Every WWE Wrestler Of The Year For The 2000s

Key matches: Vs. Triple H (No Way Out), The Rock (WrestleMania X-Seven & Rebellion), w/Triple H Vs. Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit (Raw, May 17), Kurt Angle (SummerSlam & Unforgiven)

Steve Austin had to sit out for a year and watch as Triple H, The Rock and others picked up where he left off. Austin, the biggest star during WWE's hottest ever period, was forced to undergo major neck surgery in December '99. In order to excuse his absence, WWE filmed an angle at the Survivor Series pay-per-view where Austin was mowed down by an unknown assailant in a black car.

When Austin returned in late 2000, his sole focus was finding out who was the wheelman, leading to an iffy feud with Rikishi and then Triple H. Austin quickly got back to his anarchic best during his feud with The Game and, after winning the Royal Rumble (for a record third time), contested a gripping, near hour-long 3 Stages of Hell match at No Way Out.

After that, it was time to clash with his greatest rival, The Rock, in front of a decidedly pro-Austin 67,925 at the Houston Astrodome at WrestleMania X-Seven. The Texas Rattlesnake walked away with the WWE Title on the show, besting Rock in an absolute stunner (no pun intended), but the big story was his heel turn and alignment with arch-enemy Vince McMahon.

Yes, Austin was now a heel, acting the bad guy for the first time in four years. Fans were initially unwilling to accept it but Austin plugged away and did some great work in the role. Showing his versatility, he even turned to outright comedy by participating in some hilarious skits during the initial stages of the Invasion storyline as he sat out with a back injury.

Once he recovered (and turned once again by joining the Alliance), Austin continued to bring it in the ring. His matches with Angle at Unforgiven and particularly at SummerSlam were first-rate. Despite his injures, Austin was on a roll and it continued until the end of the year, when he was demoted down the card in favour of Chris Jericho and the returning Triple H.

Austin was fantastic between 1997 and 1999, but he never had as many excellent matches as he did in 2001, which is impressive considering his fragile physical condition.