10 WWE Battles With Fascinating Backstories
2. Steve Austin Vs. The Rock (WrestleMania XIX)
It shows how great matches between The Rock and Steve Austin were that fans didn't call them out for facing off at no less than three different WrestleMania shows. At 'Mania XV, X-Seven and XIX, Rock and Stone Cold had one-on-one matches, but it was the latter one that really made Austin realise his time in the ring was coming to an end.
Set to retire following XIX, Austin worked out with Kevin Nash before retreating to his hotel in Seattle the night before the pay-per-view. In his autobiography, the legend detailed what happened, saying how he very nearly never made it to the ring for his swansong performance.
Stressed out, running hard and drinking way too many energy drinks, Austin felt pains in his chest. He then began to panic when he reached his hotel room and the problem hadn't eased up. Calling on a hotel staff member, he told the woman he thought he was having a heart attack.
Rushed to hospital, it turned out to be a combination of exhaustion, dehydration and anxiety that caused the issues. Austin was able to wrestle the following night, but it was touch and go. Doctors could easily have stopped him.