10 Wrestlers You Won't Believe Were Once Paul Heyman Guys
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Initially the star pupil of the late Chris Adams wrestling school in Dallas, Austin made a name for himself in the USWA before heading to WCW in 1991. Within weeks, hed won the WCW World Television Championship from Bobby Eaton. By the end of the year, Austin had joined forces with Eaton, along with Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude and Madusa. Working with such experienced colleagues was a great learning experience for the already promising Austin. As well as being such smooth wrestlers who made everything look easy, these people possessed great wrestling brains, as did Heyman himself of course. By the time The Dangerous Alliance folded, Austin was being touted as a future superstar, something which was seemingly recognised by everyone except the powers that be in WCW itself. Put together in a tag team with Brian Pillman because the bookers had nothing for them, the two made The Hollywood Blonds into cult favourites. Eventually, he was released from his WCW contract in 1995 by Eric Bischoff, who infamously said that a man in black trunks and black boots wasnt marketable. Heyman though, knew that Austin was money and brought him in for a brief run in WCW, where he was able to show off his microphone skills. He oozed charisma as he slated WCW in segments, including the famous Monday Nyquil skit where he donned a black wig and impersonated Bischoff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peBFc7LX4i0 But within a few months, he was in the WWF. Originally packaged as The Ringmaster under the management of Ted DiBiase, he failed to make an impact. Going alone as Stone Cold Steve Austin, a nickname inadvertently inspired by a comment by his wife, he won the 1996 King of the Ring tournament after the original choice, Triple H, was scrapped after the infamous MSG curtain call incident. Austin won and coined the phrase Austin 3:16 in the post-match interview, which became the single biggest selling item of merchandise in wrestling history.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
