Another future headliner cut from the WCW roster in 1995 was none other than Steve Austin. Whilst recovering from injury, Austin was informed by Eric Bischoff's assistant that the company were terminating his contract. This led to a short spell in ECW, before Austin made his way to the WWF and eventually became the hottest character in the industry as 'Stone Cold'. In 1995, he was simply an excellent in-ring performer. According to Ric Flair, he routinely told WCW management behind the scenes that they had to do more with Austin. Unfortunately for both, there weren't too many who agreed with Flair's assessment of the wrestler, who wasn't viewed as a potential top star. The wrestling landscape could have been very different had those in charge listened to Ric Flair. Who knows where Austin could have ended up had WCW decided to push him and give him what he wanted. The man has made it clear that he did grow frustrated with life in the company, but it makes sense to imagine he would have stayed longer had management been interested in pushing him.
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.
