For the legion of grappling gamers seeking a mastery of WWE video games, prepare for a lesson on the axiom of Austin 3:16.

Twenty years after his WWE debut, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will help the WWE Universe raise some hell once again as the cover Superstar for WWE 2K16. 2K confirmed its selection for the prestigious honor today, leaving one of the most brash and outspoken Superstars in WWE history feeling humbled by the decision.

See Austin's WWE 2K16 character art |  Who else is playable in WWE 2K16?

"It caught me completely off guard," Austin said to WWE.com. "I figured I'd been gone for such a long time; it's been a while. To get that phone call and be on the cover of what is going to be the biggest, baddest video game that there's ever been, with the roster and all the technology, and to be out of the ring for so many years meant a whole lot to me."

The choice of Austin, a WWE Hall of Fame inductee in 2009, ensures that the WWE Universe will find a very familiar face in the video games section when WWE 2K16 hits store shelves this fall. Generations of WWE fans know The Texas Rattlesnake not only by his influential role in the rise of WWE’s Attitude Era, but also for his many starring roles in feature films and as the provocative host of the Stone Cold Podcast on WWE Network.

Now, Austin serves as the face of a highly anticipated WWE video game that comes after two of the best-selling iterations of the venerated series. He follows 2K’s recent selections of The Rock in 2014 and John Cena last year, putting the six-time World Champion in a position where he’ll need more than just Stone Cold Stunners to successfully follow in their footsteps.

"Those two were awesome guys to put on the cover of the 2K wrestling games," Austin said. "Being in there with The Rock and John is great. But they just got trumped by ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin — and I say that with all due respect."

Pre-order WWE 2K16 now

While his inclusion will excite gamers worldwide, Austin will have plenty of company when the WWE Universe tries out WWE 2K16 for the first time. That’s because 2K recently pledged that its next take on the WWE Universe will offer the largest roster in WWE video game history, giving The Texas Rattlesnake plenty of virtual opponents from the past and present.

"It'll be interesting to see who going to be in the game," Austin said. "I'm looking forward to see who they dig out in WWE history and bring up. For all the different matchups, with 120 playable characters, that's almost insane. From what I know about the game, this one is going to be the coolest one ever."

WWE 2K16 is scheduled for release on Oct. 27, 2015, in North America and October 30, 2015, internationally. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

“Gimme a Hell Yeah”: 2K Announces Stone Cold Steve Austin®
as WWE® 2K16 Cover Superstar

WWE Hall of Famer, film and television personality, producer and podcasting innovator set to inject Texas-sized attitude in flagship WWE video game franchise

New York, NY – July 6, 2015 –  2K today announced WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin® as the cover Superstar for WWE® 2K16, the forthcoming release in the flagship WWE franchise. After setting the WWE Universe on fire during one of WWE’s most celebrated time periods – the “Attitude Era” – to his wealth of television, film and podcasting accomplishments, Austin has amassed worldwide admiration through his unequivocal presence both in and out of the WWE ring. WWE 2K16 is currently in development for Xbox One and Xbox 360, as well as the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems. The game is scheduled for release on October 27, 2015 in North America and October 30, 2015 internationally.

Watch Stone Cold Podcast Live! on WWE Network |  See The Texas Rattlesnake at his best

“I’ve had the privilege of working with 2K to support the WWE 2K franchise, and now I’m absolutely honored to serve as the WWE 2K16 cover Superstar,” said Stone Cold Steve Austin. “No disrespect to the previous and extremely deserving WWE 2K cover Superstars – Dwayne ‘The Rock®’ Johnson and John Cena® – but it’s about time the franchise raised some hell with yours truly on the cover. I look forward to injecting a dose of ‘Texas Rattlesnake’ into this year’s game and overall campaign.”

Austin is regarded by many as one of the most popular WWE Superstars to ever enter a WWE ring, holding 21 championships throughout his career and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. His relentless work ethic has also made him a significant mainstream fixture and pop-culture icon as an actor, producer and host in television, film and podcasting. Austin hosted the return of WWE’s reality competition series Tough Enough on USA Network in 2011, and since 2012 has hosted four seasons of Redneck Island on CMT. He also serves as the host of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, which is currently in production for its third season on CMT. His film credits include appearances in several feature films, including The Longest Yard, The Condemned and The Expendables, while his no-holds-barred weekly podcast, The Steve Austin Show, regularly appears on the Top Podcasts list within the Sports & Recreation category on iTunes. He also hosts the Stone Cold Podcast, Live!, a monthly interview series on the award-winning WWE Network, where he has interviewed several special guests including Vince McMahon, Triple H and Paul Heyman. In addition, Austin is a brand ambassador for Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA.

“Stone Cold Steve Austin’s iconic style, unmistakable personality and worldwide reverence from the WWE Universe make him the ideal fit for WWE 2K16,” said Chris Snyder, Vice President of Marketing at 2K. “Not only will Austin grace the video game’s cover, but he’s involved in shaping its creative direction. Through his numerous contributions, inclusion on the largest roster in franchise history and the game’s to-be-announced features, WWE 2K16 is certain to put everyone on notice.”

Developed collaboratively by Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, a 2K studio, WWE 2K16 is not yet rated by the ESRB. WWE 2K16 is currently scheduled for release on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4™ and PS3™ on October 27, 2015 in North America and October 30, 2015 internationally.

For more information on WWE 2K16 and 2K, visit wwe.2k.com, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #WWE2K16 and #RaiseSomeHell or subscribe on YouTube.