Why Don't We See the WWE and Stone Cold Work Together More Often?

[Hard Hit Prince]

When Hogan lost to warrior, Cena lost to Bryan, they were still babyfaces.
Austin was supposed to turn heel and lose to Rock.

Lol you're owning yourself

What's the difference? If anything beating a babyface is a lot more important than beating a heel. I'm proving myself. You are wrong always have been.

 

[#tamale]

Austin has his own projects. Movies, podcasts, television, etc. While he looks great physically, his body might not be up to the task of wrestling. He doesn't have time or the physical well being for just WWE. Austin will do something with the WWE when the time, money, and idea is right. Until then, enjoy the new stars that are coming up within the WWE.

WWE turned him heel because they find his replacement (The Rock).

......The day after Austin turned heel, The Rock was beaten down again and left to film a movie. Don't see how that is replacing Austin.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

I'm 22 and I watched the Attitude Era a lot more recently than you. The Rock was never the man, you are a idiot mark. That's why the first name people come up after hearing Attitude Era is Austin. He was the man in that time period. After his second walk out, he probably wasn't the man anymore. After his first injury that lasted nearly a year he was still the man. He turned heel because he wanted to, not because WWE told him to. They didn't find his replacement, because his replacement was gone for the remaining of the year and only caught Austin's final days as an heel pretty much.

Those are the 4 guys that were "THE MAN": Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena.. All the others were greats but never were the ones. Being a Cena fan is actually a statement of how much more intelligent I am than you, specially because I back it up and because the guy is still #1 for a reason, making you and all the guys that hate Cena pretty much idiots. Also I'm pretty sure guys that watch WWE for over 20 years support Cena and see the value in him. Only some idiots like yourself don't.

You're 22? Yep not buying it. As a Cena fan and a guy who previously had a profile pic of a the Simpsons, you are either younger or you're a 22 year old with some mental ******ation issues.

The Rock was the man whether you like it or not.

You said you watched the attitude era vids by downloading them, clearly shows you were still a kid in the attitude era, anyone that was grown up in 2000 know that THE ROCK was by far the biggest star and face of wwe post 2000.

I'm not chewing the fat with a time waster all day, go do something useful with your life kid.

Nothing you say will change the fact that THE ROCK was the face of the company.

Beat it jabroni

 

[kumarjtk]

What a load of cr@p.

Rock vs Hogan was the original plan for WMX8, that was the plan the second they signed Hogan to WWF.

And Rock vs Cena was the original plan for Cena. Cena vs Austin was NEVER supposed to happen.

John Cena has been calling out The Rock for years and for years Cena said Rock was his dream opponent. Austin was his 2nd dream opponent.


John Cena on his WrestleMania dream opponent (recent interview): "I really got to live a dream the past few years having some big marquee matchups with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. And when you rub elbows with a guy like The Rock, you truly are in the company of the greatest of all-time. It was like watching a prize fight where everyone is just throwing haymakers. For us to be interactive over a 2 1/2 year span, it was pretty impressive, especially in this day and age. It was a dream scenario for me."

You are the full of crap.

Please read the history of Austin walkout story and reason. Then come and complaint about my post.

Actually austin vs hogan is first planned for wm. Austin refuse that storyline and wont loss to hogan and hogan also refuse to loss to austin. So wwf creative changed it with rock and put austin with scott hall. Austin wants the undisputed wwe championship match with chris jericho but creative put triple h in that match. This is the main reason for austin walkout.

Austin retires after wrestlemania 19. On that cena is not a star. When cena became face of wwe the one available attitude era star is the rock bcoz austin is unable to wrestle a match.

 

[Slbrey]

I'm 22 and I watched the Attitude Era a lot more recently than you. The Rock was never the man, you are a idiot mark. That's why the first name people come up after hearing Attitude Era is Austin. He was the man in that time period. After his second walk out, he probably wasn't the man anymore. After his first injury that lasted nearly a year he was still the man. He turned heel because he wanted to, not because WWE told him to. They didn't find his replacement, because his replacement was gone for the remaining of the year and only caught Austin's final days as an heel pretty much.

Those are the 4 guys that were "THE MAN": Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena.. All the others were greats but never were the ones. Being a Cena fan is actually a statement of how much more intelligent I am than you, specially because I back it up and because the guy is still #1 for a reason, making you and all the guys that hate Cena pretty much idiots. Also I'm pretty sure guys that watch WWE for over 20 years support Cena and see the value in him. Only some idiots like yourself don't.

