10 MORE Huge "What If" Scenarios In WWE History

4. What If Steve Austin Stuck With WCW?

Daniel Bryan
WWE

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was essentially born of frustration.

The character wouldn't have been possible if the Texan hadn't left WCW in 1995 - a decision that stemmed entirely from misuse. Eric Bischoff and WCW didn't see Austin as a main event calibre wrestler. Thus, they completely refused to push 'Stunning Steve' beyond the midcard, but Austin valued himself higher than that, resulting in the managerial tension that saw him cut loose from the promotion.

A brief ECW stint followed, before Steve made his way to WWE towards the turn of the year, eventually becoming one of the most important wrestlers in company history.

The consequences of Austin holding his tongue, sitting on his hands, and accepting his lot in WCW are potentially game-changing. He would never have anything more than a mid-tier grappler under Eric Bischoff's leadership, and instead Austin would be a remembered as a solid in-ring mechanic without a defining singles run. With WWE lacking Attitude's most iconic star, perhaps WCW would've made it through the Monday Night Wars after all?

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.