Speaking of injuries that changed careers forever, that's exactly what happened to Steve Austin at SummerSlam 1997. Working with Owen Hart and contesting the Intercontinental Title, Austin would leave the show with a broken neck. An ill-advised sit-down-style Piledriver from Hart caused the damage, crushing vertebrae in 'Stone Cold's' neck. For a few moments, Austin lay paralysed on the mat. Genuine fears were rushing through the man's head that he'd never walk again, but he was somehow able to regain his composure and crudely roll up Hart to end the match as planned. Looking at Owen's face as he played to the crowd after the move, it's obvious that he knows something is badly wrong with his peer. Austin would recover from the neck injury, but he'd be forced to drastically alter his wrestling style going forward. A technical worker beforehand, he was now more limited in how he could move around the ring. This particular injury directly caused Austin's career to be shortened by years, which is a dreary thought.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