Dude don't be stupid....The Rock was the man and it would have happened whether Austin was injured or not....hell even Austin realized Rock was the man and that's why he opted to turn heel instead of playing second to him.

I'm not taking anything away from Austin at all he certainly was the man at a point and he changed the landscape of wrestling but nobody can sit the and say Rock never became the number one guy because he did and he did it well from 2000 to 2002 The Rock was on top of WWE end of discussion.

 

[ProWrestlingFan]

Austin has his own projects. Movies, podcasts, television, etc. While he looks great physically, his body might not be up to the task of wrestling. He doesn't have time or the physical well being for just WWE. Austin will do something with the WWE when the time, money, and idea is right. Until then, enjoy the new stars that are coming up within the WWE.

......The day after Austin turned heel, The Rock was beaten down again and left to film a movie. Don't see how that is replacing Austin.

The entire plan that summer was for Triple H vs Steve Austin with HHH as the face and Steve Austin as heel to main event Summerslam and then lead from there to invasion angle. But then HHH tore his quad. With HHH injured, invasion angle was rushed, Austin's heel run never had the proper and necessary chance to succeed.

Rock was still supposed be the #1 face with HHH as #2 while Austin was to remain as the top heel.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

......The day after Austin turned heel, The Rock was beaten down again and left to film a movie. Don't see how that is replacing Austin.

That was because Rock needed to leave to film a movie.

Austin gained a lot of heat when The Rock wasn't there but when The Rock came back, he main evented most RAWs and even a PPV that had Austin vs Angle FOR THE WWF title.

Rock also beat Austin at survivor series to end the feud.

The Rock was also scheduled to finally beat Austin at wrestlemania X8 but WWF signed Hogan and they thought Hogan could put Rock over in a way Austin couldn't.

 

[Littlebase631]

Listen to the guy saying when Austin left mid 1999 and rock was the guy you are completely wrong and I'll tell you why.

Austin did not leave in mid 1999. He left late 1999 November to be exact to get surgey, And the rock didn't start to get major pops until around June of 99. Now if you go back and watch the 1999 episodes of raw I watched them every week you would see that Austin would get a major insane pop every single week in and week out. And granted rock would get big pops too when he started to get over in 99. But if you go back and watch from July 99 and til Austin left and compare the pops Austin's would be louder and more distinct and you can't tell me any different. To say that rock became the number 1 guy in 99 is crazy. Even when Austin was out in 2000 when he came back for backlash when linda McMahon came on raw and announced that Austin would be in rocks corner at backlash the arena arrupted and it had to be the biggest pop in history here's that raw.

http://youtu.be/RLhaV8Yz6ZQ

Austin was the number guy in late 97-99 you can even say 2000 cause I'm sure there was a lot of people that would tune in like me every week in 2000 and just hope he would make a surprise unnanounced return. But when he did make his return in 2000 he took back his top spot at number 1 when he returned at unforgiven. He went over rock wm 17 because he indeed was the top guy. It was his decision to turn heel not because the rock was the top face. Rock left to make a movie so Austin was the number 1 heel and face because the fans really didn't wanna boo Austin and at times in 2001 he got baby face pops for a heel. When rock returned they somewhat put rock over at survivor series 2001 in the alliance vs Wwf angle cause Austin was heel and at rebellion 2001 Austin defened his title against the rock. As far as 2002 was concerned Austin was still considered the number 1 guy but was just being used poorly by creative. Hogan Austin would've been a more epic match but I could see hogan not wanting to put over Austin so I guess that's not why it happened. In 2003 rock went over on Austin only because it made sense it was his last match and rock would still go on to wrestle. Not because the rock was number 1. Austin sold more merchandise more tickets drew more ratings than anybody. He is my clear cut number 1 of all time and number 1 of the attitude era. Vkm even called him the greatest superstar of all time when he inducted him into the hall of fame.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Dude don't be stupid....The Rock was the man and it would have happened whether Austin was injured or not....hell even Austin realized Rock was the man and that's why he opted to turn heel instead of playing second to him.

I'm not taking anything away from Austin at all he certainly was the man at a point and he changed the landscape of wrestling but nobody can sit the and say Rock never became the number one guy because he did and he did it well from 2000 to 2002 The Rock was on top of WWE end of discussion.

