The story of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001 is one of the most legendary and shocking tales in WWE history. It’s a story of two mega-stars at their peak, a desperate quest for championship glory, and an unforgettable betrayal that redefined Austin’s character.
The Road to WrestleMania: A Clash of Titans
The build-up to this match was a classic struggle between two fan favorites. Here’s the context:
- Austin’s Desperate Return: “Stone Cold” had been sidelined for nearly a year due to major neck surgery. During his absence, The Rock had ascended to become the top star in the company . The driving force for the match was Austin’s obsession and desperation to reclaim the WWF Championship and prove he was still the best . Winning the 2001 Royal Rumble gave him that opportunity .
- The Rock’s Reign: The Rock, meanwhile, was the charismatic champion, determined to cement his legacy by finally defeating Austin on wrestling’s biggest stage . The tension was palpable, with both men having intense staredowns and even stealing each other’s finishing moves in the weeks leading up to the event .
- The Setting: The stage was set for April 1st, 2001, at the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas. Taking place in Austin’s home state, the atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was heavily in favor of the Rattlesnake .
The Match: A No-Disqualification War
The match itself was a brutal, 28-minute no-disqualification war that lived up to the hype .
- A Bloody Brawl: Both men used the no-DQ stipulation to its fullest. They brawled through the crowd, into the stands, and used steel chairs, ring bells, and announce tables as weapons . It wasn’t long before both Austin and The Rock were bleeding, elevating the match’s intensity .
- Callbacks and Finishers: The match featured several iconic moments and callbacks to their careers. The Rock applied the Sharpshooter to a desperate Austin, a direct reference to Austin’s legendary match with Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13 . Austin then returned the favor, applying his own Sharpshooter and even using the “Million Dollar Dream,” a hold from his pre-“Stone Cold” days, showing how far he was willing to go to win .
- False Finishes: Both superstars kicked out of each other’s finishers multiple times. The Rock hit a Stunner, and Austin hit a Rock Bottom, yet neither could keep the other down for the three-count, making the crowd believe either man could win .
The Shocking Conclusion: Austin Sells His Soul
The match’s ending is what makes it legendary and controversial.
- Vince McMahon’s Interference: At a crucial moment, as The Rock was setting up for his signature People’s Elbow, Vince McMahon appeared and pulled the referee out, breaking the pin . This was shocking enough, as McMahon was Austin’s greatest enemy.
- The Heel Turn: In the chaos that followed, the unthinkable happened. Austin made a desperate gesture to Vince for a steel chair. Mr. McMahon handed it to him, and Austin proceeded to unleash a vicious, ruthless chair-shot assault on The Rock, pinning him to win the WWF Championship .
- Shaking Hands with the Devil: The moment that truly stunned the world came next. Instead of attacking his arch-nemesis, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin shook hands with Vince McMahon and shared a beer with him in the middle of the ring . This iconic image signified that Austin, the ultimate anti-authority rebel, had sold his soul to “Satan himself” (as commentator Jim Ross famously put it) to win the title .
The Aftermath: The Two-Man Power Trip
The fallout from this match had a major impact on WWE programming. Austin’s shocking betrayal turned him heel (a villain) for the first time in his iconic run . The very next night on Raw, he solidified his new alliance by forming “The Two-Man Power Trip” with Triple H. Together, they dominated the WWF, holding the WWF Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and Tag Team Championships simultaneously . This heel turn is still debated today, but it remains one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in WrestleMania history