Who is Steve Austin, the man.
And who is Stone Cold Steve Austin, the performer.
>> The difference between Steve Austin, the man, and Stone Cold Steve Austin,
the performer, is basically Stone Cold Steve Austin is exactly that.
I don't know what the difference is, really
[MUSIC]
>> Steve Austin is one of the biggest superstars in the history
of the wrestling business because of his passion for it.
>> [NOISE]
>> He had this meteoric rise that burned
hot and fast, and changed an entire industry.
>> Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16.
Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass.
>> [NOISE] >> Really, the separation between
Stone Cold and Steve Austin is only a matter of the surrounding that I'm in.
[MUSIC]
>> The character was a real person.
>> The look in his eyes told a real story.
And you know why?
Because it was a real story.
>> He went from being a guy from Texas, to a pro wrestler, to a pop culture icon.
>> He was the defining character of a generation.
[MUSIC]
The disruptor of the status quo,
the pivotal player in the complete reimagination of the industry.
>> I've been retired for so long.
I don't miss it anymore, I dont crave it.
You can never replace it, I'm not trying to say that you can.
But I would say there's anything about the life I used to live on the road.
That makes me yearn to go back in time to relive those days.
But I do what I want, when I want, right here in this damn ring.
And ain't nobody stop me.
The whole world knows my name is Stone Cold Steve Austin.
If I'm going straight to hell, you're damn sure coming with me.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Stone Cold Steve Austin,
his reign on top was second to none.
>> Everything about Steve was rebellious.
Steve was the antihero hero.
>> He's the man responsible for making WWE more than we thought it could ever be.
>> People gravitated a lot to the energy that I brought to the business.
>> No. >> [NOISE]
>> Steve didn't have a long
career being on top.
But he had that one peak, it was like like, wow,
no one will come close to that.
>> Stone Cold is the show biz guy, Steve Austin is a regular guy.
They just happen to be rolled
up in the same package.
[MUSIC]
>> It takes a lot more than a look to be a superstar.
>> Statistically he wasn't supposed to be on that stage,
being inducted in to the Hall of Fame.
>> Doctor wouldn't clear me to wrestle, but I was gonna wrestle.
>> I watched Steve stand up on legs that he couldn't feel.
>> He was a bad guy, he had to be on guard a lot.
>> The most pivotal human beings in pro wrestling history.
>> Let's get ready to rumble.
>> Yeah.
[MUSIC]
>> You can't say anybody was better, but also tormented.
>> I was not just a drug addict, I was an angry one.
I want to be remembered making people feel a certain way when they watch me.
>> Man, that was a great ride, >> Biography WWE Legends,
an eight-part event.
Starts with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Sunday April 18th at 8, on A&E.