title.
February 1995: Austin Returns from Injury
Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to wrestling in February 1995 after recovering from a knee injury.
April 1995: Austin Participates in US Championship Tournament
Stone Cold Steve Austin took part in a tournament for the vacant United States Championship in April 1995. He defeated Jim Duggan in the first round but lost to Randy Savage in the quarterfinals.
May 21, 1995: Austin's Final WCW Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestled his last match with WCW on May 21, 1995, at WCW Main Event, where he defeated Eddie Jackie.
June 1995: Austin Teams Up in Japan
Stone Cold Steve Austin continued to appear with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of the "Fighting Spirit Legend" series in June 1995, teaming up mainly with Arn Anderson and Ron Simmons.
September 15, 1995: Austin Fired from WCW
While recovering from a torn triceps, Stone Cold Steve Austin was fired by WCW President Eric Bischoff on September 15, 1995. Bischoff cited Austin's perceived lack of marketability and difficulty to work with as reasons for his termination.
September 18, 1995: Austin Debuts in ECW
Stone Cold Steve Austin debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) as "Superstar" on September 18, 1995, at the Gangstas Paradise event. Hired by Paul Heyman, Austin primarily did promos and in-ring interviews due to not being fully recovered from his injury.
December 18, 1995: Austin's First WWF Match
Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestled his first match for the WWF on December 18, 1995, although it was broadcast later on the January 8, 1996 episode of Raw. He was awarded the Million Dollar Championship by Ted DiBiase and defeated Matt Hardy under the moniker, "The Ringmaster."
1995: Steve Austin Joins WWF
After a stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Steve Austin joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995.
January 8, 1996: Austin's Televised WWF Debut
Stone Cold Steve Austin made his televised debut on WWF's Raw on January 8, 1996, after his initial match on December 18, 1995. He appeared as "The Ringmaster."
1996: Steve Austin Wins King of the Ring
In 1996, Steve Austin won the King of the Ring tournament.
1996: Longest WWF Championship Reign Since 1996
In 1996, Stone Cold Steve Austin's 175-day reign as WWF Champion, the longest since 1996, ended when he lost to Angle at Unforgiven.
1996: Austin Confronts Jake "The Snake" Roberts
In 1996, at the King of the Ring event, Stone Cold Steve Austin delivered a memorable promo directed at Jake "The Snake" Roberts during his coronation.
1996: Austin Shaves Head, Adopts "Stone Cold"
In early 1996, Stone Cold Steve Austin shaved his head, inspired by Bruce Willis's haircut in the movie Pulp Fiction. Around March 11, 1996, he adopted the "Stone Cold" moniker, inspired by his wife's suggestion to drink his tea before it became "stone cold." He also drew inspiration from serial killer Richard Kuklinski, known as "The Iceman," for this new persona. This marked a significant turning point in his career, leading to his rise as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
1996: Austin's Rise to Stardom at King of the Ring
Stone Cold Steve Austin's rise to wrestling stardom began at the 1996 King of the Ring tournament. He defeated Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who was portraying a born-again Christian at the time. Austin's victory speech, where he mocked Roberts' faith and proclaimed "Austin 3:16," became iconic and launched him into wrestling superstardom. He also debuted his other iconic catchphrase, "And that’s the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so."
1996: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Second Daughter is Born
Stone Cold Steve Austin's second daughter, Cassidy, was born in 1996.
1997: Steve Austin Suffers Serious Neck Injury
Steve Austin suffered a serious neck injury at the 1997 SummerSlam event.
1997: Austin's Heel Turn
Stone Cold Steve Austin shocked the wrestling world in 1997 when he turned heel, aligning himself with Vince McMahon. This marked a significant shift in his character and set the stage for a new chapter in his career.
1997: Stone Cold's Rise to Fame
In 1997, Stone Cold Steve Austin's popularity began to soar in the WWF. His controversial elimination and return to the ring during the Royal Rumble match, his subsequent feud with Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and their iconic match at WrestleMania 13, where Austin refused to submit to the Sharpshooter despite bleeding profusely, cemented his status as a rising star and fan favorite.
1997: Owen Hart Accidentally Injures Stone Cold Steve Austin's Neck
In 1997, Owen Hart accidentally injured Stone Cold Steve Austin's neck, leading Austin to change his wrestling style from technical to brawler.
