WWE Attitude Era is one of the most remembered eras in pro-wrestling history. The Monday Night Wars, D-Generation X, Stone Cold, The Montreal Screwjob, Attitude Era gave us several superstars, matches, and moments to remember. One such moment took place on the 20 January 1998 edition of Monday Night RAW.
The RAW after Royal Rumble has always been special. WWE made this one extra special when WWE Chairman Vince McMahon introduced the WWE Universe to the ‘baddest man on the planet’ Mike Tyson. This gave rise to one of the most riveting storylines ever written by WWE.
While Mike Tyson was in the ring with his entourage and Mr. McMahon, that year’s Rumble Winner came out to go face to face with the Boxing Legend. Stone Cold then started berating the former WBC Champion, “You think you are the baddest man on the planet? Well, you’re looking in the eyes of the World’s toughest Son of a b***h.” The Texan further adds, “I can beat you any day of the week. Twice on Sunday.” After a little more words, a full-blown brawl broke out between the two industry legends.
“HERE WE GO! TYSON AND AUSTIN!” ???? @BRWrestling
24 years ago today, @steveaustinBSR and @MikeTyson went at it in the ring
(via @WWE)pic.twitter.com/PmzaYG2ajt
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 19, 2022
Mike Tyson then sided himself with D-Generation X leader and then WWE World Heavyweight Champion Shawn Michaels. As the Royal Rumble winner, Stone Cold challenged The Heartbreak Kid to a match at WrestleMania 14 with Mike Tyson slated in as the special guest enforcer. Mike would eventually turn on Michaels at The Show of Shows and help Stone Cold win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Stone Cold reflects on working with Mike Tyson
In an exclusive interview with WWE The Bump, The Texan Rattlesnake gave us insight into the backstage conversations with Vince McMahon about Mike Tyson, “I’ll never forget, I had a conversation with Vince, and he said, ‘Hey, man, I’m thinking of bringing Mike Tyson in to be part of this thing.’ At the time, we were busting our ass, and I said, ‘Hey, man, do we need Mike Tyson?’ he chuckled. He goes, ‘Oh, GD, Steve. Tyson could bring more eyes to the product.’ I said, ‘Cool, man. If you think it’ll work, bring him in.”
Steve further added, “Mike and I hit it off right away. We didn’t sit there and have BS sessions every time we did something together. But Mike was a historian and fan of the business, and he knew a lot more about the business than most of the guys in the locker room. I wondered at WrestleMania 14 if the moment would be too big for him; would he handle the pressure? Hell, Mike is ready for any big moment. I was glad to do business with him.”
WWE Attitude Era was full of fun, thrilling excitement, and storylines. Stone Cold and Mike Tyson gave us one such storyline which will be remembered for ages.
