Born Steven Williams on December 18, 1964, Stone Cold Steve Austin was raised along with his four brothers and one sister in Victoria, Texas by his mother, who later married another man. In his early years in school, Austin became active in performing music and playing sports such as football, baseball and track and field. He later received a football scholarship to Wharton Junior College and then a full football scholarship to North Texas State University. With only 17 units left before graduation, he left college to enter wrestling school. In May 1989, he had his first match in World Class Championship Wrestling and later wrestled in the United States Wrestling Association.

In 1991, Austin became part of World Championship Wrestling, where he defeated Bobby Eaton for the WCW World Television Championship in June. Later that year, he joined Paul E. Dangerously's Dangerous Alliance and lost the WCW Television Championship to Barry Windham. However, he was able to gain the title from Windham in May 1992. A year later, Austin formed a tag team with Brian Pillman, and they became known as the Hollywood Blonds, who won the WCW World Tag Team Championship on March 1993, defeating Ricky Steamboat and Shane Douglas.

Late 1995 saw Austin become a part of World Wrestling Federation, where he began to rise to fame. He often used the catch phrase Austin 3:16, and this marked the beginning of what later was known as The Attitude Era. In 1998, Austin began a feud with Mr. McMahon, who did everything in his power to ruin Austin. In the King of the Ring tournament, Austin lost the WWF Championship to Kane in the First Blood match. Austin also won against the Undertaker at SummerSlam 1998.

In 2000, Austin took part in attacking Triple H and Mr. McMahon, thus helping The Rock reclaim the WWF Championship. In 2003, Austin returned to WWE at No Way Out, where he fought Eric Bischoff. He was then defeated by The Rock at WrestleMania XIX. In March 2006, Austin faced John Layfield in a beer drinking contest at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event.



(Photo courtesy of WWE)