Hours After Heart Attack Scare, WWE Legend Revealed How Stone Cold Steve Austin Convinced Him He Was Ready to Fight The Rock at WrestleMania: “He Ordered Two Steak Dinners…”

Stone Cold Steve Austin proved beyond doubt that he was one of the toughest wrestlers to ever step foot in the squared circle. Austin is one of the most revered and influential wrestlers from the Attitude Era. That said, The Texas Rattlesnake once convinced a WWE official that he was ready to fight The Rock despite spending the previous night in a hospital due to a heart attack scare.

In 2003, The Rock and Stone Cold collided in a WrestleMania match for the third time. This marked the end of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s legendary wrestling career. However, a day before his retirement match at WrestleMania XIX, the Hall of Famer had a major health scare. In fact, he spent the entire night in a hospital. But he had the fortitude to deliver a stellar performance the next night.

Jim Ross explains how he knew Stone Cold was ring ready despite spending the night in the hospital

In his book, ‘The Stone Cold Truth’, the former WWE Champion detailed how he was struck with an unexpected health scare. After Stone Cold was rushed to the hospital, he was given intensive care. Furthermore, Austin was hooked up to machines that monitored his heart rate. Naturally, his colleagues were concerned for him. But, Austin started showing signs of recovery very soon.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, who is a very close friend of Steve Austin, explained what convinced him that Austin was ready to fight The Rock. In Stone Cold’s autobiography, JR stated that he was relieved to see improvement in Austin’s vital signs. He also added that though Steve Austin tried to crack jokes, he was scared for his life.

JR stated, “I could tell he was glad to see us because he tried to crack a few jokes. But the Texas Rattlesnake was scared, and he had every right to be.”

But when JR saw Austin devouring two steaks and two grilled chicken breast dinners, he knew that Austin was ready to perform the next night. It should be noted that Austin was heavily dehydrated due to intake of many energy drinks and coffee. The fact that Austin regained his appetite so quickly, made JR confident that Steve was going to work the match.

JR added, Steve’s appetite returned, to say the least. “He ordered two steak dinners and two grilled chicken breast dinners, so I felt confident, as I left the hospital room well after midnight, that Stone Cold would be able to lace his boots up- perhaps for the last time”

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The next night, Steve Austin looked better than ever. Although he found himself on the losing side, the dehydration did not encumber his wrestling. After three Rock Bottoms, The Rock picked up the win. The duo also had a moment in the ring after the match. While the wrestling legend capped off his in-ring career at WrestleMania XIX, he made his shocking return almost two decades later.

Stone Cold Steve Austin returned to WrestleMania 38 for one more match

Stone Cold Steve Austin decided to call it a day after dealing with multiple injuries throughout his storied career. However, he laced up his boots for one more match when WrestleMania took place in his hometown, Texas in 2022. The Hall of Famer squared off with Kevin Owens in an impromptu match in a winning effort.

Not just that, ‘The Toughest SOB in WWE history’ also showed up on Night 2 and dished out stunners to Vince McMahon, Pat McAfee, Byron Saxton, and Austin Theory.

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Surprisingly, even at 57, Austin looked like he was in his prime. His in-ring skills left nothing to be desired. Austin was rumored to make his return again ahead of WrestleMania 39. However, the rumors were laid to rest later. Do you think he could return at WrestleMania 40? Comment below!