Steve Austin not only save the WWE during the Monday Night Wars, he suffered what ended up being a career ending injury at SummerSlam 1997.
It’s a match that most of us have seen at some point, or if we haven’t, we’ve heard about it. Austin isn’t shy about talking about it, even if it is uncomfortable. It was a match that was a turning point in his career and wrestling overall.
The unexpected
Owen Hart was one of, if not the best technical wrestler of his generation. It was a distinction even the WWE locker room shared practically to a man. But Owen was human, and we make mistakes.
Near the fifteen minute mark, Hart maneuvered Austin into position for a pile driver but didn’t brace him correctly. The result was Austin’s head was driven into the mat, breaking his neck and leaving him unable to move for a couple of minutes. After checking on him, the referee informed Hart, who stalled to give Austin the chance to crawl over and roll him up for the win.
It was an accident, and while Austin has acknowledged that, it’s safe to say he probably still holds some animosity to Hart even after Hart’s passing. It’s understandable considering Austin could still be wrestling.
Keeping a memento
The match with Hart was for the Intercontinental Championship, and after being helped out of the ring by several officials, Austin reportedly informed the WWE officials he was going to keep the belt because he earned it.
This was a rumor for years until a couple of weeks ago on Austin’s new show, Straight Up Steve Austin, when he hung out with Baker Mayfield.
After meeting, Austin showed him the Intercontinental Championship belt he won that night, and explained to him that he told the executives that he was keeping it after nearly being paralyzed. He made it sound simple, but he was allowed to keep it, not that there was much of a choice in the matter. Some things just make sense to do, and the WWE handing the belt over was one of those. He even let Mayfield hold it, and the awe in Mayfield’s eyes was apparent, just like it’d be for any of us in his place, I’m sure.
With so much growing out of that moment in the months to follow, having a positive physical link to when his career was about to explode.
