Stone Cold Steve Austin (real name: Steve Williams) is a professional wrestler for WWE and is one of the most famous wrestlers of all time.
Austin is best known for being a prominent feature of WWE’s flagship TV show, Monday Night Raw, during what is called the “Attitude Era” of wrestling.
Austin was married to Debra Marshall who wrestled in WWE under the names Debra and Queen Debra.
In 2002, Austin was arrested for assaulting his then-wife at their home in San Antonio, Texas.
Married In 2000
Stone Cold Steve Austin and Debra Williams (maiden name: Debra Gale McMichael) were married in 2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Austin Arrested
Debra Williams called police to the San Antonio, Texas home she shared with Austin on June 15 2002.
Williams told police that Austin “hit her several times after an argument” and that he left the house after she called police. Police in their report said Williams was “nervous because she said her ‘husband is famous.'”
Police said that there was a “large noticeable welt” below Williams’ right eye.
While police officers were interviewing Williams, their report said that Austin twice called the house and spoke to the police. During those conversations Austin reportedly “declined” requests from the police to come back to the house.
Austin eventually surrendered to the police on August 13 2002, a day after a warrant for his arrest was issued by the district attorney for Bexar County, Texas.
Austin was charged with misdemeanor assault and posted a $5,000 bond to be released from jail.
Austin Missed WWE Shows
After news of the assault allegation became public, Austin failed to appear at two scheduled WWE events in Montreal and Austin, Texas.
WWE spokesman Gary Davis described the refusal to appear as an “unacceptable violation of his contract,” and told media outlets that Austin was apparently dissatisfied with how his character was being used on WWE programming.
Austin Pleaded No Contest To Assault
On November 25 2002, Austin pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge of assault. Austin was sentenced to one year of probation, fined $1,000, ordered to attend a course for domestic violence counseling, and was also ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.
“It’s kinda been a drag, but it’s over,” Austin told reporters after entering his plea. “Don’t count on seeing me here again.”
“I have problems just like other people … Everybody has good days and bad days, and so do I.”
Austin’s probation prohibited him from drinking alcohol and he was required to get permission from the court for travel outside of Bexar County.
Steroid Rage Allegations
In a 2007 interview on Fox News, Austin’s ex-wife, now known as Debra Marshall, said he used anabolic steroids.
“You know, what I can say is what I know from being married to Steve Austin, and he definitely told me he used them. And I’ve actually seen him do that before,” Marshall said.
Marshall said she had seen Austin have “steroid rages” and had “seen him being paranoid.”
She said he attacked her “three times” and “at work people would know it, and they would cover the bruises on my face.”
Marshall said WWE “put a gag on me for a year that I couldn’t talk about this, because they knew that I could totally bring down their top star.”
Austin Returned To WWE
Since the arrest, Austin has frequently returned to WWE and made appearances on WWE television programs.
Austin fought and defeated Kevin Owens in a match in Wrestlemania 38 in 2022.
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis.
