10 Signs Your Favourite Wrestler Was Turning Heel
3. Steve Austin Needs To Beat The Rock
There was nothing inherently sinister about the virtual garuntee Stone Cold Steve Austin laid down to The Rock during their legendary sit-down promo with Jim Ross ahead of WrestleMania X-Seven.
'The Rattlesnake' was still the (joint) top babyface, and was about to do what he always did in promising an a*s whooping, delivering an a*s whooping and becoming WWE Champion yet again. At the most, some members of the crowd may have received his verbiage as heelish, but only if they were devotees of the company's other biggest hero.
'The Great One' had joined Austin at the top of the tree over WWE's boom period, and had arguably penetrated the mainstream in a way beyond Stone Cold's reach. But this wasn't about MTV or potential movie deals - this was about the WWE Championship on the company's 'Grandest Stage'. This was still the preserve of the 'Toughest S.O.B'.
Austin's lines were measured but meant so much more after he'd revealed his alliance with Vince McMahon. “I need to beat you Rock. I need it more than anything that you could ever imagine" was as loaded a weapon as a steel chair being swung by Austin himself. He just kept it concealed until the time was right.