(Almost) 5-Star Match Reviews: A Collection of STEVE AUSTIN Matches

Two weeks ago I looked at a collection of Cesaro/Claudio Castagnoli matches and looked at him through the lens of the debate between greater wrestler and wrestling star. Here we look at the other half of that equation in Steve Austin, a man widely considered the greatest wrestling megastar of all time. Depending on whom you ask, Austin is either on the same level as, or higher than, Hulk Hogan, in terms of success and popular appeal. His peak was relatively short but still incredibly high, as his feud with Vince McMahon tapped into the zeitgeist and made him into a generational hero. But as time moves on some people look back and question Austin’s list-topping status. His main-event run lasted five or take five years and was plagued by concerns surrounding serious injuries, which in turn shifted his interactions towards angles, brawls, and beat-downs. In other words, he spent more time each week beating up Vince McMahon and shooting angles than he did putting his body on the line.

So when it comes to Austin’s in-ring exploits, he does have at least a few noted stand-out classics: two with Bret Hart in 1996 and 1997, one with Dude Love in 1998, one with Triple H at No Way Out 2001, and of course, his big blow-off with The Rock at WrestleMania X-Seven. But even though his bread and butter came from quick brawls and fewer long matches that put his long-term health at greater risk, he was still a capable wrestler, as shown with the following five bouts.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels – WWF King of the Ring 1997

The Story: The Hart Foundation running roughshod over WWF forced many opposing sides to join forces against this growing threat. Such was the case for Michaels and Austin, two men who previously had little love or respect for the other yet were forced by circumstance to work together. Their unstable union yielded unexpected results as they defeated Foundation members Owen Hart and The British Bulldog to win the WWF Tag Team Championships. Soon afterwards their dislike for each other became apparent as they attacked each other following a match with The Legion of Doom. That led to this special non-tournament singles match featuring two tag champs facing off. This was all hastily put together due to a combination of Bret Hart’s knee injury and his very real and VERY HEATED problems with Shawn Michaels scuttling plans for a long-desired rematch between them.

The Match: They lock-up and Austin lands the first blow with a shoulderblock. The action stops momentarily as a fan with special needs accidentally gets over barricade and is gently escorted backstage. Austin dares Michaels back into the ring and we get an exchange of arm wringers into some matwork. We get a dropdown spot but Austin shuts Michaels down with a back elbow. Michaels counters with chain grappling and we get some athletic spots until Austin lands a Manhattan drop and shitcans Michaels. Austin attempts an over-the-rope suplex but Michaels counters with a roll-up for two. A drop toehold leads to an armlock but Austin gets the ropes. Austin taunts Michaels into a test of strength but he kicks the gut the moment they’re connected. Michaels fights to his feet and lands a back body drop to a huge high-pitched pop. Both men miss elbow drops and Michaels goes back to the arm. Another dropdown spot ends with Austin hitting a Thesz Press. They follow with an exchange of flash covers. Austin breaks Michaels’ trademark bridge out into a backslide and sends him flying out of the ring. He hotshots Michaels on the top rope and again on the barricade, and then drops him onto the exposed floor.

They return the ring temporarily as Michaels misses a flying forearm and falls back outside. Michaels lands a sudden cradle for two so Austin clotheslines him. Austin lands a second-rope elbow drop for two and applies a chinlock, using the ropes for leverage outside of the ref’s field of vision, that is, until the ref catches and admonishes him. Another turnaround by Michaels sends Austin to the floor. Austin escapes an over-the-rope suplex but eats a flying forearm. Michaels begins a comeback but misses a corner shoulderblock, only to quickly answer with a second-rope crossbody out of a different corner. Austin rolls over using Michaels’ momentum but only gets two. More Irish whips around the ring. Michaels reverses a whip to send Austin colliding with the ref. Austin blocks Sweet Chin Music and hits the Stunner for a visible three-count. Frustrated, Austin stuns the referee but then eats SCM. Michaels also gets a visible three-count. A second ref checks on the first but Michaels superkicks him. The first ref counts Michaels’ cover but Austin kicks out. Then senior ref Earn Hebner appears and disqualifies both wrestlers for assaulting his fellow officials. Both men are swarmed by officials as the match is thrown out.

Match result: Double Disqualification after 22:29

You can watch the full match here.

Review: This was a good match ruined by a dumb finish. They wrestled well for the most part and had solid chemistry throughout but things came crashing down at the end. That one dumb move deflated the crowd like a ballon being popped. It was rushed, random, and unnecessary. They could’ve gone in any other direction yet they chose the most frantic and dissatisfying conclusion. But at least both men would go on to have better matches elsewhere and with other opponents.

