How the Stone Cold – Vince McMahon rivalry changed WWE Forever
The rivalry between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of WWE. This intense feud pitted the rebellious fan favorite against the ruthless boss, captivating audiences and solidifying WWE’s dominance during the Attitude Era.
With fans firmly taking sides, Austin and McMahon played their roles to perfection, making this rivalry an iconic cornerstone of professional wrestling history. Apart from bringing forth a new era of rivalries and dramatic feuds, the storyline also stood out in the sheer way it represented a “battle of two classes.”
The worker Stone Cold was out to get the boss, Vince McMahon, and the drama resonated with WWE audiences around the world.
How did the rivalry begin?
The feud began in 1998, just before WrestleMania 14. Commentator Vince McMahon openly expressed his opposition to Stone Cold Steve Austin becoming the WWE Champion. Austin, fueled by this declaration, grew increasingly aggravated. Adding insult to injury, McMahon enlisted the help of Mike Tyson as the special guest referee for the title match. However, Tyson double-crossed McMahon, leading to Austin claiming the championship.
Following his title win, Austin proved to be a thorn in Vince McMahon’s side. McMahon attempted to outwit Austin by booking him in matches with special guest referees, but Austin consistently emerged victorious.
This infuriated McMahon, eventually leading him to reclaim the title from Austin, if only for one night. However, Austin quickly regained the championship on an episode of Raw. In a final act of defiance, McMahon orchestrated a match pitting Stone Cold against both Undertaker and Kane, resulting in Austin’s pinfall defeat.
Fueled by betrayal, Stone Cold sought revenge against Vince McMahon and his son. Austin, as the number one entrant, competed in the Royal Rumble match, with McMahon entering at number two. With assistance from The Rock, McMahon won the Royal Rumble, but he relinquished his title shot. Instead, Austin demanded a match against Vince McMahon himself. While prohibited from directly striking McMahon, Austin seized the opportunity to unleash his fury when Big Show made his debut. Austin vented his frustration by brutally attacking McMahon.
The most shocking moment of the rivalry occurred at WrestleMania 17. As the match against The Rock reached its climax, Vince McMahon seemingly aligned himself with The Rock, despite Austin’s immense fan support. In a surprising twist, Stone Cold Steve Austin made a villainous heel turn, leaving fans bewildered. Years later, Austin served as the guest referee for the Vince McMahon vs. Donald Trump match in 2007. These two wrestling icons have crossed paths several times since, consistently ending in a familiar fashion.
