WWF King of the Ring Results
June 23, 1996
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Wisconsin Center Arena)
Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Owen Hart
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“The World Wrestling Federation: for over fifty years, the revolutionary force in sports entertainment.” The WWF video leads us into the show.
Video: Tonight, The Ultimate Warrior will battle Jerry “The King” Lawler. The King of the Ring will be crowned as well. Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Vader, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and “Wildman” Marc Mero will battle for the right. Undertaker battles Mankind, The Smoking Gunns put the Tag Titles on the line against the Godwinns, Goldust defends the Intercontinental Championship against Ahmed Johnson, and Shawn Michaels defends the WWF Championship in the main event against The British Bulldog with Mr. Perfect as the Guest Referee. The voiceover says, “Tonight, it’s the greatest card in the history of the King of the Ring.”
We go live into what Vince McMahon is calling The Mecca, though it was renamed the Wisconsin Center Arena in 1995. Owen Hart makes his entrance wearing a tuxedo. His left wrist is still in a cast. Hart is not pleased to be working with McMahon and Ross.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin heads to the ring to kick off the Semifinals of the King of the Ring tournament.
Replay: Three weeks ago, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin defeated Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly in the First Round. Last Monday, in the Quarterfinals, Austin defeated Savio Vega with the Stone Cold Stunner.
Replay: Two weeks ago on Raw, “Wildman” Marc Mero defeated Skip in the First Round. Last Monday, Mero defeated Owen Hart. Hart attacked him after the match.
Owen Hart says he slipped as he went to shake his hand.
King of the Ring Tournament
Semifinal Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. “Wildman” Marc Mero w/ Sable
Referee: Tim White
They circle the ring and lock up. Austin hooks a side headlock and hits a takeover. Mero grapevines the head, so Austin kips up out of it. They circle the ring and lock up again. Austin quickly hooks a side headlock. Mero tries to punch out, so Austin transitions to a hammerlock. Mero twists out and applies a hammerlock. Austin reverses it and takes him down before applying a rear chin lock. Mero fights up as a “Sable” chant picks up. Mero elbows out and hits the ropes, but Austin hits him with a back elbow. They start to trade punches before Mero hooks a side headlock. Austin whips him off, but Mero shoulder tackles him. Mero hits the ropes and hits Austin with a head-scissor takeover. Austin rolls out of the ring to recover. Mero goes for a dive, but he puts the brakes on when Austin moves.
Austin takes his time getting into the ring. They lock up, and Austin wrenches the arm. Mero twists out and applies a side headlock. Austin whips him off and hits a hip toss. Mero quickly kicks him back and hits an arm drag. Mero wrenches his arm before applying a side headlock. Austin tries to fight back and pulls his hair. Mero cinches it in, but Austin soon whips him off. Mero shoulder tackles him and goes back into the ropes, but Austin CRUSHES him with a Lou Thesz Press. Owen Hart refers to Sable as a “hose bag.” Austin clubs away at Mero before taunting the crowd. Mero reverses a whip and connects with a back body drop. Austin quickly rolls out of the ring to recover. Austin is signaling for a timeout.
Austin gets back into the ring at the count of nine. Austin signals that he wants a handshake. Mero turns him down. Austin goes for a test of strength, which Mero obliges. Austin kicks him down to his knees and cinches in a Greco-Roman knucklelock. Mero fights up and kicks Austin before applying a side headlock. Austin whips him off, drops down, and then sends him over the top rope to the floor. Sable checks on Mero, but she scurries off as Austin approaches. Austin exposes the concrete floor and hits a military press on it! Mero hits the concrete with a splat. Austin gets in the ring and taunts the crowd. Mero slowly gets in the ring, so Austin hits him with a vertical suplex. Austin clubs Mero and heads to the ringside area, dragging Mero over the apron. Austin elbows Mero in the chest. Austin gets in the ring and pulls Mero to the other side of the ring, driving his elbow into Mero’s throat. Austin gets in the ring and sends Mero hard into the turnbuckles. Mero drops down in pain. Austin grabs him and sends him back into the turnbuckles. Austin connects with a snapmare and goes to the second rope for a diving elbow drop. 1… 2… Mero kicks out. Austin powers Mero up and hits a rib-breaker. Austin covers for another two-count. Austin then applies a Boston Crab. Mero reaches for the bottom rope, so Austin drags him into the center of the ring. Mero manages to turn over and use his leg strength to knock Austin off. Mero executes an inside cradle for a near fall. Austin quickly takes him back down with a back elbow.
Austin grabs Mero’s legs and stomps on Mero’s midsection. Austin goes back to the Boston Crab. Mero powers out and pins Austin for a near fall. Mero rolls him up again for another near fall. Austin quickly sends him into the turnbuckles sternum-first. Mero flips through a back suplex and executes a Japanese Leg Clutch pin on Austin, just as he did to Owen Hart. 1… 2… Austin kicks out. Hart says Mero pulled his tights when he hit that move on him. Austin quickly punches Mero down. Mero reverses a whip and goes for a sleeper hold, but Austin hits a version of the Stone Cold Stunner to get out. Austin is bleeding from the mouth. Austin sends him to the corner, but Mero springboards off with a senton splash.
Mero hits the ropes, ducks an elbow, and hits a running dropkick. Mero punches away at Austin before doing the ten punches in the corner. Mero hits all ten before sending him into the ropes for a back body drop. Mero heads to the top rope and hits a diving ax handle. 1… 2… Austin kicks out. Austin is bleeding heavily from his mouth. Mero sends him to the corner, but he runs into a boot. Mero quickly fires back and sends Austin over the top rope. Mero then flattens him with a somersault senton. Mero gets Austin in the ring, but Austin slides back out. Mero catches him with a suicide dive. Mero gets Austin in the ring and hits a missile dropkick. 1… 2… Austin kicks out. Mero signals for the end. Mero throws Austin down before putting him on the top rope. Mero goes for a super hurricanrana and connects! Mero crawls over and covers for a near fall. Mero cannot believe it.
Austin quickly kicks Mero in the midsection before hitting a stun gun into the top rope. Austin covers for a near fall. Austin is furious. Austin then hooks the head and hits a Stone Cold Stunner for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin advances to the Finals of the King of the Ring tournament and will face the winner of Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Vader.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was a very good match. In the years since this match, it has been revealed that Austin did not like working with Marc Mero, but they matched up really well here. They had a match a few months back that ended in disqualification when Savio Vega attacked Austin. They also had a feud in WCW. To this point, this is the best match Marc Mero has had in the WWF. Even though he had the boo-boo face on while making his entrance because he was taking the loss here, he gave Austin a great match. Austin is still in the early stages of his character development, but this match featured nearly all the big spots he’d employ during his huge run. Tonight, he broke out the Lou Thesz Press, though it wasn’t accompanied by the punches he’d lay in after. There was some great brawling and, of course, the Stone Cold Stunner. They broke that out last week on Raw as his new finisher, and it’s quickly being established as a match-ender.
