Long-form storytelling is especially tricky in professional wrestling, but with Steve Austin v The Rock, they managed to tell a story over six years which saw both men transform from promising midcard athletes to two of the biggest stars in the history of the sport. They first clashed over the Intercontinental Championship in 1997 when Austin took contention over Rocky Maivia winning the New Sensation Award at the Slammys, but it wouldnt be long until higher stakes were involved. At Survivor Series 1998, there was a tournament to crown a new WWF Champion and on the same night Austin was screwed out of his match with Mankind by The Corporation, then Mankind was screwed out his match with The Rock. This turned The Rock heel and set him on a collision course with The Rattlesnake. They eventually met at WrestleMania XV, the first of three epic encounters at WrestleMania, with Austin walking out victorious. Two years later, Austin won the Royal Rumble and Rock was once again champion after he beat Kurt Angle for the title. Their feud heading into WrestleMania X-Seven was perhaps the most personal as it involved the addition of Austins wife Debra, and saw him ally with his longtime nemesis Vince McMahon in order to ensure he left champion. Stone Cold and The Rock met for a final time at WrestleMania XIX, in what would be Austins final match. This time, there was no title on the line, only pride. The Rock had come back with a new Hollywood attitude and was obsessed over the fact hed never beaten Austin at WrestleMania. The two met for one more ride (Austins vest even has OMR on the side) and despite the best efforts of Stone Cold, The Rock finally got his WrestleMania win.
