10 Most Soul-Destroying WrestleMania Moments

6. Steve Austin Aligns With Vince McMahon (WrestleMania X-7)

Steve Austin, Vince McMahon, WrestleMania 17
WWE.com

As soon as he felt his hand press into Vince McMahon's, Steve Austin greatly regretted what he was doing. The unthinkable had happened: 'Stone Cold' had joined forces with his most hated rival. 

Incredibly, Austin wasn't even upset as a character, he just knew it didn't feel right.

Following Austin's WWF Title match against The Rock at WrestleMania X-Seven, McMahon and his nemesis shook hands. On commentary, Jim Ross went crazy, claiming that the wrestler was shaking hands "with the devil himself". It was quite the moment, but not one to be remembered for wholly positive reasons.

Austin had turned heel, but it wasn't something he or his vast fan base could say they were particularly comfortable with. People still wanted the beer-drinking, foul-mouthed character of before, but they didn't get it for a while. 

Instead, Austin had a confusing run as an often-comedic heel, and it can all be traced back to his handshake with McMahon. WrestleMania X-Seven went off the air with controversy and intrigue, but also a lot of sunken hearts.

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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.