10 Best Late Career Runs In Wrestling History
1. Steve Austin (1997-2003)
He’s one of the most iconic wrestlers of all-time, but Steve Austin’s wrestling career wasn’t all that long, particularly compared to some of the others on our list. Debuting in 1989, he worked his way to WWE in 1995, but still took a while to get going. Buried under the horrendous Ringmaster gimmick, Austin’s true ascension didn’t begin until King of the Ring 1996, when ‘Austin 3:16; was born, and the Attitude Era began.
Austin was already a seasoned veteran by this point, and his reinvention as ‘Stone Cold’ was the making of him. Through his feud with Mr. McMahon and newfound attitude, Austin became his era’s biggest star, and a vital contributor in WWE’s eventual triumph in the Monday Night Wars. Without him, there’s a strong chance the McMahons would be out of business, and it’s all down to his late-career work.
His Owen Hart-inflicted broken neck ultimately shortened his run, and Austin’s last few years were spotty at best. He completed an ill-advised heel turn at WrestleMania X7, and was never quite the same afterwards, even after reverting to a babyface role. Despite this, he was able to conclude his wrestling career by finishing his ‘Mania trilogy with The Rock in 2003, drawing the curtain on a legendary run, and one of wrestling’s most effective career reinventions.