Final Rating: ***1/4

WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker – SummerSlam 1998

The Story: Continuing the wider Austin-versus-McMahon-and-his-endless-army-of-minions feud, Austin won his WWF Championship back from Kane one night after losing it. But by engaging Kane, Austin found himself in ‘Taker’s crosshairs as well given the two brothers were locked in an uncertain friends-or-enemies situation. The chaos amplified when Austin and Undertaker were forced to team together and ended up winning the tag titles together from Kane and Mankind. Yet despite that accomplishment Undertaker’s allegiance was repeatedly called into question, which led to the term “IN CAHOOTS” being repeated on a weekly basis. Yet ‘Taker insisted he was neutral and vowed to wrestle Austin in a novel match for the time: one without shenanigans.

The Match: They trade corner punches to start things off. ‘Taker reverses a corner whip and hits a short-arm clothesline for a one-count. They trade arm wringers until Austin reverses with a roll-up for two. He drop toeholds ‘Taker and works an arm. ‘Taker shoots Austin off the ropes and bends over for a back body drop. Austin kicks him and ‘Taker straightens up…and in the process hits Austin and concusses him. Austin attempts a suplex but ‘Taker reverses. Austin eats one elbow drop but dodges a second. Austin attempts a Thesz Press but ‘Taker catches him and hotshots him onto the top rope for two. The match slows down with ‘Taker applying “methodical” offense until Austin trips him from ringside and smashes his leg into the side of the ring. Austin works the leg a bit but ‘Taker answers with a flying clothesline. ‘Taker attempts Old School but Austin throws him from the top rope. Kane suddenly makes his way to the ring but ‘Taker sends him back, only to turn around into more punches from Austin.

Austin reattacks the leg but ‘Taker answers with a Chokeslam from the apron into the ring. Austin gets up first and clotheslines ‘Taker out of the ring. They brawl into the stands as ‘Taker reverses a piledriver with a back body drop. They continue brawling until Austin attempts a Stunner but ‘Taker escapes to ringside. Austin chases him but gets caught and driven into the ringpost. Austin fights back but ‘Taker sidesteps to send Austin flying back to the floor. More ringside brawling. ‘Taker places Austin on the Spanish table and dives off the top rope with a leg drop. Back in the ring, ‘Taker shoots Austin into a corner but misses a clothesline. Undeterred, ‘Taker maintains pressure with punches until they double clothesline each other. Both men get to their feet. Austin lands a flurry of punches and eventually connects with the Lou Thesz Press and an elbow drop. An awkward corner collision leads to an awkward Stunner. ‘Taker follows with a Chokeslam. Austin escapes a Tombstone. ‘Taker drops Austin on the top rope crotch-first and lands a Russian leg sweep. He attempts Old School but Austin hits what appears to be a low blow mid-jump. Stone Cold Stunner. Austin covers and gets the three-count.

Winner and STILL WWF World Heavyweight Champion after 20:52: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

You can watch the full match here.

Review: Although Austin got concussed early into the match, you really couldn’t tell given how the match progressed. Despite being a bit slow at times the match was still compelling despite the babyface-versus-babyface dynamic splitting the crowd’s support. Neither man was in peak physical form at this time and thus required significant story elements and smoke-and-mirrors to mask their shortcomings, they still had a decent brawl here. It was typical of the Attitude Era with more of a brawl-heavy style and more wild action at the expense of raw technique or more purposeful offense. Still, given that these guys were working through injuries including an unexpected one, this was still a good match, albeit one that needs to be viewed in isolation given that it doesn’t hold a candle to the ladder match that immediately preceded it.

Final Rating: ***1/2

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock – WrestleMania XIX

The Story: This was a battle of returning legends, with both men returning in early 2003 from different places: Rock from Hollywood and Austin from a highly-publicized and acrimonious WWE departure. Since neither had wrestling fulltime on their upcoming calendars, they were booked to face off in a final farewell to their iconic, era-defining rivalry.

