Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?

33. 1990: Steve Austin

Essa Rios Lita
WWE.com

Enchanting WON readers with his precocious mechanical excellence very early into his career, Austin, before SummerSlam 1996, boasted unreal workrate. The stamina, the propulsion, the sheer depth of his chain wrestling acumen: he was positively awesome in the ring, and developed an endlessly entertaining brash personality when forming the Hollywood Blondes alongside Brian Pillman.

It doesn't get mentioned enough, how stupid the Ringmaster gimmick was, but it doesn't matter: Austin evolved into one of the best, most over and highest-drawing acts ever between 1998 and 2001 after perfecting his sh*t-talking, sh*t-kicking 'Stone Cold' persona.

He came out of retirement last year, was still incredible, and enjoys a legacy like few others - albeit one tainted by horrific behaviour in his personal life. That doesn't get mentioned enough either.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!