"Stone Cold" Steve Austin: Unraveling the Iconic Stone Cold Stunner

By Ali Hammad June 20, 2024 14:16

credit. WWE

A native of Victoria, Texas, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is a beloved name in the professional wrestling world. His badass attitude, iconic quotes, and of course the Stunner are what made him so legendary.

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The Iconic Stone Cold Stunner

Stone Cold Stunner, is one of the most iconic finishers in the history of sports entertainment. For a time, it became synonymous with none other than "Stone Cold" Steve Austin after he adopted it shortly after his WWE debut in late 1995. It sees the wrestler trap an opponent in a jawbreaker, and daze them for a pin.

Origin and Evolution

It is such an interesting piece of history for the Stone Cold Stunner. While it has been used by countless wrestlers, there is no replacing the way Steve Austin made that move on his own. It was used more in the late 90s during Steve Austin's climb to stardom, and the move skyrocketed into one of the top-tier finishers in WWE.

Impact and Legacy

The Stone Cold Stunner became an integral part of Steve Austin's brawler gimmick and commonly drew huge crowd responses. From there, it has become a touchstone of wrestling culture in the many years since and even crossed over into modern wrestling as evidenced by Steve Austin returning to wrestle Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 38 in "Stunner vs. Stunner."

Birth of the Stunner

The genesis of the 'Stunner' has been a contentious issue Though some claim it was created by ECW alum Mickey Whipwreck, Steve Austin credits Michael Hayes of The Fabulous Freebirds with inventing the move as the 9-1-1. The Stunner was not a finisher for Austin when he entered WWE in the first place. But as his character transitioned into the "Stone Cold" gimmick in mid-1996, it was the Stunner that became his calling card.

Steve Austin: Accomplishment & Career

Among Steve Austin's myriad accomplishments are multiple-title WWE Champion, Intercontinental Champion, World Tag Team Champion, 1996 King of the Ring, and three-time Royal Rumble Match winner. His effects on the wrestling world go without saying - cemented by way of the use of the stone-cold stunner - and his lone wolf mentality and grand in-ring kung fu are unmatchable,

Influence on Wrestling

The legacy of the Stone Cold Stunner transcends professional wrestling. Several wrestlers, from main eventers like John Cena and Kevin Owens to lower-tiered performers have used numerous forms of the Stunner as part of their repertoires. Thus, further showing just how far the move's influence has resonated in the world of professional wrestling.

In the End

In summary, the Stone Cold Stunner is so much more than a finishing move; it is a symbolic representation of Steve Austin's unyielding legacy within pro wrestling. The stunner's striking ability and phase with the stunner has made it a complete finisher, existing among the best in history. As fans of wrestling, we praise the influence "Stone Cold" Steve Austin had on professional wrestling and what the Stone Cold Stunner did for the sport.