1998: The Austin Era Begins
1998 marked the beginning of "The Austin Era" in WWF. After winning the Royal Rumble, Austin's rivalry with Shawn Michaels culminated in a title match at WrestleMania XIV, with Mike Tyson as the enforcer. Austin's victory, aided by Tyson's turn on Michaels, solidified his place as the face of the company.
January 4, 1999: Austin Aids Mankind
On January 4, 1999, Stone Cold made a surprise appearance on Raw, interfering in the WWF Championship match between Mankind and The Rock. His intervention, striking The Rock with a steel chair, helped Mankind secure the victory and the championship.
May 10, 1999: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Second Divorce
Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jeanie Clarke divorced on May 10, 1999, after having two daughters together.
June 28, 1999: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker Draws Record Rating
On June 28, 1999, a match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker achieved a 9.5 rating, the highest-rated segment in Raw history.
April 2000: Austin's Return and the Hit and Run
During his recovery from a neck injury, Austin made a surprise appearance at Backlash in April 2000. His return was short-lived as he was sidelined again after being the victim of a hit-and-run incident, a storyline that would unfold over the following months.
September 13, 2000: Marriage to Debra Marshall
On September 13, 2000, Stone Cold Steve Austin married wrestling manager Debra Marshall.
2000: Disturbed Records Stone Cold Steve Austin's Entrance Theme
In 2000, Disturbed recorded a new version of Stone Cold Steve Austin's entrance theme, which debuted at the Unforgiven pay-per-view event in September.
January 2001: Austin Wins His Third Royal Rumble
In January 2001, Stone Cold Steve Austin won his third Royal Rumble match, last eliminating Kane. This victory set him on a path towards a championship match at WrestleMania.
August 2001: Stone Cold Steve Austin Popularizes "What?" Chant
In August 2001, Stone Cold Steve Austin began using "What?" to interrupt wrestlers and encourage fan chants, a trend that has continued to be popular with WWE audiences.
May 2002: Austin's Discontent and Departure from WWE
In May 2002, Austin took a break, returned during the brand extension, and feuded with The Undertaker and Big Show. He publicly criticized WWE's direction, leading to a feud with Eddie Guerrero. Austin refused to lose a King of the Ring qualifying match against Brock Lesnar, resulting in his departure from the company, citing concerns over his character's portrayal and a domestic dispute incident.
June 15, 2002: Domestic Abuse Allegations and Arrest
On June 15, 2002, police were called to Stone Cold Steve Austin's home by Debra Marshall, who alleged that Austin had physically assaulted her. Austin was later arrested and charged with domestic abuse.
July 22, 2002: Divorce Filing
On July 22, 2002, Stone Cold Steve Austin filed for divorce from Debra Marshall.
2002: Austin's Return and Rift with Triple H
Upon his return in 2002, Austin had a significant disagreement with Triple H's position in the company. However, by 2003, they had settled their differences.
2002: Austin vs. The nWo and WrestleMania X8 Controversy
In 2002, Austin participated in the Royal Rumble and earned a shot at the Undisputed WWF Championship. The nWo's debut led to a feud with Austin, culminating in a confrontation at No Way Out. Backstage conflicts arose regarding a potential WrestleMania X8 match with Hulk Hogan, with both refusing to lose, resulting in Austin facing Scott Hall instead.
2002: Austin Maintains Low Profile and Reconciles with McMahon
For the rest of 2002, Austin stayed out of the public eye. However, by the year's end, he and McMahon had patched things up, paving the way for his return in 2003.
2002: Shawn Michaels Returns
After a four-year hiatus due to injuries, Shawn Michaels returned to the ring in 2002, marking the end of an era and setting the stage for potential future rivalries.
February 5, 2003: Divorce Finalization
The divorce between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Debra Marshall was finalized on February 5, 2003.
March 2003: Hospitalization for Health Scare
In March 2003, just before WrestleMania XIX, Stone Cold Steve Austin was hospitalized due to experiencing twitchiness and an accelerated heart rate.
2003: Steve Austin Retires from In-Ring Competition
Due to multiple injuries, Steve Austin was forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2003.
2003: Co-General Manager, Survivor Series Loss, and "Firing"
In 2003, Austin became the co-general manager of Raw, engaging in physical altercations and feuding with Eric Bischoff for brand control. At Survivor Series, Austin's team lost, resulting in his "firing." However, Mick Foley, his replacement, advocated for his reinstatement.
2003: Austin Expresses Regrets and Addresses Speculation
In 2003, Austin expressed remorse over his departure and clarified his stance on various issues. He admitted regret over the circumstances surrounding his exit and refuted rumors about conflicts with fellow wrestlers. However, he maintained his criticism of the creative direction of WWE.
