Why “Stone Cold” Steve Austin Walked Out Of WWE In 2002

WWE has a long history of stars walking out. We all remember when CM Punk did it in 2014. Not that we can forget when we’re constantly reminded of it. However, he ended up returning to the company in 2023 at Survivor Series. However, he was not the only one to have walked out of WWE.

The most famous and impactful walkout, however, was when the biggest star in wrestling history, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, walked out of WWE before an episode of Raw in 2002. And since he was one of WWE's biggest names at the time, it was a major deal. Here’s what happened.

UPDATE: 2024/09/29 19:30 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA

In the early 2000s, Steve Austin was one of the biggest stars in the professional wrestling world. It is difficult to think of WWE without Steve Austin back then. However, there was a time when that was a reality. Austin had been frustrated and annoyed with WWE. He did not like the creative direction of his character or the way that he was being booked. In the end, he no-showed Raw and left WWE. It seemed like the end of Austin and WWE's relationship, seemingly forever. However, Jim Ross helped both sides to heal.

Cracks Were Forming Between Steve Austin And WWE For Months

Steve Austin Was Fed Up With His Creative Direction

• Austin had spent most of early 2001-2002 as a heel.
• WWE brought in the nWo in 2002.
• Steve Austin faced Scott Hall at WrestleMania 18.

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In 2002, Austin was still as big as ever, but his popularity and success had started to reach its summit. His heel turn that saw him become the leader of The Alliance, the faction made up of invading WCW and ECW talent, had mixed results. Austin was on top, he became champion, but with so many top WCW stars absent, the angle had little bite. Austin was an effective heel, and he birthed the much loved and hated “What?” chant during this time, but fans badly wanted to root for Austin. When he turned face again, the roar was among the loudest crowd reactions ever, but Austin went right back to being a heel almost immediately after.

Going into WrestleMania season, the NWO was brought into WWE to shake things up. “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall were the biggest thing going in wrestling in the late 90s, but by 2002 the shine had worn off. The faction was looked at as has-beens, and their time in WWE didn’t have much of an impact.

Originally, before The Rock and Hogan gave us an all-time classic at WrestleMania 18, Austin was supposed to wrestle Hogan in the main event we had always wanted to see. Reportedly, the two clashed, each refusing to lose to the other, and Austin claimed that he didn’t think they could deliver a good match. So, while The Rock got the main event, Austin got the consolation prize in Scott Hall, who was no longer in his prime. Austin won his WrestleMania match in a quick and forgettable fashion, but The Rock had finally usurped him to become the face of WWE.

Brock Lesnar Was "Stone Cold" Steve Austin’s Undoing

Steve Austin Did Not Like What WWE Was Doing With Him

• Steve Austin was no-showing events.
• Austin was frustrated with WWE's creative direction for his character.
• Stone Cold did not want to lost to Brock Lesnar on Raw.

Austin was a no-show on the Raw after WrestleMania, claiming that he needed a break. Vince McMahon acknowledged his absence, insisting that Austin had upset the fans. The drama continued through May, with Stone Cold appearing on WWE’s internet showByte This!, where he trashed his creative direction and downed the new brand extension.

Monday, June 10, was the last straw for Austin when he received a call from Jim Ross stating that Austin was scheduled to lose to Brock Lesnar in a King of the Ring qualifying match on that night’s edition of Raw. Austin not only refused, but walked out, this time not for a week, but for almost an entire year, quitting the company that he had helped to make so popular.

Austin has spoken many times about why he left. It was never meant to be a shot at Lesnar as if Austin didn’t believe Lesnar was worthy of being in the ring with or beating him. Austin has stated that he had no problem putting over the future of WWE. His problem was with the way it was being done, on free TV, with no build, as if it would be no big deal to have Austin lose. Yet again he felt disrespected, and with frustrations having reached their peak, Austin was out.

Steve Austin And WWE Made Amends

Stone Cold Got His Major WWE Farewell Eventually

• The Rock insulted Steve Austin during a promo.
• Jim Ross and Vince McMahon were angry.
• Jim Ross reached out to Steve Austin.

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WWE had been bitter with numerous names in the past, but it’s nothing compared to how WWE reacted over Austin’s absence. The Rock appeared on Raw that night and threw some negative comments Austin’s way without saying his name. Jim Ross voiced his displeasure with The Rattlesnake on air. Even McMahon spoke that night, saying that Stone Cold was “taking his ball and going home.”

Several months later, one of Austin’s best friends, Jim Ross, then not only a legendary commentator but WWE’s Head of Talent Relations, reached out to Austin by sending him a simple postcard. It touched Austin’s stone-cold heart, and he called Ross, ready to bury the hatchet and speak to McMahon.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin Returned To WWE In 2003

The Rattlesnake Had His Last Ride

• Austin returned to WWE in 2003.
• He faced The Rock at WrestleMania 19.
• Stone Cold continued to appear regularly in WWE until 2004.

In 2003, Austin returned to WWE. He came back as the crowd favorite he was always meant to be. After beating The Rock twice in previous WrestleManias, Austin took the loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 19. He finally got the farewell match and feud that he had always deserved from WWE. However, it was not the end of Austin being seen on WWE television.

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He would make many appearances over the years, even enjoying a fun run as the Raw GM and Sheriff. Austin continued the storyline into 2004, but it was the end of his regular appearances on TV. From there, his appearances became more and more sparce. In 2022, he made his unexpected wrestling return, main eventing night one of WrestleMania 38. The spot and the roar he got from the crowd showed that McMahon and the fans had both forgiven him and moved on from the sting of 2002 long ago.

Stone Cold Continues To Make Appearances In WWE

His Most Recent Match Was Against Kevin Owens

• Austin took on many one-off roles on WWE TV.
• Austin wrestled one last match against Kevin Owens.
• The two battled at WrestleMania 38.

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In the years following, Austin continued to make appearances for WWE here and there. He was a special guest referee for a variety of different matches, and he would also return for special occasions. His returns always garnered a major reaction from fans whenever he was there. But, WrestleMania 38 saw him step back into the ring for the first time in decades.

At WrestleMania 38, Austin was a guest on Kevin Owens' KO Show. It was a great spot, and it led to wide speculation over whether it would actually be a match. That is exactly what fans ended up getting. Austin and Owens brawled throughout the arena. In his home state of Texas, Austin picked up the win. It was his last match to date and was quite the way to go out if it was truly the end.