10 Wrestling Career Turning Points That Took Place ON AIR
7. Stone Cold Steve Austin
One of the most replayed scenes in WWE history for good reason, the King Of The Ring 1996 coronation promo was for Stone Cold Steve Austin and the company what Hulk Hogan's late-1983 return was for Vince McMahon himself.
In the months, years and decades removed from the moment, WWE spun the yarn that the phenomenon was overnight and subsequently capitalised on, because telling the truth would highlight just how hard it is to get over in the company. Austin 3:16 signs did pop up, but the t-shirt certainly didn't.
Steve Austin needed the return of Bret Hart to truly elevate him from the most exciting midcarder of a generation to an inevitable main event concern, but the fact he wouldn't have even won the King Of The Ring tournament nor had the opportunity to cut the promo had Triple H not lost the spot speaks volumes about 'The Rattlesnake's firepower on the night.