Stone Cold Steve Austin: The Bottom Line on the Most Popular Superstar of All Time

He is perhaps the most popular Superstar in the history of the WWE. In the 1980s, Hulk Hogan was the face of the World Wrestling Federation. He was the man who fans inside and out of the business recognized. As the business began to change and become more edgy in 1997, there was a new man who arrived. He simply arrived, raised hell, and left. His name, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Steve Williams, better known as Stone Cold Steve Austin arrived in the WWE in 1996 as the Ringmaster Steve Austin and he was managed by the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. DiBiase handed the Ringmaster his coveted Million Dollar belt. Austin, who later admitted on an episode of Tough Enough, that he knew the ringmaster gimmick sucked, would began to create his own character. Borrowing some of his tactics he used while in ECW, Austin became a ruthless individual who went against tradition. His first victim would be, Bret the Hitman Hart. Austin was one of the most hated individuals on the WWE roster, as he was trying to take out one of the companies top babyfaces. At WrestleMania 13, Austin and Bret would engage in a submission match, a match in which Austin would not give up. Instead he passed out and left the world with a visual of him laying in a pool of his own blood. A year later Austin would go onto to defeat Shawn Michaels to earn his first WWE championship. 

In this story, Austin beings with his career as a high school football player and talks about his dreams of being a professional wrestler. He even takes the viewer through his time at World Championship Wrestling and how politics and lies held him back, including his original promise of being pushed as a singles competitor. This would lead to his great run as a tag team with the late Flyin Bryan Pillman as they became the Hollywood Blondes. Austin explains how they were just a thrown together tag team, into becoming a cohesive unit. Arn Anderson also gives his point of view on exactly why Austin was not pushed as a main event superstar in WCW. 

Fans who loved the Attitude era will love the chapters where Austin explains who he came about the name Stone Cold Steve Austin. He also talks about his time where he battled the Rock on three different occasions and on how some of these matches he would changed somethings around. Austin gives us his personal opinion of the Brahma Bull outside of the ring. 

Stone Cold Steve Austin abruptly left the WWE in 2002. There was a disagreement with Vince McMahon and the creative team and in this story, he goes in depth and gives us his point of view. Viewers also get McMahon's point of view on this situation. 

As time began to wind down, the viewers understand from the eyes of Stone Cold Steve Austin on exactly what it was like during his final run in the WWE. We also learn what it was like for him to come back and work with Eric Bischoff as general manager, especially since Bischoff was the one of the men responsible for holding him back while he was in WCW. 

In the Blu Ray Exclusive, fans are treated with some of his funnies promos including some from his WCW days. There are also four additional matches, including his last WrestleMania match against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX. This will be a great investment for any Stone Cold Steve Austin fan, as the DVD includes well over 10 hours of footage. 

Raw review 6/13/11

Personally I thought that having an All-Stars version of Raw would have been better if it was not the last before Captiol Punishment. There were some great matches, but in the end, I personally thought that for the second week in the row, the show started off good and went downhill from there. I also did not understand the multiple interruptions from the anonymous general manager. If Stone Cold Steve Austin was the guest general manager for the night, then why did we need this idiot to be “present.” Really, can he have a vacation?
Beginning with the Miz was really good. I like how the Miz pointed out that he has had problems with both the iconic Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. Miz would begin demanding an apology from Austin and what he received was a match with the legendary Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Austin after he sent the Miz packing, was interrupted by Alberto Del Rio. He then booked Del Rio to face Kane.

Kane def Alberto Del Rio via Disqualification 
I like the aggression that Del Rio used in this match when he put Kane in the cross armbar, even though it got him disqualified. This led to the return of the Big Show. Big Show came out and attacked Del Rio. Now unless I missed something, why was his hand taped, if his knee got caught under the car. I thought the Big Show would be out longer however this allowed Austin to make the match for the two face each other at Capitol Punishment.

Sin Cara, Ezekiel Jackson & Daniel Bryan def. Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase 
This was a great wrestling match. I am not as much of a fan of six-man tag matches any longer, I feel that the concept has been used to many times. Sin Cara worked really well and it was him scoring the pinfall on Barrett after he was abused with multiple bodyslams and the torture rack by Jackson. In my opinion, I feel that Ezekiel Jackson will finally defeat Barrett for the Intercontinental Title at Capitol Punishment.

