“Stone Cold” Steve Austin, born Steven James Anderson on December 18, 1964, in Austin, Texas, is a retired American professional wrestler, actor, and media personality. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Austin played a pivotal role in the success of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the late 1990s and early 2000s, a period known as the Attitude Era.
Wrestling Career:
- Early Career: Austin began his wrestling career in 1989 after playing college football at the University of North Texas. He trained under British wrestler Chris Adams, who focused primarily on athletic skills, leaving Austin underprepared for the entertainment aspect of wrestling. Despite this, Austin debuted in the late 1980s for the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), earning just $40 for his first match.
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW): In 1991, Austin signed with WCW, adopting the persona of “Stunning” Steve Austin. He achieved significant success, winning the WCW World Television Championship and the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship twice each, as well as the WCW World Tag Team Championship and NWA World Tag Team Championship with Brian Pillman as the Hollywood Blondes.
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE): Austin joined the WWF in late 1995, initially wrestling under the moniker “The Ringmaster.” He soon adopted the “Stone Cold” persona, inspired by his wife’s comment about a cup of tea she made for him becoming “stone cold.” This character, a brash and rebellious antihero, resonated with fans and became central to the Attitude Era. Austin won the WWF Championship six times and is known for his feuds with figures like Mr. McMahon.
Post-Wrestling Activities:
After retiring from in-ring competition in 2003 due to multiple knee injuries and a serious neck injury, Austin transitioned to acting and media. He hosted the reality competition series “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” from 2014 to 2017 and “Straight Up Steve Austin” from 2019 to 2021. He also hosts the podcast “The Steve Austin Show” and the video podcast “Broken Skull Sessions” on the WWE Network and Peacock.
Recent Developments:
Austin underwent a total knee replacement surgery in early 2025 after years of postponing it. He shared his progress on social media, including updates on his rehabilitation. Despite his recent surgery, Austin is confirmed to be in Las Vegas for both nights of WrestleMania 41, leading to speculation about his potential involvement in the event.