2. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Initially the star pupil of the late Chris Adams’ wrestling school in Dallas, Austin made a name for himself in the USWA before heading to WCW in 1991. Within weeks, he’d won the WCW World Television Championship from Bobby Eaton. By the end of the year, Austin had joined forces with Eaton, along with Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude and Madusa. Working with such experienced colleagues was a great learning experience for the already promising Austin. As well as being such smooth wrestlers who made everything look easy, these people possessed great wrestling brains, as did Heyman himself of course.
By the time The Dangerous Alliance folded, Austin was being touted as a future superstar, something which was seemingly recognised by everyone except the powers that be in WCW itself. Put together in a tag team with Brian Pillman because the bookers had nothing for them, the two made The Hollywood Blonds into cult favourites. Eventually, he was released from his WCW contract in 1995 by Eric Bischoff, who infamously said that a man in black trunks and black boots wasn’t marketable. Heyman though, knew that Austin was MONEY and brought him in for a brief run in WCW, where he was able to show off his microphone skills. He oozed charisma as he slated WCW in segments, including the famous “Monday Nyquil” skit where he donned a black wig and impersonated Bischoff.
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