100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
13. The Era Of ‘Stone Cold’ Begins (WrestleMania XIV)
"Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!". Jim Ross roared himself silly when his real-life pal Steve Austin won the WWF Title for the first time at 'Mania XIV. Jim's reaction was so real and in the pocket that his partner Jerry Lawler had to step in and add some storyline context by pointing out that Mike Tyson had effectively turned his back on D-Generation X leader Shawn Michaels. The snake!
Ross and millions of other 'Stone Cold' supporters didn't give a damn about that when Tyson's hand slapped the mat for three. They were wrapped up in Austin fever, and everyone could see this was the dawn of a new age for the federation. Meanwhile, Michaels (who had worked the match in agony due to a back injury suffered at January's Royal Rumble) made his way to the exit doors and wouldn't work another lick until 2002. He'd done his job here though.
The era of Austin 3:16 was fully underway. To draw a line under his beef with Tyson, Steve chucked Mike a t-shirt and the boxing great gladly raised it high above his head. Then, as aforementioned in a previous entry on this list, Tyson clocked HBK with a hasty right hook before the WWF toasted their new poster boy: Steve Austin.
Granted, the match itself could've been better, but Shawn's back was killing him. The most important thing here was Austin seizing the title and control of the WWF's main event picture anyway. Oh, and Mike f'n Tyson being involved didn't hurt from a casual fan or mainstream media perspective.
One more time for the people at the back. "Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!".