8 Seriously Underrated Stone Cold Steve Austin WWE Matches

The Texas Rattlesnake and the Olympic Hero had a collection of sterling bouts during the ill-fated Invasion storyline, with their blinder at SummerSlam 2001 coming in for particular (and richly-deserved) praise. A rematch at Unforgiven the next month was somewhat disappointing, but lingers in the memory due to Angle's WWE Title win and the event's close proximity to 9/11.

A little over two weeks after Angle captured the title, Steve Austin invoked his rematch clause in the main event of the October 8th episode of Raw. Austin had been having one hell of a year in the squared circle and Angle was rapidly becoming one of the best in the business, little under two years after debuting on WWE television.

This was pretty much like their other matches, with lots of brawling, suplexes and counter wrestling. It was fast-paced and intense, with neither man wanting to take a breather. What edges it above some of their other matches, though, is how this one built on previous encounters, with both men cautions of the other one's big offensive moves.

A not at all surprising heel turn from William Regal at the end mars this one slightly, but the action between the bells was first-class. Austin regained his title after a KICK-WHAM Stunner. It would be his last reign as top dog before winding down later in the year.