Was Austin ever a heel?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 24, 2026
Stone Cold Steve Austin may be the most popular wrestler WWE ever featured on top. Around the peak of his success in 2001, however, the unthinkable happened—Austin turned heel.
Was Steve Austin a heel or face?
Some within WWE have stated that the audience simply didn't want to see an Austin heel turn. Whether they realized it or not, it had to happen. During Austin's entire run as the main event face of the company, he was a face.
Why did Austin turn heel?
Stone Cold Steve Austin has discussed his work as a heel following his shocking alliance with Vince McMahon and how that led to him showing a comedic side to his character. At WrestleMania X-7 Austin turned his back on his supporters as his need to be WWF Champion caused him to make a deal with the devil.
When did Austin turn heel?
The main event of InVasion in July of 2001 was a five-on-five tag bout between the WWE (led by Austin and featuring Kurt Angle and more) and the WCW/ECW Alliance (with Diamond Dallas Page, The Dudley Boyz, and more). It was during this match that Austin turned heel, but in a different way.
Was The Rock a heel?
The Rock is one of the best wrestlers in WWE history. His heel turn had the people's champion turn into the corporate chump, and was one of the best heel turns in the WWE. After The Rock's Nation of Domination run, he began to build up a big fan following in the WWE.
22 related questions foundWas Stone Cold a good heel?
The general consensus is that Stone Cold working heel was a mistake as fans didn't want to see it, and it may have contributed to a downturn in ratings and merchandise sales.
What did Rock say to Austin?
“I whispered to him, 'I Thank you so much for everything that you've done for me. ' And I said, 'I love you. ' He said, 'I love you too. ' I hit him on the chest, and I left him in the ring,” The Rock said during an Instagram Q&A.
When did Stone Cold turn face again?
Stone Cold Steve Austin (1997)
One of the best face turns in the last twenty years that changed WWE history occurred during the WrestleMania 13 match between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret the Hitman Hart.
Why was stone cold not at WrestleMania 2000?
Stone Cold Steve Austin was out with a neck injury. It was only two years before when Austin took the torch from Shawn Michaels and looked destined to become the biggest star of all time. And now, he was hurt, missing the biggest show of the year.
Who was more popular Austin or Rock?
Stone Cold Steve Austin was always a little more popular than The Rock in terms of pops and merchandise, but at this particular point in history, they were as close as ever. Both The Rock and Austin put on a tremendous wrestling match with near-fall after near-fall leaving the crowd gasping for air.
Was The Undertaker a heel?
Another example of a dramatic heel is the wrestler The Undertaker, who, on many separate occasions throughout his career, has switched between portraying a heel or a face.
Why did Stone Cold leave WWE in 2002?
What's the Story? On June 10th, 2002 Stone Cold Steve Austin walked out on the WWE after the creative staff asked him to wrestle Brock Lesnar on Monday Night Raw.
Did Stone Cold ever wrestle rock?
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock might be the most iconic feud in the history of WWE. It's certainly one of the biggest and highest drawing feuds in WrestleMania history as the pair headlined 15, 17 and 19, the latter of which was Stone Cold's final WWE match ever.
Are The Rock and Stone Cold friends?
Despite being long-time rivals on-screen, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin are the closest of friends in real life. Although their paths have changed since their days in WWE, they remain close. Two of the most popular Superstars in WWE history faced each other for the first time in 1997.
Why did Stone Cold lose his last match?
The legend goes out on his terms. On March 30, 2003, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was thought to have wrestled his last pro wrestling match, losing to The Rock at WrestleMania 19. Austin was forced to retire due to lingering neck issues. Since then, he'd vowed to never return to the ring for a match.
Who is the best heel in WWE?
15 Best Heels In WWE History, Ranked By Intelligence
- 1 Triple H.
- 2 The Million Dollar Man. ...
- 3 Rowdy Roddy Piper. ...
- 4 Macho Man Randy Savage. ...
- 5 Seth Rollins. ...
- 6 CM Punk. ...
- 7 Ric Flair. ...
- 8 Shawn Michaels. ...
Why did The Rock turn heel 2003?
#7 The Rock: 2003
Rock was booed so much during this you would have thought he was a heel. It was so embarrassing, when Rock did one of his trademark catchphrases, such as 'The Millions', the fans didn't respond, but it being pre-taped, Rock reacted as if they did.
Is The Rock a face or heel?
He was quickly pushed as a face in the WWF, originally billed as "Rocky Maivia", then as "The Rock". He turned heel as a member of the Nation of Domination in 1997.
What is AJ Styles real name?
Allen Neal Jones best known by the ring name AJ Styles is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE.
Was Rey Mysterio ever a heel?
After Master P's departure from WCW, Mysterio formed a stable with Eddie Guerrero and Billy Kidman known as the Filthy Animals, thus turning heel in the process. This was Mysterio's only heel turn in his career.