Superstars' Stunning "Stone Cold" memories

Superstars' Stunning "Stone Cold" memories

Every "Stone Cold" Steve Austin fan can rattle off a few of their favorite matches. … Is yours Stone Cold vs. Rock at WrestleMania X-Seven? Maybe Stone Cold vs. Undertaker at SummerSlam '98? Or, better yet, Stone Cold vs. Bret Hart at Survivor Series '96 (or their "I Quit" Match at WrestleMania 13)? But how about the WWE Superstars -- which Stone Cold instants are their favorites? To honor today's DVD release of The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin, WWE.com asked your favorite Superstars to name their most memorable Texas Rattlesnake moments.

WWE Champion Randy Orton said his most memorable Stone Cold moment involved being on the receiving end of a Stone Cold Stunner at Survivor Series.

"It might have been the first one I was in, the first or second. I won three in a row, so it was a pivotal point in my career," Orton recalled. "I was kind of on the upswing of things, so to be able to get in the ring with him and much less get my ass kicked by him, it was really cool for me. I know he's done a lot, much more great things, but me taking a Stunner was pretty cool for being a fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin myself."

According to Orton's challenger at this Sunday's No Way Out, John Cena, it was Stone Cold who revitalized his interest in sports-entertainment.

"He was so … I think everybody was crass, but he was such in a way where it was OK," Cena explained. "You did, and still do believe, that he'll fight at the drop of a hat. He may not necessarily win every fight he's in, but he's that guy at the bar that you don't want to piss off.

"Some of my greatest Stone Cold moments have happened behind the scenes. He's a very motivated individual, just by watching him," "The Champ" went on. "Not even necessarily getting into his business or into his head. I saw what it takes to be successful in this industry, the amount of effort and sacrifice you have to put in and make. That guy, he's an animal."

"The biggest moment that I remember...the first thing, first and foremost, was not only the build-up to WrestleMania XIV, but also the match itself, with Stone Cold ultimately winning his first WWE Championship in that match." said Raw's resident loudmouth, Mr. Kennedy.

"I didn't realize until a couple of years later when I watched the match over again, and I realized that Shawn Michaels had such a messed-up back, that it was just an awesome, awesome match," he continued. "Superhero stuff -- you know, like normal men would never be able to do that. Normal men would just say, ‘I can't do that match,' and stay at home, but he came out and out and put on such a tremendous performance."

Mr. Kennedy explained that Stone Cold sparked a fire inside of him.

"One thing that stuck about Austin was the fact that he was just a normal person, a regular, 9-to-5 type guy. … You knew that was a real guy. You could really, almost reach through the TV set and touch him because he was so real. His emotions were so real...just his actions and the way he treated other people," he said.

JBL, a wrestling god who does not praise anyone lightly, cited Stone Cold's victory over Jake "The Snake" Roberts in King of the Ring '97 -- capped off with his "3:16" speech -- as his most memorable moment. "When Steve came out there, the fans went nuts over this. Obviously that was the thing that made Stone Cold," he said.

Finally, Triple H reminisced about Stone Cold, but acknowledged that there are too many memorable moments to keep track.

"I've known Steve for a long time, since back when we were in WCW and when he came in here. You know, Steve kind of just took it upon himself to do a whole bunch of stuff that nobody else was doing. He kind of broke a mold and that was huge for all of us to watch and to be a part of that. To be working with him during that time was a thrill for me too, you know?" The Game said.

"There were so many Stone Cold moments over the years. From the stuff with [‘Iron' Mike] Tyson [at WrestleMania XIV] to you name it. Steve was a huge catalyst to the success of this business. The moments are too numerous to count."

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