You can debate who the most famous wrestler of all-time is. Names like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Rock, and John Cena can be thrown out there and none of them would be wrong, but no wrestler was ever as over as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The Texas Rattlesnake didn’t have as long of a run in WWE as other names, but he was the catalyst that helped the Attitude Era become the most popular time in the company’s history. It’s impossible to understate just how huge he was in the late 90s and early 2000s, but despite getting thunderous ovations in every arena, behind the scenes, Steve Austin battled some very personal demons. Among them was when he assaulted his own wife, fellow WWE star Debra Williams, leaving him in jail and her scared for her life.
Steve Austin Turned Himself In To Police After A Warrant Was Issued For His Arrest
- Frustrated by his creative direction, Stone Cold walked out of WWE in 2002.
- He was arrested days later after his wife, Debra, accused him of assault.
- Austin pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault and received a year’s probation.
2002 was a horrible year for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. After being the face of WWE for years, the end days of the Attitude Era saw Vince McMahon favoring The Rock as his new biggest star. In June 2002, he became so frustrated by his creative direction that Austin no-showed an episode of Raw and walked out on the company. It was a shocking moment for wrestling, and WWE even went so far as to bash Austin on TV, but just five days later something more concerning happened.
On August 14, 2002, Steve Austin reported to the San Antonio Police Department and turned himself in over a warrant issued for his arrest. Two months earlier, his wife, Debra Michael, accused Austin of assaulting her. After being charged with a misdemeanor for assault with bodily injury, Austin was released on a $5,000 bond. On his way out of the courthouse, his only response to the press outside was to tell the San Antonio Express-News, “Nothing happened.” However, on June 15, the San Antonio Police had responded to his home to find Debra crying and with a large welt under her eye.
The case against Steve Austin was resolved that November when “Stone Cold” pleaded no contest. Austin managed to avoid a jail sentence, instead receiving a year’s probation, a $1,000 fine, and a requirement to attend domestic violence counseling and 80 hours of community service. During this time, Austin filed for divorce from Debra, who he married in 2000. Their divorce was finalized in February 2003.
Debra Thought Steve Austin Was Going To Kill Her
- Debra said Steve Austin would go on roid rages against her.
- She said Austin was paranoid and had panic attacks.
- She related to what Nancy went through with Chris Benoit.
In June 2007, in the tragic aftermath of the Chris Benoit murder-suicide, Debra, now with the last name of Marshall, was a guest of FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes. On the show, she spoke about her own past with domestic violence, which she blamed partially on steroids.
“I know it was contributed to the use of steroids, because I have seen the steroid rages. I have seen him being paranoid. I have seen his panic attacks. I mean, for three times, I’d seen him attack me — I mean, and at work, people would know it, and they would cover the bruises on my face…
“The last time Steve attacked me, alcohol was involved. He jumped on me. He’s on my back with his knee in my back, pounding me in the back and in my face. I thought I was going to die. And then, I can totally understand what Nancy (Benoit) must have felt in the last few seconds of her life, because I thought I was going to die.”
Former Girlfriend Tess Broussard Also Accused Steve Austin Of Abuse
- Broussard said that Austin would drink and drive.
- She accused him of making racist comments and smashing her phone when she called 911.
- Today, Austin has been married to his fourth wife, Kristin, since 2009.
After his relationship with Debra ended, Steve Austin started dating a Playboy model named Tess Broussard. Sadly, that relationship did not go well either. In an interview on The Don Tony and Kevin Castle Show, Broussard detailed how bad their time together was. According to her, Austin was a heavy drinker. More than once he would drink and drive, twice crashing his car with her in it, and the second time leaving her seriously injured. She also accused Austin of making racist comments, mistreating her pets, and staying overnight in hotel rooms with underage girls. She said that toward the end of their relationship, she tried to call 911 once, leading to Austin taking the phone from her and smashing it. It must be mentioned that Austin was never charged with anything involving Broussard, so her accusations are just that. What is a fact is that there was also a wild incident where “Stone Cold” claimed that Tess had stabbed his manager, George Vrabek, but all charges against her were dropped.
While Austin’s behavior should never be excused, it appears that alcohol and steroids, combined with the grind and frustration of such a physically demanding job, took its toll on him. Thankfully, it looks like “Stone Cold” got his life together. In 2009, Austin married his fourth wife, Kristin, and they’ve been together ever since, living a quiet life on a ranch where, according to Austin, they take care of horses and chickens and go to bed before 10 pm.
