How Stone Cold Steve Austin Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Stone Cold Steve Austin—a timeline of influence.

Stone Cold Steve Austin is an American media personality, actor, producer, and retired professional wrestler, currently signed with WWE as an ambassador. Considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever, he played a vital role in the World Wrestling Federation's success during the Attitude Era in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1996: King of the Ring Victory and "Austin 3:16" Promo

At the 1996 King of the Ring, Steve Austin won the tournament by defeating Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Austin delivered an iconic promo, mocking Roberts' religious faith and proclaiming the catchphrase "Austin 3:16" and ad-libbing "And that’s the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so."

2002: Michaels' Absence and the Dawn of the "Austin Era"

In 1998, due to injury at the Royal Rumble by the hands of The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels was out of action. With Austin winning the WWF Championship at WrestleMania XIV, the "Austin Era" was ushered in in 1998.

2003: Post-Retirement Legacy

Since his retirement in 2003, Stone Cold Steve Austin has been widely regarded and cited as one of the greatest and most influential professional wrestlers of all time.

April 1, 2006: WWE 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 and Promotion of "The Condemned"

In March 2007, Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to WWE programming, partially to promote his starring role in the release of WWE Films' production "The Condemned". On March 31, he inducted Jim Ross into the Hall of Fame.

January 12, 2009: Hall of Fame Induction

On January 12, 2009, on Raw, Stone Cold Steve Austin was announced to be the first member of the Hall of Fame class of 2009. He was inducted by his long-term on-screen rival Vince McMahon, who referred to Austin as "the greatest WWE Superstar of all time". During the induction, Austin said he was officially closing the door on his wrestling career and starting a new chapter in his life.

2009: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, Steve Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to professional wrestling.

2012: Fan-Voted Mount Rushmore

In 2012, a poll conducted by WWE saw Stone Cold Steve Austin picked second on a fan voted version of the concept of wrestling's "Mount Rushmore".

2014: Podcast Revelation

In 2014, during an interview on Vince McMahon's podcast, Steve Austin publicly revealed that McMahon had fined him $650,000 upon his return, later reduced to $250,000.

May 2015: Podcast Download Numbers

By May 2015, Steve Austin's podcasts averaged 793,000 downloads a week and had nearly 200 million overall downloads.

2017: Austin Reflects on Hairstyle

In a 2017 interview, Steve Austin discussed his decision to shave his head in 1996, revealing his inspiration came from Bruce Willis' haircut in the movie "Pulp Fiction".

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