10 Shocking Moments When Wrestlers Risked Losing Their Jobs
5. Going Home
Stone Cold Steve Austin infamously 'took his ball and went home' in June 2002, but had actually walked out weeks earlier in a similarly exasperated protest.
Following a disappointing build-up and match against Scott Hall at WrestleMania X8, Austin and then-wife Debra skipped out on the traditional party held after the 'Show of Shows' to head home.
Completely disillusioned with just about every aspect of his job, 'The Rattlesnake' was beginning to unravel, and elected to miss the post-WrestleMania Monday Night Raw and two weeks of planned house show appearances.
After management reached out to explain this was unacceptable despite his reservations, he returned to work in a lengthy and indulgent angle that saw new Raw and Smackdown head honchos Ric Flair and Vince McMahon vying for his signature on their rosters.
As would later become apparent, nothing had really changed on either side, and it would be a little over six weeks later when Austin would depart a second time, this time for the remainder of 2002.
At the time, it was felt that Austin's career really was over in the company, and Vince McMahon elected to run a 'WWE Confidential' piece burying one of his biggest ever stars for his perceived unprofessionalism. Amongst other jibes, McMahon admitted regret over not confronting the problem following Austin's original hiatus.