2003: Denial of Alcoholism Allegations
In 2003, Stone Cold Steve Austin refuted claims of being an alcoholic. He attributed fans mistaking his on-screen persona's heavy beer consumption as a reflection of his real life and maintained that he drinks responsibly.
2003: Austin's Return, Feud with The Rock, and Final Match
In early 2003, Austin returned to WWE at No Way Out and briefly feuded with Eric Bischoff. He then engaged in a rivalry with The Rock, culminating in a match at WrestleMania XIX, which Austin lost. This marked Austin's final wrestling match for 19 years.
2003: Stone Cold Steve Austin Retires
Stone Cold Steve Austin retired from professional wrestling in 2003.
March 2004: Assault Allegations
In March 2004, Stone Cold Steve Austin was accused of assaulting his then-girlfriend, Tess Broussard, at his residence in San Antonio, Texas. No charges were filed, and no arrests were made.
2004: Return, Special Guest Referee, and Attack
Austin made appearances in early 2004, including serving as the special guest referee for the Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg match at WrestleMania XX. Following the match, he attacked both wrestlers with Stone Cold Stunners.
April 3, 2005: WrestleMania 21 Appearance
On April 3, 2005, Stone Cold Steve Austin made his first WWE appearance in a year at WrestleMania 21, appearing on Piper's Pit, getting involved in a brawl with ECW wrestlers, and delivering Stone Cold Stunners to various people, including Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and Linda McMahon.
2005: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Film Debut
Stone Cold Steve Austin made his film debut in a supporting role in the 2005 remake of "The Longest Yard."
March 18, 2006: Beer-Drinking Contest against JBL
On March 18, 2006, Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to WWE to face John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) in a beer-drinking contest at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII.
April 1, 2006: Bret Hart Hall of Fame Induction
On April 1, 2006, Stone Cold Steve Austin inducted Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame.
March 2007: Return to WWE Programming
Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to WWE programming in March 2007 to promote his movie "The Condemned."
2007: Debra Marshall's Allegations and Public Response
In 2007, Debra Marshall publicly alleged that WWE was aware of the domestic abuse and worked to cover it up. Austin denied the allegations of alcoholism and expressed regret over the end of his relationship with Marshall.
2007: Stone Cold Steve Austin Stars in "The Condemned"
In 2007, Stone Cold Steve Austin starred in the action film "The Condemned" as Jack Conrad.
2007: Legal Name Change
The Wrestling Observer reported in 2007 that Stone Cold Steve Austin legally changed his name to Steve Austin.
October 26, 2008: Cyber Sunday Special Guest Referee
On October 26, 2008, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the special guest referee during a match between Batista and Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship at Cyber Sunday.
January 12, 2009: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
On January 12, 2009, Stone Cold Steve Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2009 by Vince McMahon.
2009: Steve Austin Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame
Steve Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
2009: Fourth Marriage
Stone Cold Steve Austin married his fourth wife, Kristin Feres, in late 2009.
2009: Stone Cold Steve Austin Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame
Stone Cold Steve Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by Vince McMahon, who referred to him as "the greatest WWE superstar of all time."
March 15, 2010: Guest Host of Raw
On March 15, 2010, Stone Cold Steve Austin guest hosted Raw, moderating a contract signing between Vince McMahon and Bret Hart for their match at WrestleMania XXVI.
2010: Stone Cold Steve Austin Appears in "The Expendables"
Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared in "The Expendables" (2010) as Dan Paine.
2010: Stone Cold Steve Austin Becomes a Grandfather
Stone Cold Steve Austin became a grandfather in 2010.
2011: Tough Enough Coach and Special Guest Referee
In 2011, Stone Cold Steve Austin was announced as the head trainer and host for the revival of Tough Enough. He also served as the special guest referee in the tag team main event of John Cena and Alex Riley against The Miz and R-Truth on the June 6th episode of Raw.
June 2012: "Redneck Island" Premieres on CMT
Stone Cold Steve Austin hosted the reality competition show "Redneck Island," which premiered on CMT in June 2012.
July 2012: WWE '13 Cover Star
In July 2012, Stone Cold Steve Austin was announced as the cover star of the special edition of the video game WWE '13.
April 2013: Stone Cold Steve Austin Launches "The Steve Austin Show" Podcast
In April 2013, Stone Cold Steve Austin started his podcast, "The Steve Austin Show."