One of the keys to this match is that Austin’s mouth got absolutely annihilated. It happened during the Japanese Leg Clutch pin Mero hit on Austin. Mero’s foot came up and smashed him right in the mouth, requiring Austin to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 stitches in his lip to sew it up. He did actually go to a medical facility for it, though it was right across the street. His mouth had to be killing him, but I’m sure he’ll get the adrenaline going for his next match later tonight. I wonder if he’ll be able to cut a promo?
King of the Ring Tournament
First Round
The Ultimate Warrior vs. Goldust ended in a Double Countout
Vader def. Ahmed Johnson
Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw def. Henry O. Godwinn
Jake “The Snake” Roberts def. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. Bob Holly
Savio Vega def. Marty Jannetty
Owen Hart def. Yokozuna
“Wildman” Marc Mero def. Skip
Quarterfinals
Vader receives a bye to the Semifinals
Jake “The Snake” Roberts def. Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. Savio Vega
“Wildman” Marc Mero def. Owen Hart
Semifinals
Vader vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. “Wildman” Marc Mero
Finals
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. the winner of Vader vs. Roberts
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix is backstage with Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Hendrix says Roberts is the sentimental favorite in the King of the Ring tournament. Roberts has overcome many obstacles in his life, but one of the biggest is standing in the way of his quest to become King of the Ring: Vader. Roberts says he was blind and can see. Deaf and now he can hear. His soul was purchased by the Blood of the Lamb. How can he lose if he goes out there knowing that the power above is reaching down to lift him up? 450 pounds is nothing you want to play with, and he doesn’t plan on playing. If he were going to rob a bank, he wouldn’t go through the front door. He’d sneak up from behind. It’s time to get serious. If he can get by Vader, then he knows he’s got Stone Cold. Lord help him, he’s going to do it.
Replay: Last month on Raw, Vader defeated Ahmed Johnson after Owen Hart knocked Johnson out with his cast. Vader advanced to the Semifinals when The Ultimate Warrior vs. Goldust went to a Double Countout.
Replay: Three weeks ago on Raw, Jake Roberts defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley with a DDT to get to the Quarterfinals. Last weekend on WWF Superstars, he defeated Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw to advance to the Semifinals.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts gets into the ring and scares everyone off with Revelations.
King of the Ring Tournament
Semifinal Match
Vader w/ Jim Cornette vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Referee: Mike Chioda
The bell rings, and Vader sneers at Jake “The Snake” Roberts. They lock up, and Vader releases to flex in Roberts’ face. They lock up, and Vader applies a waistlock before applying a rear chin lock. Vader grabs Roberts’ arm and takes him down before applying an armbar. Vader pulls Roberts up and sends him into the ropes for an avalanche. Vader pulls Roberts up and sends him back into the ropes for another avalanche. Vader hits a big splash for a near fall. Vader whips Roberts to the corner and charges, but Roberts boots him back. Roberts punches away at Vader. Vader reverses a whip, but Roberts takes him down with a knee lift.
Roberts signals for a DDT, but Vader powers him into the corner. Vader mauls him with some right hands. Vader pulls him up in the corner and clubs away at his chest. Roberts ducks a short-arm clothesline and jabs away at Vader. Roberts connects with a short-arm clothesline, but Vader doesn’t go down. Roberts hits the ropes, but Vader clotheslines him down. Vader sends Roberts to the corner and charges, but Roberts sidesteps him. Roberts connects with a DDT! As he does, Vader grabs the referee, pulling him down. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Jake “The Snake” Roberts
The King of the Ring finals will be “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
Roberts goes to the corner for his canvas bag, but Vader avalanches him from behind. Vader avalanches him in the corner a second time, and Jim Cornette traps the referee in the corner. Vader positions Roberts near the corner and hits a Vader Bomb! Vader tries to go back to the second rope, but WWF referees run down to stop him. Cornette tries to talk sense to Vader, but Vader shoves his manager away. Roberts is helped to the back by the referees. He looks to be in bad shape. Vader furiously leaves the ring.
Replays show Vader grabbing the referee and throwing him down as he took the DDT.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was not good. They did a nice job of having Vader beat up Jake Roberts to give him an out for later if he were to lose, but this finish was ill-conceived. It was a bad idea just in concept, but the execution made it even worse. It was not obvious at all what happened, and even the replays weren’t clear. Vader’s stock has dropped significantly. What a shame. What a miss.
Coliseum Video Exclusive: Vader is furiously screaming in the locker room while Jim Cornette yells foul about what happened in the ring. Vader grabs Cornette and screams that no one beats him. Vader insists that he’s the King of the Ring.
The Godwinns make their way to the ring with Hillbilly Jim. They have two baby goats with them.
Video: Last month at the WWF Free for All, Billy Gunn kissed Sunny in front of Phinneas I. Godwinn, costing the Godwinns the WWF Tag Team Championship.
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix is backstage with WWF Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns and Sunny. Hendrix mentions that the Bodydonnas found a replacement for Sunny during the WWF Free for All earlier tonight: Kloudy, a man dressed as a woman. Sunny was disgusted. What will Sunny do to keep the Tag Titles? She said she’ll make sure the Gunns walk away. Billy Gunn says Sunny has nothing to worry about.
WWF Tag Team Championship
The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phinneas I. Godwinn) w/ Hillbilly Jim vs. The Smoking Gunns (Bart and Billy Gunn) (c’s)
Referee: Jack Doan
Before the match, Henry O. Godwinn threatens to slop Sunny, but she hides behind the Smoking Gunns. Billy Gunn takes the microphone and says he knows it’s eating Phinneas alive that he made Sunny feel a way Phinneas could never make her feel.
Phinneas goes after Billy, so Bart attacks him from behind. Bart scoop slams him and strikes away at the hog farmer. Billy tags in and punches him down in the corner. Phinneas tries to get up, but Billy pushes him back. Billy smiles as he slaps away at Phinneas. Billy sends Phinneas into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Phinneas punches Billy down twice before mounting him and punching away at him. Bart runs in, but Phinneas can’t be controlled. Bart pulls Billy out of the ring. Phinneas is having a spell, so Henry holds him back.
Video: Kloudy is watching the match. He is the Bodydonnas’ manager. It’s a man dressed as a woman. Kloudy says he’s happy to be in the World Wrestling Federation and blows a kiss.
