Haven’t ever understood the thought that Austin “stole” Sandman’s gimmick—as if it was just a more pushed version of The Sandman on a bigger scale. The beer drinking piece is there, but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. That really feels like the only significant similarity.

Stone Cold could actually work a match. Sandman could just swing around a kendo stick. Night and day in the ring.

Stone Cold could work the stick, Sandman not so much.

Stone Cold was calculated and cerebral violence. Sandman came off as a reckless drunk and not put together.

Stone Cold kept himself sharp and in great shape. You knew he was ready to roll. Sandman had a beer gut and got gassed after arriving to the ring.

Stone Cold largely drank beers in celebration. Sandman drank them before the match.

Even Steve will give a nod to Sandman and some influence with the beer drinking, but any comparison from a full character, persona, wrestler, etc is completely unfounded once looking through it.

Great answers to questions no one asked

Not sure if serious, mate. This suggestion of Austin taking the gimmick has definitely been discussed in neckbeard circles and even by Sandman himself.

Im a huge Austin fan. But lets admit he got his character inspiration from sandman. Sandman was cracking open beer and smashing it on his head while austin was still stunning..and then years later austin added that to his already over character and now its synonymous with him. it's not just 'drinking a beer' - its being a beer drinking bar brawler type that he took and perfected

much like the franchise shand douglas will never get the credit he deserves for 'inspiring' triple h's heel run

The beer drinking was the only commonality. You said it yourself Sandman came off as a reckless drunk swinging around a Singapore cane. Austin’s character was the every man badass who did things to authority that people wish they could do IRL.

I always found Sandman to be a rip-off of the Brooklyn Brawler.