2013: Launch of The Steve Austin Show
Steve Austin began hosting the podcast "The Steve Austin Show" in 2013.
2013: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Last Theatrical Release Until 2013
Stone Cold Steve Austin's last American theatrical release until 2013 was "Hunt to Kill," in which he co-starred with Eric Roberts and Gary Daniels.
April 6, 2014: WrestleMania XXX Appearance
On April 6, 2014, Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared at WrestleMania XXX with Hulk Hogan and The Rock in the opening segment.
July 2014: "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge" Premieres
"Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge" premiered on CMT in July 2014.
2014: "The Steve Austin Show" Transitions to Live Broadcast
In 2014, "The Steve Austin Show" began live broadcasts on the WWE Network.
2014: Austin Reveals Fine Imposed Upon WWE Return
In 2014, Austin revealed on McMahon's podcast that his return to WWE in 2003 came with a hefty $650,000 fine, which he successfully negotiated down to $250,000.
2014: Support for Same-Sex Marriage and Beer Release
In 2014, Stone Cold Steve Austin expressed his support for same-sex marriage on his podcast. That same year, he launched his first beer, Broken Skull IPA, in collaboration with El Segundo Brewing Company in California.
2014: Premiere of Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge
Steve Austin hosted the reality competition series "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge", which ran from 2014 to 2017.
May 2015: "The Steve Austin Show" Reaches 200 Million Downloads
By May 2015, "The Steve Austin Show" had reached almost 200 million downloads, averaging 793,000 downloads per week.
October 19, 2015: The Undertaker Introduction
On October 19, 2015, Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared on Raw to introduce The Undertaker and promote WrestleMania 32.
April 3, 2016: WrestleMania 32 Appearance
On April 3, 2016, Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared at WrestleMania 32, confronting The League of Nations alongside Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels.
April 2016: "Redneck Island" Concludes
In April 2016, "Redneck Island" concluded with its fifth season.
September 2017: "Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge" Enters Fifth Season
"Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge" began its fifth season in September 2017.
2017: Conclusion of Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge
"Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge" concluded in 2017.
2017: Austin Reveals Haircut Inspiration
During a 2017 interview, Stone Cold Steve Austin revealed that his iconic shaved head was inspired by Bruce Willis's haircut in the movie Pulp Fiction.
January 22, 2018: Raw 25th Anniversary Appearance
On January 22, 2018, Stone Cold Steve Austin appeared during Raw's 25th-anniversary episode and performed a Stone Cold Stunner on Shane and Vince McMahon.
February 2018: Stone Cold Steve Austin Merges His Podcasts
In February 2018, Stone Cold Steve Austin merged "The Steve Austin Show - Unleashed!" with "The Steve Austin Show" in order to appeal to a wider audience.
November 2019: Stone Cold Steve Austin Launches "Broken Skull Sessions"
Stone Cold Steve Austin started the interview segment "Broken Skull Sessions" on the WWE Network in November 2019.
2019: Launch of Broken Skull Sessions and Straight Up Steve Austin
Steve Austin started the video podcast "Broken Skull Sessions" in 2019, available on the WWE Network and Peacock. He also hosted the reality series "Straight Up Steve Austin" from 2019 to 2021.
2021: End of Straight Up Steve Austin
The reality series "Straight Up Steve Austin", hosted by Steve Austin, ended in 2021.
March 7, 2022: Stone Cold Steve Austin Returns at WrestleMania 38
On March 7, 2022, Stone Cold Steve Austin accepted Kevin Owens' invitation to appear on "The KO Show" at WrestleMania 38, which turned out to be a ruse to challenge Austin to a match.
March 2022: Release of Broken Skull American Lager
In March 2022, Stone Cold Steve Austin and El Segundo Brewing Company released another beer collaboration, Broken Skull American Lager.
April 2022: Steve Austin's One-Off Match at WrestleMania 38
Steve Austin returned for a one-off match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022.
2022: Stone Cold Steve Austin's Step-Grandson's Father Passes Away
Adam Bryniarski, father of Stone Cold Steve Austin's step-grandchildren, passed away in 2022.
2023: Inflation Adjustment
In 2023, it was noted that the $500 per night Austin was paid in 1995 by ECW would be equivalent to $1,000 after adjusting for inflation.
2023: (Contextual Information - Not an Event)
The provided text mentions the year 2023 while discussing the cost of Austin's first wrestling seminar in 1989, adjusted for inflation. This is not an event in Steve Austin's life.