Back to live action, Bart is taking it to Henry. Bart whips him hard into the corner and charges, but Henry boots him back. Henry clotheslines him down for a two-count. Henry wrenches away at Bart’s arm before tagging Phinneas in. Phinneas clubs Bart down before tagging Henry back in. Henry comes off the second rope with a club to the arm. Henry wrenches away at Bart’s arm and stretches him out. Some in the crowd start chanting for Sunny. Bart fights up and whips Henry off. Henry ducks a clothesline, but Billy knees Henry in the back. Henry collapses to the mat. Billy tags in and stomps away at Henry. Billy hits a snapmare and drops a knee on his chest for a two-count. Billy punches away at Henry and tags Bart in. Bart clubs Henry’s back as a louder “Sunny” chant picks up. Bart knees away at Henry’s back and arrogantly covers for a two-count. Billy tags in and continues to attack Henry. Henry reverses a whip and lowers his head, but Billy fires back with a leg drop bulldog for a two-count. Billy spent time posing before going for the pin. Bart tags back in and clubs Henry’s back before hitting a backbreaker. Bart stretches Henry over his knee before yelling at Hillbilly Jim. Bart clubs away at Henry and screams at him. Billy tags in and attacks Henry. Henry catches him with an inside cradle for a near fall. Billy goes back to the lower back with a club. Billy signals for the end and bounces Henry off the top turnbuckle. Billy sends Henry to the opposite corner and charges, but Henry moves. Billy hits the turnbuckles hard and collapses.
Both men are down. The referee stops Phinneas from getting in the ring, and the Smoking Gunns fake a tag to get Bart in the ring. Bart attacks Henry and hits a backbreaker. Bart goes to the top rope for a diving leg drop, but Henry moves.
Billy and Phinneas tag in. Phinneas punches away at Billy before hitting Bart. Henry takes Bart out and gets him in the opposite corner. The Godwinns try to send the Smoking Gunns into each other, but they reverse it. The Godwinns dosie-do before running the Smoking Gunns over with clotheslines. Henry punches away at Bart before the referee admonishes Henry. Bart hits Phinneas in the head with his boot, and Billy picks up the win.
Winners by Pinfall and still WWF Tag Team Champions: The Smoking Gunns
Henry furiously attacks the Smoking Gunns and sends them running from the ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was not a good match. Absolutely no one cared about the action that was going on in the ring, which wasn’t terrific. It was all about Sunny. The chants for her got louder as the match went on. The Tag Team Division is in complete shambles at this point. This new Kloudy individual isn’t making it any better. That one really didn’t age well.
Locker Room Interview
Dok Hendrix is in the locker room with The British Bulldog, Diana Hart-Smith, Jim Cornette, and Clarence Mason. Hendrix says they have to be on Cloud Nine with the deck stacked against Shawn Michaels. They have Owen Hart on commentary and Mr. Perfect as the Guest Referee. Cornette quotes the late Dick Murdoch by saying The Bulldog will pop him into next week. There won’t be a wishy-washy referee getting in the way this time. Nothing will stop The British Bulldog from taking the WWF Championship. Mr. Perfect is in the background, getting ready. Hendrix and the commentators wonder how Perfect can be impartial if he’s getting dressed in Camp Cornette’s locker room. Bulldog says Perfect can’t get dressed anywhere else because Shawn Michaels will steal his wallet. Tonight, no referees will get in the way. Bulldog will join the Triple Header Club. He’s been the Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion. Tonight, he’ll take the WWF Championship.
Jerry “The King” Lawler makes his entrance and goes up to the podium where the King of the Ring’s throne, crown, and robe are. Lawler tells Vince McMahon to shut up. The King has arrived. Lawler compliments the accouterments of the King of the Ring, but he’s been there, done that. Lawler calls the people of Milwaukee a bunch of losers, just like the Milwaukee Brewers. The name should explain it. The Brewers… they’re all drunk. Lawler heads to the ring and makes fun of some fans, saying he saw one guy in the bathroom getting a drink of water until the seat fell on his head. Lawler asks a kid if that’s his face or if his neck threw up.
Lawler gets in the ring and says everyone was glad to see The Ultimate Warrior come back, but he’s overstayed his welcome. Lawler tried to make things right with him. He offered him a peace offering in the form of a beautiful portrait he had made, but Warrior called him a con artist. Lawler framed him (footage is shown of him hitting him over the head with the portrait). When Lawler is through with him, he’ll look like a Picasso painting.
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. The Ultimate Warrior
Referee: Jimmy Korderas
The Ultimate Warrior makes his entrance. As he does, Lawler hits him from behind with the scepter he took from the King of the Ring stage. Lawler chokes Warrior at the ringside area with the scepter before punching away at him. Lawler bounces Warrior’s head off the ring steps before choking him with his ring jacket. A “Burger King” chant picks up.
They get in the ring, and Lawler chokes Warrior with his wrist tape. Warrior is gasping for breath. Warrior kicks Lawler back, but Lawler jumps back and chokes him down in the corner. The referee backs Lawler up. Warrior punches back at Lawler, but Lawler pulls something out of his tights and stuns Warrior with a punch. Lawler continues to choke Warrior with his wrist tape.
Lawler punches Warrior and sets up for a Piledriver. Lawler talks some trash before hitting his trademark Piledriver on Warrior. Warrior immediately pops up and starts to fire up. Lawler is stunned. Lawler clubs him, but Warrior keeps going. Warrior hits a trio of clotheslines before hitting a diving shoulder tackle. Warrior puts his knees on Lawler’s chest to pick up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior celebrates in the ring before heading to the back. Before he leaves, he climbs the King of the Ring podium and lifts the crown.
Mike’s Thoughts: And that right there is the final WWE pay-per-view match of The Ultimate Warrior’s career. No one knew it at the time, but this brief 1996 comeback was already nearing its end. In a way, a lot of what Jerry Lawler said on his way to the ring was true. The Ultimate Warrior was beginning to wear out his welcome. People were still excited to see him, but watching this in a retrospective way, on this bizarre amalgamation of a roster where serious wrestlers like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mankind, Shawn Michaels, and the Undertaker exist alongside a tag team of Hog Farmers and garbagemen, where exactly does The Ultimate Warrior really fit in? He didn’t, and the more you watch him, the less willing he is to do any real work to reinvent himself or catch up to the standards of the time. Granted, Warrior was reportedly dealing with injuries, so the goal here was to keep things simple. But the reality is that simplicity has largely defined this entire run.
Jerry Lawler deserves a ton of credit here. He carried the segment, generated all the heat (I was howling with laughter at some of the things he said to those fans on the way to the ring), and understood exactly what the audience needed from him. Warrior got the victory, but Lawler did the heavy lifting, which was often the case in Warrior’s biggest matches.
Backstage Segment
Dok Hendrix is with WWF President Gorilla Monsoon. In the background, Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ injured ribs are being tended to. Hendrix says Roberts has vowed to go on in the tournament. Monsoon says only Roberts knows how bad he is. Monsoon only knows Roberts has a burning desire to continue. Roberts is 41 years old. How many more chances will he get? Monsoon will watch closely. If he has to stop the match, he will.