Sheamus def. Santino Marella
In this match, I saw the old Sheamus. I thought that he was losing his winning ways and ruthless aggression. It is always great to see submission wrestling, and seeing Sheamus using the Texas Cloverleaf to obtain the victory show his great wrestling ability.

Rey Mysterio def. Christian by Disqualification
This match ended after Mysterio was attacked by the Nexus. After Christian hit the Kill-switch to send a message to Randy Orton. If Christian can display the same type of aggression, then he has a chance to once again become the World Heavyweight Champion.

U.S. Champion Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne def. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger
On a normal two hour segment, this match would not have taken place. All four of these men are the future of the WWE and personally I cannot wait til Sunday to see Kingston take on Ziggler. However, I think Ziggler will pull off the victory and become the new WWE U.S. Champion.

“Rowdy” Roddy Piper def. The Miz with special guest referee Alex Riley
This match was entertaining, but it was predictable. Before the match, an episode of Piper Pit occurred and it was brought to the attention of everyone that Miz has been often compared to Piper. I did like how this was the only true “All-Stars” match of the night (One Generation against Another). Even though the Miz lost $5,000 in this match, I believe that he will take out all his aggression Sunday and defeat Riley.

Kelly Kelly, Eve, Gail Kim, Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Kaitlyn & AJ def. Divas Champion Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Maryse, Melina, Alicia Fox, Tamina & Rosa Mendes
This was a typical Divas fill in match. Before this match, I did not realize that there were 14 divas on the roster. With Kharma out of the picture, the divas have returned to being what they were, just fill ins before the main event. I will be glad when Brie Bella does not have the Divas title any longer. Having Kelly Kelly score the victory proves that she is the face of the diva division.

CM Punk def. WWE Champion John Cena in a Non-Title Match
CM Punk and John Cena always have a great match when the two face off. I was never the biggest fan of Punk, but I could never count out his in ring ability. His matches tell a story, and he has the ability to make you hate him.
I did like how R-Truth used his tactics to distract Cena and allow Punk to hit the Go To Sleep and score the victory over the champion. Truth then would get in the ring and continue to pummel Cena and attempt to weaken him for Captiol Punishment.

Other notes on the show
I enjoyed Christian getting inside of Randy Orton’s head by telling him that he would face him in the ring, only to send security to contain Orton.
I also enjoyed Stone Cold Steve Austin beating up the “Raw General Manager.” I will be glad when they finally reveal who this person is. It is really getting old now.
Last but not least, R-Truth continues his mind games this time beating up John Morrison prior to the match that they were supposed to have. R-Truth continues to thrive in his role as the biggest heel in the company.

Follow Brian Waters on twitter @BDuBmrMainEvent

Post Raw Thoughts June 6, 2011 ( Miz Injured After Raw)

I felt this episode of Monday Night Raw started out great, then fell flat.
It is always great when you see Stone Cold Steve Austin began a show no matter what. Austin crowned Andy as tough enough champion. After that, Andy was slapped by Vince McMahon and received a Stone Cold Stunner from Austin. Talk about a welcome into the company. Then fans greeted with R-Truth coming down looking like a black "Uncle Sam." He apologize, then claimed that there was a conspiracy going on. This really showed that R-Truth is over. The fans have someone that they truly love to hate.  Hopefully he can maintain a main event slot. Afterwards, The Miz, Alex Riley, and John Cena all came down to the ring and before you knew it, the main event was made, Cena and Riley vs Miz and R-Truth. Before that was made, Cena indicated that since R-Truth finally apologized he would be granted his WWE title match. So finally we have a match for Capitol Punishment. Now, onto the match. This match ended up being pretty boring, and in the end it was the Miz receiving a beat down from Riley, a Stunner from Stone Cold and a Attitude Adjustment from Cena.
Another match I found pretty interesting, Jack Swagger vs Booker T. Booker T looked really great in the ring, and I think that he can help build Jack Swagger back up. Only time will tell.
I am looking forward to seeing what Kofi Kingston is going to do. There was a great video package put together showing some great highlights. I truly believe that it is time for Kofi to be elevated into the main event picture.

Submitted by 

According to Pro Wrestling Torch, The Miz suffered a leg injury in a dark match with John Cena following Monday Night RAW.

During the match, Cena threw Miz to the outside of the ring. Miz definitely appeared to be in pain and was holding his leg. He had to have paramedics help him to the back. Cena thanked fans for coming out and seemed concerned about Miz's injury.