10 WWE Stars Who Got Over After Huge WrestleMania Performances

by Erik Beaston

1. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin - WrestleMania 13

Steve Austin WrestleMania 13
WWE

Without 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's performance in the Submission match at WrestleMania 13, the wrestling world as we know it may not exist. World Championship Wrestling could be the lone company in the sport, Eric Bischoff the most powerful man in the industry. Ted Turner could have done what no one ever thought imaginable: put Vince McMahon out of business. We could be in the midst of the 26th revival of the New World Order, the third restart of Goldberg's win streak or another main event between Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger.

The Texas Rattlesnake's performance on that night not only made him a bona fide main event star, it also ignited the WWE product, helping it mount a comeback in the Monday Night Wars. Austin was brilliant, the defiant rebel, his body wracked with pain but his will disallowing him to quit. Stone Cold battled through one of the most visceral crimson masks ever to create an image of badassery that has become iconic in the pantheon of WWE.

Whether he was unleashing hell on the once-loved Hart or enduring tremendous pain, Austin inspired a generation of fans who purchased Austin 3:16 t-shirts and supported their favorite wrestler into superstardom and beyond. Austin became an undisputed babyface and never looked back.

By the end of the year, he was the biggest antihero in wrestling and on his way to a WrestleMania main event, WWE title and mainstream media recognition. And the industry was never the same.

Contributor
Contributor

Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.