Dr Death Steve Williams was a footballer and a wrestler at college, winning the NCAA All-American every year, and defeating the likes of Dan Severn. He even finished second in the nation, before making the jump to pro wrestling. With the type of elite shoot wrestling background he had, everyone respected his toughness. He was signed by the WWF in 1998, as one of the big favourites for the Brawl For All shoot tournament. However, a torn hamstring in the semfinal cost him dearly, and Bart Gunn knocked him out. Everyone in the WWF knew Williams was legit tough, and he had been expected to win Brawl For All, after which Vince McMahon had envisioned him as a contender for Steve Austin's title. It didn't work out that way and he went on to WCW in 1999.