10 Wrestlers Who Got Injured At The Worst Possible Time

2. Steve Austin

After an incredible performance at WrestleMania XIII, Steve Austin became the most popular superstar in all of WWE. His feud with Bret Hart and The Hart Foundation continued throughout the spring and summer, and before long, it looked like Austin would be more than just another top babyface. He was booked as strongly as possible, and it was clear that the Austin era would officially begin at WrestleMania XIV. At SummerSlam 1997, Austin was scheduled to take on Owen Hart for the Intercontinental Title, and as he guaranteed a win, it looked like the match was just another stepping stone to superstardom. During the bout, though, Owen dropped Austin with a dangerous sit-out Tombstone Piledriver, breaking the challenger's neck. Austin was paralyzed for several moments, and when he regained feeling in his extremities, he rolled up Owen for the win. All of WWE's plans - and their potential comeback in their war with WCW - looked to be in jeopardy. Fortunately for the company, Austin postponed surgery and returned to action in November, long before he realistically should have. The push continued, Austin captured the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XIV, and he became the most popular star in wrestling history. Of course, the injury eventually caught up to the Rattlesnake - he had surgery in late 1999, was out until late 2000, and was forced to retire in 2003. Still, as bad as the timing of the initial incident was, Austin pushed through it and made a lot of money for a lot of people - himself included.