Wrestling: Stone Cold Steve Austin

Steve James Anderson Williams, better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American actor and former professional wrestler. more...

His birth name was Steve Anderson; he took on the surname Williams when he was adopted by his stepfather, Ken (his biological father had left the family when Williams was a child).

After debuting in 1989, Williams wrestled for promotions such as World Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. His greatest success came perhaps in the late 1990s, when the World Wrestling Federation, with Austin at its helm as one of the promotion's marquee stars went public. Austin was forced to retire from the ring in 2003 due to a variety of chronic injuries.

Early life and career

Williams played football at North Texas State University. After holding down various odd jobs, he began his wrestling career in the late 1980s in Texas. Austin was trained by "Gentleman" Chris Adams among others. Early in his early career, Austin decided to use his real name Steve Williams for wrestling, however there was already a famous wrestler named Steve "Dr. Death" Williams. He was then assigned the name Steve Austin. Austin at first was reluctant because he didn't want the fans to think of "Steve Austin" of the Six Million Dollar Man, but the real reason was because he was from Austin, Texas in kayfabe.

Read more at Wikipedia.org