Editing Openai/6960b960-7b68-8003-8a39-ed41413ff2b8 (section)

=== Assistant: Absolutely — this is the perfect match to drill into, because it explains exactly why Austin was never “Super Austin,” … ===
Absolutely — this is the perfect match to drill into, because it explains exactly why Austin was never “Super Austin,” even at the peak of his run.

==== ### ====

This match is anti–Super Cena booking in its purest form.

==== A First Blood match means: ====
* No pin
* No submission
* No quitting
* No endurance narrative

The only thing that matters is who bleeds first.

That already protects Austin’s core traits:
* He doesn’t have to be “beaten”
* He doesn’t have to tap
* He doesn’t even have to be incapacitated

He just has to bleed.

==== - Kane dominates with power and size ====
* Austin fights back with brawling and weapons
* Crowd is fully behind Austin
* Austin never looks afraid, overwhelmed, or helpless

Crucially:

: 

He’s still dangerous the entire time.

==== - The Undertaker interferes ====
* He smashes Austin with a steel chair
* The chairshot causes Austin to bleed
* Kane wins the WWF Championship

Let’s be very clear about what didn’t happen:
* Austin didn’t lose to Kane’s offense
* Austin didn’t quit
* Austin didn’t pass out
* Austin didn’t get “figured out”
* Kane didn’t outlast or outfight him

Austin loses because:

: 

==== This happens two months into Austin’s first title reign — at the height of Austin Mania. ====

And WWE says, on PPV:

: 

That single decision prevents the “Super” label from ever forming.

==== Immediately after losing: ====
* Austin attacks referees
* Austin stuns officials
* Austin continues brawling
* Austin does not sell the loss as devastating

The title changes hands.
Austin’s character does not.

That separation is critical.

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Austin is allowed to fail situationally without being broken.

Cena is protected from failure altogether.

==== Fans didn’t think: ====

: 

They thought:

: 

That’s perfect babyface booking.

==== Austin losing the title to Kane in a First Blood match proved that Austin could lose without ever surrendering control of his myth. ====

That’s why:
* No “Super Austin”
* No backlash
* No suspension-of-disbelief break

And it’s why this match still holds up as the cleanest contrast to Cena’s era.

If you want next, we can:
* Contrast this directly with Cena never losing via stipulation
* Or break down why First Blood was chosen specifically for Austin
* Or compare this to Austin vs Bret at WM13 in even finer detail