10 WWE Champions Who Forfeited Their Title Due To Injury
2. Stone Cold
Somehow, Austin - having been on the receiving end of a botched pile-driver from Owen Hart - managed to complete his SummerSlam 1997 match for the Intercontinental Championship.
Not only that, but he actually rolled his opponent up for a three count, in turn taking the title and giving his employers a bit of dilemma (since not even Austin could recover from a broken neck in time for a pay-per-view defence the following month).
He did return in time for Survivor Series three months later though, where he beat Hart for the title yet again, cementing his position as one of the baddest SOBs on the face of this earth. It did plenty for The 'Texas Rattlesnake's character, but - regrettably - not for the longevity of his career.