How was Austin's popularity in 2002-3? Was it dying down?

Not in the least. He was still the most over guy on the roster by far.

>>1285119
Can't say it for the general audiences, but I was surely sick and tired of him.

>>1285126
this go and watch any show in 02, WHAT shirts everywhere

Did they actually never announce Austin's retirement after WM19? What was it like back then? Did people just wonder why the fuck he suddenly stopped wrestling?

He was out for most of 2002, came back NoWayOut 2003, retired after 1 month. He didn't really get involved in big storylines. He was still the most over guy in the company by large margins.

In 2003 top merchandise sellers were Austin, The Rock and Hurricane

Well, he did innovate the ultimate shitchant during the period.
WHAT

It sucks he walked in 02 because he didn't want to put Brock over. Then Brock becomes champ, and a year later he's gone anyway, only to come back years later as a special attraction who's literally only their to collect a paycheck.

Austin knew guys. He knew.

>>1285357
mah nigga greg helms

>>1285482
Austin didn't want to waste the money match-up of him vs. Lesnar on a free RAW with no build.

'Cause he's not a fucking moron.

>>1285119
Austin was a smart guy. He retired while at the top. He had a great final match. When he was still active he was the most over guy out there.

>>1285639
well it's not like it was his choice

Few days before WM the doctors told him it was going to be his last match. He had a panic attack the night before WM because of that.

It was one and done. He was lucky that it was a great occasion against his top rival. No regrets

>>1285952
Bullshit

>>1285126
>>1285190
No offence, but I dont think you guys where there during his original rise.

He was way more over in 97-98 than he was in 02. Thats not a knock to 02 Austin, as he was still top level over, but 97-98 was just on a different level

>>1286054
Not sure about the panic attack but whenever its brought up Vince always says Austin had to leave in 2003 because of health

>>1285482
>wasting a fucking PPV match on RAW
Vince Russo please go.

>>1286444
Theres a documentary out there someplace that covers this. The night before Mania he was freaking out and slamming energy drinks to the point his heart felt like it was going to explode. He called JR who got him to the hospital, which he stayed in overnight and got out a few hours before the match.

He never told anybody that it was his final match, other than the rock. WHen it was over Rock leaned in after the pin and they had a sweet man love moment and that was that. Austin was retired.

Austin retired from the ring at the right time. He was still over as fuck, and he went before Vince totally buried his character.

>>1285321
>Did they actually never announce Austin's retirement after WM19?
Months later Eric Bischoff bought up the fact that Austin was too physically battered to ever wrestle again in an almost throw away promo. It was really weird because it was hard to know if Bishcoff was pulling a work. I assumed he was at the time.

>>1286054
>>1286483
This.
Look up the WM 19 documentary.