10 WWE Stars Who Came Out Of The Wilderness
8. Stone Cold Steve Austin
How They Entered The Wilderness:
Stone Cold Steve Austin ran the show from 1997 all the way to 2003. The man was the single most important star the company has ever made, becoming the vehicle that transported the show from spandex superheroes to attitude exuding badasses.
In 2002, injuries started to finally render him less capable than he was in the past. After knocking off Scott Hall at 'Mania X8, Austin decided he would be no showing the next Raw in order to recover from his exhaustion.
McMahon claimed this infuriated the paying fans who expected him to be there and the cracks were starting to show in the two's relationship.
On top of injuries, The Rattlesnake was fed up with the company's handling of him after they suggested he lose to the up and coming Brock Lesnar in a King of the Ring qualifier - with no build - on free television. So, Austin infamously took the decision to take his ball and go home.
He publicly slated the creative storylines and it looked as if we'd seen the last of Austin 3:16.
How They Came Out:
Paying a fine in excess of $250,000 - for his multiple no shows, outbursts and trip into the wilderness - Austin eventually returned in early 2003 and only battled Eric Bischoff (twice) and The Rock before calling it quits as an in ring performer.
He disappeared for nearly eight months but the fans would never turn their backs fully on Stone Cold and McMahon was wise to bury the hatchet with his superstar.