10 Best Stone Cold Steve Austin Matches Ever
5. (With Triple H) Vs. Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit (Raw, 5/21/01)
On the heels of a rather-lackluster Judgment Day pay-per-view, WWE rebounded with a truly-inspired episode of Raw is War, culminating with a Tag Team championship bout for the ages. With The Rock off furthering his career in Tinseltown, WWE needed to elevate fresh blood into the main event. "The Calgary Kids" were the ones who answered the call.
The four veterans pieced together a gem of a match, with Austin and Helmsley channeling the core ruthlessness of Anderson and Blanchard (one might say a Hollywood Blondes revival). The thrills only grew more heated and electric as the match progressed, and a scintillating finish was in sight.
The match is in part tempered by the downgrading of Benoit's body of work, but also largely due to the horrific leg injury sustained by Triple H in the closing stages. Even then, it's still fondly remembered by those who saw it, a glimpse of what Austin was capable of away from the "Stone Cold" formula.