Between 2000 and 2002 - The Rock was in 16 main events.
Between 2000 and 2002 - Steve Austin was in 14 main events.

However Austin lost 10 months of the year 2000 and left in early 2002. Austin completely dominated 2001 and closed a lot of shows that The Rock was in as well, ence Austin was bigger. In 2003 Austin was leaving the company and out of his #1 spot. When those two were at his peak working as babyfaces, Steve Austin was bigger ALWAYS. He was "the man", Rock was "the number two", it's not a matter of opinion, it is what it is. Rock's success had a lot to do with Austin's putting WWF in the map more so than Rock's drawing ability. Austin is the guy that is regarded as #1 in his run because it is true.

Also your statement of "Austin knew and turned heel" is so out of touch that I won't even going to reply. Austin was clearly ahead of Rock as far as drawing power goes. He put WWF in the map, he broke records and got the door to someone else to break them. The Rock wasnt the man in 1999. He was in 2000 by default. As soon as Austin was there you had two of the biggest stars ever with Austin being slightly ahead, if anything you HAD two guys at #1 place but that's debatable as Austin was the more protected babyface.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

You are the full of crap.

Please read the history of Austin walkout story and reason. Then come and complaint about my post.

Actually austin vs hogan is first planned for wm. Austin refuse that storyline and wont loss to hogan and hogan also refuse to loss to austin. So wwf creative changed it with rock and put austin with scott hall. Austin wants the undisputed wwe championship match with chris jericho but creative put triple h in that match. This is the main reason for austin walkout.

Austin retires after wrestlemania 19. On that cena is not a star. When cena became face of wwe the one available attitude era star is the rock bcoz austin is unable to wrestle a match.

Wrong!

Rock vs Hogan was ALWAYS the planned match.

It NEVER WAS Hogan vs Austin.

When WWF signed Hogan, they only wanted to do Hogan vs Rock, WWF considered Rock to be their present and their future and wanted Hogan to "pass the torch" to Rock.

Many Austin marks wanted to see Hogan vs Austin and honestly it possibly could've have been bigger but it just was never the plan.

Hogan already said it an interview on OTR, Scott Hall as well said it.

Vince wanted to do Hogan vs Austin in the future (WMXX, WM21, WM25...) but for WMX8 the plan was ALWAYS ROCK VS HOGAN.


Also, Austin said he can still do a two year run if he wanted to, in 2012.

But for Cena, his dream match was The Rock and he said it multiple times in 2005-10.

The Rock, when he came back in an interview said Cena was a fan of his and wanted to face him for years.

 

[ProWrestlingFan]

Listen to the guy saying when Austin left mid 1999 and rock was the guy you are completely wrong and I'll tell you why.

Austin did not leave in mid 1999. He left late 1999 November to be exact to get surgey, And the rock didn't start to get major pops until around June of 99. Now if you go back and watch the 1999 episodes of raw I watched them every week you would see that Austin would get a major insane pop every single week in and week out. And granted rock would get big pops too when he started to get over in 99. But if you go back and watch from July 99 and til Austin left and compare the pops Austin's would be louder and more distinct and you can't tell me any different. To say that rock became the number 1 guy in 99 is crazy. Even when Austin was out in 2000 when he came back for backlash when linda McMahon came on raw and announced that Austin would be in rocks corner at backlash the arena arrupted and it had to be the biggest pop in history here's that raw.

http://youtu.be/RLhaV8Yz6ZQ

Austin was the number guy in late 97-99 you can even say 2000 cause I'm sure there was a lot of people that would tune in like me every week in 2000 and just hope he would make a surprise unnanounced return. But when he did make his return in 2000 he took back his top spot at number 1 when he returned at unforgiven. He went over rock wm 17 because he indeed was the top guy. It was his decision to turn heel not because the rock was the top face. Rock left to make a movie so Austin was the number 1 heel and face because the fans really didn't wanna boo Austin and at times in 2001 he got baby face pops for a heel. When rock returned they somewhat put rock over at survivor series 2001 in the alliance vs Wwf angle cause Austin was heel and at rebellion 2001 Austin defened his title against the rock. As far as 2002 was concerned Austin was still considered the number 1 guy but was just being used poorly by creative. Hogan Austin would've been a more epic match but I could see hogan not wanting to put over Austin so I guess that's not why it happened. In 2003 rock went over on Austin only because it made sense it was his last match and rock would still go on to wrestle. Not because the rock was number 1. Austin sold more merchandise more tickets drew more ratings than anybody. He is my clear cut number 1 of all time and number 1 of the attitude era. Vkm even called him the greatest superstar of all time when he inducted him into the hall of fame.