Back to ringside, Owen Hart says he does give Jake “The Snake” Roberts credit for wanting to go on at 80 or 90 years old.
Replay: Last month at In Your House 8, Mankind attacked Undertaker during the Casket Match against Goldust. Undertaker disappeared after that. Two weeks ago on Raw, Mankind caused the Undertaker to get counted out against The British Bulldog. Mankind then hit Undertaker with a pulling piledriver after that.
Mankind psychotically hobbles his way down to the ring. The Undertaker’s music hits, and Paul Bearer heads to the ring. Bearer looks behind him for the Undertaker, but he’s stunned to see he’s not there. Bearer looks around for the Phenom.
Mankind vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
Referee: Mike Chioda
Paul Bearer climbs the ring steps, and the lights go on. The Undertaker is shown waiting on the top rope! Undertaker crushes Mankind with a diving clothesline, and the match begins! Undertaker wildly punches away at the deranged Mankind in the corner before scaring the referee back. Mankind forearms Undertaker in the face and sends him to the opposite corner. Undertaker quickly grabs him by the throat and throws him into the corner before punching away at him. Undertaker bounces Mankind off the top turnbuckle and stops him from climbing the ropes. Undertaker pulls him down, punches him, and dumps him out of the ring. Mankind stumbles around a bit and reconsiders getting in the ring. Mankind walks around the ring and squeals.
Mankind gets in the ring, and Undertaker grabs him before applying an iron claw to the face. Undertaker tries to rip Mankind’s mask off, but Mankind goes to the apron. Undertaker pulls Mankind into the ring the hard way. Undertaker bounces him off the top turnbuckle and wrenches his arm. Undertaker climbs to the top rope and walks on it before coming down with a club to the spine. Mankind pulls himself up in the corner, and Undertaker chokes him. Undertaker sends him to the opposite corner and charges, but Mankind elbows him back. Mankind connects with a scoop slam, but Undertaker sits up. Mankind quickly hits a basement clothesline, taking him back down. They trade punches before Mankind knocks him down in the corner. Mankind chokes him with his boot and backs up for a running knee to the skull. A “Rest in Peace” chant picks up. Mankind stomps Undertaker and pulls him over the apron. Mankind goes to the ringside area and elbows Undertaker in the chest. Undertaker falls to the floor. Mankind stomps Undertaker and screeches at the fans in the front row. Mankind goes to the apron and hits a flying elbow to the floor! Mankind gets up and continues to screech.
Mankind rolls back into the ring as Paul Bearer tries to will the Undertaker on. Undertaker is struggling to get to his feet. Undertaker stumbles around a bit before Mankind pulls him up to the apron. Mankind punches him back to the floor. Undertaker rolls into the ring and hits Mankind with an uppercut and some punches. Undertaker blocks a kick and spins him, but Mankind responds with a clothesline. Mankind sends Undertaker to the floor again. Mankind goes outside the ring and drives Undertaker into the steel steps. Mankind goes under the ring and throws a chair into the ring. The referee is distracted by Paul Bearer. Mankind charges Undertaker with a chair, but Undertaker big boots it into his face. Undertaker drives Mankind into the apron before hitting a back body drop onto the concrete floor AND the steel chair! Mankind writhes in pain.
Undertaker grabs Mankind and sends him into the ring. Mankind crawls around the ring. Bearer is distracting the referee again. Undertaker smashes Mankind on the spine with the chair and chokes him with his boot. Undertaker sends Mankind into the ropes and hits a big boot, but Mankind doesn’t go down. Undertaker goes for a Tombstone Piledriver, but Mankind slides off and hits a swinging neckbreaker. Both men are down. Mankind pulls himself up and hits a leg drop before screaming in Undertaker’s face. Mankind looks at his right hand and goes for the Mandible Claw, but Undertaker blocks it. Mankind kicks him and boots him in the head to take him down. Mankind backs up and charges for an elbow drop. Undertaker sits up! Mankind quickly applies a nerve hold to the neck. Undertaker tries to fight up, but Mankind cuts him off and puts the nerve hold back on. Bearer gets the fans going from ringside. Mankind holds it on for a bit as the crowd loudly chants, “Rest in Peace.” Undertaker eventually gets out with some fast punches to the face.
Undertaker hits an uppercut to take Mankind down. Undertaker then clotheslines him over the top rope. Undertaker reaches over the top rope for him, but Mankind pulls him out of the ring from under the bottom rope. Mankind viciously forearms Undertaker in the head several times, leaning him against the ring steps. Mankind gets in the ring and runs around the ring to hit a running knee to the skull into the steps! Mankind hits a scoop slam on the concrete and goes to the apron. Mankind signals for another elbow drop to the floor, but Undertaker uses the steel chair as a shield! Undertaker then ANNIHILATES HIM with a steel chair to the skull! The chair is indented with the form of Mankind’s head.
Undertaker rolls Mankind into the ring, and Mankind is struggling to stand. Undertaker grabs him, but Mankind is holding the ropes. Undertaker eventually pulls him up and throws him down onto the canvas. Undertaker headbutts Mankind several times, and Mankind is flailing against the ropes. Mankind reverses a whip, but Undertaker ducks a clothesline and hits his leaping lariat. Mankind pulls himself up, and Undertaker sends him back into the ropes. Undertaker lowers his head, and Mankind quickly takes advantage of that with a pulling piledriver! 1… 2… Undertaker barely kicks out. Mankind is furious that he didn’t put the Undertaker away. Mankind frustratedly headbutts the top turnbuckle before dropping to the canvas and headbutting the floor. Mankind then rips his own hair out. Paul Bearer holds up the urn, so Mankind pulls it away. Mankind holds the urn up and goes to hit Undertaker with it, but Paul Bearer pulls it away.
Undertaker sits up and goes after Mankind, but Mankind applies the Mandible Claw. Bearer gets on the apron, and Undertaker grabs Mankind by the throat. Mankind falls back, and Bearer misses him with the urn and hits Undertaker! Mankind takes Undertaker down with the Mandible Claw in the center of the ring! Bearer shouts, “Oh, no!” Undertaker is paralyzed by the Mandible Claw and passes out. The referee calls for the bell!
Winner by Technical Submission: Mankind
The soothing piano music plays, but Mankind isn’t satisfied. Mankind picks up the steel chair and stalks Bearer to the back. Undertaker struggles to get up to protect Bearer, but he can’t get to Mankind.
Mike’s Thoughts: Damn, was that a great match. This is a side of the Undertaker that really hadn’t been seen up to this point. The brutality, the vulnerability, the realism of the bout… they hadn’t done that with the Undertaker to this point and to my memory. Mankind was a perfect opponent for him. Someone with an equally dark backstory who can really go in the ring. For nearly the entirety of Undertaker’s run, except for the first two years, he feuded almost exclusively with huge, immobile guys. Giant Gonzalez, Yokozuna, King Kong Bundy, Kama, Mabel, to name a few. It had to be refreshing to follow up a good feud with Diesel to face Mankind.
