10 Worst Things Stone Cold Steve Austin Has Ever Done
9. He Bloodied Jim Ross
"THAT'S YOUR BEST FRIEND OUT THERE...DAMMIT STEVE, OPEN HIM UP!"
Not since he'd had Trish Stratus on her hands and knees a few weeks earlier had Vince McMahon acted with such conviction, but it was entirely necessary - the audience needed the courage of his whilst still trying to adjust to Stone Cold Steve Austin's new persona.
Just days removed from a turn greeted by a mixed reaction at Houston's WrestleMania X-Seven, he was given an Oklahoma crowd on SmackDown to beat beloved local Jim Ross half to death to enhance the message.
The Chairman looked orgasmic as the attack wore on, but the segment called for more than just McMahon going method to get it over the line. Austin was crazed in his attack, using the blood he'd drawn as a target for more violence. Strangling him with his leather belt before smashing his championship one hard into 'JR's face unlocked a slavish insanity Austin had seemingly accepted as part of the switch.
Like the entire heel turn it, it was disjointed, unsettling, and lasted an uncomfortable amount of time. Also like the heel turn, it should have worked.