Austin wasn't the only top $ maker the WWF had by mid 1999. Rock was becoming equally as popular.

And, Austin only wrestled at Summerslam in August as the champion and the WWF still had great attendance that month without Austin.

-Didn't wrestle at all in September (Not counting that "match" he had with HHH, because HHH got no offense in at all)

-Wrestled 2-3 matches for the last few weeks of October.

 

[Littlebase631]

Austin wasn't even the only top $ maker the WWF had by mid '99. Rock was becoming equally as popular.

And, Austin only wrestled at Summerslam in August as the champion and the WWF still had great attendance that month.

-Didn't wrestle at all in September (Not counting that "match" he had with HHH, that wasn't a match because HHH got no offense in at all)

-Wrestled 2-3 matches for the last few weeks of October.

But he was the top $$$ maker for them. And that's because of his injury to his knees and back. He was doing rehab for his knees and wrestled a light arch idle till November where they ran that angle with him getting ran over. Him not wrestling that much had nothing to do with the rock. It was due to his injurys.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

But he was the top $$$ maker for them. And that's because of his injury to his knees and back. He was doing rehab for his knees and wrestled a light arch idle till November where they ran that angle with him getting ran over. Him not wrestling that much had nothing to do with the rock. It was due to his injurys.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, The Rock was the biggest draw in 1999.

So no, Austin wasn't their top draw.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Austin wasn't even the only top $ maker the WWF had by mid '99. Rock was becoming equally as popular.

DUDE The Rock was not even in the main event for nine months by mid '99. That statement is ridiculous, ridiculous I say.

And, Austin only wrestled at Summerslam in August as the champion and the WWF still had great attendance that month.

-Didn't wrestle at all in September (Not counting that "match" he had with HHH, that wasn't a match because HHH got no offense in at all)

-Wrestled 2-3 matches for the last few weeks of October.

People were buying Raw not because of Austin "fantastic workrate" but more so his over the top personality.

This is ridiculous, one idiot states that Austin wasn't number one because Hogan (OF ALL PEOPLE) said in an interview that Rock/Hogan was the match. You, other idiot, come in stating that an injured Austin wasn't wrestling, therefore wasn't making money for the company, which is ridiculous since most of the events were sold out, SIX to EIGHT months after the show was even in a venue. Usually that's how it works you know? Tickets go on sale, for instance, in Europe they go on sale pretty much ONE YEAR before they come back. In the US is between Six to Eight months, depending on the town and at that time, tickets were sold like sugar as soon as it went on sale.

 

[Littlebase631]

You're a clueless hater. No point in trying talking sense with stupidity. I'm out. Adios¡

No no no you're a clueless hater. Everything he wrote was true you absolutely have no idea what you're talking about. Just keep on trying to make excuses for the rock cause you can't stand he's number 2 to Austin. Austin wanted to turn heel. Not cause he knew rock was "surpassing" him. Vince usually likes to do something big at wm so he had nothing big planned so Austin pitched him turning heel and it got the green light. He wishes he would've called an audible in the ring at wm and stun McMahon but it was his idea to turn heel.

 

[Littlebase631]

DUDE The Rock was not even in the main event for nine months by mid '99. That statement is ridiculous, ridiculous I say.



People were buying Raw not because of Austin "fantastic workrate" but more so his over the top personality.

This is ridiculous, one idiot states that Austin wasn't number one because Hogan (OF ALL PEOPLE) said in an interview that Rock/Hogan was the match. You, other idiot, come in stating that an injured Austin wasn't wrestling, therefore wasn't making money for the company, which is ridiculous since most of the events were sold out, SIX to EIGHT months after the show was even in a venue. Usually that's how it works you know? Tickets go on sale, for instance, in Europe they go on sale pretty much ONE YEAR before they come back. In the US is between Six to Eight months, depending on the town and at that time, tickets were sold like sugar as soon as it went on sale.

Are you talking about me? I didn't mean he wasn't making them money cause he was injured. I meant he just wasn't competing cause he was injured.