This victory, no doubt, was key in getting Mick Foley on the map in the WWF. Mankind had fantastic vignettes leading to his debut, an explosive debut taking out the Undertaker, and had spent months tormenting and getting the better of the Phenom. Now, they have a match, and Mankind largely beats him cleanly, essentially by TKO. By 1996 WWF standards, this was about as close to a clean victory over The Undertaker as you were ever going to see. The crowd was absolutely stunned. One thing they for sure didn’t do around this time was beat the Undertaker without a ton of interference. Here, it was an accidental urn shot from Paul Bearer, followed by the devastating Mandible Claw. They’ve done an amazing job with Mankind so far. Foley did a ton of the work by creating a compelling character, but the WWF followed suit with equally good booking for him.
Obviously, history remembers these two for what happened at King of the Ring 1998, but that shouldn’t overshadow what they accomplished here. Their first major televised match together was violent, dramatic, and completely changed how people viewed Mankind. If you’ve never gone back and watched it, it’s absolutely worth revisiting.
Backstage Interview
Dok Hendrix says he can’t believe that Mr. Perfect can call this match down the middle. Hendrix saw Mr. Perfect getting dressed in Camp Cornette’s locker room. WWF Champion Shawn Michaels comes up and warns Perfect to call it down the middle. Perfect says Michaels seems nervous. He’s the perfect referee and will call it down the middle.
Replay: Last month on Raw, Goldust performed “mouth-to-mouth resuscitation” to an unconscious Ahmed Johnson. Johnson flipped out when he regained consciousness.
A furious Ahmed Johnson bursts through the doors and knocks over the gatekeepers of the King of the Ring set! Johnson gets in the ring and clotheslines Goldust down!
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Goldust (c) w/ Marlena vs. Ahmed Johnson
Referee: Jack Doan
The referee calls for the bell, and Johnson stands over Goldust. Johnson yells, “Don’t mess with me!” Johnson punches away at Goldust before letting him up and turning him inside out with a clothesline. Feathers fly all around the ring as Goldust is still in his ring robe. Johnson then dives over the top rope and hits Goldust with a plancha! Johnson hits the floor hard!
Johnson gets Goldust into the ring and whips him hard into the corner. Goldust rolls out of the ring to recover. Johnson follows him out and punches him before sending him into the steel ring steps. Johnson slings Goldust down and grabs the top of the steel steps. Johnson viciously throws it, but Goldust moves. Johnson gets Goldust into the ring and whips him hard into the corner. Johnson sends him to the corner and charges, but Goldust moves. Johnson hits the top rope and falls to the floor. Goldust goes to the ringside area and lays in some stiff strikes. Goldust whips him into the ring steps. Goldust grabs the top of the steel steps and smashes them off Johnson’s back. Marlena was distracting the referee.
Goldust attacks Johnson as he gets in the ring and sends him into the ropes for a clothesline. Goldust punches away at Johnson and picks up a two-count. Goldust connects with a scoop slam and taunts the crowd. Goldust sits on his back and applies a rear chin lock. Johnson tries to get up, but Goldust jumps onto his back. Goldust punches away at his ribs and goes back to the rear chin lock. Johnson fights up and elbows out. Johnson sends him to the corner and charges, but Goldust sidesteps him. Goldust punches away at Johnson’s back and takes him down. Goldust rakes the eyes and pats him on the rear end. Goldust punches away at the lower back before hitting a snapmare and going back to the rear chin lock. Goldust holds it on for a bit. The referee checks on Johnson’s arm. 1 drop… 2 drops… 3 drops… Johnson miscounts and starts to fight up. Johnson sends him into the ropes. Goldust goes for a sunset flip, but Johnson punches him. Goldust quickly takes him down with some punches for a one-count. Goldust punches away at him and picks up a two-count. Goldust gyrates and hits an ugly piledriver. Goldust crawls around Johnson and starts straddling his body. 1… 2… Johnson kicks out.
Goldust punches Johnson and gets to his feet. Goldust goes back to the rear chin lock. Johnson fights up and punches out. Johnson viciously clubs away at Goldust in the corner. Goldust reverses a whip into the opposite corner, sending him sternum-first into the corner. Goldust charges and knees him in the lower back. Johnson collapses to the mat in pain. Goldust drops a fist. Goldust rubs Johnson’s body again and rips at his face. Johnson soon gets to his feet and starts punching Goldust. Johnson sends him into the ropes for a dropkick, but Goldust holds the ropes. Goldust covers for a near fall. Goldust yells at the referee in frustration. Goldust pulls Johnson up to his feet and jumps on his back for a sleeper hold. Johnson drops to his knees. The referee checks his arm. 1 drop… 2 drops… Goldust lets go and slaps Johnson in the face three times.
Goldust licks his finger and saunters around the ring. Goldust says Johnson needs mouth-to-mouth. Goldust starts to deliver “mouth-to-mouth.” Johnson grabs him by the throat and WILDLY beats him down with some clubs to the spine. Johnson sends Goldust into the ropes for a spinebuster. Johnson is fired up. Johnson hits the Pearl River Plunge and picks up the victory!
Winner by Pinfall and new WWF Intercontinental Champion: Ahmed Johnson
Mike’s Thoughts: This was an ok match. It started hot and ended hot, but that middle section went way too long. Honestly, you cut that middle section out, and you’ve got a perfect match for Ahmed Johnson. Especially considering the angle they did to get them to this point, Johnson really should have just run through him in relatively short order. Still, people were psyched to see a new champion.
Video: In Your House: International Incident is coming in July.
Coliseum Video Exclusive: WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson goes backstage and gets showered in champagne from the other face wrestlers. WWF Champion Shawn Michaels gives him a hug.
Brian Pillman makes his WWF debut
A crazed-looking Brian Pillman makes his way down the aisle on crutches. Pillman threatens to hit the cameraman if he gets too close. Pillman’s left ankle is in a heavy cast from the Hummer accident a few months back. There are also IV lines taped onto his forearm.
Jim Ross is at ringside for an interview. Pillman asks how his extended family is doing. Pillman says he doesn’t give a damn about his own family. He thinks even less of the sewer of human waste that sits before him. It’s easy to see why Jeffrey Dahmer tried to consume this state from head to toe.
