10 Fascinating WWE King Of The Ring 1996 Facts

10. Hunter Hearst Helmsley Was Supposed To Win The Tournament

Perhaps the most important non-Austin note (although it would directly benefit him) from the 1996 King of the Ring concerns the original choice in winner. With Hall and Nash out the door, and Sean Waltman soon to join them, the Kliq seemed to be losing its despotic grip. Hardly, as Shawn Michaels reigned as WWE Champion, and fellow spit-brother Helmsley was set to win the June tournament.

Then the Curtain Call happened. You know, where Michaels and Helmsley broke character to join in a public farewell with Hall and Nash at Madison Square Garden that May. WWE's backstage agents and assorted veterans vehemently objected to the kayfabe-killing stunt, and McMahon, needing to soothe tensions, knew that he'd have to punish somebody.

Hall and Nash were no longer under his jurisdiction, and he couldn't derail champion Michaels, so Helmsley was left holding the bag. He not only had the King of the Ring win revoked, but he went on job duty for the next four or five months. Then he won the Intercontinental belt when it was over, because of course he did.