 

[ProWrestlingFan]

But he was the top $$$ maker for them. And that's because of his injury to his knees and back. He was doing rehab for his knees and wrestled a light arch idle till November where they ran that angle with him getting ran over. Him not wrestling that much had nothing to do with the rock. It was due to his injurys.

Yes, Rock was "a" top guy till mid/late 1999 (sometimes even surpassing Austin according to the wrestling observer), but after Austin was gone who became the top $$$ maker for WWF?
The Rock...hence "the" top guy and Austin was never at the same spot when he returned.

Thats why the main-event for Summerslam 2001 was Rock vs Booker-T instead of Austin vs Angle.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, The Rock was the biggest draw in 1999.

So no, Austin wasn't their top draw.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is wrong. Big deal... Specially since it was Austin who main evented most PPV's in 1999 (8) while Rock main evented (5) and only three in singles action and two of those with Austin. It's impossible I tell you. Rock in 1999 started the year as #2 heel behind McMahon, an uppercard and another one for Austin to beat on the way for Austin/McMahon feud. By the end of the year The Rock was getting his second shot in the main event run and he ran with it. WON is wrong on this one...

 

[Littlebase631]

Yes, Rock was "a" top guy till mid/late 1999 (sometimes even surpassing Austin according to the wrestling observer), but after Austin was gone who became the top $$$ maker for WWF?
The Rock...hence "the" top guy and Austin was never at the same spot when he returned.

Thats why the main-event for Summerslam 2001 was Rock vs Booker-T instead of Austin vs Angle.

I'm not saying rock wasn't a top guy he was. He just never surpassed Austin. Sure he was there top money maker in 2000 only because Austin wasn't there. When he returned he did get his spot back!

Only reason he got the main event at summerslam is because booking I'm sure Austin was there the whole year. Rock just returned. They gave him the main event to build him back up

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Yes, Rock was "a" top guy till mid/late 1999 (sometimes even surpassing Austin according to the wrestling observer), but after Austin was gone who became the top $$$ maker for WWF?
The Rock...hence "the" top guy and Austin was never at the same spot when he returned in 2001.

Thats why the main-event for Summerslam 2001 was Rock vs Booker-T instead of Austin vs Angle.

Because Austin was gone, exactly. When Cena is gone, the "money maker" as far as shows goes is the #2 babyface and #1 heel. But technicality Cena is still the number one guy. Austin was still number one, if it wasn't because of the idiot angle with Rikishi he would have returned to fight for the championship on the spot. He did a month later though, once again pulling Rock from the main event spot for him.

That is not why... That was card placement, both of those matches were built as main event matches if anything, Austin/Angle had more TV time leading into SummerSlam. Talk about Unforgiven 01, Vengeance 01, No Way Out 02 when Austin was in the main event and Rock was not... What a stupid freaking reason. Following the Observer is idiot on this one. You go watch the shows and draw your conclusions.

When you compare both of their career in the company at the same time, Rock was more times before Austin in PPV's. Rock almost never had single main event matches, he had to share the spotlight with guys like HHH, Angle, Jericho, Undertaker, Foley and Show...

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

No no no you're a clueless hater. Everything he wrote was true you absolutely have no idea what you're talking about. Just keep on trying to make excuses for the rock cause you can't stand he's number 2 to Austin. Austin wanted to turn heel. Not cause he knew rock was "surpassing" him. Vince usually likes to do something big at wm so he had nothing big planned so Austin pitched him turning heel and it got the green light. He wishes he would've called an audible in the ring at wm and stun McMahon but it was his idea to turn heel.

Can't stand Rock being number 2 to Austin? lol.

The Rock was still developing when Austin was the face of the company.

When Austin was face of WWE, he became the face after the four biggest stars left: Hall/Nash/Bret/Shawn.

Rock surpassed the most popular wrestler in history in popularity, dethrone him and became the face of the company.

You want to say Rock wasn't the face of the company after 2000? If so then you're clueless.

Austin was #2 and even lower when Rock was #1

 

[ProWrestlingFan]

I'm not saying rock wasn't a top guy he was. He just never surpassed Austin.

Yes, he did.

-Ratings didn't drop when Austin left.