Ross asks how Pillman will measure up to the competition once he is healthy enough to get in the ring. Pillman shouts, “Listen, you stupid son of a bitch!” Pillman wonders how it feels to be a member of the wretched refuse sitting paralyzed with fear while Brian F’n Pillman does and says whatever he wants! Pillman says, “We’re gonna find out real soon if one of your so-called WWF Superstars has the guts to stop me.” Pillman says he’s the brightest star to ever step foot on God’s green earth. While you crown a new King of the Ring, the leader of a new generation ascends to his throne. Pillman says, “I’m going to rape, pillage, and plunder this entire Federation!” Pillman laughs psychotically.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was a pretty wild promo from Brian Pillman. What’s amazing is how quickly the switch was flipped. Just six days earlier on Raw, the WWF presented an emotional Pillman fighting back tears as he signed his contract and talked about getting a second chance after a devastating automobile accident. Here, he’s right back to being the Loose Cannon.
What really stands out watching this thirty years later is how physically broken down Pillman still looks. He arrives on crutches with his ankle in a massive cast, IV lines still taped to his arm, and honestly doesn’t appear anywhere close to being ready for the road. Pillman never truly gave himself time to recover from the accident, and it’s uncomfortable at times seeing how quickly he tried to jump back into the wrestling business. I guess he figured he had a hot character and a lot of intrigue, so he had to strike while the iron was hot.
As for the promo itself, some of the language hasn’t aged particularly well, but that’s almost secondary to the overall presentation. The goal wasn’t to make Pillman likable. The goal was to make him seem unpredictable and dangerous. Mission accomplished. Between the threats, the insults, and the manic delivery, this was a warning shot that Brian Pillman had arrived, and he was ready to make everyone’s life miserable.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin makes his way to the ring for the Finals of the King of the Ring Tournament. Austin walks by Brian Pillman. They seem to know each other from a past life.
Vince McMahon announces that Steve Austin went to the emergency room and got nearly 16 stitches in his mouth and tongue.
Replay: Footage is shown of the vicious beating Vader delivered to Jake “The Snake” Roberts after losing earlier tonight.
King of the Ring Tournament
Final Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Referee: Tim White
Austin attacks Roberts as he gets in the ring and kicks him in his injured ribs. Austin clubs Roberts and stomps away at the ribs. Austin clubs away at Roberts and talks some trash to him. Roberts is writhing in pain on the mat. Austin heads to the second rope and hits a diving forearm to the ribs. Austin shouts, “Get up, Jake!” Austin stomps Roberts in the ribs and comes off the second rope with another diving club to the ribs. Austin shouts for a bottle of Thunderbird for Roberts. Roberts yells at Roberts and kicks him in the ribs. Austin slaps Roberts in the face and calls him pathetic.
Roberts gets to his feet, gasping for breath. Roberts kicks him back and punches him down. Austin pops up, and Roberts is holding his ribs in pain. Austin easily takes him down and rips the tape off Roberts’ ribs. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon walks down and gets in the ring. Austin continues to club away at Roberts before Monsoon orders him back. Monsoon checks on Roberts, and Roberts does not want to quit. Roberts gets to his feet and refuses to call the match off.
Roberts then attacks Austin and jabs away at him before hitting a clothesline. Roberts signals for the DDT, but Austin drives him into the corner. Austin viciously shoulders away at the injured ribs. Roberts collapses in a heap. Austin gets on the ropes and poses for the crowd. Austin pulls Roberts up to his feet and hits the Stone Cold Stunner. It’s academic now. 1… 2… 3.
Winner by Pinfall: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is the 1996 King of the Ring. Austin’s new stitches seem to have opened up as blood starts to form on his lips. Austin looks callously at Roberts, who is still writhing in pain on the mat.
Replays are shown of the Stone Cold Stunner Austin hit on Roberts to win the King of the Ring Tournament.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin walks up to the King of the Ring podium, where Dok Hendrix is waiting for him.
Dok Hendrix: Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the fourth prestigious King of the Ring, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, an incredible victory.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin: The first thing I want to be done is to get that piece of crap out of my ring. Don’t just get him out of the ring, get him out of the WWF. Because I proved son, without a shadow of a doubt, you ain’t got what it takes anymore. You sit there, and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn’t get you anywhere. Talk about your psalms, talk about John 3:16… Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!
Vince McMahon: He is “Stone Cold.”
Hendrix: Come on, that’s not necessary.
Austin: All he’s got to do is go buy him a cheap bottle of Thunderbird and try to dig back some of that courage he had in his prime. As the King of the Ring, I’m serving notice to every one of the WWF Superstars. I don’t give a damn what they are; they’re all on the list, and that’s “Stone Cold’s” list, and I’m fixing to start running through all of them. (crowd boos) Piss off.
As far as this championship match is considered, son, I don’t give a damn if it’s Davey Boy Smith or Shawn Michaels. Steve Austin’s time has come, and when I get the shot, you’re looking at the next WWF Champion. And that’s the bottom line, because “Stone Cold” said so!
Hendrix: Obviously, anything but humble, the fourth prestigious King of the Ring, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin walks off and heads to the back.
Mike’s Thoughts: This is easily one of the most famous promos in wrestling history, and thirty years later, it still holds up remarkably well. The funny thing is, it’s not really the catchphrase that makes it work. It’s Austin himself. For months in this project, we’ve watched Steve Austin evolve from the Ringmaster into “Stone Cold,” but this feels like the first time he has completely figured out who the character is. He’s confident, angry, funny, sarcastic, and 100% believable. Austin isn’t playing a character here. He sounds like a guy who genuinely has a chip on his shoulder and thinks everyone around him is lesser than he is.
The crowd reaction is interesting in hindsight. It’s good, but it’s not the kind of earth-shattering response you’d expect given what this promo would eventually become. Nobody in that building knew they were witnessing one of the defining moments in wrestling history. It was just a really good promo by a really talented performer.
History Corner: The Birth of Austin 3:16
It’s impossible to talk about the King of the Ring 1996 without talking about Austin 3:16.
The phrase has become so ingrained in wrestling culture that it’s easy to forget how unlikely this moment was. Steve Austin entered 1996 as The Ringmaster, a dead-end gimmick in a dying stable with Ted DiBiase by his side. It never connected. Even after transitioning into “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, he was still trying to find the final piece that would make the character work.
King of the Ring 1996 proved to be that moment.
What makes this story even more fascinating is that Austin wasn’t originally expected to win the tournament. Following the infamous Curtain Call at Madison Square Garden one month earlier, Hunter Hearst Helmsley found himself on the receiving end of Vince McMahon’s punishment. A wrestler widely viewed as the favorite to win the tournament was suddenly out of the running. Vader was also heavily pushed at the time, but his relationship with the company was already becoming complicated.
The opportunity went to Steve Austin instead. Why not? The whole mantra of this company at the time seemed to be let’s try it and see what works.
After defeating Jake “The Snake” Roberts in the finals, Austin mocked Roberts’ religious references and delivered the line that would become one of the most famous catchphrases in wrestling history:
“Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!”
Contrary to popular belief, the promo didn’t instantly transform Austin into the biggest star in wrestling. The crowd reacted well, but nobody in the building was acting as if they had just witnessed history. The rise of Steve Austin would still take time. There would be memorable feuds, classic promos, and several more defining moments before he became the face of the World Wrestling Federation.
