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Stone Cold Steve Austin is reportedly in talks with WWE to make an in-ring return at WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, Texas. If it happens, it will mark his first time in the squared circle in 19 years. The Rattlesnake is arguably the biggest superstar in the history of the company. He was the face of the promotion during its most successful period, the Attitude Era.
Austin was a box office draw like no other and helped WWE defeat WCW in the ratings during Monday Night Wars. He was a perfect blend of tremendous character work and an excellent talker.
On top of all that, though, Stone Cold could also deliver in the ring. He was a great worker for years and became a brilliant brawler after his neck injury.
Austin's in-ring brilliance sometimes gets understated. He could deliver a technical wrestling clash with the likes of Bret Hart the same way he could brawl with Mick Foley.
This will not include some of his more acclaimed matches, though. In this article, let's look at five underrated Stone Cold Steve Austin matches.
5) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. "Wildman' Marc Mero in a King of the Ring Semifinal Match (WWE King of the Ring 1996)
When fans think of Stone Cold's iconic King of the Ring victory that propelled him to superstardom, they will bring up the legendary promo that Austin cut following his win over Jake 'The Snake' Roberts. However, those individuals are missing the entire story. The Texas Rattlesnake had one other contest that evening.
Earlier in the night, Austin went one-on-one with Wildman Marc Mero. As two of WWE's newest superstars, both men came out motivated. Their spirited bout was filled with well-paced action and athleticism. Mero caught Austin with a boot to the face on a rollup during the contest. This busted Stone Cold's lip open, which he rushed to the hospital following the match.
However, Austin hit his Stone Cold Stunner on Mero to get the pin and advance to the King of the Ring Finals. This was the best match of the tournament and showed why both men were booked to be future main eventers. Austin's path to that destiny began on this very night.
4) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Savio Vega in a Caribbean Strap Match (WWE In Your House: Beware of Dog)
The iconic Austin 3:16 promo at King of the Ring 1996 is often regarded as the catalyst for Stone Cold Steve Austin's meteoric rise in the WWE. However, many fans and pundits argue that his actual star-making performance came a month earlier. At In Your House: Beware Of Dog, Stone Cold faced Savio Vega in a Caribbean Strap Match.
The two superstars had an intense war that was hard-hitting and grueling for both. This had the fans fully invested and on the edge of their seats to see who could reach all four corners in time.
Austin proved himself to be one of the most capable in-ring workers and stole the show. Despite taking the loss, Stone Cold used this success to get his biggest win the following month.
3) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (WWE King of the Ring 1997)
When fans think about Austin vs. Michaels, they will automatically think of WrestleMania 14. It was one of the most important matches in WWE history. Stone Cold won his first WWE Championship by defeating HBK and took the company's wheel in the Attitude Era. However, this was just their second pay-per-view showdown.
In 1997, unlikely tag team partners Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels defeated Owen Hart and The British Bulldog for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Their animosity only grew, leading to a match at King of the Ring in 1997.
This bout didn't have the injured back Michaels would suffer before WrestleMania 14. After a few months off, HBK was refreshed here and put on an energetic brawl with Austin.
Stone Cold was hampered by the neck injury he sustained at SummerSlam a few months later and kept up with the quicker Michaels. Despite a no contest, this was a show-stealer
2) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship (WWE SummerSlam 2001)
Stone Cold Steve Austin's much-maligned heel turn at WrestleMania 17 is probably the most criticized moment of the legend's career. Aligning with arch-rival Vince McMahon was such a departure for the character that he and the company never fully recovered. However, Austin had some of his best matches this time.
At SummerSlam 2001, Stone Cold defended the WWE Championship against Kurt Angle. This was a different role for the latter, who spent most of his career as a heel, but he was a determined hero in this bout. The fans in attendance could feel Angle's passion and rallied behind him.
Austin couldn't keep the challenger down and had to cause a disqualification to walk out with the gold. Angle's bloody face was still fighting Stone Cold after the bell endeared more than ever.
Throughout this contest, Austin was an excellent heel, cheating when he didn't need to and getting the fans behind Angle. It was an all-around masterful performance from everyone despite a non-finish.
1) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship (WWE Backlash 1999)
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock is easily one of the greatest rivalries in WWE history. They are universally recognized as two of the most famous professional wrestlers alive and were the two biggest superstars during the most profitable and successful period in the company's history.
When many fans think of their legendary feud, they bring up their unmatched WrestleMania trilogy. Austin and The Rock headlined WrestleMania 15 and 17 with the WWE Championship on the line and then finally ended their rivalry at WrestleMania 19. However, they clashed on several other occasions, including Backlash 1999.
After Austin beat The Rock for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 15, the Corporation reintroduced his signature Smoking Skull belt and handed it to The Great One. They also appointed Shane McMahon as the referee for this main event. With that motivation, Stone Cold came out with extra fire. This was another crazy brawl that went all over the ringside and the entrance.
The battle reached the commentary table with the People's Champion holding the camera and talking trash to his opponent. Austin famously flipped off the camera before delivering Stone Cold Stunner on the commentary table. When the action finally got back in the ring, Vince McMahon neutralized Shane from favoring The Rock.
Austin hit the Stone Cold Stunner to defeat The Rock and retain the WWE Championship. This is one of these iconic rivals' best matches together. This Attitude Era-style brawl was fun, high-impact, and exciting. That's why this Backlash 1999 match with The Rock is the most underrated Stone Cold Steve Austin match.
