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The wrestling world of late has been dominated by the shocking news of the now-former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions walking out of WWE due to their unhappiness with the creative direction of their team. Opinions have varied. WWE has shown that they are very upset, downing the duo repeatedly on WWE television. Fans for the most part seem to be on Banks’ and Naomi’s side, proud of them for standing up for themselves.
WWE has a long history of stars walking out. We all remember when CM Punk did it in 2014. Not that we could forget when we’re constantly reminded of it. The most famous and impactful walkout, however, was when the biggest star in wrestling history, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, walked out of WWE before an episode of Raw in 2002. Here’s what happened.
Cracks Were Forming Between Austin And WWE For Months
In 2002, Austin was still as big as ever, but his popularity and success had started to reach its summit. His heel turn that saw him become the leader of The Alliance, the faction made up of invading WCW and ECW talent, had mixed results. Austin was on top, he became champion, but with so many top WCW stars absent, the angle had little bite. Austin was an effective heel, and he birthed the much loved and hated “What?” chant during this time, but fans badly wanted to root for Austin. When he turned face again, the roar was among the loudest crowd reactions ever, but Austin went right back to being a heel almost immediately after.
Going into WrestleMania season, the NWO was brought into WWE to shake things up. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall were the biggest thing going in wrestling in the late 90s, but by 2002 the shine had worn off. The faction was looked at as has-beens, and their time in WWE didn’t have much of an impact.
Originally, before The Rock and Hogan gave us an all-time classic at WrestleMania 18, Austin was supposed to wrestle Hogan in the main event we had always wanted to see. Reportedly, the two clashed, each refusing to lose to the other, and Austin claimed that he didn’t think they could deliver a good match. So while The Rock got the main event, Austin got the consolation prize in Scott Hall, who was no longer in his prime. Austin won his WrestleMania match in a quick and forgettable fashion, but The Rock had finally usurped him to become the face of WWE.
Brock Lesnar Was Austin’s Undoing
Austin was a no-show on the Raw after WrestleMania, claiming that he needed a break. Vince McMahon acknowledged his absence, insisting that Austin had upset the fans. The drama continued through May, with Stone Cold appearing on WWE’s internet show Byte This!, where he trashed his creative direction and downed the new brand extension.
Monday, June 10, was the last straw for Austin when he received a call from Jim Ross stating that Austin was scheduled to lose to Brock Lesnar in a King of the Ring qualifying match on that night’s edition of Raw. Austin not only refused, but walked out, this time not for a week, but for almost an entire year, quitting the company that he had helped to make so popular.
Austin has spoken many times about why he left. It was never meant to be a shot at Lesnar as if Austin didn’t believe Lesnar was worthy of being in the ring with or beating him. Austin has stated that he had no problem putting over the future of WWE. His problem was with the way it was being done, on free TV, with no build, as if it would be no big deal to have Austin lose. Yet again he felt disrespected, and with frustrations having reached their peak, Austin was out.
Austin And WWE Made Amends
If you think WWE has been bitter with Sasha Banks and Naomi, it’s nothing compared to how WWE reacted over Austin’s absence. The Rock appeared on Raw that night and threw some negative comments Austin’s way without saying his name. Jim Ross voiced his displeasure with The Rattlesnake on air. Even McMahon spoke that night, saying that Stone Cold was “taking his ball and going home.”
Several months later, one of Austin’s best friends, Jim Ross, then not only a legendary commentator but WWE’s Head of Talent Relations, reached out to Austin by sending him a simple postcard. It touched Austin’s stone-cold heart, and called Ross, ready to bury the hatchet and speak to McMahon.
In 2003, Austin returned to WWE for one last run (until 2022 that is), coming back as the crowd favorite he was always meant to be. After beating The Rock twice in previous WrestleManias, Austin took the loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 19. He would make many appearances over the years, even enjoying a fun run as the Raw GM and Sheriff. This year he made his unexpected wrestling return, main eventing night one of WrestleMania 38. The spot and the roar he got from the crowd showed that McMahon and the fans had both forgiven him and moved on from the sting of 2002 long ago. Twenty years later, Austin is loved more than ever.