But this was the spark.
The promo produced more than just Austin 3:16. It also introduced another phrase that would become synonymous with Steve Austin for the rest of his career: “That’s the bottom line, because Stone Cold said so.” Years later, Austin compared the experience to hitting two grand slams in one game. Looking back, it’s hard to argue with that assessment. One promo gave birth to both the most famous piece of wrestling merchandise of the era and the catchphrase that would close countless Austin interviews and promos over the next decade.
It’s just simply amazing to me. Every star had to align for this to happen. Wrestling history often turns on the smallest moments. If the Curtain Call never happens, Austin may never get this opportunity. If Austin never gets this opportunity, perhaps there is no Austin 3:16. Heck, if Vader got over as he should have, they would have had him run through Jake Roberts with ease, eliminating the religious references that created 3:16. Thirty years later, it’s impossible to know for sure. What we do know is that on June 23, 1996, one of the most important catchphrases in wrestling history was born.
You want more? How about how remarkable it is that this moment falls where it does on the wrestling timeline?
On May 27, 1996, Scott Hall walked onto WCW Monday Nitro and launched what would become the Outsiders invasion angle, WCW’s biggest storyline ever. On June 23, Steve Austin gave birth to Austin 3:16. Just two weeks later, Hulk Hogan would shock the world by turning heel at Bash at the Beach and helping create the New World Order.
That’s a span of just forty-one days.
It’s difficult to find another six-week period in wrestling history that produced three moments as significant as those. One changed the presentation of wrestling. One created the industry’s next megastar. One created the hottest storyline the business had seen in years.
The Monday Night War wasn’t built overnight, but if you’re looking for the moment where professional wrestling truly entered a new era, these six weeks in the summer of 1996 make a compelling case.
The future was arriving.
Vince McMahon reminds Owen Hart to stay at the table and not get involved in the next match. Hart says he’ll stay here and give his expertise.
Mr. Perfect makes his way to the ring in a referee shirt.
Replay: Last month at In Your House 8, Shawn Michaels vs. The British Bulldog ended in a Draw after two referees counted their shoulders down.
Before the match begins, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon comes down to the ring and speaks with Howard Finkel, the ring announcer. Finkel says he has been informed by Monsoon that Mr. Perfect is the official in charge, but it will be conducted outside the ring. WWF official Earl Hebner will officiate inside the ring. Bulldog, Cornette, and Mr. Perfect flip out. Cornette says he’ll see Monsoon in court.
Bulldog goes outside the ring and grabs the Union Jack before waving it around to boos from the crowd.
WWF Championship
The British Bulldog w/ Jim Cornette and Diana Hart-Smith vs. Shawn Michaels (c) w/ José Lothario
Referees: Earl Hebner and Mr. Perfect (outside enforcer)
The bell rings to start the match. Shawn Michaels gets a “USA” chant going. They lock up, and Michaels backs him into the ropes, so Bulldog throws him down. Bulldog poses and does a forward flip. They circle the ring and lock up again. Michaels backs him against the ropes, so Bulldog again throws him down. Michaels pops up, but he restrains himself. They lock up, and Michaels wrenches the arm. Bulldog rolls through and wrenches Michaels’ arm. Michaels turns it on Bulldog and hits a takedown. Bulldog grapevines the head, so Michaels kips out. Michaels hits a headlock takeover, but Bulldog grapevines him. Michaels gets out and hits another headlock takeover before cinching it in and staying away from Bulldog’s legs. Bulldog rolls Michaels onto his shoulders for a two-count. Bulldog rolls him again for a two-count. Bulldog fights up and goes for a back suplex, but Michaels counters into a headlock takeover. Michaels gets Bulldog’s shoulders on the mat for a two-count. Bulldog whips Michaels off. Michaels runs into him twice before Bulldog leapfrogs him. Bulldog sends him over the top rope, but Michaels skins the cat. Michaels then hits a head-scissor over the top rope! Michaels skins the cat back into the ring and goes for a plancha, but he lands on the apron when Bulldog moves. Michaels then hits a hurricanrana off the apron and punches away at Bulldog. Michaels punches Cornette, takes his tennis racket, and hits him on the rear end! Michaels gets in the ring to celebrate.
Bulldog gets back in the ring. They lock up, and Bulldog hits a headlock takeover. Bulldog cinches the headlock in as the crowd chants, “USA.” Michaels fights up and twists out, but Bulldog overpowers him and puts the side headlock back on. Michaels fights up and tries to whip him off, but Bulldog takes him down and keeps it cinched in. Michaels fights up and whips him off, but Bulldog shoulder tackles him. Bulldog hits the ropes, so Michaels leapfrogs him. Bulldog puts the brakes on to avoid another leapfrog. They stand there for a moment before Bulldog military presses him. Michaels quickly slides off and goes for a roll-up, but Bulldog holds the ropes. Michaels trips him for a two-count. Michaels connects with two arm drags and applies an armbar. Michaels drives his knee into Bulldog’s arm and keeps the arm lock applied. Michaels stretches Bulldog’s arm out. Bulldog claws to the ropes to break it up, but the referee doesn’t see it. Mr. Perfect stares right at it and knocks Bulldog’s arm off the rope. The commentators are trying to say Bulldog was using that as an advantage, but he’s the one trapped in a submission hold. That should have been a rope break.
Bulldog gets out and clubs away at Michaels. Bulldog sends him to the corner and avoids a slingshot. Michaels looks for Bulldog and takes him down with an armbar. Michaels turns Bulldog over for a two-count. Michaels knees Bulldog in the arm, but Bulldog fights up and counters into a hammerlock. Michaels backflips out, but Bulldog hits a hip toss. Michaels quickly kicks him back and sends him into the ropes for another hip toss, but Bulldog blocks it. Michaels backflips over Bulldog and applies a sleeper hold. Bulldog quickly drives Michaels into the corner to get out of the hold. Bulldog sends Michaels hard into the opposite corner. Bulldog sends him back into the corner hard before hitting a snapmare. Bulldog puts the rear chin lock back on. Michaels fights up and elbows out before hitting an arm breaker. Michaels goes to the top rope and connects with a diving ax handle for a two-count. Bulldog reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Bulldog reverses a whip and military presses him before dumping him over the top rope! McMahon yells that was intentional and Bulldog should be disqualified. Lothario argues with Perfect. Bulldog goes outside and hits Michaels with a vertical suplex on the floor!
