Stone Cold: 10 Things Most Fans Don't Realize About Austin's 2001 Heel Run, 20 Years Later. Stone Cold Steve Austin's 2001 heel turn wasn't received well by wrestling fans, but it did have some interesting moments. Stone Cold Steve Austin may be the most popular wrestler WWE ever featured on top.

When did Stone Cold stop being a heel?

As Stone Cold Steve Austin, he was the top star in WWE, and one of the defining figures of the Attitude Era. However, in 2001, that babyface run came to an end with a surprising heel turn that wasn't exactly warmly received by fans to the point where it's largely considered a failure.

Did Stone Cold ever turn heel?

Shortly after Austin's return from injury in 2000, Stone Cold was booked in the main event of WrestleMania X-7 against The Rock in early 2001. This match became known as the "infamous Austin heel turn". Stone Cold aligned himself with long time rival Mr. McMahon to unfairly defeat The Rock.