10 Exact Moments Wrestlers Told WWE Creative “Enough Is Enough”
2. Steve Austin Is Horrified By His 'Mania Role
2002 was a rough year for Steve Austin.
WWE's top star since 1998 was physically struggling, but viewed company creative as an even bigger pain. The writers suddenly downplayed his importance to the cause, and programmed 'Stone Cold' in a nothing midcard match with Scott Hall at WrestleMania X8.
That one had to hurt after years of being the main man when fit. Rewatch 'Mania now, and you'll see Austin looked totally disinterested by everything around him. That frustration boiled over within months - Steve walked out before the 10 June episode of Raw, and the promotion bashed him on live TV for it.
Austin was flat out finished with the creative team's ideas for him. Losing to rising star Brock Lesnar in a one-off King Of The Ring qualifier was an insulting thought for the 'Rattlesnake', especially after months and months of mediocrity not becoming of a star his stature.
The former main man also managed to squeeze in a rant about the writing team on internet show 'Byte This' too.