Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?
33. 1990: Steve Austin
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.