The Match: After a stare-down Rock tries to score the first shot but Austin hits first with punches. Austin dodges a clothesline and Rock avoids a Stunner. Rock bails but Austin chases him down. They brawl ringside with Austin launching Rock into anything he can find. Austin reluctantly stops choking Rock on the ropes and hits a back suplex for two. Austin hits two corner whips and a clothesline after Rock reverses a third. Austin does more rope choking but then Rock chop blocks his knee twice. Rock attacks the knee viciously and cuts off Austin’s comeback with a kick to the knee. Rock applies a Sharpshooter but Austin makes it to the ropes. Rock puts on Austin’s jacket and takes a water break, only for Austin to attack him in the ring and clothesline him to a double-down. Austin lands a Thesz Press with punches followed by an elbow drop for two. Austin lands some stomps but Rock comes back with a flying forearm. Rock gloats but turns around to a Rock Bottom from Austin that gets two. Rock answers with a Stunner to Austin that likewise gets two. More brawling. Stone Cold Stunner connects. Another two-count. Austin moves the referee aside which Rock uses to land a low blow. Austin dodges The People’s Elbow. Rock avoids another Stunner and lands a Spinebuster. A second People’s Elbow lands but Austin kicks out. Rock Bottom. Austin survives both that and a second one. A third Rock Bottom connects. One, two, three! Rock wins!

Winner after 17:55: The Rock

You can watch the full match here.

Review: While this isn’t anywhere near as great as the pair’s magnum opus at WrestleMania X-Seven, this was still an entertaining attraction match fitting the venue and the occasion. Austin wasn’t as limited as people presumed, though not wrestling consistently for about nine months certainly left him less crisp and open to risk than before. Both men embodied the less-is-more philosophy and played the hits to great success. They told a fun story that masked Austin’s physical shortcomings and Rock’s relatively limited movepool by amping up the theatrics and stealing each other’s finishers. What I like most about this match is that despite being simpler and less intense it had a finality to it that conjured up both this sense of nostalgia and a sense of conclusion to one of WWF/E’s most storied rivalries. A fun trip down memory lane, to be sure.

Final Rating: ***3/4

WCW United States Championship Match: “Stunning” Steve Austin vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat – Clash of the Champions XXVIII

The Story: Austin won the title from Dustin Rhodes at Starrcade 93 and soon found himself facing ultimate babyface Steamboat. At the time Austin was a cheater and in their many untelevised house shows he’d cheat to retain. Thus, to ensure he would face Steamboat on a level playing field, if he got himself disqualified here he’d lose the title.

The Match: Some chain grappling starts things off. Austin accuses Steamboat of pulling hair to get under his skin. They lock-up again and Austin repeats this taunt, causing Steamboat to shove him back. Austin attempts a cheap-shot but Steamboat’s too vigilant. Steamboat takes him down with a headlock and Austin pulls the hair to no effect. They do a standard exchange that ends with Austin taking Steamboat down for a two-count. They trade stiff shots until Steamboat lands two dropkicks. Austin blocks a corner charge but runs into a powerslam. Steamboat works an arm but Austin shoots him into the ropes, only for Steamboat to land another roll-up for two. Two more quick roll-ups yield more near-falls. Steamboat goes back to the arm and Austin tries countering but Steamboat out-wrestles him and regains control. Austin fights to his feet and sends Steamboat flying through the ropes. Steamboat hits a clothesline ringside and, once back in the ring, ends a crisscross with a sleeper hold, only for Austin escape via jawbreaker. A stiff exchange ends with Steamboat hitting a hiptoss out of a corner. Austin misses a corner charge and hits his shoulder on the post. Steamboat reattacks the arm but Austin uses the ref as a distraction to poke the eye. Austin gets cocky with slaps and taunts and drops a knee for two. He works a chinlock while digging his fingers into Steamboats’ face. Steamboat escapes and begins another long counter sequence. Austin ends that with knees to Steamboat’s gut and hits a diving kneedrop for two. Austin lands one suplex but Steamboat counters the second and sets Austin up in a corner. Steamboat blocks a dive but Austin counters a Superplex with a top-rope gourdbuster. Steamboat blocks a dive and lands a facebuster. Austin avoids a dive and paintbrushes Steamboat’s head way too much and Steamboat fires up. Steamboat hits a series of double chops for two. He gets more near-falls from a spinebuster and an electric chair suplex. Steamboat gets more quick near-falls off flash pins and then skins the cat over Austin into a roll-up for yet another two-count. Austin hits a quick punch and goes for a backbreaker. Steamboat counters with a flash cradle for three! Steamboat gets a surprise win out of nowhere!

Winner and NEW WCW United States Champion after 16:02: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

You can watch the full match here.