-Rock's segment were highest rated for example, the highest rated segment on Raw history till date (This is your life) 8.4 cable rating

-House shows :

1999 - 1. The Rock (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Steve Austin; 3. HHH; 4. Big Show; 5. Kane; 6. Undertaker; 7. Keiji Muto; 8. Bill Goldberg; 9. Ric Flair; 10. Kevin Nash

-PWI Awards :

1999 PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year - The Rock


The Rock was already the bigger draw and mainstream star by mid-2000. Austin was never the same in terms of popularity and drawing power as the 1998-early 1999 Austin.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Can't stand Rock being number 2 to Austin? lol.

The Rock was still developing when Austin was the face of the company.

When Austin was face of WWE, he became the face after the four biggest stars left: Hall/Nash/Bret/Shawn.

Rock surpassed the most popular wrestler in history in popularity, dethrone him and became the face of the company.

You want to say Rock wasn't the face of the company after 2000? If so then you're clueless.

Austin was #2 and even lower when Rock was #1

Dude I proved you that Austin WAS ALWAYS THE FACE OF THE COMPANY! THE WHOLE TIME, since 1997 until 2003 when he left. You haven't. Go watch 2001 and tell me why did Austin main evented a lot more than Rock if The Rock was #1? The Rock returned in 2002 to main event ONE PPV and that was SummerSlam... ONE PPV ahead of Austin... Austin main evented more than half a dozen ahead of Rock and after 2000. Austin was also RARELY pinned. The Rock wasn't that much protected.

 

[TheOneAndOnlyGOAT]

Because Austin was gone, exactly. When Cena is gone, the "money maker" as far as shows goes is the #2 babyface and #1 heel. But technicality Cena is still the number one guy. Austin was still number one, if it wasn't because of the idiot angle with Rikishi he would have returned to fight for the championship on the spot. He did a month later though, once again pulling Rock from the main event spot for him.

That is not why... That was card placement, both of those matches were built as main event matches if anything, Austin/Angle had more TV time leading into SummerSlam. Talk about Unforgiven 01, Vengeance 01, No Way Out 02 when Austin was in the main event and Rock was not... What a stupid freaking reason. Following the Observer is idiot on this one. You go watch the shows and draw your conclusions.

When you compare both of their career in the company at the same time, Rock was more times before Austin in PPV's. Rock almost never had single main event matches, he had to share the spotlight with guys like HHH, Angle, Jericho, Undertaker, Foley and Show...

Lol.

Rock main evented with charisma vacuum Chris Benoit and still was able to get a great PPV buyrate.


Bryan beat Cena then Cena left. Cena came back, beat Del Rio for the world title. He beat him in the next PPV as well but did not main event.

Cena is still the face of the company just like The Rock was in 2001.

The Rock main evented pretty much every RAW and SD when he came back as well.

Rock was by far the face of the company.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Yes, he did.

-Ratings didn't drop when Austin left.

-Rock's segment were highest rated for example, the highest rated segment on Raw history till date (This is your life) 8.4 cable rating

-House shows :

1999 - 1. The Rock (set all-time record for most big gates in one year); 2. Steve Austin; 3. HHH; 4. Big Show; 5. Kane; 6. Undertaker; 7. Keiji Muto; 8. Bill Goldberg; 9. Ric Flair; 10. Kevin Nash

-PWI Awards :

1999 PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year - The Rock


The Rock was already the bigger draw and mainstream star by mid-2000. Austin was never the same in terms of popularity and drawing power as the 1998-early 1999 Austin.

PPV buys however did suffer and 2000 was following the steam that Austin created. Things like that don't happen overnight, they happen after a long time build and brand value that you know absolutely nothing about. If The Rock didn't appear at a show, the same show would still get a good television rating and that is a fact. The WWF was bigger by that time, the market and the demand for wrestling was bigger than Rock... If it wasn't Rock, it would have been HHH or Chris Jericho the absolute best babyface. Crediting Rock for that alone is RIDICULOUS. Ridiculous I tell you. Austin told it YESTERDAY and Jim Ross agreed with him exactly that! GO LISTEN YOU FUCKING STUPID ******.

Dude, live events tickets were sold out six months after WWF came into town. Six months after 1999 The Rock was a midcarder. People bought tickets to see Austin. Don't be stupid, use your thick stupid head. We are trying to help you. Also "Highest Rated Segment" means squat. It happened and it wasn't because of Rock's popularity, it's because of a whole lot of crap like competition, promotion, momentum etc...