Bulldog gets in the ring as Mr. Perfect starts counting Michaels out. Lothario gets into it with Mr. Perfect, delaying the count a bit. Bulldog’s back is covered in Goldust’s sparkles. Bulldog goes outside and military presses Michaels back into the ring. Bulldog picks up a near fall. Bulldog goes back to the rear chin lock. Michaels struggles to fight to his feet and backs him into the corner before punching and shouldering him in the midsection. Bulldog reverses a whip, and Michaels rolls up the turnbuckles. Michaels lands on his feet, and Bulldog runs him over with a stiff clothesline. Bulldog then puts the Mexican Surfboard Stretch on. Mr. Perfect jumps onto the apron to look for a submission. Bulldog tips Michaels onto his shoulders for a near fall. Bulldog is furious with the referee before going back to the rear chin lock. Michaels fights up and hits the ropes, but Bulldog turns him inside out with a kitchen sink knee to the midsection. Bulldog sends him back into the ropes for a back body drop. Diana Hart-Smith is smiling at ringside. Bulldog drops a leg and picks up a near fall.
Bulldog goes back to the rear chin lock. Bulldog cinches it in, but Michaels eventually fights up. Bulldog sends him into the ropes, but Michaels ducks two clotheslines. Michaels connects with a running crossbody block for a two-count. Bulldog quickly pops up and clotheslines him down for a two-count. Bulldog goes back to the rear chin lock. Mr. Perfect backs Cornette up. A “USA” chant picks up to encourage Michaels. Michaels fights up and punches Bulldog, but Bulldog stuns him with a headbutt. Bulldog sends him into the ropes, but Michaels catches him with a crucifix pin for a near fall. Michaels blocks a kick and lifts Bulldog for a powerslam, but Bulldog slides off and powers Michaels up. Michaels slides off and goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Bulldog holds the ropes. Bulldog then clotheslines him down.
Both men are down. Bulldog gets to his feet and connects with a piledriver. Bulldog heads to the top rope for a diving headbutt, but he slips. Michaels rolls out of the way as Bulldog crashes to the mat. Michaels sends Bulldog hard into the corner. Michaels heads to the top rope, but Bulldog gets up and dropkicks him. Bulldog climbs to the top rope and connects with a vicious superplex. Bulldog crawls over for a cover: 1… 2… Michaels kicks out. Bulldog puts Michaels on the top rope for a back superplex, but Michaels turns over and lands on him for a near fall.
They begin to trade punches before Michaels sends him into the ropes. Michaels drops down before they collide heads. Both men are down again. They slowly get up, and Michaels ducks a clothesline. Michaels goes for a hurricanrana, but Bulldog counters with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall! Bulldog pulls Michaels up, but Michaels reverses a whip to the corner. Bulldog flips into the turnbuckles and bounces to the canvas. Cornette shouts advice to an exhausted Bulldog. Bulldog reverses a whip, but Michaels runs him over with a flying forearm. Michaels kips up, and the crowd is getting loud. Michaels lifts Bulldog for a scoop slam, but Bulldog’s legs hit Earl Hebner and take him down. Michaels heads to the top rope and hits his flying elbow drop. Michaels tunes up the band in the corner and hits Sweet Chin Music. Hebner goes to count, but Perfect stops him. They start to count together. 1… 2… Owen Hart pulls Perfect out of the ring… Hebner counts 3!
Winner by Pinfall and still WWF Champion: Shawn Michaels
Owen Hart argues with Perfect at the ringside area before getting in the ring. Michaels ducks an attack from Hart before hitting an atomic drop. Michaels then punches him down. Bulldog runs over, but Michaels punches him. Michaels sends Hart into the ropes, but Hart ducks Sweet Chin Music. Hart goes for an enzuigiri, but Michaels ducks and applies a Figure Four Leglock. Bulldog runs over, but Michaels catches him with an inside cradle. Michaels punches away at both Hart and Bulldog. Bulldog sends Michaels into the ropes, and Hart hits Michaels with a spinning heel kick. Bulldog and Hart then hit Michaels with a double-team suplex.
WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson runs down for the save! Johnson hits Hart with a military press slam before giving Bulldog a powerslam. Johnson stomps away at them. Vader runs down and avalanches Johnson. Vader scoop slams Johnson and punches away at him. Camp Cornette is dominating Michaels and Johnson. Vader avalanches Johnson in the corner as Hart comes off the top rope with a cast shot to Michaels’ head. Bulldog and Hart lay Michaels out as Vader heads to the top rope.
The Ultimate Warrior runs down to a HUGE ovation and shoves Vader off the top rope. Warrior clotheslines Bulldog and Hart down. Warrior shakes the ropes and stands tall with Johnson and Michaels. The crowd is going wild.
Vince McMahon announces that he was just informed that WWF Champion Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson, and The Ultimate Warrior will battle The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, and Vader at In Your House: International Incident.
Coliseum Video Exclusive: Jim Ross says Camp Cornette should be appalled and ashamed. Jim Cornette insinuates that José Lothario pulled a switchblade on him. Cornette says they’re ready to fight. If you want a gang fight, they’ve got a group that’s ready to go. Ross chastises Owen Hart for getting off the broadcast table and getting involved. Hart says he’s a wrestler. Cornette says the referee shouldn’t have been in the ring tonight. It should have been Mr. Perfect. The British Bulldog says he was the better man. He wasn’t aware that Michaels had so many friends, but so does Bulldog.
Video: Highlights from the 1996 King of the Ring.
Mike’s Thoughts: Compared to whatever the main event was last month, this was a much-improved effort from Shawn Michaels and the British Bulldog. It still wasn’t near the standard of what I’d expect from Shawn Michaels in 1996, but it was definitely above average for the British Bulldog. There was an interminable amount of rear chin locks in this. There’d be a little action and then right back to the chin lock. The little spurts of action were good, but the chin locks really became tedious around the 15-minute mark. Also, after Mr. Perfect was randomly involved with Shawn Michaels, forgotten about, and then brought back, his Guest Referee spot meant absolutely nothing. He did absolutely nothing from the ringside area and didn’t even wind up counting the pin. Can anyone explain the purpose of that at all? I think it hurt the finish as well because people seemed to be waiting for Perfect to do something, and he never did. That’s some pretty bad booking.
The post-match kerfuffle was good and set up the next PPV main event well. That main event doesn’t wind up happening with this exact configuration of stars because nothing about the Ultimate Warrior’s 1996 run went the way the WWF thought it would, but at least it ended the show on a high note.
Quick Match Results
— “Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. “Wildman” Marc Mero in a King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Match
— Jake “The Snake” Roberts def. Vader in a King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Match
— The Smoking Gunns (Bart and Billy Gunn) (c’s) def. The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phinneas I. Godwinn) to retain the WWF Tag Team Championship
— The Ultimate Warrior def. Jerry “The King” Lawler
— Mankind def. The Undertaker via Technical Submission
— Ahmed Johnson def. Goldust (c) to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship
— “Stone Cold” Steve Austin def. Jake “The Snake Roberts in the Final Match of the 1996 King of the Ring Tournament
— Shawn Michaels (c) def. The British Bulldog to retain the WWF Championship
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.