12 Stone Cold Steve Austin Moments That Were Genuinely Savage

Just one week into his new life as a Vince McMahon lapdog, Austin was preparing to perform his first deed of extreme nastiness. We're talking specifically about the beating here, but the whole promo is pretty unpleasant.

During the in-ring interview with Jim Ross, Stone Cold verbally dismantles everything he previously stood for, announcing his pride in selling his soul to Vince, turning his back on his loyal fanbase and aligning himself with his former nemesis, Triple H. It was almost to much for the fans to digest.

The real moment of horror came after JR's heartfelt plea for Steve to find sense, after which Austin beat his defenceless friend near unconscious. To add some vicious dramatic effect, Vince McMahon interjected with the growl of "Open him up!" The now obedient lapdog that was Stone Cold then proceeded to lay in enough punches to split JR's head open and send him ambulance bound.

Of all the chair shots, stunners and middle fingers dished out in Austin's career, nothing was as unjust and heinous as this initial heel act.