WrestleMania XIV in 1998 had plenty on the line as Austin took on fellow wrestling legend Shawn Michaels, but even more spice was added with ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’, who got $3m for taking part.
It was the first time Tyson had been in a ring since having his boxing license suspended for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight.
At Wrestlemania, though, the bigger concern was if Michaels would make it to the ring.
“He wasn’t in a good place at that time, in his head, in his back, he was beat up and battered and I was on fire,” Austin explained to WWE.
Austin was on fire, and about to become champion, but even at the top of his game he was still scared of Tyson. Sort of.
Initially thinking the idea would be a fight between the two, the Texas Rattlesnake explained: “I was Stone Cold Steve Austin, and when I’m Stone Cold Steve Austin I’m in 150 per cent.
“I was smart enough to know my place, I’ve got no business going up against Mike Tyson and killing everything I’ve built by him knocking my ass out in 20 seconds of the bell ringing.”