10 Best Stone Cold Steve Austin WWE Moments

10. Royal Rumble 97

Ric Flair’s wild performance at the 1992 Royal Rumble is often lauded as the greatest single performance in Rumble history. Stone Cold Steve Austin’s turn at the 1997 edition gives the Nature Boy a major run for his money. While the likes of Chris Benoit and Rey Mysterio lasted longer and just about every other victor won more legitimately, Austin’s win further solidified his budding superstar power.

Hitting the ring as entrant no. 5, Austin scored a then record of 10 eliminations during his 45:07 performance. Fans treated Austin as the megastar he was well on his way to being, cheering his ring dominance as the early match favourite. Austin frequently placed his eyes on an imaginary watch between eliminations, taunting the ease with which he was trailblazing through the contest.

Towards the tail end of the match, a fight broke out on the outside between Mankind and Terry Funk. Austin’s nemesis at the time, Bret Hart, threw Austin over the top rope while every referee was distracted dealing with chaos outside the ring. Austin heelishly (his full face turn would occur several months later) snuck back in, eliminating The Undertaker, Vader and the Hitman himself to secure a controversial victory.

A classic WWF moment, Austin’s first Rumble win was another feather in the cap of his steady push to the main event.