Review: Anytime you watch Ricky Steamboat you’re in for a treat. The man is THE quintessential American-style babyface who knows how to blend storytelling with athleticism better than almost anyone while Austin showed his own chops by wrestling as outwardly heel as possible. They had great chemistry and moved at such a fluid pace through those technical exchanges that it becomes easy to forget that Austin was once a more technical worker than the brawler he portrayed in his prime. For many Austin fans, who’ve mainly know him for his Attitude Era exploits, the sight of him grappling and showcasing more of a classical, Southern-style match is a welcome surprise. A surefire highlight of mid-1990s WCW if there ever was one.

Final Rating: ****

WWF World Heavyweight Championship Match: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Chris Benoit – SmackDown #94, May 31, 2001

The Story: This took place during Austin’s villainous kiss-ass period where he wanted to be the sole object of Vince McMahon’s admiration. Austin was paranoid over anyone doubting his abilities, especially Vince. So when Vince enters Austin’s locker room suggesting Austin reconsider defending his world title against Benoit in Benoit’s hometown (the absolute irony of Vince McMahon suggesting someone could win in their hometown!) Austin gets mad and even goes so far as to suggest his wife Debra thinks he can’t beat Benoit and she doesn’t even say anything.

The Match: Before Austin comes out Vince makes a surprise appearance and announces he’ll be Special Guest Enforcer for this match. Benoit attacks Austin before the bell and knocks him down repeatedly. Austin hotshots Benoit on the top rope and lands a swinging neckbreaker for two. Austin tries a suplex but Benoit counters with a Crossface attempt. Benoit pulls him back and tries again. Austin reaches a different set of ropes. A third Crossface and a third ropebreak. Followed by a fourth. Austin bails to ringside so Benoit chases him until Austin kicks Benoit’s taped-up ribs. Austin attempts a belt shot but referee Earl Hebner stops him. He holds onto the belt long enough for Benoit to recover and shove Austin into him. With the referee down Benoit DDT’s Austin onto the title belt. Benoit attempts a diving head-butt but Austin gets the belt up and covers, only to get three two-counts. Austin applies a Sharpshooter to a torrent of boos but Benoit reverses to a chorus of cheers. Austin reverses back but then Benoit does the same. Austin holds onto a corner long enough to hit a back low blow without the referee seeing. But it only stalls him momentarily as he hits back with a top-rope Superplex for a near-fall. Crossface and ropebreak #5.

Austin gourdbusters Benoit onto the Spanish announce table. Benoit tries fighting back. Austin lands another release suplex onto the edge of the ring. Austin pulls Benoit by his bandages and throws him into the steel steps. In the ring Austin drops elbows and trash-talks Benoit with the title in hand. Benoit attempts a comeback but Austin shuts him down with a spinebuster for two. Austin locks in an elevated crab hold but Benoit gets the ropes so Austin slaps and humiliates him in front of his friends and family. Suddenly Benoit fires up, blocks a Stunner, and hits TEN rolling German Suplexes. Vince gets onto the apron so Benoit shoots Austin into him. Crippler Crossface locked in. Vince grabs a chair. Referee Hebner confronts him but Vince punches him down. Benoit kicks Vince’s groin without releasing his hold. Benoit blasts Vince with multiple chair-shots. But then Austin capitalizes with a roll-up and grabs the rights. One, two, three! Austin steals the win!

Winner and STILL WWF World Heavyweight Champion after 19:39: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

You can watch the full match here.

Review: That was tons of fun. It was a wild ride that combined a talented technical grappler with a paranoid, underhanded brawler and his power-abusing former enemy turned ally. It was a bit disjointed as far as spots and chosen techniques were concerned but that had an unexpected benefit here. By starting and teasing certain directions and leaving them unconcluded, Benoit and Austin left the ending more open and less predictable. Story-wise this was excellent: Austin played the paranoid and underhanded champion perfectly while Benoit, though not the most charismatic in the classic sense, did a fantastic job playing to the crowd using his techniques. They combined cheap heat with earned pops as seen with the Sharpshooter exchange spots and Benoit’s incredible ten Germans. They carried the spirit of peak Attitude Era with the deck stacked against the babyface and the unfair authority figure looming omnipresent waiting for the ideal moment to ruin the hero’s day. Screwy finishes usually deflate the audience and kill satisfaction but in this case it made sense as everyone got a silver lining in the form of Benoit beating the shit out of Vince with the chair. While I would’ve personally preferred a bit more of an emphatic finish, this chosen route gave Benoit an out and protected him while still giving Austin a win on paper. It was a great example of using a simple premise – in this case, the fabled “hometown advantage” – and making it into a major match plot point. All of this translates into a hidden gem that often gets ignored amidst Austin’s wider career.

Final Rating: ****1/2

As always, thanks for reading.