Who was better Stone Cold or The Rock?

[Essential1]

So for you, who was better? whether it was for the overall package or who kept you entertained the most?

They were both so amazing in their prime it could bring a tear to the toughest of men. Their unique way to getting a crowd on their feet was like no other and the pops these guys would get and still get are magnificent.

In the early part of the Attitude Era I believe Stone Cold was the better man overall, and seemed to be a little bit more varied in his schtick. Later on though, I feel The Rock really surpassed him in greatness. On the mic and his general character as "Hollywood Rock"

The Rock really put on some of his best work character wise in during their final feud, and Stone Cold seemed to be a little out of steam during this feud.

[The Beast Disincarnate]

tough choice, the result may be biased by the fact that people got sick of the Rock recently because of his lacklustre return. But a few years ago Stone Cold was coming back evey 6 months or so to do very predictable things (aligned with Matt freakin Hardy against MVP...SERIOUSLY???)
We need to focus on their "attitude era" work and...it's difficult to decide.

[Deleted]

Always liked Austin more.

[Chip]

Austin hands down, never liked Rock. Without Austin I question whether Rock would have ever become as popular as he got.

[mizerable]

Depended on the year and feud they were engaged in. During their main careers, I'd say Stone Cold up until mid '98 where Rock became more fun...then Austin's return in 2000 and then Rock again in 2003.

If we're going by their time after 2003? EASILY Rock. People can complain all they want about Rock coming back and taking the title, but Stone Cold was such a tired personality from being co-GM to sheriff to Arrive, Raise Hell, Leave...all that shit. Thankfully, he's drastically cut back his appearances for the company in recent years, which makes a Stone Cold appearance all that much more enjoyable, even if it is tired schitck.

[MichaelMartini]

It's a tie for me. I seriously can't chose.

[Red Impact]

The Rock got me back into wrestling. I was never a big fan of Stone Cold.

[Kevin Hamilton]

I much preferred the Rock, but there is no wrong choice here.

[Deleted]

If you're going by the Attitude era, they were both great, but Austin was better just because his schtick was more varied.

If you're going by post-Attitude era Bizarro Land, they both suck, but Rock is better just because his schtick is more varied.

[Magnus the Magnificent]

The Rock for me.
I got tired ofAustin in 1998.

[Totorob101]

Austin by far. Rock was never great to me. Same old every week with the Rock.

[Kayfabe FAN don't want none]

Autsin! Autsin! Autsin!

[The Ichi]

It really depends on the year.

1997, 1998 and 2001 - Stone Cold was better
1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 - The Rock was better

[Push R Truth]

it's good to see a poll where there is no wrong option

[Straight Edge Scrotum]

Oct 9, 2013 13:31:49 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

it's good to see a poll where there is no wrong option

"TRIPLE H!!!"

[Deleted]

Good ol' Duane.

["Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay]

Austin.

The Rock was an amazing talent and Hollywood Rock may be in the top 5 greatest heel gimmicks ever - but unlike Austin, Rock never got the chance to get stale. Would Hollywood Rock have been as amazing a gimmick had it lasted more than the few months it lasted? Would The Rock have been as over if he'd never gone away throughout all of 2000-2003 rather than disappeared?

Austin, too, had layoffs and he did get a little stale. But Austin was also a better wrestler, and a better promo guy, with more versatility. Austin may not have liked a lot of his earlier gimmicks, but he played them off perfectly - Stunning Steve Austin worked, his ECW character clicked, he was even a pretty good hand as The Ringmaster, and then Stone Cold is again, one of the greatest wrestling gimmicks of all time. He also had amazing matches all the time, with allsorts of different talents from Bret Hart to Undertaker to Foley to Kurt Angle. Rock, too, had great matches, but I don't think he was ever quite the worker Austin was.

Also, Austin never really had the audience turn on him - that happened to Rock numerous times, and to Rocky's credit he went with it, but Austin only failed at getting the right reactions when he got bored, turned heel and people didn't want to boo him. Funnily enough, I think that creatively Austin's 2001 heel run may be the greatest run of his career as far as promos, psychology and matches - but people just didn't want to boo him, even if he cuddled Vince and beat the shit out of women with chairs.

Honestly, Austin is just that little bit better in every regard. And that's not at all a criticism of The Rock. It's in no way a negative to be second best behind probably the greatest wrestler there's ever been.

[PKO]

I think nostalgia rules this one for me, and when I first started watching full-time Austin was out with his neck injury. Rock was da man.

[Medicinal Thunder Liger]

Austin, by far

[DIIV]

Oct 9, 2013 11:04:19 GMT -5 Chip said:

Austin hands down, never liked Rock. Without Austin I question whether Rock would have ever become as popular as he got.

This is always my argument. The IC title fued they had in '97 was gold and it would've never worked or sent Rock over the top without Austin.