10. Stone Cold Stuns Mr. McMahon - Raw; September 22, 1997
The rise of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the fall of 1997 led to a great deal of excitement surrounding the WWE product, something sorely missing a year prior, when WCW and their New World Order faction took the industry by storm. Austin injected the company with an attitude unlike fans of the sport had ever seen before. He was a rebel, a badass whose idea of a good time mirrored that of the audience. He drank beer, swore and flipped middle fingers at those he deemed worthy. He would also not hesitate to drop anyone in front of him with a swift Stone Cold Stunner, something numerous authority figures and commentators found out in the month of September. The first was Jim Ross, who showed legitimate concern for the safety of his friend in the wake of his serious neck injury. His unfortunate meeting with the Stone Cold Stunner came at Ground Zero: In Your House. In the weeks that followed, WWE Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter and wrestler-turned-commentator Jerry "the King" Lawler both suffered the same fate. By the time Raw rolled into historic Madison Square Garden, and Vince McMahon stepped foot inside the squared circle to try to talk some sense into the Texas Rattlesnake, fans fully expected to see the most powerful man in the industry fall at the feet of ol' Stone Cold. And he did, taking one of the worst Stunners of all-time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leG3Aq4orCo The lack of grace and athleticism in the boss mattered none. What did was the fact that the fans in New York City came absolutely unglued for Austin's act of violence against his superior and, for the first time, WWE got a glimpse of just how hungry the audience was for someone like Austin, someone who could do what they never could by standing up to his boss, flipping him the bird and punishing him with physical violence.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
