10 Greatest In-Ring Promos Of All Time

3. "The Easy Way Or The Hard Way"

Steve Austin may have bested Shawn Michaels for the WWF championship at WrestleMania XIV against the better wishes of Vince McMahon, but the next night his boss was on hand to make clear it wouldn't all be 'Stone Cold's' way from then on.

The chief had a very clear picture in his mind of what constituted a figurehead for his company, and it wasn't a rough-talking, insubordinate red-neck like Austin. However, short of firing the 'Rattlesnake' and inciting a riot, there wasn't much Vince could do, so he offered the new champ a compromise: he could either do things "the easy way, or the hard way."

It's not difficult to guess which option Austin chose. One of the greatest rivalries in wrestling history was born one stunner later. It would be the first of many.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.