‘We’re not paramedics’ – Stone Cold Steve Austin opens up on never-seen-before WWE match with The Rock
Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock shared some unforgettable moments in the WWE ring. In what was one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of professional wrestling, the two stars clashed on the biggest stages. One chapter of the famous rivalry between The Rock and Stone Cold was not seen for 20 yearsWWE Their rivalry, which gripped WWE fans between 1997 and 2003, was even worthy of three separate WrestleMania main events. But despite going toe-to-toe for six years, The Rock and Stone Cold actually only ever had 10 televised singles matches together. In fact, one chapter of their storied rivalry – from September 2001 – went unseen for two decades. The two wrestling legends clashed in an untelevised, emotional match when WWE put on a special live edition of SmackDown days after the September 11 attacks. As terror and tragedy dominated the media landscape, it was the first public gathering in the US just 48 hours later, with the company set on bringing unity to a country when it was needed most. The show aired from Houston, Texas, and was kicked off by Vince McMahon, who vowed that Americans ‘will not live our lives in fear.’ Olympic gold medallist Kurt Angle headlined on the night, beating Rhyno in the televised main event. But after the show went off the air, the fans inside the arena were stunned when Stone Cold came out to issue an open challenge. “If there’s a man stood back there in that dressing room, all you gotta do is come right down to the ring right now,” he said, before The Rock’s music hit. The pair then delivered a special match for the fans in Houston and it was The People’s Champ who came out on top. Stone Cold offered a special open challenge days after 9/11YouTube: WWE The Rock answered, and the pair shared the ring in a match unseen for 20 yearsYouTube: WWE The Rock was victorious in the surprise eventYouTube: WWE Footage of the bout, not seen for 20 years, featured in a documentary titled ‘NEVER FORGET: WWE Returns After 9/11’ that was released in September 2021. While Stone Cold came up short in his home state, he later admitted that both him and The Rock just wanted to go all-out to give fans in the arena something to remember. “Me and Rock went out there, tore the place down and tried to entertain those people as much as we could,” he said, recalling the night. “For a very special moment like that, we’re gonna bust our a** to make everybody have a good time. “Here in Texas – I mean, here in the heart of America – it meant a lot for me to be there, representing the great state of Texas. I know everybody was proud of the efforts we put forth.” Austin also admitted that he was initially ‘worried’ about returning to work and putting on a show too soon after the attacks, but that a call from McMahon convinced him it was the right thing to do. Austin recalled how McMahon convinced him to put on the matchYouTube: WWE “I got the call from Vince, and he says, ‘Steve, somebody’s gotta get back to work, somebody’s gotta send out a message,'” Stone Cold recalled. “(He said), ‘We’ve gotta entertain people. We’re not paramedics, we’re not trained doctors. We can’t go down there and help. Let’s just do our job and try to entertain people.'”
Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock shared some unforgettable moments in the WWE ring.
In what was one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of professional wrestling, the two stars clashed on the biggest stages.
Their rivalry, which gripped WWE fans between 1997 and 2003, was even worthy of three separate WrestleMania main events.
But despite going toe-to-toe for six years, The Rock and Stone Cold actually only ever had 10 televised singles matches together.
In fact, one chapter of their storied rivalry – from September 2001 – went unseen for two decades.
The two wrestling legends clashed in an untelevised, emotional match when WWE put on a special live edition of SmackDown days after the September 11 attacks.
As terror and tragedy dominated the media landscape, it was the first public gathering in the US just 48 hours later, with the company set on bringing unity to a country when it was needed most.
The show aired from Houston, Texas, and was kicked off by Vince McMahon, who vowed that Americans ‘will not live our lives in fear.’
Olympic gold medallist Kurt Angle headlined on the night, beating Rhyno in the televised main event.
But after the show went off the air, the fans inside the arena were stunned when Stone Cold came out to issue an open challenge.
“If there’s a man stood back there in that dressing room, all you gotta do is come right down to the ring right now,” he said, before The Rock’s music hit.
The pair then delivered a special match for the fans in Houston and it was The People’s Champ who came out on top.
Footage of the bout, not seen for 20 years, featured in a documentary titled ‘NEVER FORGET: WWE Returns After 9/11’ that was released in September 2021.
While Stone Cold came up short in his home state, he later admitted that both him and The Rock just wanted to go all-out to give fans in the arena something to remember.
“Me and Rock went out there, tore the place down and tried to entertain those people as much as we could,” he said, recalling the night.
“For a very special moment like that, we’re gonna bust our a** to make everybody have a good time.
“Here in Texas – I mean, here in the heart of America – it meant a lot for me to be there, representing the great state of Texas. I know everybody was proud of the efforts we put forth.”
Austin also admitted that he was initially ‘worried’ about returning to work and putting on a show too soon after the attacks, but that a call from McMahon convinced him it was the right thing to do.
“I got the call from Vince, and he says, ‘Steve, somebody’s gotta get back to work, somebody’s gotta send out a message,'” Stone Cold recalled.
“(He said), ‘We’ve gotta entertain people. We’re not paramedics, we’re not trained doctors. We can’t go down there and help. Let’s just do our job and try to entertain people.'”
