Stone Cold Steve Austin left WWE in 2002 primarily due to creative differences and frustrations with his role in the company. After a long and successful career, Austin felt that the direction WWE was taking, particularly with the storyline involving his character, was not satisfying.

“3:16 Day” is a day that epitomizes Stone Cold Steve Austin, the toughest S.O.B. ever to lace up a pair of boots. Austin launched WWE's Attitude Era the moment he won the 1996 King of the Ring Tournament and quoted iconic scripture on his bible-thumping opponent: “Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!”

Austin hosts the podcast The Steve Austin Show (2013–present), and the video podcast Broken Skull Sessions (2019–present) available on the WWE Network and Peacock. He collaborates with El Segundo Brewing on Broken Skull IPA and Broken Skull American Lager.

Steve Austin's connection to agriculture came after his in-ring career ended. He owned a 2,000-acre ranch in Tilden, Texas called Broken Skull Ranch. He sold this farm in 2017. Austin now owns a ranch in Nevada he called Broken Skull Ranch 2.0.